The Azire Times

Gillette Ad Shows You How To Shave Your Balls

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:29:00 +0000

Inside George Bush's Home In Dallas

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:53:00 +0000

George and Laura Bush’s home at 10141 Daria Place may have never been officially listed for sale on the North Dallas real estate market, but that doesn’t mean its rooms never graced the pages of a sales brochure.
While most gawkers will have to settle for a view of the former president’s Preston Hollow palace from the distance of a Secret Service-guarded gate or via Google Maps, a recently discovered real estate brochure offers a rare glimpse inside the five-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom ranch-style abode.
The home was renovated in 2005 by architect Paul Dickel and designer Nancy Leib and features custom doors and windows, ironwork, a library, a limestone fireplace, a gallery, a large play room, and a marble bath. It’s situated on 1.15 acres with a great view of a tree-filled 20-acre adjoining lot.
(PN)

Xavier Dolan Picks Up Three Prizes At Cannes For Gay Film

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:30:00 +0000

Quebec filmmaker Xavier Dolan swept three of the four prizes Friday at the Cannes Directors' Fortnight for his film I Killed My Mother (J'ai tue ma mere).
The 20-year-old's first feature won the Art Cinema Award, given by an international jury of independent cinema programmers and the SACD Prize for best French-language film.
Dolan also won the Regards Jeunes 2009 Prize, given to a first film by a jury of young cinephiles.
The remaining prize, the Europa Cinemas Label, was given to the Austrian movie La Pivellina by Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel.
The Montrealer wrote and directed the coming-of-age movie, which is about a 16-year-old boy just discovering his gay sexuality and fighting with his mother, who constantly annoys him.
The film was one of the most talked about titles of the Directors' Fortnight -- a sidebar of the Cannes Film Festival -- and its first screening was greeted with a standing ovation.

(GNB)

Alameda CA School Board Adopts Plan To Halt Anti-Gay Bullying

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:11:00 +0000

Alameda School district leaders have approved lesson plans for kindergartners through fifth graders that aim to curb anti-gay bullying.
Trustees voted 3-2 on Tuesday to adopt the Safe Schools curriculum, which supporters say will help children of gay parents feel welcome at school and help end anti-gay teasing and bullying on the playground.
The lessons also aim to provide a safe environment for children to learn, as well as to offer a framework for teachers to break down stereotypes and teach kids about different types of families.
"The need for this is real," said Beth Kromer, a fourth-grade teacher at Ruby Bridges Elementary School.
Brian Harris, a 16-year-old student at the Alameda Community Learning Center, told trustees that he has been called anti-gay epithets on campus.
"I have been harassed by other students in the classroom and I have even begun to consider just stopping and giving up on life," Harris said.
Opponents of the curriculum said it would undercut parents' rights to teach their children about relationships and sexual orientation, and that it pushed a political agenda without addressing ways to help other groups who may be singled out at school.
(MN)

Australia To Adopt New Zealand-Style Civil Unions?

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:36:00 +0000

New South Wales' Rainbow Labor's proposal for Australia to adopt New Zealand-style Civil Unions has drawn criticism from within the LGBT activist community.
"Civil unions are not a stage through which Australia must pass, but a mistake from which we must learn," Australian Marriage Equality spokesman Peter Furness told the Sydney Star Observer.
However, Rainbow Labor NSW spokesman Michael Vaughan believes there is broad community support for the idea and is working with ministers on moving it forward, but is also lobbying for full same-sex marriage rights as a first option.
(GNZ)

Gay Rights Groups Against Federal Same-Sex Marriage Lawsuit

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:21:00 +0000

A coalition of gay rights groups says a federal same-sex marriage lawsuit brought by two high-profile litigators is premature.
The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and other national organizations issued a statement Wednesday saying they think the U.S. Supreme Court is not ready to issue a favorable ruling on the issue.
The statement came the day after Theodore B. Olson and David Boies, who represented opposing sides in the 2000 Bush v. Gore challenge, announced they had filed a federal court challenge to California’s gay marriage ban.
Olson and Boies said the suit was filed on behalf of two gay men and two gay women.
Olson said that he hopes the case will wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction against California’s Proposition 8 until the case is resolved.
Gay rights activists in California want to win marriage back for same-sex couples by going back to voters.
The state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday to uphold the gay marriage ban.
(365)

Happy Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:15:00 +0000

Happy Birthday: Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone turns 86 today. WNBC's Sue Simmons is turning 66. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is 86. Actor Paul Bettany is 38. TV Chef Jamie Oliver is 34. Actor Richard Schiff (The West Wing) is 54. Lou Gossett Jr. turns 73. And Todd Bridges from the 80s sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, turns 44 today.

Music: Calvin Harris - I'm Not Alone OUT NOW

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:37:00 +0000

Gay Couples Are Happier In Relationships Than Heterosexuals

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:06:00 +0000

Recent studies indicate that same-sex couples have greater levels of satisfaction in their relationships than their heterosexual counterparts due to better communication.
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign studied couples of the same sex and opposite sexes and discovered that, contrary to the beliefs of some, the relationships are very similar.
These findings will help bridge the gap between society's generalised views regarding the longevity and strength of gay partnerships, researchers believe.
Glenn Roisman, researcher and author of the study by the University of Illinois, told The Desert Sun: “If one is basing one's world view that same-sex couples are fundamentally different than opposite-sex pairs as being of an inferior quality, one is mistaken.”
In a three-year study of civil unions taking place in Vermont, Esther Rothblum, a professor of Women's Studies at San Diego State University, discovered that same-sex couples resolved conflict better than opposite-sex couples in committed relationships.
“Compared with heterosexual married participants, both types of same-sex couples reported greater relationship quality, compatibility and intimacy and lower levels of conflict,” the study reported. Those in same-sex relationships were found to balance out the responsibilities of both partners in their work and home life.
(PN)

Hump Day Hunk

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:02:00 +0000

Juveniles Accused Of Battering Cassmate Released

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Four juveniles accused of sexually battering a 13-year-old classmate at Walker Middle School were released Tuesday from home detention and electronic monitoring. Deputies arrested the teens — Lee Louis Myers, 14, Raymond A. Price-Murray, 14, Randall John Moye, 14, and Diemante J. Roberts, 15 — on May 6, eight days after the alleged attack with a broom handle and a hockey stick in a locker room. Hillsborough Circuit Judge Christopher Sabella said he had no choice but to release them, noting that adult charges have not been filed. He warned them to stay away from the victim. "That part of my order will remain in effect," Sabella said. "You won't be required to stay in your house, but that might be a good idea." All of the teens except Myers appeared in court. Myers' attorney said he didn't think the boy needed to attend the hearing. The boys' parents and attorneys offered no comment. Earlier this month, Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said prosecutors would charge the four as adults. But Tuesday, Assistant State Attorney Kimberly Hindman told the judge the state is still investigating "forensic evidence" and has made no determination about adult charges.
(TB)

Dan Choi To Attend Rally Outside Obama Fundraiser

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:19:00 +0000

"President Barack Obama will be at the Beverly Hilton the evening of Wednesday, May 27th, for a DNC fundraiser. Let's take this opportunity, just one day after the CA Supreme Court makes its decision on Proposition 8, to show our President our support for his daring promise to our community and to highlight the growing movement towards FULL FEDERAL EQUALITY.
Join us at a rally at 6PM in front of the Beverly Hilton on Wednesday, May 27th.
At 7PM we will be joined by Lt. Dan Choi and other LGBT servicemen & women in opposition to Don't Ask Don't Tell. They will ask for response from President Obama to the letter signed by 136,000 people asking the president not to fire Lt. Choi by ending DADT.
Regardless of what decision comes down regarding Prop 8 it is time for us all to demand equality on all fronts for all people!
Sponsored by the Courage Campaign, Equality Network, Equal Roots Coalition, FAIR, Stonewall Democratic Club, White Knot."
6PM - Meet to rally
7PM - Program begins
(CC)

PAAM Holds Fine Art Auction

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Provincetown Art Association and Museum, (PAAM’s) Spring Consignment auction will be held Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 7pm. Join us for an exciting live auction of rare and vintage artwork. Complimentary admission. Telephone and absentee bidding available* Featuring works by Peter Busa, Oliver Chaffee, Herman Maril, Ross Moffett, Irving Marantz, William H. Littlefield, James Hansen, Taro Yamamoto, LaForce Bailey, Ferol Sibley Warthen, Bernard Simon, among others. A preview exhibition of available works opens at PAAM Friday, May 29 at 7pm. This event is free and open to the public, continuing through June 13th, at 5pm. *Consignors, telephone bidders and absentee bidders: please contact PAAM in advance to make necessary arrangements. PAAM presents annual live consignment auctions and preview exhibitions twice yearly. These events present works of art that may not otherwise be seen by the general public. Proceeds directly benefit the cultural initiatives of PAAM. For more Info: www.paam.org

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons Vetoed Domestic Partner Bill

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 03:30:00 +0000

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons has carried through on his threat and vetoed a bill that would allow same- and opposite-sex couples to register as domestic partners and receive many of same rights as married couples have in the state.
The bill was passed by the Legislature earlier this month, despite the threat.
In a statement Monday, Gibbons said domestic partnerships are essentially the same as marriage and that the bill conflicts with a constitutional amendment approved by Nevada voters in 2002 limiting marriage to a man and a woman. Gibbons statement said that only the voters should be able to amend or undo provisions of the constitution.
The bill, however, makes it clear that domestic partnerships does not equal marriage. It would have given domestic partners the “same rights, protections, benefits, responsibilities, obligations and duties” as traditionally married couples, including the same divorce laws, such as those involving community property.
(365)

AT&T Admits Letting American Idol Fans Vote Against Gay Singer Adam Lambert For Free

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 02:37:00 +0000

AT&T, one of the biggest corporate sponsors of “American Idol,” influenced the outcome of this year’s competition by providing phones for free text-messaging services and lessons in casting blocks of votes at parties organized by christian Conservative fans of Kris Allen, the Arkansas singer who was the winner of the show last week.
American Idol Representatives of AT&T, whose mobile phone network is the only one that can be used to cast “American Idol” votes via text message, provided the free text-messaging services at two parties in Arkansas after the final performance episode of “American Idol” last week, according to the company and people at the events.
There were no similar efforts to provide free texting services to supporters of Adam Lambert, who finished as the runner-up to Mr. Allen.
Since then, angry supporters of Mr. Lambert have flooded online chat boards with messages claiming irregularities in the competition’s voting.
Officials of Fox Broadcasting declined to discuss the situation. In a statement issued Tuesday, a spokesman for AT&T said, “In Arkansas, we were invited to attend the local watch parties organized by the community. A few local employees brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested.”

(NYT)

Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Prop 8 Ruling

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Wed, 27 May 2009 01:13:00 +0000

In a bold move that takes a new approach to achieving marriage equality, two attorneys who argued opposing sides of the 2000 Bush v. Gore lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court have filed a challenge to Proposition 8 in federal court.
Theodore B. Olson, the U.S. solicitor general from 2001 to 2004 under President George W. Bush, and David Boies, a high-profile trial lawyer who argued on behalf of former vice president Al Gore, filed the suit May 22 in U.S. district court on behalf of two California gay couples.
The attorneys argue that relegating same-sex couples to domestic partnerships instead of granting them full marriage rights is a violation of the equal protection and due process clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Olson said he was contacted several months ago by representatives of an association called the American Foundation for Equal Rights about his willingness to represent the two couples named in the suit.
“For a long time I’ve personally felt that we are doing a grave injustice for people throughout this country by denying equality to gay and lesbian individuals,” Olson said in an interview with The Advocate. “The individuals that we represent and will be representing in this case feel they’re being denied their rights. And they’re entitled to have a court vindicate those rights.”
When pressed about his service with the Bush administration, which in 2004 endorsed an amendment to the U.S. constitution that would prohibit same-sex marriage, Olson said he was personally against the amendment at the time, though he made no public statements on the matter.
As for the timing of the suit, Olson said that recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court “make it clear that individuals are entitled to be treated equally under the Constitution. I’m reasonably confident that this is the right time for these [injustices] to be vindicated.”
Olson, Boies, and other attorneys working on the suit are being compensated by the American Foundation for Equal Rights, Olson said his law firm and others also are contributing resources pro bono.
(MN)

Colin Farell Walks Down The Aisle

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Tue, 26 May 2009 23:24:00 +0000

He's the perpetual bachelor who's yet to find a woman who can make an honest man out of him, but ladykiller Colin Farell is set to walk down the aisle - as the best man at his gay brother's wedding.
The Hollywood star's brother Eamon Farrell, who will be marrying partner Steven Mannion in front of a host of family and friends at a European hotspot this summer, has revealed that Colin may play the key role at his upcoming nuptials.
(DM)

Music: Won't Back Down - Help Repeal Prop 8

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Catholic Priest Says Gay Men Are To Blame For Paedophilia

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:41:00 +0000

An aide of the Archbishop of Cardiff has claimed that gay men are the main perpetrators of paedophilia in the Catholic Church.
In the wake of recent exposures of widespread cases of paedophilia within the Catholic church, controversy has been renewed by Father John Owen.
Speaking on BBC1's Big Questions programme on Sunday, the communications officer for the archdiocese of Cardiff stated that "most of the offences are being committed by homosexuals".
Father Owen, also a chaplain at Cardiff University, said that teenage boys were the group affected by the “majority” of abuse cases in the United Kingdom, adding: "Now what does that tell you? Now that is a fact."
(PN)

Afternoon Delight

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:39:00 +0000

Video From Prop 8 Rally Outside Court

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:46:00 +0000

Prop 8 Rallys Set For Tonight Around Country

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:39:00 +0000

Outside the court, large crowds began arriving hours before the ruling was to be released. Police set up barricades to keep the two groups separated. After the ruling, gay-marriage advocates began blocking off San Francisco intersections in protest.
The ruling angered many on both sides in the crowd. Conservatives said that the court should have invalidated the 18,000 marriages, while LGBT supporters said the ruling creates two classes of gay citizens in the state.
The group Marriage Equality will hold solidarity marches in communities across California tonight. Similar marches will be held in other cities across the country.
The effort to legalize same-sex marriage for all Californians now rests with two groups preparing voter measures to overturn Prop 8 in 2010.
The California Secretary of State has given the group Yes on Equality until Aug. 17 to collect the nearly 700,000 signatures needed to qualify its initiative for the 2010 ballot. It would ask voters to repeal Prop 8. The other, by two college students, would strike the word “marriage” from all state laws.
Prop 8 was passed by voters in November by a slim 52 percent. The American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights immediately filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the November Prop 8 vote. They were joined by additional suits by the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles and a legal opinion by California Attorney General Jerry Brown.
For the court there were three issues to be determined: Is Proposition 8 invalid because it constitutes a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution; Does Proposition 8 violate the separation of powers doctrine under the California Constitution; and If Proposition 8 is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the 18,000 marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Proposition 8.
(365)

Prop 8 Stands In 6-1 Ruiling

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:10:00 +0000

The California Supreme Court today upheld Proposition 8's ban on same-sex marriage but also ruled that gay couples who wed before the election will continue to be married under state law.The decision virtually ensures another fight at the ballot box over marriage rights for gays. Gay rights activists say they may ask voters to repeal the marriage ban as early as next year, and opponents have pledged to fight any such effort. Proposition 8 passed with 52% of the vote.
Although the court split 6-1 on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the justices were unanimous in deciding to keep intact the marriages of as many as 18,000 gay couples who exchanged vows before the election. The marriages began last June, after a 4-3 state high court ruling striking down the marriage ban last May.In an opinion written by Chief Justice Ronald M. George, the state high court ruled today that the November initiative was not an illegal constitutional revision, as gay rights lawyers contended, nor unconstitutional because it took away an inalienable right, as Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown argued.Only Justice Carlos R. Moreno, the court's sole Democrat, wanted Proposition 8 struck down as an illegal constitutional revision.

(LAT)

PROP H8 Stays

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:08:00 +0000

Nevada Governor Refuses To Meet Obama At Airport

noreply@blogger.com (Azire Staff) — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:48:00 +0000

President Obama said he will meet with Nevada Governor Gibbons at the airport when he flies into town.
Gibbons responded by saying in part, "I am not interested in a handshake and a hello from President Obama."
(KTNV)