A student at the University of North Carolina has been charged with filing a false report after saying he was the victim of a hate crime. Quinn Matney, a 19-year-old freshman, allegedly claimed that a man shouted anti-gay abuse at him and branded his wrist, causing him to be treated in hospital for severe burns….
CALIFORNIA – The NBA has fined star player Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers $100,000 for what it calls “inexcusable” homophobic language used against a referee. During last week’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers player called Bennie Adams a “faggot” when the referee judged he had committed a foul. His outburst…
NEW JERSEY – A New Jersey transgender man has been fired after his employers decided that he did not fulfill a men-only requirement of the job. Urban Treatment Associates, a drug treatment center in Camden, New Jersey, fired El’Jai Devoureau on his second day at work when his supervisor was informed he was transgender. The…
Couples in Arkansas can now adopt children. ARKANSAS – The Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling that a law prohibiting adoption by unmarried couples that live together violates the Arkansas Constitution. On Nov. 4, 2008, Arkansas voters approved a statutory ban on adoption and foster parenting by unmarried individuals cohabiting with a…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two weeks ago at a press conference, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) announced the reintroduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act but no bill was formally introduced. The bill was reportedly held up for lack of co-sponsors. Late last week it was formally reintroduced, with 92 less co-sponsors than at the end of the…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), would allow U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents in same-sex relationships to sponsor their partners for immigration purposes. Under current immigration law, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents may…
WYOMING – Former Republican Senator for Wyoming, Alan Simpson, has lashed out at anti-gay politicians in his party. During an interview with MSNBC’s Hardball program, he criticized conservative Republicans’ positions on abortion and homosexuality, calling homophobes “disgusting.” “Who the hell is for abortion?” railed Simpson. “I don’t know anybody running around with a sign that…
ITALY – Following his claims that homosexuality caused the fall of the Roman Empire, a leading Italian academic is facing calls for his resignation as vice president of the country’s Centre for National Research. Professor Roberto De Mattei, vice-president of Italy’s Centre for National Research, a devout Catholic who previously claimed that the Japanese earthquake…
CHINA – At least 60 people have been arrested by police after a raid on Q Bar in Shanghai. An Agence France-Presse report stated, “Police said ‘pornographic’ shows were taking place when they arrived at the Q Bar in the early hours of Sunday.” All those detained – DJs, customers and bar staff – were…
Most holidays I can think of encompass foods that are saturated in tradition – whether it is familial, religious or secular. For me, Easter encompasses all three, each lending a particular aspect to the annual brunch I throw. I also incorporate foods of another religious celebration because of the diversity and respect it contributes to…
