READ: Poems From West Hollywood's First Poet Laureate, Steven Reigns
READ: Poems From West Hollywood's First Poet Laureate, Steven Reigns
The city commissioned Reigns to ‘act as a champion for poetry, language, and the arts.’
Daniel Reynolds
Femen Activists Who Protested Topless At Notre Dame Cleared Of Charges
Femen Activists Who Protested Topless At Notre Dame Cleared Of Charges
PARIS (AP) — A Paris court on Wednesday threw out a legal complaint against nine activists who bared their breasts in a protest at Notre Dame Cathedral but ruled that three security guards who restrained the women were too violent.
Prosecutors had sought thousands of euros in fines against activists from the feminist group Femen, who pounded a huge church bell in the landmark Paris cathedral in February last year to express anger at the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition to gay marriage. They also staged a mock celebration of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. In its ruling, the court found there was insufficient evidence of any material damage by the activists. But the guards who pulled them away were convicted of “mild violence” and fined 1,000 euros (about $1,300), 500 euros, and 300 euros — though those fines were suspended.
Wearing flower garlands in their hair, the activists hailed the verdict and vowed to press on with protests against religious institutions.
“Did you expect us to lose?” asked Femen leader Inna Shevchenko. “We did everything right. And I think that today the judge and the decision of the judge just proved it.”
Prosecutors and Notre Dame have 10 days to decide whether to seek an appeal. The lawyer for the cathedral did not immediately respond to several messages seeking comment.
France is strictly secular but has deep Roman Catholic roots.
Suspected arson attack destroys cultural center in Brazil ahead of gay wedding
Here’s How To Win An Autographed Copy Of Barbra Streisand’s New Album
Here’s How To Win An Autographed Copy Of Barbra Streisand’s New Album
How does that saying go: People who win autographed copies of Barbra Streisand albums are the luckiest people in the world. Something like that, right? Now you can become one of the lucky ones with a chance to win a signed copy of Partners (available for purchase September 16), the new album on which the legendary multi award-winning entertainer wraps her stunning voice around a dozen love songs sung with a demographic-shattering array of some of the music industry’s most popular male vocalists, including Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Blake Shelton, John Legend, Babyface, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, her talented son Jason Gould and even the late King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.
The singer recently joined Instagram and has been posting photos and videos of her recording sessions to share with her multitude of fans. Ever the philanthropist, Streisand is also offering fans the opportunity to win an autographed copy of the highly-anticipated new album. Watch this medley of her with all of her illustrious duet partners and scroll down to find out how you can win a copy.
That’s quite a list of musical collaborators, isn’t it? To qualify for a chance to win a copy of Partners that’s been personally signed by Barbra, simply click “like” on this post on Facebook and tell us which other singer you’d like to hear record a duet with Barbra. The commenter who acquires the most “likes” will win.
And just for participating, enjoy this rendition of Streisand’s Oscar-winning “Evergreen,” now sung opposite Babyface.
Jeremy Kinser
không Quan Tâm [LGBT]
at LT Sue Co Tea Room and Emporium, Hanford CA
What Makes a Film 'Gay'?
What Makes a Film 'Gay'?
The director of The Skeleton Twins makes a case for the place of gay films in the modern age.
Craig Johnson
Photos: Straight men go ahead with their gay marriage in New Zealand
Photos: Straight men go ahead with their gay marriage in New Zealand
Matt McCormick and Travis McIntosh got legally hitched in order to win a competition to attend the next Rugby World Cup
davidh
www.gaystarnews.com/article/photos-straight-men-go-ahead-their-marriage-ceremony-new-zealand120914
Next Level Bromance: Why These Two Straight Guys Decided To Get Married
Next Level Bromance: Why These Two Straight Guys Decided To Get Married
Two men are about to wed in New Zealand, which in and of itself is nothing special. Same-sex marriage has been legal there for just over a year. But Travis McIntosh and Matt McCormick will be different than most gay newlyweds because, well, they aren’t gay.
The two straight BFFs are tying the knot as part of a radio contest stunt, earning themselves a free trip to the Rugby World Cup in England.
Naturally, this has gay rights groups in a bit of a tizzy. For those who’ve fought long and hard to earn the right to marry their partners, the irreverence of the contest feels a bit like a slap in the face.
“The point of this competition is that men marrying each other is still something they think is worth having a laugh at …
“Maybe on the day that statistics around mental health for LGBTI people are better, when high schools are safe places for LGBTI youth, we can look back on all this and laugh.
“But competitions like this don’t bring that day any closer,” said LegaliseLove Aotearoa Wellington co-chairman Joseph Habgood.
On the other hand, while the obviously fake (though legally very real) wedding may be making a mockery of the institution of marriage, it does reflect a changing tide of straight guys who aren’t fearful of appearing gay.
“We are not here to insult anyone. We are here to do our own thing and travel our own path.” Mr McIntosh said, adding, “It’s just seeing how far two good mates would go to win a trip to the Rugby World Cup.”
The two met playing rugby when they were 6 years old, and we realize it’s all a big farce but isn’t it also kind of…cute? Just look at them!
They also chose this as their wedding song for goodness sake, and they’ll marry in front of 60 friends and family members, who are reportedly “excited” is are the couple:
Dan Tracer
