The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D) delayed plans for a revision on ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) that would include Transgender people. Pelosi has been pressured by lobbyist, activist and nameless gay groups to introduce a revised bill that includes Transgender people. But after an internal vote by Democrats in the House of Representatives, Pelosi and supporters of the bill that would include Transgender people found that the bill would’ve died when including Sexual Identity as a category of people that cannot be discriminated against when it comes to the issue of employment.

This internal vote only included Democrats of the house, which is now the majority. Many activists are splitting and taking sides on this political issue. Some activist say this bill is a stepping stone or step forward for Gays and Lesbians looking for equal rights when it comes to the issue of employment. On the other side there are activist stating that this removal of sexual identity from the bill would leave Transgender people behind and beak-up the LGBT family.

Polyamory (from Greek πολυ (poly, literally “multiple”) and Latin amor (literally “love”) is the desire, practice, or acceptance of having more than one loving, intimate relationship at a time with the full knowledge and consent of everyone involved.

 

This is a confession and advice from the author Justin B Smith, I’m a black gay man who just happens to be in a relationship with three sexually identified gay men.  Even though I will be 28 years old in December these three men playfully and lovingly call me baby boy.  There is another twist to our fearless foursome; we are all apart of the Leather Community.  All three men are in their 40’s and love me very much as I do them.  The first man is called SIR no more and definitely not any less.  In the Leather Community he is called a Leather Sir/Daddy.  The other two are leather boys (my leather brothers), just like me.  We live to serve our SIR, in whatever he needs.  We go on family trips together and take care of each other through emotional, physical, spiritually and mentally.

Well, Well, Well…One giant step forward for Americans, one giant step forward or backwards for Transgender people. The ENDA bill has finally passed in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday after a number of revisions and some controversy. The U.S. house has a Democrat majority. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D) originally did an in house vote with only Democrats and the bill would not have passed if the words “sexual identity” was put on the bill. Pelosi then reintroduced the bill without the words “sexual identity”, the Democrats voted in favor or it. This bill of course has stirred up a lot of debate between Gay Activist and House Reps everywhere. Over 350 Gay and Transgender advocacy groups submitted a joint letter in protest. This bill would protect everyone but the Transgender populace. The measure exempts the U.S. military, churches and religious institutions, and small businesses (employers with 15 or fewer workers). After ...........................

A HIV-positive paratrooper pleaded guilty to assault Thursday for knowingly having unprotected sex with a teenager he met online. Pfc. Johnny Lamar Dalton, 25, who is a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, entered his plea during a court-martial at Fort Bragg.

A military judge sentenced Dalton to 40 months in prison. The sentence included a reduction in rank and a dishonorable discharge. Dalton was ordered last November not to have unprotected sex after he was found to have HIV. State law also prohibits a person infected with HIV from having sex unless condoms are used and sexual partners are notified. Doctors discovered the 17-year-old had HIV during a routine blood test in February, and his mother notified military officials. Dalton also pleaded guilty to violating a direct order, aggravated assault, committing an indecent act and using marijuana.

Gay Icon/Musician Boy George was indicted on a charge of falsely imprisoning a 28 year old man. George has recently been in trouble with the law more often than not. George is slated to be in court on November 22nd.

In April, George invited a male escort to his London apartment where the male escort claimed that he was chained to a wall by George. The 28 year old escort, Auden Carlsen says he met George on a “male for male” website.

About two months ago Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a very controversial speech at Columbia University in New York stating that there were no homosexuals in Iran. That comment opened up a flood of questions. After that comment was heard around the world several countries sent undercover journalist inside Iran to bring to light the struggles of the homosexuals who live there. Gay underground organizations meet in secret at coffee shops, local pubs, and other public places. They risk being arrested, tortured and even killed, just for being themselves.

Anthony W. McCarthy, a Gay Black man from Baltimore, Maryland on the campaign trail with Mayor hopeful Sheila Dixon, has been in a heap of trouble recently and now he is having his private life splattered all over the media.

In December McCarthy was sued by the deputy transportation director, Jamie M. Kendrick for approximately $4,847 in bills involving the unsuccessful campaign in 2006 when McCarthy tried to become a Democratic state delegate.

Both Rose M.P Taylor, chairwoman and Jason M. Young, treasurer said to the Baltimore District Court that they had no idea about the expenditures until the complaint was filed. Both Taylor and Young were named as Defendants in the lawsuit.

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of a member of the tribe and ardent supporter of our community. Neil Alexander, Chief Administrative Judge for Washington DC's Human Rights Commission responsible for enforcing all human rights for the city, friend, supporter of the dc boys of leather, Centaurs and Highwaymen TNT. Neil had been recently diagnosed with cancer, had undergone surgery to remove a tumor from his spine. He was responding well to treatment and had a good prognosis, but the cause of death is unconfirmed at this time. He was a good friend to my family and he will be surely missed. Rest in Peace In love and leather, baby boy justin

After a long hard trail Dayton, Ohio has finally passed an anti-discrimination law for the city's LGBT Community.

The City Commission voted 3-1 to add sexual orientation and gender identity to a list of protected groups.

The change becomes effective in 30 days, December 14th, 2007. Mayor Rhine McLin supported the decision, making her city the 15th Ohio city to protect sexual orientation.

Presidential Hopeful Senator Clinton’s Campaign wins backing from Black and Trans activists. Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton released a newer list of well-known LGBT supporters today. In a list released Clinton’s campaign identified 21 gay professionals and activists who recently endorsed her White House run.

Clinton’s campaign last released a sampling of gay supporters in April. That list of 26 names included tennis legend and hero Billie Jean King. Names on the list include H. Alexander Robinson, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition; Dana Beyer, who is transgender and a member of the Human Rights Campaign board of governors; and Rep. Patricia Todd, the first openly gay member of the Alabama House of Representatives.

Atlanta police raided a gathering of gay leather enthusiasts in the city of Atlanta, GA for the second time in a year; Precautions were made by the facilitators to avoid attracting notice by the police.

In 2006 the same party was shut down by Atlanta Police. Onyx Southeast, a black gay leather group, hosted the gathering called “Blackout” and said they may file a complaint against the Atlanta Police Department officers who “threateningly” broke-up the private party without providing reason. Nobody was detained and there is no report from the Oct. 7th, 2006 occurrence.

An undercover officer attempted to enter “Blackout” at the Spring 4th Center at 726 Spring St., but was dismissed by the doorman because it was a private party and nobody could pay for entry, according to Ejay Session, president of Onyx Southeast

H.K Edgerton made a little stop by Montgomery, Alabama to honor the five-year birthday of a 1,385 mile walk that he called, “The March through Dixie”. The journey is a fundraiser stretching from his home in Ashville, North Carolina to Austin Texas.

Usually when taking that long march like this one might wear a exercise suit but Edgerton wore a gray Confederate soldier’s uniform. But that’s not all he also came with a large Confederate flag mounted on a pole, over his right shoulder. While in Montgomery, Edgerton was interviewed by the Post Confederate giving them some of his mislead perceptions on the KKK (Ku Klux Klan), the Civil War, and race relations between black and white southerners after the Civil War. Here are just some of Edgerton’s assertions

Emerging Filmmaker Kirk Shannon-Butts Makes the Cut


New York (NOVEMBER, 2007) – Emerging filmmaker Kirk Shannon-Butts has been named one of OUT magazine’s OUT100 for 2007. OUT magazine is the world’s leading gay and lesbian publication.

Each year OUT magazine selects 100 people from around the globe in all fields and walks of life who have made considerable contributions to gay and lesbian culture. Shannon-Butts was selected for his groundbreaking debut feature film “Blueprint.”

UPCOMING SCREENINGS: 15th Annual African Diapora Film Festival Friday, Nov 30th @ 7:45PM Film Anthology 32 2nd Avenue NYC http://www.nyadff. org

 

Gay/SGL Men of African Descent is proud to support "Dirty Laundry" and encourages the Black Gay/SGL community and their supporters in New York City and Los Angeles to come out December 7th to see this ground-breaking film.  

The movie will be released in select cities nationwide on December 28th and it is our hope that you will see it when it comes to your city.

November 28, 2007 - The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law today released two new research studies.

One study estimating that same-sex marriage in Maryland would have a positive impact on the state budget of approximately $3.2 million annually, the other analyzing U.S. Census data to provide demographic and economic information for the over 15,600 same-sex couples in the state.

Leon Khan was a beautiful man and now a beautiful angel

I loved my friend. He went away from me, There's nothing more to say. The poem ends, Soft as it began, I loved my friend. Langston Hughes

It's been about 2 years and I still think about us and how we tried to make it happen but couldn't because God needed you more than me I miss you Man and will always love you

Well Spiritually we can be one, Mentally we can make it. Physically we can look good together. Emotionally we can work together. Financially we can go places   "Rodney Houston"

Ella Fitzgerald AKA Donnell Robinson longest-performing female illusionist in Washington, D.C., has refused to sign a contract for performing in or emceeing at Ed Bailey's newly opened nightclub called Town. At first Fitzgerald, 52 had originally decided to appear at the night club as far back as 6 months ago, he says she recently changed her mind due to problem over the contract.

"I've been in the drag business a long time and there are certain things I will and will not do," says Fitzgerald. "They expected me to do something I wouldn't do and that wasn't explained until two weeks ago.

Chicago IL. -- A Gay Black man Larry Bland was obsessed over what his mother; Josephine Bland called “the party line”. Ms. Bland stated she became so distressed over the situation that she moved out of her own home.

Bland’s mother said that Bland would go on the party line every day and night. She also said Bland would have young gentlemen visitors at all hours of the night. Josephine Bland stated that her son frequented chat rooms which, “led to another room: his bedroom…There were always young boys and men in and out of the house.”

Larry Bland lived in the basement and rented out the upper floor to pay the mortgage.

On November 17th, 2007 Bland, 24, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in the 6300 block of South Wood Street.

Bland had been shot in the head, according to a Cook County Medical Examiner's office spokesman. Police Officers responded about 3:37 a.m. and found him dead at the scene, police News Affairs Officer John Henry said. 

Police are investigating.

Black Gay Mayor Ron Oden of Palm Springs leaves office.  Palm Springs is 4% black and 30% gay, so Oden was the unlikely and likely candidate for the job. 

Oden has 12 years experience as a Palm Springs city councilmember and became Mayor in 2003.  

The current salary for the Mayor of Palm Spring is only $24,000.00.  Oden says he receives endless social dinner invitations and is a local celebrity. 

Oden is currently working on a book and is looking forward to his new political title, Former Mayor of Palm Springs