Negative vote comes down after emotional speeches by several

Following one of the most dramatic and emotional discourses thus far in the gay marriage debate, the New York Senate voted 24 to 38 Dec. 2 to reject a bill guaranteeing equal marriage rights to same-sex couples.

The bill, which Democratic Gov. David Paterson was expected to sign right away, would have made New York – the third largest populated state in the country – the sixth state to provide equal marriage rights to gay couples.

Opponents of the measure – with one exception – sat silently throughout more than two hours of discourse about the bill, while 18 Democrats – many of them African Americans and Jews – stood to urge support for the bill.

The bill’s sponsor, openly gay Sen. Tom Duane, in closing debate on the measure, sighed heavily and acknowledged the outcome of the vote was still uncertain. The bill needed 32 votes to pass and, while the Senate generally takes up bills only after the leadership knows it has the votes to pass, the marriage bill was an exception. No one – given 32 Democrats and 30 Republicans in the chamber – knew what the result would be.

“We have work to do in New York, and elsewhere,” said Marty Rouse, national field director for the Human Rights Campaign, which operated phone banks for constituents to call their senators on the issue. “We’re getting closer to equality, but we’re not there yet.”

The chamber was silent when the vote was announced just before 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The debate preceding the vote included numerous African-American senators emphasizing how similar arguments against gay marriage parallel arguments made decades ago against interracial marriage. It included many vigorous statements that the law would not affect religious freedoms.

And it included many tips of the proverbial hat to Sen. Duane and his partner in life Louis Webre.

“In my family and culture, especially as it relates to my religion, it has always been considered that, if you were living together and not officially married, you were considered living in sin,” said Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, an African-American Democrat from Brooklyn. “So, for those of us who believe in that religious tenet, the reason why to support same-sex marriage is that we do not want them to live in sin.”

By Lisa Keen
From www.pridesource.com

Negative vote comes down after emotional speeches by several Following one of the most dramatic and emotional discourses thus far in the gay marriage debate, the New York Senate voted 24 to 38 Dec. 2 to reject a bill guaranteeing equal marriage rights to same-sex couples. The bill, which Democratic Gov. David Paterson was expected [...]

Nigeria’s Kevin was the big winner of M-Net’s Big Brother Revolution. After evicting Nigerian Nkenna, Malawian Mzamo and Namibian Edward, Angola’s Emma and Nigeria’s Kevin were the final two housemates left in the REVOLUTION.

From www.jamati.com

Nigeria’s Kevin was the big winner of M-Net’s Big Brother Revolution. After evicting Nigerian Nkenna, Malawian Mzamo and Namibian Edward, Angola’s Emma and Nigeria’s Kevin were the final two housemates left in the REVOLUTION. From www.jamati.com

The short answer: No.

Over the weekend, Rod 2.0 updated the growing international backlash against Uganda’s latest and most extreme, anti-gay proposal: The proposed offense of “aggravated homosexuality” where an HIV-positive gay men has sex with another man. The penalty would be death. The prime ministers of Britain and Canada have formally protested the proposal.

Last year, the small East African nation received some $287 million in funding from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Several members of Congress, including Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), want the Obama Administration to withhold funding for AIDS programs in Uganda unless legislators abandon the extreme legislation. Sorry but we don’t tell countries how to legislate, PEPFAR Chief Coordinator Eric Goosby tells Newsweek.

From rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline

Article from http://rodonline.typepad.com/rodonline

The short answer: No. Over the weekend, Rod 2.0 updated the growing international backlash against Uganda’s latest and most extreme, anti-gay proposal: The proposed offense of “aggravated homosexuality” where an HIV-positive gay men has sex with another man. The penalty would be death. The prime ministers of Britain and Canada have formally protested the proposal. [...]

This year, the Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project or CHAMP presented a forum at the Center in NY on Rethinking HIV Risk for Black Men Having Sex with Men. Speakers included Kenyon Farrow from CHAMP, Greg Millet from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Tokes Osubu from Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD), and Michael Angelo Robeson from People of Color in Crisis (POCC).

This year, the Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project or CHAMP presented a forum at the Center in NY on Rethinking HIV Risk for Black Men Having Sex with Men. Speakers included Kenyon Farrow from CHAMP, Greg Millet from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Tokes Osubu from Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD), and Michael Angelo [...]

Why are the English archbishops silent over Uganda’s grotesque anti-homosexuality bill?
A bill currently before the Ugandan parliament (pdf) proposes seven year prison sentences for discussing homosexuality; life imprisonment for homosexual acts; and death for a second offence. Sober observers believe it will be passed. The Anglican church in Uganda appears to support it, and the Church of England in this country is absolutely silent. The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Winchester solemnly denounce violence in the Congo, where they have no influence at all, but on Uganda they maintain a resolute post-colonial silence.

The position of the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is more complicated, and his silence more eloquent. He is himself Ugandan by birth. One of his younger half-brothers, pastor Robert Kayanja, is a highly successful pentecostal preacher in Kampala, running a church called the Rubaga Miracle Centre. Such people are highly rewarded, and the business is extremely competitive. A rival preacher, the gloriously named Solomon Male of the The Arising Church was accused this spring of kidnapping Kayanga’s assistant and torturing him for five days to get him to confess that his boss was gay and partial to young men.

The admission would have been social death. Come to think of it, under the new law, it would be physical death as well.

Sentamu’s office say that he has not spoken to his brother for some months and was unaware of the story. So the suggestion on some websites that this was the cause of his silence can’t be right. On the other hand, his office is quite clear that he has “no plans” to speak out on the proposed bill.

To read more, please click here.

www.guardian.co.uk

Why are the English archbishops silent over Uganda’s grotesque anti-homosexuality bill? A bill currently before the Ugandan parliament (pdf) proposes seven year prison sentences for discussing homosexuality; life imprisonment for homosexual acts; and death for a second offence. Sober observers believe it will be passed. The Anglican church in Uganda appears to support it, and [...]

Tyson Kobie share his knowledge and gives us a tips or 2 how to those finger licking chest.

Also some screen captures and images from Tyson Kobie’s video “Roughing it in the City”. It takes a special kind of man to hike through the woods … in boxer briefs … while onlookers are watching.

Photos from rodonline.typepad.com

Tyson Kobie share his knowledge and gives us a tips or 2 how to those finger licking chest. Also some screen captures and images from Tyson Kobie’s video “Roughing it in the City”. It takes a special kind of man to hike through the woods … in boxer briefs … while onlookers are watching. Photos [...]

Dustin Baker, the only openly gay seminarian at the Howard University School of Divinity, tells of his experience in the black church as a gay man and how hes risen above it to find his calling in ministry. This powerful and inspirational video can be screened and discussed in a small or large group.

Unfortunately, only a handfulof historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have recognized LGBT student groups. In some cases, the colleges outright prevent gay students from forming groups. In other casess, such as at Virginia’s Hampton University, the LGBT group was only founded after years of red tape and bureaucracy. The plight of black students on campus becomes all the more critical in the wake of recent news stories, such as the controversial new dress code at Morehouse College.

The Human Rights Campaign has just launched a new interactive website for HBCU students. Joey Gaskins of HRC’s Diversity Department writes: “The issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students on Historically Black College and University campuses are many. Discrimination motivated by homophobia and intolerance is rampant, and LGBT students are suffering because of it… there are brave HBCU students living openly on campuses that are not LGBT friendly—not only dealing with issues at school—but in their homes and churches too. Students like Dustin Baker, Howard University School of Divinity’s only out seminarian.”

by rodonline.typepad.com

Unfortunately, only a handfulof historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have recognized LGBT student groups. In some cases, the colleges outright prevent gay students from forming groups. In other casess, such as at Virginia’s Hampton University, the LGBT group was only founded after years of red tape and bureaucracy. The plight of black students on [...]

Uganda is in the spotlight over two proposed laws which activists say will hold back the fight against HIV/Aids and violate human rights. In a letter dated October 30, to President Museveni, the chairperson of the Champions for an HIV-free Generation (an African elder statesmen’s forum) and former president of Botswana, Festus Mogae, wrote that the draft HIV/Aids Prevention and Control Bill 2008 and the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill could have a chilling effect on HIV/Aids prevention efforts.

Mogae’s message

“Your Excellency, we respectfully express our concern at the provisions referenced in these two Bills and fear that passage of such legislation, which deviates from international best practice and recommendations, could lead to increased stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/Aids and the groups most vulnerable to the epidemic,” Mr Mogae wrote.

In the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, Mr Mogae’s organisation is particularly concerned about a proposal that would see a person convicted of the offence of homosexuality imprisoned for life and a death penalty imposed for those having gay sex with anyone under the age of 18, or when the accused is HIV-positive.
Ndorwa West MP David Bahati who introduced the Bill, has defended it saying the proposed law is intended to protect future generations. “Homosexuality is not a human right. It is a foreign behaviour imported and promoted by people using the poverty in our country to expound bad behaviour. We are determined to protect what is right for Uganda and not what is convenient for some people,” Mr Bahati said.

To read more, please click here.

By Evelyn Lirri from www.monitor.co.ug

Uganda is in the spotlight over two proposed laws which activists say will hold back the fight against HIV/Aids and violate human rights. In a letter dated October 30, to President Museveni, the chairperson of the Champions for an HIV-free Generation (an African elder statesmen’s forum) and former president of Botswana, Festus Mogae, wrote that [...]

“SKIN” is a movie based on an extraordinary true story of a colored girl born to two Afrikaner South African parents during the apartheid era. In 1955 Abraham (Sam Neill) and Sannie Laing (Alice Krige) shocked the world when brought into the world a dark skinned baby with nappy hair named Sandra Laing. Shocked at the discovery, and unprepared for the battle ahead, the Laing family fought tooth and nail to have they daughter classified as a white person instead of a black person in order for her to receive better treatment.The film follows Sandras thirty-year journey from rejection to acceptance, betrayal to reconciliation, as she struggles to define her place in a changing world – and triumphs against all odds.

Written by Prudence Chauke

(www.jamati.com)

“SKIN” is a movie based on an extraordinary true story of a colored girl born to two Afrikaner South African parents during the apartheid era. In 1955 Abraham (Sam Neill) and Sannie Laing (Alice Krige) shocked the world when brought into the world a dark skinned baby with nappy hair named Sandra Laing. Shocked at [...]

Mokgadi Caster Semenya (born 7 January 1991) is a South African middle-distance runner and world champion. Semenya won gold in the 800 metres at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics with a time of 1:55.45 in the final.

Following her victory at the 2009 World Championships, questions about Semenya’s gender were raised.

In August Semenya won gold in the 800 meters at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics with a time of 1:55.45 in the final, again setting the fastest time of the year. Following her victory, questions were raised about her gender. Semenya stated she was unconcerned about the rumours or the verification and that she considered boycotting the medal ceremony as a result.

Dramatic update to the case of South African middle distance runner Caster Semenya. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee has suspended Athletics South Africa President Leonard Chuene, the entire board and other ASA employees “for their handling of the Caster Semenya gender fiasco”, reports Independent Online. SASOC suspended ASA after the athletics body challenged its authority to suspend Chuene.

The 18-year-old University of Pretoria athlete has been the subject of a gender controversy since winning the 800m race in record time at the IAAF games. The results of complex gender tests were leaked last week that reveal she is intersexed with internal testes and no uterus or ovaries. Chuene previously denied gender verification tests were begun on Semenya before Berlin. IAAF sources say ASA was “well aware” of Caster Semenya’s medical condition and did not tell her.

By Rod McCullom (rodonline.typepad.com)
Photos from buzzdemon.com

Mokgadi Caster Semenya (born 7 January 1991) is a South African middle-distance runner and world champion. Semenya won gold in the 800 metres at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics with a time of 1:55.45 in the final. Following her victory at the 2009 World Championships, questions about Semenya’s gender were raised. In August Semenya [...]