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On the Calendar
February 23--Meet & Greet Houston's GLBT Non-Profits -TGRA at Julia's Bistro, 6:30 PM, 3722 Main St; Gay Yellow Pages & Montrose Star Newspaper wants you to get involved with your LGBT community non-profits organizations. Meet your 2012 candidates, board members & organizers.
March 9--Galveston Stonewall Happy Hour at James and Joey's Loft, 2318 Market #3 in Galveston; Stop by after work and join the Galveston Stonewalls for beer, wine and light snacks. We will be discussing ways to help get local, state and national Democrats elected in 2012.
March 10--Montrose Softball League hosts 2012 Lone Star Cup Golf Tournament, 7:15 AM Registration, 8 AM Tee time, Golf Club at Cinco Ranch, 23030 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy, For more information, contact Leah at 832-723-8786.
March 11--AIDS WALK in downtown
March 16--Bringin' in the Green at Historic Home of John Danielson, III, 3618 Burlington; Bringin' in the Green is vital to our ability to serve the mental health needs of Houston's GLBT communities.
April 28--Pride Uncorked (A Wine Tasting). Join Pride Houston and step into an evening with some of Houston's premier restaurants and local merchants sampling some of their finest food and wine. It will be an evening to remember full of chic and sequins. Ooh La La! 6:00pm until 9:00pm, Alliance Gallery, 3201 Allen Parkway. A $25 donation will be collected at the door.
July 20-21--Fourth Annual Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit at University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd
Nearly 40 million watch as Grammys top ratings
CBS grabbed 19 of the top 25 shows this week. Neilson ratings for broadcast television for the week ending February 12, 2012
1 GRAMMY AWARDS CBS
2 NCIS CBS
3 American Idol-WEDNESDAY FOX
4 American Idol-THURSDAY FOX
5 The VOICE NBC
6 NCIS: LOS ANGELES CBS
7 Big Bang Theory CBS
8 Person Of Interest CBS
9 Mentalist CBS
10 60 Minutes CBS
11 Criminal Minds CBS
12 Two and a Half Men CBS
13 Modern Family ABC
14 Unforgettable CBS
15 Blue Bloods CBS
16 2 Broke Girls CBS
17 Smash NBC
18 Mike & Molly CBS
19 CSI CBS
20 ROB CBS
21 CSI: NY CBS
22 GREY'S ANATOMY ABC
23 How I Met Your Mother CBS
24 Hawaii Five-0 CBS
25 GIFTED MAN CBS
A Round of Applause for the 'Million Moms' and Their Anti-Gay Campaign... Seriously
The LGBT community owes a great big thanks to the "One Million Moms" (actually, closer to 40,000) for launching the best LGBT-friendly public relations blitz the community has seen in ages, and battering Christian conservative's image in a way the LGBT community could never hope to do. Not since Rick Perry's "Strong" has an anti-gay campaign played out so poorly for the instigator and so well for the target. This tiny subgroup of the hate group American Family Association recently declared war on arguably America's most popular and likable lesbian, Ellen DeGeneres. The group, reacting to the news that DeGeneres would serve as a new spokesperson for JCPenney department stores, sent out this alarm to "family values" conservatives nationwide:
Lady Gaga reveals struggle with bulimia
Lady Gaga has revealed that she was bulimic in high school, desperate to transform herself from "a voluptuous little Italian girl" to a "skinny little ballerina."
Gaga revealed this information at a conference called "It's Our Turn" held at the Brentwood School in Los Angeles over the weekend, according to reports. Gaga was a surprise guest at the event. While the "Born This Way" singer sat down for a 30-minute interview with Maria Shriver, the topic of eating disorders didn't come up until the question-and-answer session, when a girl told Gaga that she struggled with her body image and wanted to know how the singer was so confident.
Ellen DeGeneres As JCPenney Spokesperson Will Make Kids Gay, Cause Cancer
Ellen DeGeneres' new role as spokesperson for JCPenney will lead to an increasing number of lesbians, American Family Association's (AFA) Bryan Fischer claims.
The 54-year-old, openly gay DeGeneres has been under attack by the AFA group One Million Moms. The group has called on JCPenney to fire DeGeneres as their spokesperson because of her sexual orientation. By jumping on the pro-gay bandwagon, JCPenney is attempting to gain a new target market and in the process will lose customers with traditional values that have been faithful to them over all these years,” the group said. Funny that JCPenney thinks hiring an open homosexual spokesperson will help their business when most of its customers are traditional families.”
Gay Marriage a Tough Sell with Blacks in Maryland
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — As a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Maryland hurtles toward a vote in the legislature this week, a coalition lobbying for its passage has focused much of its efforts on a group of Democrats who could potentially scuttle its success: African-Americans.It is the most serious attempt by advocates for same-sex marriage to win over blacks, who have traditionally been skeptical, and whose support is critical for the bill’s passage in this state, where nearly a third of the population is African-American, a far higher share than in the broader population. The campaign includes videos of well-known African-American Marylanders, including Michael Kenneth Williams, an actor from the television series “The Wire,” and Mo’nique, a Baltimore-born actress; an editorial in The Afro; and conversations in churches and union halls, where most members are black.
New Jersey Assembly approves Gay Marriage Bill
TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Assembly on Thursday passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriages, setting the stage for an expected veto by Gov. Chris Christie. The 42-33 vote sends the bill to Christie's desk. The Republican governor who opposes gay marriage had promised "very swift action" if the bill passed both houses of the Legislature. The Senate approved the bill Monday.
Pat Buchanan Out at MSNBC
Conservative commentator Patrick Buchanan, known for offending LGBT people as well as racial and religious minorities, is not coming back to MSNBC. Buchanan has been on suspension for four months after having been a contributor to the cable network for several years. MSNBC announced today that he will not be back, the Associated Press reports. Buchanan, a syndicated columnist who once was an aide to President Nixon and later sought the presidency himself, has never made a secret of his ultra-right-wing views, but opposition to his presence on MSNBC grew after the publication of his latest book, Suicide of a Superpower, in October. The book includes chapters lamenting “The Death of Christian America” and “The End of White America,” and in it Buchanan also calls marriage rights for gay couples “an absurd notion of equality.” He has come under fire as well for columns suggesting that the United States should not have become involved in World War II.
Leaked Messages Allege Chris Brown Had Gay Sex; Is a Bottom
It’s not a good day to be Chris Brown. That is, unless he’s happy to see his private messages discussing how R&B songwriter Martyn “fcked the shit outta me” appear across the interwebs. Ouch. Real talk, we’ve never heard of the guy either, but it looks like he’s a pretty legit songwriter. t looks like one of Martyn’s assistants took screenshots of direct messages between the two fellas, and has shared them for all the world to see. In the messages, Chris Brown admits to fooling around with Martyn, in the same breath that he calls the songwriter a fag. That sort of dichotomy is the exact behavior that we’ve seen from Brown over the past year. Trey Songz, Omarion, Fergie, Jessie J, and Nicki Minaj all get namechecked along with Good Morning America and FOX over the course of the lovers quarrel on Twitter. Take a peak at the screenshots and decide for yourself if they are legit. It certainly reminds us of the Chris Brown that we’ve grown accustomed to. Oh, and there’s also the matter of Martyn confirming the affair to be true.
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Gay high school football player finds acceptance amid homophobia in rural America
Editor’s note: Jeremy is a high school football player in rural America. Outsports knows his full identity, including what school he goes to, but is only using a first name for reasons that will be clear when you read the story. Jeremy also has a fantastic blog, “Standing Up Speaking Now,” where he chronicles his coming out.
My name is Jeremy. I’m 17 and a junior in high school. I’m a good student, a driven guy with ambitions, a football player, a track runner, and I’m gay. Saying the latter has always been a challenge, and up until recently I couldn’t accept it; thankfully that’s changed. I’m not publicly out for several reasons. I live in one of the most rural, conservative spots in the country, where homophobia runs rampant. I also happen to be the son of a prominent Southern Baptist preacher. My town, team and family make my situation fairly tough and I still face a lot of obstacles, including rumors being spread about me at school. But even here I have found acceptance and it’s time for me to speak up.
Texas A & M President adds gender identity, expression to A&M nondiscrimination memo
For the first time in the University's history, A&M President R. Bowen Loftin added sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to the yearly non-discriminatory employment memo. While the memo is issued every year, any reference to gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, GLBT, employees did not appear before the Jan. 20 letter.
Andrew Jancaric, vice president of the GLBT Aggies and student senator, sponsored legislation in 2011 calling on the Texas A&M Board of Regents to adopt a non-discrimination policy that included the GLBT community at the System level. He said he is glad the University acted, and hopes the System will follow suit. "I think President Loftin has shown a great deal of leadership in making this executive order," Jancaric said. "It's the first time gender identity and expression has been included in that yearly statement, a very positive step forward for Texas A&M University." Jancaric said the memo will help A&M in its Vision 2020 mission, which aims to make A&M a leader among peer institutions.
HIV groups praise Obama for 2013 budget request
President Obama’s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year has won praise for including an increase in funds for domestic HIV treatment programs, although concerns persist about flat-funding for research programs and reductions in the chief program aimed at fighting the global AIDS epidemic. The White House unveiled on Monday the president’s $3.8 trillion proposal to fund the U.S. government for fiscal year 2013, which includes funds for federally funded HIV/AIDS programs. The proposal was sent to Congress for lawmakers to act on and amend before passing into law. Advocates for HIV/AIDS programs were largely happy with the recommendations made by the president on funding levels, which the White House says increases HIV/AIDS funding by $800 million, particularly with the Ryan White AIDS Drugs Assistance Programs, which provides grants to states for HIV/AIDS support services. arl Schmid, deputy executive director of the AIDS Institute, said the budget demonstrates Obama’s “strong commitment” to fight HIV by increasing funds “for prevention and lifesaving care and treatment for those who cannot afford it in the United States.”
Al McAffrey, Oklahoma State Representative, Becomes State's First Openly Gay Senator
Oklahoma elected its first openly gay state senator, with State Rep. Al McAffrey soaring to a landslide victory Tuesday night. The 63-year-old McAffrey, a Democrat, beat Republican opponent Jason Reese with more than 66 percent of the vote, according to NewsOK. "Al's election to the State Senate is another milestone for LGBT Oklahomans, and we are proud to support his campaign,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which had endorsed McAffrey. ”There are still a number of states that have never elected any openly LGBT state legislators, so Oklahoma can be proud that Al has been elected to both the House and the Senate.”
Tennessee House panel votes in favor of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A panel in the Tennessee state House on Wednesday voted to advance the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill, a measure that would prohibit Tennessee public schools from teaching LGBTQ-related issues. The legislation limits all sexually related instruction to “natural human reproduction science” in kindergarten through the eighth grades, and cleared its first hurdle in the state House on a voice vote of the House Education subcommittee. The panel accepted the version of the bill that passed the state Senate late in last year’s session. During the hearing, Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville) stated the amended version of the bill is in line with current curriculum and is consistent with what is already written in Title 49 of the Tennessee Code Annotated. Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley), was the only member of the subcommittee to speak against the measure, calling it “a solution in search of a problem.” The Tennessee Equality Project said there is no curriculum in Tennessee that discusses sexuality in grades K-8, so the bill is unnecessary.
Top 10 Songs for the week beginning February 16
Here are the top 10 songs for the week of February 16.
1 I Will Always Love You- Whitney Houston
2 Set Fire To The Rain- Adele
3 We Are Young- Fun. Featuring Janelle Monae
4 What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)- Kelly Clarkson
5 Part Of Me- Katy Perry
6 Someone Like You- Adele
7 Sexy & I Know It- LMFAO
8 Rolling In The Deep- Adele
9 Give Me All Your Luvin'- Madonna Featuring Nicki Minaj & M.I.A.
10 Somebody That I Used To Know- Gotye Featuring Kimbra
Source: top10songs.com
AZ Sheriff Steps Down As Co-Chair Of Romney's Campaign Over Gay Scandal
Arizino Sheriff Paul Babeu, a Republican congressional candidate, stepped down on Saturday from his position as the Mitt Romney campaign's Arizona co-chair, in the wake of explosive allegations that he threatened a Mexican man, who claims to be his ex-boyfriend, with deportation. Read more>>>
Keisha Waites sworn in as fourth openly gay Ga. state legislator
Keisha Waites took the oath of office Feb. 13 to become the state representative for District 60. The ceremony took place at the Georgia State Capitol with Fulton County Superior Court Judge Doris Downs swearing her in. Standing with Waites as she took the oath of office were her mother, Christine Harden, and her nephew, Elias Muhammad, 8, who held the Bible. Waites, a Democrat, became emotional while being sworn in and after taking her oath thanked a host of friends, family and supporters who have backed her for more than a decade. Waites won a special election on Feb. 7 to represent District 60, which includes parts of Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton counties.
Ricky Martin, Nicki Minaj Campaign To Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness
Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj appeared on Good Morning America to promote their line of cosmetics which support efforts to raise HIV/AIDS awareness in Latin America. On the program, Martin and Minaj discussed why they became involved with MAC Cosmetic's Viva Glam campaign. “We're here because we want to make a difference,” said Martin.
Martin's Rick Martin Foundation supports efforts to end the human trafficking of children. “Unfortunately, kids are being infected with HIV/AIDS,” he said. Proceeds from sales of Ricky Martin's lip conditioner and Nicki Minaj's scene-stealing pink lipstick go to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in Latin America. Minaj noted that the issue was important to her because an uncle had died of AIDS.
Evangelical Lutherans Oppose Proposed Minnesota Gay Marriage Ban
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minneapolis has approved a resolution opposing a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in Minnesota, ABC affiliate KAAL reported. Voting members of 160 churches debated the resolution Friday night. “Our daughter came out as a lesbian 12 years ago,” Karen Johnson, one of 700 voting members, told colleagues. “There was shock, fear for her safety, questions with no answers, silent grief.” Johnson said she devoted herself to learn as much as possible about “my daughter's world.” “Jesus has no barriers in loving his children. Education brings knowledge and knowledge brings healing. I'm passionate in the knowledge that his love is for all our children.”
Damage Control: Sheriff Admits He's Gay
Sheriff Paul Babeu, a Republican candidate for Congress in Arizona, admitted he's gay on Saturday but not that he ever threatened to deport his ex-boyfriend back to Mexico as part of an effort to keep his sexual orientation quiet. "I am here to say that all of these allegations that were in one of these newspapers are absolutely, completely false," he said during a news conference, "except for the issues that refer to me as being gay. Because that's the truth, I am gay." Earlier in the day, a Mitt Romney spokesman reported that Babeu resigned his post as a co-chairman of the Arizona campaign to focus on dealing with the allegations. Babeu confirmed during the news conference that he had a relationship with Jose, who admits being in the country illegally, but Babeu said he "never believed he was less legal than I or you were."
Kids put out "like trash" for being Gay
A Miami TV station reports: There are approximately 1.6 million to 2.8 million homeless young people in the United States and a disproportionate number — 20 to 40 percent — are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. LGBT youth often run away from home because of family conflict and then “face overt discrimination when seeking alternative housing, which is compounded by institutionalized discrimination in federally funded programs.”
Outed GOP Candidate: 'You Can't Legislate Love'
Republican congressional candidate Paul Babeu, who was outed as gay last week and accused of threatening his ex-boyfriend with deportation, said Monday that he supports same-sex marriage and the right of gays and lesbians to serve in the military.
Rachel Maddow answers Fox; Bachmann's, Woolery's anti-gay comments
Rachel Maddow has responded to Fox News pundit Cal Thomas' comment that she should never have been born, the Huffington Post reported. On her show, Maddow said, "Personally, I'm glad that you were born. Otherwise, how would Republicans get the special Fox News bat signal that it's time to be outraged now, about what used to be Republicans' own policy idea?" Thomas made the comment at the Conservative Political Action Conference, prompting fellow Fox personality Greta Van Susteren to say Thomas should personally and publicly apologize to Maddow. At the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., former GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann slammed the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for ruling Prop 8 unconstitutional, according to the Huffington Post. She said, "The people of the state of California have the right to vote on the laws that they living under." Also at the event, Bachmann met up with former Love Connection host Chuck Woolery, who also criticized the ruling and said African Americans don't need civil rights because "they have inalienable rights granted by God in the Constitution."
Tube ads tell commuters: ‘Real men get raped’
An awareness campaign launched in the capital’s Tube network today aims to raise awareness of the rate of sexual crimes against men, which it says could be as high as 8,500 a year in London alone. SurvivorsUK is undertaking the advertising campaign after Metropolitan Police figures revealed that one man every hour in London is the victim of sexual crime. Government estimates say only up to 11% of male victims report attacks. With new Met Police figures showing that in 2009/10 a total of 945 sexual assaults against men were reported, the true figure is probably more than 8,500. The poster reads: “Real Men Get Raped and Talking About It Takes Real Strength”, The image will be featured on 140 escalator panels in central London Tube stations during the Six Nations rugby tournament.
Bill Maher Sounds Off On Chris Christie
Bill Maher panned New Jersey governor Chris Christie for vetoing the state's gay marriage bill on Friday. "It's my home state so I take these things a a little personally," he said. "When somebody from New Jersey does something that I consider sort of backwards, and I consider this backwards on the part of the governor, it bothers me." Real Time With Bill Maher guest Eliot Spitzer said the move was typical of Christie. "He panders to the very conservative on pronouncements on all sorts of issues. He's just wrong on the fundamentals." Maher, who said he'd prefer Obama run against Rick Santorum than Christie, asked the panelists if they thought the New Jersey governor could be the savior of the Republican party.
Dick Cheney Part Of Marriage Equality Lobbying Effort In Maryland: Report
WASHINGTON -- Dick Cheney is part of a lobbying campaign to convince at least one Maryland state lawmaker to back marriage equality, the Baltimore Sun reported on Thursday. Since leaving the vice president's office, Cheney has been increasingly vocal in his support for same-sex marriage, but the extent of his engagement on the issue was not previously well known. The Sun story, flagged by John Aravosis at AMERICAblog, focused on the fight in the state over Gov. Martin O'Malley's (D) bill to legalize gay marriage. It revealed that Maryland Del. Wade Kach (R-Baltimore) had been offered an opportunity to chat with Cheney, ostensibly to convince him to support marriage equality.
Emanuel backs Illinois gay marriage measure
Mayor Rahm Emanuel today said he would press for legislation pending in Springfield that would legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois. “I’ll push for it because it is consistent with the values base, and the practical values base, that I think is right as a city, as a state and as a country,” said Emanuel, who supported gay marriage during the campaign.
Holder won’t defend laws barring benefits for gay troops
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced on Friday in a letter to Congress that the administration would no longer defend in court laws barring married gay troops from receiving spousal benefits. The statute in question, Title 38, governs employment rights for U.S. service members. Language in the law denies partner benefits to service members and veterans if they’re married to someone of the same-sex, including disability benefits and death compensation.
American Cancer Society Oscar Viewing Party
The American Cancer Society Oscar Viewing Party will be held at the Majestic Metro, Houston’s elegantly restored theater from cinema’s golden age. Guests will enjoy Hollywood-style fun including fine food, auctions, “paparazzi” photographers, party favors, gaming, and an interactive contest to predict key Oscar winners.
All proceeds from the evening will benefit the American Cancer Society.
DATE: Sunday, Feb. 27th, 2011 at 6 p.m.
LOCATION: Majestic Metro Theater, 911 Preston, Houston, TX 77002
WEBSITE: gala.acsevents.org/s...
PHONE: 713-398-8557
TICKET INFO: Individual tickets start at $125
HONOREES: Honorary Chair: Don Nelson
Tilman Fertitta's Galveston Pleasure Pier Is Taking Shape
By Richard Connelly
TILMAN FERTITTA WILL NOT BE DENIED. He promised Galveston a (no doubt overpriced) "Pleasure Pier" by Memorial Day, and it looks like he's well on the way.
The new amusement park, built on the site of the old Flagship Hotel, is expected to draw three million visitors a year. Our Allison McPhail was down on the island shooting Mardi Gras and got this look at the project's progress.
Michael Berry responds to hit-and-run allegations, bashes media while admitting to being in TC's. Claims Channel 2 involved in smear campaign and vows he "will not go down without a fight." Read more>>>
Logo’s New Programming Slate Reveals Shift Away From Gay-Centric Shows
Is Logo, America’s first broadcast channel for the LGBT community, going straight? The network let Queerty have a sneak peek at its upcoming programming slate for 2012 and there’s no denying there’s been a shift in focus: Greenlighted programs for the spring and fall include Design My Dog, a canine makeover series from the creators of America’s Next Top Model; Eden Wood’s World, an unscripted series about Toddlers & Tiara’s 6-year-old diva Eden Wood; and Wiseguys, a sort of Real Housewives meets Mob Wives show following a straight Mafia princess‘ adjustment to life in L.A. Also on the schedule are pop-culture countdown shows Scandalicious and Outrageous, and two family/relationship-oriented series, the tough-love therapy show Love Lockdown and The Baby Wait, which follows various couples through the open-adoption process. If you don’t see the pattern, this is the first time that Logo hasn’t developed any new programming with gay leads.
Santorum: The Democratic Party Is About ‘Homosexuality’
During a 2008 “Press & People of Faith in Politics” forum, Rick Santorum described to the Democratic Party as “the party of Woodstock,” and accused lawmakers of “prey[ing] upon our most basic primal lusts.” Asked to name a couple of words he’d heard attached to religion and politics in his years in the Senate, Santorum listed “moderate,” “ultra-conservative,” “liberal,” and “zealous” before launching into a full-on tirade against Democrats:
“Woodstock is the great American orgy. This is who the Democratic Party has become. They have become the party of Woodstock. The prey upon our most basic primal lusts, and that’s sex. And the whole abortion culture, it’s not about life. It’s about sexual freedom. That’s what it’s about. Homosexuality. It’s about sexual freedom.”
Hepatitis C Deaths up, Baby Boomers Most at Risk
Deaths from liver-destroying hepatitis C are on the rise, and new data shows baby boomers especially should take heed — they are most at risk. Federal health officials are considering whether anyone born between 1945 and 1965 should get a one-time blood test to check if their livers harbor this ticking time bomb. The reason: Two-thirds of people with hepatitis C are in this age group, most unaware that a virus that takes a few decades to do its damage has festered since their younger days. The issue has taken new urgency since two drugs hit the market last summer that promise to cure many more people than ever was possible. And research published Monday says testing millions of the middle-aged to find those who need the pricey treatment would be worth the cost, saving thousands of lives.
Colorado Mesa Running Back Arrested In Fight With Gay Woman; Woman's Head Slammed onto Pavement During Altercation
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Grand Junction police have arrested a Colorado Mesa University football player accused of assault in a fight outside a bar. Witnesses told police 20-year-old Shane Williams had a verbal fight with a woman that turned into a physical fight in which he allegedly slammed her onto the pavement early Friday. The woman, Chelsea Gallagher, said that the fight seems to have stemmed from her and her girlfriend being gay as they left the Red Room Bar and Lounge. "Going outside to leave, is when they started kind of making comments about us being gay and saying that (my friend) looked like a boy and stuff," she told KKCO-TV.
Mass. Student Attacked For Supporting Gay Rights
Authorities are trying to identify two people who attacked a writer for the student-run newspaper at Massachusetts’ largest state university because of an opinion piece she wrote in support of same-sex marriage. Bridgewater State University spokesman Bryan Baldwin said on Saturday that the assailants approached Destinie Mogg-Barkalow on campus. The man questioned her about the article titled "Prop 8 generates more hate" before the woman accompanying him punched the victim, leaving her with a bruised eye Thursday evening. No one has been arrested and authorities are investigating the attack as a possible hate crime. University President Dana Mohler-Faria sent an email to the entire school condemning the attack and reminding everyone authorities will not tolerate actions that impede or curtail the rights of members of the campus community to express themselves freely.
Courtesy Edge Chicago
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Ban retracted keeping gay couples from prom at Port Arthur High School
Parents and students say it was heard all over Memorial High School Thursday that same sex couples would not be allowed into the prom. The Port Arthur Independent School District is taking back that statement now. Administrators say they were not aware an announcement had been made banning same-sex couples from the prom. 12 News HD spoke with PAISD Deputy Superintendent Mark Porterie, Ed. D. who says there's no cause for concern. Dr. Porterie says he's not sure how the ban on same sex couples from prom got into Thursday's announcements that are heard over the school intercoms., but he says it's not true. One former student says the thought of banning same sex couples from prom is unbelievable. "It's like segregating whites from blacks," says Eboni Pickett.
Pickett graduated from Memorial High School in 2007. That year, she brought her girlfriend to prom and says she certainly wasn't the only one. "This has been going on at Memorial for a long time. So it's nothing new to the staff." But what is new: broadcasting disapproval.
OPINION: A conservative radio host walks into a gay bar …
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Conservative talk radio host and former city council member Michael Berry has been implicated in a hit-and-run accident outside of T.C.’s show bar last month. Berry has not been charged with a crime. In Texas leaving the scene of an accident is a misdemeanor.
Cosmetic queen's pink mansion on sale for $3.3M
DALLAS -- Cosmetic queen Mary Kay Ash was synonymous with the color pink -- and now you can buy a symbol of her success painted in her favorite shade. Ash's former home, a pale pink mansion situated in Dallas, is on the market for $3.3 million, according to Realtor.com. It remains one of Dallas' most recognizable homes and features six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Built in 1984, Ash's home had the 11,874-square-foot (1,103-square-meter) mansion painted in her favorite color and many of her touches remain, including a master bathroom that features a pink bathtub and a pink quartz toilet.
