Gay Seeking Young Men Dating Sites

Internet space allows more freedom to express yourself because of lack of contact between people, what makes it so popular. Another advantage of using these single dating sites is that people who have sexual orientation to persons of the same sex, and in most cases be rejected by their communities to care for their partners independently in these sites.

This is the perfect method for the men who are looking for other men. Nowadays we live in a world, where people who think about themselves as mature gays, will find negativism and denial almost everywhere. If, for example, they went out to a club just for having fun, and by accident start flirting with some other man who is straight, they even might end up in a serious trouble. This is why sex date sites is the best solution when it comes to a man in search of another man.

Nowadays peoples have heard how tricky online dating sites could be. But knowing that “every story has two sides”, we should also point out all the positives sides of being a member in such community. Especially from last two three years, where in almost every single dating culture, we could distinguish so many subcultures, including the one which unites all men looking for a partner from the same sex.

There are many sites on their own people these benefits. When they come to the site, create your own profile and start looking for another man, who meets their needs, how they live in the same area, is interested in similar activities or just someone who feels the same way they do. By using the advantages offered by online date websites where a person whose sexual orientation is to person of the same sex (men looking for another men), they become more self-confident because they know in this community, everybody is just like them, and they all are looking for the same.

Useful for people who are approved contempt for others and are increasingly exposed to public humiliation, now there is another area where they can express themselves fully. A place where they begin their communications are not personal, but in practice, so you have time to decide whether the person on the other side on computer, have sought for so long, and decide whether to continue the relationship meet in person, or just need to find another person.

Having in mind the above mentioned, it is becomes obvious how convenient is to use the services offered by online men looking gay dating service, in order to find your soul mate. But you also need to keep in mind that there are many people with different intentions and thoughts, and you must be careful while you are looking for your partner. But overall, the internet continues to be the best solution for all, who are afraid to show their real self to the others, but they still have the chance to be the ones who they prefer to be by becoming members in such communities.

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Fantasy baseball picks

Excerpted from Stephan Host’s April 2nd blog entry:
Greetings minions! Baseball season has quickly sprung upon us. Alas! Tis the time I grant you my fantasy draft picks. Heed my magnificent choices:
Outfielders – Known for their swiftness and agility, unicorns bred by Maltyreo the Magnificent are your best bet. If need be, relegate a hobgoblin to right field.
Catcher – I would recommend a stalwart wood gnome of the Dranglance class, NOT a mountainous and/or river gnome! One would hate to lose moral points due to the foolishness characteristic of far too many of these tenacious gnomes.
Infielders – Yes, although crude, a small clan of orcs should play baseball accordingly. Their jolty movements and keen eyesight are most suitable indeed. (Note: I would recommend equipping a fire lance to your hot bar – in case of orc revolt).
Pitchers – Archers will be your most accurate fantasy breed. Undead, elves, goblinoids, and halflings will all suffice. Beware of Glemondrogryl’s fiendish sorceries!!!!1!
Remember, while atop the baseball diamond… Argh! That vile humanoid known as my mother beckons me to dinner. Take my wisdom and may it guide your fantasy baseball horde!

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What'll Ernest do next?

Though he was widely thought deceased from lung cancer since 2000, actor Jim Varney recently shocked the nation as he appeared at a chic Hollywood bistro and shouted that he's "ready to get back to business!" Widely admired and respected for portraying Ernest P. Worrell, a lovable doofus, he's ready to make the next Ernest film, sure to be a colossal box office blockbuster.
Due to The Review's contacts in high places, we're able to give you the rundown on the top 5 ideas being considered as studio heads meet in these final hours before a deal is made:
5. Ernest Takes his Road Test
Watch out! When our kooky hero gets behind the wheel, anything could happen. Forgetting to signal, rolling through stop signs, irritable proctors--there's no speed limit to the fun in this flick, so buckle your seatbelt!
4. Ernest Gets a Colonoscopy
It's finally that time! Ernest knows he should take his health seriously, but who wants a camera-snake shoved up his poop chute? We can only hope he doesn't have a polyp!
3. Ernest Saves for Retirement
Roth IRA, social security, 401k--who knows what crazy long-term financial security plan Ernest'll cook up? See his advisor become flabbergasted with hare-brained schemes for stability in old age.
2. Ernest Contemplates Affirmative Action
Weighing the pros and cons of tilting the playing field to ensure equal opportunity and social justice, we finally get to see the thoughtful, reflective side of Ernest. Where will his final allegiance lay?
1. Ernest, Harold, and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo
America's favorite stoner duo meets America's favorite goofball! Add in some zany terrorists, angry guards, and extreme waterboarding and you've got a sure-fire hit. Extreme!

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New research sheds light on vagina smell

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - "The Olfactory Correlates of the Human Vagina," a study recently published by Dr. Francis Hemingsworth of the University of Virginia, has quickly become a revelation in the field of Olfaction and Anatomical Studies nationwide. The groundbreaking report has challenged the widespread and age-old intuition that vaginas smell like tuna. Trials controlling for age and gender consistently pointed to Nickelodeon's 'Gak' as the most accurate match for vagina smell.

"Thanks to a generous grant from the March of Dimes Foundation, we were able to conduct a meticulously controlled study with very reproducible results. Though they may challenge commonly held sentiments, we cannot ignore the study's implications--the vast majority of vaginas do not smell like tuna, but actually like Gak," Hemingsworth stated at a well-attended press conference with a circus-like atmosphere.

The backlash from the intellectual community at large has been harsh. Dr. Alfred Finkleman of the Renassler Polytechnic Institute has been among the study's loudest critics. "What we have here is an upstart researcher with questionable credentials looking to make a name for himself. We have not yet seen a paper published in a peer-reviewed journal, but he's calling press conferences. I looked at the study and found shoddy methods, inconsistent data, and questionable vaginas used. You reporters might neglect to mention, for example, that 32% of the vaginas were menopausal. So what we're talking about, a third of the time, is old vaginas."

Ultimately, the scientific body at large will be the judge of Hemingsworth's study. Papers will soon be published in the New England Journal of Vaginal Research and the nationally published Olfactory Review. The implications on the everyday lives of millions are, of course, incredibly significant, and the reception of this controversial research will be closely watched.

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Exclusive: New “Star Trek” TV Series Proposed, Includes a Gay Main Character

There’s a new Star Trek TV series in the works that includes two gay characters: a male main character and a secondary female character. But it is all just a pipe dream?
The proposed project, the work of a company called 1947 Entertainment, would continue the ongoing story of Star Trek from the original movies and TV series, not jumping forward or backward in time.
That said, according to a source closely involved in the project, it aims for a tone different from that of previous Star Trek TV series – more in keeping with that of director J.J. Abrams’ recent film franchise reboot: grittier and with more complicated characters and faster pacing.
But the project, which has been in the works since 2006, has not yet been pitched to CBS, who holds the TV rights to the venerable franchise. And, of course, since this is still in the proposal stage, all details are subject to revision.
The new series is the same one that Jonathan Frakes, who played Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation, mentioned in a recent interview with Ugo.com.
“I had a Star Trek that I developed for TV,” he was quoted as saying, “and we were told in no uncertain terms that they said no to a Bryan Singer television Star Trek, they said no to a William Shatner television Star Trek. They feel at CBS Paramount that they don’t want to make the same mistake that’s been made before, which was watering down the brand by having a TV show and a movie.”
From this, it was widely reported by many media outlets that Frakes himself had pitched the proposed TV series. A representative of Frakes tells AfterElton.com that he was misquoted in that interview. Other media outlets repeated the story without verification, adding other errors along the way.
In fact, Frakes was never officially involved with the project at all, although he did seriously consider it.
AfterElton’s sources tell us that 1947 Entertainment is currently looking for an executive producer of sufficient “Trek” stature to be associated with the project and that talks are underway with several individuals. Once an executive producer is secured, the pitch will be made to CBS.
The project also has the unofficial support of the estate of original Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and the official support of several Star Trek alumni, including The Next Generation writer Harris Dvores, who co-wrote the proposed pilot.

Despite spanning more than a dozen movies and 726 episodes over the course of six series, the Star Trek universe has never included an out gay character – something that writer-producer Brannon Braga, who worked on three of the Star Trek series and two of the movies (and is the single most credited writer in the entire franchise), expressed regret for in an interview with AfterElton.com last January.
“There were people who felt very strongly that we should be showing casually, you know, just two guys together in the background in Ten Forward,” Braga told us. “At the time the decision was made not to do that, and I think those same people would make a different decision now because I think, you know, that was 1989, well yeah about 89, 90, 91. I have no doubt that those same creative players wouldn’t feel so hesitant to have, you know, have been squeamish about a decision like that.”
So what are the odds that this series might actually get produced?
1947 Entertainment is owned by David Foster, who created the proposal for this Star Trek series with Kevin Severson, who died in September 2010. Foster and his current associates have a smattering of minor Hollywood credits, but the company hasn’t produced anything to date; their projects are all in development.
In short, with a franchise as important as Star Trek, this project definitely needs an experienced, high-profile executive producer willing to sign on.

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The Lady Gaga backlash begins

The self-appointed queen of gay culture has offended fans she claims to represent. Is it a sign that her star is on the wane?

Torchbearer? ... Lady Gaga's Born This Way has upset some of her gay fans. Photograph: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Have we reached a tipping point in the Lady Gaga saga? In the week that the singer graces the cover of NME for the first time, a backlash has already gathered steam in the gay community.

Among her supposed heartland of gay men, there's growing evidence of fans starting to turn on her – many of whom feel she has no right to declare herself as the ambassador of "queer culture".

Gaga, to be fair, didn't have to try hard to be accepted as a "gay icon". There's a certain mainstream gay sensibility that tends to adopt blonde female pop stars as their own, and her relentless tweeting about gay rights, the impassioned stance against Don't Ask Don't Tell in the US military and yes, I suppose the dresses too, earned her a place as a credible advocate. But recently, the wheels seem to be falling off, and sadly not from that ridiculous motorbike.

It started with the release of Born This Way. Any song built up with such a torrent of pre-publicity (my favourite tweet from that week: "Can't wait for tomorrow's exclusive reveal of the barcode!") has to be pretty incredible to not get crushed under the weight of its own expectation. And it misfired on all levels.

The gay blogosphere soon exploded into a flurry of backlash and counter-backlash, based mainly on a sense of disappointment with the song. At least that's how it started.

But as the world lived with Born This Way, a deeper disquiet began to emerge, and the heavy-handed way that the song assumed stewardship of an entire portion of humanity began to breed real resentment, from the forums to the dancefloor to the word on the street. Fact of matter: most gay people don't consider themselves to be freaks and outsiders, as is suggested in the lyrics, but perfectly normal people whose sexual orientation just happens to be wired a certain way. And they won't thank you for attempting to lead a Pied Piper march back into the ghetto with all the subtlety of a diamond-encrusted sledgehammer.

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Gay asylum claims not being counted despite pledge, admit ministers

Immigration minister Damian Green says the number of asylum applications based on sexual orientatioin could 'only be obtained through examination of individual case records at a disproportionate cost'. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Ministers have admitted they are failing to collect data on the number of people who claim or are refused asylum on the basis of their sexuality, despite a government promise not to deport lesbians and gay men at risk of persecution.

The lack of statistics means the government does not know whether gay and lesbian asylum seekers are still being deported to countries where they may face imprisonment, torture or execution. It is also unable to say whether new rules, brought in after a supreme court ruling that marked an end to Britain refusing asylum to gay men and lesbians on the grounds they could hide their sexuality by living discreetly, are being breached.

In that July ruling, welcomed by Theresa May, the home secretary, one judge described how homophobia had "dramatically worsened" in countries such as Uganda, Malawi and Iran, making it necessary to allow those at risk protection in Britain.

The UK Border Agency was told by the Home Office last year that the new rules should be applied "with immediate effect" and that relevant cases should be "flagged and recorded".

But more than six months on, the government still does not know how many cases they are dealing with, let alone whether the ruling is being followed.

Last week, the US secretary of state, Hilary Clinton, launched her department's 35th Human Rights report, which cited a Stonewall report drawing attention to "significant disadvantages" experienced by lesbian and gay asylum seekers in Britain. The UK chapter in the US state department report said: "Stonewall claimed that, by 'fast tracking' these more complex cases and denying them quickly, UKBA staff did not give applicants time to talk openly about their sexual orientation."

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Homophobic attacks: 'There's so much hatred out there'

Philip Sallon with his friend Boy George. Photograph: Phil Loftus/Capital Pictures

They've put him in a private room. Through the window, the London Eye can be seen turning languidly in the heat. On the table there is a jar of gefilte fish and a can of pickles; on the wall is a get-well-soon card from the Pet Shop Boys. A bouquet of flowers from Vivienne Westwood (who was turned away by hospital staff, having arrived outside visiting hours) is on the windowsill. And lying in bed, pale, bruised and dishevelled – yet nevertheless looking irrepressibly pre-Raphaelite – is the iconic gay socialite Philip Sallon, his extravagant black hair forming a corona around his head.

"I still feel weird. Like it's a dream or something," he tells me. "When they first brought me in, I couldn't even remember the details of my parents' deaths. And now I'm suffering from terrible headaches. Does my memory seem all right to you?"

The night before, Sallon – a committed, if not religious, Jew – hosted a Passover "Seder night" in the ward (hence the gefilte fish, the pickles). Among the guests were Boy George and Matt Lucas's mother. But after a while, plagued by severe headaches, Sallon retired to bed.

In Piccadilly Circus, central London, in the early hours of April 3, Sallon was seriously assaulted. Having suffered a haemorrhage on the brain, he was given a 50/50 chance of survival. Now, with the aid of round-the-clock medical care, he has stabilised. The reason for the attack remains unknown; his memory of it is blank.

The police investigation is moving slowly. Detectives have released a description of the suspect: an athletic, six-foot male of around 20; short black hair; a tight, royal blue T-shirt; jeans; black trainers. "Several people came to Philip's aid after the attack," says Mick Forteath, the detective leading the investigation. "But so far they haven't come forward. We're appealing to anyone who saw the assault itself, the prelude, or the aftermath, to come and talk to us."

Despite the density of CCTV cameras in Piccadilly, footage of the attack seems to be eluding the investigators. "We've gathered 40 hours of video," explains Forteath. "Some of it needs to be sent off to a special lab before we can watch it. It's not as easy as people think." He is also unclear whether or not the attack was homophobic. At the time of writing, the assailant remains at large.

Such is the affection that Sallon inspires that his friends staged a parade through Soho to appeal for witnesses. There were three organisers: veteran clubber Alice Shaw, Tamar Adair (a Guardian Angel vigilante) and composer Benjamin Till, who directed Taboo – the musical about Boy George's life in which Sallon features prominently. Hundreds of supporters attended, singing his favourite songs: I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles; Oom Pah Pah; Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag."It could only be described as a shambolic display of affection," the composer recalls. "Philip touched the lives of all sorts of people, from the high life to the low life and back again."

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South Africa gay rights activists warn of homophobic attacks after murder

International footballer Eudy Simelane was apparently sexually assaulted and tortured before being killed three years ago.

Human rights campaigners have warned of an "epidemic" of brutal homophobic attacks in South Africa after the murder and alleged gang rape of a lesbian activist.

Noxolo Nogwaza was killed last month after what appeared to be a so-called "corrective rape", an increasingly common crime in which men rape lesbians to "turn" them straight or "cure" them of their sexual orientation.

The 24-year-old's face and head were disfigured by stoning, she was stabbed several times with broken glass and evidence suggested she was raped. A beer bottle, a big rock and used condoms were found on and near her body.

Human Rights Watch noted that no arrests have been made and claimed homophobic violence is continuing unchecked in South Africa's townships.

Dipika Nath, a researcher in the group's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights programme, said: "Nogwaza's death is the latest in a long series of sadistic crimes against lesbians, gay men and transgender people in South Africa. The vicious nature of the assault is a potent reminder that these attacks are premeditated, planned and often committed with impunity."

Nogwaza was an active member of the Ekurhuleni Pride Organising Committee, which has organised pride marches for Kwa-Thema and nearby townships in Gauteng province since 2009. Members have faced harassment and attacks because of their visibility.

More than 2,000 people attended Nogwaza's funeral last weekend. A group sang that they would use razor blades to cut off the genitals of the suspects if the police did not arrest them, the New Age newspaper reported. Some carried posters that read: "Love me or hate me I will continue to be a lesbian," and "Raping me won't change me."

Nogwaza's death came three years after that of another activist, international footballer Eudy Simelane, also in Kwa-Thema. Both were "out" as lesbians in the community, both were apparently tortured and sexually assaulted before being killed, and the bodies of both were dumped in public places.

Campaigners say that 31 lesbians have been murdered because of their sexuality in the past decade and more than 10 lesbians a week are raped or gang raped in Cape Town alone.

Nath added: "Like sexual assaults of women in general, rapes and other violence against lesbians and gender non-conforming people have reached epidemic proportions in South Africa. If the South African government is committed to protecting the rights of all people equally, leaders must address the specific motives targeting the LGBT community in these crimes."

In March the government agreed to set up a national working group to address "corrective rape" to meet the demands of an online petition with 170,000 signatures from 163 countries – a record number for a campaign on the social change website Change.org.

The petition to the justice ministry stated: "The South African government and the justice system is failing these victims of corrective rape by letting the perpetrators out on ridiculously low bail, and taking literally years to bring the court cases to a conclusion. In the meantime the victims have to live with seeing their rapists every day, being taunted and threatened by them, as are those who help the victims."

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Evan Davis: 'I'm a presenter who is gay rather than a gay presenter'

The Today anchor on Britain's lack of identity, being seen as a lightweight – and being papped at the shops

Evan Davis: 'Mistakes are nothing to be ashamed of.' Photograph: Richard Saker /Rex

You have two new TV programmes coming out. One of them, Business Nightmares, has some amazing cases, doesn't it? Persil Power, so strong it shredded knickers…

One of the programme's revelations is that all washing powders shred knickers to some degree! In many ways, the most poignant case is Gerald Ratner. His story [in a speech in 1991, he described his company's products as "total crap"] has been told so many times, and it's funny, but actually it was a big tragedy for him.He lost the business and he tells the tale of having to buy petrol for the car and not knowing what you do. He took years to recover from the shock.

I think you can enjoy the horrible stories of the disasters that befall people while nevertheless respecting them for doing stuff. Mistakes are nothing to be ashamed of. If you're not making some mistakes, it probably means you're not trying hard enough.

What about Made in Britain?

That one is about whether Britain has got enough industry. Can we survive without manufacturing? Can we build an economy on services? It's all bound up with issues of national identity. The Germans are clear about what they do – cars and machine tools; the Japanese are clear about what they do – electronics; the Chinese are clear about what they do – they're the workshop of the world.

We're less clear and that's because we've moved towards the intangible sectors more than other developed economies. We are a huge net exporter of business and commercial services: insurance and finance, surveying, architecture, legal services, advertising, university education.

Is that a good thing?

The service sector raises a number of problems. Here's the nub of it: old industries – manufacturing industries – had lots of good reasons to disperse geographically. You had shipbuilding in Sunderland, steel in South Wales and coal scattered around the country. The new industries are brainy industries and so-called knowledge workers tend to like to be near other people who are the same. Think of the City or Hollywood. People cluster. This means you have winning regions, such as London and Cambridge, and losing regions. The people who want to be top lawyers in Sunderland are hoovered up by London.

Is the answer more manufacturing?

We have got too little manufacturing, and I'm not saying that out of some romantic idea that mining is good for you or it's better to make things. There is a strong link between the following three things: exporting, manufacturing and the degree of saving by the population. It's complicated, but if the population doesn't save, the economy will not tend to export as much, and if it doesn't export as much, it won't manufacture enough.

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Ricky Martin: 'I thought homosexuality was evil'

Puerto Rican singer reveals his struggle to come to terms with being gay ran deeper than a fear of commercial failure

Ricky Martin ... 'I needed to make girls crazy and I couldn't say I was gay'. Photograph: Thais Llorca/EPA

Ricky Martin has revealed he believed homosexuality was "evil" as he struggled to come to terms with being gay.

The Latino pop star came out in 2010 after years of speculation over his sexuality. Speaking on The Jay Leno Show, Martin opened up about the pressures of being a gay teen idol. "Being Ricky Martin back then and what I was feeling were not compatible," he said. "I was the sex symbol and I needed to dance and I needed to make girls crazy and I couldn't say that I was gay. It was a struggle."

The Puerto Rican singer said his insecurities ran deeper than the fear of commercial failure: "If you add to that whatever you call it, culture, religion, society, but what I was feeling, according to what I had in my mind, was evil," he said. "And I'm very lucky today that what I have in my mind is love and I'm very happy."

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Deal done’ on dispute, but doubts linger

Middleman: Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa is flanked by his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong (right) and Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya at the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Jakarta on Friday. Marty said Namhong and Kasit requested a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discuss the Cambodian-Thai border dispute.JP/Ricky Yudistira

Sat, 05/07/2011
Adianto P. Simamora and Dina Indrasafitri
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Thailand and Cambodia have finally agreed to accept observer teams from Jakarta to monitor a cease-fire in their long-standing disputed border area.

The deal was made a day before heads of state from ASEAN countries are to convene at a high-profile summit in Jakarta on Saturday to kick-start ambitious plans to integrate the grouping’s 10 countries into an ASEAN community by 2015.

“It is a done deal,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said after meeting Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya on Friday.

He was referring to the terms of reference on the Indonesian observer team proposed by Jakarta after Thai and Cambodian forces exchanged fire near the Preah Vihear Temple area since February, two months after Indonesia took the helm of ASEAN.

“What remains now is the actual formalization of the agreement, which Cambodia has done. Thailand is in agreement, but we are waiting for a formal submission,” he said.

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Questions remain on whether such a deal between top leaders can hold as domestic politics, especially in Thailand, could jeopardize any deal that excludes the military.

The foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia met in Jakarta earlier this year, agreeing to a cease-fire, promising not to resort to military force and to solving their problems through negotiations.

However, several weeks later, military forces on both sides engaged in clashes that killed dozens of civilians on either side of the border.

“I am afraid that we have to wait for the results of the Thai election in July to really have a solution to the dispute,” Rizal Sukma, the executive director of the Centre for International and Strategic Studies, said.

Prior to chairing the ASEAN ministerial meeting, Marty held talks with Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and then Thai Foreign Minister Kasit. The two countries insisted on certain conditions despite agreeing on the presence of an Indonesian observer team.

Thailand wants the Cambodian government to first withdraw troops currently stationed in the Preah Vihear Temple area.

“Thailand has its own view about what is needed before an observer team is sent. Cambodia has its own view as well but as the country sending the observer, we believe we need to create conducive conditions,” Marty said.

Under the terms of reference, Indonesia would send 30 observers, 15 assigned on each side of the disputed border. The draft of the terms of reference, which remain undisclosed to the public, outline the authority of the observer team and details of areas where the team would be stationed.

“They are not enforcing anything, just observing. It is important symbolically to have the team to provide confidence to the two sides,” Marty said.

He said the absence of an observer team would result in continuing exchanges of fires between the two countries.

“The status quo is not an option. I think there is something wrong if we look to maintain the status quo,” he said.

Marty admitted that political and diplomatic talks between the two countries were still needed since each country had its own conditions.

It remains unclear whether the Cambodian-Thai border issue is on the agenda of the high-level summit since Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vevajiva indicated he had no intentions of discussing the border clashes with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

During the meeting Friday, ministers also discussed a number of issues including the establishment of a regional peace and reconciliation institution aimed at preventing conflicts and promoting peace in the region as well as settling competing claims in the South China Sea.

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Obama and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to Establish 'Special Rapporteur' for LGBT Human Rights at OAS

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff and President Obama have released a joint statement detailing ongoing commitments between Brazil and the United States.

Under a section labeled "Democracy, Human Rights, Racial Equality and Social Inclusion," the leaders recognize the need to promote respect for the human rights of LGBT people, and made note of plans to establish a "special rapporteur" to that end at the Organization of American States (OAS).

Here's the section, from the statement provided to us by the White House:

"They agreed to cooperate in advancing democracy, human rights and freedom for all people bilaterally and through the United Nations and other multilateral fora, including ensuring respect for human rights in the context of the democratic movements and transitions; strengthening the UN Human Rights Council as recently demonstrated in the case of the creation of the Commission of Inquiry on Libya; promoting respect for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals through the establishment of a Special Rapporteur at the OAS; and improving the conduct of free and fair elections regionally and globally, including through the promotion of human rights in the context of elections and increasing their accessibility to disabled persons."

No additional details were immediately available.

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Obama tries to reassure public on economy, jobs

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is reassuring the public that jobs and the economy are his top priority.

At the end of a historic and emotionally charged week that began with his nationally televised announcement that Osama bin Laden had been killed in Pakistan during a raid by U.S. special forces, Obama on Saturday returned to promoting his energy agenda.

U.S. forces raided a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where bin Laden had lived for several years, killing the al-Qaida leader.

The news of bin Laden's demise dominated the week's headlines.

"So although our economy hasn't been the focus of the news this week, not a day goes by that I'm not focused on your jobs, your hopes and your dreams," Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address.

He recorded the address Friday while visiting an Indianapolis transmissions plant that makes systems for hybrid vehicles.

Obama has been traveling around the country to talk up his plan to reduce U.S. consumption of foreign oil — and the price Americans pay for it — by increasing domestic oil production, encouraging a shift to alternative energy sources and building vehicles that use less fuel.

He says shifting to jobs like those at the Indianapolis factory will create more jobs and help the economy grow.

"The clean energy jobs at this plant are the jobs of the future, jobs that pay well right here in America," Obama said. "It's clean energy companies like this one that will keep our economy growing, create new jobs and make sure America remains the most prosperous nation in the world."

Republicans devoted their weekly message to bin Laden.

Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown praised years of diligent work by the military and by intelligence professionals to pinpoint bin Laden's location. The al-Qaida leader's death, Brown said, sends a clear message to others like bin Laden.

"The example will not be lost on other terrorists," Brown said. "Any escape they make will be temporary. Any sanctuary they find will be uncovered. Those who harm or threaten the American people will be dealt with, on our terms, however long it takes."

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Brazil Approves Civil Unions for Same-Sex Couples

The Brazil Supreme Court has approved civil unions for same-sex couples.

The AP reports: "In a 10-0 vote, with one abstention, the justices said gay couples deserve the same legal rights as heterosexual pairs when it comes to alimony, retirement benefits of a partner who dies, and inheritances, among other issues. The ruling, however, stopped short of legalizing gay marriage. In Latin America, that is legal only in neighboring Argentina and in Mexico City."

Dagblog offered an earlier translation of Brazil's Veja news:

The Majority of Supreme Court Judges recognized the civil unions of gays & lesbians, assuring that these couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples. Of the 11 judges six have already voted for this measure by late afternoon Thursday.

Judge José Antonio Dias Toffol - who holds strong religious views - recused himself from the vote, stating he had previous dealings with lawyers in the case.

“Until there is a law regulating homosexual civil union and marriage, the high court's recognition of a stable unions is the best thing that could happen so that gay couples rights are accepted once and for all,” said Judge Maria Berenice Dias before the vote.

The move is a landmark achievement for Brazil - a nation that has struggled with violence against the gay and lesbian community.

Andrés Duque at Blabbeando noted the news prior to the AP reports, etc, via Twitter: "BRAZIL: Civil Unions for same-sex couples passes. Final vote: 10-0 w/1 abstention."

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Movies: Thor and His Hammer

Hemsworth & Hammer.

NATHANIEL ROGERS
...would live in the movie theater but for the poor internet reception. He blogs daily at the Film Experience. Follow him on Twitter @nathanielr.<1--more-->

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It's not every day you drive right into a golden god while cruising around New Mexico's deserts. But that's just what happens to Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) as THOR begins. She's chasing a thermo-magnetic storm (or some such) and a larger Einstein-Rosen Bridge / Wormhole type theory just at the precise moment that Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the arrogant god of thunder, is cast out of his home and exiled to Earth. She's torn between collecting soil samples and taking the muscle man to a hospital. Her humanity wins out, setting off Thor's awkward, humbling and often comic journey towards earning back his hammer-wielding mightiness.

"The Hammer is my penis."
-Captain Hammer in Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog

"Where did he come from?" Jane Foster and her team keep asking about this hunky arrogant delusional homeless man. His magic hammer also drops from the sky forcing others to ask the same question. The hammer is the source of his power but he's no longer able to swing it. He's frustratingly mortal all of a sudden. Once the mighty hammer is in the picture, and every man in driving range wants to prove himself man enough to swing it, the men from S.H.I.E.L.D. also show up to ask questions. Their agenda is less honorable than Jane's. They're here to remind you about the Iron Man movies and about other Marvel Movies heading into multiplexes soon.

So where did he come from? The answer is Asgard.

Turns out the Mythological Norse gods are real (Points for the Scandinavians!). They live in a golden castle near a rainbow bridge. Let's just say it's a spectacle, and that's always the point of $200 million dollar budgets, yes?.

The All Father Odin (Anthony Hopkins, who else?) had to exile his beloved son Thor due to his hot temper and war-mongering. The Thunder God had just reopened old war wounds between the Frost Giants of Jotunheim and the Gods. These all powerful foes haven't been at war since their last skirmish in Tønsberg Norway, millenia ago.

Perhaps understanding that this particular superhero is the odd man out in the overpopulated Marvel Universe, director Kenneth Branagh (chosen for his Shakespearean gravitas?) brings much campy pomp to the proceedings from the director's chair.

More Thor, AFTER THE JUMP...

The intentional humor and boisterous filmmaking save the film which would otherwise be laughable for the wrong reasons.

The performances help, too. Hemsworth makes a fine Thor, a bit remote maybe but appropriately self-possessed given the character at hand and capable of charm. He's also good at the film's intentionally played comedy at Thor's expense. There's even a joke about steroids, in case staring at this super body makes the audience feel too jealous and mortal puny. The situational and physical humor almost always work, though Kat Denning's scientist sidekick is saddled with a few dud "jokes". Tom Hiddleston even manages to make some small sense of the ostensible villain Loki (Thor's brother) which is a feat since the screenplay hasn't even begun to decide how evil, ambitious, angry, hurt, morally confused or mischievous Loki is.

The action scenes are, on the other hand, disappointing. They're under-imagined and occassionally incomprehensible, even while they're easy to enjoy on a moment to moment or aural level (each magic weapon has its own obviously distinct "voice"). The battle on the rainbow bridge may be the worst offender in terms of "what just happened again?" as it reaches the film's climax.

But back to Thor, the man god. He's such a fish-out-of-water as superheroes go, that the question keeps nagging even after it's answered. "Where did he come from?"

The larger answer is the Marvel Universe. Marvel has been a comics powerhouse for many decades but their long term movie plan is modeled not on Asgard but on another magical kingdom, Disney. In the place of princesses we have superheroes, which are happily just as marketable. The key difference, beyond gender, may just be in storytelling. As Marvel grows their movieverse they seem perilously oblivious to the fact that movies, save for rare beasts like Harry Potter, need to be stand alone enchantments.

With each new Marvel movie, and its cumbersome connections to the last and next (Jane Foster is the lead scientist here but her achievements are downplayed in the post-credits tag, which surely has more to do with contractual actor price tags than narrative logic) the movies seem less and less like movies and more and more like introductory chapters to a movie that hasn't even started yet. This may work in the short term but how can it possible pay off in the long term?

After so many introductory chapters, Joss Whedon's currently filming The Avengers (2012), which will unite Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and Captain America, would have to be seven hours long to feel like enough of a middle and an end for all of these beginnings. All of this prep work for a team movie has the unintended effect of making each would be blockbuster feel like disposable bloated chapter in some old pulpy movie serial. (Netflix Instant Watch Alert: Flash Gordon is available and its both hilariously dated cheese and timelessly hunky beefcake: Hello Buster Crabbe!)

If you are planning to see Thor this weekend, see it in 2D. Like most 3D conversions the image is too dark and intermittently off-putting. Hollywood remains determined to make 3D the future of film but so far it only looks sensational in animated films or Avatar (same thing?). Though this technology is meant to add depth, fully immersing you in the imagery, it continues to have the ironic effect of making epic environments feel like tiny dioramas instead; you're NOT inside them, you're a god peering down into them. With that gaudy rainbow bridge as a set fixture, seeing Thor in 3D is a bit like playing with superhero dolls in dimly lit rooms, your floors strewn with glitter. Not that you've ever experienced such a thing.

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Woman In Tyler Clementi Case Makes Plea Deal

Molly Wei, one of the two Rutgers University students facing charges in the Tyler Clementi case, could have her criminal record erased as long as she agrees to terms reached in plea bargain yesterday.

ABC News reports on the terms of her plea deal:

"In exchange for help in the prosecution of a fellow student, Dharun Ravi, Wei agreed in court today to join an intervention program that requires her to perform 300 hours of community service over the next three years and undergo counseling for cyberbullying."

Clementi's parents issued a statement: "Actions have consequences. We wish that Ms. Wei will become a person who will make better decisions, will help people, and show kindness to those she comes in contact with."

According to the New York Times, Clementi's parents approved of the lighter punishment for Wei, but not for Ravi:

"They said they favored harsher treatment for their son’s roommate, Dharun Ravi, who has been charged with streaming live images of Mr. Clementi’s intimate encounter with another man from a computer in Ms. Wei’s dormitory room in September."

Ravi, who was handed a 15-count grand jury indictment last month, faces 5 to ten years in prison. He'll be arraigned later on May 23.

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Do Começo ao Fim

FROM BEGINNING TO END

Realizador: Aluisio Abranches
Ano:2009
País: Brasil
Duração:94 min

Do Começo ao Fim é uma história de amor. A história de Francisco e Thomás e da sua família: Julieta, Alexandre e Pedro. Com uma narrativa particular o filme pretende contar a história de um amor incondicional como uma possibilidade, como um contraponto para um mundo cheio de violência, medo e intolerancia. 1986, Thomás, filho de Julieta e Alexandre, nasce com os olhos fechados e assim permanece durante várias semanas. Julieta não se preocupa e diz que quando o filho estiver pronto, que quando ela quiser, ele abrirá os olhos. Foi assim, nos primeiros dias de vida de Thomás aprendeu que era livre arbítrio. Um dia, sem mais nem menos, Thomás abre os olhos e olha direto para Francisco, seu irmão de 6 anos. 1992 Julieta é uma linda mulher e uma mãe amorosa. É médica de um hospital e trabalha no setor de emergência. É casada pela segunda vez com Alexandre, pai de Thomás. Pedro, seu primeiro marido e pai de Francisco mora na Argentina. Julieta e ele continuam bons amigos. Durante a infância, os irmãos são muito próximos, talvez próximos demais, segundo Pedro, que passa uma temporada com eles em Buenos Aires. Anos mais tarde, quando Francisco tem 27 anos e Thomás 21, Julieta morre repentinamente em um acidente de carro. Francisco e Thomás se tornaram amantes e vivem uma extraordinária história de amor.

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Suit Against Homophobic Soccer Exec Dropped

By Michelle Garcia

Vlatko Markovic

One of two pending lawsuits against the president of Croatia's soccer federation was dropped Thursday.

A spokesman for the Zagreb, Croatia, county court said Thursday that the judge rejected one of the cases against Vlatko Markovic, according to the Associated Press. Last year he said that gay players could not participate in Croatian soccer and that "only healthy people play football." His statement sparked lawsuits from two different gay rights groups.

Despite European soccer's ruling body opening an additional case against him, Markovic was reelected to a fourth term as federation president in December.

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Holder Attempts to Stop DOMA Deportation

By Michelle Garcia

Atty. Gen. Eric Holder has asked the Board of Immigration Appeals to reconsider the deportation of a gay man who entered into a civil union with his American partner.

Holder's filing was related to application of Paul Wilson Dorman to remain in the United States with his partner, Metro Weekly reports. The board ruled that because of the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, unions, or partnerships authorized by a state, Dorman would have to return to his country of origin. However, Holder asked the board to vacate their earlier ruling, and allow him to personally review this particular case.

Eric Berndt, an attorney for the National Asylum Partnership on Sexual Minorities at the National Immigrant Justice Center, told Metro Weekly that Holder's move to vacate the board's decision is "an extraordinary step." He added, "It adds some heft to our requests for prosecutorial discretion in individual cases in which the foreign partner" in a same-sex binational couple is seeking a green card because of his or her citizen partner.

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Another Loss for Prop. 8 Supporters

By Advocate.com Editors

California Republican state senator Tom Harman (pictured) saw his bill — which would have granted groups and individuals the right to defend ballot initiatives in court and could have helped Proposition 8 supporters in their case — die in committee.

The senate judiciary committee rejected Harman's bill along party lines in a 3-2 vote. Currently, California's governor and attorney general decide whether ballot initiatives should be defended in court when their legality is challenged. In the case of Prop. 8, which stripped California's gays of marriage rights, former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former attorney general and current governor Jerry Brown, and current attorney general Kamala Harris have refused to defend the ballot initiative since it was declared unconstitutional by federal judge Vaughn Walker. Because of the refusals, antigay groups are asking to defend Prop. 8 — a federal appeals court has asked California's supreme court to rule on whether state law allows antigay groups to defend Prop. 8. Harman's bill would have made it clear that they have standing to do so.

"California voters deserve to have their position defended when an initiative is challenged in court and the state refuses to defend it," Harman said, according to The Sacramento Bee.

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Culhane: Same sex marriage round-up

Let’s do a round-up of a few major legal and political developments relating to the marriage equality movement. I’ll leave it to you to connect the dots.

King and Spalding and DOMA

I’m a bit late to weigh in on this, but it’s taken me awhile to sort through my feelings on the decision of King and Spalding to withdraw from their representation of the House in defending the vile Defense of Marriage Act. In sum, I agree with this writer that the firm made what’s essentially a business decision – probably a good one, given the reported threat by another principal client, Coca Cola.

The argument that “gay bullies” brought about this change – made most notably by Andrew Sullivan, but by many others, too – is naïve as to how law firms actually work. During my short (but too long!) stint at one of the major firms in N.Y. a long time ago, it became abundantly clear that I was in a business; one bound by certain professional rules and unique obligations, yes, but a business nonetheless.

This isn’t to say that many of my colleagues didn’t feel called to go beyond the profit motive – they did, and we did much valuable pro bono work. But the partners cared, as they should, mostly about the bottom line.

Yes, King and Spalding should have thought of this sooner; their decision to withdraw complicates the issue.

But the plain fact is that, in 2011, the firm’s bottom line would likely be harmed by arguing the pro-DOMA side. In addition to Coke’s alleged pressure, the firm feared the impact to recruiting and to its overall image. That’s just a sign of the times.

To call it bullying is to palter with words.

Moreover, this is really nothing like representing Guantanamo prisoners, who have a constitutional right to a legal defense.

In fact, the great weakness of the analogy to the rightly condemned outrage directed at the attorneys who defended the detainees is that it’s hard even to identify a “victim” of King and Spalding’s actions here. The best opponents can do is point to speculative future harm if marriage is extended to include same-sex couples.

And, as Paul Clement’s (entirely appropriate) decision to leave the firm and undertake representation of the DOMA defenders shows, the U.S. House of Representatives hardly has to worry that no one will take up their cause. Once we move beyond the easy outrage of analogy to facts, the cases couldn’t be more different.

And Sullivan need not worry: DOMA will receive a robust defense, as it should — and as was never really in doubt, again in contrast to the Guantanamo case.

Civil unions everywhere

Should we be cheered, despondent, or somewhere in the middle about the recent flurry of civil union laws?

Already this year, Hawaii and Illinois have put such laws into place, and the Governor of Delaware (where I teach) is to sign a civil unions bill next week.

The arguments for them are clear. First, it’s much easier to get them passed than it is marriage equality measures, especially in states that have laws banning same-sex marriage that would need to be repealed (or, worse, constitutional amendments).

Second, civil unions have been shown to lead to full marriage equality, once legislatures or courts come to realize that the civil union is a poor substitute for the real thing.

Yet I’m starting to worry that these second-class unions are becoming the easy default. Consider Rhode Island, where marriage equality supporters in the state legislature determined that they didn’t have the votes, in part because of determined push-back from groups like the more-effective-than-we-want-to-admit National Organization for Marriage.

Our side could have pushed back, either this year or next. Instead, the plan is now to introduce civil union legislation. If this initiative results in a civil union law this year, our 2011 tally might be: four civil union bills; no marriage equality laws.

Is this progress?

In a sense, yes. Civil unions surely help couples in need of protection.

But there’s something else I like about them: They force the oppositionists into uncomfortable positions.

I’ve already detailed the Maggie Gallagher civil union tilt-a-whirl (and I’m still not clear on exactly what she’d support), and now there’s more evidence. In a recent editorial in the Rhode Island Catholic, the diocese takes up a position in opposition to civil unions, calling them a precursor to marriage.

One might expect more principle and less politics from those mounting an ecclesiastical argument, but what’s glaring is the lack of charity or compassion from these Catholics. The editorial concludes that “[c]ivil unions are not the answer.”

Well, what is? The editors offer no suggestions for remedying the present inequities. That clanging silence will be less and less appealing to the broad middle that sees same-sex couples as needing and deserving a spectrum of legal protections, regardless of whether they’re yet ready to embrace full marriage equality.

Incidentally, many Catholics are among this group.

Will New York be the next state to get marriage?

“It’s up to you, New York[!] New York!” Governor Andrew Cuomo clearly sees marriage equality as an important part of the legacy he wants to establish, one that draws on the reasonableness of the state’s residents (who overwhelmingly support marriage equality) and builds on his father’s reputation for socially progressive change.

Civil unions really aren’t an option there, because same-sex couples can already have their out-of-state marriages recognized in New York.

So it’s marriage or nothing. I expect it will be marriage.

If not this year, then next. It’s worth making a huge effort there.

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