Wordsworth: Choreographer Lloyd Newson returns to the New York area after an 15-year absence with a striking new spoken-word production exploring religion and homosexuality: Newson said he had "thought things were progressing quite well" for gay men and lesbians. But what he called "a resurgence of religion and fundamentalism worldwide" made him reconsider and create "To Be Straight With You," which opens on Thursday as part of the Peak Performances series at Montclair State University. The piece looks at religion and sexuality through the words of more than 85 people interviewed in Britain. "It’s not that I’m completely giving up dance," he said, "but I do have a passion for words, and when you know that one word, say calling a teddy bear Muhammad, can cause such rupture worldwide, then you know the power of language. I’m not sure there’s a dance that can do the same." (NYT)
Something Special in the Air: The always pro-gay American Airlines has endorsed ENDA, sending a letter to Congress in support of anti-discrimination measure. (Washington Blade)
Forever in Blue Jeans: Meanwhile, Levi Strauss & Co. is lending its support to defeat Prop 8, the ballot initiative that would outlaw same-sex marriage in California. (AP)
Dept. of Injustice: I love that we got rid of one corrupt attorney general only to replace him with another. A new independent report concluded that the administration tried to hide the political reasons behind the firings of several attorneys general -- most notably David Iglesias of New Mexico -- through public misstatements and “disingenuous after-the-fact rationalizations,” including the idea that Iglesias, a captain in the Navy reserves required to serve 36 days a year, was an "absentee landlord" (how's that for pro-military?). Yet Mukasey was quoting as saying the firings were “haphazard, arbitrary and unprofessional." Um, no. That's exactly what the report is saying. They were ANYTHING BUT haphazard and arbitrary. I will give him unprofessional, although criminal seems to be a more accurate description. (NYT)
Cherry Picking: I don't know what's cuter, James Franco's face, or that Sean Penn would text Madonna to brag about making out with a dude. (Towleroad)
Pinocchio Strikes Again: Wanna know how big of a lie John McCain was telling during last week's debate when he swore up and down that Barack Obama had voted for a tax increase on Americans making as little as $42,000 a year? Read this.
Quarterflash: Boston's famed Club Cafe -- the inspiration for Johnny Diaz's novel "Boston Boys Club" -- celebrated its 25 birthday on Thursday. Naturally, porn stars were there to mark the big occasion. (EdgeBoston)
Having Their (Angel Food) Cake and Eating It Too: If these homophobic churches want to play politics, then let 'em. It'll cost them big time, though. (AP)
Umbrian Murder Case: If having the Euro tabloids call murder suspect Amanda Knox -- a junior-year-abroad Seattle college student -- "Foxy Knoxy" is, in the words of her father, "brutalizing her in the press,” then would someone please brualize me in the blogs? (NYT)
RIP: Bill Woods, one of the first gay community leaders in Hawaii, died after a lengthy illness. He was 58. (I'm surprised this even made the news, though. He was only a community organizer.) (365Gay)
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