Friday, February 12, 2010

Page 1 Consider (02/12)

  • Kiss and Make It Better: Was sad to read that my favorite bartender -- hunky Marcello Diaz over at G Lounge -- is battling leukemia. On Sunday, proceeds from drink specials and a $5 kissing booth will help raise money for Marcello's hospital bills. Here's wishing him a speedy recovery. He really is a doll. For more information, click HERE.

  • If You Ask, They Will Tell: Three-quarters of Americans say that they support openly gay people serving in the U.S. military, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, a finding that could lend momentum to the Obama administration's effort to dismantle the policy known as "don't ask, don't tell." (WaPo)

  • Paper Heart: What a shock to open the paper and see one of my favorite stores -- the Village Paper Party Store -- had mysteriously burned to the ground. I can still remember wandering in there back in '93 while killing time while my boyfriend at the time visited clients of his in Greenwich Village. Years later when I moved here, I became a regular customer, always buying my Christmas cards there rather than the chain stores. (Local artist John Dorish sold his holiday designs there this year and Michael and I both stocked up.) I'm not entirely sure if my soft spot for the store stems from my childhood obsession with office supplies or because I watched my parents struggle to make a living when they owned a similar type of store in Phoenix years ago. But it sounds like owner Sun Wong -- the father of three young children -- doesn't plan to try to rebuild, and that makes me really sad. Knowing that a bank or nail salon will be in the cozy corner spot on Greenwich Avenue by the summer only makes me sadder. (NYDN)

  • 'Fair' and 'Balanced': Another day, another baseless attack on Kevin Jennings from the conservative media. (Media Matters)

  • Out Fox: Rhode Island officials elect first openly gay speaker of the house. Rep. Gordon Fox, 48, received votes from 51 of the 75 lawmakers in the House. (Boston)

  • Scales of Justice: I love how straight white men are the first to worry that a judge who happens to be gay man or a (wise) Latina woman can't be trusted to rule fairly on something -- like straight white men are so inherently impartial and have such a winning track record with being fair on all matters. (Raw)

  • Gay or Euro? Both! This week, the European Parliament confirmed that candidate countries wishing to join the European Union have to provide genuine protection to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender minorities. (UKGayNews)

  • Hoosier Daddy: It sounds like it's just as well that I did not fulfill my dad's dream of going to Notre Dame. (Bilerico Project)

  • Change of Heart: The Democratic National Committee’s LGBT Americans Caucus is giving high marks to President Obama and the Democratic Party’s efforts to advance LGBT rights over the past year, caucus members said this week. (DCAgenda)

  • Jock Itch: The Football Association's commitment to tackling homophobia in the game was called into question by gay rights groups this week after the launch of a much-heralded film designed to confront the issue was canceled at the last minute. (But at least David Beckham is still hot.) (Guardian)

  • On the Mend: Former President Bill Clinton was taken to a New York hospital on Thursday after experiencing chest discomfort and underwent what his cardiologist called a successful procedure to clear a blocked artery. Here's wishing him a speedy and full recovery. (NYT)

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