A Win is a Win, Mostly

Looks like a judgement was reached in case that I noticed last month…

Teen wins right to wear 'Jesus Is Not a Homophobe' T-shirt to school
By James Eng, msnbc.com

Maverick Couch can wear his “Jesus Is Not a Homophobe” T-shirt to school again – without fear of being suspended.

The 16-year-old junior at Waynesville High School in Ohio has won a legal fight to wear the shirt, which was a gift from a friend’s aunt, on school grounds.

“I’m really blessed and happy,” he told msnbc.com on Tuesday, a week after he learned of a court action in his favor. “It’s just really amazing. I never thought it would come out like this.”

In the judgment entered May 21, U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett ordered school officials to allow Maverick to wear the T-shirt to school whenever he chooses. He also ordered the school district to pay $20,000 in damages and court costs to the teen.

“We’re very happy for Maverick and all LGBT students in Ohio,” Christopher Clark, senior staff attorney for Lambda Legal, which sued on Maverick’s behalf, said in a press release. “If school officials had any doubt before, it’s clear now: First Amendment rights apply to all students on every day of the year, and efforts to silence LGBT youth will not go unchallenged.”

The settlement ends a legal fight that began a little more than a year ago.

According to court documents, Couch wore the T-shirt with a rainbow-colored Ichthys, or “sign of the fish,” and lettering that read “Jesus Is Not a Homophobe” to school in April 2011 in observation of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network’s “Day of Silence.”

The principal, Randy Gebhardt, called Maverick into his office and instructed him to turn the shirt inside-out. Maverick complied. He wore the T-shirt to school again the next day. This time, his mother was called in and he was told to remove the T-shirt or face suspension. Maverick again complied.

When school resumed in the fall, Maverick asked the principal for permission to wear the T-shirt. Again, he was told he would be suspended if he did so. That’s when he and his mother turned to lawyers.

In January, Lambda Legal sent the school district a letter outlining Maverick’s First Amendment rights and stating he had the right to wear the shirt. The school district responded that “the message communicated by the student’s T-shirt is sexual in nature and therefore indecent and inappropriate in a school setting.”

The school district’s response continued:

“Wayne Local School District Board of Education had the right to limit clothing with sexual slogans, especially in light what was then a highly charged atmosphere, in order to protect its students and enhance the educational environment. Consequently, the high school principal was well within the bounds of his authority to request that the student remove his T-shirt and refrain from wearing the T-shirt in the future.”

Last month Lambda Legal sued the Wayne Local School District on Maverick’s behalf, contending the district was violating the teen’s First Amendment right to free speech.

“I just wanted to wear my shirt,” Maverick was quoted as saying in a Lamda Legal press release last week announcing the court settlement. “The shirt is a statement of pride, and I hope other students like me know that they can be proud, too.”

The $20,000 that the school district has been ordered to pay will be covered by Wayne Local Schools’ insurance policy.

Superintendent Patrick Dubbs didn’t immediately return a phone call for comment on Tuesday. He earlier told the Student Press Law Center that the lawsuit, filed in April, came as a surprise.

“I would even question the tactics used because we were never told we were being sued,” Dubbs was quoted as saying by SPLC. “Our feeling was this never had to go to federal court. All of our actions all along, once we became aware of Lambda Legal, were that we never wanted to go to court.”

As for Maverick, he says he wore the T-shirt to school the day after he learned of the court judgment in his favor.

“I really didn’t get any reaction,” he told msnbc.com. "I had a few friends ask me, ‘Has anything happened?’ It was like any other day. The principal didn’t say a word.”

He says he plans to wear the shirt to school again in the fall when classes resume.

The message, Maverick says, is all about tolerance.

"We need to accept others how they come no matter their religion, sexual orientation, the color of their skin. Everyone is who they are. We all need to come together as a whole and accept everyone.”

---

I'm still concerned about this. Being gay it does feel like a vague win for the community. But it feels exploitative. And I fear for the safety of other kids that might try something similar. We need more.

Despite My Bias This Seems Like a Bad Idea

Gay Student Sues Ohio School District Over T-Shirt

CINCINNATI — A gay student whose high school prohibited him from wearing a T-shirt designed to urge tolerance of gays is suing the school, saying it's violating his freedom of expression rights.

The mother of 16-year-old Maverick Couch filed the federal lawsuit on his behalf against Wayne Local School District and its Waynesville High School principal. Couch, a junior at the southwest Ohio high school, has been threatened by school officials with suspension if he wears the shirt, which bears the message “Jesus Is Not a Homophobe,” the lawsuit says. Officials at the public school told him the shirt is “sexual in nature” and is inappropriate there, it says.

Couch said Tuesday that he wants to wear the shirt at school on April 20 to show support for the Day of Silence, an annual event held nationally for students to draw attention to the silencing of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students through bullying and harassment.

“I've been bullied and called names, and I wanted to wear this shirt to promote respect for all students, gay or straight,” Couch said by telephone.

The lawsuit charges that the actions of officials in the school district, a 45-minute drive northeast of Cincinnati, violate Couch's constitutional rights, including the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and the Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection under the law. It asks the U.S. District Court to order school officials to allow Couch to wear the shirt and to pay him unspecified “nominal” damages and attorneys' fees.

District Superintendent Patrick Dubbs said Tuesday that he had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on specifics, but he said he was “disappointed that it has gotten to this point.” A message left for Waynesville High School Principal Randy Gebhardt was not immediately returned.

Couch said Tuesday that he wore the shirt, which also bears the image of a rainbow-colored fish similar to a religious symbol used by Christians, last April and was told by the principal to turn it inside out. He said he complied but was told when he tried to wear it again that he would be suspended.

The civil rights group Lambda Legal, which is assisting Couch in the lawsuit, said it sent the principal a letter in January supporting Couch's right to wear the shirt. The district's response was that the message on the shirt is “sexual in nature and therefore indecent and inappropriate in a school setting,” the lawsuit says.

Couch also said that he was told by school officials on other occasions that the shirt would be disruptive and that it was too religious.

“I don't think it's sexual or indecent,” Couch said. “I am just trying to stand up for who I am and for what I believe in.”

Lambda Legal attorney Christopher Clark said Couch tried to reach a solution without going to court but school officials would not cooperate.

“Schools should be in the business of educating students about First Amendment freedoms,” Clark said, “not trampling on their right to express themselves.”

The high school has more than 500 students in grades 9 through 12, according to its website.

While it makes me feel somewhat traitorous to my community I do not agree with what this teen and his Mother are doing.

The attorney's assertion at the end is inaccurate. Public schools are not in the business of fostering activism… they are there to educate our children. I assume the charge of "indecency" comes from some sort of rurally-awkard christian morality. It is not indecent. It is, however, religious and incendiary. And a teen who complains of bullying shouldn't be wearing it.

That's where the real problem lies: Couch should never have been made to feel he had to wear this tee-shirt. The fairness and equity provided by law can step in to address being marginalized, terrorized, and brutalized.

While individual identity is important and undoubtedly part of the teenage maturation process, it must be balanced with respect for shared company in the common pursuit of learning. And that sort of respect for others is important for continued success out in the "real world."

I Know Jesus, My Hate is Love

Was catching up on the whole Kirk Cameron drama when I noticed part of his statement after the fateful Piers Morgan interview:

I spoke as honestly as I could, but some people believe my responses were not loving toward those in the gay community. That is not true. I can assuredly say that it's my life's mission to love all people.

What he said was honest so I can respect that. It's the hypocrisy that I take umbrage with. As so many other Christians he doesn't see his “love” as conditional and judgmental—which is what Jesus opposed.

Oh well. At least George Takei is out there doing his happy dance in proud defiance.

Not Exactly a PSA

Walking around in Chelsea I saw a three ads for ManHunt today and the third made me laugh. Someone had written “Cock Commando” atop the ripped Latin guy who was holding up his shirt, showing off impossible abs. I found the homophobic inscription amusingly redundant—like saying Soccer is gay.

It's funny these ads were posted at all. Like any gay man in Manhattan needs to be reminded that ManHunt is out there. And we all know hooking up with that poster boy would involve money and/or an STD. Love this city.

Missed Snapshot

Getting off at 6th Ave stop on the L line I noticed an HRC bumper sticker had been stuck to the ground next to some benches. For whatever reason, that really struck me. That the events, fanfare and Parade from the weekend were done yet continued to have an effect. Almost stopped to take a shot with my iPhone but the lighting was horrible. And the image I wanted to capture wouldn't have been possible to frame with all the people anyway. Still… a good moment.

Not a Scab

While I think the whole ‘Day Without Gays’ is a fun idea it really doesn't work for me. Facing a deadline it would only get me behind and negatively impact the team. Disappearing for a day right now would be more selfish than awareness raising. Instead of a passive protester, every day I am an active reminder by being out at work and unafraid of answering questions or making observations.

Make Our Clothes, Fix Our Hair

Wow. No one can escape Prop 8 — The Musical as it works social viral magic, from Facebook to MSNBC. Sure it's a bit late yet the humor and awareness helps. Maybe the next electoral hate cycle will enable collection of some gay marriage/divorce litigation dollars…

I Only Drink to Make Other People More Sociable

Four nights of drinking seriously took its toll. Not just the drinking as I also smoke when I'm out like that. Went through three packs, which my lungs now inform me is excessive. I wasn't going to go out Saturday night but Zac harassed me via text and voice mail until I did. Almost didn't go out last night but it was the last day, I'd asked for a half-day off, everyone was going to be there, et cetera.

I didn't do any events this year… even skipped the parade. Mary said she'd catch me for a few things and John was doing a bunch, but I only went out for the dancing and drinking. No one that I was interested in was available. Had some randoms interested on each of the different nights yet didn't follow through on them. Did go home with Andrew last night since it was nice to have someone there without wanting to do anything.

Walking home from his place this morning I felt relieved that Pride was done with. Guess I've grown more jaded and less supportive over the years. Even going to bigger/different ones doesn't sound appealing. Was committed to going to Southern Decadence this year but even that makes me think “Meh” right now. Maybe a few days of good sleep will change my mind. *snicker*

May Equality Live Long and Prosper

'Star Trek' star to marry partner
Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:26 PM ET

WEST HOLLYWOOD, California (AP) -- "Star Trek" star George Takai is ready to "live long and prosper" with his partner of 21 years.

Takai will marry 54-year-old Brad Altman on September 14th in Los Angeles.

The 71-year-old actor, known for his role as Sulu on the "Star Trek" sci-fi TV series, was the first to pay $70 for a marriage license in West Hollywood early Tuesday. The marriage license is good for 90 days.

Takai was jubilant, saying "it's going to be the only day like this in our lives and it is the only day like this in the history of America."

He told reporters and a swelling crowd outside the West Hollywood city auditorium "may equality live long and prosper."

The California Supreme Court has legalized same-sex marriage.

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

So sweet it makes me wanna set phasers on Kill. *snicker*

Fight Back Against Activist Judges

I like how many of my friends are doing some of the same spying I've done for years. If nothing else it's amusing. The rest of the time it's great to be on the inside track. Like this eMail I got an hour ago from the wack jobs over at HumanEventsOnline.com that they forwarded for the National Organization for Marriage. It opened with:

STOP SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA

We've succeeded in the first phase of the most critical battle in the nation over the future of marriage. On Monday, the Secretary of State of California certified that we had the signatures necessary to get the California Marriage Amendment on the ballot. Thanks to the efforts of everyone who prayed, donated, volunteered, circulated or signed the California Marriage Amendment petition, the voters of California will have the chance to overrule our Supreme Court and protect marriage in our state.

But now we face an epic and historic battle over the future of marriage. It will affect us all, whether or not we live in California. If we don't pass the California Marriage Amendment you can be sure that same-sex couples will travel to California from other states, return to their own states and sue to overturn their home states' marriage laws. California is a pathway to same-sex marriage around the country and is the epicenter of the fight over the future of marriage in this country. It's as simple as that.

I just have to laugh. Like a virus, the gay will spread if we don't stop it now now now! It's always the purveyors of “Christ-like love” that go marching down the hate-filled warpath.

It was a long message with all the usual fear-rattling, hate mongering, collection plate shtichk. I particularly like this part:

How will this impact you and your children and grandchildren?

We know from the experience of other states that if we don't overturn this decision, there will be attacks on our beliefs, our religious institutions, and our civil rights.

For example, Christian adoption agencies could be ordered by law to treat same-sex unions just the same as marriages; Christian charities and schools could face new attacks on their tax-exempt status, and other government penalties for deeply-held religious views.

Sound far-fetched? Alarmist? No, it's already happening--here in the United States.

That's right! Right here in these United States!! Those Activist Judges gunna get the gays some marriage licenses then put God's head on stick out on the White House lawn. It would be just horrible for children trapped in the foster care cycle to find a loving home. Christ would never approve. Conditional love for all!

*sigh*

Then On the Other Coast...

California ban on same-sex marriage struck down
Thu May 15, 2008 2:04 PM ET

By Bill Mears, CNN Senior Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a much-anticipated ruling issued Thursday, the California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional.

California's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

Several gay and lesbian couples, along with the city of San Francisco and gay rights groups, sued to overturn state laws allowing only marriages between a man and a woman.

"There can be no doubt that extending the designation of marriage to same-sex couples, rather than denying it to all couples, is the equal protection remedy that is most consistent with our state's general legislative policy and preference," said the 120-page ruling.

It said that the state law's language "limiting the designation of marriage to a 'union between a man and a woman' is unconstitutional, and that the remaining statutory language must be understood as making the designation of marriage available to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples."

With the ruling, California becomes the second state to allow same-sex couples to legally wed. Massachusetts adopted the practice in 2004, and couples don't need to be state residents to wed there.

Vermont, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Connecticut permit civil unions, while California has a domestic-partner registration law. More than a dozen other states give gay couples some legal rights.

Seven other jurisdictions around the world have legalized same-sex marriage: Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.

San Francisco officials in 2004 allowed same-sex couples in the city to wed, prompting a flood of applicants crowding the city hall clerk's office. The first couple to wed then was 80-year-old Phyllis Lyon and 83-year-old Dorothy Martin, lovers for 50 years.

"We have a right just like anyone else to get married to the person we want to get married to," Lyon said at the time.

One issue before the justices was whether San Francisco's laws carried legal weight when the rest of the state banned same-sex marriages. Gay rights advocates argued the state was violating their civil rights by limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples. The state law in question is the Defense of Marriage Act, Proposition 22.

Oral arguments in the case in March lasted more than three hours, a sign of the political and legal issues at stake. Six cases were consolidated.

Groups saying they were promoting a pro-family agenda had vowed to fight a statewide law allowing same-sex marriage.

"The government should promote and encourage strong families," said Glen Lavy of the Alliance Defense Fund. "The voters realize that defining marriage as one man and one woman is important because the government should not, by design, deny a child both a mother and father."

An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is likely. The federal high court has never addressed the question of same-sex marriage.

© 2008 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Just wow. A few days ago a friend was talking about what about what label to apply to a significant other… partner? boyfriend? lover? I haven't put too much thought into it as there hasn't been much need. While doing the dishes last night I would be fine with boyfriend. Yet husband has a great ring to it.

I'm so glad I'm alive to see this social reform unfurl. Hopefully this decision stays. Hopefully more are made similarly.

Torchwood

Chatting with my British coworker over lunch last week we somehow got on the topic of Dr. Who. He mentioned a spinoff called Torchwood that was “incredibly gay” that I should check out. He tried to watch some with his nine-year-old son but they were a bit racy, which further piqued my interest. He brought me in a set of rips from the second season. I didn't get to watching the first episode until today.

Not knowing the series' characters or even story/backdrop of the new Dr. Who, I was a little lost but amused at the “Blowfish in a Sports Car” the crew was chasing down. Seemed like something I could get into despite being the traditional overly-attractive cast toting semi-original technology while making pithy remarks (the British accents certainly helped).

Then the evil doer appeared. The camera follow him walking after killing some ruffian and my jaw dropped when I recognized him: Spike! From Buffy!! And it got better. The cute-for-a-Brit Captain guy races off to corner Spike at some bar. They approach each other all full of menace… then kiss! Hello fanfic fantasies some true. After the brief lip lock they proceed to beat the crap out of each other. Hawt'ness.

When the crew arrives there's extra story about how Spike and the Captain were caught in a two-week time loop for five years. They argue about who was the wife and who's was smaller. Spike insisted that he lasted longer. *swoon* So yeah. I just ordered first season on DVD. Can't believe I don't have friends telling me about this earlier.

Funny… a friend and I were talking last night about how Gay is so 90s anymore because we're mainstream now. Personally I think that's great… especially when it allows some diversity in love scenes on TV. *snicker* He pointed out it may weaken our press for basic equality by blurring the lines. I believe that social integration will make legal awareness natural and unavoidable.

What In Gay Hell...

I'll be in St. Louis in less then twelve hours! Four days and three nights out of one 21"x13" carry-on. *cries* Sometimes being gay is such a pain in the ass.

Fine, You Can't Have My Blood Then

From: Kelly 
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 1:44 PM
To: All Users
Subject: **Reminder** Blood Drive Thursday, December 13th 2007

The Memorial Blood Center will be here one week from today. There are still openings available. If you have any questions or have any issues signing up, please let me know. You may either email me or call me at ext. xxxx.

Thank You

Karen

From: Sean 
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 2:13 PM
To: Karen
Subject: FW: **Reminder** Blood Drive Thursday, December 13th 2007

Back in Utah I never signed up because my MSM status made them auto-reject me. Has that changed? Or is it different out here in Minnesota?

Sean
Senior Software Engineer

From: Karen 
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 2:21 PM
To: Sean
Subject: RE: **Reminder** Blood Drive Thursday, December 13th 2007

Hi Sean,

I feel stupid

I’m not familiar with this acronym.

Karen

From: Sean 
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 2:23 PM
To: Karen
Subject: RE: **Reminder** Blood Drive Thursday, December 13th 2007

Heh. Don't feel stupid, it's a euphanism. MSM = Men who have Sex with Men. =)

Sean
Senior Software Engineer

From: Karen 
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 2:24 PM
To: Sean
Subject: RE: **Reminder** Blood Drive Thursday, December 13th 2007

Ding, Light bulb is on. :) However this is still an auto-reject.

Thanks for checking.

Karen

Another Nail

Eight men claim encounters with Craig
published Monday, December 3, 2007

Eight men say they either had sex with Sen. Larry Craig or were targets of sexual advances by the Idaho lawmaker at various times during his political career, a newspaper reported Sunday.

One of the men is the former escort whose allegations disgraced the Rev. Ted Haggard, former president of the National Association of Evangelicals, the Idaho Statesman reported.

The newspaper identified four men and reported details of the encounters they say involved Craig. It also reported the accounts of four other men who did not agree to be identified but who described sexual advances or encounters involving the conservative Republican, who opposes same-sex marriage and has a strong record against gay rights.

Craig pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after being accused by an undercover officer of soliciting sex at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport and later called a news conference to deny that he is gay.

The newspaper acknowledged that its report was not based on definitive evidence but said it also found no evidence to disprove the accounts of the four identified men. It said it reviewed the senator's travel records, which put him where the sex is alleged to have taken place, and did background checks on those making the allegations.

Craig and members of his staff declined to comment to the newspaper.

But in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press on Sunday, the senator said the newspaper's report was "completely false" and he accused the paper of careless journalism.

"It is unfortunate that the Idaho Statesman has chosen to continue to lower itself to the standards of what can best be described as tabloid journalism," Craig said in the statement.

"Despite the fact the Idaho Statesman has decided to pursue its own agenda and print these falsehoods without any facts to back them up, I won't let this paper's attempt to malign my name stop me from continuing my work to serve the people of Idaho."

The report is the Statesman's latest on allegations about Craig's sexual background since his June arrest in an airport men's room sex sting operation was reported in late August.

Statesman Editor Vicki Gowler said the newspaper spent several months checking the backgrounds and details of the men's stories.

"We believe it's important for you to know what we've learned and to hear the men's own words," Gowler said.

Two of the identified men and one of the unidentified men told the newspaper they had sex with Craig.

One of the men identified in the report, Mike Jones, 50, described as a former male escort, was the focus of the sex scandal involving Haggard, the disgraced leader of Colorado's New Life Church.

Jones said Craig paid him $200 for sex in late 2004 or early 2005. The encounter took place at a studio apartment in downtown Denver, Jones said.

Jones told the Statesman that he did not recognize Craig until his arrest made the news. The newspaper reported that Jones went on the record after Craig appeared in a television news report in August to address the arrest and his future in politics.

Jones has written a book about his experience with Haggard and acknowledged to the Statesman that his allegation about Craig might help sales. A message left for Jones by The Associated Press through his publisher Sunday evening was not immediately returned.

Current phone numbers could not be found for the three other men identified in the Statesman's report.

Amid pressure from top GOP leaders in Washington, Craig announced his intent to resign from the Senate. He later changed his mind, deciding to finish his term, which expires in January 2009. He is also appealing in Minnesota courts to have his guilty plea overturned.

The undercover police officer who arrested Craig said the senator moved his foot next to the officer's foot and tapped it in a way that indicated he wanted sex. He also alleged the senator sent a signal by swiping his hand under the divider between men's room stalls.

Craig has said the officer misconstrued those motions. (AP)

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

My favorite story of 2007 continues to march forward with more juicy turns. They really are crucifying the guy at this point, but I'm willing (and happy) to see one hypocritical man's life ruined for “the cause.” Yes, I am a bad person. But I'm going to sleep well (with men) at night.

• Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.
  Will Rogers

On the Backs of Annelids

Gene switch altered sex orientation of worms
Fri Oct 26, 2007 11:56 AM ET

By Julie Steenhuysen

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Altering a gene in the brain of female worms changed their sexual orientation, U.S. researchers said on Thursday, making female worms attracted to other females.

The study reinforces the notion that sexual orientation is hard-wired in the brain, said Erik Jorgensen, scientific director of the Brain Institute at the University of Utah.

"They look like girls, but act and think like boys," Utah researcher Jamie White, who worked on the study published in the journal Current Biology, said in a statement.

Researchers in Jorgensen's lab switched on a gene in female worms that makes the body develop male structures, but they only activated the gene in the brain.

As a result, the female worms still had female bodies, but they behaved like males.

"It suggests sexual behavior is encoded in our genes" and not caused by extra nerve cells specific to males or females, Jorgensen said in a telephone interview.

Animals such as nematodes, fruit flies and mice share many of the same genes as humans and are often used as models to understand human genetics.

But Jorgensen said the study is not likely to resolve the burning question about the genesis of sexual orientation in humans. "A human's brain is much more complex than a worm's brain," he said.

Many scientists think a host of factors such as genetics, hormones and environment may play a role in determining sexual orientation in humans, but this has not been proven.

Jorgensen said the study is interesting because it suggests rather than being caused by extra, sex-specific nerve cells, attraction behaviors are part of the same brain circuit.

The finding was part of a study looking at areas in the worms' brains involved in sexual attraction.

LIVE IN DIRT, EAT GERMS

Nematodes, or C. elegans, are tiny worms about one millimeter long that live in the dirt, chomping bacteria. They have no eyes and rely on smell for navigation and propagation.

There are few males, only one in 500, so most of these female nematodes are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female sexual organs. This gives the female worms the ability to fertilize their own eggs and produce offspring in the absence of a male.

"For the most part they are females," Jorgensen said. "It's really hard to tell that they are hermaphrodites, but they do make these few sperm."

When they do mate with males, female worms produce 1,200 progeny, compared with just 200 when they produce their own sperm.

The researchers were trying to understand the underpinnings of sexual attraction in the male nematodes.

They reasoned it could arise from four extra smell-related nerve cells found only in male worm brains, from four core nerves found in both males and females or from a mix of both.

When they systematically neutralized the male-only neurons, mature male worms still responded to the females.

The findings imply nerve cells common to both male and female worms are central to sexual attraction and sexual orientation.

"They have genes for both male behavior and female behavior in them," Jorgensen said. "It suggests the brain determines behavior."

The study expands on prior studies suggesting a genetic component to sexual orientation.

"This is one more observation. We've seen this in flies and in mice," he said. "The difference is we know what cells are involved."

The study was funded by the National Science Foundation.

© Reuters 2007. All rights reserved.

Another step forward brought to us by the NSF. Or wiggle, as it were. I especially like the fact this research is coming out of Utah.

You Go, Boy!

Sen. Craig says he'll appeal, lashes out at Romney
updated 5:52 a.m. EDT, Mon October 15, 2007

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Sen. Larry Craig says he will file an appeal Monday over a judge's refusal to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea stemming from his arrest in an airport bathroom sex sting.

In an interview Sunday with KTVB-TV, Craig repeated he will not resign his post in the Senate and said he will continue to work his legal options.

"It is my right to do what I'm doing," said Craig, an Idaho Republican. "I've already provided for Idaho certainty that Idaho needed -- I'm not running for re-election. I'm no longer in the way. I am pursuing my constitutional rights."

In another interview, Craig's wife, Suzanne, said the senator didn't tell her about the arrest until the story was about to break in the media.

"I felt like the floor was falling out from under me. ... And I felt like almost like I was going down a drain for a few moments," she told NBC's Matt Lauer.

Sen. Craig told Lauer it was a "tough call" not to tell anyone about the incident.

"I didn't want to embarrass my wife, my kids, Idaho and my friends," Craig said. "And I wrestled with it a long while. ... I should have told my wife. I should have told my kids. And most importantly, I should have told counsel."

The senator also discussed his relationship with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Craig was Senate liaison for Romney's campaign, a post he abandoned when the scandal came to light.

"I was very proud of my association with Mitt Romney," Craig told Lauer. "... And he not only threw me under his campaign bus, he backed up and ran over me again."

Lauer's interview with the Craigs will be broadcast Tuesday night on "Matt Lauer Reports" and Wednesday morning on "Today."

Craig pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in August after he was accused of soliciting sex in a bathroom at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport in June.

After the matter became public, Craig tried to withdraw his plea. But a judge in Minnesota refused, saying Craig's plea "was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and ... supported by the evidence."

This has to be the best GOP news I've heard all year. Senator Craig's reversal on his promise to resign has him back on CNN. Plus, he threw out some venom for Romney. What is this man thinking? Innocent or not, gay or not, public opinion has been set. His party has abandoned him. His political career is in free fall. Now he's just being vindictive; more power to him. *snicker*

Social Justice

Larry Craig enters pop-culture lexicon
published Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Among the most famous excuses ever given for questionable behavior, "I have a wide stance" must fall somewhere between the schoolchild's favorite "the dog ate my homework" and President Clinton's "I didn't inhale."

But Sen. Larry Craig's contention -- made just after his arrest in a restroom sex sting -- has permeated the public consciousness, showing up as more than just the punch line to late-night talk show jokes.

The online Urban Dictionary defines "wide stance" as a euphemism for a closeted homosexual. David Kurtz of the blog Talking Points Memo called Craig's wide-stance claim "The Best Legal Defense of 2007." And Beau Jarvis, who writes about wine, travel and food on the blog "Basic Juice," notes that the phrase has become less than innocent and proposes "cleansing" it by using it to describe a well-balanced wine.

Craig uttered the now-famous phrase after an undercover police officer at the Minneapolis airport arrested him on June 11, according to police reports.

Sgt. Dave Karsnia claimed Craig entered a neighboring stall after peering at him through a crack in the door, then slid his foot underneath the stall divider, tapping it several times before moving it so it touched the officer's foot. Then, Karsnia said, Craig waved his hand underneath the divider. Karsnia said he recognized the gestures as a coded invitation for gay sex.

During questioning, the senator said he simply has a wide stance when using the restroom and that the officer must have seen him reaching to pick up a piece of paper on the floor, according to the police report.

Craig pleaded guilty in August to disorderly conduct, then unsuccessfully tried to withdraw his plea after the incident became public. Though he initially said he intended to resign, Craig vowed last week to serve out the last 15 months of his term.

Will "wide stance" last as long in popular usage?

"You search the blogosphere or even newspapers and you'll find a lot of references to it," said Grant Barrett, co-host of the nationwide public radio show "A Way With Words" and author of several slang dictionaries. "People are toying with the words, seeing how it feels on the keyboard."

Craig's office declined to comment.

The question to any new slang is whether it will last five or 10 years, Barrett said.

"How can we not mention Watergate and the -gate suffix? That's the single most successful new political word ever," Barrett said. "Over time, the use makes the original meaning become diminished -- even curse words, with use, their value diminishes and they become ordinary."

So far, about six weeks after the scandal broke, the slang shows no sign of slowing down. The Oct. 8 edition of The New Yorker magazine featured an illustration by Barry Blitt called "Narrow Stance," showing Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sitting in a men's room, looking down at another man's foot thrust underneath the stall divider.

In an Oct. 6 "Saturday Night Live" skit, comedian Amy Poehler remarked, "You do have a wide stance," as the punch line of a series of jokes about Craig. Late-night talk show hosts Jay Leno, David Letterman and others have also lampooned the senator's stance.

Still, another new slang term seems to be outpacing "wide stance" in the national lexicon, Barrett said. Unfortunately for Craig, it also stems from his scandal.

"Are you tracking the term 'toe-tapper?' That's gotten more traction than 'wide stance' so far," Barrett said. "They both have too much cachet. They're political, social, new, slangy and a little naughty."

Both phrases will likely make Barrett's short list of nominations for the most significant new word of 2007, as voted on by the American Dialect Society, he said.

"It's a whimsical vote that we do each year," said Barrett, who is a vice president for the society.

So what makes a new phrase last? It has to be useful, Barrett said, and it has to be able to stand alone, without a reference to its origin.

"There's a lot of political slang that hasn't lasted," he said. "The test will be when the story's old hat and then we'll know for sure." (Rebecca Boone, AP)

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

While I know it's wrong to derive pleasure from this man's suffering, I can't help myself. Like Dan Savage said in a podcast, incidents like this become a cutting retort. Whenever we're confronted with vociferous outrage or stinging rebukes from the religious right, we can counter with examples from within their own camp. "Oh! You are really making some noise Senator. You must be gay, too! Like that Craig guy. Or that Haggard guy." *jigs*

Donna is Pretty Cool

Tori Spelling Becomes Ordained Minister
July 10, 2007 06:51 AM PDT

The "So Inn Love" star is serving others in matters of the heart! "I am now officially ordained," TORI SPELLING says on her MySpace blog. "Yep, that's right...Reverend Tori Spelling!"

Tori took a course online so she could officiate the very first wedding -- a same-sex union -- held at the bed-and-breakfast she runs with husband DEAN McDERMOTT.

"I was so honored when the couple asked me to officiate," Tori says. "It was so beautiful as I united Tony and Dex as life partners in love. They wrote their own beautiful vows and there was so much love surrounding them that there wasn't a dry eye in the driveway!"

Although she's used to performing for an audience, the "90210" alum admits she had butterflies throughout the service, saying, "I was beyond nervous though. I've done live theater and presented at The Emmys and this by far was my scariest moment simply because they had bestowed such an honor upon me and I didn't want to let them down."

In a final thought on the matter, Tori adds that "true love is the ultimate and pure love knows no age, gender, or race. I've found it, Tony and Dex have found it, and I wish love to all that seek it. Don't ever let anyone tell you who to Love. Only our hearts can dictate that."

The title of the article made me laugh, but the content makes me melt.

Ex-Nonsense

Ex-"ex-gays" apologize for "bringing harm"
published Thursday, June 28, 2007

Three former leaders of a ministry that counsels gays to change their sexual orientation apologized, saying although they acted sincerely, their message had caused isolation, shame and fear.

The former leaders of the interdenominational Christian organization Exodus International said Wednesday they had become disillusioned with promoting gay conversion.

"Some who heard our message were compelled to try to change an integral part of themselves, bringing harm to themselves and their families," the three said in a statement released outside the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.

The statement was from former Exodus co-founder Michael Bussee, who left the group in 1979, Jeremy Marks, former president of Exodus International Europe, and Darlene Bogle, the founder of Paraklete Ministries, an Exodus referral agency.

The statement coincided with the opening of Exodus' annual conference, which is being held this week at Concordia University in Irvine.

Exodus' president, Alan Chambers, said the ministry's methods have helped many people, including himself.

"Exodus is here for people who want an alternative to homosexuality," Chambers said by phone. "There are thousands of people like me who have overcome this. I think there's room for more than one opinion on this subject, and giving people options isn't dangerous."

Founded in 1976, the Orlando, Fla.-based Exodus has grown to include more than 120 ministries in the United States and Canada and over 150 ministries overseas. It promotes "freedom from homosexuality" through prayer, counseling and group therapy. (AP)

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

This admission was very nice to see. I have little patience with these reformation groups, as I liken it to a group of people asking individuals to cut off an arm or a leg since it offends their God. It's no better than an abuser feeding on their victim's denial. The next article, that I somehow missed, is a perfect example of such abuse:

Dad of boy in 'ex-gay' camp speaks out
Larry Buhl, PlanetOut Network
published Friday, July 15, 2005

The father of "Zach" -- a gay teen who sparked outrage after stating on his weblog that he was sent against his will to a camp to change his sexual orientation -- has come forward to defend his actions.

In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Joe Stark ended speculation about whether the 16-year old, known on his blog simply as "Zach," actually existed. The PlanetOut Network verified Zach's identity last month but did not disclose his last name or hometown to prevent unwarranted attention on the youth.

Stark told CBN he did nothing wrong by forcing his 16-year-old son to attend Refuge, a two-week live-in gay conversion camp run by Memphis-based Love in Action (LIA). The Bartlett, Tenn. dad said he wanted Zach to "see for himself the destructive lifestyle, what he has to face in the future and to give him some options that society doesn't give him today."

"Until he turns 18 and he's an adult in the state of Tennessee, I'm responsible for him," Stark told CBN, a media empire founded by the Rev. Pat Robertson.

The interview drew condemnation from Alex Polotsky, of the Memphis-based Queer Action Coalition, which organized protests against LIA and served as liaison between Zach, his friends, his family and reporters.

"Joe Stark coming out to CBN is personally offensive to us," Polotsky told the PlanetOut Network. "We tried to protect Zach as much as possible. I thought that his parents were loving and caring, but just misguided. But by granting an exclusive interview to that network, Mr. Stark has sold his son out."

Love in Action drew fire last month from gay rights groups as well as parents and psychologists, who denounced the organization for its efforts to convert gay adolescents to heterosexuality.

The protests and allegations of mental abuse sparked an investigation by the Tennessee Department of Child Services, which last week found no evidence of abuse.

However, LIA is still not off the hook from the Tennessee Department of Health, which is attempting to determine whether Refuge is operating illegally. The department will issue cease-and-desist orders if it is found to be offering unlicensed drug and alcohol treatment onsite, said Andrea Turner, a spokesperson for the department.

"If they are teaching only from faith-based materials and they send the participants offsite for drug and alcohol treatment, then they are not required to be licensed," Turner told the PlanetOut Network. "But if they are counseling onsite then they are required to be licensed as a drug and alcohol treatment facility in Tennessee."

Turner said that LIA can either ask the department for assistance in obtaining a license, if one is required, or provide documentation to support their dispute for a need to be licensed.

On Friday, the Love in Action Web site was down, and 365gay.com reported LIA's executive director John Smid and the organization is attempting to head off government scrutiny by changing the organization's Web site's wording and directing clients to established, off-site drug and alcohol counseling services.

Turner told the PlanetOut Network that Smid had not informed the department of those actions and had not yet responded to the department's inquiry.

LIA is also under scrutiny from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities to determine whether they need to be licensed as a mental health provider. The department sent a letter inquiry to LIA last week as a first step in deciding whether the state will launch an official investigation into any mental health services provided at the camp, according to Rachel Lassiter, a spokesperson for Gov. Phil Bredesen.

Though I'm a strong proponent of the sanctity of the family, it's hard not to seethe. By involving the public to flaunt his sense of morality he has exploited his son. I find it beyond shameful… somewhere in the realm of morally reprehensible.