New Jersey Senate Defeats Gay Marriage Bill

New Jersey's state Senate has defeated a bill to legalize gay marriage, the latest in a string of setbacks for advocates.

The defeat, by a vote of 20-14, likely ends any chance that the state Legislature approves gay marriage soon. Five senators did not vote; there is one Senate vacancy.

Gay rights advocates had been pushing hard for the bill because on Jan. 19, new Republican Gov. Chris Christie takes office and he has vowed to veto a gay marriage bill. Outgoing Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine had promised to sign it into law.

It was a major effort to get the bill to a full Senate. A vote was canceled last month when it appeared the measure would be defeated there. It wasn't until Tuesday that Senate leaders decided to allow the vote.

New Jersey offers civil unions that were suppose to grant the same legal rights of marriage to gay couples...but of course do not.

Leader of "Women of the Wall" Arrested

I found Jane Eisner's story on Anat Hoffman very interesting and wanted to post here for everyone to read.

The leader of Women of the Wall, a group of women who gather monthly to pray at Jerusalem’s Western Wall, was questioned by police, fingerprinted, and told that she may be charged with a felony for violating the rules of conduct at what is considered Judaism’s most sacred site.

On January 5, Israeli police interrogated and fingerprinted Anat Hoffman.Anat Hoffman, director of the Israel Religious Action Center, said that police interrogated her for more than an hour on January 5 about her activities during Women of the Wall’s last monthly service in December. Speaking by phone from Jerusalem, Hoffman said she did nothing differently that day than she had for the 21 years of her group’s existence.

But this incident follows the arrest in November of another member of the group, Nofrat Frenkel, and is contributing to a sense among the women in the organization that the Israeli authorities are stepping up their surveillance and intimidation of activities that challenge the ultra-Orthodox control of the holy site. A spokesperson for the Israeli police said he did not know of the interrogation and declined further comment.

Hoffman said that the police told her that she was being investigated for violating a decision of the Israeli Supreme Court that prohibits women from wearing prayer shawls at the Wall. But the Women of the Wall claim to have accommodated themselves to the ruling; instead of donning the black-and-white tallit, traditional for men, they each wear a smaller, multi-colored shawl like a scarf around the neck and under a coat, so as not to offend the strict sensibilities of other men and women at the Wall.

“It’s a sad moment,” said Hoffman. She has gone to the police station in Jerusalem many times to lodge complaints against people who she says have attacked and occasionally physically hurt members of her group; none of those people have ever been arrested, she said. But this is the first time that she has been subject to interrogation herself. A skillful advocate, she said that the questioning did not bother her, but the fingerprinting did. “There is something very violating about it,” she said.

NJ Senate to Consider Gay Marriage Bill

Hundreds of activists are swarming New Jersey's State House before a state Senate vote on whether to legalize gay marriage.

But the numbers work against passage. Some senators who have publicly opposed allowing gay marriage would have to switch for the bill to pass in the vote scheduled Thursday.

Even if it gets out of the New Jersey Legislature, Republican Gov.-elect Chris Christie has vowed to veto the bill. Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine says he will sign it. Christie takes office Jan. 19.

Only five states -- Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont -- recognize gay marriage. (source)

Photo: Reuters

Proposition 8 Challenge to be Posted Daily on YouTube

California judge ruled yesterday to allow cameras in a federal courtroom to document a challenge to Proposition 8. However, that footage will not be streamed live but instead will be uploaded to YouTube daily. Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who first floated the idea of broadcasting the highly anticipated proceedings live several months ago, said he felt strongly that "it's important for the transmission to be absolutely within the court's control."

The suit was filed by two same-sex couples, a gay-rights group and the city of San Francisco. It claims Prop. 8 violates the U.S. constitutional guarantee of equal protection.

Police look for Santa Cruz man in possible hate crime beating

Police are looking for Cole White, a Santa Cruz area man, suspected of a hate crime. He is wanted for giving a guy a beating in a bar. The question for police is: was it because the victim is gay? There is a $50,000 warrant out for Cole White. Police say he is responsible for attacking a man simply because of his sexual orientation.

Rhode Island Gives Funeral Rights to Gay Couples

The Rhode Island Legislature overrode Governor Donald Carcieri's veto to approve a bill that gives gay couples the same rights to plan the funerals of their late partners as married couples. Only 3 members from the RI House and 3 from the RI Senate voted against the bill.

Dance & Discussion Saturday Night

Philadelphia’s HIV infection rate is nearly 5 times the nation’s average. The disease is also quickly becoming one of the leading killers in both the African-American community, and is also rearing its ugly head again amongst our younger generations. A local young dance troupe, Smoke Lilies & Jade Arts Initiative (SLJ, believes that the arts – specifically DANCE – can be used as a tool to nurture LGBTQ sexual responsibility and health. Smoke, Lilies and Jade Arts Initiative (SLJ), in partnership with the University of the Arts, presents this Saturday, January 9th, Dance & Discussion 2010: Black Men’s Health Part II: Let’s Focus on the Youth!

SLJ was established in 2006 by Artistic Director Zane Booker, as a socially conscious, multi-media dance & theater company dedicated to exploring the experiences of the LGBTQ African-American community. Proclaimed as one of “25 to Watch” for 2007 in Dance Magazine, SLJ ‘s goal for Dance & Discussion 2010 is to offer youth an avenue to witness their stories through movement, while raising awareness of the current issues.

“It's really a two part evening," said artistic director and founder Zane Booker. “All the performances are created to stir a person's emotional connection to the issues. Once we open the spirit through the performance - the discussion hopefully becomes valid to the observer. “

For the dance portion of the evening, SLJ has enlisted a national slate of talented choreographers, including Kyle McKargh (Koresh), Tony Jackson (SLJ), Jeff Sousa (Earl Mosley/Alley Studios), and Nicole Sabella (Xhale). Along with these talented artists, Dance & Discussion 2010 will also feature a panel of experts on sexual health.

“I like to give the company a chance to explore the discussion topic of black men's health through a wide lens of creativity, “ said Booker. “ The featured speakers this year are really the Youth and the social work practitioners that guide the youth daily. They bring the point of view of a new generation to the table. “

This event will combine resources from organizations including; University of the Arts, The Attic Youth Center, ActionAIDS, AACO, AHEC of Camden Alphas of the University of the Arts, COLOURS, Philadelphia Black Gay Pride, Mazzoni Center, and SafeGuards.

When: Saturday, January 9th at 6:30pm
Where: Gershman Y - 401 South Broad St. - Philadelphia Dance & Discussion 2010:
Suggested Donation: $10.00
www.liliesandjade.org

Too Funny For Words

Check out this clip from SNL's Weekend Update as Seth interviews 'Snooki' from the Jersey Shore! "I'm bright orange and I love lasagna" - absolutely hysterical!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/116557/saturday-night-live-update-snooki

NJ Senate to Vote Thursday on Gay Marriage

The New Jersey State Senate has just announced it will vote this Thursday, January 7, 2010 on the marriage equality bill.

Garden State Equality wants your support by meeting them in front of the State House in Trenton on Thursday at 10:30 am. The group will then march from the State House to the State House Annex to meet and talk to legislators before the vote.

Is is suggested you get there as early as possible to help organize. The address of the State House is 125 West State Street - Trenton. Park at the Trenton Marriott garage, 1 West Lafayette Street.

Thursday afternoon, immediately after the Senate vote, Garden State Equality will hold a news conference and a free member reception at the Trenton Marriott Ballroom, 1 West Lafayette Street.

Two Women Accused of Gay Hate Crime in Buffalo

Two Buffalo women are accused of a hate crime against a man who on New Year’s Eve after they used derogatory terms while threating to beat him up. The attack occurred at about 1:30 p. m. outside a Buffalo mall. The victim, a 20-year-old Buffalo man, was threatened inside the mall by a group of about 10 people known to him as members of a local gang.

He was then followed outside to the parking lot, where he was pepper sprayed, kicked, punched and robbed. The two women charged were Joy Darden, 18, of Zelmer Street, and Deonna Burnett, 19, of East End Avenue.

“They confronted him a few times and followed him out,” said Cheektowaga police Capt. James Speyer. “They were pretty brutal in their pursuit. Obviously we need to take a stance against this.” (source)

Philadelphia Mr. Gay 2010

On Saturday, April 17th, Logo and The Big Gay Sketch Show will present the 4th Annual Mr. Gay Philadelphia contest at Voyeur Nightclub. Cast members from Logo's "The Big Gay Sketch Show" will not only serve on the judging panel, but they will also perform their unique brand of sketch comedy between rounds of competition.

Hosted by: Frank Decaro and Brittany Lynn

Judges Include: (Read Complete Biographies Here)
Jonny McGovern - The Big Gay Sketch Show
Paolo Andino - The Big Gay Sketch Show
Michael Musto - Village Voice
Sandy Beach - Philadelphia and Atlantic City Drag Personality
Michael Ellis - President of GEMMusic Management
Perry Monastero - Director of Public Relations for the Mazzoni Center
John Caputo - Philadelphia Mr. Gay 2008

Nightlifegay.com is thrilled to invite all community members and supporters to a spectacular evening of entertainment and competition. In order to give back to the community the Mr. Gay Philadelphia will once again feature a silent auction. This year a portion of the silent auction will benefit the LGBT Youth Scholarship Program of Delaware Valley Legacy Fund. The Philadelphia contest will also serve as a local preliminary for the 2010 North American Mr. Gay.

Meet the contestants:



Advanced Tickets
$25 - Floor ($30 at Door)
$50 - VIP Seating - guaranteed in reserved section closest to the stage - celebrity "meet-n-greet" with a vodka open bar from 8-9pm.
($60 at Door)

Tickets are available online at Nightlifegay.com/tickets or in person at Charlie Salon - 203 S. 12th Street.
Tickets will be available at the door the night of the event.

Doors open at 8:00 p.m.
Voyeur Nightclub - 1221 St. James Street - Philadelphia, PA

Gay Marriage Now in New Hampshire

While we were away for New Years:

Gay and lesbian couples rushed to marry in New Hampshire on Friday when at the stroke of midnight it became the fifth U.S. state to allow same-sex marriage, reversing some setbacks for the polarizing national movement.

"I feel fabulous. It was wonderful, and it was historic," said Linda Murphy, 50, a college administrator from southern New Hampshire who married Donna Swartwout, her partner of 19 years.

They were among 150 people gathered in the state capital of Concord, in temperatures of about 21 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 Celsius), to witness the marriages of about a dozen gay or lesbian couples by a justice of the peace as the New Year dawned. (source)

New Hampshire is not black on the map pictured above.

HIV Travel Ban to U.S. Ended Today

The ban on HIV-positive people entering the US officially ended today. The 22-year-old law was one of the most restrictive immigration policies in the world for people with HIV but was lifted by President Barack Obama in November. the first HIV-positive person to enter the country since the lifting of the ban will be Clemens Ruland, 45, a youth worker from the Netherlands. (source)

Lady Gaga - Person of the Year

Nightlifegay.com has named Lady Gaga "Person of the Year" for 2009.

Lady Gaga has not only become a major force in music industry this year but her dedication to the GLBT community stands above others with a similar platform. In interview after interview, she values our community without question and supports us fully through her actions and words. Her speech at the National Equality March on Washington was both thoughtful and powerful. It was clear on that day in Washington, as it has been since, Lady Gaga is a welcome champion for our community.

Gay Marriage Rally to be held in NJ Today

Gay rights advocates in New Jersey plan to rally in Trenton today as part of their last-chance effort to persuade lawmakers to legalize gay marriage. The bill is stalled in both chambers of the state Legislature.
Interested parties should gather at Garden State Equality's offices at 10:00 am (or earlier if you want to help organize) located at 110 West State Street, Trenton. The office is located directly across the street from the NJ State House.

Vikings win Fancy Division at Mummers

The 2010 Mummer's took to the streets of Philadelphia on a beautiful New Year's Day. Check out this clip of the Fancy Brigade Division winners - the South Philly Vikings.

2010 Winners:
String Band Division = Fralinger
Fancy Brigade Division = Hog Island
Comic Division = Murrary

Philly rings in New Year with fireworks at Penn's Landing

For the first time, Philadelphia rang in the New Year with 2 awesome fireworks shows at Penn's Landing. Check out this clip from the midnight show.