Rod 2.0:Beta

British Tabloids Report Rihanna "Fancies"" Marvin Humes of JLS

In your regular update on gay vague British boyband of the moment JLS: Pop star Rihanna confesses that she fancies Marvin Humes, the often-shirtless musclepup of the group. Oh and the Brits are none to keen on Rihanna's interest in the young JLSer. The Sun:

"The pair were both partying at Mahiki nightclub in London's West End last week. Rihanna has since told friends she spotted Marvin and was hoping he would say hello. She told the pals: 'JLS are super talented and super sexy. It would have been cool if Marvin had come over and said hi. Maybe next time. Or if they are ever over in the States we could hook up.' "

Hooking up with Marvin if he's ever in the States? If you say so, hon.

End of the Road? Giuliani Will Not Run for NYS Senate or Governor

Former New York City Mayor and failed Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani will not be running for U.S. Senate or New York governor in 2010. The decision effectively ends his electoral career, The New York Times notes.

The decision by Mr. Giuliani, 65, leaves Senator Kirsten Gillibrand—who was appointed to her seat less than a year ago, has never run in a statewide election, and is still unfamiliar to many voters—without a high-profile Republican opponent as she faces election to the seat. As recently as a week ago, a Quinnipiac University poll showed Mr. Giuliani leading Ms. Gillibrand in a hypothetical matchup, 50 percent to 40 percent.

Mr. Giuliani, whose decision to forgo a race for governor was reported a month ago, plans to endorse Rick Lazio for governor of New York on Tuesday afternoon at a news conference in Manhattan, the Republicans said. Many Republican leaders, sensing anger at Albany and incumbent politicians in general, had seen the former mayor as the strongest potential candidate for governor or for Senate in 2010. In 2000, Mr. Lazio deferred to Mr. Giuliani in the race for Senate against Hillary Rodham Clinton, only for Mr. Giuliani to drop out five months before the election to battle prostate cancer. Mr. Lazio re-entered the race but lost.

Ironically, Giuliani's decision not to run will benefit the Democratic Gillibrand more than anyone. The former mayor's move all but assures that the freshman Gillibrand, appointed earlier this year by Gov. Paterson to fill Secretary of State Clinton's old seat, will not face any big-name Republicans.

Giuliani was fairly pro-gay as a mayor but infamously ramped up the race-baiting and anti-gay rhetoric during his failed presidential bid. After once expressing support for civil unions, Giuliani pandered to the GOP evangelical base and suggested he would support a marriage amendment.
 

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Gay Ugandans Describe Life Under Harsh Anti-Gay Regime

More on extreme state-sponsored campaign of terror against gays and lesbians in Uganda extensively covered on Rod 2.0: Several of the very few openly gay Ugandans are talking to Western media and describing life under the harsh anti-gay regime. In a video interview with the BBC, Julian Pepe, a lesbian activist with Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), describes terror, random arrests by police and physical attacks from passers-by:

"I'm a very social person but for the past two or three years...I've been a media figure. I used to go to the city often...but now I get harassed on the street. This year I have been picked up by the police several times. One time I was detained for two hours, another time for about three hours. Each time they held me I was traumatized. It might be slight but it stays with me. Right now if a policeman came around, I would get goosebumps. Stones have been thrown at my house before."

David Kato is another openly gay activist who lives in Kampala. Kato fears for his life if the proposed extreme Anti Homosexuality Bill is passed. Kato tells Reuters: "I have been arrested by police a number of times, often on flimsy charges just because of my homosexual lifestyle. The prospect of living under this law is scary. Certainly all my life and plans will be ruined because once it's passed I will immediately have to flee the country. Obviously if I don't I will be arrested and imprisoned."

The proposed Anti Homosexuality Bill would execute gays for the offense of "aggravated homosexuality". It is currently with Parliament's Committee on Legal and Parliamentary affairs. Members are scheduled to begin public hearings on it when members return from their Christmas break. It is expected to pass with some revisions.

You cannot help but admire Julian Pepe and David Kato. They could literally be killed at any moment by the police or their neighbors, but are doing whatever they can for some shred of equality. What an inspiration.

Same Sex Marriage in Mexico City

The Mexico City government approved far-reaching gay rights legislation, voting to allow same-sex couples the right to adopt children and to marry, a first in Latin America.

The bill passed the local assembly 39-20. Leftist Mayor Marcelo Ebrard of the Democratic Revolution Party was widely expected to sign the measure into law. The bill calls for changing the definition of marriage in the city's civil code. Marriage is currently defined as the union of a man and a woman. The new definition will be "the free uniting of two people." The change would allow same-sex couples to adopt children, apply for bank loans together, inherit wealth and be included in the insurance policies of their spouse, rights they were denied under civil unions allowed in the city.

Argentina's capital became the first Latin American city to legalize same-sex civil unions in 2002 for gay and lesbian couples. Four other Argentine cities later did the same, and as did Mexico City in 2007 and some Mexican and Brazilian states. Uruguay alone has legalized civil unions nationwide.

Says Mexican gay-rights activist Judith Vasquez: "Gay couples have effectively been together for years, decades, centuries. But now it is our right."

In Buenos Aires, legislators introduced a same-sex marriage bill in October but it has stalled without a vote. Authorities in the Argentine capitol recently blocked what would be the nation's first same-sex wedding because of conflicting judicial rulings.

The population of greater Mexico City is 21 million. It is the largest megapolis in the North America and third largest in the world. The decision by the Distrito Federal's Legislative Assembly means that gays and lesbians will soon be allowed to wed in all three of the North American capitals. Ottawa, the Canadian capital, has enjoyed marriage equality since 2003.  Last week, the Washington D.C. City Council passed a marriage equality bill and Mayor Adrian Fenty signed it into law.

Shawn Sutton and Dominique Hollington Strip Down for "10 Men"

The Shawn Sutton and Dominique Hollington hotness are the featured attractions in an editorial by celebrated fashion photographer Mark Pillai in the Winter 2009 10 Men. RED NYC's red hot models of the moment strike a few bulging poses in very modest swimwear by Nike (above), Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry, as well as serve some high fashion looks in Hermes and Gucci.

Shawn and Dominique were last seen together on the runways during Fashion Week. Shawn was last seen bulging on the casting couch and Dominique was last seen (smiling!) in the GAP campaign with Pharrell Williams. More fierceness plus Dominique models fetishwear!! WHEN YOU JUMP.

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Ricky Martin Speaks Out Against Homophobia and Hate Crimes

In the past month, at least two gay men have been brutally murdered in Puerto Rico. Both cases are suspected hate crimes. Singer Ricky Martin has released  a statement that urges peace and condemns homophobia and hate crimes. Martin specifically mentioned some of the brutal anti-gay violence.

The statement reads:

As a human rights activist for many years, I've been able to witness countless miracles. I've seen the amazing capacity that human beings have to heal; I've seen governments and private citizens try to change public policies and fight battles of love that have resulted in a positive impact on our society. I've seen boys and girls from different parts of the world free themselves from the bondage of human trafficking (the slavery of the new era) and amazing people renounce their "lives of luxury" to help those who need it most. Witnessing miracles of all kinds has strengthened the faith in humanity that my parents instilled in me, which is the same faith that I try to pass on to my children every day. When I watch them discovering the world, I think kindness is one of the greatest virtues that I can teach them.

On the other hand, I've also seen insufferable things that have made it impossible for me to hold on to the naiveté that I had as a child and have always tried to maintain it. Traveling the world from an early age and witnessing unimaginable crimes against humanity has stolen part of the innocence that I had as a young boy. There were many moments when I forgot about the child that lives inside of me. You know, that child that we all have within and who constantly reminds us to focus on the beauty of "simplicity". But that moment of disconnection was many years ago, and thanks to the work that I do with my foundation as a part of my daily life, I'm fortunate enough to say that I have reconnected with that inner child and continue to learn from him. One of the most important things I have learned is to SHOUT to the world when I encounter injustice, and that is why I am writing today.

I try to walk through life with a positive outlook. I do all I can to keep a grateful and optimistic attitude. Call me a romantic, an idealist, or maybe someone who's just not realistic. Maybe it's a defense mechanism or maybe it's just that I'm someone who wants to change the chain of negative thoughts that have been fed to us in many ways and which can easily poison the soul. We are all human and sometimes it's easier to ignore the pain and go on with our day. "That has nothing to do with us," we may say; "Why should we care?" But today, I feel that's impossible. It does have to do with us. I do care.

In the past few weeks, I've read many articles that have made me shudder and unfortunately the articles relate to things that are happening every day around the world. I find it almost impossible to believe that in the year 2009, we're struggling with such hateful situations.

As a defender of human rights, my goal is to find solutions for the injustices that exist in the world today. I am speaking about discrimination of any kind, whether it is because of race, gender, nationality, religion, ethnicity, handicap, sexual orientation or political affiliation.

SO I SHOUT: WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE WORLD TODAY?

I'm sure you all have different answers. But at the end of the day, it seems that the collective response usually comes back to one thing: "WE WANT PEACE"

Well, when we believe in peace, there is simply no room for complacency. The murders of James Byrd, Matthew Shepard, Jorge Steven Lopez, Marcelo Lucero, Luis Ramirez and countless others who were victims of violent "hate crimes" should be completely unacceptable to every human being; because we're all human beings. It's up to us to change the paradigm. I hear the world "tolerance" thrown around in the media when it comes to cases like the ones I mentioned above. One of the meanings of tolerance is "the capacity to endure pain or hardship." Another is "the act of allowing something." To me, those don't seem to encompass acceptance, by any definition. So how about this? Instead of saying "we need to tolerate diversity" why not say, "we need to accept diversity."

Accepting diversity is the first and most important step we can take towards eliminating hate crimes and uniting humanity.

If we ACCEPT, humanity unites. If humanity unites, equal human rights will become a reality. And if equal human rights become a reality, peace will be within our reach.

Pelosi: No Votes on "Controversial" DADT or ENDA in 2010

Can't say there haven't been several warnings. House and Senate Democratic leadership are concerned about the Party's vulnerability in the mid-term elections. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has reportedly told her caucus that they will not vote on "controversial bills" such as gay rights legislation in 2010, according to The Hill.

But according to Democrats who have spoken to Pelosi, the Speaker has expanded that promise beyond immigration, informing Democratic lawmakers that the Senate will have to move first on a host of controversial issues before she brings them to the House floor. Pelosi’s promise could dim the prospects for other White House priorities as well, including the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) — known as “card check” — and the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” prohibition on gays serving openly in the military. “There’s not going to be a ton of stuff legislatively next year either way,” a House leadership aide said. “But on EFCA — even though the House has demonstrated its ability to pass it — and on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the Senate is definitely going to have to act first.”

Some liberals are concerned that there will be fewer Democrats after the 2010 elections and that the White House should ramp up, not slow down, its agenda. They have also made the case that President Barack Obama and congressional leaders must move left to ensure that the Democrats’ base will show up next November, an argument immigration reform proponents have been making with increased intensity in recent weeks.

"Democrats" saying that the Democratic legislative agenda is "controversial". Imagine that.

Pelosi's promise to vulnerable House members is identical to reports coming from the Senate. Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) has been quoted several times as saying House and Senate Democrats are worried about the upcoming midterms and will delay voting on "controversial" items—that includes DADT and Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This latest report by The Hill doesn't even mention ENDA, which could illustrate where it falls on Pelosi's legislative priorities, or, that it's not "controversial" and will get a floor vote. You be the judge.

In related news: The House HELP Committee has delayed the markup of the proposed ENDA bill. The Senate Armed Services Committee has also indefinitely "postponed" hearings on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Maybe these really are "second term" issues ....

H/T: AMERICABlog Gay

Rwanda Denies Reports It Will Criminalize Homosexuality

The East African nation of Rwanda, which is Uganda's southern neighbor, denies reports that its parliament will revise its penal code to criminalize homosexuality. Minister of Justice Tharcisse Karugarama claims the government believes sexual orientation is a "private matter" and has no plans to criminalize homosexuality, reports AllAfrica.com.

"The government I serve and speak for on certain issues cannot and will not in any way criminalize homosexuality; sexual orientation is a private matter and each individual has his or her own orientation. This is not a State matter at all," said Karugarama. The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL), and Rwanda's Horizon Community Association (HOCA), recently issued statements demanding that that the Rwandan Parliament withdraws article 217 of the penal code regarding homosexuality. The Minister accused the 'groups for either acting in total ignorance or intentionally presenting wrong facts for their own political motives.' "They allege that the law was to be passed in Parliament on December 16, but sincerely there was nothing like that in the parliament that day....These people should distinguish between issues debated by private parties and concrete proposals from the government."

The IGLHRC and other human rights groups maintain the lower house of the Rwandan parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, want to amend the draft Penal Code Act and criminalize "[a]ny person who practices, encourages or sensitizes people of the same sex, to sexual relation or any sexual practice." The draconian legislation would impose prison sentences of between five and ten years for those convicted of "practicing homosexual acts."

Earlier this year, nearby Burundi enacted harsh new anti-gay legislation that criminalized homosexuality and made same-sex relations punishable by up to two years in prison.

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Report: Ugandan President Museveni Will Veto Anti-Gay Bill?

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni—who only recently declared European gays were recruiting in Africa—reportedly told an American envoy that he will block or veto the proposed legislation that seeks to execute gays for the offense of "aggravated homosexuality", reports DC Agenda.

Jon Tollefson, a State Department spokesperson, told DC Agenda that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has pledged on several occasions to the top U.S. diplomat engaged in Africa that he would stop progress on the anti-gay bill. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson received this assurance from Museveni on Oct. 24 during an in-person meeting with the president in Uganda and again during a phone conversation with Museveni on Dec. 4, Tollefson said.

When the bill started moving forward and gaining international attention, Carson on Dec. 4 contacted Museveni by phone to reiterate U.S. concerns, and the president again expressed his commitment to stop the bill from becoming law. Asked whether it’s the understanding of U.S. officials that Museveni would veto the legislation should it come to his desk, Tollefson replied, "Right, that’s a commitment that he’s made. He made that personally to the assistant secretary on that first meeting that he had on Oct. 24 and again on a call on Dec. 4, and so we’re going to continue to expect that."

Uganda receives almost $300 million annually in United States aid.

The Anti Homosexuality Bill is moving forward in the Ugandan parliament. On Friday, legislators has a second reading of the bill. Its expected to come up again in January for a final reading.

Museveni's administration has been among the harshest toward LGBTs in Africa. While Museveni has said nothing on the bill, his cabinet, including rabidly anti-gay Ethics Minister James Nsaba Buturo supports the bill. (In September 2007, Buturo publicly warned all gays to leave the East African nation.) If Museveni intended to veto legislation, it seems like a tremendous waste of effort and bad publicity to introduce the bill and go forward in parliament. Meanwhile: The bill's sponsor says the death penalty provision will remain. We'll see what happens.

Puerto Rico: Police Identify Gay Man Killed in Gruesome Motel Murder

There's an update to the gruesome murder of a likely gay man who was discovered in a Ponce, Puerto Rico motel. The murder was especially violent and a hate crime is suspected. Authorities in Puerto Rico have made an identification and a suspect is in custody, reports Michael K. Lavers at EDGE.

Officials said Fernando López de Victoria, 35, of Hato Rey, suffered nearly two dozen stab wounds inside Motel Las Colinas in Ponce either late Tuesday, Dec. 15, or Wednesday, Dec. 16. Motel employees said López de Victoria, who worked for Puerto Rico’s Department of Housing, checked-in with another man on Tuesday afternoon. The man with whom he arrived at the motel left around 1:30 p.m. the following day. Meanwhile, Vocero reported Puerto Rican police took a 50-year-old man who is addicted to drugs into custody yesterday afternoon in connection with the murder. The newspaper reported the suspect was seen with López de Victoria on a variety of occasions.

No word yet if charges have been filed.

This is the second time in less than a month that a hate crime is suspected after a gay man was brutally killed in Puerto Rico. On November 13, the decapitated, dismembered and partially burned body of 19-year-old Jorge Steven López Mercado was discovered near Cayey. Juan A. Martínez Matos, the man who confessed to the López murder, is expected to plead mentally incompetent. An initial psychiatric evaluation has found Martínez unfit to stand trial. Another examination has been ordered.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force spokesman Pedro Julio Serrano, who has been the lead activist in the López murder, is urging investigators to probe all angles in this latest case.

Thanks ANDRES and MICHAEL!

Background:
Hate Crime Suspected in Murder of Gay Man in Puerto Rico

Prominent DC Pastors Revs. Dennis and Christine Wiley Explain Why They Support Marriage Equality

The Revs. Dennis and Christine Wiley are the husband-wife team at Washington DC's historic Covenant Baptist Church, the black Ward 8 congregation that is one of the most LGBT-affirming in the District. It's also the "first and only traditional black church" in the District of Columbia to perform same-sex unions. Not everyone in the congregation initially welcomed the church's inclusive message, the Wileys write in an op-ed in the Washington Post.

On Tuesday, the D.C. Council voted to legalize same-sex marriage. This historic measure passed 11 to 2, with the two no votes cast by council members Yvette Alexander of Ward 7 and Marion Barry of Ward 8—the ward where our church sits. Both wards are east of the Anacostia River and have the highest percentages of black residents in the city. Both members said that the majority of their constituents, who live in the same communities where many of our parishioners live, do not support gay marriage. 

We have seen the resistance that Alexander and Barry were talking about. We know it has deep cultural and historical roots. But we have also seen that this resistance is not stuck in concrete. After that first ceremony in our church, we were pleased and relieved; many members and guests told us how beautiful the service had been. But not everyone who attended shared this feeling. After most of the guests left, one longtime parishioner approached us, shaking. In a voice filled with rage, she asked how we could desecrate the sanctuary with such an ungodly act. She vowed to no longer be a member of our church. After leaving our congregation, she contacted denominational leaders and local newspapers, including The Washington Post, to complain about our "immoral" behavior. She also took us to court in an unsuccessful attempt to recoup two years of tithes because, in her opinion, we had misled her in presenting ourselves as a "real" Baptist church.

The Wileys add: "The conservative strand of black religion is evident in what Harvard professor Peter Gomes calls "bibliolatry"—the practice of worshiping the Bible rather than worshiping God. It is also found in a "literal" interpretation of the Bible that focuses more on the letter of the text than on its spirit, and concentrates on passages about domination, oppression, hierarchy, elitism and exclusion rather than on the major themes of love, justice, freedom, equality and inclusion that run throughout the Bible.

Background:
WATCH: Fenty Signs Historic Marriage Equality Bill
D.C. Mayor Fenty Signs Marriage Equality Bill
Prominent Black Pastors rally for Marriage
Anti-Gay Ministers Want Referendum on D.C. Marriage
Marriage Equality Debate in D.C.'s Black Community
Anti-Gay Black Pastors Threaten to Unseat Council
D.C. Council Votes to Recognize Other States' SSMs

Uganda Begins Debate on Anti-Gay Bill; Forced Therapy Considered

The Ugandan Parliament begins debating its extreme "Anti Homosexuality Bill" that seeks the death penalty or life imprisonment for the new crime of "aggravated homosexuality."

Jim Burroway at Box Turtle Bulletin reports Martin Ssempa, the leading anti-gay evangelist in Uganda and religious sponsor of the bill, has proposed two amendments:

At a special sitting of the Uganda Joint Christian Council taskforce sat and reviewed the bill to make comments. We resolved to support the bill with some amendments which included the following: (a) We suggested a less harsher sentence of 20 years instead of the death penalty for pedophilia or aggravated homosexuality. (b) We suggested the inclusion of counseling and rehabilitation being offered to offenders and victims. The churches are willing to provide the necessary help for those who are willing to undergo counseling and rehabilitation.

The Orwellian forced conversion therapy is not a new idea. In March, Rod 2.0 reported American anti-gay evangelists suggested the rabidly anti-gay government in Kampala should mandate "conversion therapy" for gay men. No word yet on the bill's most extreme provision, the death penalty. The bill's sponsor, MP David Bahati, says it will remain.

The United States government, which only recently officially came out against the bill,  is urging Uganda to abandon the extreme legislation, Reuters reports.

Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson said, 'We are concerned that if this legislation passes that it could in fact encourage others to do this. We will not have a double standard on human rights. We are opposed to this kind of legislation whether it is in Rwanda or any other country in Africa.' Carson, the top U.S. diplomat for Africa, said the U.S. government had been in touch with Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni to express its opposition to the measure...adding that Museveni was empowered to veto legislation that comes forward. Carson stopped short of tying future U.S. aid to the bill. Uganda is a major recipient of HIV/AIDS relief and received an estimated $390 million in overall U.S. aid in 2009, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Assistant Secretary of State Carson's warning comes on the same weekend neighboring Rwanda proposes criminalizing homosexuality.