News: Alabama Hate Crimes, Patty Hearst, Tyson Beckford

· Despite a personal appeal by the Legislature's first and only openly gay member, the Alabama House voted against adding sexual orientation to the state's hate crimes laws. Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) said she has been targeted by hate speech and often worries someone will assault her because she is lesbian. The vote was 43-45, largely on party lines, and no Republicans voted for the bill. Two weeks ago, the House of Representatives passed legislation to add sexual orientation to federal hate crimes laws.

· The owner of several Alabama adult stores asks the Supreme Court to throw out a state ban on selling sex toys.

· Infamous heiress-turned-bank robber Patricia Hearst denies she is giving fellow heiress Paris Hilton advice on her upcoming jail time: "I must say that my heart goes out to the inmates of the Century Regional Detention Center. Forty-five days with Paris Hilton and the attendant publicity seems like cruel and unusual punishment to me."

· Twelve year old girl and her grandparents sue the Chicago Board of Education, claiming "psychological distress" after a teacher screens Brokeback Mountain to the 8th grade class.

· Rod 2.0 fave Tyson Beckford, who has his own signature line of Pirelli tires and wheel rims, will provide commentary for NASCAR.

· Finally, the latest on Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC), the outed anti-gay congressman whose aides are implicated in vote fraud. The baby-faced congressman's Wikipedia entry has been updated to reflect his (extracurricular) interests.

Comments

[ff]

sorry, as this has nothing to do with the news above, but this was cute and funny:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZzupOw7VAZQ

they looked pretty comfortable with each other.

[Otis]

ff-the video is very cute and Patty Hearst is funny...I like her.

[A. Ronald]

Aww, Tyson beckford is back. I so love that man.

[joseph b.a.]

When is Tyson Beckford officially coming out?