News: Census, West Virginia, Chris Brown, Kanye West Fragrance

New York City Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Christine Quinn write to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke "asking the Census Bureau count legally married same-sex couples as 'married' in the 2010 census. As it stands, the bureau plans to count these couples as 'unmarried partners,' since federal law does not recognize same-sex marriages."

· Kanye West, Rihanna and Common to release fragrance lines launched by Parlux via Iconic Fragrances LLC., whose principal investor is rap icon Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.

· Staten Island pastor charged with stealing money for Botox.

· Poll: 41 percent of New York voters supporters gay marriage.

· Legislation that would have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment and housing dies in West Virginia House. "Supporters say state and national attention to gay marriage—including last week's Iowa Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage—overshadowed the discrimination issue in West Virginia. When the Iowa court issued its ruling, House Minority Leader Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, gave a floor speech urging a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman. That was a few days after House Republicans unsuccessfully tried to force a floor vote on a resolution against gay marriage."

· HRC President Joe Solmonese on CNN to debate anti-gay, Republican Iowa Congressman Steve King on the recent marriage victories in Iowa and Vermont.

· King: Marriage ruling could prompt run for governor.

· Chris Brown depressed and turning to alcohol? "The 19-year-old singer—who has pleaded not guilty to felony assault and making criminal threats in relation to his alleged attack on Rihanna—is believed to be struggling to cope with the fallout from his court case. A source reveals: 'Chris is a mess. He lost a lot of weight, about 15 lbs. I do know that Chris is also in a depression and is drinking a lot. He almost got his butt kicked about a week ago.' While Chris is becoming increasingly reclusive, Rihanna, 21, is determined to put the incident behind her and move on with her life. Although the pair briefly reunited after the incident, they are now said to be spending time apart to contemplate the future of their relationship."

Comments

[alicia banks]

his posse of PR leeches is slipping!

there is so much more he should be doing:

getting formal counseling

filming dating/domestic violence psa's

visiting battered womens' shelters

apologizing publicly

shame!...

he is evoking far more disgust and anger than pity...

peace
ab

[isis]

It was reported that Chris went to some anger management classes, but I doubt he's been going ALL this time (he needs to be). I personally don't expect much from either of them right now seeing that the case is ongoing. Also, he has pleaded not guilty to the charges so it wouldn't make any sense for him to be doing PSA's about something he's claiming to not be guilty of (SMH + rolling my eyes). We will see what happens when this is ALL over, but I actually think they BOTH need to do ALL the things Alicia mentioned. Rihanna is losing a bit of support herself and people are starting to see her less as a victim and more as a participant in what happened. Some people feel all her jet setting is not a good look, but who knows whats going thru either of their minds. God Bless and Heal them both.....

[Chris Cruz]

I agree. I think both Chris and Rihanna obviously have major issues that need to be resolved. But as much as I despise Chris actions, Isis is correct...he has plead "not guilty" and the criminal process must be allowed to happen. So it would be stupid for him to admit guilt (although he already has apologized of sorts) or try to make up for what happened.

But his jet skiing is just as dumb and so is her jet setting. I really think these are two young celebrities who lead superficial lives and this incident demonstrated how much they surround themselves with "yes" people.

[soulbrotha]

So Rhianna is coming out with a perfume? What's she calling it,
CK MA (Chris Kicked My Ass)?

[alicia banks]

he already admitted guilt in his bogus statement after the incident...

and on text msgs to others...

fyi
ab

[FREELEO]

soulbrotha, i was thinking the fragrance should be called, "battered"-if your man says wear this you'd better. ok that's in bad taste but it's the first thing that came to mind...

they should have shelved this deal for a little longer; at least until she's healed up good.

[Lukas]

While I'm in no way suggesting to lessen the severity of what Chris Brown has done, it seems tragic that most have joined together to condemn him, rather than to help him mend his ways, especially for a young man with such talents.

It seems, we have become a society of judges demanding punishment, rather than rehabilitation, especially those of blacks and Hispanics. The trend is apparent in our prison population.