Rod 2.0:Beta #gay #news #lgbt #gaynews

1000+ Dead After Earthquakes and Tsunami Hit Indonesia, Samoa

UPDATE: AFP confirms almost 500 dead in Indonesia.

The death toll rises after a series of tsunamis caused by an undersea quaked slammed the Samoan archipelago. Then the devastating quake in Western Sumatra, Indonesia:

"It measured 7.9, just shy of the size of earthquake that sparked [the] tsumani. ... Health Ministry crisis centre head Rustam Pakaya warning it could exceed 1,000 in the city of close to one million residents. Thousands of people were trapped as buildings, roads and bridges collapsed. The earthquake also triggered a landslide which cut power and telecommunications, resulting in further confusion."

The Padang Fault is the same fault line that triggered the catastrophic December 2004 tsunami that killed more than 200,000.

The tsunami death toll in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga is at least 110 and will likely increase. American Samoa is said to be "in ruin". 

Some video from Indonesia, AFTER THE JUMP.

Oraine Barrett for Swiss Army by Richard Phibbs

Supermodel-to-be and Rod 2.0 fave Oraine Barrett bundles up for Swiss Army. The new campaign was lensed by Richard Phibbs, who also photographed Oraine's cover of OUT and Andrew Howe's obscenely gorgeous sporno  for Vanity Fair Italy.

Prostitution Complaint Filed Against Anti Gay, DC Madam Client Vitter

The faux family values of Sen. David Vitter are back in the news. A watchdog group has filed a complaint with Louisiana’s Office of Disciplinary counsel against the anti-gay Republican senator outed as a long-term client of prostitutes. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) wants Vitter's law license revoked, reports the Times Picayune.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington said its request is related to Vitter’s recent request for a Justice Department investigation into ACORN, the community activist group with headquarters in New Orleans. Staffers in at least four ACORN offices around the country have been caught in a video sting giving advice to a couple pretending to be a prostitute and pimp looking for tax breaks and other assistance.

"Sen. Vitter’s zeal to see ACORN criminally investigated for offering advice in setting up a prostitution ring reminded me he has yet to be held accountable for his own role in a prostitution ring," said Melanie Sloan, CREW’s executive director. "While ACORN’s conduct is indefensible, so is Sen. Vitter’s and what is good for the goose is good for the gander."

Since being implicated in at least two prostitution scandals, the adulterous "family values" senator has sought to shore up his bona fides with conservative voters and co-sponsored the Marriage Protection Amendment. The other lead co-sponsor: Outed anti-gay and de-closeted, serial men's restroom cruiser Larry Craig. Read our column on Vitter and Craig in The Advocate.

In related news: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has refused to endorse Vitter's 2010 re-election bid ...

Vitter Subject of Complaint [NoLa]
Jindal Holds Off on Vitter [Politico]

Some Background ...
A Tale of Two Cities [Advocate]
Anti-Gay Vitter on DC Madam's Client List [R20]
Vitter Subpoenaed Regarding Prostitutes [R20]
Report: Anti-Gay Senator Patronized Brothel [R20]
Adulterers Craig, Vitter Co-Sponsor Marriage Amend. [R20]

Thanks @CrewCREW

Julian Bond, Lt. Dan Choi and Judy Shepard Among Announced Speakers at National Equality March

The National Equality March released the list of speakers for the rally on the Capitol's West Lawn on October 11. The announced speakers include veteran civil rights activist and NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, who endorsed the march in August.

The entire list, AFTER THE JUMP.

The organizers write:

 

More than 30 speakers, representing the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and its straight allies, will take the stage at a rally following the march on the west lawn of the Capitol.

Longtime gay activist David Mixner will [be] on the stage [with] the national co-chairs of the march, Cleve Jones, Lt. Dan Choi, and Nicole-Murray Ramirez. Co-directors of the march, Kip Williams and Robin McGehee, also will be speaking. Civil rights leader Julian Bond, will be one of the featured speakers. Bond was a founder Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and today serves as Board Chairman of the NAACP, the country’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Bond likens the National Equality March to the Civil Rights March of 1963. 'We had a dream and marched on Washington to demand our rights; I am proud to stand with the LGBT community as they march for theirs,' he said.

St. Olaf college student Richard Aviles will be speaking on behalf of student activists from across the country, who have organized for the march and are descending on Washington. Also speaking will be Judy Shepard, who lost her son Matthew to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate and who founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation in his memory. The Foundation is dedicated to working toward the causes championed by Matthew during his life: social justice, diversity awareness and education, and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people."

The NEM has also published route of the October 11 event.

Staceyann Chin is also speaking. The entire list, AFTER THE JUMP.

Andrew Ruffin Shows His "Baskit" on the Casting Couch

Yesterday it was Shawn Sutton's turn. Today it's new modeling hotness Andrew Ruffin modeling his Baskit tighty whiteys in the "Casting Couch" editorial photographed by Vincent Dilio in the October Instinct. Although with the cheesy 80s decor and student furniture we're wondering what type of movie was being cast ...

 

Andrew channels Grace Jones in the new Vogue Hommes Japan and was last seen modeling "skin" and Miguel Antoine during New York Fashion Week.

 

 

Developing: Massive Earthquake Rocks Western Indonesia

A powerful underwater earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island. Reuters reports hundreds of casualties and thousands are feared trapped beneath flattened buildings.

The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 and was one of several earthquakes in the region following yesterday's devastating Samoan earthquake and tsunami. The Indonesian quake is on the same fault line that triggered the catastrophic December 2004 tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people across the Indian Ocean region. More details later ...

WATCH: Jennifer Hudson Performs "Over the Rainbow" in Central Park

Here is someone that we haven't mentioned for a minute: Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson made an appearance in New York City's Central Park last night to celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. J-Hud performed a contemporary rendition of the iconic and gay favorite "Over the Rainbow". It's a little over the top in some sections, but an amazing tribute to the film and Judy Garland.

In related news: The new mother says her one-month old son may have inherited her love for music.

Love to hear your thoughts on the song. Watch, AFTER THE JUMP.

Will Obama Say Anything About Maine's Anti Gay Marriage Measure?

David Mixner says if President Obama "doesn't want his own words to be used in a hate-filled campaign" to reject Maine's marriage equality law, then speak out now:

"We all remember what happened in California. Even though Obama opposed Proposition 8, his profile on the initiative was very low. As a result, the YES on 8 folks did mass mailings using Obama's own words against marriage equality to imply that he supported the divisive measure. Many liberals and African-Americans were confused and voted 'YES ON 8' as a result of those mailings and ads. Let's not let that happen again. To avoid a re-occurrence of that disaster, the president should immediately, strongly and unequivocally oppose the proposition in Maine. He should denounce the efforts of the right-wing to put human rights on the ballot to be voted upon as if it was just another measure for the voters. The president must not mince words or be tepid in his support or once again go into his belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. We got that, Mr. President. Time to come down without clever political language for full equality for the LGBT community."

Pam Spaulding responds to the "he's too busy with___" crowd: "No one expects President Obama to hop aboard Air Force One to head to Maine to deal with this issue, given health care and Afghanistan are on the front burner, but his silence, given he could simply issue a press release to reiterate his views on what is going on in Maine and that it is wrong, is deafening."

'Cuz it's not like the President is reluctant to get personally involved in state politics ....

Help protect marriage equality in Maine. Donate to 'Vote No on 1'.

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) Reveals the Republican Health Care Plan

On Tuesday night, Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) took to the House floor to give his take on the GOP version of "health care reform". Republican members were none-too-pleased and demanded an apology. Grayson refused. Give this man a medal.

Via JoeMyGod, watch Grayson's presentation, ON THE JUMP.

Personal injury lawyers

Free accident claims advice

Many Are Dead After Earthquake and Tsunami Hits Samoan Islands

This was the main road in the downtown area of Fagatogo,  American Samoa. A towering 15-foot tsunami triggered by a massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake swept ashore on American Samoa and the neighboring independent Samoa, flattening villages and killing dozens of people. Many others are missing at devastated National Park Service facilities.

A Pacific-wide tsunami warning was issued after the massive undersea quake struck near American Samoa. There were "reports of a small tsunami reaching New Zealand and rising sea levels in several South Pacific island nations," says the New York Times. Japan braced for a possible tsunami and small tsunami waves were sighted on the Hawaiian coast.

President Obama declared "a major disaster exists" in American Samoa.  Luckily, supplies are pre-positioned in Hawaii, reports AFP.

Watch news reports from Australia and New Zealand, as well as raw video, WHEN YOU JUMP.