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

White Teen Pleads Guilty in Hit and Run Killing of Black Gay Miss. Man

The white Mississippi teenager charged with deliberately running down a Black gay man has pleaded guilty to capital murder. Nineteen-year-old Deryl Dedmon was sentenced on Wednesday to two life sentences in the horrific killing of James Craig Anderson, reports CNN.

Meanwhile: Dedmon and two accomplices pleaded guilty to federal hate crime charges this afternoon in Jackson, reports CNN. The three defendants admitted to "harassing and assaulting" random Black people on several occasions.

Deryl Dedmon, John Aaron Rice and Dylan Butler each admitted to conspiracy and violating the 2009 federal hate-crimes law in last June's killing of James Craig Anderson. They face sentences of up to life in prison and $250,000 in fines, federal prosecutors said.

The 19-year-old Dedmon had already pleaded guilty to state murder and hate-crime charges Wednesday in a state court and was sentenced to life in prison. Rice, 19, and Butler, 20, made their initial appearances with Dedmon in federal court Thursday morning.

In court Thursday, all three admitted to harassing and assaulting African-Americans on several occasions in the weeks before Anderson's death, hurling beer bottles, firing slingshots and driving at them with cars, prosecutors said. They targeted people they believed to be drunk or homeless, believing them less likely to report the attacks. They are also expected to testify against other teens implicated in Anderson's killing, two sources close to the proceedings told CNN.

James C. Anderson died on the morning of June 26 in a Jackson motel parking lot. The 48-year-old Anderson had a long-term male partner of almost two decades and they were raising a daughter.

Surveillance video shows two carloads of teenagers driving into the parking lot. Several approached Anderson, who was beaten and robbed. The video shows Anderson being struck by a truck. Witnesses report one teenager yelled "white power" and the driver of the pickup shouted the n-word.

Dedmon has a history of bullying, racial and homophobic intimidation, and is being investigated for allegedly committing other hate violence.

Anderson's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in September against the seven white teenagers that police say were involved in the gruesome crime. Anderson's long-term partner is prevented by Mississippi law and the Defense of Marriage Act from joining the legal action. Anderson's partner was also prevented by Mississippi law from making end of life decisions.

FIRST LOOK: Louis Smith Models Team GB's Olympic Uniform

PHOTOS: Getty, Reuters

British pommel horse hotness Louis Smith models the new British Olympic Team GB kit designed by Stella McCartney for Adidas.  Smith has the Olympic bronze medal on the pommel and will try for gold at London 2012.

Nice fit—although not as form-fitting or nipple-tastic as Smith's UPS/Adidas uniform. Another look AFTER THE JUMP ...

Trayvon Martin: "No Confidence" Vote in Police Chief, NYC March

PHOTOS: Getty

There is more outrage over the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed 17-year-old who was killed in suburban Orlando on February 26 while visiting family.  Thousands of people rallied Wednesday night in New York City  during a "Million Hoodie March."

Watch ABC 7's report AFTER THE JUMP ...

And at the same time in Sanford, Florida: The city commission passed a vote of “no confidence” in Police Chief Bill Lee, reports the Orlando Sentinel. Trayvon Martin was gunned down by self-appointed neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman, who has not been charged by police. Residents and civil rights leaders have criticized the police response and decision not to arrest Zimmerman.

Commissioner Mark McCarty made the motion that could lead to the ouster of the chief, who has been on the job just 10 months. Mayor Jeff Triplett and Commissioner Velma Williams voted with the majority. "I take no pleasure in a public flogging of our police chief," McCarty said before a packed council chambers. "But he really should turn in his resignation."

The vote was 3-2, with Commissioners Randy Jones and Patty Mahany voting against.

Commissioners can't fire Lee, a Sanford native, because he reports to City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. However, their vote sends a strong signal.Bonaparte, who became city manager in September, called the vote "a strong statement" but said he wants to wait for investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Brevard-Seminole State Attorney's Office to be completed before he acts.

More questions about the shooting surfaced last weekend after law enforcement officials released 911 police tapes that cast doubt on the official police version that Zimmerman had been acting in "self-defense" when he shot Martin

Police dispatchers warned Zimmerman not to follow the "suspicious" teen or leave his vehicle. Zimmerman ignored their instructions. Police have not explained why Zimmerman left his vehicle or how he and Martin came to be face to face.

Cries for help were also heard on the tapes. Zimmerman told the police the cries were his. Trayvon’s mother said the voice belonged to her son. Sanford police also admitted they "did not hear" a racial epithet made by Zimmerman on the tapes.

Also: A phone call from Trayvon Martin to his girlfriend only seconds before he was gunned down cast more doubt on the official version. The 16-year-old girlfriend said that as Trayvon was walking he told her "some man was watching him". She added that she overheard Martin ask, "Why are you following me?"

Watch ABC 7's report on the NYC rally  AFTER THE JUMP ...

Hearings Begin for Bruce Harris, Gay NJ Supreme Court Nominee

The first round of confirmation hearings begin today for Bruce Harris, the Black gay Republican mayor nominated by Gov. Chris Christie to the New Jersey Supreme Court, reports Patch.com.

Chatham Borough Mayor Bruce Harris will be in Trenton Thursday morning for the start of his confirmation hearings for before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Harris was nominated to the Supreme Court of New Jersey in January by Gov. Chris Christie days after he was sworn in as the mayor of Chatham Borough. If confirmed, he will resign the role of mayor.

Phillip H. Kwon, of Closter, was also nominated at the same time. If confirmed, Harris will be the first openly gay man to sit on the state's highest court and Kwon will be the first Asian American. [...]

The state Senate Judiciary Committee has 13 members, including a chair, Nicholas P. Scutari, and a vice-chair, Nia H. Gill.  NJTV will provide coverage of the hearings throughout the day, and analysis of the hearings during their evening program of "NJ Today."NJTV will provide coverage of the hearings throughout the day, and analysis of the hearings during their evening program of "NJ Today."

If advanced by the Judiciary Committee, the nominees must then be confirmed by the full Senate.

Harris was elected mayor of Chatham Borough in November 2011. At that time, he became the nation's only openly gay Black Republican mayor. If confirmed, Harris would become the state's first openly LGBT justice and the nation's first openly gay Black state supreme court justice.

Harris' appointment comes a year and a half after the Republican governor infuriated Democrats and minorities by replacing the court's only Black justice with a white Republican. Harris would replace veteran Black Democraic Justice John Wallace, who supported LGBT rights and marriage equality.

Harris has already promised to recuse himself from any marriage equality case. That premature promise has underwhelmed critics, including key Democratic legislative leaders who are already unimpressed with Harris' credentials.  The bond attorney has never made partner or argued a case in a courtroom.

Christie vetoed New Jersey's marriage equality legislation on February 17. Democratic legislative leaders have vowed to override the veto by January 2014.

You May Have Missed ...
Hearings Scheduled for Gay NJ Supreme Courtt Nominee
Gay NJ SupCo Court Nominee Criticized for Recusal Promise
Gay NJ Supreme Court Nominee to Recuse Himself on Marriage
Christie Nominates Black Gay GOP Mayor to NJ Supreme
NJ Gov Christie Ousts State's Only Black Supreme Court Justice

New Hampshire House Rejects Marriage Equality Repeal Bill

Excellent news. After two hours of debate and almost a dozen votes, legislators in New Hampshire's overwhelmingly Republican-led House of Representatives have rejected an attempt to repeal the state's marriage equality law. HB 437 was rejected by a 211-116 vote, reports the Union Leader.

Some members objected to a proposed non-binding referendum on the issue, and others said the bill would take away rights the state has already granted. "These folks are just people just like you are, they want the same things you do," said Rep. Michael Ball, R-Manchester. "This bill needs to be put down. Put this dog down like it deserves to be." [...]

Gov. John Lynch had vowed to veto the bill if it reached his desk. Lawmakers approved civil unions in 2007 and then in 2009 approved gay marriage, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2010. Since that time, 1,906 same-sex couples have wed under the law.

Leadership of the Republican-controlled legislature has prioritized repealing the marriage equality law enacted in 2009 when Democrats controlled the legislature. But the equal mariage law has proved popular and has enjoyed strong bipartisan support. "One hundred Republicans were among those who opposed HB 437," reports Michael Lavers at EDGE.

Rep. Keith Murphy (R-Bedford) cited a gay relative who has been in a same-sex relationship for two years when he spoke against HB 437. State Rep. Cameron De Jong (R-Manchester) referenced his faith as he testified against the marriage equality repeal bill that state Rep. David Bates (R-Windham) introduced. "God is my judge and today I ask you to support equal rights under the law," he said.

Legislators voted against an amendment to HB 437 that would have replaced the state’s marriage equality law with one that would have allowed same-sex couples to enter into civil unions. Lawmakers also rejected a proposal that would have placed a non-binding referendum on marriage for same-sex couples on the ballot and a motion to debate a measure that would have banned marriage for left-handed people. "The rights of the people are not subjected to popular vote," said Murphy.

More good news: An amendment was defeated which would have forced a non-binding referendum on marriage onto the November 2012 ballot and replaced marriage with civil unions. That amendment failed by a vote of 162 to 188.

Six states currently mandate marriage equality—Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York—as does the District of Columbia. Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire signed legislation to make Washington the seventh state in February. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed his state's marriage equality law in March. Both the Maryland and Washington legislation will head to the November ballot in a voter referendum.

JLS Unconcerned About "Boring" Gay Rumors

JLS says they are not concerned about "boring" gay rumors and "internet trolls" that question their sexuality, reports Scotland's The Daily Record.

Aston Merrygold said: "Anyone in a boy band from Take That to Boyzone to Westlife will tell you it happens to them all. It’s all a bit boring. If it was one of us who was gay, it just wouldn't matter."

Oritsé Williams added: "The gay rumours don’t bother us at all. We have a huge gay following and our music is for everybody. If someone Tweets something negative, the rest of the fans go in so hard on that person that no one really does it any more. It’s sad. It’s someone who’s got nothing better to do with their life."

Sipping an orange juice in a plush Manchester hotel, Marvin Humes said: “We’re living in a time where it’s not a taboo subject. I really don’t think it’s a problem.”

Aston, JB, Marvin and Oritsé recently stripped down for the cover of UK homostyle glossy Attitude. This follows their 2009 cover of Gay Times where they argued over who had more gay fans.

You May Enjoy ....
Marvin and Aston Ramp Up the (Se)X Factor
JLS' Aston Merrygold Puts a Condom on a Cucumber
JLS' Marvin Drives the Boys into G-A-Y Heaven
PHOTOS: JLS at Heathrow Airport
JLS Aberzombies Spotted on Sunset Blvd
JLS' Marvin Humes Demonstrates How to Eat a Banana
WATCH: JLS' Marvin Feels Up Oritse
WATCH: JLS' Oritsé Loses Bet and Strips on Stage
JLS and Gordon Brown for Comic Relief 2011
VIDEO/PHOTOS: JLS' Marvin Strips Off Aston!
JLS' Marvin Humes Is Challenged to Shirt Ripping

VIDEO: Trayvon Martin Told Girlfriend He Was Being Followed

A phone call from Trayvon Martin to his girlfriend only seconds before he was gunned down by a self-appointed neighborhood watchman can prove that he was stalked and shot in cold blood.

Watch ABC News' report AFTER THE JUMP ...

The unarmed 17-year-old was killed in suburban Orlando on February 26 while visiting family. Martin was returning from the store when he was shot by self-appointed neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman, who has not been charged by police. The case has triggered a huge outcry across the nation and cyberspace.

The 16-year-old girlfriend said in a phone call recorded by ABC News that as Trayvon was walking he told her "some man was watching him" so he pulled his hoodie over his head. She added that  she overheard Martin ask "What are you following me for?"

Another voice, presumably Zimmerman, replied "What are you doing around here?"

Questions: Why didn't police review Trayvon Martin's mobile phone records? Why wasn't the girlfriend interviewed? And where is the phone?

Audio from 911 tapes released over the weekend reveal that police dispatchers warned Zimmerman not to follow the "suspicious" teen or leave his vehicle. The Sanford Police Department has not explained why Zimmerman left his vehicle or how he and Martin came to be face to face.

The Department of Justice and FBI announced late Monday that they were opening an investigation into Martin's shooting death. Federal investigators will probe the local police response and the decision not to arrest Zimmerman.  Meanwhile: The Seminole County State's Attorney announced today that it was sending the case to a grand jury.

Watch ABC News' report AFTER THE JUMP ...

Dwyane Wade Shares His Love for Yoga, Pilates and Pedicures

PHOTO: Reuters

More on the softer side of basketball superstar, sporno fashion model and baby-daddylicious Dwyane Wade ...

Pilates, yoga and pedicure are the keys to the Miami Heat guard's success, according to a new profile in the Wall Street Journal. Wade says he was unable to workout with team trainers during last year's lockout. A new trainer introduced him to  alternative training methods and he's embraced them ever since.

"I have tight hips and I felt I needed to loosen up and be more flexible as I got older," says Mr. Wade. He started taking private yoga lessons. "Just basic yoga—I wasn't ready for the hot stuff," he says. "Yoga is a totally different way of stretching and really challenging." Mr. Wade says he persuaded his teammate, LeBron James, to join him. "He's stiffer than me," he jokes.

Mr. James, in turn, persuaded Mr. Wade to try machine-based Pilates, which lengthens muscles and strengthens the core muscles. "I really felt the Pilates loosen up my muscles," says Mr. Wade. The attention to stretching has paid off during the season. "I recall making a move, and the basketball ended up on my foot and I almost did a split on the ball. Normally, that's a groin pull, but I bounced back."

D-Wade also discusses more on fashion and the benefits of pedicures—which he first mentioned last fall in GQ and modeled Gucci's Circuit Boy FW 2011 collection. It's always a pleasure reading up on Wade. He's so confident and marches to his on beat. Read the full interview HERE.

On Sunday evening, Dwyane Wade scored 31 points and the Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic 91-81.

Did You Read?
SPORNO: Dwyane Wade Strips for VMAN
Dwyane Wade and LeBron Hang with Rafael Nadal
Shaquille and Dwyane Wade Defend Gays
Dwyane Wade in GQ
NBA Finals: Game Two
NBA Finals: Game One

SPORNO: Jets Sign Mega-Muscled and Inked Up Safety LaRon Landry

Good news for the New York Jets, who just signed a reported one-year, $4 million deal with former Washington Redskins safety LaRon Landry. A few recent(ish) pics tweeted by the mega-muscled, inked up sporno star ....

Landry models more muscles and sexy swagger at practice AFTER THE JUMP ...

VIDEO: Tyler Clementi's Parents React to Dharun Ravi Verdict

Sorry for missing this over the weekend. After Friday's verdict in the Rutgers University webcam spying trial, Tyler Clementi's parents delivered brief remarks on the case and Dharun Ravi's conviction.

"The trial was painful for us as it would be for any parent who must listen to bad and inappropriate things that were done to their child," says Joe Clementi. "We have come to understand that criminal law is only one way to address these problems. But sometimes there are other ways that better ... when it comes to young people and the value and respect of others."

Dharun Ravi was convicted of invasion of privacy, bias intimidation and other charges after using a webcam to spy roommate Tyler Clementi's sexual encounter with another man in September 2010. The 18-year-old Clementi committed suicide only three days later.

Ravi could face 10 years in prison and eventual deportation to his native country of India. Ravi has not been charged in Clementi's death. Sentencing is May 21.

Watch the video AFTER THE JUMP ...