Rod 2.0:Beta

Africa Reacts to Obama's Nobel

The stateside reaction to President Barack Obama's extraordinary win for the Nobel Peace Prize has been mixed. On the other hand, many across the world are ecstatic, especially in Africa.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, who won the prize in 1984 for his efforts to end apartheid, says Obama's award recognizes the young president's potential. The Archbishop says: "In a way, it's an award coming near the beginning of the first term of office of a relatively young president that anticipates an even greater contribution towards making our world a safer place for all. It is an award that speaks to the promise of President Obama's message of hope."

The Huffington Post reports Obama's win is seen as a "win" for Africa: "In the Kenyan city of Kisumu, the home province of Obama's father, local radio shows interrupted broadcasting to have live phone-ins so callers could congratulate Obama on his win. Traders in the market huddled around hand-held radios and touts shouted the news from the windows of local minibuses." Adds 65-year-old James Andaro: "When I heard it on the radio I said Hallelujah! It's God's blessing. This win is for Africa."

Malawi Bans Same Sex Marriage

The fight to protect the "sanctity of marriage" is now in Malawi, which has become part of the latest round of anti-gay hysteria which is sweeping across central and southern Africa. The National Assembly of Malawi has passed a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage, reports Behind the Mask.

During this sitting Member of parliament, Edwin Banda proposed that the constitution should include a clause stipulating that Malawi is a "God fearing nation", a phrase that would cast homosexuality out as it is said to be ungodly. Banda said Malawi is a God fearing nation, "the whole front benches (Cabinet Ministers) are God fearing people, the speaker is a church elder. We should say no to same sex marriages. "Amidst applause by members of parliament Banda added "the clear position against homosexuality will help protect the sanctity of marriage and Malawi’s belief in God."

However Minister of Local government, Goodal Gondwe, rejected Banda’s proposal stating that the phrase would be legislate people’s faith. He said "people have different beliefs that will not be included in the constitution." Supporting the fight against homosexuality even the speaker of parliament said "as a church elder myself I do not support same sex marriages."

The amendment banning same sex marriage was reportedly passed as part of the FY 2009/2010 budget.

Malawi already boasts one of the harshest anti-gay laws on the continent. Homosexual acts are illegal and Section 153 prohibits "unnatural offences" punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment or a death sentence.

The marriage ban follows a wildly publicized campaign by Christian and Islamic leaders in the southern African nation who claimed the government would revoke "laws criminalizing homosexuality to allow gay marriages", according to Islamonline. Deputy Minister of Information John Bande said the harsh laws would not be revoked because "laws legalizing same-sex relations ... [are] an abomination and unacceptable."

President Obama Awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Billie Jean King and Harvey Milk

President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom—the nation's highest civilian award—to 16 highly accomplished individuals including openly gay tennis superstar Billie Jean King and iconic gay activist and politician Harvey Milk.

Remarking on King, who became one of the first openly gay sports figures when she came out in 1981, the President said: "With Billie Jean King pushing us, the road ahead will be smoother for women, the future will be brighter for LGBT Americans, and our nation's commitment to equality will be stronger for all."

Presenting the posthumous award to Milk, which was accepted by his nephew Stuart Milk, the President remarked: "Harvey Bernard Milk dedicated his life to shattering boundaries and challenging assumptions. As one of the first openly gay elected officials in this country, he changed the landscape of opportunity for the nation's gay community."

Other honorees included Sidney Poitier, Chita Rivera, former SCLC President Rev. Joseph Lowery, Sen. Ted Kennedy, British physicist Stephen Hawking and Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu. WHEN YOU JUMP, a few more photos and video of the presentations to King and Milk.

Openly Gay Bishop to Deliver Inaugural Concert Invocation

Very promising news. The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire whose elevation created a schism in the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion, will deliver the invocation at the inauguration concert for President-elect Barack Obama this Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial. The concert will be the first event attended by Obama that weekend.

Bishop Robinson was an early supporter of the president-elect, and, like many progressives, expressed his disappointment at Obama’s choice of Rev. Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the inauguration. Robinson said the right-wing anti-gay, anti-choice and anti-science televangelist deserved "to be at the table" but not in such a prominent capacity.

Politico's Mike Allen quotes an "Obama source" who says "Robinson was in the plans before the complaints about Rick Warren. Many skeptics will read this as a direct reaction to the Warren criticism – but it’s just not so."

Sure. That's why they were willing to give their name and stand by that remark.

The concert is certainly not as grand nor important as the inauguration, but, it is the official kick-off of the festivities. More importantly the location is rich is symbolism. Robinson will deliver his invocation at the same location where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the historic "I Have a Dream."

UPDATE: The concert talent has been announced and will include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Heather Headley, John Legend, Usher Raymond ... and Queen Latifah. Possibly there are questions Usher and Latifah may have for the openly gay bishop.

Gay Bishop to Open Inaugural Weekend [Politico]

News: Schwarzenegger Veto, HIV, Uganda, Pharrell Williams Stalker

· California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoes a bill that would have made Harvey Milk’s birthday a statewide “day of significance,” insisting it should “continue to be recognized at the local level.” Anti-gay and conservative groups supported Schwarzenegger’s veto.

Milk, the nation's first openly gay man to hold prominent political office, was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. One year later, Milk and Mayor George Moscone were shot to death by fellow supervisor Dan White.

· Schwarzenegger did, however, sign a bill into law (AB 1894) that requires health care plans operating in the state to pay for routine HIV testing. According to the California Office of AIDS, about 40,000 Californians are HIV-positive but are not aware of their status.

· Study: The AIDS virus "has been circulating among people for about 100 years, decades longer than scientists had thought. Genetic analysis pushes the estimated origin of HIV back to between 1884 and 1924, with a more focused estimate at 1908. Previously, scientists had estimated the origin at around 1930. AIDS wasn’t recognized formally until 1981 when it got the attention of public health officials in the United States."

· An employee of Sean Combs' Sean John brand is disciplined for cyber stalking rapper, fashionista, designer and super producer Pharrell Williams: "The unnamed wannabe music star reportedly stole Pharrell’s contact details from their employer and started sending emails to the star asking to work with him. Eventually the NERD frontman traced the begging emails back to P Diddy’s office.The staff member was disciplined by the company, although Diddy was apparently not aware of the issue."

· Financial bailout? "Congressional leaders from both parties said they were hopeful that a new version of the rescue plan could be cleared late this week after its stunning defeat that sparked a historic sell-off on Monday" Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are expected to return to Washington and vote for the bill.

· Sarah Palin's approval ratings plummet. Before McCain chose the Alaska governor as a running mate, Palin "had an 82 percent approval rating in her state. Since then, however, [her] approval rating has dropped to 68 percent. Support stayed steady with Republicans, but dropped 24 points with Democrats and 18 points with independents."

· Complaints of racial profiling rapidly multiply in Seattle. The president of the Seattle-King County branch of the NAACP held a news conference to cite numerous "instances of unequal and disrespectful law enforcement targeting black youth. One example: [Marcus] Whitehurst, who is black, was pushed up against the patrol car, told he was nothing but 'garbage' and advised that he was 'not welcome in this neighborhood.' His white friends were allowed to stand there, untouched."

· Anti-gay bishops, Uganda welcomes you! Christian bishops from around the world meet in Uganda as part of a movement "that threatens to split the 70-million-strong Anglican Church. ... The conservative anti-gay clergy formed the Global Anglican Future Conference Movement (GAFCON) in 2008 after the mainstream Anglican church refused to condemn the 2003 consecration of [openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson.]. 'We are telling people in homosexual relations that we appreciate you as human beings, but it's not a rightful relation,' GAFCON chairperson and Nigerian Archbishop Nicholas Okoh told Deutsche Presse. 'The right relationship is that between a man and a woman.' "

Sudanese Anglican Bishop Blasts Gays and Bishop Gene Robinson

At the same thousands of people in Sudan are being killed by civil war and the president has been indicted for war crimes and genocide, the Sudanese Anglican bishops take a strong public stand against the most important problem facing their nation. Gays in the church and same sex marriage.

The Archbishop of Sudan, Daniel Deng Bul, calls for openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson,of New Hampshire to "resign for the sake of the church."& ; At the Lambeth Conference, the once-in-a-decade summit of Anglican leaders, Deng condemned Robinson and gays saying, "God is not making a mistake creating Adam and Eve. He would have created two Adams if he wanted."

In a joint statement, Sudanese bishops accused& ; American and Canadian church leaders of "ridiculing" Anglicanism and destroying its credibility by ordaining gay American clergy and blessing same-sex unions in Canada. Bishop Robinson is the first openly gay bishop in the 450-year-old church's history, and the Sudanese archbishop blamed him for boycott of the conference by 230 conservative bishops.

Archbishop Deng "said the existence of an actively gay bishop in America had direct consequences for Anglicans" minorities living in heavily Muslim countries such as Sudan. "We are called infidel by the Islamic world. When they are hearing our brothers and sisters from other parts of the Christian global, when they are talking of the same sex to be blessed. Immediately it gives them the way out to tell the other people, these people are evil and they can even harm our people more."

Gay Bishop Robinson 'Should Quit' [BBC]
Gay Bishop Should Resign: Sudan Church Leader [Reuters]

News: Gabrielle Union, Dobson, Hagee, Pharrell, Domestic Violence

· Two years ago in an interview with OUT, Gabrielle Union said, "You're nobody until someone says you're gay." The actress returns to the magazine to glam it up and share some advice with the boys.

· Should rabidly anti-gay demagogue James Dobson be recognized by the Radio Hall of Fame? Truth Wins Out launches petition drive to keep the hateful Focus on the Family founder out of the museum. "It is outrageous and insulting that James Dobson would be nominated for the Radio Hall of Fame," says TWO Executive Director Wayne Besen. "We believe that character counts and nominees should have careers based on honesty and integrity—not discrimination, distorting research and outright lying."

· Huffington Post: Lawyers for anti-gay evangelical Rev. John Hagee force YouTube to remove more than 120 videos of the controversial pastor.

· Pharrell Williams to undergo exotic tattoo removal procedure "that involves growing new skin."

· Cher laughs off rumors of a(nother) quickie wedding.

· Domestic violence and gay relationships, coast to coast. Los Angeles: City Council creates subcommittee "aimed at reducing incidents of domestic violence among same-sex couples [because ] often times police officers do not know what to do when they respond to a situation that involves violence between gay and lesbian partners." New York: Gay friendly Gov. David Paterson wants to expand domestic violence law to include dating relationships.

· Kenyan Anglican bishop threatens to quit the church over same-sex marriages. The Reverend Thomas Kogo believes gay rights activists are driven by ... "desire" for money and wealth. "God recognizes marriage between man and woman, and there is no way we will accept homosexuality and gay marriages. The Bible is very clear on the matter."

· A bidding war erupts over Ivorian footballer and Rod 2.0 fave Didier Drogba. "Despite continuing rumours that Didier Drogba will be heading to Milan this summer, Chelsea's new manager is "200%" sure the phenom will remain in England. Meanwhile .... "Marseilles fans have launched an appeal to raise £22m in order to buy" Drogba's contract.

· NTSB unsure of cause of recent problem with Obama's campaign plane but investigation does "not reveal any evidence of missing components, nor any evidence of tampering."

· White House caught suppressing data on global warming.

"In a letter to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), former White House official Jason Burnett revealed that Vice President Cheney’s office deleted portions of the testimony of Center for Disease Control Director Julie Gerberding, who testified last year about the consequences of climate change on public health. In a press conference yesterday, Boxer charged that White House spokesperson Dana Perino had 'lied' about the rationale behind the editing of the testimony: 'As I understand it, she said, the draft information did not comport with that, the science that was in the IPCC report. This was a lie. And we proved it before. We had in the last press conference we did on this.' "

Nigerian Mob Attacks Gay Activist

Another case of anti-gay mob violence in Nigeria. One of the leaders of the nation's only gay activist organization says he was almost killed by a bloodthirtsy crowd outside a funeral ceremony.

The incident happened Thursday in Port Harcourt at the funeral ceremony for the sister of Davis Mac-Iyalla, the head of Changing Attitude Nigeria, a religious-based gay outreach group. Reportedly, the funeral was attended by six of its members and one man, who prefers not to be named, says he was approached by "a muscular man" who "asked me for a word outside the compound."

"The next thing I saw was a mob group who were there to attack me. They started slapping and punching me, kicked me on the ground and spat on me.

"While beating me they were shouting: 'You notorious homosexual, you think can run away from us for your notorious group to cause more abomination in our land?'"

In August, a lynch mob of several dozen men attacked a prison where a dozen suspected gay men were being detained.

CAN leaders and international human rights advocates have long accused Archbishop Peter Akinola of directing or condoning violence against gays. The rabidly anti-gay archbishop has been at the forefront of opposing gay clergy across the Anglican Communion and its the American branch, the Episcopal Church.

Homosexuality is illegal in Nigeria. (Previously discussed here and here.) Those convicted face jail terms in the mainly Christian south and execution in the mainly Muslim north. Meanwhile, proposed legislation would be the most homophobic laws in any country, effectively stripping gays and lesbians of all civil rights and freedom of speech or association.

Gay Nigerian Christian Leader Attacked [UK Gay News]

More NIGERIA

Some Background ...
Nigerian Lynch Mob Storms Jail [R20]
Nigeria Latest 18 Alleged Gays Face Death Penalty [R20]
Nigerian Woman Denies "Lesbian Wedding" [R20]
Nigerian Lesbian In Hiding After Reported Wedding [R20]
Nigeria's Homophobia Threatens Bid for Games [R20]
Nigeria One Step Closer to Outlawing Gays [R20]
Gay Nigerians Speak Out [R20]
Nigeria Prepares to Outlaw Gays [R20]
Nigeria to Ban Gays Meeting [R20]
Who is Archbishop Peter Akinola? [R20]
Nigeria's Islamic Sharia Law [R20]
UK Deports Gay Nigerian [R20]
Harsh New Nigerian Laws [R20]

Kenyan Blog Opposes "Repulsive, Destructive and Depraved" Gays

Disturbing news from Kenya, the picturesque and historic nation in East Africa. A backlash has been reported against the growing movement to decriminalize homosexuality and increase tolerance for gay men.

One of the loudest voices has been a rabidly,anti-gay blog: Kenyans Against Homosexuals. Several prominent anti-gay activists in the African nation have cited this blog which the author boasts "as the first Kenyan blog that is actively hostile towards homos." The site is headlined as "dedicated to mobilising Kenyans against the repulsive, destructive and depraved homosexual lifestyles." The blog postings are a mixture of fiction and hysteria, such as this recent gem:

"I've actualy [sic] been wading deeper and deeper into the sordid world of faggots in Nairobi—researching and investigating how far they’ve gone in trying to obtain government and legal recognition. I’m glad to announce that I’ll soon be posting a major exposé on their activities. It will stun many ambivalent Kenyans who seem to believe that these disgusting perverts will never get recognition in our country."

Meanwhile, more religious-based opposition to gays: On Thursday, the Kenyan Anglican Church consecrated two American bishops in a move that is likely to increase tensions over the church's stance on gays. Bill Murdoch of Massachusetts and Bill Atwood of Texas will serve in the United States but will answer to the Kenyan Church. Their congregations left the Episcopal Church after it consecrated an openly gay bishop.

US Anglicans join Kenyan Church [BBC]

Some Background ...
Kenya: "Things are Changing in Favor of Gays" [R20]
Homosexuality is Un-African? [R20]
News: Kenya, Qantas [R20]
Kenyan Update [R20]
Who is Archbishop Peter Akinola? [R20]
Harsh New Nigerian Laws [R20]
Nigeria's Anglican Archbishop [R20]

News: Iowa Marriage, Mehcad Brooks, Hillary, Octavia Butler

· A Des Moines judge strikes down the Iowa law that prevents same-sex couples from marrying. Judge Robert Hanson ruled the prohibition is unconstitutional and ordered the Polk County recorder's office to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. The county is expected to appeal the ruling to the Iowa Supreme Court.

· Rod 2.0 fave Mehcad Brooks covers the new issue of Krave and says he refuses to feed into the "stereotypical 'buffoonery' often showcased in Hollywood’s portrayal of the African-American man. 'As a black man, I feel that I have a certain responsibility to choose my roles carefully. I purposely turn down roles that perpetuate certain stereotypes.' "

· Sen. Hillary Clinton makes her seventh appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman tonight and her first as a candidate for president. On Tuesday, September 4, the senator will guest on the season premiere of Ellen.

· Maine’s highest court rules that a lesbian couple can jointly adopt two siblings currently in foster care. The unanimous decision opens the door for other co-parent adoptions in Maine by same-sex couples.

· As fellow Anglicans demand that the church bar gay bishops, the Episcopal diocese of Chicago includes an openly lesbian priest among five nominees for bishop.

· Mad Professah reviews the new paperback edition of Fledgling, the final work by the late Octavia Butler: "A brilliant re-imagination of the vampire myth by one of the most creative writers in the genre of 'speculative fiction.' The novel grapples with miscegenation, gender-stratified societies, the nature of addiction and racism. As always, in creative and enthralling ways Butler excites and intrigues the reader."

· Popnography on the Sunday Mirror report that Mel B aka Scary Spice had an affair "with not one but two women" simultaneously: "The paper doesn't seem to bother to even try for a denial on the record, but they do offer up porn plot level details about their supposed steamy affair."