Rod 2.0:Beta

News: Supreme Court, Wall Street, HRC, Models, Arizona Marriage

· By a 5 to 4 ruling, the Supreme Court strikes down the District of Columbia's ban on handgun possession, and, for the first time in our nation's history, rules the Second Amendment guarantees an individual's right to own a gun for self-defense. The opinion on  D.C. v. Heller is written by by Justice Anton Scalia and is here. Jeralyn at Talk Left provides selected quotes from the opinion and discussion here and here. For the conservative reaction, Red State has analysis and discussion, as well as commentary by Mike Huckabee.

· Gay conservatives at the Log Cabin Republicans applaud the decision.  "Unfortunately, too many LGBT Americans still face the threat of anti-gay violence," says president Patrick Sammon. "We're happy the Supreme Court has affirmed the right for us to protect ourselves and our families from harm."

· Stocks plunge and oil soars to a record high. "The Dow slides about 360 points to a 21-month low as ... oil surged above $140 a barrel in New York trading, compounding fears that soaring inflation will hamper a global economy already on the ropes."

· Technology shares hammered "as investors reacted to a disappointing profit outlook from the maker of BlackBerry smartphone" Research in Motion.

· Arizona: "Gay marriage opponents lost a key battle when the senate rejected a proposed ballot measure to amend the state constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage. With the measure failing by two votes, the lawmaker who proposed putting the proposal on the November ballot for voters to decide said he will try Friday to resurrect it."

· Survey: One in five gay men and lesbians in Britain suffer anti-gay attacks.

· Out.com's Model Citizen is Courtney, recently seen on Rod 2.0 in Paper's Obama-inspired fashion editorial. He prefers "briefs", not boxers, and "good sex, love, and trust."

· The fashionistas at Late Boots on DSquared's S/S 2009 collection. "This show included all the heavy hitters, the new school and the old. Supermodel Tyson Beckford leaded the pack showing that he still has it as the youngsters marvel at the possibility. All types of black hit the runway, showing that you can book a whole show and variety still stands."

· Poll: 59% of Californians, compared to 50% of Americans, "believe homosexuality should be accepted, not discouraged by society."

·  Over pride weekend in San Francisco, activists "plan to be on the streets during the festivities to inform people of the boycott and protest of the Human Rights Campaign's annual fundraising dinner in San Francisco next month, a major event that raises tens of thousands of dollars for the organization. ... The controversy stems from the HRC's decision last fall to support" the proposed version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in Congress that did not include the employment protections for the transgender. The trans-exclusive ENDA passed the House but has stalled in the Senate.

Profile at GayCities.com

The guys at GayCities.com, the gay travel and enetertainment web portal, interviewed me for their ongoing series on gay pride.  Comedian Kate Clinton, Dan Renzi, West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang, Steph & Alek from OhLaLa, and popular music blogger Arjan were also included in the series. It was very kind of them to include me.

Oh, and this is our birthday week and we'll be in Chicago for the next few weeks. If anyone wants to grab coffee or say hello over Pride or the Fourth, let me know.

R. Kelly Acquitted in Child Porn Trial

Moments ago, a Chicago jury acquitted Grammy Award-winning singer and serial pedophile R. Kelly on all counts of a 14-count child pornography trial. The acquittal comes after less than one day of deliberations Friday and ends a six year legal case.

Prosecutors had argued that a graphic sex tape showed Kelly having sex with a girl as young as 13 at the time. Both Kelly, 41, and the now 23-year-old alleged victim had denied they were on the tape. Neither testified during the trial.

The prosecution's star witness was a woman who said she engaged in three-way sex with Kelly and the alleged victim. Defense attorneys argued the man on the tape didn't have a large mole on his back; Kelly has such a mole.

Jasmyne Cannick has written extensively on the monthlog trial. The prosecution's case trial focused on whether the R&B superstar was the man who appears on a "sexually graphic, 27-minute videotape" and whether one of his on-screen female sex partners was underage. The graphic video was widely available across the internets and showed oral sex and waterspouts.

R. Kelly has a long history of allegations of sex with underage girls. A number of young women in the Chicago-area have rallied to his defense and his supporters accuse his critics of trying to cash in on his fame. Unfortunately, yet another black celebrity who routinely breaks the law and is lionized by our community.

Jury acquits R. Kelly of all counts [AP]
R. Kelly/‘Law & Order’ Category [J Cannick]
R. Kelly not guilty on all counts [Sun Times]

Rev. Wright "Resisting" Retirement

Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’s former pastor and longtime spiritual adviser, was to officially step down from his post at Trinity United Church of Christ on June 1. TIME reports the controversial pastor is "hanging on to power in the church he helped build" and "resisting" plans to retire.

Instead, on church bulletins on June 1, Moss was identified simply as "pastor" rather than "senior pastor," even as Wright assumed the title "pastor emeritus." Indeed, Trinity members familiar with the developments say that on May 27, Moss was summoned to the church's massive brown sanctuary for a meeting that included Wright, several church board members and other senior leaders. According to those sources, Moss, 37, expected the meeting to finalize transition plans. Instead, Wright suggested the board merely declare Moss "senior pastor-elect" because the younger cleric needed "supervision" — effectively ensuring Wright remains Trinity's preacher-in-chief. Wright's essential argument hinges on a technicality: Moss is an ordained Baptist minister who has yet to be fully ordained in the United Church of Christ.

Rev. Wright and his ministry became an issue in the presidential campaign after videotaped sermons on the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the black experience in America were broke by FOX News and circulated on YouTube. To address the concerns, Obama delivered a then-widely praised March 18 speech on race. In late April, Wright conducted a much-criticized media tour, including a speech and contentious question-and-answer session at the National Press Club. The next day, Obama denounced his "former pastor."

Last weekend, Obama resigned from the church after a longtime friend and a visiting pastor, Father Michael Pfleger, denounced Hillary Clinton from the pulpit in a racially charged rant.  Obama is no longer a member of the Trinity community, but, the church and his association with the pastor will undoubtedly remain a target in the general election.

Wright's resistance to retirement, and, the desire to 'supervise' the young pastor, exposes a major issue in black churches and the black community, i.e. succession planning and mentoring young leadership. IMHO, this was probably why Obama was not fully accepted by the old guard black civil rights leadership when he exploded on the scene in 2006.

The Unretirement of Reverend Wright [TIME]

More OBAMA
More JEREMIAH WRIGHT
More POLITICS

Some Background ...
Obama Resigns From Trinity [R20]
Obama "Outraged" by Wrights' "Ridiculous" "Rants" [R20]
NC Gov Endorses Clinton, NC/IN Polls Tightening [R20]
Wright at the National Press Club and Detroit NAACP [R20]
Wright on PBS: Obama "Says What He Has to Say as a Politician" [R20]
NC GOP Targets Dems with Obama/Wright Attack Ad [R20]
Teddy Endorsed Obama to Preserve JFK's Civil Rights "Legacy"? What Legacy? [HuffPo]
Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech [R20]
Obama and the Turban Non-Story [R20]
PA Debate: Meltdown and Morning After [R20]
"Bitter" Billionaire Fundraiser" [R20]
Obama Camp Provides Photo of Wright and Clinton [R20]
Obama to Make "Major" Speech on Race [R20]
Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Black LGBTs [R20]
McCain Aide Suspended, Circulating Wright Video [R20]

Re: Michelle Obama

FOX News, talk radio and a number of blogs are "reporting" a rumor about Michelle Obama and a purported videotape. There will be absolutely NO MENTION or DISCUSSION of this rumor in comments. If and when there is proof of the allegations or videotape, it will be reported. Until then it is off-limits and anyone commenting on the "news" will be suspended.

I'm already on the record for speaking out against smearing and spreading rumors against any of the candidates and/or their families. We all should do the same regardless of whom we support.

Obama Resigns from Trinity UCC

Barack Obama resigns from Trinity United Church of Christ.

Lynn Sweet at the Chicago Sun Times: "The Obama campaign in not confirming that Obama quit his church—but not saying the reports are wrong. Obama 'will answer questions this evening,' an Obama top adviser just told me."

The resignation comes just days after a visiting pastor and longtime friend of Obama delivered a blistering sermon that demanded reparations for slavery and attacked the "white establishment." Father Michael Pfleger, who is white, ridiculed Sen. Hillary Clinton, accused her of "white entitlement" and was loudly applauded and cheered by the congregation. Pfleger, mocking Clinton's misty-eyed moment in New Hampshire, pretended to speak in her voice, saying, "I'm white, I'm entitled, there's a black man stealing my show!" Watch Pfleger's rant:

"Thank God for the message and thank God for the messenger," said Trinity's new pastor, Rev. Otis Moss, after Pfleger's race-baiting.

Pfleger's sermon and longtime association with Barack Obama reignites concerns about Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the inflammatory former longtime Trinity pastor and the presidential candidate's longtime spiritual advisor. Obama said in a statement he was "deeply disappointed" with Pfleger, but, did not specifically address Pfleger's personal attack on Clinton. (Pfleger's sermon mirrored Wright's infamous Christmas Day sermon attacking the Clintons, also never addressed by Obama.) On the other hand, Sen. John McCain denounced Pfleger's attack from the pulpit as "unwarranted, uncalled for and disgraceful." This is the third time in recent weeks the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has spoken out.

The Archdiocese of Chicago and Cardinal Francis George have muzzled Pfleger.

More OBAMA
More JEREMIAH WRIGHT
More POLITICS

Some Background ...
Obama "Outraged" by Wrights' "Ridiculous" "Rants" [R20]
 Wright at the National Press Club and Detroit NAACP [R20]
Wright on PBS: Obama "Says What He Has to Say as a Politician" [R20]
NC GOP Targets Dems with Obama/Wright Attack Ad [R20]
Teddy Endorsed Obama to Preserve JFK's Civil Rights "Legacy"? What Legacy? [HuffPo]
Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech [R20]
Obama and the Turban Non-Story [R20]
PA Debate: Meltdown and Morning After [R20]
"Bitter" Billionaire Fundraiser" [R20]
Obama Camp Provides Photo of Wright and Clinton [R20]
Obama to Make "Major" Speech on Race [R20]
Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Black LGBTs [R20]
McCain Aide Suspended, Circulating Wright Video [R20] 

Chicago Tribune Profiles Home for Black HIV-Positive Men

If you have a few minutes, please read the Chicago Tribune's profile of Jo-Ray House, a home for HIV-positive men in Chicago. Jo-Ray was founded in 2003 by Ida Byther-Smith, diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1991 "and learned soon after that her husband had had affairs with men and women." Instead of venting her anger at  him, she took care of her husband until he died eight years and then ...

Byther-Smith cashed in her life savings and started Jo-Ray House in 2003 after meeting a man who contracted HIV through prison rape. His family threw him and everything he touched out when he told them he was HIV positive.

But it is her own experience that allows Byther-Smith to identify with the men on a personal level.

"[HIV] is a pot. It doesn't matter how you got in, whether you jumped in or got pushed," she said. "All that matters is we are all in the same pot."

Six men currently live at Jo-Ray House, they are all black, and these include gay and bisexual men. One resident, 52-year-old Ed Phelps, says he tested HIV positive three years ago on Valentine's Day and talks "about survivor's guilt and his 14-year battle with addiction. His partner died of AIDS soon after finding out he was infected, Phelps said. The hardest obstacle he had to overcome was social isolation, said Phelps, who was once married. 'I was angry with the universe,' he said. 'The real killer is not the possibility of a physical death, it's the social death.' "

There is a beautiful closing quote from Byther-Smith, who says her faith has kept her going. "God knew that there was going to be a little black lady in Chicago that would contract HIV from her husband. That was my destiny."

HIV-positive men find a true home and friends [Trib]

More HEALTH
More HIV
More CHICAGO

Some Background ...
GMHC's "I Love My Boo" Campaign [R20]
HIV Rates Rising Among Black NYC Gay Men [R20]
CDC Tracking "Serious" Strain of Syphilis [R20]
The HIV Morning After Pill? [R20]
Black Gay Men and "The Pill" [R20]
Jonathan Perry in "The Advocate" [R20]
Ending Black Homophobia Will Reduce HIV [R20]
Do You Disclose Your HIV Status? [R20]
Primetime Reports Black HIV Epidemic [After Elton]
"Out of Control: AIDS in Black America" [R20]
POZ Examines Race and the Down Low [R20]
HIV Rates Rise Among NYC Black Gay Men [R20] 
Phill Wilson: Candidates Must Address HIV/AIDS [R20]
POZ Examines Race and the “Down Low” [R20]
"Urban Rally Against AIDS" [R20]
The ABCs of Black HIV [R20]

Obama Talks to "The Advocate"

There is something for everyone in the LGBT community in this new interview in The Advocate with Democratic presidential front runner Sen. Barack Obama who talks with  Kerry Eleveld about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", ENDA, DOMA, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and, homophobia in the black church. It's probably his most extensive interview on gay, lesbian and transgender  issues and expands upon his earlier conversations with The Advocate and LOGO/HRC.

Obama outlines the basic LGBT legislation agenda that his Administration would push for, the building blocks we discussed last summer in a op-ed for LOGO. "I reasonably can see 'don’t ask, don’t tell' eliminated. I think that I can help usher through an Employment Non-Discrimination Act and sign it into law," the senator explains and reiterates support for "including gender identity in legislation. He admits passing a trans-inclusive bill is "going to be tough ... it is a heavy lift through Congress." Obama's answer on a trans-inclusive ENDA will probably infuriate some activists, but, it's the same position shared by Sen. Clinton. Realistic and consistent.

More realism in his answers on "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell":

I would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Obviously, there are so many issues that a member of the Joint Chiefs has to deal with, and my paramount obligation is to get the best possible people to keep America safe. But I think there’s increasing recognition within the Armed Forces that this is a counterproductive strategy.

The current Joints Chiefs Chairman, Admiral Michael Mullen, has said he would "love to have Congress make its own decisions" with respect to considering the repeal. Given the widespread support in Congress, that could probably happen in 2009 or 2010. This is a good position.

The senator also addressed the widespread criticism in the gay press and LGBT community over access and his reluctance to grant interviews. (First mentioned here in late February, more at Queery.) It's part of his "big tent" philosophy, he says. "I haven’t been silent on gay issues. What’s happened is, I speak oftentimes to gay issues to a public general audience. When I spoke at Ebenezer Church for King Day, I talked about the need to get over the homophobia in the African-American community, when I deliver my stump speeches routinely I talk about the way that antigay sentiment is used to divide the country and distract us from issues that we need to be working on."

Obama is absolutely correct. As we've mentioned several times, and, in our column in the current issue of The Advocate, Obma excels at framing LGBT issues for larger audiences, Clinton is much more wonkish and comfortable discussing policy and strategy with gay groups and our press. (PDF) In a perfect world, both of the candidates could do both, but, it is what it is. This is a good interview and congrats to Kerry Eleveld and The Advocate.

Obama Talks All Things LGBT [Advocate]

More OBAMA
More POLITICS

You May Have Missed ...
"I Have A Dream Ticket" [The Advocate]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [The Advocate + PDF]
A Tale of Two Cities [The Advocate]
Obama: Not "Very Christian" to Criticize Gays [R20]
Obama Buys Ads in Gay Newspapers in TX, OH [R20]
Obama: Hospital Visitation for Gay Couples is "Not a Special Privilege" [R20]
Right-Wing Townhall.com: "Obama Would Be First Gay President!" [R20]
Ten Things Obama Can Do to Win Pennsylvania [HuffPo]
Paging John Edwards and Barack Obama [HuffPo]
This Barack Obama Should Tell Bob Novak [HuffPo]
Why Obama is Losing Black Voters [HuffPo]
Welcome to the Campaign, Barack [HuffPo]
Teddy Endorsed Obama to Preserve JFK's Civil Rights "Legacy"? What Legacy? [HuffPo]
Hillary: The Advocate Interview [R20]
The Advocate: Clinton vs Obama [R20]
Rove on Obama: "Lazy" and "Basketball Playing" [R20]
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
Obama Addresses Homophobia and Anti-Semitism [R20]
HRC/Logo Forum: Obama Conference Call [R20]
HRC/Logo Forum: Morning After [R20]
Obama Meets the Press to Discuss Gays [R20]
Obama on McClurkin to "The Advocate" [R20]

 

Columnists Debate Michelle Obama's "Anger" and "Entitlement"

Last year, an AP headline described Michelle Obama as "sassy," this year she is "uppity" and "angry." Exhibit A, this video at the New York Times Bloggingheads TV. Ross Douthat of The Atlantic Monthly and Debra Dickerson of Mother Jones "debate whether Michelle Obama's anger will hurt her husband's campaign." Is she "entitled to it? Will it cost her husband the campaign? Douthat:

"There's something about Michelle Obama's anger that rubs me the wrong way... It's not like she doesn't have the right to be angry on behalf of the people still living in poverty, blacks on the South Side of Chicago ... It's when she gives the impression that she is angry on behalf of her self. There is something that rubs me the wrong way, I guess."

The New York Times panel also used "entitlement" to describe Michelle Obama and her supposed anger. That term is becoming becoming popular. Last month, Associated Press columnist Ron Fournier said the Obamas were "arrogant" and  "ooze a sense of entitlement." Ironically,  the "entitlement" phrase was originally a  Republicans frame against the Clintons, but, has been recently adopted by the Obama camp. Can't say we didn't see it coming.

More typecasting of Michelle Obama as the stereotypical "angry" black woman. Exhibit B, MJ Rosenberg at Talking Point Memo's TPM Cafe recently described how "white" Obama supporters were put off by Michelle Obama's "edge."

[Obama] grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia. He's mixed race. His father was African not African-American.He's easier to take for people uncomfortable with African-Americans. He does not seem like one of those civil rights activists or freedom riders. She does.

She seems like an "uppity" black woman and just the thought of her as First Lady sends shivers down some white spines.

Oh, and let's add that Rosenberg is an Obama supporter. Presumably he believes that gives him license to make racial generalizations and dismiss "those civil rights activists or freedom riders" as upsetting footnotes to history. Seems to be a trend in that crowd. Michelle Obama is no more "angry" than the average highly successful black professional, but, it's interesting that the supposed "anger" of a successful, Harvard and Princeton educated attorney is routinely dissceted by the punditry like a well-documented fact.

Video: Mrs. Obama's Anger: Is She Entitled To It? [NYT]
Race-Baiting and the Obamas [TPM Cafe]
Obama Walks Arrogance Line [AP]

Some Background ...
Newspaper Headlines Michelle Obama as "Sassy" [R20]
Paging John Edwards and Barack Obama [HuffPo]
This Barack Obama Should Tell Bob Novak [HuffPo]

ATA Airlines Files for Bankruptcy, Cancels All Flights

More news from the ever-increasing unfriendly skies of air travel. ATA Airlines, the Indianapolis-based discount carrier, becomes the second regional airline to shut down this week.

Bloomberg reports, "ATA sought U.S. Bankruptcy Court protection for the second time in four years late last night ... The company will no longer honor tickets or reservations, blaming high fuel prices and the loss of a contract for military charter flights for its demise."

Approximately 2,230 employees worked for ATA, "a fourth of them in Indianapolis, court papers show. ATA said in a recorded message this morning that all operations will cease by the end of today." News reports from Chicago Midway and New York's John F. Kennedy, where ATA had substantial operations, showed hundreds of stranded passengers.

On March 31, the Hawaiian carrier Aloha Air ceased operations on following its bankruptcy.

ATA Files for Bankruptcy [Bloomberg]
ATA Airlines Goes Bankrupt [CNN]