Rod 2.0:Beta

Black Transgender Woman Found Murdered in Memphis

Being black and transgender in Memphis can be hazardous to your health.  About two weeks after a Memphis police officers were caught on videotape beating a handcuffed, black transgender woman in police custody, the body of another black transwoman was discovered, the victim of an apparent homicide.

WREG-TV in Memphis reports (and YouTube) the naked body of 20-year-old Rodney Whitaker was found "just steps away from a daycare, an abandoned apartment complex and a strip club. An employee at the daycare center discovered the body at around 7 a.m. ... One man said he heard a gunshot early in the morning." Reports say the woman was found lying in the grass with a gunshot wound, hence the screen capture above. The abandoned apartment building is described as and this is the second murder there in a year.

To add insult to the fatal injuries, the competing ABC 24 headlines their coverage as "Man Dressed As a Woman Found Near Daycare." Monica Roberts, the black trans activist who is quickly becoming one of our daily must-reads, takes the station to task: Since some media peeps refuse to crack open the AP Stylebook and read the rules for reporting on transpeople, "I guess I'll have to do it my damned self in order to honor the memory of my fallen transsistah."

Will the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County prosecutors fully investigate Whitaker's death?  A newly released surveillance tape shows on February 12, 2008 at least two Memphis police officers brutally assaulted Duanna Johnson while she was being held in the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center. Johnson, a transgender woman had been arrested on a charge of prostitution. Johnson has been since released and announced intentions to sue the city. Neither the city of Memphis nor the state of Tennessee offer discrimination or hate crimes protections for gay, lesbian or transgender persons.

Transgender woman murdered in Memphis [OutAbout]
Video: Transgender Woman Murdered [WREG YouTube]
Another T-Sistah Found Dead [TransGriot]

Los Angeles At the Beach Canceled, Organizers Cite "Harassment"

This weekend will be the 20th anniversary for Los Angeles’ black, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride extravaganza known as At the Beach Los Angeles Black Pride. Unfortunately, after a proud two-decade history of throwing a huge beach party at Point Dune Beach in Malibu, and, becoming the mid-summer destination on the black gay circuit, the event has been abruptly canceled. Those in the know  place the blame on the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department.

Reportedly, the authorities are demanding so-called "Special Conditions" that includes a 200% increase in fees  "to the tune of $18,000 and a reduction in the hours and operation of Pride, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this year," says Los Angeles-based Jasmyne Cannick. "They are claiming this is needed because of an incident that occurred last year, an incident in which the Sheriff’s are claiming a gun was brandished and a near riot erupted." Cannick says she attended last year's event and does not "recall" a handgun or any disturbance.

Organizers say the sheriff's department has forced them to jump through hoops for years. "The fact that ATB was not informed of the exorbitant increase until June 06, 2008 is obscene," says Wendell Carmichael, President of Los Angeles Black Pride. "It ... demonstrate[s] the unprofessional and relentless inequity this organization has had to endure over the past 17 years." Carmichael and others allege a pattern of "harassment and racism" well-known to many black gay men and lesbians, such as "including having their cars towed, getting ticketed, and unwarranted searches."

On a related note, organizers in Seattle canceled their black gay pride function scheduled July 18-20 due to "lack of interest." One black gay pride event has problems attracting a crowd, the other has too much of a crowd and can't afford the ridiculous licensing fee. Hopefully these events will resume next year. Hopefully.

City of Malibu and Sheriff’s Department to Black Gays: Not This Year [Jas Cannick]

Adulterers Larry Craig and David Vitter Co-Sponsor Marriage "Protection" Amendment

And now for the day's entertainment. Two United States Senators implicated in highly-publicized charges of extramarital sexual activity are among the first to co-sponsor the new marriage protection amendment that defines marriage as "only of the union of a man and a woman." Both of the names should be familiar to Rod 2.0 readers: De-closeted, anti-gay men's restroom cruiser Larry Craig and serial prostitution client David Vitter. Page One Q :

Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), who was arrested June 11, 2007 on charges of lewd conduct in a Minneapolis airport terminal, is co-sponsoring the amendment along with Sen. David Vitter (R-LA).

Craig, who entered a guilty plea to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct, was detained and charged for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a male undercover police officer. His arrest and plea became public two months later. At that time, Craig attempted to withdraw his plea and enter a new plea of not guilty. To date, his efforts have been denied by the courts.

In July of 2007, Vitter was identified as a client of a prostitution firm owned by the late Deborah Jeane Palfrey, commonly known as The DC Madam.

This isn't the first time the two disgraced adulterous senators have tried to defend marriage. Rewind to our first column in The Advocate last fall. "Vitter had also been racking up frequent-flier points in a New Orleans bordello," we wrote and "somewhere between floor speeches supporting 'traditional marriage' and cosponsoring a constitutional ban against same-sex marriage, the serial adulterer found time to call the escort service -- from the Senate Republican Cloakroom, reportedly." Only in the Republican Party can two men accused of being serial adulterers get away with such naked hypocrisy on so-called "family values." Oh, and it goes without saying the mainstream media will be slow to call them on their hypocrisy.

Full text of S. J. RES. 43 here, and, list of co-sponsors, including anti-gay former presidential Sam Brownback and anti-gay global warming denialist James Inhofe.

Craig and Vitter co-sponsor Marriage Amendment  [P1Q]

More LARRY CRAIG
More REPUBLICANS

Some Background ...
A Tale of Two Cities [Advocate]
5 Gay Men Describe Sexual Encounters with Craig [R20]
"Romney Threw Me Under the Bus" [R20]
Anti-Gay Vitter on DC Madam's Client List [R20]
Vitter Subpoenaed Regarding Prostitutes [R20]
Report: Anti-Gay Senator Patronized Brothel [R20]
Craig Inducted into Idaho Hall of Fame [R20]
Senate Republicans Knew About "Closeted" Larry Craig's "Weird Problem" [R20]
Larry Craig Vows to Remain in Office [R20]
Larry Craig Pays a Surprise Visit to Senate [R20]
News: Larry Craig Latest, David Vitter [R20]
Larry Craig Latest: "Not Guilty!" [R20]
Craig Latest: Wasn't Going to Run for Re-Election [R20]
Craig Latest: Maybe I Won't Resign After All [R20]
Craig Resigns Senate Seat [R20]
RNC to Larry Craig: Resign or Else [R20]
NY Post Runs "Are You a Gay Senator?" Quiz [R20]
Idaho's Largest Paper Calls for Craig's Resignation [R20]

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.

Cuban Catholic Church Opposes Gay Rights, First Gay Pride Cancelled

The Associated Press reports Cuba's Roman Catholic Church, long repressed under the Fidel Castro regime, is flexing its newly-liberated muscle to protest the communist government's growing support of gay rights: "Respect for the homosexual person, yes," said an editorial in Palabra Nueva, the monthly magazine of the Archdiocese of Havana. "Promotion of homosexuality, no."

The editorial referred to activities held May 17 by Cuba's Sex Education Center, which is directed by Mariela Castro, daughter of President Raul Castro. That's when the government announced it will offer free sex reassignment surgery for transsexuals although reportedly only "28 transsexuals have already expressed interest in the procedure" and "no firm start date has been set for the surgeries." The parliament is also investigating marriage equality for gays and lesbians

More disappointing news. Today would have seen the communist nation's first gay pride march, and, not coincidentally, police shut down the event moments before it was supposed to begin. At least two organizers were detailed. The march was not sanctioned by Cuba’s National Center for Sex Education. Cuba's gay and lesbian community is making some progress, but, sadly, the island remains a police state.

Cuba's 1st gay pride parade is scrapped [Chi Trib]
Cuban church protests support for gay rights [AP]

News: Marriage, Martha Stewart, Black Church and Gays, Pharrell

· Two-hundred and fifty evangelical Christian ministers arrive in Albany at the NYS Capitol to protest Gov. David Paterson’s directive requiring state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages. At the same time, the Empire State Pride Agenda releases the names of 335 clergy who support marriage equality for gay couples.

· Albany Times Union praises the governor. "In an age of divisive politics, it's almost astonishing to hear someone speak in a calm, clear voice—especially when his words have life-altering consequences for a significant portion of the electorate. But that was how Gov. David Paterson decided to inform the public of his May 14 executive order that New York should honor same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions."

· Martha Stewart denied permission to enter Great Britain because of her 2004 conviction for obstructing justice.

· Naomi Campbell pleads guilty for temper tantrum directed at two police officers at London’s Heathrow Airport.

· Social Security Administration must now recognize the children of same-sex couples.

· The Associated Press reports on the new transgender inclusive policy in the New York juvenile detention system that allows trans youth "to wear whatever uniform they choose, be called by whatever name they want and ask for special housing."

· Pharrell Williams has time to produce Madonna, cover fashion magazines, design clothing, design jewelry ... and now designs furniture.

· PrideSource reports on a town hall meeting in Detroit that brings together black gay men to "tackle the tough questions about the state of HIV for black men and how to fight" the epidemic in the black gay community.

· Rev. Dennis W. Wiley argues why the black church should support gay rights in The Daily Voice: "Because homosexuals are human beings who deserve the same rights as heterosexuals.  These people did not choose their sexual orientation. ... Many if not most of us in the black church are aware of this, but it is too difficult and uncomfortable for us to go against the grain of what has been taught to and instilled in us all of our lives. It is much easier for the black church to bash or ignore gay people, while at the same time exploiting their tremendous gifts and talents, than it is to become a safe space in which they can realize their full, God-given potential without having to hide in the closet."

New Poll Finds Widespread Intolerance of Gays in Jamaica

This is not surprising. The Jamaica Gleaner, the island's largest newspaper, commissions a poll on attitudes toward gays and homosexuality and finds Jamaica "remains unaccommodating of gay lifestyles."

70 per cent of respondents believe that homosexuals and lesbians should not be entitled to the same basic rights and privileges enjoyed by heterosexual Jamaicans. ... 26 per cent of respondents believe that homosexuals should enjoy the same level of lifestyle as other persons.

The study found that women are more accommodating of gay lifestyles. Some 34 per cent of them said gays should enjoy the same basic rights compared to 20 per cent of males who share this view.

The poll also asked voters about Prime Minister Bruce Golding and his recent anti-gay rant to the BBC. Golding claimed Jamaica would not be forced to accept gays and said an openly gay man would "never" serve in his cabinet. Many voters were pleased by their prime minister's bigotry and "in total, 45 per cent of respondents said they are more likely to vote for Golding and his party because of the statement." Apparently, demonizing the gay community pays off in the United States and overseas.

If there is a silver lining to be found in the disappointing response to the survey, it is the fact that the newspaper commissioned the poll. The Jamaica Gleaner is slowly making progress. Once known for publishing ridiculously homophobic stories such as "High School Girls Gone Gay", the editorials and op-eds are slowly taking a more progressive tone and are speaking out against the nation's well-publicized anti-gay violence. In February 2007 an editorial urged the legislature to end restrictions on sodomy and gay rights. Last month, the newspaper applauded the decision by the Red Stripe brewing label to withdraw sponsorship from the popular Reggae Sumfest.

Poll finds continuing intolerance for gays [JA Gleaner]

More JAMAICA

Did You Read? ...
JA Observer Applauds PM's Anti-Gay Rant [R20]
Jamaican PM Blasts Gays [R20]
"Flaunting Sexual Preference May Incite Violence" [R20]
Guyana Will Ban Anti-Gay Bounty Killer [R20]
Financial Probs for Anti-Gay Bounty Killer [R20]
iTunes Canada Pulls Anti-Gay "Murder Music" [R20]
Buju Banton Concert Cancelled [Club Rimshot]
Buju Banton Busted By The Bay [Keith Boykin]
Buju Banton Pro/Con [R20]
Beenie Man and Buju Banton Cancelled [R20]
JA Gays Oppose Boycott Over "Murder Music" [R20]
Church: "Ludicrous" to Condemn Anti-Gay Violence [R20]
JA Gay Activist Attacked by Mob Seeks Asylum [R20]
JA Mob Attacks Two Gay Men [R20]
Angry Mob of 2,000 Jamaicans Attack Gays [R20]
Did Jamaican Cops "Rescue" Gays? [R20]
JA Leading Newspaper Demands Equal Rights [R20]
Justice, Jamaican Style [R20]
Bloodlust at UWI [R20]
"One Gay is Dead, What's the Difference?" [R20]
"Jamaica, Island of Hate" [R20]
Justice, Jamaican Style [R20]
Jamaican Newspaper Criticizes Anti-Gay Laws [R20]
"Gay Panic" Defense in Brutal Slaying [R20]
Who Killed Ambassador Peter King? [R20]
"Gay Panic" in Killing of Popular Priest [R20]

News: Noah's Arc, Lawrence King, Black Gay Youth, DADT, Norway

· This is good news. In the next two weeks, cable network BET J will air a Noah's Arc marathon. Unfortunately, the time slots are gawd-awful so set your TiVo.  Despite the graveyard programming, syndicating the show to a non-gay themed network opens the series—and the upcoming film—to an entirely new audience. No word yet if the network will edit some of the more sexier scenes. This should be interesting to watch.

· Are Democrats reluctant to take on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"? "Since taking control of Congress in January 2007, Democrats have not convened hearings on the matter or taken up legislation that would let gays serve openly [in the military], although most party members favor repealing the prohibition." One Democratic congressman who tried to advance legislation "met quiet resistance among the more conservative Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee who feared the issue would prove too divisive among their constituents, particularly those on military bases."

· Op-ed at Scripps-Howard newspapers: The Pentagon policy is a "relic" that "belongs in the Museum of the 1990s, wedged between the Nirvana CDs and shares of WorldCom stock."

· Norway's parliament adopts a new marriage law that allows gays "to marry and adopt children and permits lesbians to be artificially inseminated. ... The new law is expected to enter into force at the end of this year or early next year."

· Report: Conjugal visits and condoms "could help reduce homosexual sex and slow the spread of HIV in Caribbean jails." Officials estimate 3 percent of male prisoners are HIV positive in Caribbean prisons.

· An update to the tragic story of Lawrence King, the 15-year-old openly gay California student shot to death by a classmate. KNBC-TV reports the arraignment of 14-year-old suspect Brandon David McInerney is postponed because prosecutors want the trial moved from juvenile court into the criminal courts.

· Cincinnati's CityBeat interviewed gay youth to understand "what it's like to be young and gay in the Queen City." Ryan Clark, 23, who is black, attended an all-white high school and "came out when [he] was 14 years old. ... I was considered the "gay kid" at my school as well, but the "gay black kid." There were already two minority labels I was struggling with." Ryan says there are fewer options for black gay youth in Cincinnatti because the city has few black gay men and "for some people, that's a struggle."

· Southern Voice profiles three gay youth centers in Atlanta, including the Evolution Center and its board members Joshua Robinson (left) and Anthony Jones. The center is "reaching out to historically underserved gay populations, like the many young black and Latino gay youth who make up Atlanta’s thriving ballroom scene. The Evolution Center hosted its own house ball in December, and partnered with another gay Atlanta house last month to help produce the Comic Book Ball."

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]

Rights Group Criticizes Gambian Dictator's Anti-Gay Death Threats

An update to the recent outrageous threats issued by a West African dictator who threatened to kill all homosexuals.

Three weeks ago, Yahya Jammeh, the president of The Gambia, ordered all homosexuals to leave the country and promised to "cut off the head" of any gay man remaining in the West African nation. The grandiose dictator, who also claims he can cure HIV/AIDS, also threatened legal action against any hotel, motel or landlord renting to known homosexuals.

New York-based Human Rights Watch criticizes the despicable comments and threats of anti-gay violence. "We urge you to publicly disavow threats and vilification directed against gays and lesbian people in Gambia," says the open letter signed by Scott Long, director of HRW's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program. "We ask you to affirm publicly and without equivocation that all people should enjoy their rights regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity," he wrote.

Long also "called on Jammeh to ask police to release all people still detained on charges or under suspicion of homosexual conduct and refrain from such arrests." Reportedly, about two weeks after Jammeh's outrageous public statements, two Spaniards "were arrested and accused of making a homosexual advance to two taxi drivers."

Let's wish for the best for our brothers and sisters in The Gambia and across Africa. The political climate in the States may not be to our liking, but, its a helluva lot better than what these people have to endure.

Rights group urges Gambian leader to disavow threats [AFP]

Some Background ...
Gambian President Threatens to "Cut Off the Head" of Homosexuals [R20]
Gambia: UN Rep Expelled After Doubting President's AIDS "Cure" [R20]
Gambian President Can Cure "HIV" [R20]