Rod 2.0:Beta

LA Sheriff to Expand Condom Distribution to Gay Prisoners

At the same time many states and municipalities are reluctant to distribute condoms in prisons, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca may expand an eight-year-old program at Men's Central Jail that distributes condoms in a unit for gay men, the Los Angeles Times reports.

"The nonprofit Center for Health Justice has been visiting the jail almost weekly since 2001, when Baca approved a small but groundbreaking program that allowed the health group to pass out prophylactics to inmates in a segregated unit for gay men. [The Center] has distributed more than 43,655 condoms to inmates since the project began, but said that is not nearly enough. ... The sheriff is pondering whether to expand it by doubling the number of condoms distributed to the 300 inmates within the segregated unit. It would be one of the most aggressive measures in the nation's jails and prisons to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, experts say."

LA County Sheriff officials say about 65 new HIV cases are detected each month.  On average "there are about 1,400 people in L.A. County jails with HIV each year" and the health cost is about $2 million per year.

Currently, only several jails in the United States—including some in San Francisco, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.—offer condoms to inmates. Condoms are also available to prisoners in Vermont. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) has sponsored legislation that would require condoms in federal prisons.

Gay Porn Burglar Twin Pleads Guilty

An update on the case of Keyontyli and Taleon Goffney, the troubled twin brothers who performed on popular black gay internet porn sites. In February 2008, the 27-year-old twins and their mother were arrested and charged in a multi-state crime spree. Taleon Goffney now pleads guilty to two robberies, reports the Philadelphia Daily News.

"Taleon Goffney, half of an alleged twin burglary duo who gained notoriety last year for their foray into the gay porn industry, pleaded guilty yesterday in Delaware County Court to two Wawa store rooftop burglaries. Goffney was sentenced to two to four years for burglarizing Wawas in Wallingford and Wayne by cutting rooftop holes to gain entry. He is expected to plead guilty in Philadelphia to similar burglaries with his brother, Keyontyli, on June 26."

The twins are suspected in as many as 45 rooftop burglaries in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. The twins' mother, Towana Goffney, is accused of standing watch as her sons broke into the two stores. Taleon Goffney, said to be the more athletic of the crime duo, faces additional charges for previously escaping from a moving police cruiser after "breaking a window by hitting it with his head" and performing somersaults and scaling walls to elude officers."

The twin brothers who performed as Keyon and Teyon at popular black gay porn sites such as Blackmen.net (nsfw), EbonyD (nsfw) and Cocoboyz (nsfw). Keyontyli gained some success as a mainstream model in at least one national underwear campaign.

Some Background...
Gay Porn Twins Suspected in Tri-State Robbery Spree [R20]
Gay Porn Twins Update: Mom Charged as Accomplice [R20]

Feds Charge Philadelphia Black LGBT Leader with Embezzlement

At the same time the Centers for Disease Controls reports black gay/bisexual men are the hardest hit in the "dramatic increase" in Philadelphia HIV infections, the former executive director of the city's largest black LGBT organization is indicted on federal charges of embezzlement.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports: "Officials announced Dorena Kearney, 52, was charged with misappropriating $138,000 in government funds for personal use while working at Colours. The executive director illegally used the agency's money to pay for plastic surgery, pet supplies and a vacation cruise, according to federal and city authorities."

Colours, funded by the Philadelphia Health Department, serves LGBT persons of color. Philadelphia Gay News reports Kearney was executive director of the organization "from 2001-07 and an employee there since 1999." City Inspector General Amy Kurland says Kearney opened credit card accounts in the organization's name and used the money "basically for a shopping spree."

Kearney's federal indictment is only the latest such incident in the black LGBT community. Michael Roberson, the longtime executive director of Brooklyn-based HIV/AIDS group People of Color in Crisis (POCC), was dismissed last August after a federal audit. Roberson had been accused of misappropriating POCC funds and even bailing friends out of jail with agency credit cards. Roberson has not been indicted or charged.

Some Background ...
Inquirer Reports Dramatic HIV, Ignores Black Gays [R20]
Philly Anti-HIV Campaign Definitely Not a "Hit" [R20]
"Fear Tactics" are Best Way to Reach the DL [R20]
Dismissal, Investigations Prompt Cancellation of Black Pride [R20]
Application, Park Fees "Never Submitted" for "Black Pride [R20]

"Democrat" Specter Votes with GOP to Oppose Obama's Budget

Well. That was fast.

A day after abandoning the Republican Party for the Democrats, saying the latter better represented his political philosophy, Specter voted against President Obama's budget, which he and other Democrats have described as a manifestation of the party's political philosophy.

Specter was joined in his opposition to the president by the entire GOP. Not a single Senate Republican voted to support the budget. Sen. Ben Nelson, a conservative Democrat from Nebraska, also voted no. It passed 53-43.

In related news: Specter is still opposed to Dawn Johnsen, Obama's nominee to lead the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, and says a filibuster of her nomination and the Employee Free Choice Act is "under consideration."

As we said yesterday during the non-stop virtual j/o session that followed Specter's big "announcement": "There is always a Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln or Evan Bayh ready, willing and able to vote with the Republicans." Just add Arlen Specter to that list of "Democrats" who cannot be relied upon to vote "Democratic".

Arlen Specter to Switch Parties and Run as a Democrat in 2010

In what has been described as a "seismic shift" and a reflection on the right-ward march of the Republican Party, moderate Republican Sen. Arlen Specter (PA) announces he will switch his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat, the Huffington Post reports.

"'I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary,' said Specter in a statement. 'Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.'"

"The move will give Democrats a filibuster-proof 60 vote majority in the Senate, presuming Minnesota's Al Franken is eventually seated. However, in his statement Specter said his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act—widely seen as a defense against a Republican primary challenge—will not change."

Specter supported the labor bill but (unfortunately) switched to be competitive in the Republican primary. Rasmussen has former Rep. Pat Toomey beating the Senator by 21 points in the GOP primary. As far as the 60-vote number, eh. There is always a Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln or Evan Bayh ready, willing and able to vote with the Republicans.

Specter is decent on LGBT issues. The Pennsylvania senator has a 70 percent rating (PDF) from the Human Rights Campaign for the 110th Congress. Specter was one of the original Senate co-sponsors of ENDA and co-sponsors the hate crimes bill. In contrast, Bob Casey, the Democratic junior Senator from Pennsylvania, has a 100 percent rating.

Think Progress reports Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) said that he, Sen. Bob Casey, and Vice President Biden had been lobbying Specter to switch.

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LaShawn Merritt and Team USA Sweep the Penn Relays

My, what an impressive baton you have there. Shawn Crawford on the left and Darvis Patton on the right, both looking mighty fit, at the Penn Relays. Many of the nation's—and the world's—best track and field athletes were at the 115the Penn  Relays at the University of Pennsylvania over the weekend.

USA swept the men’s and women’s 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays, going a long ways toward erasing the embarrassment and disappointment of the Beijing Olympics where both teams dropped the baton.

JUMP for complete coverage and more bulging track photos.

News: Oprah and Michelle Obama, Madonna, Terrell Owens, Marriage

· Legislation filed in Pennsylvania to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in housing, employment, and public accommodations.

· For the first time in nine years, Oprah Winfrey will share the cover of O with someone else: First Lady Michelle Obama.

· Connecticut legislature hopes to amend the state’s marriage laws to become gender-neutral since same-sex marriage is legal. Civil unions would be elevated into fully valid marriages by 2010. Legislation to amend Minnesota's marriage law to make it gender neutral is filed in the state Senate.

· Darian Aaron reflects on the ridiculously talented Billy Porter.

· Gov. David Paterson appoints two lesbian judges to the New York State Appellate Division, said to be "the first openly gay or lesbian members" to serve at this level.

· Vermont Democrats will fast-track a marriage equality bill expected to "easily" sail through both houses despite Republican opposition.  Republican Gov. Jim Douglas opposes gay marriage legislation "but won’t say whether he’d veto a bill until after it comes out of the Legislature. The Senate would likely have no trouble with a veto override but the House would have a tougher time."

· Terrell Owens is released from the Dallas Cowboys. Outsports reports the Cowboys "decided a $9 million cap hit was worth getting rid of the future Hall of Famer. Sources are reporting that Owens finally just became too much of a distraction to deal with any more. Where does TO take the show from here? About 10 teams either leaked or blatantly said they have no interest." The San Francisco Chronicle adds, "One NFL team after the next say they have no interest in Owens. ... Multiple team sources said the Raiders have in no shape or form discussed the idea of signing Owens." Ouch.

· Did Madonna undergo the "ribbon lift"? The 30-minute procedure uses a "dissolvable ribbon implant to lift neck tissues'. The effect lasts up to three years and look considerably more natural than a regular face lift."

· RNC Chair Michael Steele stepping down? "Steele was guest hosting blowhard gambling man Bill Bennett's conservative talk radio," reports Pam Spaulding. "And gave this response to the whispers that he should step aside. 'Aww, trust me. Not me Baby! Nuh-uh. Not happening. No way, no how!' "

· Meanwhile ... Steele has taken his blog down. After criticizing Rush Limbaugh and being "ripped apart" by conservative critics on his blog, Think Progress reports "in the past few days, Steele’s blog has been disabled and now just redirects to the RNC homepage. 'One has to wonder if the RNC has taken the site down in response to the attacks being launched.' "

First Choice's "The Player" in "Milk"

If your ears are very sharp and you're a vintage R&B and disco aficionado, you may have recognized one of the all time classics of the disco era was featured not once but THREE times in Milk and unfortunately did not make the soundtrack.  "The Player", from 1973, is a signature of the Philadelphia sound. The song was one of the earliest hits by the powerhouse girl group First Choice, who later recorded "Doublecross", "Love Thang" and the iconic "Let No Man Put Asunder", arguably one of the black gay anthem of the 1980s.

Above is YouTube of the 1973 original. If you really want to go there, listen to the Mousse T & Boris Dlugosch Moody Dub Mix below, which heavily samples the bassline and that fantastic violin and xylophone arrangement. Director Gus Van Sant used this arrangement three times, certainly for the music but probably because the iconic lyrics warn Harvey Milk of his impending assassination. Cold blooded son of a gun that's what he is ... he'll shoot down .. right down to the ground ...

1,000+ Rally at White House Urging Obama to Prioritize HIV/AIDS

More than 1,000 people rally on the White House urging the new administration to prioritize HIV/AIDS and put an end to HIV epidemic in the United States and across the world. Most of the marchers were black and HIV positive, many wearing hats and holding signs inscribed with the word "Hope" with the Barack Obama presidential campaign logo fused with the AIDS ribbon.

The rally attracted demonstrators from New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. The organizers are calling on President-Elect Obama to help people living with HIV and AIDS gain access to affordable housing, Medicare and Medicaid, and to increase funding for needle exchange and other prevention programs. HIV and access to housing and health care is a serious issue for black gay men.

In related news, the incoming administration's position on drugs and needle exchange is causing some concerns. Barack Obama supports needle exchange programs for intravenous drug users. The Huffington Post reports Jim Rastad, who is reportedly Obama's top choice for drug czar, opposes needle exchanges and argues for an escalation of the so-called War on Drugs. To be continued ...

White House Rally to Seek Guarantees for Funding [VOA]
Obama Drug Czar Pick: No Recovery from WoD [HuffPo]

More HEALTH
More HIV

Some Background ...
Black Baptist Convention FINALLY Mentions AIDS [R20]
HIV Spreading in NYC at Three Times National Rate Black/Latino Gay Men Hit Hardest [R20]
CDC: "Troubling" Rise in HIV Among Black Gay Men [R20]
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]
Suicide Tuesdays [R20]

Labelle at the "Out 100"

Photos by Rae Votta

Go behind the scenes and backstage with Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendry and Sarah Dash as the legendary Labelle performs at the 2008 Out 100 Awards. Darian Aaron uploads some video of the performance and notes there were a few technical problems with the sound system—"And Ms.Patti wasn't shy about addressing this onstage"—but says the evening and performance was "fabulous."

Patti Labelle tells Out.com the group never made a "conscious effort" to pursuse a heavily gay audience. "Our conscious effort was to pursue a great sound and a great look. And it just so happened that gay people followed, and thank God they did. They’ve been in our lives, in my life, forever. .. . The only plan we did consciously make was to look outrageous so that people would come to our shows [and say,] 'Oh, look at those crazy ladies.' But once they’re there, they’ll see we have something to say."

On Stage: Labelle Performs [Out.com]
Back to Labelle [Out.com]

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First Listen: "Roll Out" New Single From Labelle [R20]