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VIDEO: Huntsman Pitches New Hampshire Voters on "SNL"

GOP presidential candidate and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman appeared on NBC's Saturday Night Live. The candidate traded in some self-deprecating humor about his poll numbers on "Weekend Update." "Just a few months ago, we were polling at the margin error, so to have any digit at all is a pretty big deal," Huntsman said.

Huntsman is skipping the social conservatives-dominated Iowa Republican caucus. The candidate has "pinned virtually his entire campaign on winning the first-in-the-nation primary in New Hampshire" and joked about his Granite State "obsession."

FWIW: Huntsman comes across as the most reasonable GOP presidential candidate—which means he probably won't be nominated. Watch it AFTER THE JUMP ...

REPORT: Salt Lake Police Reopen 1978 Murder of Black Gay Activist

An interesting piece of news coming from Utah. The Salt Lake City Police Department has reopened the 1978 murder investigation a young, Black, gay political activist, reports QSaltLake.

Twenty-five-year-old Anthony Adams was the campaign manager for the Socialist Party in Utah and a gay-rights activist. Adams was found brutally stabbed to death in November 1978. Adams was one of four violent murders of closeted and prominent gay men in Salt Lake City during November and December 1978.

The Salt Lake Police Dept. described Adams as "a member of a local radical element." The murders contributed to the climate of paranoia around progressive activists in ultra-conservative Utah in the 1970s. Also: The murders of gay men in Utah happened around the same time as the assassination of Harvey Milk.

On Nov. 6, 1978, Bill Woodbury, Adams’ boyfriend, Rev. Bob Waldrop, and another friend went to Adams’ apartment. They were concerned because no one had seen or heard from him for several days. After climbing in through a window, Woodbury found his boyfriend in the bedroom, naked and covered with blood. Adams had been stabbed repeatedly with a butcher knife and his throat slit. An autopsy showed that he had been dead for several days and murdered on Nov. 3.

Coincidentally, police detectives were still investigating the death of 16-year-old Sharon Schollmeyer who was found strangled to death in the same apartment building in December 1977.

[Activists] accused the police of dragging their feet investigating the recent murders of homosexuals . [Police] denied the charges, claiming that murders were being “rigorously” investigated and that a suspect in the murder of Doug Coleman, another gay man, was in the state mental hospital for observation.

Community leaders were not satisfied with the officials’ responses and claimed that they had inside knowledge from a “closeted police officer” that some officers in the police department joked about Adams’ death, saying, "Nigger, Queer, Communist — Three Strikes You’re Out."

The Socialist Workers Party claimed that Adams had been "harassed by police and entrapped in a sex charge" only weeks before his death.

Shortly before his murder, the city vice squad had arrested Adams for soliciting sex acts for hire. The police claimed that Adam’s phone number had been scrawled in a telephone booth and in restrooms throughout the Salt Lake area. The vice squad officers then called the number and arranged to meet him for a “sex act.” Upon meeting with Adams they arrested him. Shirley Pedler, director of the Utah ACLU, upon learning about this situation questioned Chief Willoughby about this method of locating "sex offenders."

Adams and the city's emerging gay community had a number of successful accomplishments in 1977: "Activists protested Anita Bryant’s appearance at the Utah State Fair, forced the state not to hold church sponsored dances in the capitol’s rotunda, forced the Hotel Utah to pay a settlement for breaking a contract, and helped more and more people to come out of the closet."

Many activists in Salt Lake City believed that the police were "covering up the murders" or that "someone in the department was the killer." The loss of Anthony Adams and the fear around the murders caused a halt to SLC's gay activism for the next four or five years.

More at QSaltLake ...

Huntsman Enters 2012 Race and Campaigns on Civil Union Support

PHOTOS: REUTERS

Former Utah governor and US ambassador to China Jon Huntsman announced his bid for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination and intention to take on former boss Barack Obama. In a speech with the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop, Hunstman promised voters a civil campaign that will be focused on "who will be the better President, not who’s the better American."

Watch the announcement AFTER THE JUMP ...

Hunstman is positioning himself as an "unconventional" moderate in an already crowded Republican field, notes BusinessWeek. The former Republican governor is also "seeking support from LGBT Republicans" and hoping to attract independents by his record on LGBT issues in Utah, reports Gay Politics.

"On the domestic front, and as it specifically pertains to our greater LGBT community, Governor and Mrs. Huntsman are particularly supportive of our issues," wrote Charles T. Moran, an openly gay Republican political consultant, in a letter to potential LGBT donors.

Moran was likely referring to a 2009 announcement by the then-governor’s staff that he endorsed a bill that would have provided civil unions for same-sex couples in Utah, a move that shocked the political establishment at the time. He also supported laws banning employment and housing discrimination against LGBT Utahns, according to the Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder.

While Hunstman has been steadfast in his opposition to marriage equality and abortion rights, he’s refused to back off these more moderate stances on LGBT issues as he gears up for a presidential run. In efforts to talk about his support for civil unions with socially conservative groups, Huntsman’s operatives say his views allign with those of former President George W. Bush. The campaign has not addressed whether that includes amending the U.S. Constitution to outlaw marriage for same-sex couples, an effort Bush supported.

Huntsman is skipping the social conservatives-dominated Iowa Republican caucus. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won that contest in 2008

And in what could possibly be interpreted as a reflection of Huntsman's perceived viability, his official announcement today "drew the first direct response from the Obama campaign to any new GOP presidential contender," reports ABC News.

Watch the announcement AFTER THE JUMP ...

BYU Suspends Star Basketball Player for Sex with Girlfriend

Brigham Young University has suspended one of its star basketball players for violating the school's honor code. Six-foot-9 forward Brandon Davies' transgression: Having sex with his girlfriend.

The honor code at the Mormon-affiliated university requires students to "live a chaste and virtuous life." In addition to premarital sex, students are also required to attend church regularly and abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee and substance abuse. "Davies will be suspended from the team for the rest of the season and, according to [a] spokeswoman, his future at the school has yet to be determined," reports the Washington Post.

Davies is also "one of only three Black players on the team," which ranked third nationally, reports Outsports. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints officially ended its historical exclusion and teachings against Blacks in 1978.

Davies' suspension was announced Wednesday before the team faced off against New Mexico. BYU was upset 82-64. On Saturday, the team clinched a 102-79 victory over Wyoming. Davies was "allowed to help the team cut down the net after they clinched a share of the conference regular season title," reports the New York Daily News. 

"If the school was willing to suspend its top-ranked basketball team’s leading rebounder and No. 3 scorer for having sex with his girlfriend," asks Outsports. "What would they do to a gay student? The students would be lucky if they were only kicked out."

NEWS: Target, Marsha Ambrosius, Blake Griffin, Kehinde Wiley

Idaho rejects  LGBT non-discrimination bill. Again.

Rio de Janeiro gets its first female police chief.

Chicago: Target to open in historic Carson's building designed by Louis Sullivan.

After protests following its financial support of an anti-gay  gubernatorial candidate, Target "quietly" issues a new policy "to restrict how the company's funds are used for political purposes." 

Bankruptcy judge approves Borders plans to close stores 200. Full list of closures HERE.

Boehner punts on GOP effort to complicate DADT repeal: "We’ll see what the committee recommends."

  Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to return to WWE.

California TV weatherman pleads guilty to lewd act. 

New art exhibit in Kansas City explores cultural myths—from gay "bear" subculture to the masculine "nobility" of out artist Kehinde Wiley.

NBA All Star Weekend begins and  Blake Griffin loses a friend to cancer. "When reporters entered the locker room after the [Timberwolves] game, Griffin's [head] was in his hands after receiving a phone call and he was sobbing. Griffin, who is scheduled to compete in the dunk contest on Saturday, did not speak to reporters."

Budapest gays go to court over parade ban.

  Edmonton: Soldier sentenced to 12 months for punching gay man and bragging about it on Facebook.

Marsha Ambrosius discusses her new album and the fantastic new video for "Far Away". "For two openly gay males—black males at that—to be shown in [that] light was a very surreal moment for many. A point in making the video was to [show] they were happy and in love and open to loving one another in front of whomever, and to establish their relationship outside of what the world thought; they thought the world of each other."

PHOTO: Shani Davis Wins at Opening of US Speedskating Races

An brilliant high-speed image captured by the Salt Lake Tribune as Shani Davis dominates the first men's race of the U.S. Speedskating Championships in Utah. The four-time Olympic medalist and eight-time world champion claimed the men’s 5,000 meters in 6:25.03. Davis also won the 500-meter race.

A strong comeback after two weeks ago in Japan, when the Olympic hotness lost the 1,000 meters after a 15-race winning streak at the World Cup. Bravo.

NEWS: Nicki Minaj, Bronx, DADT, Kenya, Jamaica, Trey Songz

Kenya: CCTV cameras "in all prisons" to discourage gay sex.

 Wilson Cruz strips down for the holidays.

Future Vogue cover boy Amar'e Stoudemire to launch fashion line with Rachel Roy.

Trey Songz  "furious" over persistent gay rumors.

Jamaica: Student "forced to flee dorm" after students share his videotaped same-sex fantasies . "The tape, which made its rounds on the campus in late November into early December, was about 30 minutes long and involved the student sharing deep secrets and fantasies with the boy he thought was his new-found friend." [The student shared] the names of those he found attractive. [He] revealed that he had a crush on his roommate, but admitted that he could not make a move as his roommate 'is not into those type of things.'"

Wentworth Miller caught "cruising" ...

Nelly confirms that he's available ...

College students name Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Nicki Minaj as "People of the Year" for combating homophobia.

Chicago: Windy City Times editorial criticizes dismissal of veteran activist Rick Garcia

After sadistic gay-bashing gang initiation, Bronx residents discuss tolerance. "The town hall-style meeting was held a short walk from the vacant house where several young men were viciously beaten in early October. While condemning the attacks, the Bronx Community Pride Center hopes some good can come of them; that the attacks can kick-start a borough-wide conversation and ultimately prevent future hate crimes."

"DADT" lawsuits remain active for now.

  Modelizer: Remi in Bello.

Federal judge hears spousal benefits case: "[Karen] Golinski is suing the Office of Personnel Management and its openly gay director, John Berry, over its refusal to authorize the coverage. The office has argued that the federal Defense of Marriage Act bars the government from recognizing same-sex unions. Golinski works as a staff attorney for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and her boss, Chief Judge Alex Kozinski, has twice ordered the office to allow her to add her wife of almost two-and-half years to her employer-sponsored family health plan."

VIDEO, PHOTOS: Utah Jazz Fans Mock, Taunt "Pilgrim" Kobe Bryant

Besieged basketball diva Kobe "Pilgrim" Bryant was warmly greeted by Utah Jazz fans at last night's playoff game ...

Maybe the "iconic" look is working out for him. Despite the distractions, Kobe scored 35 points and led the Lakers to a 111-110 win. During half-time, Kobe's father Joe Bryant was interviewed and fans taunted the baller on-air. More images and watch the interview WHEN YOU JUMP ...

News: Darryl Stephens, Constance McMillen, Johnsen, Zack Dezon, HIV

· Openly gay Episcopal bishop in Utah?

· Zack Dezon's photos of Kevin Vasquez get much larger when you click them.

· HIV cases spike in Syracuse among young black gay men.

· Two Miami-Dade brothers charged with Medicare fraud for $14M in bogus billing.

· Dawn Johnsen withdraws her nomination to become Asst. Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel. "Despite being recommended by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a party-line vote, the Senate stalled Johnsen’s nomination for over a year. Senate Republicans, joined by Ben Nelson (D-NE) and other conservative Democrats, threatened a filibuster. President Obama could have appointed Johnsen during a recent slate of recess appointments, but declined to do so." 

· FOX News Poll: Tea Party viewed less favorably than IRS.

· Pharrell Williams launches teen news website.

· Lance Bass, Green Day and Cat Cora to throw a prom in Itawamba County, Mississippi "open to everyone but geared toward LGBT youth in response to Itawamba School District's refusal to throw a prom because Constance McMillen wanted to bring a lesbian date."

· Everything you always wanted to know about Darryl Stephens but were afraid to ask.

· Shakeup at the largest LGBT health center in the Midwest.  CEO and CFO at Howard Brown Health Center in Chicago are ousted.

Utah Delays HIV Funding, Asks "Doesn't Obamacare Pay for This?"

Utah Republicans are so incensed over federal health care reform that they have shelved their state's share of funding under the Ryan White CARE Act, the federal grant that helps pay for drugs and other services for low-income people who are very ill or terminal with HIV/AIDS. "Doesn't ObamaCare pay for this?" asked the Republican state Senate president, who questioned the "need" for the federal grant for "life and death" HIV drugs in his state, reports the Deseret News.

Senate President Michael Waddoups ... said he would not vote for the grant, which has never been questioned in previous years, until all his questions were answered. Waddoups noted that voicing his concerns should not be read as intending harm or preventing necessary medications from being delivered to Utahns who receive them under the grant. The earliest the grant will be considered is at the committee's next scheduled meeting in May ... Waddoups and other Republicans questioned why "Obamacare" wouldn't pay for the drugs. One health official said that when the law fully kicks in, in 2014, such payments will be covered by the new federal program.

At one point, Rep. Jennifer Seelig, D-Salt Lake, sighed audibly as GOP members kept asking what harm would come by waiting until May to consider the grant, which would allow staff time to provide answers to their concerns as well as background information about the program. "I'm really troubled" by the GOP questions, said Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, noting that it was unclear to her if her fellow committee members were troubled about the grant's implication in their minds of health or lifestyle of homosexuals or if it was just motivated by an anti-reform stance.

Every year the state grants $2 million to the program and the federal government matches the grant 2 to 1, allocating an additional $4m for drugs for low-income persons with HIV/AIDS. Utah has never missed its grant application, authorities say.

Utah is one of a number of conservative states that are suing the federal government over health care reform. Utah has also passed a law saying its residents can opt out of the federal mandate to buy health insurance. 

In related news: Thursday, April 8 will mark the 20th anniversary of Ryan White's death from AIDS. Born a hemophiliac, the Kokomo, Indiana boy contracted HIV from a blood transfusion when he was 13 and was expelled from middle school because of his infection. Ryan White was 18 when he died.