Ecuador to crack down on clinics that 'cure' gays

BY GONZALO SOLANO, ASSOCIATED PRESS

QUITO, Ecuador -- Ecuador will investigate and act forcefully against any clinics found to be trying to force homosexuals to change their sexual orientation, a Health Ministry official said Thursday.

Gay rights activists in the South American country say four clinics that engaged in coercive practices, three in the capital, have been shut down in recent months but that others still to operate clandestinely.

"Sadly, authorities have not yet taken the corrective measures necessary to regulate the work of clinics that offer 'de-homosexualization' treatment,'" said Efrain Soria, director of Fundacion Equidad, an anti-discrimination group.

Click here to read the complete article.

Mayors, activists to speak at first Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber 'State of Our Community' luncheon

The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has announced its first "State of Our Community' luncheon to be held Feb. 9 at the Hilton Miami/Downtown hotel.

Four mayors will speak: Carlos Gimenez (Miami-Dade County); Tomás Regalado of Miami; Jim Cason of Coral Gables; and Matti Herrera Bower of Miami Beach. Also giving reports: C.J. Ortuño, executive director of SAVE Dade; and Stratton Pollitzer, deputy director of Equality Florida.

Here are details from the gay chamber:

Miami, FL – Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce presents the 1^st Annual "STATE OF OUR COMMUNITY" Luncheon, featuring four area mayors, on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at the Hilton Miami/Downtown, 1601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Luncheon Sponsor – Shutts & Bowen, LLP - Doors open at 11:30am, with a sit-down luncheon served at 12:00pm. Program begins at 12:15pm. $35.00 - MDGLCC members - $45.00 - potential members. $12.00 reduced Valet parking or self-parking. Space is limited! Make your reservations today!

The four mayors featured are: The Honorable Carlos A. Gimenez, Mayor, Miami-Dade County; The Honorable Tomás Regalado, Mayor, City of Miami; The Honorable Matti Herrera-Bower, Mayor, City of Miami Beach, and The Honorable Jim Cason, Mayor, City of Coral Gables. Stratton Pollitzer, Deputy Director, Equality Florida and CJ Ortuno, Executive Director, SAVE Dade will kick-off the luncheon with a summary of the local/state LGBT Legislative items.  A Q&A session will close the lunch. The focus of the “State Of Our Community” luncheon will be on the most important legislative issues, with particular attention to those issues which impact the LGBT Community.

“It is important for the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to help create a dialogue between our community’s advocacy goals with business leaders in south Florida,” said Steve Adkins, President and CEO of MDGLCC. “It is an honor to have 4 such distinguished mayors attending our inaugural event and, we plan to schedule this “State of Our Community” luncheon to be an annual part of our outreach platform.”

MDGLCC is the largest not-for-profit corporation in the county for gay and lesbian businesses. With membership on the rise, the Chamber's mission is to promote a unified and thriving, gay and gay-friendly, business and professional community throughout Miami-Dade County. Our goals are to promote networking within the existing gay and gay-friendly business and professional community, to promote business opportunities for Chamber members, to promote Miami as a year-round, gay and gay-friendly tourist destination, to provide resources for our members, and to provide outreach from our community to other organizations.

Reservations: mdglcc@bellsouth.net, 305-673-4440, 786-586-4286. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. ADVANCED PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD REQUIRED.

South Florida gay writer Paul Harris dies at age 53

South Florida Gay News reports sad news:

Paul Harris, a local gay freelance journalist who had written for more than one hundred publications worldwide, has passed away.

I met Paul years ago through NLGJA, the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association. In 1998, I wrote this:

Paul Harris, a freelance writer and playwright, hasn't been seen much in South Florida since becoming homeless in the recent Kings Point condominium fire in Wilton Manors.

"Dec. 18, " Harris says. "With the water and the smoke damage -- all my furniture, my carpeting, my books were totally damaged. Luckily, my computer survived. And some ceramics by my former lover, who died of AIDS, were saved."

Since the fire, Harris, 39, has been living temporarily in New York. He plans to come back this weekend for the South Florida premiere of his new play, To Have and to Hold, at the Edge Theater in South Beach.

The play, set in South Beach, is about "two gay men, HIV-positive and in their 30s . . . who meet through an ad and try to have a relationship, " Harris says. "It's about the greatest risk a human being makes -- getting to know someone else. It's about going for it, no matter what."

Harris knows of what he writes: He is HIV-positive, having been diagnosed 14 years ago.

"Aug. 30, " he says. "It's funny the dates you remember. The date your apartment burns down and the date you are diagnosed."

Click here to read Paul's obituary in South Florida Gay News.

Maine poised for 2nd public vote on gay marriage

BY GLENN ADAMS, ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Gay rights activists in Maine, the only New England state that doesn't allow gay marriage or civil unions, said Thursday that they are forging ahead with plans to put the marriage question up to a second statewide vote.

EqualityMaine, the Maine Civil Liberties Union and the Maine Women's Lobby have collected more than 100,000 signatures - far more than needed to seek the referendum - and made their announcement Thursday at the State House.

The Legislature previously approved gay marriage, but it was rejected by a 2009 statewide vote, 53 percent to 47 percent. If Mainers approve gay marriage, the state would be the first to do so by a popular vote.

Click here to read the complete article.

Rep. Barney Frank to marry longtime partner

BY ANDREW MIGA, ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Retiring Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank, a gay pioneer in Congress, plans to marry his longtime partner Jim Ready of Maine.

A spokesman for Frank confirmed Thursday that the congressman's wedding will be in Massachusetts, but said no date had been set.

The Democrat announced last fall that he was retiring at the end of his 16th term.

Black leaders: No vote on civil rights after New Jersey governor says poll voters on gay marriage

BY ANGELA DELLI SANTI, ASSOCIATED PRESS

TRENTON, N.J. -- Two of New Jersey's most influential black leaders blasted Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday for proposing gay marriage be put to a popular vote in November, but the Republican governor insisted he's offering a reasonable compromise amid his personal opposition to same-sex nuptials.

Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver and Newark Mayor Cory Booker said in separate forums that civil rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and don't belong on the ballot.

Booker said baseball great Jackie Robinson would not have had the opportunity to break the sport's color barrier had the matter been put to a vote, and the mayor himself would not have had the opportunity, years later, to be elected to lead New Jersey's largest city. Oliver said in a statement she was offended by Christie's comment Tuesday that bloodshed may have been avoided in the South, and people would have been happier, if the civil rights issues of the 1960s were settled by public referendum.

Click here to read the complete article.

Tim Gunn of 'Project Runway': I haven't had sex in 29 years

Tim Gunn, star of Project Runway, tells People.com that he hasn't had sex in 29 years:

Gunn said the reasons for his abstinence are rooted in psychological issues from an old relationship. "It's very personal," he said. "I was in a very intense relationship for a long time. And my partner ended it, saying that, quite frankly, he was impatient with my sexual performance."

Gunn, 58, says that when he stopped having sex, the AIDS epidemic was just beginning.

Click here to read the complete article.

Be sure to read the comments.

My favorite from Frank: "I'm so not shaking his hand."

Video | National Gay-Straight Alliance Day message from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan

From The White House blog:

Since taking office, President Obama and his Administration have taken many steps to ensure that all students are safe and healthy and can learn in environments free from discrimination, bullying and harassment.

Bullying is an epidemic that has gone ignored for too long, and far too many of our young people are targeted and harassed based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  But across the country, Gay-Straight Alliances and other similar student groups are taking important steps to address these issues.

Last year, President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and others welcomed students, parents, and teachers in addition to non-profit leaders, advocates, and policymakers to the White House for a Conference on Bullying Prevention.  Also last year, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan wrote a “Dear Colleague” letter to school districts across the country in support of Gay-Straight Alliances.  And today, on the occasion of the first-ever National Gay-Straight Alliance Day, Secretary Duncan has taped a video message to students, teachers, and allies to re-emphasize the Obama Administration’s commitment to safe schools for all students.

Gallery | South Florida models strut in Papi underwear to raise money for lifeguard foundation

Five lifeguard/models donned Papi underwear for a fashion show Tuesday night at MOVA Lounge in South Beach. Drink proceeds from the show, sponsored by the South Florida Lifeguard Association, benefitted the United States Lifesaving Foundation, according to promoter Thomas Barker.

Click here to view a gallery from the event. Photos by STEVE ROTHAUS / Miami Herald Staff.

Cynthia Nixon's 'choice' remarks to New York Times land her in hot water with some gay activists

Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon, who came out as a lesbian in 2004, has caused a controversy by telling The New York Times that for her, being a lesbian is a choice:

“I gave a speech recently, an empowerment speech to a gay audience, and it included the line ‘I’ve been straight and I’ve been gay, and gay is better.’ And they tried to get me to change it, because they said it implies that homosexuality can be a choice. And for me, it is a choice. I understand that for many people it’s not, but for me it’s a choice, and you don’t get to define my gayness for me. A certain section of our community is very concerned that it not be seen as a choice, because if it’s a choice, then we could opt out. I say it doesn’t matter if we flew here or we swam here, it matters that we are here and we are one group and let us stop trying to make a litmus test for who is considered gay and who is not.”

Some gay activists are upset with Nixon's "choice" comments could cause a political backlash.

"She needs to learn how to choose her words better, because she just fell into a right-wing trap, willingly.  When the religious right says it's a choice, they mean you quite literally choose your sexual orientation, you can change it at will, and that's bull," writes John Aravosis of AMERICAblog.

What do you think?

Click here to read the complete New York Times article.

University of Wisconsin athletic official resigns after male student reports he grabbed his crotch

ASSOCIATED PRESS

MADISON, Wis. -- A University of Wisconsin student alleged that an athletic department official grabbed his crotch at an alcohol-fueled party during the football team's trip to the Rose Bowl, according to an independent report released by the school on Tuesday night.

The report says the student alleges former senior associate athletic director John Chadima put his hand down the student's pants at the end of a party in Chadima's suite at a Los Angeles hotel on Dec. 31.

The student - identified only as John Doe in the report - said he was "shocked and frightened" and slapped Chadima's hand away.

Chadima was put on administrative leave on Jan. 6 and resigned the same day. He previously had issued an apology for a "lapse in judgment," and issued another statement through his attorney Tuesday.

"I make no excuses and have come to the realization that over the past few months, alcohol had controlled and consumed my life," Chadima said. "I am taking steps to correct that problem in my life at this time. I will take full responsibility for my lack of judgment and actions that evening."

Click here to read the complete article.

Gallery | Elliott Gould at Miami Jewish Film Festival

Movie star Elliott Gould spoke to a packed audience Tuesday night following a screening of his new film, Dorfman, at the Miami Jewish Film Festival. Also with Gould: Dorfman producer Len Hill and director Wendy Kout; and Avital Epstein, director of the short film Peace at Home, also screened at the festival.

Gould will also speak after today's 3 p.m. screening at Regal South Beach Stadium 18, 1120 Lincoln Rd. Tickets: 888-585-FILM (3456).

Photos by STEVE ROTHAUS / Miami Herald Staff.

HRC: Mitt Romney’s tax returns reveal at least $35,000 in donations to anti-LGBT groups

Human Rights Campaign has scrutinized Mitt Romney's just-released tax returns and found contributions of at least $35,000 to "groups actively working to halt the spread of LGBT equality."

Here's the HRC news release with details:

Romney Gave to Massachusetts-based Group Advocating for Ex-Gay Movement

Washington – The tax returns for Mitt Romney's charitable foundation reveal that the GOP presidential hopeful has given at least $35,000 in recent years to groups actively working to halt the spread of LGBT equality and, in some cases, intentionally demonize LGBT people. The revelation comes two weeks after Romney said in New Hampshire that he opposed discrimination against LGBT Americans. But according to CNN, Romney donated to the extremist group Massachusetts Family Institute, as well as the Becket Fund. The Massachusetts Family Institute received $10,000 from Romney in 2006, while the Beckett Fund received $25,000 in 2009. The donations came from the Tyler Charitable Foundation, set up and funded by the Romneys.

“This is just another example of Mitt Romney saying one thing while doing the complete opposite. It’s crystal clear that while Governor Romney claims to oppose discrimination, he is beholden to groups who make it their mission to vilify LGBT people,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Romney’s financial support of extremist groups is indicative of a politician with rising national ambitions who knew he had to cozy up to those on the far-right in order to secure his party’s nomination.”

The Massachusetts Family Institute has long been a vocal opponent of marriage equality, and believes sexual orientation is a choice that can be cured. From their website: “Our compassion is for those struggling with same-sex attraction and we encourage the healing of individuals who wish to change their choice of lifestyle…”

The group also is ruthless in its dedication to distorting programs intended to reduce bullying and make schools safer, more welcoming environments for all students. It says gay-straight alliances may violate the Constitution and parental rights, and says associated programming pushes a radical, pro-homosexual agenda. The organization has said HRC’s Welcoming Schools initiative isn’t actually about addressing and preventing dangerous bullying, but instead is aimed at teaching “children at the youngest ages about homosexual relationships and same-sex parenting.”

Romney also gave a significant sum of money to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan, interfaith group dedicated to protecting the expression of religious traditions. The group is vehemently anti-marriage equality, and has argued that allowing committed same-sex couples to marry would trigger a wave of litigation for religious organizations objecting to performing or recognizing such ceremonies in states across the nation. The organization also compared pro-equality demonstrations during the time when Proposition 8 was a hot-button issue in California to the actions of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda.

Lesbian Air Force officer to sit with first lady at State of the Union; SLDN 'reminds Americans LGBT service members still not equal'

News release from Servicemembers Legal Defense Network:

(WASHINGTON, D.C.)  Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) Executive Director, Army Veteran Aubrey Sarvis, issued the following statement regarding the selection of Air Force Col. Ginger Wallace of McLean, VA, to be seated with First Lady Michelle Obama when President Obama delivers his third State of the Union address tonight:

"This is a clear victory in the fight to achieve full equality for service members.  In his 2010 State of the Union, President Obama committed to repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' and indeed, it would not have been possible without his determination to do so.  Even as we celebrate this milestone tonight, let us not forget that our work is far from done.  While gay and lesbian service members may now serve openly if they choose, they are still not serving equally.  They are without the same protections from harassment and discrimination that are afforded others, and legally married gay and lesbian service members do not receive the same recognition, support, and benefits for their families as their straight married counterparts.  We must keep fighting until the mission is complete."

South Africa: Zulu king denies anti-gay statement

BY DONNA BRYSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS

JOHANNESBURG -- South Africa's government human rights agency said Tuesday it is investigating whether the Zulu king made comments that could increase anti-homosexual sentiment in a country where gays face hatred and attacks despite liberal laws ensuring their rights.

The Times, a Johannesburg newspaper, reported that King Goodwill Zwelithini called homosexuals "rotten" during a speech. Human Rights Commission spokesman Vincent Moaga said the newspaper stands by the story, but the king's office said the king was mistranslated.

Click here to read the entire article.