Ben & Jerry's is celebrating the beginning of same-sex marriage in Vermont with the symbolic renaming of its well-known ice cream flavor "Chubby Hubby" to "Hubby Hubby," according to a press release from Freedom to Marry.To kick off the celebration, Ben & Jerry's and Freedom to Marry will publicly support the first marriages of the state's same-sex couples and raise awareness for marriage equality by urging people to visit FreedomToMarry.org . "Hubby Hubby" will be served through Vermont Scoop Shops throughout September.
In New Jersey, former officer Robert Colle has settled a lawsuit against the police department for $415,000 after accusing his superior and fellow officers of harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation, Advocate.com reported. Colle, who had been on leave for two years, has permanently resigned as part of the settlement.
In California, the mother of late gay inmate William Sams recently settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with Sacramento County for $1.45 million, according to the Bay Area Reporter. Sams, whom a jail document once called "flamboyant," died from a perforated peptic ulcer in June 2006, days after being arrested for cocaine possession. Sams was deemed medically fit to be in jail, but died "a slow, painful death."
Youth Radio has reported that Petty Officer Third Class Joseph Rocha was brutalized for more than two years at his base in Bahrain after fellow servicemembers first thought he was gay, according to a press release from the Palm Center. The pattern of abuse even involved hog-tying him to a chair and pushing him, while still bound, into a dog kennel full of feces. Following his return from the Middle East, Rocha— a military police officer with anti-terrorism training who graduated at the top of his military class—was discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." His superior, Chief Michael Toussaint, has been promoted to senior chief.
In Texas, James Lee Whitehead—who often performed as entertainer Niki Hunter—was fatally shot by a police officer who was shooting at a man who attacked Whitehead, according to MySanAntonio.com . Officer William Karman repeatedly fired his gun at suspect Jesse Ramon, who was one of three men who attacked Whitehead and who was advancing upon Karman. The police determined that Whitehead's death was not a hate crime. Ramon survived four gunshot wounds.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has fired two of its agents as well as their supervisor in the wake of a June 28 raid of Fort Worth gay bar The Rainbow Lounge, the Los Angeles Times reported. The raid, which fell on the 40th anniversary of the police raid on New York's Stonewall Inn, resulted in one individual being rushed to a hospital with head injuries. The firing occurred after a report found that the agents violated several policies.
A team based at California's Scripps Research Institute is reporting in the journal Science that they have isolated two antibodies that can block the action of many strains of HIV, possibly preventing the disease from becoming severe. The scientists isolated two antibodies, PG9 and PG16, from one African patient. At least 33 million people worldwide are infected with HIV, and AIDS has killed at least 25 million individuals.
Levi Johnston—the father of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's grandbaby—is going to pose in Playgirl, although he won't be fully nude, according to XBiz Newswire. After reading about Johnston's willingness to pose nude in a Vanity Fair article, Playgirl photo coordinator Daniel Nardicio got in contact with Johnston's manager. In addition, StraightCollegeMen.com has offered Johnston $25,000 for a solo masturbation scene and Unzipped magazine is offering a cover story and nude photo layout; he has yet to accept either. Playgirl published its final print issue last November.
Former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean has filed a lawsuit against beauty-pageant organizers, saying that she was wrongfully fired for not supporting same-sex marriage, Reuters reported. "There was a strained relationship, and it became that way when she gave that answer and would not back off of it. That's what this is really all about," Prejean's attorney, Charles LiMandri, said. Pageant officials said that Prejean did not make appearances on their behalf.
Albert L. Gordon, an attorney who challenged anti-gay laws during the 1970s and '80s, died Aug. 10 in Los Angeles of natural causes at the age of 94, according to the Los Angeles Times. Gordon, a heterosexual who had gay twin sons named Harold and Gerald, became a lawyer in his late 40s. Gordon is survived by one son, Harold, and his second wife, Pearl.
In New Jersey, Harrah's Entertainment is sponsoring "OUT in Atlantic City" Sept. 25-27, according to PR Newswire. The festivities will include appearances by Lance Bass and cast members of the TV series The L Word, as well as a "Cabana Party" and a "Catwalk Party." "Out in Atlantic City" will partly benefit the South Jersey AIDS Alliance; see www.Harrahs.com/GetOUTinAC or www.ticketmaster.com .
A historical marker honoring lesbian writer Natalie Barney has been proposed for Dayton, Ohio, according to Advocate.com . The city's Cooper Park could soon be a home for the memorial, which would make Barney's sexual orientation clear. Barney ( 1876-1972 ) wrote quite a bit on feminist and lesbian issues.
Martha Coakley, the Massachusetts attorney general who filed a lawsuit against the federal government in July saying that the Defense of Marriage Act is discriminatory, plans to run in the special election for the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy's seat, according to 365Gay.com . The primary election for Kennedy's seat will be held Dec. 8, with a general election scheduled for Jan. 19, 2010.
Thousands of women are slated to appear in Key West, Fla., through Sept. 13 for the 23rd annual Womenfest, according to a press release. The popular festival for lesbians and their friends features activities ranging from women-only snorkeling and water-sports excursions to high-energy late-night dance parties. See www.womenfest.com or call the Key West Business Guild at 305-294-4603.
Ben & Jerry's is celebrating the beginning of same-sex marriage in Vermont with the symbolic renaming of its well-known ice cream flavor "Chubby Hubby" to "Hubby Hubby," according to a press release from Freedom to Marry. To kick off the celebration, Ben & Jerry's and Freedom to Marry will publicly support the first marriages of the state's same-sex couples and raise awareness for marriage equality by urging people to visit FreedomToMarry.org . "Hubby Hubby" will be served through Vermont Scoop Shops throughout September.
In New Jersey, former officer Robert Colle has settled a lawsuit against the police department for $415,000 after accusing his superior and fellow officers of harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation, Advocate.com reported. Colle, who had been on leave for two years, has permanently resigned as part of the settlement.
In California, the mother of late gay inmate William Sams recently settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with Sacramento County for $1.45 million, according to the Bay Area Reporter. Sams, whom a jail document once called "flamboyant," died from a perforated peptic ulcer in June 2006, days after being arrested for cocaine possession. Sams was deemed medically fit to be in jail, but died "a slow, painful death."
