A gay Maryland father who was forced to choose between custody of his son and living with his male partner has won court permission to reunite the household, The Baltimore Sun reported. A Montgomery County judge ended the four-year-old ban set by an Alexandria, Va., court.
In a statement, Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese remarked about comments U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia made recently at a Swiss law school, claiming there is no constitutional right to 'homosexual conduct.' 'Justice Scalia stubbornly refuses to see that all Americans have a right to liberty and privacy under the law,' Solmonese stated.
West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, 41, revealed that he is gay at the annual State of the City dinner at City Hall, according to the Sacramento Bee.
In California, a federal judge has dismissed a challenge to the Pentagon's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy—filed by the Log Cabin Republicans—on technical grounds, Yahoo! News reported. Filed in October 2004, the challenge was lodged on behalf of unnamed members who had either served or were currently serving in the armed forces.
Terminator 3 and Bloodrayne actress Kristanna Loken has revealed that she has dated both men and women, according to the Web site Digital Spy. The site related that the actress told Curve magazine that she has dated both sexes and that the relationships 'with certain women have been much more fulfilling, sexually and emotionally, than those with certain men.' She also said her parents are supportive of both her and her sister, a lesbian.
Gay activists are criticizing U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, for agreeing to be the graduation speaker at the Rev. Jerry Falwell's Liberty University May 13, according to Gay.com . 'John McCain has embarked on a dangerous policy of appeasement that coddles the anti-gay base of the Republican Party,' stated Eric Stern, executive director of the National Stonewall Democrats.
Local Roundup
Human touch: Center on Halsted's benefit gala, Human First, will take place April 8 at Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan, at 6:30 p.m. Among the event's honorees will be State Rep. Larry McKeon, State Senate President Emil Jones and activist Ruth Rothstein. The famed Irene Cara will provide entertainment. Call ( 773 ) 472-6469.
Suddenly cruisin': The Lakeside Pride Symphonic Band's spring concert, Cruisin'—Adventures on the High Seas, will take place April 8 at 8 p.m. at Northside College Preparatory School, 5501 N. Kedzie. See www.lakesidepride.org .
Cultural affairs: U.S. Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill., will be the keynote speaker at the Dr. Martin Luther King & Cesar Chavez Luncheon ( sponsored by the DuSable Museum of African American History and the Mexican Fine Arts Center ) that will take place April 7 at noon at Chicago Hilton Towers, 720 S. Michigan. Tickets are $125 each. Call ( 773 ) 947-0600, ext. 269.
Great Scott: Scott Free will perform with Jennie Urban and Michael Grimes while opening for Daemon recording artists Girlyman at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, on April 12 at 9 p.m. The cover is $10 ( and $12 at the door ) . See www.schubas.com .