Golan Cipel, the man former New Jersey governor James E. McGreevey identified as his gay lover, believes McGreevey is not gay, according to Advocate.com . McGreevey, who now works as an educational consultant and a childhood anti-poverty advocate, responded that he stands behind every word he has written in his book, The Confession.
The New Jersey Assembly Judiciary Committee approved Bill A3787, a civil-union item, by a 4-2 vote, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Gay-rights activists and same-sex couples said the bill does not go far enough to guarantee them the same rights as other married couples. The bill is expected to pass through the legislature, and could reach Gov. John Corzine's office by year's end.
New York City's Board of Health has withdrawn a proposal that would have let people change the sex on their birth certificates without sexual-reassignment surgery, The New York Times reported. Among other things, law enforcement officials wondered if inmates with altered birth certificates could be housed with female prisoners—even if they still possessed male anatomy. Among the organizations slamming the decision is New York City's LGBT Community Center.
The Rhode Island Supreme Court will decide if a lesbian couple can divorce if—in the state's eyes—they were never wed, according to The Los Angeles Times. Margaret Chambers, now 70, and Cassandra Orniston, 59, traveled to Massachusetts to marry in May 2004 during a brief period when out-of-state, same-sex couples could wed there. However, they filed for divorce in October.
The United States House of Representatives ethics committee has found that Republican lawmakers and aides did not adequately protect young male pages from former Rep. Mark Foley's advances, the Associated Press noted. The scandal involving Foley contributed to the GOP defeats in the Nov. 7 elections.
Christopher Robertson, a Lakeland, Fla., man whose mobile home was destroyed by fire last year in what he claimed was a homophobic hate crime, will be sentenced on Jan. 18 for torching the home himself, 365Gay.com reported. Robertson eventually pleaded guilty to arson, grand theft, making a fraudulent insurance claim, arson, burning to defraud and other charges, saying he needed money.
In Louisiana, suspected serial killer Ronald Dominique has said that he has killed almost two dozen men, according to The Times-Picayune. In a taped confession, Dominique recounted for detectives how he enticed his victims ( who were 16-46 years old ) with offers of money for sex; tied them up; and then raped and strangled them. In addition to Dominique's statements, authorities have DNA evidence linking him to the deaths of at least two men.
A North Dakota tribe has banned Rev. Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church from protesting a military funeral at Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, Advocate.com reported. Three Affiliated Tribes passed a resolution that prohibited the group—which believes that soldiers' deaths are God's punishment on the U.S. for allowing homosexuality—from appearing at the funeral of National Guard Corporal Nathan Goodiron.
In New York City, a Manhattan jury has ruled that Sgt. Robert Sorrenti, a gay cop, was discriminated against when he was rejected for a position in the youth services sector, according to Advocate.com . Two supervisors and Sorrenti are supposed to get about $500,000 each, but the city is appealing.
A new survey of approximately 7,500 people by San Francisco-based Community Marketing Inc., revealed that Canada is the No. 1 GLBT international travel destination, The Globe and Mail reported. Vancouver was rated the favorite Canadian city to visit, with Montreal and Toronto taking second and third, respectively.
California's newly sworn legislature picked up where the former one left off as Mark Leno, a San Francisco assemblyman, reintroduced a bill that would legalize gay marriage in the state, according to KESQ.com . However, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger could still be a formidable hurdle; he vetoed the same bill last year after it narrowly passed the legislature.
An unusual Nativity scene at the University of Texas features a gay couple, Gary and Joseph, instead of Mary and Joseph, as well as a terrorist as an angel and Lenin, Stalin and Marx as the three wise men, according to KVUE News. The scene was actually built by the Young Conservatives of Texas, who say that they're calling it an 'ACLU nativity scene' that includes positions taken by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair, who is gay, regretted taking part in a Brokeback Mountain comedy parody that included a sketch with altered images showing President George Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, according to the Seattle Post Intelligencer. The parody was filmed for the MusiMax music and entertainment channel but has leaked to French-language TV stations. 'I wouldn't do it again,' Boisclair said.
New Jersey Assemblyman Democrat Reed Gusciora has come out, telling New Jersey Network news show On the Record that he is gay, according to Towleroad.com . Gusciora said that he has never denied his sexual orientation, but decided to come out because his support of same-sex marriage caused others to ask if he is gay.
Human Rights Campaign, the nation's GLBT civil rights organization, has released 'Buying for Equality,' a new guide listing hundreds of popular American brands ranked on their company's GLBT inclusiveness, a press release declared. Companies and their products are compared using the organization's Corporate Equality Index, which evaluates GLBT workplace policies and practices. The document is available at www.hrc.org/buyersguide.
In California, the Campbell City Council has a groundbreaking new member: Evan Low, 23. According to AsianWeek.com, Low will be the youngest-ever as well as the first-ever Chinese-American and openly gay council member in Campbell. He came in second, winning one of the three open spots.
OutOnTheNet.com is a unique loyalty-based site and the first of its kind to target the GLBT market, according to a press release. What this online destination does is match LGBT consumers with businesses that cater to the gay and lesbian market. OutOnTheNet.com will focus on six key niche markets to offer online advertising information and solutions: travel, health, finance, technology, entertainment and fashion.
Serial bomber Eric Rudolph—who is responsible for the 1997 bombing of an Atlanta gay bar and the 1996 bombing at the Atlanta Olympics—is saying that his treatment in the Supermax federal prison in Colorado is meant to drive him insane, 365Gay.com reported. In a series of letters to the Colorado Springs Gazette, Rudolph says that he spends 23 hours a day in a 7-by-12-foot cell. In August 2005, Rudolph was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The Rev. Ted Haggard—the now-former leader of Colorado's 14,000-member New Life Church as well as the ex-head of the 30 million-member National Associaton of Evangelicals—is starting his recovery from his scandal involving drugs and a male escort, according to The Los Angeles Times. Haggard, 50, has turned himself over to a team of counselors who are assessing his state. The team's first item will be to get him to acknowledge any addictions and to be honest about his sexuality.
The anti-gay American Family Association ( AFA ) is asking its members to condemn Sears for running commercials on LGBT cable channel Logo, 365Gay.com reported. AFA chairman Donald E. Wildmon, in an e-mail to the organization's members, said that 'Sears advertising is financing LOGO's push to legalize [ same-sex ] marriage in addition to promoting the homosexual lifestyle.' The AFA already is boycotting Ford Motor Company over the automaker's support of the LGBT community.
Local Events
Suicide group: An LGBT suicide survivors' group meets every second and fourth Monday at Howard Brown, 4025 N. Sheridan. Contact Edmond Yomtoob, Psy. D., at 773-450-4434 or Edmond.Yomtoob@psychologistchicago.com .
Test factor: Project VIDA and AIDS Foundation of Chicago are collaborating on a new case management model that pairs clients and health case managers. Participants will be able to, among other things, experience support with one-on-one counseling and relax with complimentary alternative therapies. Contact Debra Jordan at 773-522-4570 or Luis Quezada at 773-277-2291 for more info.
Crisis on film: A screening of the African documentary Darfur Diaries and an accompanying fundraiser w/ DJ Eric Williams ( of Silver Room ) will take place at HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo, on Wed., Dec. 13, at 8:30 p.m. The entrance fee for the 21-and-over show is $10. See www.hothouse.net or e-mail gabe@hothouse.net .
The spirit of the season: The ALMA ( Association of Latino Men for Action ) Xmas Party and Senior Citizen Gift Drive will take place Fri., Dec., 15 at Nellie's Restaurant, 2458 W. Division, 7-11 p.m. ( Gifts should be limited to clothing, bedding, perfume/cologne, makeup, and/or accessories. Those wishing to 'adopt' a resident for Christmas should e-mail info@almachicago.org and state if you want a male or female, along with contact information. ) The suggested donation for the evening is $15. RSVP at ccastillon@almachicago.org .
House party: Northwestern University's and Yale University's gay and lesbian alumni groups will present 'Christmas with the Wrights, 1909: A Tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Oak Park' on Sat. Dec. 16 at 9:55 a.m. at 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. RSVP by Dec. 15—with name ( s ) of guests, college attended and class year—to kidlingo@uic.edu or M.J.Rosanova@aya.yale.edu . ( Alumni from Harvard, U. of C., UIC, Princeton, Cornell, Notre Dame and Duke are also welcome. )
Holiday cheer: Asians & Friends Chicago will hold its annual holiday party on Sat., Dec. 16, at Bucca di Beppo, 2941 N. Clark, at 7 p.m. The family-style Italian dinner will cost $30. RSVP at 312-409-1573 or see www.afchicago.org .
Jackie Frost: 'A Celebration of Winter Solstice: Our Relationship to Mother Earth, Spirit and Ourselves as Queer Women,' will be held Sat., Dec. 16, at 5209 N. Clark ( second floor ) , 1:30-3:30 p.m. RSVP space is limited to 15; contact Christinas@howardbrown.org .
'Everyday' people: Mark Murphy is presenting 'Everyday Things: Transparent Abstractions' through Sat., Dec. 30, at Zg Gallery, 300 W. Superior. Call 312-654-9900 or see ww.zggallery.com .
Train gang: American Rail Excursions, Inc., will sponsor a New Year's Eve trip from Chicago to New York City's Times Square on Sat.-Mon., Dec. 30-Jan. 2. The fare is $1,199 per person. See www.americanrail.com or e-mail tickets@americanrail.com .
A song in her heart: Lesbian recording artist Susan Werner will perform at Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee, on Sun., Dec. 31 at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $35. call 773-278-1830.
A very cool Yule: Congo Square Theatre Company will unveil its critically-acclaimed production of 'Black Nativity: A Gospel Song Play' to the Duncan YMCA Chernin Center for the Arts, 1001 W. Roosevelt, through Sun., Dec. 31. Tickets are $37, passes for seniors are $20 and student tickets are $15. Call the Congo Square Box Office at 312-587-2292 or visit www.congosquaretheatre.org .
Protective attire: 'Dress Up Against AIDS: An Exhibition of Condom Dresses' will be shown at Columbia College Chicago's Glass Curtain Gallery, 1104 S. Wabash, through Fri., Jan. 5. See www.colum.edu/criticalencounters.
Now fear this: SONiA and disappear fear bring their wide-ranging music to Red Line Tap, 7006 N. Glenwood, on Sat., Jan. 6, at 9 p.m. The cover is $10. See www.heartlandcafe.com and www.disappearfear.com .
Twistin' the night away: Prepare to dance, twist and doo-wop when the Coasters, Drifters and Platters perform at Centre East's stage at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, on Sat., Jan. 13 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 each. Call 847-673-6300.
Handel this!: 'Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah' is returning to Chicago's National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. There will be two performances— on Sat., Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Jan. 14 at 3 p.m.—at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress. Tickets are $29-$59. Visit the box office; call 312-902-1500; or see www.ticketmaster.com or www.auditoriumtheatre.org .
All around the world: 'Ethnic Dress: Art & Culture'—an exhibition that showcases 22 garments from such places as Afghanistan, Sumatra, Nigeria and North America—will run Mon., Jan. 15-Wed., Feb. 21 at C33 Gallery, 33 S. Wabash. Contact Nancy Julson at 312-344-6856 or see cspaces.colum.edu .
It's just physical: Advance tickets have gone on sale for Gunther von Hagens' Body Worlds 2: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies, which will open at the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, on Wed., Jan. 17. See www.msichicago.org or call 773-684-1414.
And isles to go before I sleep: 'Steppin' Razor: Voices of Caribbean Poets'—which will feature Caribbean poets Roger Bonair-Agard, Rohan Preston and Staceyann Chin with their different views of island life—will take place Wed., Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the School of the Art Institute Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan. Admission is $10 for the general public, $8 for students and nothing for SAIC students faculty and staff. Call 312 899-1229.
Political pun-dits: The political satire group Capitol Steps—which consists entirely of former Congressional staffers—will perform at the Centre East Theatre of The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, on Thurs.-Sun., Jan. 18-21. Tickets are $40-$45, depending on the day. Call 847-673-6300.
