Hockey forward Mike Danton was arrested in California after allegedly hiring a hitman to kill Danton's supposed lover, reports the New York Daily News. Danton, a member of the near-championship St. Louis Blues, was arrested in San Jose on Friday. Authorities say Danton hired a killer to keep his gay lover from leaving him. Danton's manager concedes that his client has mental health concerns but that the arrest had nothing to do with a gay lover.
It's a first in the nation and possibly the world. San Francisco's City of Refuge United Church of Christ has a new gospel choir and it's comprised entirely of transgender individuals, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Transcendence Gospel Choir recorded its first CD, Whosoever Believes, last year.
The mainstream porn industry is effectively shut down for two months pending results of HIV tests for some of the industry's stars, reports Reuters. Industry insiders say they take hearty precautions in protecting against the spread of HIV with measures like monthly testing. But actor Darren James tested positive last week, according to the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare (AIM) Foundation. AIM says James may have contracted the virus a month ago while filming in Brazil on a non-condom film. At least one
other young actress with whom James has recently performed has also tested positive.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) was criticized by the WOW Report for allegedly censoring an act to honor filmmaker John Waters at the recent GLAAD Awards in Los Angeles. Musical comedian Tracy Ullman and Tony winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman apparently planned a comedic skit including profane lines from various Waters films. GLAAD told WOW the trio of comedians simply complied with a request to tame the act. Gay pop star George Michael says he'd like to have an on-camera kiss with pop sensation Justin Timberlake, reports Fox News Australia. Michael, 40, told a German magazine of his wish, but said Timberlake had not returned calls.
Reality stars of shows such as The Amazing Race, Big Brother, Boy Meets Boy, Real World, and Road Rules have formed 'The Reality Cares Foundation' (www.realitycares.org) to raise money for people affected by diseases such as Alzheimer's, breast cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. The Foundation kicks-off its first national event April 22 with 'The Real Deal' Chicago hosted by Tamron Hall of Fox News. The event will now be at Soundbar. www.realitycares.org/realdealchicago.
April's American Association of Retired Persons Bulletin contains a short feature on same-sex couples getting married in San Francisco. Under the heading 'Wedded Bliss' on page 2 in the AT DEADLINE section and with a picture of a female couple, the wording is as follows: 'Lisa Farnsworth, 53, and Nonie Syms, 61, (right) pose for pictures after
their wedding in San Francisco's City Hall. The Tucson, Ariz., pair was one of more than 4,000 same-sex couples granted marriage licenses before a California court ordered a halt to such unions last month pending the outcome of several cases on the issue.'
GDDW hosts the 2nd annual Gay Day at Dollywood Saturday May 22. Dollywood does not sponsor or endorse this event. Gay Day at Dollywood made its debut last year as the finale of events for the East Tennessee Pride Festival in Knoxville, Tenn. For info, see www.gaydaydw.com .
London's The Sun newspaper reports that actor Kevin Spacey was attacked by a mugger in a park there, suffering minor injuries.
Spacey walked to a nearby police station at 5 a.m. and said the thief stole his phone as he was walking his dog a short time before. The paper said the actor, long rumored to be gay, hours later withdrew the allegation.
To confront the current extraordinary challenges to our basic freedoms, the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights (CCDBR) will hold a major fundraiser Saturday, May 8. The event features an award for defense of civil liberties to internationally famous Chicago mystery writer Sara Paretsky, author of a series of detective novels which reflect her concern for upholding the Bill of Rights. The event is at Ann Sather's, 929 W. Belmont. Call (312) 939-0675; ccdbr@pobox.com .
— Tracy Baim
