Author: Randy Slovacek

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Kentucky anti-bullying law voted down

The House Education Committee voted down an anti-bullying bill Tuesday that identified classes of students who might be harassed by their peers.

The vote came after parents and friends of teenagers who killed themselves to end incessant school bullying told lawmakers about the need for stronger protections for all students.

Several lawmakers on the panel contended that existing anti-bullying laws are sufficient. Rep. Ben Waide, R-Madisonville, said House Bill 336 was an attempt “to achieve equality by making some people more equal than others.”

He said the measure was not about bullying, but “about gay rights in our schools.”

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville, disagreed.

She said the bill provides protections based on a student’s actual or perceived race; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity; physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability; and other distinguishing characteristics, as recommended by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

More at Kentucky.com

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Madonna has some advice for Adele

Madonna has dealt with just about everything in her 33 year career and she’s imparting some of her wisdom to Adele.

“Adele’s a great talent and how much she weighs has nothing to do with it. The thing for Adele to remember is at the end of the day, whether you rise or fall, it has so much to do with how you sustain yourself and keep your integrity and your inner strength.”

Madge said that the most important thing for Adele to remember is that she must learn how to sustain herself and keep her integrity and her inner strength.

I think those are smart lessons for just about everybody.

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Barbra Streisand “Gypsy” movie may happen – Downton Abbey writer hired for script duties

Julian Fellowes, an Emmy and Golden Globe winner for TV’s Downton Abbey, will write the screenplay for the much-discussed remake of Gypsy starring Barbra Streisand as Mama Rose.

Fellowes, also an Oscar winner for the screenplay for 2001’s Gosford Park, has been hired by Streisand and fellow producer Joel Silver, who are developing the project for Universal, according to a press release.

Gypsy, a Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents about , is a perennial favorite for musical fans. It was previously filmed in 1962 with Rosalind Russell and Natalie Wood and remade for television in 1993 starring Bette Midler. The role of Mama Rose, who sings such legendary songs as “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Rose’s Turn,” is considered by many the most challenging role in musical theater.
(source)

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Ben & Jerry’s renames flavor to support marriage equality

With the debate for marriage equality taking place in England’s Parliament this month, Ben & Jerry’s UK arm has renamed their Apple Pie “flavor” as “Apple-y Ever After.”

It echoes their celebration of Vermont’s passage of gay marriage in 2009 with the “rebranding” of Chubby Hubby as “Hubby Hubby.”

The ice cream maker is also teaming up with Stonewall to launch a new Facebook app today that asks users to ‘marry’ each other online.

‘Proposing’ through Ben and Jerry’s, users can voice their support for marriage equality and add their name to a letter to prime minister David Cameron backing the move.

Laura Doughty, Stonewall’s Deputy CEO says “We’re truly moved by Ben and Jerry’s support for same-sex marriage in Britain.

“All people want is to call their long-term relationship by the same name as everyone else. Our strong advice to those who disapprove of same-sex marriage is just not to get married to someone of the same sex.”

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Maine legislators send marriage equality initiative to the voters; polls show likely to pass

The Maine House of Representatives unanimously voted this morning to send an initiative on marriage equality directly to voters. House Speaker Robert Nutting, R-Oakland, recognized Minority Leader Emily Cain, D-Orono, to make the motion. Cain is a supporter of gay-marriage.

“We just think this should be decided by the voters,” said Cain’s spokeswoman Jodi Quintero. “We would like to see this citizen initiative succeed.”

A recent poll from PPP shows that Maine voters are likely to approve it:

It looks like Maine voters will reverse their 2009 decision and legalize gay marriage in the state this fall. 54% think that gay marriage should be legal to only 41% who think it should be illegal. And when we asked about the issue using the exact language voters will see on the ballot this fall, they say they’re inclined to support the referendum by a 47-32 margin.

Republicans’ opinions are pretty much the same as they were in 2009. But Democrats’ support for gay marriage has increased slightly, from 71% to 78%. And more importantly independents have gone from voting against gay marriage 52/46 three years ago to now supporting it by a 57/36 margin.

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Denmark may pass marriage equality this summer

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt on Tuesday said the government will introduce draft legislation this week to legalize same-sex marriages later this year, a move which had been expected for years.

ut Thorning said the Danish government will submit a draft legislation on Wednesday which will allow same-sex couples to get married at both City Hall and the Church of Denmark if they find a priest who is willing to perform the wedding. Although some church leaders have spoken out against same-sex marriage, previous surveys have suggested that as many as 70 percent of priests are willing to marry same-sex couples.

The Danish Government is ready with the Law Proposal, which will take effect in June 2012. It is important step for our society, which recognizes the individual’s differences and the individual’s equality within the society, regardless of who you are, and regardless of who do you love, says PM Thorning. She calls the Law Proposal a completely natural and the right step in the moden Denmark. It will be up to individual priest though to decide, whether they would want to bless the homosexual couples in the church, the PM informs.

In 1989 Denmark was the world’s first nation to offer federal domestic partnership recognition.

Read more here.

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Delta Airlines supports GLAAD

From GLAAD: Millions of travelers from all across the globe will learn about the need for vital LGBT-inclusive workplace protections with the release of a new full-page ad appearing in this month’s issue of ‘Delta Sky Magazine.’

The ad reads in part: “Today, in 29 states, a person can be fired from their job simply for being lesbian, gay or bisexual. In 34 states, a person can be fired from their job simply for being transgender.”

Readers are directed to glaad.org to learn more about how they can support the LGBT community.

Delta Sky is the world’s most-read onboard magazine with a circulation of over 5 million and introduces readers to the people, places and subjects that define our ever-evolving world. The ad, which was created by GLAAD, also commends Delta for its ongoing commitment to equality.

Delta Air Lines was designated as one of HRC’s ‘Best Places to Work’ for LGBT employees in 2011, and continues to earn near-perfect scores on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index.

Delta Air Lines is also the Local Presenting Partner of the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, as well as the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles.

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Adele’s “Someone Like You” told through the story of Brokeback Mountain

So, when I came across this I expected some cute editing and double entendres.

I wasn’t prepared for how well done this would be. I loved the beauty and simplicity of the movie Brokeback Mountain and the work done by all the actors in the movie. Paired with the open, raw honesty of Adele’s hit song “Someone Like You” is a great fit. Kudos the the editor, Gomnitus.

Brokeback Mountain won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and was honored with Best Picture and Best Director accolades from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Golden Globe Awards, Producers Guild of America, Critics Choice Awards, and Independent Spirit Awards among many other organizations and festivals.