Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill Monday that overturns Metro’s nondiscrimination ordinance.
It took months of debate before Nashville passed the measure prohibiting companies that work with the city from discriminating against gays and lesbians.
The Human Rights Campaign responds: “Discrimination should have no place in the Volunteer State and the Chamber’s opposition to this law sent a strong signal that corporations are on the leading edge of positive change,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “In contrast Governor Haslam has put discrimination ahead of the state’s values and even business interests by signing this horrible legislation.”
Major corporations spoke out against the bill and in favor of workplaces that respect and welcome all individuals. Since the bill passed late last week, Aloca, FedEx, AT&T, KPMG, UnitedHealth Group, Whirlpool, Comcast and other companies publicly disavowed the bill.
To think that Nashville wanted to add “sexual orientation” to their non-discrimination statute and the state legislature literally is saying “no, it’s ok to discriminate against gays and lesbians.”
Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah apologized again Monday for directing an anti-gay slur at a fan during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, and was fined $50K by the NBA.
Noah and NBA officials met Monday morning. The league had no immediate comment, but Noah said he emerged from that talk prepared to “pay the price” for what happened when he returned to the bench with two fouls midway through the first quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Miami Heat.
“The fan said something that was disrespectful towards me,” Noah said. “And I went back at him. Got it on camera. I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. Anybody who knows me knows that I’m not like that. I’m an open-minded guy. I said the wrong thing and I’m going to pay the consequences — deal with the consequences — like a man. I don’t want to be a distraction to the team right now.”
Television cameras captured Noah saying an expletive, followed by the slur. Noah said he did not realize the gravity of the situation until he was questioned by reporters after the game Sunday, adding that he meant “no disrespect” to anyone.
Last month, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers was fined $100,000 for directing the same slur toward a referee.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or GLAAD, said it reached out to the NBA and the Bulls on Monday “to discuss next steps,” and called upon the league to reiterate to its players that anti-gay words should not be tolerated in the game.
“Last month the NBA sent an important message about how such slurs fuel a climate of intolerance and are unacceptable,” GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios said in a statement. “These anti-gay remarks, coming so soon after, demonstrate how much needs to be done.”
Also Monday, the Human Rights Campaign called Noah’s use of the slur “just plain unacceptable.”
“At a time when the NBA and a growing number of pro-athletes are publicly standing up for equality, it’s too bad Mr. Noah worked against their efforts last night,” HRC President Joe Solmonese said. “That said, we’re pleased he quickly realized the error of his ways and apologized.”
Noah repeated often Monday that he was apologetic for the incident. He said he would “learn from my mistakes,” and acknowledged that being frustrated over picking up his second foul did not excuse his words.
I appreciate that he apologized. And I understand there’s a lot of testosterone in the game. BUT if these guys make huge amounts of money based on skills and discipline that got them to where they are – then surely they can exercise enough “discipline” to not fall in the easy trap of using anti-gay slurs. I believe a message does need to be sent – especially so soon after Kobe Bryant was caught doing the same thing. Kids look up to these athletes and when they see this behavior slide, they think it’s ok to do it too.
In 2001, I was cast in the Broadway musical “Seussical” before it closed. I had been working in Philadelphia at the Walnut Street Theater assisting a director and acting as dance captain for a production of “A Chorus Line.” Shortly before opening in Philly, “Seussical” called and, having previously auditioned for the choreographer Kathleen Marshall, offered me a job. I knew “Seussical” wasn’t doing well in terms of ticket sales, but it was limping along. And I had recently returned to NYC from the West Coast with the intention of performing on Broadway again. But before I said yes, my agent asked about the show possibly closing and the casting director said “we wouldn’t be hiring Randy if we were closing.” So for the first time in my life, on a Sunday night, I gave my notice. The next day Walnut Street Theater found my replacement and sent out contracts. The next day, my replacement signed the contracts and sent them back. And on Wednesday, as Walnut Street received my replacement’s contracts, I got word – three days after I had given my notice – “Seussical” posted it’s notice. No way out – I was out of both jobs. I had to leave four days later. For a week and a half I wandered around NYC depressed that this “thing” had happened to me. I whined in my head as I walked the streets of the upper west side – “but I’m a good person… woe is me…”
Then, as I was leaving an audition for Susan Stroman’s “Thou Shalt Not” (the casting folks seemed to like me, then they did not) I got a call from the Roundabout Theatre Company. Aldrin Gonzalez had given his notice to leave “FOLLIES” and when asked, Kathleen Marshall remembered me getting the short end of things said “Call Randy Slovacek” (I had auditioned for “FOLLIES” back in the original auditions). They called, said if I fit the costumes the job was mine. I quickly – and hopefully – asked ‘who is leaving?’ (Please please please let me fit the costumes…) Upon hearing Aldrin’s name, I literally ran that minute the two blocks from the audition from which I had just been cut to the Belasco Theater on 44th Street to try on the costumes, knowing they would fit. (Thank you Aldrin, thank you Aldrin, thank you Aldrin…) Not only did the costumes fit, but the show was a great fit for me. I LOVED joining such a wonderful company. I had replaced in Broadway shows before and it’s not always the case that you are so warmly welcomed into an already running show. Everyone was so supportive and friendly. I thoroughly enjoyed doing “FOLLIES” – the material was intoxicating just to be a part of. But more than that, I loved the company. For one week, I rehearsed during the day and watched the show at night from the back of the house. And then it was show-time. A funny story about my first performance: Rehearsals had been very low-key as I was only in three numbers in Act Two and had about six slow crosses through the “party” as a waiter in Act One. So the stage manager would walk me through my crosses and directed my moments of interacting with the other actors. Easy-breezy. One more thing: I would be one of the first actors to enter at the top of the show after a brief prologue featuring Judith Ivey. After her short first scene, a door would open and I was to lead the “party-goers” onto stage as I carried a 40 pound party table that was awkward due to a car battery underneath it’s table cloth that powered the lamp on the table. So, on my first night in the show, as Judith gave the cue and the huge upstage door slid open, I took a deep breath and stepped forward with my table – thrilled to be back on Broadway. HOWEVER, one thing we had failed to make note of during those low-key rehearsals: there was a step up of a few inches as you stepped onto ‘the deck’ of the stage. I missed that. And as I missed it, I tripped, and fell forward. For the longest 8 seconds of my life I did an heart stopping impersonation of Jerry Lewis as I lurched and slipped and saw my life flash before my eyes. All in front of a Broadway audience. With the entire cast behind me. As I lurched practically alone on center stage, I finally – miraculously – found my balance and snapped to upright posture dead center stage, and continued as if nothing had happened. In the back of the theater I saw Rod McCune, our dance captain, toss his notepad in the air and fall out of sight to the floor. Ah, well. Life. Welcome back to Broadway. 🙂 Throughout the run, I took every chance to watch the cast’s beautiful performances from the wings. Magic. The words, the music and the crush of youthful memories. And, because I was finished for Act One before Polly Bergen’s “I’m Still Here,” I would head to the back of the house via the basement and watch her at least six times a week. I never got tired of watching her show-stopping anthem to survivorship. We closed on my birthday, btw, which I share with Polly Bergen. From the Tony Awards that year (Polly and Blythe were nominated, as well as Theoni Aldredge for costumes, Jonathan Tunick for orchestrations and also for Best Revival): This past Monday, the cast gathered together for a 10th Anniversary reunion, prompted in part by the passing of our dear cast member Betty Garrett. I flew across the country purely to attend what would be a genuinely warm, comfortable and loving gathering of a cast; while we may have only spent about five months together in 2001, you’d never know it from the energy at Judith Ivey’s home. Just as “FOLLIES” explores, this production represented special memories for the performers who lived it, and we were coming back to “glamorize the old days, stumble through a song or two, and lie about ourselves… a little.” Except there were no lies, only love.
Within seconds of walking into the party I saw beautiful Blythe Danner, who caught my eyes, immediately took my hand and hugged me. I was in heaven. I’ve loved Blythe’s work for so long – Will & Grace, Huff, Streetcar Named Desire – but this was a moment made of friendship. Years fell away and I felt family around me. As I moved through Judith Ivey’s wonderful home, I was greeted by smiles and “hellos” and hugs. Everyone in the room was beaming wherever they looked. Seeing Gregory Harrison was a special smile to share as not only had we done “FOLLIES” together but we played in the musical “CHICAGO” together for a year soon after the “FOLLIES” run. I had seen “FOLLIES” many times before I joined the Broadway revival but never really understood the open truth and honesty of the song “The Road You Didn’t Take” until I saw him in our show. Judith Ivey, besides being the picture of talent, was the most wonderful hostess. I have indelible theatrical memories of Judith from her recent triumph of “Glass Menagerie” to our run of “FOLLIES” and going back to her moving yet funny turn in “Precious Sons” on Broadway with Ed Harris in the 1980s. (Actually the first time I introduced myself to Judith backstage at “FOLLIES” I recalled to her one of the funniest moments I’d ever seen on Broadway from her performance in “Precious Sons.” She squealed that I remember it.) Then there’s Treat Williams. What a great star, but moreso, what a great actor. I knew of his work as a strong Hollywood leading man. Handsome, sometimes quirky. But in “FOLLIES” he brought not only his leading man qualities, but a “hang-dog” vulnerability that was disarming. And then getting to know him backstage, he was and is approachable, smiling and open to getting to know everyone. Not only did the cast come together but our director – Matthew Warchus – and choreographer – the fantastic Kathleen Marshall – came to celebrate this theatrical family. I caught up with so many people I loved working with: Alison Tucker, Joey Sorge, Richard Roland, Sally Mae Dunn, Joe Langworth, my dear T. Oliver Reid,… I could honestly go on and on and on. I thought I would be at the party for a few hours, but at 1AM I started following folks out as the party wound down. Much like the party-goers from our show, except in this instance at the end of the evening there were no regrets. Just joy. And we headed out into the night floating on the gift that was “FOLLIES.”
In my mind I always think of them as “the Follies fab four” – Gregory Harrison, Blythe Danner, Judith Ivey and Treat Williams
With Blythe Danner. Words won’t do justice to how happy I am in this photo.
With Gregory Harrison. I also played in CHICAGO for a year with Greg.
Judith Ivey in a dramatic pose.
With Treat Williams. What more do I need to say?
With the wonderful Polly Bergen. We share the same birthday!
Me with Blythe and Gregory
Blythe, me, Gregory, Dorothy, Richard, Treat, Nancy, Matt, Joey and Alison I think you can get the sense we all like each other, no?
Blythe, me, Dorothy, Nancy, Richard, Matt, Joey and Alison
In fact, 68 percent of Christians favor protecting LGBT people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations compared.
74 percent of Christians (compared to 76 percent overall) favor a law to prohibit bullying and harassment against minority groups in schools, including LGBT students or the children of LGBT parents.
70 percent of Christians believe that when religious leaders condemn LGBT people it does more harm than good.
A majority of Christians – 52 percent – also oppose the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, according to a previous HRC poll by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research poll.
Finally, an astounding 86 percent of Christians believe their faith leads them to the conclusion that the law should treat all people equally, including LGBT people.
I’m always so proud that NY state is a big part of my life. Everyone should be proud that NY has a governor standing on the right side of history. I hope this helps put support over the top.
The finale was “Loser Like Me” – see that by clicking here: http://youtu.be/9ekTnDdvLGs – which brought the house down (as if the other songs hadn’t already) followed by 5 “encores.”
Looks like it’s going to make a TON of money for the TV show producers.
Here’s the set list:
Don’t Stop Believing
Dog Days are Over
Sing
Slave 4 U – Heather Morris
Fat Bottomed Girls – Mark Salling
I Want to Hold your Hand – Chris Colfer
Ain’t no Way – Amber Riley
Pretty Young Thing – Kevin McHale & Harry Shum Jr.
Born This Way
Firework – Lea Michele
Teenage Dream – Warblers
Silly Love Songs – Warblers
Raise Your Glass – Warblers
Happy Days/Get Happy – Chris Colfer & Lea Michele
Lucky – Chord Overstreet and Dianna Agron
River Deep, Mountain High – Amber Riley & Naya Rivera & the girls
From HuffingtonPost.com: Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich defended the large debt he owed to the luxury jewelry store Tiffany & Co. in 2005 and 2006, saying he can spend his money as he pleases.
“We’re private citizens,” Gingrich said in an interview with Bob Schieffer on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “I work very hard. We have a reasonably good income. I currently owe nothing except I owe one mortgage on a house that’s a rental property in Wisconsin. Everything else is totally paid for. My home is paid for, my cars are paid for, we don’t have a separate house. We don’t do elaborate things.”
Politico’s Jake Sherman reported last week that financial disclosure forms filed with the U.S. House of Representatives show that in 2005 and 2006, Gingrich carried as much as $500,000 in debt on a “revolving charge account” with the jewelry store.
“It’s a normal way of doing business,” he said in defense of what he called a “standard, low-interest account.”
“I mean, you’re running for president,” insisted Schieffer. “You’re going to be the guy in charge of the Treasury Department. It just sticks out like a sore thumb.”
Ummm… he has a “reasonably good income? He owes $500,000 on jewelry and he says he makes a REASONABLY good income? That’s about ten times what the average American makes.
While trying to cast others as “elitists” it’s kind of hard to avoid looking fairly “elite” when you spend that kind of money on “gifts” and think you have a “reasonably good” income.
From the Borowitz Report: After a much-heralded End of the World failed to materialize on the appointed day, May 21, Almighty God held a rare press conference in New York to discuss the matter.
Dressed in His trademark flowing white robe and carrying a thunderbolt, God seemed visibly irked by the predictions calling for the world to end this Saturday.
“I’ll end the world when I’m good and ready, Me damn it,” He snapped in response to a question from a USA Today reporter.
When asked if He had a message for the faithful who had expected the world to end today, the Almighty cracked, “They should be grateful for the eleven years they’ve had since the world ended on Y2K.”
God was cagey about setting an exact date for the end of the world, saying only, “When I decide to end the world I’ll let you know the way I always do – on Twitter.”
After the press conference, a publicist for God confirmed that the Heavenly Father was annoyed at having to talk to reporters to address the end of the world rumors: “Honestly, I haven’t seen Him this pissed since Pat Robertson blamed a tsunami on the gays.”
Elsewhere, Harold Camping, the preacher who predicted that the world would end on May 21, issued the following brief statement: “”The world doesn’t end this week. Oprah does. My bad, sry.” (thanks to Leslie for the tip – I somehow missed the press conference. Busy looting I guess)
