August 29th, 2007
Blagojevich slashes funding for AIDS, meth treatment and more
AIDS prevention programs, mental health agencies and other healthcare services were among the victims last week as Gov. Rod Blagojevich moved with a vengeance against Democrats in the Illinois House of Representatives. Full Story
Editorial
Tourists travel for lots of reasons. Some go to see places with famous or historic buildings. Others want to spend their days in world-class museums and their nights in world-class restaurants. Maybe they also want to be in a place with a rich cultural heritage. There’s also the travel-to-shop set, of course—folks who have money to burn and want to go somewhere where they can spend it. Full Story
I respectfully wish to express my disagreement with some of the opinions expressed by Xenophon P. Kalathas’ Letter to the Editor (CFP Aug. 22) titled “On ‘hetero’ Market Days.” Full Story
Nation Report
Senator says investigation isn’t because he’s gay
DES MOINES, Iowa—A state senator who has been indicted on a charge of attempted extortion said last week he no longer suspects he’s being targeted because he’s gay. Full Story
Canadian man pleads not guilty in N.Y. murder case
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—A 26-year-old Canadian charged with murdering a man at a remote hunting camp in northern New York has pleaded not guilty. Full Story
Charleston OKs ban on anti-gay discrimination
CHARLESTON, W.Va.—Leaders of the ACLU’s West Virginia chapter say Charleston is just the first step in their statewide campaign to ban discrimination in employment and housing on the basis of sexual orientation. Full Story
Carolina inmate sues to get gay publications
RALEIGH, N.C.—North Carolina prison inmates can receive publications while incarcerated, but the reading material is highly regulated under what advocates say is a vague policy often enforced without explanation. Full Story
Investigators stonewalled by Foley and U.S. House
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—Florida’s top police agency said Aug. 22 its investigation into former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley’s lurid Internet communications with teenage boys has been hindered because neither Foley nor the House will let investigators examine his congressional computers. Full Story
Anti-gay Arkansas group pushes gay adoption ban
LITTLE ROCK—A conservative group has drafted a potential ballot item that would prohibit unmarried couples from adopting or fostering children in Arkansas, with the hope of effectively reinstating a ban on gay foster parents. Full Story
Vermont university adds trans-friendly restrooms
BURLINGTON, Vt.—The University of Vermont’s big new student center doesn’t just have women’s bathrooms and men’s bathrooms. Full Story
Gay weddings minister found guilty by Presbyterians
SAN FRANCISCO—A Presbyterian minister was found guilty of violating church law for officiating at the weddings of two lesbian couples but given the lightest possible punishment, church and defense lawyers said Aug. 24. Full Story
Opinion
“Are you married?” my Guatemalan cab driver asked. Are you married? I’m always asked that question. Any woman traveling alone is always asked that question, by cab drivers, hotel staff, tour guides, shop keepers, random people we meet on the street. Full Story
As you probably already know, on August 11 a church-wide assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved by a vote of 528 to 431 a resolution that “prays, urges, and encourages” its bishops to refrain from disciplining gay and lesbian clergy known to be in same-sex relationships. Full Story
Freetime
Midlife Crisis No. 177: My own private Jesus
It seems Christianity and violence go hand in hand and the latest terrorist attack from the God-Squad occurred recently in the city of Jonkoping in Sweden. It all started when a group of Christian jihadists tried to set fire to a poster advertising an art exhibit... Full Story
1975: One of Chicago organizes a Labor Day weekend outing to Milwaukee. The trip includes two nights lodging at the Plankington House and a Saturday night dinner. Price is $35 single occupancy, or $25 double. Full Story
Planet Earth spins in space like a Rubik’s Cube through the fingers of a bored teenager and the lives of us earthlings are just as complex, mysterious and frustrating as solving the Cube’s puzzling mysteries. Full Story
Have you heard Junior Senior’s song “Hip Hop A Lula” on the Sears back-to- school fashions TV commercial? Did you think you were hallucinating when you first heard it? Full Story
“The Lookout” (Miramax Home Entertainment/Spyglass)—Joseph Gordon-Levitt continues to evolve into one of the finest actors of his generation. Following breakthrough performances in “Brick” and the gay-themed “Mysterious Skin,” Gordon-Levitt outdoes himself in writer Scott Frank’s excellent directorial debut “The Lookout.” Full Story
More News
Fort Lauderdale these days is like a movie in which the main character keeps stubbornly going down a path so stupid that you just want to throw stuff at the screen to try to get him to stop. Full Story
Equality Illinois and Harris pushing for civil unions votes
Equality Illinois last week announced that it collected over 2,000 postcards during Northalsted Market Days registering support for HB1826, the Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Union Act, which would allow civil unions for same-sex couples in Illinois. Full Story
SAGE screening focuses on GLBT seniors
A screening of the film “10 More Good Years,” a documentary addressing challenges facing GLBTs in their later years, sparked a lively discussion Aug. 26 at the Center on Halsted. Full Story
Howard Brown surveying for community’s health needs
Howard Brown Heath Center has implemented an online survey to better ascertain the health needs of the GLBT community. Full Story
Gay ex-cons’ case could set precedent for gay family rights
PHILADELPHIA—A gay couple ordered to steer clear of each other after their release from prison because they are felons may resume contact, a federal judge ruled. Full Story
Mexico City signs deal with gay group to attract tourism
Mexico City tourism officials held a press conference Aug. 16 to announce an agreement with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association to promote the Mexican capital as an international gay travel destination. Full Story
Woman argues for right to deduct sex change costs
BOSTON—A woman should be allowed to deduct her $25,000 sex change operation on her federal taxes because her gender identity disorder was a medical condition, her lawyers argued Aug. 23. Full Story
Conservative GOP senator busted by undercover cop in airport bathroom sting in Minneapolis
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, a conservative Republican from Idaho who has voted against same-sex marriage and opposes hate crimes protections for gay and lesbian crime victims, finds his political future in doubt after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from complaints of lewd conduct in a men’s room. Full Story
Art
Since the early Renaissance, Western art has emphasized the female nude at the expense of the male. Artists had no trouble depicting nude females in a variety of situations, including the erotic. But with a few exceptions such as Michelangelo and Caravaggio they seldom gave similar attention to the nude male. Full Story
Freestyle
Now You See it, Now You Don’t: Theater in Las Vegas apes casinos’ extravagance
A recent trip to Sin City (affectionately known as “Lost Wages, Nevada”) confirms a kind of perverse parallel between the casinos and the entertainment they offer. Both are based on elaborate illusions, a “now you see it, now you don’t” legerdemain that, more artifice than art, suggests smoke... Full Story
“Torch” bearer: an interview with Nanci Griffith
Singer/songwriter Nanci Griffith has long included cover songs on her albums. In fact, a few years before Bette Midler recorded and had a massive hit with Julie Gold’s “From A Distance,” Griffith... Full Story
Ever notice how many travel bags come in the basic black, with wheels, a handle and a couple zippered compartments? Full Story
Reviews of 'Killing Women,' 'The Fool (Returns to His Chair),' 'Paradise Lost.' Full Story
Music
It’s time to face facts—summer is almost over. The back-to-school clothes and school supplies commercials have started taking over the TV airwaves. No matter how smart we think we are, we all still have so much to learn, whether... Full Story
Dining
It’s hard to believe but fall is almost here. Soon there’ll be a change in the leaves, a drop in the temperature and, suddenly, eating a sandwich in the park for lunch won’t be such an attractive proposition. Full Story
Home
Decorating tips for small rooms
Whether you live in an apartment, sold your house for a condo in the city or simply have smaller rooms in your home, decorating areas with limited space can be a challenge. Full Story