Arrests Follow Homophobic Attack Against Two Men for Singing Songs from the Musical 'Wicked' – VIDEO

Jim Redmond

www.towleroad.com/2014/12/arrests-follow-vicious-homophobic-assault-in-manchester-england-video.html

Remembering The Unarmed Black Man Killed By A Cop For Being In A Cruising Area

With two police officers avoiding prosecution for killing unarmed black men (Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, and just yesterday, Eric Garner in New York City), the nation is engaging in a heated debate about how law enforcement treats communities of color. It’s worth remembering that four years ago, a high-profile case in New Jersey already demonstrated the issue. In that instance, a police officer shot and killed an unarmed black man after confronting him in a cruising area.

DeFarra “Dean” Gaymon was a married father of four and the CEO of a successful credit union in Atlanta when he returned to Newark in July 2010 for his 30th high school reunion. While his reunion was taking place, he lay dying in a hospital from What happened the night of July 16th depends solely on the word of a single police officer, who was never prosecuted for the crime. It’s all depressingly familiar.

According to the Officer Edward Esposito, Gaymon was “engaged in a sexual act” (apparently masturbating) when he approached the officer, who was dressed in plain clothes, in a Newark park. The park had been the scene of more than 200 arrests over an 18 month period by officers who apparently made a career out of arresting gay men for lewd behavior because there are so few other crimes to pursue in New Jersey.

Esposito says he was bending over to pick up handcuffs (really) when Gaymon propositioned him without any encouragement. Standing up, Esposito told Gaymon he was under arrest.

What followed was, by all accounts of anyone who knew Gaymon, totally unbelievable. Esposito says Gaymon pushed him away, threatened to kill Esposito, reached into his pocket and lunged at the officer in an attempt to disarm him. Esposito says he fired a shot in self defense.

The Essex County sheriff’s department expressed regret about the episode. They also made a point of portraying Gaymon as a bit of a pervert in search of sex in public by playing up the cruising area setting. A grand jury refused to indict Esposito and the state attorney general refused to investigate the case. Esposito had been involved in three other violent arrests in the park.

Gaymon’s family just settled a lawsuit against Essex County for $1.5 million. Of course, that doesn’t bring Gaymon back.

JohnGallagher

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/Un1Wj20vREE/remembering-the-unarmed-black-man-killed-by-a-cop-for-being-in-a-cruising-area-20141204

WATCH LIVE: NASA's Orion Test Flight Marks the First Step on the Long Road to Mars

Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2014/12/watch-live-nasas-orion-spacecraft-test-flight-marks-the-first-step-on-the-long-road-to-mars.html

The 'Dirty 30' With Porn Star Levi Michaels

When I tell people I live with a porn star, I usually catch their eyes quickly sparkling with excitement. The questions begin spewing forth, but only about 20 seconds pass before their disappointment sets in. No, it’s not one constant orgy. No, he’s not always naked. No, I don’t hear symphonic moans coming from his room at all hours. Sorry.

Levi Michaels, besides getting boinked on film on the reg, is, for the most part, an incredibly normal guy. He does the dishes, helps take care of my cat God, and always picks up the squishier avocados from Whole Foods for me. He loves getting railed on camera, yes, but he also loves curling up on the couch with me on Sunday evenings and watching The Comeback.

After reading countless interviews with porn stars filled with questions like “Top or bottom?” and “Spit or swallow?”, I thought it time to show folks the wholesome side of porn actors. Thus I presented Levi with 30 rapid-fire questions to help you get to know the man behind the man who’s often getting it in the behind:

www.huffingtonpost.com/evan-ross-katz/the-dirty-30-with-porn-star-levi-michaels_b_6243862.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Michael Sam on NFL Status: “I Don’t Think It Had To Do With Talent”

A slightly distracted Michael Sam says his status as a football player is not based on his abilities on the field.

read more

Annie Hollenbeck

www.advocate.com/sports/2014/12/03/michael-sam-nfl-status-i-don-t-think-it-had-do-talent

Transgender Protections Added to Toledo Hate Crime Laws After Brutal Assault On Transgender Woman

Anthony Costello

www.towleroad.com/2014/12/transgender-protections-added-to-toledo-hate-crime-laws-after-brutal-assault-on-transgender-woman.html

N.J. Trans Veterans Win Important Fight to Change Names on Military Records

In a potentially game-changing move, the U.S. Army has allowed two transgender veterans to update their names on their discharge papers.

read more

Mitch Kellaway

www.advocate.com/politics/military/2014/12/03/nj-trans-veterans-win-important-fight-change-names-military-records

12 Gift Ideas For Spouses Who Don't Take Themselves Too Seriously
Nailing down the perfect holiday gift for your significant other can be tricky. Jewelry is pretty, but predictable and a tablet is practical, but feels impersonal.

We decided to come up with our own wish list tailored to couples who see romance a bit differently than the rest. Below are 13 awesome gifts for spouses with a sense of humor.

Keep in touch! Check out HuffPost Weddings on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Sign up for our newsletter here.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/03/gift-ideas-for-spouse_n_6262292.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Measuring Penile Blood Flow Is Now Forbidden For Nations Accepting Gay Asylum Seekers

When gay refugees seek asylum based on fear their lives are at danger due to antigay violence or persecution, they’re interviewed to asses the validity of their claim.

Until now, it hasn’t been unheard of for asylum seekers to be subjected to highly invasive, archaic tests, and more often than not, they’re asked inappropriate questions of a sexual nature.

But the EU’s top court has ruled that these refugees should not have to submit to undignified tests and questions.

The news comes after three men, including a Ugandan and one from a Muslim country, were denied asylum by a Dutch court after not sufficiently convincing officials they were actually gay.

The European Court of Justing (ECJ) ruled that asylum seekers must be treated with respect to human dignity.

Czech authorities were harshly criticized in 2011 for using a “phallometric test” to evaluate legitimacy. The test measures blood flow to the penis when a subject is shown sexually charged stimuli. The practice dates back to communist times, and some argue its validity.

Additionally, asylum seekers can no longer be asked probing questions about their sex lives. Authorities are allowed to ask questions about sexual orientation, but not sex acts themselves.

via BBC News

Dan Tracer

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/e0vgyHTFYnc/measuring-penile-blood-flow-is-now-forbidden-for-nations-accepting-gay-asylum-seekers-20141203

Florida Could Have Marriage Equality In January

State officials can still appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in hopes of extending a hold on a pro-equality ruling; otherwise, marriages begin January 6.

read more

Sunnivie Brydum

www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2014/12/03/florida-could-have-marriage-equality-january