Where We’re Welcome!
The official launch of Attitude Hotels was made at the recent International Tourism Fair held in Berlin. According to their website, www.attitudehotels.com, “Attitude Hotels provides something fresh to the discerning gay and lesbian travelers: an exclusive portfolio of independent hotels that set a new standard in gay and lesbian hospitality. Our hotel brand combines a personalized, intimate, and unique gay genuine lodging experience. Our primary objective is to provide you with a unique selection of gay, lesbian and straight-friendly hotels based on criteria of quality and service. Attitude Hotels is the place where you can relax and receive the respect you deserve. Whether traveling on business or pleasure, rest assured that our hotels will meet and exceed your lifestyle requirements. This new chain includes The Flamingo Inn located right here in Fort Lauderdale and is the only U.S. property with most of the properties being located in Europe.
Supreme Court Turns Back on Rev. Freddie!
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to intervene in the case where our good friend, Rev. Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Comedy Troupe has been sued by the family of a man killed in Iraq. Last month, the U.S. District Court upheld the $2.1-million verdict award against Phelps and phriends after they picketed at the funeral of soldier Matthew Snyder in 2006 in Maryland. The court found them guilty of invasion of privacy with intent to inflict emotional distress.
Idol with a Past!
There hasn’t been an “American Idol” scandal in quite a long time — because the show’s only on a few months a year and the last one was Sanjaya’s lack of singing talent. Now, however, we have a former gay stripper as a finalist on the show, David Hernandez. It has been reported by QueerClick that Hernandez formerly worked as a stripper at Dick’s Cabaret in Glendale, Arizona. According to club manager, Gordon Bryan, David would strip to nude and perform lap dances with the club's mostly male clientele. QueerClick also reported that another member of Hernandez’s singing group, The Vinyl Four, is known by fans of DirtyBoys.com as “Ryan Steele”.
Most Interesting
Election Ever?!
This could be the most interesting, if not already the most historical election ever, as rumors swirl once again about the sexuality of our Governor Charlie Crist as he is reported to be on Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s short list for Vice Presidential running mates. According to Bob Norman of New Times (Broward-Palm Beach), Crist allegedly used to frequent the Green Iguana bar in Tampa, Florida in the early 1990s. The story reports that gay bar owner, Rick Calderoni claimed that Crist was well-known by himself and the other bar patrons. Norman warns, however, that this is not proof of Crist’s sexuality and that most voters no longer care about a candidate’s sexuality.
Updating Sin-List!
The Vatican and the Catholic Church, not ones to update much of anything, has decided to update it's list of the seven deadly sins. Gone, apparently are lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride (this included gay pride, I assume) and has been replaced with the more specific:
1. Genetic modification
2. Carrying out experiments on humans
3. Polluting the environment
4. Causing social injustice
5. Causing poverty
6. Becoming obscenely wealthy
7. Taking drugs
Conspicuously left off the list is Catholic priests hitting on underage alter boys but, I forgot, they still don’t admit that that ever happens. However, looking over this list, the loyals of the Republican Party are in big trouble when they get to “St. Peter’s Gate” by routinely breaking rules 3, 4, 5 and 6 since these seem to be part of their party’s platform under Bush II.
And In a
Related Story …!
A group that works for the rights of gays (but not gay priests because they don’t exist) in the Roman Catholic church is planning a series of protests against Pope Benedict during his visit to the U.S. next month. The Rainbow Sash Movement said it’s calling on “Catholics of good will” to take the Papal visit as an opportunity to shower the “Popemobile” with ashes instead of confetti. “Ashes are an ancient and appropriate greeting for a sinner who has caused the church so much division and pain,” RSM said in a statement. “We will also be greeting him with whistles; these were used by the Polish People to show shame for the violation of human rights by the Communist Government prior to the end of the cold war.”
Reverend
Cathy Griffin!
Comedian and gay-fav, Cathy Griffin has been ordained into the clergy of the Universal Life Church and one of her first official duties has been to marry a straight couple. According to the Daily News, Kathy then flew out to New York to marry Brian Anstey and Elka Shapiro, who had asked her to marry them because they were such big fans of hers. Griffin, known to do anything for her loyal fans, married the couple in front of over 100 invited guests. Does this elevate Cathy up to C-list status?
