I’m TJ Chernick and welcome to this episode of gay report.
The Republican National convention began this week setting the stage for the 2012 elections. Republicans officially nominated Mitt Romney as the official presidential candidate on Tuesday, which will make the Massachusetts governor the official opponent to presidential incumbent Barak Obama. The convention also revealed the republican platform for the 2012 elections. Among banning all abortions, tax cuts for economic energizing, and reshaping Medicare into a voucher program; the platform also revealed a direct target on the LGBT community. Among the platforms mentioned the Republican Party wants to reinstate Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, prevent same-sex marriages from being recognized by the federal government, and stop efforts to prevent gays and lesbians from being persecuted in Africa. In a section titled “A sacred Contract: Defense of marriage” The GOP platform for 2012 calls for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and affirms the party’s support for the Defense of Marriage Act. Romney’s acceptance of the nomination and official release of the Republican platform officially reveals the nature of this election ushers in the race for the presidency.
The trial court judge in California who has taken over hearing the federal court case challenging Proposition 8, the state’s amendment limiting marriages to one man and one woman, ordered the case closed on Monday. Judge James Ware has closed the case, issuing an order that would allow same sex couples to marry. However, the Supreme Court has to decide whether it will hear an appeal of the case before letting the order stand. A stay, or hold of the case was granted by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals meaning that a couples cannot get married pending the Supreme court’s decision on whether or not to take the case.
The It Get’s Better Campaign supporting LGBT youth has a new team of supporters, and it’s a big one. The San Francisco 94ers became the first NFL team to join the campaign. Anti-gay bullying advocates are praising the team for their actions and the clip on the website features linebacker Ahmad Brooks, defensive tackles Ricky Jean Francois and Isaac (ISAK) Sopoaga.
IN International News:
France is one step closer to marriage equality this week. According to UPI France’s Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault confirmed on Saturday that lawmakers are set to introduce legislation in October that would allow gay marriage. Legalizing same-sex marriage was a campaign promise of President Francois Hollande (allond) earlier this year. Once introduced, the bill will be debated in France’s two houses of Parliament, which are both controlled by Hollande’s Socialist Party. If France legalizes same sex marriage, people would be able to start tying the knot in 2013 and France would be the 9th country in Europe alongside Belgium Denmark the Netherlands and Spain to recognize such unions.
In Entertainment News:
Operatic pop singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright exchanged wedding vows with his long-time boyfriend Jorn Weisbrodt last week. The marriage took place last Thursday in Montauk’s Long Island beach community and was conducted by wainrights friend, entertainer Justin Vivian Bond. The couple got engaged two years ago and they are parents to a one-and-a-half-year-old girl named Viva Katherine Wainwright Cohen.
Comedian Rosie O’Donnell revealed she suffered a heart attack earlier this month on her blog and called it a “miracle” she didn’t die, and is now reaching out to make sure women learn from her mistake. O’Donnell credited popping a Bayer aspirin to saving her life but admitted on a blog post that she made a mistake by not calling 911 immediately when she suspected she was having one. in an American Heart Association poll in 2009 50 percent of women said would not call 911 if they thought they were having a heart attack. O’Donnell said rosie.com that women should know the symptoms ladies/listen to the voice inside and CALL 911”
Your weather this weekend is shaping up to be with high in the low 90’s on Friday with partly cloudy skies and I low of 70 degrees, and highs in the low 80s on Saturday and Sunday with scattered thunderstorms and lows in the 70’s
In this weekend report Some things are worth planning for. There is only 10 days until Out in the Park at Six Flags Great America and tickets are still available. The event which is sponsored by best gay Chicago and Vitamin water will be held on September 8 and will be an all-day pride celebration with an exclusive private event in the park from 9pm to 1am which includes music by DJ Matthew Harvat, music pumped through the entire park and NO line rides. Advanced tickets are now on sale for $35 and a portion of the sales will go to TPAN. Visit gaysixflagschicago.com for more information.
Now this holiday weekend is going to be a long one and I’ve got a few things to keep you entertained:
This Friday Join Howard Brown Health center and AIDS foundation Chicago for a fundraiser at Big Chicks bar at 5024 N. Sheridan Rd. from 9pm to midnight, for a $5 suggested donation, come support the 11th AIDS Run Walk of Chicago which takes place on September 30. Enjoy $5 drink specials and raffles and learn how you can join the team for the fight against AIDS.
This weekend is the Rainbow Boogie: the world’s only gay skydiving event. The event which runs through Monday is an annual skydiving event that attracts gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered skydivers, as well as straight skydivers who enjoy skydiving with the GLBT community! There are events for novice to experienced skydivers, as well as parties and plenty of opportunities for spectators. Gay Chicago TV will be there this Saturday to take part in the fun. For more info visit rainbow skydive.com
On Monday if you still haven’t skydived, danced, or shaked yourself into oblivion swing by the Call at 1547 W. Bryn Mawr for a Labor Day Picnic with hot dogs, drink specials and show tunes until 9pm. The event starts at 4pm.
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