Traxx owner shot and killed

ATLANTA -- Organizers of Atlanta’s annual Black Gay Pride celebration are mourning the loss of one of their own.


Durand Robinson, 50, of Decatur, was shot and killed early Wednesday morning. Atlanta police said Robinson had gotten into an argument with someone just before shots rang out. Family and friends said Robinson may have been the victim of an attempted carjacking, however Atlanta police said investigators have not determined a motive or named a suspect in the shooting.

Robinson was co-owner of the popular gay nightclub Traxx, and the annual Black Gay Pride celebration that he helped organize drew tens of thousands of people to metro Atlanta each year during the Labor Day weekend.

*This is so tragic*

Will Phillips is putting us all on NOTICE BABAY!!!!

This is too cute for words and so inspirational!

A Word from Julia

And I that's why I love this woman:

When asked if she hopes to see gay rights progress in those countries (homosexuality only became legal in India in 2009), Roberts said, “Everywhere. Even in America, we think we’re such forerunners and we haven’t worked out all the kinks either- and I think that love is the ultimate theme of our lives and to let everybody love in the best way they can in the most nurturing way with whoever that person is that they choose, that chooses them- if we could get that down, I think it would solve a lot of other problems.”

He has a "Vision"

(CNN) -- I am a product of the "The Black Church." It shaped me into who I am today: a Christian pastor aware of God's amazing grace and love.


When I announced I was gay, the church limited that grace and love. Although I had no doubt that God loved me, I discovered that God's love and the church's love can be two different things.

To be Christian is to be inclusive of people who love one another. This is why I support same-sex marriage.

As a pastor, I have counseled countless heterosexual and homosexual couples, and have observed that no matter the race, background or sexual orientation of the couple, a healthy relationship requires commitment, genuine respect and mutual love.

Though my partner and I had a commitment ceremony in 2003, and obtained a marriage license this past July in Washington D.C., we learned that marriage is more than our religious convictions and our commitment, but also about laws that will protect us.

Marriage equality is not about religious rights, but the right to equal benefits. At the end of 2003, the U.S. Government Accountability Office identified 1,138 federal provisions where marital status is a factor in determining or receiving benefits, rights and privileges.

These include next-of-kin hospital visits and medical decisions where one partner is too ill to be competent; automatic inheritance in the absence of a will and inheritance of jointly owned real and personal property through the right of survivorship. These benefits allow all marriages access to the social and emotional supports that can produce healthy families and communities.

I affirm the role of religion in our society. But no matter how powerful religion is, in the United States, the laws of the church and the laws of the government are intentionally separate.

Another view from the pulpit: Same-sex marriages will hurt families

In 1968, 73 percent of Americans disapproved of marriage between blacks and whites. Then, it was argued that interracial marriage would hurt families and dismantle societal structures. In 1967, the Supreme court ended race-based restrictions on marriage in Loving vs. Virginia.

Today, support of interracial marriage is stronger than it has ever been. So is support of same-sex marriage. Like interracial couples, gay couples are seeking equality under the law, asking their government for these rights, not individuals, or religious bodies.

If same-sex marriage is about love and religion is about love, then in this debate, love must go both ways. We must not be hateful in our disagreements over marriage. Verbal and emotional abuse should have no place in our sacred places of worship. The pulpit should not be used as a place of abuse even if one disagrees with same-sex marriage.

Jesus never mentioned homosexuality in his 33 years of life. But in Mark 12:31, he did emphasize, "...thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." The apostle Paul said: "Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another." I wonder what the debate over same-sex-marriage would be like if we applied this basic scripture?

True equality can begin when we see others as we see ourselves. I believe there is room to disagree, but just because we don't agree on my legal rights does not mean I am not entitled to them.

The gay community must also learn how to love those who disagree with them. If heterosexual couples and gay couples could see their commonality, equality would not just be the law of the land, but it could be a new law for humanity that governs our fragile future.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of O.C. Allen.

Ellen Cuts up dancing on DWTS!!!! GO HEAD ELLEN!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jbzopcS_ZM&feature=player_embedded

Yes Mrs Degeneres YESSSSSS!!!!

Loving Steph Jones

R&B Singer Steph Jones speaks the truth about our community...Luck Jordan Sparks...HEFFA...just joking!!!!!I love Jordan!!!

Judge Walker's Final Words on Prop 8

Final Stay Order
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who last week struck down Proposition 8 as unconstitutional, has lifted his stay but same-sex marriages are still on hold.




Walker has ruled that same-sex marriages should resume immediately in California and put his order on hold until August 18 for the appeals court to review the matter.



Adds the Mercury News: "Walker's ruling invalidating the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage has already been appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Proposition 8 proponents have indicated they will seek an emergency stay from the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit of any order from the judge that would allow same-sex marriages to take place while the broader legal challenge proceeds."

Justin Terry on GLO Network

Activist, Air-Force veteran, and husband, Justin B. Terry-Smith has dedicated his life to educating and bringing awareness to HIV/AIDS. Involved in many outreach programs and organizations like: Us Helping Us, Human Rights Campaign, Equality Maryland, The National Black Justice Coalition, etc., Justin has created “Justin’s HIV Journal,” which is airing on the upcoming LGBT network GLO TV. Justin boldly showcases his life on video for the world to see. Inviting viewers to witness what it is really like to be “living with HIV.”

She Has a new Attitude and a New Job

Good Luck to Patti!!!!

New attitude! Patti Labelle will join the cast of the Tony-winning Fela! on September 14th and will perform there until the show's scheduled closing in January. She will replace Tony winner Lilias White in the role of Fela's mother.




-A Broadway version of Glee will definitely happen, according to the show's co-creator Ryan Murphy, who says he is already auditioning the cast. No opening date has been disclosed. Murphy is also slated to direct the movie version of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart.



-Hairspray Tony winner Marisa Winokur will co-cost the coming CBS talk show about motherhood with openly lesbian Rosanne star Sara Gilbert.



-Patti Lupone and Brian Stokes Mitchell will star in the musical version of Pedro Almodovar's Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown, which begins previews at the Belasco Theatre on October 2nd.



-Turn around bright eyes: Tony nominee Justin "Kiki" Bond will perform a series of dates at Joe's Pub beginning on September 12th. If you haven't seen Justin Bond, you are missing one of the truly unique theatrical experiences of our days.



-Spider-Man: Turn Of The Dark will finally begin previews on November 14th after almost a year of delays related to its record-breaking $50M production cost.



-Tony winner Beth Leavel (Drowsy Chaperone) and George Wendt (Cheers) have been cast in the musical version of Elf, set to open at the Hirshfeld on November 14th. Wendt will play Santa, the lead role of Buddy has not yet been cast.

New Models Inc...Congrats to Amber Starr

Per Carriefairfield:
GREETING TO ALL,




IT BECOMES WITH GREAT SADNESS TO MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AS IN THE HISTORY OF 12 YEARS NOW AND COUNTING WE HAVE NOT HAD EVEN THE THOUGHT PROCESS OF MAKING A DECISION SUCH AS THIS AND REGRET HAVING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE FASHION.



AFTER MUCH THOUGHT AND POOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE REIGNING MISS MODELS INC 2010 (TAMISHA IMAN). MISS MODELS INC NATIONAL PAGEANTRY HAS COME TO A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AS TO HER TO RESIGN FROM THE POSITION AS MISS MODELS INC NATIONAL 2010. WE WHERE GOING TO AWAIT TO MAKE THIS OFFICIAL AS OF SUNDAY, AUGUST 15TH 2010 AND AFTER CAREFUL REVIEW DECIDED TO NOT FURTHER DELAY THE BUSINESS OF MMI.



WE WILL NOT GO INTO ANY FURTHER INFO REGARDING THIS DECISION OUT OF MAINTAINING A PROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO THE ART FORM. THERE ARE MANY DETERMINING FACTORS AS TO WHY THIS DECISION WAS MADE AND HARD FEELINGS ARE CERTAINLY "NOT" SOMETHING WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON HERE AT MMI.



WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE MISS MODELS INC NATIONAL 2010 (MISS AMBER STARR) "THE MMI REWIND" AND LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT 10 MONTH REIGN WITH HER AS SHE IS AWARE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND OVERWHELMINGLY TAKES ON THE POSITION. OFFICIALLY ASAP SHE WILL RECEIVE COMPLETE CROWNING ROYALTIES AND WILL TAKE ON HER FIRST NATIONAL BOOKING SEPT 24TH-26TH IN NORFOLK VA FOLLOWED BY A STUNNING EXCLUSIVE MMI SHOOT TO BE OFFERED ASAP PUBLICLY.



WE WELCOME HER TO THE NATIONAL ARENA AND TO THE MMI MAFIA NOW AND FOREVER. PLEASE NOTE WE WILL NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER INFO REGARDING THIS MATTER AS WE ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. PLEASE FURTHER NOTE THAT ALL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS PER MMI ARE COMPLETE UPON THIS DECISION AS WELL.



RESPECTFULLY ,



MISS VEGA OVA

MMI NATIONAL PAGEANTRY CEO/FOUNDER

PROP 8 OVERTURNED>....VICTORY!!!!!!

Moments ago California's Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage was OVERTURNED by Judge Vaughn Walker..This is great but we still have a war to win..KEEP IT UP EVERYONE!!!! I'm so excited.!!!!

Prop 8 Ruling

GLO to hit in September!!!

Well the wait is almost over. The new LGBT newtork "GLO" is set to release next month and I have to say that I am extremely excited about it..check out the website and all the new shows that will be coming!!!!
http://www.glotvnetwork.com/

This is just Sad...Man kills Baby for Acting like a girl

Heartbreaking. Horrific. Beyond disgusting.

A 20-year-old Long Island man is behind bars and accused of brutally beating the life out of a 17-month-old boy that he was babysitting. The little boy was "acting like a little girl", Pedro Jones told police, reports ABC 7. "Police were called to the scene [at the Shinnecock Indian Reservation] around 8:25 Sunday night. The child was in cardiac arrest, police said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later. According to court documents, Jones, who was not related to the boy, punched him over and over with closed fists and grabbed him by the neck. Documents say he confessed to the crime, telling troopers, 'I was trying to make him act like a boy instead of a little girl. I never struck that kid that hard before. A one-time mistake, and I am going to do 20 years.' He told troopers he planned to marry Roy's mother, who is a member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. They lived together on tribal land in Southampton."According to the felony complaint, Jones said, "I never struck the child that hard before" and "One mistake, I'm going to do 20 years." Beating an infant to death is a mistake? Jones was arraigned and plead not guilty to a charge of first-degree manslaughter, reports WCAX. And claimed yet another underage casualty to hypermasculine thug culture.

watch video @ http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=7588244