In December, former Senator Chuck Hagel apologized for 1998 remarks he made about gay ambassador James Hormel and asserted his "commitment to LGBT military families". Today, in a statement to Buzzfeed, LGBT military group Outserve-SLDN called it "incumbent" upon Hagel during the nomination process to disclose what actions he will take to demonstrate that commitment as Secretary of Defense.
Said the group's executive director Allyson Robinson:
Senator Hagel has said he is "committed to LGBT military families," so, if nominated and confirmed, he should immediately extend, via secretarial directive, all benefits available to married same-sex military couples and families while the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is still on the books. He said he is "fully supportive of open service," so he should extend military equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies so that all qualified Americans who wish to serve this nation in uniform may do so without fear of harassment or discrimination.
Androgynous model Andrej Pejic covers Elle. "Inside the magazine, he wrestles with male and female versions of himself in a feature named 'Victor Victoria.' The female Pejic wears skimpy La Perla lingerie, while a more masculine side of Pejic looks aggressive in suits."
Houston lesbian couple dead in apparent murder-suicide. "Belinda Espinoza, 29, shot 24-year-old Ana Flores before turning in the gun on herself at the couple's home in the 8700 block of Wiggins Street at 5:45 p.m., according to the Houston Police Department."
Anonymous hackers launch fresh attacks on Uganda: "While there is no clear ideology or set of beliefs espoused by the amorphous and multifaceted hacker collective, some factions within Anonymous have taken a keen interest in the case of Uganda’s discriminatory legislation against LGBT people...Several private sector websites in Uganda — including the Ugandan Legal Society, payuganda.com and television station NTV Uganda — have become the latest targets in the operation."
Ryan McGinley to take over NYC taxis: "Taken from the second version of Mr. McGinley's video for the Icelandic band Sigur Ros, the clip, called 'TDB,' shows his friend Jessica Tang wearing nothing but a gold wig and blue T-shirt, skipping barefoot through the streets of New York."
The xx leads vinyl album resurgence. "A total of 389,000 LPs were sold in 2012 - an increase of 15.3% compared with 2011."
Friends of jailed Atlanta man say he was defending himself: "It has been reported in the press that Luke O’Donovan, 19, went on a 'stabbing rampage' at a New Year’s Eve party in Reynoldstown, a neighborhood in Atlanta, GA. This is not accurate. The events that occurred were the result of Luke O’Donovan desperately defending himself against a clear act of queer-bashing that included Luke being stabbed in the back." Patch report.
Star Wars: The Old Republicto allow same-sex romance. "They'll be able to flirt with characters of the same gender, and eventually get to the point that the flirting evolves into a deeper relationship."
Rihanna, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga collaborating? "Do y’all remember a while back we heard that Azealia Banks had collaborated with Lady Gaga and Kanye West on two separate tracks? Well, when Azealia confirmed the rumor, she said that one of the two Lady Gaga songs is titled Ratchet."
Former Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt, who says Newt Gingrich reached out to him for advice during the 2012 election, laments the fact that Newt has accepted the reality of same-sex marriage (see here) and claims that he is under the influence of a "demonic voice" that is whispering in his ear.
Calvin Klein's ex-boytoy Nick Gruber is not staying out of trouble, according to Page Six:
The troubled ex-boyfriend of Calvin Klein totaled current boyfriend John Luciano’s $100,000 BMW in a three-car accident in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon, reports The Post’s Kirsten Fleming. Even worse, Gruber was on a date with a woman when he had the crash.
Gruber was reportedly on a date with a woman at Six Flags Magic Mountain near L.A. before the accident, they add:
Gruber and the woman enjoyed the day at the theme park. But, Luciano said, on the way home, Gruber was broadsided by a PT Cruiser as he hung a left turn at Moorpark Street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard. The PT then smashed into another car and caught fire. The Beemer was wrecked, and Gruber went to Sherman Oaks Hospital after he suffered a broken nose and some bruises. None of the other passengers, including Gruber’s female date, was hurt. “The thing about Nick, he has a lead foot and rocks for brains,” Luciano quipped.
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