High School Wrestler On Trial For "Butt Drag"

Posted on Advocate.com December 08, 2010
H.S. Wrestler on Trial for "Butt Drag"
By Michelle Garcia


Preston Hill and his mother Kirsten Hill

A 17-year-old high school wrestler has been expelled from school and charged with sexual battery for using a controversial wrestling move that has been deemed legal for decades.

Preston Hill, a Buchanan High School student from Clovis, Calif., was punished for his use of the "butt drag," in which a wrestler grabs his opponent's butt cheeks and places his finger in the opponent's anus for leverage, according to the Fresno Bee. Hill's trial before the Fresno County Superior Court begins Thursday.

Hill's father said coaches taught his son the "butt drag" when he was in middle school and that it was a common move. The Clovis police, however, said Hill went too far when he inserted his fingers deeply into a freshman teammate at a July 15 practice session. The unidentified freshman's father said Hill targeted his son because the 14-year-old stood up to Hill for bullying. Now Hill's friends who are still in school are bullying the freshman student for speaking up about the encounter in July.

Hill was captain of the team and was up for several college scholarships. He is now being home-schooled and taking additional classes at Center for Advanced Research and Technology in Clovis.

In 2007, South Dakota wrestler Jerome Hunt, then 17, was found guilty and sentenced to probation after being charged with rape for performing the same move on at least six other wrestlers.

9/11 Hero's Mom Speaks On DADT

Posted on Advocate.com December 06, 2010
9/11 Hero's Mom Speaks on DADT
By Advocate.com Editors



The mother of Mark Bingham, one of the passengers on United Flight 93 believed to have prevented the plane from hitting government buildings in Washington, D.C., said no one on the plane questioned whether her son was gay when it came time to overtake the aircraft from hijackers. Therefore, Alice Hoagland said, the same reasoning should be the rule when it comes to the military and its ban on openly gay and lesbian soldiers.

Her son was eulogized by Sen. John McCain, who Bingham supported in the 2000 Republican primary for president of the United States. Now, as the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCain is leading the charge to keep the 17-year-old law.

"I hope he comes around on 'don't ask, don't tell,'" she said on MSNBC. "I know he's entrenched in the mistaken notion that gay people somehow are weaker, that gay men are predators, that gay men are seeking a sexual outlet with straight men, and I think it is that kind of misconception that is driving that needless clinging to 'don't ask, don't tell.'"

You can watch the 5 minute video interview here:

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/12/06/September_11_Heros_Mom_Speaks_on_DADT/

City of Atlanta Reaches Settlement With Patrons of Eagle Bar

City Reaches Settlement With Atlanta Eagle Bar

By Christian Boone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday Dec 3, 2010 7:00pm



The city of Atlanta has reached a settlement with plaintiffs searched and detained during a controversial police raid of the Atlanta Eagle gay bar in September 2009.
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Dan Grossman, representing the plaintiffs, confirmed the agreement but could not comment on specifics per the instructions of federal Magistrate Judge Alan J. Baverman. The city will pay an unspecified monetary settlement as well as oversee reforms within the police department -- a victory for the petitioners, based on their stated goal when the civil rights suit was filed in November 2009.

"It's unfortunate we need a federal judge to make our police department follow the law," Grossman said at a news conference announcing the suit, filed on behalf of 19 Eagle patrons against the city, former Police Chief Richard Pennington and 48 of his officers, including members of the department's Red Dog unit. "Since [police] don't think they did something wrong they're going to do it again."

The settlement has to be approved by the Atlanta City Council and neither side can comment until the deal is finalized.

According to police records, undercover vice officers had visited the Ponce de Leon nightclub and witnessed men having sex while other patrons watched. The department also received complaints alleging drug sales on the premises.

No charges were filed against any of the 62 patrons forced to lie down on the bar floor during the raid, though eight Eagle employees were arrested for permit violations. Pennington said the patrons were "frisked" for the officers' safety. No search warrant was served.

John McCain Is The Biggest Sissy In The Senate

Dirty Dealing on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
by Jimmy Zuma
Smart v Stupid
Posted Dec 4, 2010, 1:58 pm



Make no mistake, the recent Republican pronouncement that they will only deal with budget and tax-cut extensions over the next month is aimed to run out the clock on the repeal of Don’t Ask; Don’t Tell and other legislation. This is an attempt to take an end run around popular opinion now that “studying it to death” has failed. They’re simply hiding what they are up to.

The repeal of Don’t Ask; Don’t Tell is now overwhelmingly supported by citizens, military members and, anyone who values the principle that all men and women are equal. No matter where you stand on it, though, you ought to be concerned about the deception. Republican’s latest gridlock attempt – coming just one day after they claimed they’d quit it – continues the tactic of claiming one thing while doing another. In a shockingly cowardly approach, they want to filibuster repeal while pretending not to.

JohnMcCainJune2008 300xAmong Republicans, perhaps no member is more of a sissy than John McCain. (He may have shown some stones 40 years ago, but not for a good long time.) McCain definitively proved his cowardice when he recruited Sarah Palin – at risk to the nation – in a rapacious attempt to salvage his failed presidential campaign. Further evidence arrived during his recent senatorial campaign, when he threw Arizona Hispanics (and Arizona’s largest trading partner) squarely under the campaign bus. It turns out “The Maverick” is really The Panderer.

Senator McCain engages in senseless and spineless logic, first hiding behind the troops and claiming he’d support repeal of DADT if they did. “My opinion is shaped by the view of the leaders of the military,” he had said. Then this week, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Mike Mullen testified before the Senate Armed Service Committee, “Repeal of the law will not prove unacceptable risk to military readiness. Unit cohesion will not suffer if our units are well-led. And families will not encourage their loved ones to leave the service in droves.” In short, “We’re not cowards.” At that moment, McCain looked like he had indigestion.

Now that “survey says” uniforms overwhelmingly support repeal, Senator McCain has called for another study. He specifically dismissed the testimony of Admiral Mullen as not relevant. McCain’s latest pivot goes like this, “What I want to know, and what it is the Congress’s duty to determine, is not can our armed forces implement a repeal of this law, but whether the law should be repealed.” Discrimination adds nothing and costs something. Ending discrimination costs nothing and adds something. What’s the conundrum here, John? A squirmy McCain is simply trying to prop up the illusion that he is a brave man while fleeing in panic from a drill-field phalanx of relentless, creeping gayness.

Repeal of Don’t Ask; Don’t Tell does have one small cultural effect. Open service by all Americans will drive a small wedge of diversity into a military culture that’s been increasingly co-opted by conservatives and evangelicals. But even that aspect is far detached from this decision. And judging from the military survey that cat is already out of the bag. Most soldiers have said they’ve already served with gay co-workers. Almost all who did said they don’t mind. The DADT of today is really “Don’t ask; don’t let the old-fart-in-charge find out.” It is long past time for the military to muster out this 1950’s-era “morality.”

Men and women who are now serving have no cowardice about serving with gay men and lesbians. Gay men and lesbian women certainly harbor no cowardice – or even reluctance – about serving. They’ve offered up life and limb as evidence of their bravery and patriotism. The only cowards in the room seem to be John McCain and his party. They’re afraid to find out that a gay man can be as good or better a soldier than a straight one. McCain is afraid we’ll learn that gay men are brave and strong and capable. He imagines that brave gay men will undermine the confidence of brave straight men. How queer.

Don’t be scared, John. Man up. If a gay man is braver, stronger, or better than you, that doesn’t mean you’re a sissy. Being afraid to let him show his mettle – to compete equally with you for the label of hero – is what makes you a pansy.

Sen. Scott Brown’s ‘Seismic’ Shift On DADT

Sen. Scott Brown’s ‘Seismic’ Shift On DADT
Hillary Chabot By Hillary Chabot
Saturday, December 4, 2010


Photo by Herald file
Sen. Scott Brown has come out in favor of ending the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy.


One of Scott Brown’s earliest and staunchest conservative backers in his long-shot Senate campaign erupted in outrage yesterday after the Republican unexpectedly announced he would support allowing gay troops to serve openly in the military.

“We had a little bit of a seismic shock here today,” said a “disappointed” Massachusetts Family Institute director Kris Mineau, a well-known fixture on Brown’s campaign bus.

Brown, who’s been under pressure from gay rights groups, said he won’t vote to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” until the Senate takes up tax cuts and the budget.

But that qualifier did little to comfort Mineau, who hinted that he’s reconsidering his support of the Wrentham resident.

“Our discussions and communications are continuing, particularly on this issue,” Mineau said. “When Sen. Brown ran for election, he said he would support the current policy of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ and we agree with that position.”

Brown’s spokeswoman, Gail Gitcho, said Brown changed his tune after President Obama ordered the Pentagon to review the policy. At that point, Brown said he would keep an open mind to its finding, which came out this week.

The Pentagon study found a small minority of troops — about 30 percent — predicted problems if the policy was repealed. The repeal is backed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Adm. Mike Mullen, the military’s top uniformed officer, and Gen. David Petraeus, U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan.

Brown said in a statement yesterday that he came to his decision after speaking with active and retired military service members and meeting privately with Gates.

“When a soldier answers the call to serve, and risks life or limb, it has never mattered to me whether they are gay or straight,” Brown wrote. “My only concern has been whether their service and sacrifice is with pride and honor.”

The statement marked the first time Brown has publicly expressed support for repeal of the 1993 law.

Brown has faced increasing political pressure on the hot-button topic as Bay State Democrats ramp up for the 2012 election.

“Certainly Sen. Brown has to consider the fact that he’s running again in two years, but I don’t believe this issue should have any bearing on that decision,” Mineau said.

Gay groups yesterday rallied behind Brown.

“We are pleased that Sen. Brown has joined a super-majority of Americans, Massachusetts residents and service members who support an end to ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” said Kara Suffredini, executive director of Mass Equality.

“Our position is that this law needs to be repealed not despite the fact that we’re at war, but because of it. Our national security requires all the talent the military can get.”

But even Suffredini was unsure whether she would back Brown come 2012. “We’ll be looking at many issues, not just ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ when making a decision,” she said.

Scott Brown Endorses ‘Don’t Ask’ Repeal

Scott Brown endorses ‘Don’t Ask’ repeal
Chris Johnson | Dec 03, 2010
The Washington Blade


Sen. Scott Brown (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) announced on Friday he would support an end to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in a statement that could bring repeal advocates closer to their goal of lifting the military’s gay ban.

Brown said he’s basing his new support for ending the ban on the recently released Pentagon report and the recommendations of Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who has called on Congress to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

“I accept the findings of the report and support repeal based on the Secretary’s recommendations that repeal will be implemented only when the battle effectiveness of the forces is assured and proper preparations have been completed,” Brown said.

Brown’s office didn’t respond on short notice to confirm whether this announcement means the senator is committed to voting for moving forward with the fiscal year 2011 defense authorization bill, the vehicle to which repeal language is attached. In September, Brown voted with the rest of the Republican caucus to prevent the legislation from coming to the Senate floor.

In a statement, Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, commended Brown for endorsing repeal. Still, Solmonese said he hopes this support translates to vote in favor of a motion to proceed on the defense authorization bill.

“Support for repealing the ban on open service by gays and lesbians continues to strengthen in the U.S. Senate and supporters will soon be put to the test,” Solmonese said. ”The true measure of whether or not one supports an end to this policy will come as the Senate considers if they will begin debate on the defense bill. Make no mistake, a vote against the motion to proceed is a vote against ['Don't Ask, Don't Tell'] repeal.”

Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, said he welcomes Brown’s comments as he advised Republicans against once again blocking consideration of the defense authorization bill.

“If the 42 GOP senators — including several who support repeal of ‘Don’t Ask’ — stand with their party on process and procedure, their vote will be an endorsement of the discrimination that has cost 14,000 men and women their jobs and put our country’s national security at risk,” Sarvis said.

The complete statement from Brown’s office follows:

“I have been in the military for 31 years and counting, and have served as a subordinate and as an officer. As a legislator, I have spent a significant amount of time on military issues. During my time of service, I have visited our injured troops at Walter Reed and have attended funerals of our fallen heroes. When a soldier answers the call to serve, and risks life or limb, it has never mattered to me whether they are gay or straight. My only concern has been whether their service and sacrifice is with pride and honor.

“I pledged to keep an open mind about the present policy on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Having reviewed the Pentagon report, having spoken to active and retired military service members, and having discussed the matter privately with Defense Secretary Gates and others, I accept the findings of the report and support repeal based on the Secretary’s recommendations that repeal will be implemented only when the battle effectiveness of the forces is assured and proper preparations have been completed.”

GOP’s naked bigotry

GOP’s naked bigotry

Kevin Naff | Dec 01, 2010

The news today that all 42 Republican senators have agreed to block any legislation in the lame duck session unrelated to extending tax cuts to the mega-rich or funding the government lays bare the GOP’s real motive for opposing repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: bigotry.

Make no mistake that this latest stall tactic has nothing to do with the party’s interest in aiding the economy. It’s yet another smokescreen designed to take a gay rights issue off the table.

When Republicans opposed to repeal said they wanted to study the issue, President Obama and Defense Secretary Gates gave them the most exhaustive survey to date ­— hundreds of thousands of surveys sent to troops and even their family members. Never mind the issue has been studied to death, with at least 22 such reports issued since the law was enacted in 1993.

Now that the results of this latest study reveal that the overwhelming majority of those most directly impacted by repeal are OK with it, Republicans have switched their approach again. They claim time should be spent on extending tax cuts for their fat-cat donors and little else. One GOP House leader suggested punting the issue to the next Congress. But we all know what that means: No action for at least two years with Republicans in control of the House.

This is folly and blatant pandering to the far right wing that continues to control the party. There is no excuse for failing to do what most Americans want — and what the troops themselves have now endorsed — and repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

With this latest effort at blocking repeal, the GOP leadership is thoroughly unmasked for what it is: extremist, out of touch and deeply homophobic.