Caught! Madonna's new man Brahim Zaibat revealed on night out in London with star

It seems Brahim Zaibat may have underestimated the level of attention he would receive as Madonna's new man.

The backup dancer made a bizarre attempt to hide from the cameras as he escorted his older lover out in London last night, covering his face with a scarf.

He dropped the disguise once inside his car though, giving onlookers a glimpse of her new toyboy.

Unlike her new man Madonna, 52, saw nothing to be ashamed off. She smiled at the cameras as the two left fashionable London nightclub Aura.

Caught: Madonna's new boyfriend Brahim Zaibat arrives separately from the star at nightclub Aura after dining with friends at Locanda Loccateli

Ashamed of something? Zaibat hides under his scarf as he leaves the London nightclub with Madonna last night

The 52-year-old singer was firs photographed leaving a cinema in New York with Zaibat last week, whom she is thought to have been dating for the past 'few months'.

A source told gossip website X17Online.com: 'They've been seeing each other for a few months but really keeping it on the down low. 

'Madonna did not want this getting out before she had time to see if things were really going to work out between her and Brahim or not. 

'Things have been going well so she was about to go public with the relationship anyway.'

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Facebook ads could 'out' gay users, researchers say

Facebook users may inadvertently reveal their sexual preference to advertisers in an apparent wrinkle in the social-networking site's advertising system, researchers have found.

The researchers set up six Facebook accounts, analyzing the type of advertisements served to them and way those advertisements differed based on the profile's declared sexual preference.

Two of the profiles purported to be males interested in females, and two females interested in males. Another profile was for a male interested in other males, and the last a female interested in other females. All six profiles claimed to be 25-year-olds living in Washington, D.C.

Unsurprisingly, the researchers found that ads that explicitly mentioned sexual preference, such as ads for gay bars, were served to the gay profiles. But they found that many ads that did not explicitly refer to sexual preference were shown exclusively to the gay profiles.

One example was an advertisement for a nursing program at a medical college in Florida, which was only shown to gay men.

The researchers said that persons seeing the ad would not know that it had been exclusively aimed at them solely based on their sexuality, nor would they realize that clicking on the ad would reveal to the advertiser, by implication, their sexual preference in addition to other information they might expect to be sent, such as their IP (Internet Protocol) address.

"The danger with such ads, unlike the gay bar ad where the target demographic is blatantly obvious, is that the user reading the ad text would have no idea that by clicking it he would reveal to the advertiser both his sexual preference and a unique identifier (cookie, IP address, or e-mail address if he signs up on the advertiser's site)," the researchers wrote in a paper. "Furthermore, such deceptive ads are not uncommon; indeed exactly half of the 66 ads shown exclusively to gay men (more than 50 times) during our experiment did not mention 'gay' anywhere in the ad text."

The scenario would appear to violate Facebook's advertising policy, which says "Any targeting of adverts based on a user attribute such as age, gender, location or interest, must be directly relevant to the offer and cannot be done by a method inconsistent with privacy and data policies."

A Facebook spokeswoman downplayed the study, saying that the site does not pass any personally identifiable information back to an advertiser.

Christopher Soghoian, a doctoral candidate at the School of Informatics and Computing at Indiana University, wrote on his blog that Facebook could deal with the issue in a couple of ways.

The site could simply stop allowing advertisers to target ads based on sensitive information, such as sexual preference or political affiliations, or it could inform users that an ad was targeted based on a specific attribute of their profile, Soghoian wrote.

"Users should also be told, after clicking on the ad, but before being directed to the site, that the advertiser may be able to learn this sensitive information about them, simply by visiting the site," Soghoian wrote. "I suspect that neither option is going to be something that Facebook is going to want to embrace."

Saikat Guha of Microsoft Research India, and Bin Cheng and Paul Francis, both of the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems in Germany.
Challenges in Measuring Online Advertising Systems...

Bergen, Norway: Most municipalities have positive attitudes to gays

  

Most municipalities in Bergen has a positive attitude to gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the workplace. A small minority are negative, according to a survey conducted by Fafo.

- The result was more positive than that made by similar studies in Scandinavia. If this is typical for larger jobs, it shows attitudes changing, "says researcher Arne Backer Grønningsæter who conducted the survey together with Fafo colleague Bjorn R. Lesch-Nuland.

Less acceptance

- The survey gives a fairly positive picture of the situation in the municipality of Bergen. There are some cracks in the main picture, "said Grønningsæter. He points out that it is inferior to the acceptance of gays colleagues in some male-dominated environments, technical support services and schools.

Commissioner for Health and Social Inclusion in Bergen, Christine B. Meyer, said that the general impression is very good.

- But the county has some challenges that we must take seriously. We must enter into dialogue with the communities that stand out as less positive. We need to work on attitudes, "said the Commissioner.

1 per cent negative

Among the more than 1,500 municipal employees who responded, 53 percent said that they are generally positive towards gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the workplace. 18 percent are either positive or negative while 1 percent is negative. 28 percent do not respond.

When asked if the employees think it is okay with a gay boss, answering 93 percent yes, 2 percent down while 6 percent said do not know.

Bergen has an action plan for the inclusion of gays. Fafo survey shows that one in three workers do not know the plan. Knowledge of inclusion plan is at least in the technical department, fire department and school.

Little discrimination

Among those who responded to the survey, there are 44 who say they are gays, lesbians or bisexuals. Their experience of the work environment does not differ much from the rest of the employees.

When asked how they feel that others relate to the fact that they are gays, answering almost three out of four colleagues are positive. One of the four have not told anyone that they are gays while over half have told it to the manager.

Only one of the 44 have experienced discrimination in the workplace. 33 of them have never had such problems while eight pieces are uncertain.

- Effortless
One of the lesbians in Bergen is Elisabeth Farstad. She participated when the report was presented in Bergen on Thursday and confirmed the positive impression:

- For me it has been quite problematic. I feel there is a diversity people appreciate, "she said.

- I believe transparency is important, although I have good experience with it. It is terribly difficult to live hidden. However, people have to be open about it if they do not want to.

 

Ukeavisen...

Gloria Estefan Says She Once Considered 'Checking Out' In 'It Gets Better' Video

PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 22, 2010

In a video for the It Gets Better campaign, singer Gloria Estefan reveals

 that she once considered “checking out.”

“I went through some tough times,” Estefan says. “I felt the weight of the

 world on my shoulders. I wanted to be strong for my mom, but deep 

inside

 I was crumbling. And there were many a time that I thought that the

 easiest way would be just to check out.”

The Grammy-winning singer adds that her family kept her strong and

 urges troubled gay teens considering suicide to hang in there.

“Thoughts can create reality and when you make your thoughts strong 

and positive you can create the life that you want for yourself.”

“Believe in yourself,” she adds. “And it will get better. I promise you.”

 (The video is embedded in the right panel of this page.)

The It Gets Better campaign is the brainchild of sex advice columnist

 and activist Dan Savage, who launched the project by uploading a 

video on YouTube. Savage announced Wednesday that the collection 

of videos which urge troubled gay teens to get help had swelled to 

20,000, with over 10 million views.

Other celebrities and high-profile politicians who have created videos includePresident Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, New York

 Governor David Paterson, Fort Worth Councilman Joel Burns, 

rocker Adam Lambert and actor Neil Patrick Harris.

BY ON TOP MAGAZINE STAFF 

Bill McCollum Won't Appeal Gay Adoption Ruling; Florida's Ban Is Dead

 
PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 22, 2010

Florida's 33-year-old ban on gay men and lesbians adopting children 

is dead following Friday's announcement by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum that he would not appeal a court ruling that upheld a 2008 

decision that struck down the law.

Last month, a 3-judge appeals court unanimously upheld the ruling that

 found the law to be unconstitutional and to have “no rational basis.”

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) had already said it 

would not challenge the ruling.

“Following the decision by our client, the Department of Children and

 Families, not to appeal the decision of the Third District Court of Appeals,

 it is clear that this is not the right case to take to the Supreme Court for 

its determination. No doubt someday a more suitable case will give the

 Supreme Court the opportunity to uphold the constitutionality of this law,” McCollum said in a statement.

The decision means that Frank Martin Gill, the plaintiff being represented 

by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), can legally adopt the two half brothers he and his partner have raised since 2004.

“This law, by baselessly branding gay people unfit parents, was one of the 

most notorious anti-gay laws in the country, and we are delighted that 

it has been ended once and for all,” Leslie Cooper, a senior staff attorney 

with the ACLU LGBT Project, who argued the case before Florida’s Third

 District Court of Appeal, said in a statement. “This victory means that the thousands of children in Florida who are waiting to be adopted will no

 longer be needlessly deprived of willing and able parents who can give

 them the love and support of a family.”

Gill said he was “relieved” and looked forward to focusing on being a 

family.

“Our boys have overcome difficult beginnings to become happy, healthy

 kids,” he said. “All children deserve a chance at finding a stable, loving

 and permanent home.”

Florida was the only state with an outright ban. Other states have enacted

 laws that limit gay couples' access to adoption. Such as Arkansas, which

 denies unmarried couples – in a state that bans gay marriage – the right 

to jointly adopt children.

BY CARLOS SANTOSCOY

ontopmag.com

Robert Gates Introduces A Stricter DADT on Discahrges

 
PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 22, 2010

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced Thursday that the restart

 of the policy that bans open gay service will be in the hands of six 

officials.

The ban, known as “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” was revived Wednesday at least temporarily by the Obama administration when the Ninth U.S. Circuit 

Court of Appeals in San Francisco granted defendants the stay they sought

 while the government prepares an appeal to U.S. District Judge Virginia

 Phillips' September ruling striking down the law as unconstitutional and subsequent injunction against its enforcement.

Only the secretaries of the armed forces can authorize a separation under 

the law, and the Defense Department's top attorney and the undersecretary

 for Defense for Personnel and Readiness must also be consulted, leaving

 the policy in the hands of six civilians appointed by the president.

President Barack Obama has said he agrees that the law should be repealed

 but is pursuing an appeal because he's looking for a “durable” solution

 from Congress. Repeal advocates remain hopeful that the Senate will act 

against 

the law during the lame-duck session after the November midterm 

elections.

The rule changes are meant to “ensure uniformity and care in the

 enforcement 

of 'don't ask, don't tell' law and policy during this period of legal 

uncertainty,” 

a senior defense official is quoted by the Army Times.

Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense 

Network (SLDN), said the change could strike a severe blow to the policy.

“This important change could dramatically reduce DADT discharges, 

if DoD applies the Witt legal standard throughout the military, which

 requires the Pentagon to find that gay service members would harm 

military readiness, 

unit cohesion and good order, before they are discharged,” Sarvis said 

in a statement.

Sarvis also warned gay service members from coming out during this

 period 

of uncertainty.

“But this Pentagon guidance memo does not end DADT. It is still in 

place,

 and service members should not come out.”

On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced it would accept openly gay

 recruits

 and several high-profile service members previously discharged under

 the 

policy –including Army Lt. Dan Choi – immediately reenlisted.

BY CARLOS SANTOSCOY 

ontopmag.com

NOM Loses Right to Privately Hate in RI & NY

October 22, 2010 

First Washington, then Massachusetts and now as we await for results in New York, NOM has been handed down a third consecutive ruling they must report their spending and reveal donors in their campaign to keep marriage discrimination alive and well in the state of Rhode Island.

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Mary Lisi told NOM they can run ads in the state for the upcoming November election as long as they report how much they spend on those ads.

NOM used their usual argument that they aren’t a PAC so they should be exempt from having to report their expenditures, comply with spending limits or follow other requirements imposed upon PACs, but the judge said their argument was moot.

Pull out your check register Maggie!  It’s time you earned an HONEST living!

On a side note, I can’t believe these cretins have a pic of MLK Jr. on their website.  In no way shape or form did MLK Jr. ever stand for the vitriol and blatant discrimination that NOM stands for.  Maggie Gallagher, I know you have no shame, but you should!  That is the epitome of disrespect and you make me ill!

by James Hipps  

Gay Student Teacher Reinstated By Oregon School District

What a month it's been for Seth Stambaugh, the 23-year-old graduate student at Lewis & Clark College in Oregon. In mid-September, Stambaugh was removed from his student teaching assignment at the Beaverton School District outside of Portland, after he answered a student's question about same-sex marriage. The student, a fourth-grader, asked Stambaugh if he was married, to which Stambaugh replied "No," saying that gay marriage was illegal in the state of Oregon because of a constitutional amendment.

That answer made its way back to a parent of another child in the district, who blew a gasket. The parent contacted the school, and urged them to kick Stambaugh out of the classroom. And that's exactly what the school district did, punishing Stambaugh for essentially answering a fourth grader's question with .... the truth. (Their official reason, for what it's worth, was that Stambaugh fostered inappropriate discussion inside the classroom.)

The district's action drew a strong rebuke, however, both from administrators at Lewis & Clark College, as well as students and parents in the district. The district's decision to remove Stambaugh also drew significant national attention, with more than 5,000 people contacting the Beaverton District to express outrage that a teacher could be removed from the classroom simply for answering a question about marriage.

Well, after a solid month of back and forth, this story has a happy ending. The Superintendent of the Beaverton School District announced yesterday that the district was wrong to remove Stambaugh from the classroom, and that by the end of the month, Stambaugh would be allowed to student teach again in the district. Talk about a solid victory in the face of injustice.

Stambaugh's lawyer, Luke Perriguey, told a local NBC television station that Stambaugh was happy that the school district had come around on this issue.

"Mr. Stambaugh is joyous beyond belief. He is celebrating privately with friends and family and will make a public statement to all media in the next few days," Perriguey said.

Earlier this week, Stambaugh did speak with reporters about his case, saying that his intention was never to provoke controversy in the classroom. All he wanted to do was be a good teacher, and pursue his lifelong dream of education children.

"It's the energy I get when I walk into a classroom.  It's joyous beyond belief," said Stambaugh, about his desire to become a teacher, and why it was so painful to be removed from his student teaching assignment.

Looks like he'll get the chance to continue that dream. Given his passion for teaching, that can only mean wonderful things for the lucky fourth graders in the Beaverton School District.

Photo credit: KGW

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.