Keith Olbermann leaving MSNBC: Bill Maher tells Rachel Maddow that it's 'bulls--t"

Sherwood/AP; Sykes/AP

MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, left, announced the end of his show 'Countdown' on Friday. HBO host Bill Maher questioned the notion that the decision was 'mutual.'

HBO host Bill Maher immediately asked guest and Olbermann's fomer MSNBC colleague Rachel Maddow why Olbermann was leaving.Keith Olbermann's abrupt exit on Friday night has at least one of his fellow liberal allies fuming.

Maddow, one of Olbermann's closet allies, said she knew "very little about" the decision on "Real Time With Bill Maher" but said it was mutual.

"Well that's always bulls--t," Maher responded.

"I know very little about it," insisted Maddow. "All I know is it was between Keith and the company and didn't involve any of the rest of us." She said the 51-year-old was "very gracious and nice" during his exit.

Maher said the show started to go "downhill' in November when Olbermann toned down segments of show like "World's Worst."

"Stop organizing life around the people who don't get the joke," Maher said, seemingly to the network. "F--k them if they don't get a joke."

Other hosts, like rival CNN host Anderson Cooper, devoted 20 minutes to the news of Olbermann's abrupt exit, even pointing out that MSNBC ran promotional ads that included the host's face after he announced he'd be
leaving.

The liberal host, who was the highest-rated evening anchor on MSNBC, surprised viewers on Friday saying he had "been told" it was his last show after nearly eight years with the network.

"There were many occasions, particularly in the last 2 years, where all that surrounded the show - but never the show itself - was just too much for me," Olbermann said in attempt to explain the decision.

Olbermann caused a brief firestorm in November after reporters uncovered his donations to the campaigns of two Democratic Congressional candidates in Arizona and one in Kentucky. He was briefly yanked off the air, but eventually returned weeks later in his prime time 8 to 9 p.m. slot.

MSNBC confirmed Olbermann was leaving in a terse statement issued minutes after he announced his departure.

A network spokesman said Olbermann's exit had nothing to do with Comcast's purchase of NBC Universal, the cable network's parent company.

But The Daily Beast's Howard Kurtz said MSNBC staffers believed it was only a "matter of time" before Olbermann would "bolt or be pushed out."

"If Olbermann concluded that he would no longer have the independence he craved in the more buttoned-down Comcast era, it is unlikely that anyone in the NBC executive suites tried to talk him out of it," wrote Kurtz.

BY ALIYAH SHAHID
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

 http://www.nydailynews.com

'Infinite Gay Week': Gran Canaria, Spain

  

LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA - The Tourist Board of Gran Canaria has signed the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Madrid an agreement with the company Diviertt SL, organizer of the event macro 'Infinita Gay' in the Spanish capital, with To celebrate from 2011 to 2016 this same show on the island.

The macro Infinita Gay Madrid event annually attracts more than 35,000 people and Gran Canaria is the first destination chosen by the said company for the expansion of macro events to other locations, according to the council in a press release.

So, the island will host a similar occurrence under the name of 'Infinite Gran Canaria Gay Week' initiative, which includes the celebration of leisure activities, both day and night.

The first edition of 'Infinite Gran Canaria Gay Week' in November 2011.

In this regard, the president of the Tourist Board of Gran Canaria, Roberto Moreno, said the holding of an event of this kind, with a high participation of a true collective, is a further claim for the dissemination of Gran Canaria as a destination LGBT tourism. "

For his part, President of Diviertt SL, Miguel Angel Flores, said his interest in the agreement by "making the leap to Gran Canaria as the first expansion of the bound target event."

Furthermore, in order to promote Gran Canaria this year, SL Diviertt design a specific logo to strengthen brand Infinite Gay.

Gay marriage could move forward in some U.S. states

(Reuters) - A handful of U.S. states are poised to take up the issue of gay marriage afresh, due largely to incoming lawmakers who may tip the balance in favor of the controversial measure.

In Maryland, New York and Rhode Island in particular, the legalization of same-sex marriages is moving ahead, organizers and supporters say.

"We have the numbers," said Maryland state Sen. Richard Madaleno Jr. "We've never been in a better position."

The November 2010 election brought a "significant shift," especially in the Senate, said Madaleno, one of Maryland's seven openly gay legislators, three of whom are newly elected.

Even more important, Maryland's Senate Judicial Proceedings committee, which has prevented gay marriage bills from reaching a floor vote, has several new, sympathetic members, said Morgan Meneses-Sheets of Equality Maryland, an advocacy group.

Majority leaders of both houses plan to co-sponsor gay marriage measures. Gov. Martin O'Malley, whose opponent was against gay marriage, has pledged to sign such a bill,

Nationwide, after the Congressional vote to repeal the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy which expelled thousands of gay people from the U.S. military, gay rights advocates are pushing ahead on marriage.

"The work of persuasion, of personal conversations, of talking to lawmakers and mobilizing against a well-funded anti-gay opposition" are among the primary tasks for the lobbying group Freedom to Marry, said founder Evan Wolfson.

"With the freedom to marry within reach this year in states such as New York, Maryland and Rhode Island, now is the time to have those conversations and move marriage forward," he said.

Nearly half of the states have amended their constitutions, however, to prohibit marriage between same-sex partners or defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman, rendering gay marriage beyond reach any time soon.

In New York, where newly-inaugurated Gov. Andrew Cuomo strongly supports gay marriage, lawmakers remain divided but advocates say the prospects are improved with the popular governor's backing.

"Its chances only get better," said Democratic Sen. Thomas Duane, the state's only openly gay senator, who has said he would introduce a gay marriage bill and push for a vote by summer. "Public support grows every time the issue is debated."

Although not a supporter, Dean Skelos, leader of the majority Republicans in the Senate, has said he would not block such a bill coming to the Senate floor for a vote so legislators can make their positions known, according to rights group Empire State Pride Agenda.

Put to a so-called conscience vote, gay marriage has a better chance this year than it did in 2009, said Democratic Sen. Malcolm Smith of New York City, when the Assembly approved it but the Senate did not.

"It is premature to make predictions or attempt head counts based solely on prior votes, but there is reason to be confident," said Ross Levi of Empire State Pride Agenda.

One of the most vocal opponents, Bronx Democrat Sen. Ruben Diaz, would not comment on prospects for passage. "There are more pressing issues facing the state," such as the budget and overhauling ethics laws, Diaz said.

Gay marriage is legal in Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Iowa and the District of Columbia, although a bill to revoke it was introduced in Iowa recently.

In California and New Jersey civil unions, which mimic but do not provide all the legal benefits of marriage, are being challenged in court.

The other West coast states, Hawaii and Illinois have broad domestic partnership or civil union provisions. Several states, including Pennsylvania, Minnesota, North Carolina and Indiana do not deal with the issue, neither granting nor denying it.

The fresh battles come with passionate opposition.

In Maryland, Republican Sen. Allan Kittleman said he would introduce a bill legalizing civil unions, drawing heat from fellow Republicans.

Maryland Delegate Don Dwyer, who opposes civil unions and gay marriage, said he "can't wait for the debate."

Should gay marriage pass, he said he is confident of a referendum which "will drive the conservatives to the polls," where he predicted it would be defeated.

Marriage bills were introduced this month in the House and Senate in Rhode Island, a heavily Roman Catholic but relatively liberal state, where polls show a majority of residents favor what advocates call "marriage freedom."

Newly elected Gov. Lincoln Chafee, whose predecessor vowed to veto gay marriage, voiced support at his inauguration, stressing the potential economic benefits.

But the Senate in Rhode Island is presided over by Sen. Teresa Paiva Weed, a gay marriage opponent.

(Additional reporting by Susan Schept in Arlington, Virginia and Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst and Greg McCune)

By Chris Michaud

NEW YORK 

Cole supports anti-bullying after 'gay' taunts

Brendan Cole

A straight Kiwi-born professional dancer has signed up to an anti-bullying campaign because of his experiences of being taunted as gay during his childhood.

Brendan Cole, who is now a UK-based star of the hit TV series Strictly Come Dancing, says that because he wasn't interested much in rugby and preferred dancing he was singled out for anti-gay bullying at his all-boys school in Christchurch. 

He says the taunts followed him into the workplace when he became a builder.

Cole, 34, left New Zealand at age 19 and has become one of the world's highest paid ballroom dancers. He says he has never forgotten the bullying he received when he was perceived to be gay so has now signed on as an ambassador for the UK-based charity Act Against Bullying.


Posted in: New Zealand Daily News
By GayNZ.com Daily News staff 

John Travolta Says Ricky Gervais' Gay Joke... 'A Roast'

Actor John Travolta appears to have acknowledged that Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais was ribbing him during last Sunday's show.The 49-year-old Gervais took a swipe at Travolta a month after Carrie Fisher outed him as gay.“Not nominated, I Love You Phillip Morris,” Gervais said in his opening monologue referring to the gay-themed romantic-comedy. “Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor. Two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. So the complete opposite of some famous scientologist then.”The line hit a nerve with the audience and Gervais added, “Probably.”“My lawyers helped me with the wording of that joke,” he said. (The video is embedded in the right panel of this page.)On Sunday, celebrity website TMZ.com posted a video of Travolta signing autographs for fans after leaving an event at the Hollywood Palladium on Saturday.“Hey John, how do you feel about Ricky Gervais right now?” TMZ.com asked.“Well, it's a roast, you know,” Travolta answered.In a December 10 interview with gay glossy The Advocate, longtime friend Fisher was bluntly asked about Travolta's alleged gay dalliances.Fisher replied that “we know” and “we don't care.”“Look, I'm sorry that he's uncomfortable with it, and that's all I can say,” Fisher said.Previously, Gawker.com was threatened by Travolta's lawyers for publishing Robert Randolph's claim that the 56-year-old actor is gay.

BY ON TOP MAGAZINE STAFF 

Gay couple's hotel battle is latest case of religion clashing with human rights

• Stephen Preddy and Martyn Hall's legal victory against a Christian hotel that refused them a double room is part of a growing trend of cases that pit faith against discrimination

Steven Preddy, left, and Martyn Hall celebrate their victory against the owners of a Christian hotel. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

If there is one clear trend in contentious litigation in recent months, it is the increase in cases that pit the rights of religious communities against the prohibition on discrimination.

"Religitigation", as it is becoming known, is manifest in increasingly diverse ways. Last year Christian registrar Lillian Ladele failed to exempt herself from the duty of conducting civil partnerships, Christian counsellor Gary McFarlane lost his attempt to be exempt from giving same-sex couples relationship therapy and Christian British Airways employee Nadia Eweida lost her claim to have the right to wear a crucifix at work

It is not only Christians in the dock. Also last year north London's Jewish Free School lost its supreme court bid to refuse admission to a pupil on the basis of his mother's background, after the court found the policy amounted to race discrimination.

In much the same vein, Christian hoteliers Peter and Hazel Bull last week lost their claim to be entitled to refuse double-bed hotel rooms to civil partners Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy. Judge Andrew Rutherford, sitting at Bristol county court, found it was "clear that homosexuals as a group are disadvantaged by the practice adopted by [Peter and Hazel Bull]."

The case appears to be the first to try the distinct legal question of whether a civil partnership is the legal equivalent of marriage, as far as discrimination is concerned. The Bulls' case was that they openly discriminated on marital status – unmarried heterosexual couples were also denied rooms with double beds – but that this policy was based on sex outside wedlock, not sexual orientation. As their counsel memorably stated, the policy "has nothing to do with sexual orientation but everything to do with sex".

That argument might have been successful if it were legally accurate to compare an unmarried couple with same-sex civil partners. But anticipating arguments such as these, the law faces the issue head on. The regulations that ban discrimination against sexual orientation state explicitly that "the fact that one of the persons is a civil partner while the other is married shall not be treated as a material difference".

This exact issue is the subject of a separate legal campaign. Campaigner Peter Tatchell has announced that eight couples will apply to the European court of human rights to overturn the law, on the basis that it "creates a system that segregates couples into two separate legal institutions, with different names but identical rights and responsibilities… based on their sexual orientations".

His gripe is that same-sex couples are denied the right to marry, while heterosexuals are denied the right to civil partnerships – and that both are violations of their rights.

So while some are fighting for gay marriage, the Bulls' case confirms that, in the meantime, Christians will have to accept that civil partnerships are intended to be its equivalent as far as the law is concerned. But the interesting issue in this case lurks in the judge's commentary. "It is no longer the case that our laws must, or should, automatically reflect the Judaeo-Christian position," said Rutherford, that is in regarding marriage as the only form of legally recognised binding relationship.

It is this issue that concerns religious groups – the ability of the law to move on from its religious roots to a more equitable formula of guaranteeing fundamental rights, including the right against discrimination. Of course where those rights come into conflict, a more nuanced exercise of balancing takes place – one that the judiciary has so far approached with the utmost seriousness. Rutherford confessed he found the Bulls' case "very difficult", and Lord Phillips – president of the supreme court and the UK's most senior judge – said earlier this year that the Jewish school decision had been the hardest of his judicial life.

That has been of little consolation to religitigants, however. What they seem to want is a trump card that puts them above the subtle considerations of fairness. And that, the courts have repeatedly said, is not going to happen.

• Afua Hirsch, legal affairs correspondent
• The Observer

Gay Marriage – A Priority For Immigrants?

Photo Credits: Erwin de Leon

Erwin de Leon is a Ph.D. candidate at the New School and a research associate at the Urban Institute. As an LGBT and immigrant rights advocate, he has been interviewed by various outlets including the Washington Post and the Michael Eric Dyson Radio Show. He has contributed to the Washington Blade and keeps his own blog on minority issues. You can follow him on Twitter at @ErwindeLeon. Erwin also contributes to the blog- Feet in 2 worlds- telling the stories of todays immigrants

Governor Andrew Cuomo, during his first state of the state address, called for “justice for all” through the passage of a marriage equality bill this year.  A majority of New Yorkers now favor equal rights for gay couples—a recent Sienna Poll shows a 12-point margin in support of same-sex marriage in every region of the state. Is it inevitable that lesbian and gay New Yorkers will soon have the freedom to wed?

The Empire Pride State Agenda (EPSA), a leading advocate for gay marriage in New York, is cautiously optimistic. “There is a clear and credible path to victory this year,” said George Simpson, the group’s communications coordinator. In addition to support from the new governor, Simpson says it’s a good sign that Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has indicated his openness to a conscience vote, which bodes well for gay marriage legislation. But Simpson hedged his bets, admitting that there will be several challenges ahead.

“It will take a lot of hard work to achieve marriage equality in New York State this year. It’s always difficult to predict when a vote on anything will happen in Albany,” Simpson said.  In addition, gay marriage advocates are up against an unanticipated nine billion dollar budget deficit, challenging economic times, and the dysfunction of Albany.

Some queer activists in immigrant communities are skeptical about pushing a marriage equality bill at this time. They contend that it isn’t the number one priority for most New Yorkers, straight or gay.

Noel Bordador, an Episcopal priest who serves a Chinatown congregation and helps lead the Filipino lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organization Barangay NY, points out that for many immigrants, particularly those new to the United States, survival is their main concern.

“What is most important to them is getting a job, settling in a new home, trying to fit in,” said Bordador.

Andres Duque, a Latino LGBT rights activist and blogger, said though he doesn’t consider himself in this category, (see comment below) he knows certain queer Latino activists who don’t understand why gay advocates are pushing this one issue above all else when there are bigger problems to be addressed such as inequality and poverty.

The Williams Institute confirms that among those living in poverty, LGBT individuals and families tend to be worse off than their straight counterparts.  But Simpson contends that marriage rights would benefit them economically.

“If these families are left without the social safety net that government provides through marriage to all other families, it will be more difficult for family members to take care of one another. For the price of a marriage license, a family can gain rights and privileges from the State of New York, which can be an enormous value for a family of limited means,” said Simpson.

Yet a 2009 Human Rights Campaign report revealed that people of color who identify as LGBT consider affordable health care, jobs and the economy and racial equality to be more important issues than marriage equality.

Jason Tseng, co-chair of the organization Gay Asian Pacific Islander Men of New York thinks the problem with focusing on marriage—straight or gay—is that it perpetuates the conventional notion and legal construct of family which does not reflect the lives of many immigrants and LGBT people.

Immigrant families, he argued, tend not to be made up solely of a married straight couple and their children living under one roof.  Rather, families of color tend to be more broad, embracing grandparents, uncles, aunts and other kin. “A large chunk of the Asian American community is matriarchal and multi-generational,” he said.

Tseng’s concern is that the push for marriage equality supports the conventional idea of a nuclear family, which the U.S. Census estimates describes only 21 percent of American households. He says the notion of family, and the rights therein, should be expanded to include and protect all the various family configurations.

“Take for example,” Tseng said, “a grandmother who is taking care of grandchildren whose parents are migrant workers and are not around. She has limited legal rights over these kids.” Unconventional families like this one do not enjoy the benefits and protections afforded married couples.

Another issue specifically affecting immigrants is that even if gay marriage is legalized in New York, LGBT couples will not benefit from the over 1,100 federal benefits, rights and privileges counted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.  Lesbian and gay New Yorkers will still not be able to sponsor foreign-born spouses for permanent residency, so marriage will not be a path to citizenship for lesbians and gays.

Bordador, Duque and Tseng nonetheless say that marriage rights are important and that some immigrants will benefit from the passage of a marriage equality law. “Winning civil rights for any group is always good,” concedes Tseng.

Bordador also acknowledges the value of the benefits and protections that will be gained. “I will no longer have to worry about things like hospital visitation rights—at least while my husband and I are in town,” said Bordador, who wed his long-time partner in California during the short period gay marriage was legal in that state.

Ijo, an Indonesian journalism student, and Arun (both asked that their real names not be used), a Burmese-American banker plan to marry in Connecticut next month even though Arun will be unable procure a green card for Ijo.  They both strongly believe that everybody has the right to marry. “It legitimizes our relationship, it elevates our status,” said Ijo, who is baffled by New York’s failure to legalize gay unions. “New York, like the Netherlands, has always been a mecca for gay people worldwide, but it has a problem with passing marriage equality. I don’t get it,” he said.

Gay marriage advocates say there are economic benefits to passing a marriage bill. In 2007, the New York City Comptroller’s office estimated that marriage equality could bring a net economic impact of $184 million to the state, mainly an increase in the number of visitors who will come to participate in or attend marriage ceremonies. Simpson said he doesn’t see how anyone could easily justify giving up such an economic boost during these difficult economic times.

The executive director of Freedom to Marry, longtime civil rights leader and Brooklyn native Evan Wolfson, firmly believes marriage equality is a civil rights issue that affects every American. “The denial of the freedom to marry with all its tangible and intangible protections, consequences, and meaning hurts everyone—not least because it is state-sponsored discrimination based on who we are and who we love, which is intolerable,” he told Fi2W in an email.

Marriage equality may not be the top priority for many New Yorkers, but even queer immigrant activists agree that its passage would expand civil rights in the state and codify the fundamental dignity of LGBT individuals and their families. If New York heeds Governor Cuomo’s call and joins other states including Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia in legalizing gay marriage, it would add momentum to the national movement that hopefully will lead to true equality for all LGBT couples.

Pushcart chic: New York's Best kept Fashion Secret

Sure, we have Barney’s. We have Macy’s. We have Bloomies, and Neiman’s and L&T and Bonwits – and dozens and dozens of specialty boutiques from Soho to Fifth Avenue.

And …we have pushcarts, that wild and wacky “New Yawk” phenomenon that colors our street corners and have been known to turn every other Manhattan block into a bargain paradise.

But if you’re under the impression it’s mostly hot pretzels and flavaki for sale, guess again! Indeed, from brightly colored leather purses to hot  fashion earrings, from tank tops in summer to furry hats in winter to umbrellas when it’s raining, if it’s a fashion accessory you want, chances are you can find it on a pushcart!

Now before you turn up that cute little urban nose and say “Not a pushcart girl!”  it’s important to point out that most of these street vendors (as they like to be called) are legitmate, licensed and highly reputable merchants, many of them making a living quite possibly better than most store clerks.

What you also might not know: Those who are registered  with the City can actually stake a claim on a particular location. That’s important because if you like what you see – or you have a problem with what you purchased -  it’s nice to know you can go back to the same location and find the same merchant there again. Just like on Madison Avenue!

And the realyl important point to remember is that most street vendors are honest, hardworking folks who will help you out should something go wrong with your purchase!  Remember, it was  pushcart heros Lance Orton (great T shirts) and Duane Jackson ( fabulous handbags!) who called out the car bomb terrorist in midtown, saving dozens if not hundreds of lives!

At the same time, it’s fair to say that New York also has its share of push cart charlatans -  fly-by-night, unlicensed street corner vendors selling questionable goods, many of them counterfeit or stolen,  and some just plan junk that falls apart before you're even half-way home.

So, how do you know where to buy – what to buy – and from whom to buy in the world of New York's pushcart chic?   Here are six tips to help you get the real bargains for your dollar !

The pushcart fashion buy rules

1.     Don’t buy from a vendor you see for the first time.  If you like what a street vendor is selling,  examine the merchandise and then come back anywhere from a few days to a week later and see if they’re still there. If they are, chances are it’s a legit, and registered vendor who is going to give you a pretty good deal.

2.     If the deal seems too good to be true – pass it up.  If you’re being offered a Coach bag for  twenty bucks or a Prada for 30 bucks, chances are it’s either stolen merchandise or, more than likely, a fake.  You don’t want to support either industry, so pass it up.

3.     Don’t expect fashion advice or answers about quality or materials. While most street vendors are probably a lot nicer than many of the snooty sales folks you run into on Madison or Fifth,  they usually know little about the merchandise they sell – so examine the goods carefully and use your own fashion savvy to tell if it’s really cashmere or just plain polyester.

4.     Pay in cash.  While that’s the rule of thumb for most street vendors,  the digital age has hit the pushcart industry, and some  now have portable , electronic, smart-phone credit card terminals they can use for sales.  Again, while most are honest, you might want to think twice about giving over your credit card info on  the street – where bystanders might have access to what you’re passing along.    So hit up the ATM and get the cash you need before making the purchase.

5.     You can bargain!  Another reason to pay in cash: Most pushcart vendors are flexible on price and will knock off from  10 to 20 percent if you ask (nicely)!  Moreover, many will offer an even larger discount if you purchase multiple items – but again, using cash is your ticket to getting the best price possible.

6.     Know what you’re getting.  While you can pick up some great, cheap chic bargains at almost any pushcart vendor – and some offer pretty good deals on even label merchandise –  recognize that some do mix in  “seconds” that could have slight defects which might not be apparent until you get the item home.  So do look over the merchandise carefully – paying attention to the seams, the size,  the evenness of color, and if it’s an item that contains moveable parts, such as a bracelet or earrings, check the clasps and closings.

The best locations for pushcart bargains in New York City:  SoHo, the lower east side,  Greenwich Village, Midtown, and 1st and 2nd Avenue from the 30’s the the 60’s.  Also keep an eye out for street fairs which offer some great fashion bargains! Visit http://www.nycstreetfairs.com/sched.html for a  calendar of local NYC street fairs - including when and where they take place! Happy Shopping!

Colette Bouchez is the designer director of CountryDutchess.co

  Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com