Byrd Backs DADT Compromise


DADT ROBERT BYRD X390 OFFICIAL   ADVOCATE.COM
Robert Byrd helps the community get one step closer to a repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" ploicy. Sen. Robert Byrd says he will support the repeal of the policy that bars gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military.

“I did not want to blindly assent to repealing this law without giving the Congress an opportunity to re-examine the concerns of our Armed Forces and the manner in which they are being addressed,” the West Virginia Democrat said Wednesday in a statement. “Therefore, I worked with the Senate and House Leadership, Senators Lieberman and Levin, Congressman Murphy, the Administration and the Department of Defense to include a provision in the proposed compromise amendment that would delay the repeal of the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy for 60 days after receipt of the findings of the Pentagon Review and the determination of the proposed policy and regulation changes.”

Byrd holds a key vote on this repeal once it goes to legislation.and it will be voted on Thursday, while it also has the support of President Barack Obama, Defense secretary Robert Gates, and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Adm. Michael Mullen.
 
History could be in the making...


Malawi - Two men sentenced to 14 years
 
Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, face up to 14 years in prison at their sentencing hearing Thursday, according to the judge.
 
They were arrested after throwing a party to celebrate their engagement in this conservative southern African country. They were also convicted of unnatural acts and gross indecency. On this continent they largely outlaw homosexuality.

"This is the most publicized case related to that penal code," their lawyer said.

The government, backed by Malawi church leaders, say it is clear the two men broke the law. Religious officials say homosexuality is "sinful" and the West should not be allowed to use its financial power to force Malawi to accept homosexuality. Malawi relies on donors for 40 percent of its development budget.

"It's a challenge in terms of us pushing for legal reform," Mwakasungula (their lawyer) said. "We can't be using a law that was enacted in 1940."

The verdict is "extremely disturbing," said Michaela Clayton of the Namibia-based AIDS & Rights Alliance for Southern Africa, saying it could encourage anti-gay sentiment in the region as well as set back the fight against AIDS. Gay people forced underground in Africa are unlikely to seek counseling and treatment for AIDS, she and other activists said.

Malawi's government has been defiant in the face of international criticism over the prosecution of Monjeza and Chimbalanga. Months before the verdict, Information Minister Leckford Mwanza Thoto said it was clear the two had broken the law.


Mr WV Queer News 2010-2011
 
On friday, April 23rd, 2010 at Woodstarr in Parkersburg, WV. We had our fourth annual Mr West Virginia Queer News Competition and what a show, these guys put on. Each contestant brought something different to the contest but each one had talent and character on the stage.
 
The three contestants were Jonathan Clark from Charleston, WV, Jason Bennet from Parkersburg, WV, and also Jason Jordan from Huntington, WV. They were all quite entertaining and to be honest, I have to say probably the best talent I have ever seen in a male competition. Formal wear and pride wear were great but when we went into the talent portion of the contest. They were all great.
 
Mr. Clark did a military dance mix that left you wanting more, while Jason Bennet sang live, to Elton John;s Rocket Man. The final talent of the night was interesting and was a hot mix too. It was a skit from Silence of the Lamb's, lead into the song Crazy. These guys brought you a show like none other. I applaude each contestant for doing a fantastic job but like always, there can only be one winner.
 
I would have liked to crown the top two. They were flawless but both of them will be representing WV Queer News on May 28th at the Clay Center in the Pride of WV Conest. Cayleb came out and crowned our 2010-2011 winner as Mr Jonathan Clark from Charleston, WV. He did a great job but a mere 5 points separated him and first runner-up Jason Jordan. What a grand job you all did, I am proud to see the men of the state battle it out and make a plea to be some of the best entertainers in the state. Kudos to each of you!
 
Not only was the competition fabulous but the entertainment we had throughout the night was just as hot! We had our newly crowned Ms WVQN Morgan Le Fay, Ms WVQN New Face Red Hot Scarlett, Chastity Fox, Sabrina Foxx, Clitorella Douche, and our current reigning Mr WVQN Cayleb. While we sadly say goodbye to Cayleb, we only welcome to the other venues throughout the state. You served us as well as anyone could have. You made us proud and we will have him back very soon at our earliest convenience. I would probably say at our 2010 Pride Week here in Parkersburg, WV in late August.


STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama has asked the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a rule that would prevent hospitals from denying visitation privileges to gay and lesbian partners.

The president's Thursday memo said, "There are few moments in our lives that call for greater compassion and companionship than when a loved one is admitted to the hospital. ... Yet every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindnesses and caring of a loved one at their sides."

Gay and lesbian Americans are "uniquely affected" by relatives-only policies at hospitals, Obama said, adding that they "are often barred from the bedsides of the partners with whom they may have spent decades of their lives -- unable to be there for the person they love, and unable to act as a legal surrogate if their partner is incapacitated."

Obama requested that the regulation make clear that any hospital receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding, which includes the vast majority of U.S. hospitals, must allow patients to decide who can visit them and prohibit discrimination based on a variety of characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender identity.

Read the president's memorandum (PDF)

The president listed widows and widowers without children and members of certain religious orders among those who suffer under the policy.

The memo was welcomed by gays and lesbians, who have used the restrictions on hospital visitation as an argument in favor of same-sex marriage.

"In the absence of gay people being able to legally marry in most jurisdictions, this is a step to rectify a gross inequity," said David Smith, an executive at the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights group. "Because without gay marriage, much more inequities exist. It should be applauded."

Smith said the organization had been working with the Obama administration for months on the request, and that it was sparked by the case of a Florida lesbian couple who were kept apart as one died from an aneurysm. The rule would help hundreds of thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families, he said.

Obama's memo also requires the HHS regulations to guarantee hospitals honor all patients' advance directives, which include stipulations such as who should make health care decisions if the patient isn't able to do so. The memo also directs the department to look into any other health care barriers that pose challenges to such families and make recommendations to the president on them within 180 days.

CNN's Devon Sayers and Samira Simone contributed to this report.

 


Wow! Another packed house at Woodstarr Nightclub in Parkersburg, WV all weekend long.
 
Friday night was a great night with The Terry awards and a "Glitz and Glamour" show that was sure to please. Not to mention, our grand host in Steven Tompa and our fabulous hostess Miss Michelle St. James. They both performed before a packed place to see who was going to take home a "gay grammy" or a Terry.

 
The evening was filled with many winners and some great entertainment. The entertainers were:
 
Morgan Le Fay
Steven Tompa
Michelle St. James
Viki Williams
Gabriel Sky
Lucy Lipps
Mimi Woods
Eve X
Xander Le Fay
 
Rundown of Award winners below, if you were unable to attend and would like your trophy. Feel free to email me with details on how to receive your award! wvasqueernews2@aol.com


 
Most Recognized - Luciousleeza
Clown of the Year - Cherry3000
Most Improved Diva - Candie Lynn
Best Writing Series - Bon Voyage
Fag Hag - Margaret Burdette
Guy Next Door - WV21021
Big But Beautiful - Boom Boom La Rue
Political Column - Speak Out
Flirt of the Year - Allaroundfun
Up and Coming Diva - Bianca Baker
Gay Recreation - Roseland Campgrounds
Most Improved Column - Bearbelly Backtalk
Most Improved Writer - Joel Baum
Sweetheart - Roitoy
Most Creative ID - Justmeinbfe
Door Person - Heather (Woodstarr)
Most Dedicated - Jim Lawson
Aol Chatter - Larryg1a
Social Group - Bear men of WV
Club Mc - Boom Boom La Rue
Horizon Award - Viki Williams and Bridget Nickles
Leather Column - Justice is Served
Leather Person - Lady Justice
Couple of the Year - Britney and Catie
Organization of the Year - Tri State Aids Network
Bear Column - UnBearable
Bear Writer - Tim with Unbearable
Greeter - Qtr_bag
Drag King - Rider Harder
Club Owners of the Year - Spencer and Russel (Wild Coyote)
Advice Column - Ask Adam
Best Smile - Wv21021
Best Eyes - Wv21021
Bear of the Year - Staci London
Most Photogenic - Creative_energy
Sex Conversationalist - Sexguide
Karaokee Dj - Debbie (Woodstarr)
Diversity Column - Straight Up
Diversity Writer - Tim with UnBearable
Best Looking - Drewbydrew
Gay Media - Keystone Alliance
Ladies Column - Then and Now
Ladies Writer - Brenda Duff
Outstanding Website - Stonewall Society
Dj of the Year - Robbie (Woodstarr)
Mr/Ms Personality - Allaroundfun
Manliest Man - Onebuiltstud
Divalicious Queen - Morgan Le Fay
North Central M4m Chatter - WV Griffin
Bartender of the year - Clint (Woodstarr)
Rising Star - Bianca Baker
Hottest Body - Onebuiltstud
Best Bar - Woodstarr
Best New Bar - Wild Coyote
Coolest Chatter - Mailboy64
Male Entertainer - Cayleb
Best New Diva - Paris La Rue
Up and Coming Column - Ministry of Style
Up and Coming Writer - John Eller with Min of Style
King 2009 - Cherry3000
Queen 2009 - Leeza Z.
Woman of the Year - Linda Bodie
Diva of the Year - Patricia Knight
Bst New Column - 712
Best New Writer - Steve with 712
Chatter of the Year - Mailboy64
Humanitarian - Tri State Aids Task Force
Best Column - Straight Up
Best Writer - Jim Lawson
Man of the Year - Jeff Crist

Saturday night, 7 girls competed for the right to be named "Ms West Virginia Queer News and Ms WVQN New Face. While we had to say goodbye to two great entertainers whos reign was ending, Ms Patricia Knight and Ms Tearah Deserae.


Ms WV Queer News final performance
 
The four girls who battled it out for the Ms WVQN title were Ms Morgan Le Fay, Tearah Deserae, XTC, and Ms Victoria Jackson. They all brought something different to the table, but on this night - Ms Morgan Le Fay dazzled the audience with some outstanding outfits as well as a performance of a lifetime. She won every category that evening, and her creative evening wear was fantastic! Not to mention, her rendition of the elusive Ms Poison Ivy, Fa-b-u-lous! Even her yellow presentation was something to be desired, with that head piece that shocked and awed.

Needless to say, Ms Morgan Le Fay was crowned your 2010 winner

 and her runner up was the talented Ms Tearah Deserae.

 They both will be competing in May at the Ms Pride of WV contest as representatives of West Virginia Queer News. Congratulations to both of them!

Each girl went through categories of yellow presentation:

Contestant 1 - Morgan Le Fay


Contestant 2 - Tearah Deserae


Contestant 3 - Victoria Jackson  (DQ)

Contestant 4 - XTC


New Face Contestant 1 - Scarlett Storm

New face Contestant 2 - Lady Jade Channel

New face Contestant 3 - Chastity Fox




Creative Evening Wear:

Contestant 1 - Morgan Le Fay



Contestant 2 - Tearah Deserae



Contestant 3 - Victoria Jackson (DQ)

Contestant 4 - XTC



New face contestant 1 - Scarlett Storm



New Face Contestant 2 - Lady Jade Channel



New Face Contestant 3 - Chastity Fox



Talent:

Contestant 1 - Morgan le Fay



Contestant 2 - Tearah Deserae



Contestant 3 - Victoria Jackson (DQ)

Contestant 4 - XTC



New face contestant 1 - Scarlett Storm



New face contestant 2 - Lady Jade Channel

No pic available

New face contestant 3 - Chastity Fox

no pic available


But each girl brought a wonderful package and definitely left the patrons at Woodstarr wanting more.

The Ms WVQN New Face contestants were quite good too, and to be honest one of them tore the house down with a dance style that has been lacking in the female impersonating business for a long time. This entertainer is none other than Ms. Scarlett Storm. She was consistent in every category but her talent was definitely one of the top performances of the night!  She was crowned Ms WVQN New face.


        Ms WVQN Tearah Deserae crowning Scarlett Storm

                    Ms Scarlett Storm, Ms WVQN New Face

The runner-up was Chastity Fox.

Her competitors were Ms Jade Channel and Ms Chastity Fox. Your runner up for the evening was Ms Chastity Fox, that did a awesome rendition of Bette Midler's 'Wind Beneath my Wings'.
 
Both nights were filled with stars and fun for all who attended. I would just like to say thanks for coming out and seeing both shows. I would also like to thank the pride committee for coming out and being part of it. As well as, I would like to thank those who made the night possible:

Jeff, Erick, Matt, Roi, Mimi, Vince, Dustin, Chrissi, Jim, George, Mac Corkle Flowers in Charleston, and all the others who made a monetary contribution or effort to help in anyway. Id also like to recognize all of you who attended the two benefits in the pouring snow. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
 
 The contestants were not the only divine attraction for the evening, we had wonderful performances by Mr Parkersburg Pride Herbie Vinson, Lucy Lipps, Eve X, and Mimi Woods. All in all, it will be a night to be remembered for quite some time.