Lady Gaga Speaks Out Against Arizona Immigration Law In Phoenix

A few days ago GetEqual urged Lady Gaga to join in the boycott of Arizona by canceling her concert in Phoenix or take a stand against the state's recent immigration law, SB 1070. Looks like she chose the latter.

Gaga tweeted this before her concert last night: "Tonight we will continue to actively protest social and political injustices in Arizona. We will sing, we will stand up, + we will be heard." She then took a few minutes during her show to address SB 1070.

Some quotes from Gaga:

"I got a phone call from a couple of really big rock and rollers, big pop stars, big rappers and they said   'We'd like you to boycott playing Arizona because of SB 1070' and I said, 'You really think that us dumb fucking pop stars are gonna collapse the economy of Arizona?'"

"I'll tell you what we have to do about SB 1070. We have to be active. We have to actively actively protest and the nature of the Monster Ball is to actively protest prejudice and injustice and the bullshit that is put on our society."

"I will not cancel my show. I will yell and I will scream louder and I will hold you and we will hold each other and we will peacably protest this state. Do not be afraid because if it wasn't for all of you immigrants, this country wouldn't have shit."

Watch a clip of her speech, AFTER THE JUMP.

Related, the state won't see a review of the law before this November.

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News: Kristin Chenoweth, Joe McElderry, Arizona, Rent

Kristin Chenoweth on the reaction caused by her speaking out against the Newsweek article in which she defended Sean Hayes and other openly gay actors: “If it was a way to get the conversation started then I’m very happy. I said exactly what I needed to in that article and I stand by everything that I said.”

Joe McElderry grateful for the support he's received since his coming out. One of those supporters, Simon Cowell, is "thrilled" about his decision.

Ne-Yo says that people think he's gay because he's never shot a person before.

Madonna-directed film "W.E." takes shoots in Paris.

The US version of the incredibly raw UK show "Skins" has changed the original show's gay dancer character with that of a lesbian cheerleader.

Dick Cheney in the hospital after heart surgery.

Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison won't vote to confirm Elena Kagan: “Her decision on military recruiters while at Harvard gives evidence of her personal views instructing her professional decisions in order to promote a social agenda. I simply cannot reconcile Ms. Kagan’s sparse record and my concerns about whether she will be an impartial arbiter of the law and so I will oppose her appointment."

Don't be surprised to find out your Blackberry doesn't work in the UAE.

15 years ago, Lisa Simpson was married on this date - August 1, 2010.

Sarah Palin's focus will certainly change over the next 2 years: "I've never committed to running for president. That's not where my focus is."

Those affected by the BP Oil spill might get a lump sum payout.

Men protest Arizona's immigration law by storming Citi Field with Mexican flags during Mets/Arizona Diamondbacks game.

Gay perceptions in both Jamaican and Japanese reggae: "Over the last decade, gay activism, which has led to the cancellations of European tours for a number of Jamaican dancehall artistes, has made Japanese reggae fans aware of the presence of anti-gay lyrics in Jamaican dancehall. This has led to debates within the Japanese dancehall community on the extent to which aspects of Jamaican dancehall performance should be adopted in Japan when the social circumstances in Japan are different,"

I don't think Tiger Woods marrying one of his mistresses would improve his PR image.

A Neil Patrick Harris-helmed Rent prepares to take over the Hollywood Bowl next weekend.

The Space Station's cooling system is experiencing big problems.

Eddie Munster gets a Mrs. Munster.

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Gay Sex Sting Operation In Newark Park Is Suspended

Last month, Andy posted about the death of DeFarra Gaymon, who was shot and killed by a police officer in Newark, NJ during a crackdown of cruising at a park in the city. Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura tells the New Jersey Star-Ledger that the five-year sting operation in the park has been suspended:

"We’ve temporarily suspended the undercover operation there, but we're increasing uniformed patrol at Branch Brook. It's on hold for now. We're looking to tweak it and make some adjustments."

New Jersey's largest LGBT organization is getting involved in the incident and past arrests in the park.

Garden State Equality, the state’s leading gay rights advocacy group, has now asked for documents related to previous lewdness arrests made at Branch Brook Park since 2005, saying any operation "targeting gay men or LGBT people specifically, or anyone perceived as such, is unconscionable — and as we strongly believe, illegal."

Legal experts said though police cannot go after a specific group on the basis of gender or sexual orientation, neither can a defendant use that as a shield against committing a crime.

Joel Caplan, a Rutgers Law School professor, said both sides have legitimate concerns. "If a police department has jurisdiction in a particular area, it has a right to enforce the law," he said. "If a bunch of young kids are playing loud music at night, police aren’t targeting the juveniles, they’re targeting the activity. But it also raises the question, why (is the sheriff) choosing to enforce that and not something else?"

As noted earlier, the prosecutor on the case claims that "Mr. Gaymon reached into his pocket and lunged at the officer in an attempt to disarm the officer. The officer shot him after "fearing for his life." The victim's family is now saying that that is complete nonsense. They claim that Gaymon would have never reacted violently and the police officer is lying in order to protect himself. They are also requesting that the FBI investigate the incident.

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Study: More Than 70 Countries Make Being Gay A Crime

Reports The Independent:

"A comprehensive study of global lesbian, bisexual and gay rights, seen by The Independent on Sunday, reveals the brutal – and, in many instances, fatal – price people pay around the globe for their sexuality. The research, which was conducted by the charity network the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), shows that 76 countries still prosecute people on the grounds of their sexual orientation – seven of which punish same-sex acts with death." 

"On a global scale, the nations doing something positive for gay rights are dwarfed by those behaving negatively. While 75 countries will imprison you if you are gay, only 53 have anti-discrimination laws that apply to sexuality. Only 26 countries recognise same-sex unions."

Rights for gay people in Africa don't seem to be improving at all. In fact many countries are seeing the opposite:

"ILGA's study of global gay rights shows that, elsewhere, admitting to being gay is still a matter of life and death. In much of Africa, the past decade has seen the lives of gay people go "from bad to worse", the report says. More than 50 per cent of African states have taken action to criminalise homosexuality and religious homophobia is rife."

And it appears as if it certainly won't be getting much better in Southern Sudan, where homosexual sex is illegal, anytime soon.

Yesterday, Salva Kiir Mayardit (seen here in his trademark hat), president of Southern Sudan, was asked by Radio Netherlands Worldwide about homosexuality: "It is not in our character [...] it is not there and if anybody wants to import it to Sudan [...] it will always be condemned by everybody."

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Gay Games Open in Cologne, Germany

Let the games begin. The Gay Games commenced in Cologne yesterday. The Earth Times reports on the opening ceremony:

Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle delivered the opening address in Cologne's Rheinenergiestadion. Homosexuals are asking for respect, not privileges, he said. Westerwelle's male life partner, Cologne entrepreneur Michael Mronz, was in attendance.

The Eighth Gay Games, also considered the world's largest rally for the rights of gays and lesbians, are being held under the motto, "Be part of it!" Held every four years since 1982, the Cologne games are the first to been held in Germany. Pop singers Taylor Dayne and Agnes performed amid a colourful, choreographed show featuring 1,500 participants. The opening ceremonies included the lighting of a flame. Nearly 10,000 athletes from 70 countries were expected to compete in 35 disciplines, including same-sex pairs figure skating, billiards and chess. The oldest competitor is a 92 man from the United States who plans to compete in body building.

Watch videos of the ceremonies, including the lighting of the cauldron and Dayne sing the Gay Games anthem, "Facing a Miracle," AFTER THE JUMP.

Head on over to Outsports for some great, thorough coverage.

Meanwhile, representatives from Cleveland are in Cologne for research purposes as that city will host the  Games in 2014.

Also, it looks like Cleveland Synergy Foundation, the non-profit group that helped bring the Gay Games to Cleveland, is out as the official promoter. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports: "While no one will say what happened, Synergy appears to be out as an organizer for the 2014 Games. The Federation of Gay Games announced in a news release earlier this month that it had ended its relationship with Synergy. The city of Cleveland, meanwhile, refused to advance Synergy $38,000 in travel-related expenses for the games in Cologne, citing the group's failure to submit reports in a timely manner."

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First 'Gay Condom' Set To Be Introduced In India

The Mid-day News is reporting that the top condom-producing company in India, Family Planning Promotion Trust, has developed a so-called "gay condom" which, when introduced, will be targeted toward gay men. So what makes the condom gay? Apparently, each will contain extra lubricant, therefore, making anal sex more enjoyable and less painful. Or, at least, in theory.

From the article: "A preliminary feedback indicates that discomfort was one of the major reasons why same sex couples do not use condoms during intercourse. Since most condoms are suited for vaginal and not anal sex, the new 'gay condom' will contain extra lubrication."

"'We are still in the process of developing the product. As far as the costing goes, we are still unsure if it must be sold in the socially marketed category or in genera one. However, this concern is secondary to product development,' said an executive from the company's family planning trust, requesting anonymity. The new condom will be called Spice Up."

One of the main reason's for the condom's introduction is the sudden increase of HIV infections among gay men in India. A date for the condom's release has yet to be announced.

You may remember that India decriminalized homosexuality just over a year ago. Sounds like companies in that country are wasting no time in manufacturing products geared toward the LGBT community.

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