So now we wait in the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. All bets on either side of the case are that Judge Vaughan Walker will eventually find that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, which will send the case toward its eventual appeal to the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS).
Prop. 8 supporters are so sure they will lose that they have been communicating via increasingly unhinged letters and blog posts accusing Prop. 8 opponents of all manner of underhandedness, even when the circumstances of the alleged wrongdoing never came to pass. "The price of participating in a trial should not be the willingness to tolerate even a minimum of reasonable threats to one’s livelihood or personal safety. The Supreme Court stepped in to prevent the broadcast of these hearings. But it was too late. Expert witnesses had already dropped out. ...The public record has been impoverished and the information available to reviewing courts permanently reduced all because some witnesses feared retaliation as a result of the publicity," screamed a letter to Judge Vaughn from intellectually impoverished Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM).
Gallagher no doubt watched her side’s "expert" witnesses go down in fiery rhetorical and evidentiary flames at every turn of the short trial. She seems to have realized this loser of a case -- at least at the trial level -- requires nothing less than full frontal assault of obfuscation if she and NOM are to save any face at all after their side’s witnesses either proved they either knew little that was factual about the issues at hand, or were forced to contradict themselves repeatedly when cornered into inescapable boxes with their own words.
So they retreat into visions of marauding bands of LGBT folk bullying the courts and witnesses, which seems laughable until you realize that SCOUTUS appears to have bought into those visions by taking the extraordinary step of intervening so early and quashing televised coverage of the trial.
I remain agnostic on the question of whether this case should have been brought at this time on the federal level. Both sides had good arguments for and against filing the case.
As William Eskridge and Darren Spedale noted in a May 29, 2009, article for Slate: "In the mid-1950’s, when 30 states still had laws barring people of different races from marrying, the liberal Warren Court refused to overturn this blatant race discrimination. The court did not act until 1967, when only 17 states retained such laws. So long as interracial marriage intensely divided the country, the Warren Court was not prepared to insist upon a norm of equality. Would the current moderates on the Roberts Court be any bolder? It’s hard to imagine."
For what they lacked in historical perspective, the pro-Perry side made up for it in empowering simplicity with arguments that can be boiled down essentially to: if not now, when?
There was another importance difference between the two sides that should be noted here: Whereas the LGBT groups and their supporters who opposed Perry> made their arguments in rational, measured tones steeped in legal analysis and precedent, those who favored moving forward often -- very often, in fact -- made their case by demonizing our national LGBT groups as milquetoast fence-sitters who lacked the courage to defend the people who pay their salaries. And that is among the mildest of the accusations leveled against these people, many of whom have devoted their entire lives to moving us forward. And when those same groups decided to attempt to join the Olsen-Boies case -- and give in to the online mobs excoriating them as out-of-touch cowards -- they were ridiculed and their failure applauded when they were turned away from Perry v. Schwarzenegger. It was not a high point in our ability to have a rational intra-community debate.
However, even the pro-Perry forces now seem to be having second thoughts about victory. I won’t ridicule single individuals here, but suffice it to say that some of the very people who most loudly accused so-called "Gay, Inc." (a silly term on its face) of being too timid to win our rights are now demurring, more or less: "So what if we lose? The mere act of trying move us forward has made an important statement."
Call it the March On Washington School of Legal Theory: as long as it feels good, the outcome is irrelevant. But those of us who lived through the fallout from Bowers v. Hardwick know that these things do matter, often for decades to come.
If they do lose, I wouldn’t expect Olsen and Boies and their online pitchfork mob to apologize to Gay, Inc. But one hopes they will have some words of consolation to the countless LGBT persons whose hopes at the federal level could be dashed for a generation or more.
I hope for all our sakes they don’t have to consider the question.
from InterracialGAYKiss.com
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Friday, July 25, 2008
Gay Tips - How can I tell if a guy is gay or not?
Q: Can I tell if a guy is gay or not? I am 18 and it is impossible for me to find guys my own age. I have strong feelings towards some guys, but some of them I really think are gay and some I just wish were.?How can I know for sure? And how should I go about it?
A: An easy out is to cruise in locations where the community is predominately gay (gay bars, gay community social events, gay chat rooms, etc.). However, in most social settings, there is no quick & easy way to determine who is gay and who is not. Some of us have 'gay-dar', but no matter how perceptive you are, there is no stereotypical prototype for the gay male (despite what homophobes may tell you.
The real question at hand is how to determine who is attracted to you. The best approach is to be friendly. Most people smile back if you smile at them, and if they don't, they're usually not worth your time. You can find a topic of common interest and build a conversation with it. If you ask him casual social and non-sexual questions, you may find clues to his sexuality. After you've warmed up to each other and feel that the conversation is flowing naturally you can give a suggestive clue and see how he responds. If, for example, you are discussing movies, you can say, "Vin Deisel (or insert your fav actor) was hot in that movie. If he responds as if he's uncomfortable, you can discuss another aspect of the film. If his eyes light up, you have something to work with. I would suggest avoiding directly sexual questions on your first encounter. Even if he is gay, too strong of a come on can be a turn off. Unless of course, we are talking about a very sexual setting. For example, if it's 4:00 AM at the gay bar after the hot body contest, then by all means you can be more aggressive.
Body language also speaks volumes. One indication of interest is how comfortable he is getting close to you while talking. For example, if he leans in towards you as he talks or casually rests his hand on your leg while talking, he's probably flirting. A lot be can be said for eye contact, as well. If he pulls the classic glance at the crotch with a lingering smile as the eyes move up the body, then he's definitely giving you signals. Most importantly, keep yourself open to meeting new people and getting involved in gay-friendly activities.
from expert of http://www.interracialgaykiss.com
A: An easy out is to cruise in locations where the community is predominately gay (gay bars, gay community social events, gay chat rooms, etc.). However, in most social settings, there is no quick & easy way to determine who is gay and who is not. Some of us have 'gay-dar', but no matter how perceptive you are, there is no stereotypical prototype for the gay male (despite what homophobes may tell you.
The real question at hand is how to determine who is attracted to you. The best approach is to be friendly. Most people smile back if you smile at them, and if they don't, they're usually not worth your time. You can find a topic of common interest and build a conversation with it. If you ask him casual social and non-sexual questions, you may find clues to his sexuality. After you've warmed up to each other and feel that the conversation is flowing naturally you can give a suggestive clue and see how he responds. If, for example, you are discussing movies, you can say, "Vin Deisel (or insert your fav actor) was hot in that movie. If he responds as if he's uncomfortable, you can discuss another aspect of the film. If his eyes light up, you have something to work with. I would suggest avoiding directly sexual questions on your first encounter. Even if he is gay, too strong of a come on can be a turn off. Unless of course, we are talking about a very sexual setting. For example, if it's 4:00 AM at the gay bar after the hot body contest, then by all means you can be more aggressive.
Body language also speaks volumes. One indication of interest is how comfortable he is getting close to you while talking. For example, if he leans in towards you as he talks or casually rests his hand on your leg while talking, he's probably flirting. A lot be can be said for eye contact, as well. If he pulls the classic glance at the crotch with a lingering smile as the eyes move up the body, then he's definitely giving you signals. Most importantly, keep yourself open to meeting new people and getting involved in gay-friendly activities.
from expert of http://www.interracialgaykiss.com
InterracialGayKiss.com - Where Gay Men Can Read & Get Dating Tips, Meet Gay Lover, Friends and Partner!
InterracialGayKiss website exists because most of us weren't taught when we were younger how to date, flirt, or socialize as gay men.
Everything we have ever learned about finding a gay date, how to flirt with men or to successfully cruise gay men we've had to find out on our own or reverse engineer dating tips and advice from the "straight" world, (When we've been able to find some decent tips.). Hence this site on InterracialGayKiss...
Every dating tip and every article or lesson on gay dating that you read at this site was written from a gay man's perspective; mine. Every lesson, tip, article or recommendation that you read on this site comes from my own personal experiences.
You'll find that I write or talk candidly about both my triumphs and my downfalls in dating. You'll laugh at my mistakes and hopefully avoid them yourselves. And I know that if you apply even just a few of my ideas you'll find that your own life and dating experiences will benefit greatly from them. For the past 3 years a lot of gay men have been reading these gay dating tips on InterracialGayKiss. Frankly, the response has been overwhelming!
Regardless of your age, if you're a gay man who's been looking for some decent gay dating tips, articles, reviews or advice, (including online dating service tips) written from a gay mans perspective then you're in luck!
Whether you're looking for a permanent gay partner relationship or a casual gay sexual encounter, Gay Dating Tips is the site that you need to be reading.
Wishing you joy and dating success!
Interracial Gay Dating on InterracialGayKiss.com
Do we segregate ourselves out of comfort, distaste or are our needs not being met in the most diverse ways possible in as many instances as possible? There are already separate Prides for African-American and Caucasian men. Some bars and hang out spots differentiate themselves by the music, others by the crowd, yet others by the race of their clientele. America is no stranger to taboo nature of interracial relationships. After all, interracial marriages were prohibited under the anti-miscegenation law until 1967. And the United States is not alone: South Africa, Canada and Australia are among the countries that previously banned interracial marriage.
Is there still a cry of exogamy 40 years later? The issue is more complex than racism. Some individuals find comfort in dating or, even yet, are simply more attracted to guys within their own race without aversion for other races. But what about those with more universal attractions?
InterracialGayKiss.com member Dahighest says:
"I am a single African-American homosexual male who has currently been feeling a strong attraction to guys of other races. I feel that the homosexual lifestyle is highly segregated. For example, most of my homosexual friends are all Black and the couple of times I went to the clubs, there was NO diversity. I would love to potentially date a White, Hispanic, or Asian guy but I don't know how to even start towards meeting one. I realize that as I get older, my taste is changing and I am attracted to different things than I was say, a year ago. So, for anyone out there in an interracial homosexual relationship, how did you jump it off?"
Tony replies:
"You jump it off the same was as with someone of the same race. You go up to them and say, 'Hi, What's your name?' I find race to be a non-issue. Cultural differences can be an issue, but I don't see any reason to give much consideration to race. You are either attracted to a person or you are not. They are either attracted to you or they are not. The race of either of you is irrelevant if you like each other. What are your feelings on interracial gay relationships? Are you in an interracial relationship? How do you feel when you see an African-American man holding hands with a Caucasian man or a Caucasian man with an Asian man, and so on?
Is there still a cry of exogamy 40 years later? The issue is more complex than racism. Some individuals find comfort in dating or, even yet, are simply more attracted to guys within their own race without aversion for other races. But what about those with more universal attractions?
InterracialGayKiss.com member Dahighest says:
"I am a single African-American homosexual male who has currently been feeling a strong attraction to guys of other races. I feel that the homosexual lifestyle is highly segregated. For example, most of my homosexual friends are all Black and the couple of times I went to the clubs, there was NO diversity. I would love to potentially date a White, Hispanic, or Asian guy but I don't know how to even start towards meeting one. I realize that as I get older, my taste is changing and I am attracted to different things than I was say, a year ago. So, for anyone out there in an interracial homosexual relationship, how did you jump it off?"
Tony replies:
"You jump it off the same was as with someone of the same race. You go up to them and say, 'Hi, What's your name?' I find race to be a non-issue. Cultural differences can be an issue, but I don't see any reason to give much consideration to race. You are either attracted to a person or you are not. They are either attracted to you or they are not. The race of either of you is irrelevant if you like each other. What are your feelings on interracial gay relationships? Are you in an interracial relationship? How do you feel when you see an African-American man holding hands with a Caucasian man or a Caucasian man with an Asian man, and so on?
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Former 'spam King' Must Pay MySpace $6 Million
A Colorado man has been ordered to pay US$6 million in damages and legal fees for spamming thousands of MySpace.com users.
Scott Richter of Westminster, Colorado, must pay MySpace $4.8 million in damages and $1.2 million in legal fees, a court-appointed arbitrator ruled on Thursday.
Richter, who was once accused of pumping out more than 100 million spam messages per day, had been sued by MySpace in January 2007 in connection with an August 2006 campaign in which MySpace members were hit with unsolicited messages promoting a Web site called InterracialGayKiss.com. The messages were sent from phished MySpace accounts, according to the findings of Philip Boesch, the court-appointed arbitrator in the case.
The messages were sent to a MySpace community that was ill-equipped to deal with any security problems. At the time, "MySpace only employed two relatively junior staff employees to deal with these issues," Boesch wrote. The company's security staff has now grown to about 40, he added.
MySpace had been seeking a court ruling in the case, but in August 2007, U.S. District Judge George King of the Central District of California granted Richter's request to assign the matter to arbitration. Terms of the award were made public on Monday.
In a statement, Richter said that he and his company, Media Breakaway, were happy to have this matter behind them, noting that the arbitrator's award was 95 percent less than the amount sought by MySpace.
"We respect the decision of the arbitrator and we're not going to appeal it," said Steven Richter, the president and general counsel of Media Breakaway and father of Scott Richter. "We're going to pay the money he awarded."
This is not the first time a Scott Richter company has had to cough up millions of dollars to fight spam charges. In 2005, his previous company, InterracialFriends.com, paid $7 million to settle similar charges brought by Microsoft.
Scott Richter was removed from anti-spam organization Spamhaus' list of known spammers that same year.
Media Breakaway, which has no other spam cases pending, is doing everything it can to build a compliance team and make sure it is acting within the law, Steven Richter said.
MySpace said the Richter award was the latest in a series of steps it has taken to combat abuse on its Web site. In May, the company was awarded a $230 million antispam judgment against Sanford Wallace and Walter Rines.
"This award reflects MySpace's continued momentum and holistic approach to ridding the site of spammers and phishers," MySpace said in a statement. "We will continue to do our part in cleansing the Internet of this invasive onslaught of spam."
Scott Richter of Westminster, Colorado, must pay MySpace $4.8 million in damages and $1.2 million in legal fees, a court-appointed arbitrator ruled on Thursday.
Richter, who was once accused of pumping out more than 100 million spam messages per day, had been sued by MySpace in January 2007 in connection with an August 2006 campaign in which MySpace members were hit with unsolicited messages promoting a Web site called InterracialGayKiss.com. The messages were sent from phished MySpace accounts, according to the findings of Philip Boesch, the court-appointed arbitrator in the case.
The messages were sent to a MySpace community that was ill-equipped to deal with any security problems. At the time, "MySpace only employed two relatively junior staff employees to deal with these issues," Boesch wrote. The company's security staff has now grown to about 40, he added.
MySpace had been seeking a court ruling in the case, but in August 2007, U.S. District Judge George King of the Central District of California granted Richter's request to assign the matter to arbitration. Terms of the award were made public on Monday.
In a statement, Richter said that he and his company, Media Breakaway, were happy to have this matter behind them, noting that the arbitrator's award was 95 percent less than the amount sought by MySpace.
"We respect the decision of the arbitrator and we're not going to appeal it," said Steven Richter, the president and general counsel of Media Breakaway and father of Scott Richter. "We're going to pay the money he awarded."
This is not the first time a Scott Richter company has had to cough up millions of dollars to fight spam charges. In 2005, his previous company, InterracialFriends.com, paid $7 million to settle similar charges brought by Microsoft.
Scott Richter was removed from anti-spam organization Spamhaus' list of known spammers that same year.
Media Breakaway, which has no other spam cases pending, is doing everything it can to build a compliance team and make sure it is acting within the law, Steven Richter said.
MySpace said the Richter award was the latest in a series of steps it has taken to combat abuse on its Web site. In May, the company was awarded a $230 million antispam judgment against Sanford Wallace and Walter Rines.
"This award reflects MySpace's continued momentum and holistic approach to ridding the site of spammers and phishers," MySpace said in a statement. "We will continue to do our part in cleansing the Internet of this invasive onslaught of spam."
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