Thursday’s News Update

Filed Under Gossip, Headlines | July 2nd, 2009 

Thursday’s news updates include: updates on DADT, The Fort Worth Incident, India’s Homosexual Law, A sex sting, Legal affairs and more.

The News from India: Update*: This story wasn’t clear and lead me to write the comments I’ve crossed out — it also looks like they’ve since edited their original story: Delhi High Court legalises gay sex…Sort of. Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalises homosexuality, will continue for non-consensual and non-vaginal sex. So, I guess that means BJ’s are ok but anal is out?…It’s a start – Queer Media Collective (India) is happy – Dan Savage’s SLOG has some more: Meanwhile In India.

*Update*: BBC: Rights groups have long campaigned for a repeal of the law – Also from the BBC: PDF of Delhi High Court judgement overturning Section 377 of India’s Penal Code.

DADT Updates:

- On Monday, President Obama hosted a reception for LGBT Pride Month and discussed repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

- On Tuesday, A military board recommended Tuesday that Lt. Dan Choi be dismissed from the New York National Guard because he is openly gay. UPI: Board recommends discharge of gay officer. CBS2 Video: Army Board Recommends Discharging Gay Lieutenant

- Also on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he wants to soften gay expulsion rules… CNN’s version: Defense chief giving ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ a closer look. A response at Alternet: It’s Time to Drop ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ — End of Story.

Updates on The Fort Worth Incident:

- Vigil held for hospitalized man in raid of Fort Worth gay club

- Took Long Enough, But TABC Finally Releases Statement Concerning FW Gay Bar Raid

- Man injured during inspection of gay bar shows improvement

- Gay bar patrons not targeted by officers, chief says

Health: Farrah Fawcett’s death spotlights a rare cancer

Legal Affairs:

- In the UK: Married Judge who allegedly had gay affair is suspended

- CBS2/KCAL9: Judge Favors Trial Soon on Calif. Gay Marriage Ban

Political Affairs:

– Also in the UK: David Cameron has publicly apologised for Section 28 the law introduced by the Thatcher government banning local authorities from promoting homosexuality.

Politics & Sex Stings:

- Michigan Officials review if request for Lansing sex sting was appropriate

- New information shows Lansing police board member’s special requests prompted controversial sex sting

Media Biz: Gay media upheaval: NY Blade newspaper stops publishing, HX mag sold

Lastly…an Obit: Mollie Sugden, the actress who endeared herself to television viewers as Mrs Slocombe of the Ladies Separates and Underwear department in Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft’s long-running sitcom Are You Being Served? died on July 1st, aged 86.