Chris Geidner reported for Metro Weekly that the Chief Justice John Roberts declined to issue a stay for opponents, clearing the way for Gay Marriage to take effect in Washington, D.C. tomorrow. Geidner reports:

Roberts wrote: “Without addressing the merits of petitioners’ underlying claim, however, I conclude that a stay is not warranted.” He specifically noted the argument advanced by the District that the Supreme Court generally defers to the local D.C. courts for “matters of exclusively local concern.”

The only other action pending that could impact the March 3 anticipated start date for same-sex couples to be able to apply for marriage licenses in the District is an action filed by the same marriage equality opponents before hearing from the Supreme Court. They have filed a civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, asserting a violation of their due process rights. They are seeking an injunction keeping District officials from moving forward with marriage applications for same-sex couples. It is unclear at this time if the District Court will act on the matter”

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id Magazine briefly showed we have some things to learn in the world of journalism – like really digging deep before taking a side, or taking a side at all for that matter. By now you’ve probably heard about the ManCrunch Super Bowl add that was rejected by CBS for being too offensive for viewers. On the surface, it looks like discrimination rearing its ugly head. Especially when the company that the ad is for, urges the LGBT community to petition CBS to air the ad.

We wondered why there wasn’t a Facebook group or fan page to garner support for both GoDaddy.com and ManCrunch. After much research, we figured we’d help out and create one. Sad truth is, after further investigation, Advertising Age had delayed comment about this situation because they smelled a rat. Sure enough, facts began to pile up: 1. The site was launched just the other day, and basically sprang up out of nowhere 2. ManCrunch.com is owned by the same company that runs AshleyMadison.com – a site that promotes married men to have affairs. 3. The site says it’s for “like minded users to explore whether they wish to meet each other, chat with each other and/or explore extra-marital relationships.” 4. Their HTML code backs this up with the tag – “Man Crunch is the premier service connecting men with other men and allowing them to open up about the down low.” 5. After looking more closely at the ad, the two men are not really kissing and it looks cheaply made. Whatever they spent on that ad, it was very little, but the publicity they got is worth 1o times that amount or more.

We think that the LGBT community has been used, and it is a shame. Has there been any incident like this before? What are your thoughts?

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CBS has been in the news ALOT lately about their approval of a Pro-Life ad featuring college football star Tim Tebow. The ad is supposed to tell the story of his mother, Pam Tebow, who was advised by doctors to abort her child because of possible complications due to an illness she contracted during a mission in the Philipines. She ignored the doctors and gave birth to Tebow in 1987. The message is to “Choose Life” when those circumstances. The ad is funded by the Pro-Life group Focus on The Family, all 3.2 million of it. Pro-Choice groups have been up-in-arms over the ad, sight unseen. CBS’ response to the outcry:

“We have for some time moderated our approach to advocacy submissions after it became apparent that our stance did not reflect public sentiment or industry norms,” said spokesman Dana McClintock. “In fact, most media outlets have accepted advocacy ads for some time.”

He said CBS “will continue to consider responsibly produced ads from all groups for the few remaining spots in Super Bowl XLIV.”

This week was the true test of CBS because two ads from ManCrunch and GoDaddy.com were submitted, both with LGBT content (you can see them below.) ManCrunch is a gay dating site and after the game ends, wto guys start making out. The GoDaddy.com ad features an effeminate man, realizing his dream of designing lingerie.

Well, CBS failed the test saying that the ManCrunch ad “is not within the Network’s Broadcast Standards for Super Bowl Sunday,” and stating the GoDaddy.com ad “has the potential to offend viewers.” Watch the ads and tell us what you think…should we boycott CBS?

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You may have never heard of them…or you may have been to one or two…but one things is for sure, the Inferno is continuing to blaze! Hot Flash Dance Parties celebrates its Portland six year anniversary this year – six years of providing women a safe and vibrant place to get their groove on and just have a blast!

Pauline Miriam started the Hot Flash Dance Parties in 2004 and has been so successful that she hosts them in six cities in the Pacific NorthWest…Portland, Eugene, Olympia and Seattle are on the roster currently, and Miriam plans on adding more.

At one time, the events were aimed at filling a void for women and lesbians in their late 3o’s or 40’s, but not anymore! According to our sources, the parties aren’t for ladies 35 and older any more which means they really have caught ablaze. The official site says that everyone is welcome, although you do have to be female, but F2M’s are welcome as long as they self-identify at the door.

Mark your calendars Portland ladies! The next Portland Hot Flash will be on February 27th from 6pm-10pm at Baracuda (9 NW 2nd Ave.) $8 cover.

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Courts are set this year to have a big season of play for Team Portland Tennis (TPT).  Team Portland Tennis is the area’s GLBT friendly tennis conglomerate, and a member of GLTA.  To kick off the year, approximately 35 members of the 100 roster group gathered for their first 2010 social to discuss these upcoming events.  Rose City Open ’09 tournament was the biggest yet with 135 athletes from around the nation—about 70% of all registrations are visiting athletes–playing in Portland over the Labor Day weekend.  This coming year’s event will be the Team Portland Tennis’s 20^th anniversary, so of course they aim to out due last year. 

Also, on their impressive schedule this year is hosting and hopefully winning the NW Cup for the first time in 13 years.  NW Cup tournament is an event in which the best players from Seattle, Vancouver, and Portland dual it out for honors.  Team Portland Tennis feels like they have the strongest ability in their members to date, and a great chance of winning.  The NW Cup is tentatively scheduled around June.  A few members of the organization are also planning to compete in the Gay Games held in Cologne, Germany first week of August.

New membership is always encouraged with Team Portland Tennis.  Under new leadership of Carla Ikehara and Josie Vu they hope to increase the involvement of women.  Obtaining official non-profit status is also on the agenda.  Above all, Team Portland Tennis wants to be a “really welcoming environment” allowing all levels of players to enjoy the sport and to get involved in the organization with either play or volunteering. 

For more information check out http://www.teamportland-tennis.org

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Portland metro area gyms and fitness centers have been buzzing this New Year with bees.

• “I want to BEE 20…30…40 pounds lighter.”
• “I want to BEE able to fit into my wedding gown come summer.”
• “I want to BEE more energetic throughout the day (not to mention the bedroom).”
• “I want to BEE healthier and feel sexier.”

And the list goes on and on.

As gyms have become overcrowded the last couple of weeks with new and old athletes alike jumping on their resolutions for a healthier lifestyle success at this commitment are shown by a study at the University of Washington to be only 40% by year’s end, with most people dropping off in three months.  If a gym membership is part of your plan, considering switching facilities, or maybe you have a steady playground here are some tips all can use to get the most enjoyment in your health investment. 

The value of your dollar? 

January can account for 12-15% of new gym memberships.  Id Magazine toured many clubs and surveyed their readership and found that these prices range $12.50/month (10^th Ave Fitness downtown) to $70/month many of these rates in addition to initiation fees ranging up to hundreds of dollars.   What is interesting in our “shopping” is the tactic of sale representative holding off on the prices until the very end of the presentation.  It should be like a menu or car sales sticker–here are the features and cost together right up front.  If you are concerned about cost, especially with the current economic situation, demand it up front.  Remember you have the buying power.  Also, don’t be shy to shop around and take your time making the decision to purchase.

Attractiveness in variety of equipment, classes, and overall facilities has occurred in many of the current health clubs around town as new ones like L.A. Fitness have been opening up locations in the last year.  Neiland Fitzgerald admits that he switched to L.A. Fitness because his previous gym was not as clean as he desired with visible signs of poor hygienic maintenance.  Clubs keep this in mind when trying to attract you as a new member.  For example, 24HR Fitness in the Pearl has seen renovations in its floors, new paint on the walls, and the addition of a series of “Rockit” weight training machines.  The Hollywood location has also completed its 3^rd renovation adding 10,000 square feet with a new floor for all cardio equipment and group exercise classes in addition to adding a towel service. 

Consider also how the health club of interest may fit into your current lifestyle and schedule.  Kyle Nesbit and Adrian Haughton are both proud members of 24HR Fitness because of the convenience and location of the clubs to where they live and the ability to go anytime.  Variety of exercise classes and time availability for exercise classes is important to others to avoid the stagnation of constant routine.

 Check back on Monday Jan.18^th, to learn how the health club’s culture can make or break your success this year.

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id Magazine is sending out it’s parazzi team of photographers and reporters this weekend to a series of events for which you have to be seen at. 

Friday January 1.15.10:  Enjoy Portland night life with us as we celebrate everything red neck, white trash, and worthy of Jerry Springer at Red Cap’s 2nd annual TRASH party.  Located on 1035 SW Stark Street, the party starts at 10pm and last till 3am.  Be sure to wear your wifebeater t-shirts and trucker baseball caps.  Showers are optional.  DJ Adam West spins the beats, and there will be a “Jagerbooty” rump shaking contest for two big bills.

Saturday January 1.16.10:  Team Portland Tennis will be hosting a dinner party for all current and interested members from 7-10pm.  Keg will be provided.  Fundraising raffle for Dunlop racquet and a dinner for two at The Resort at the Mountain in Welches.  Come see what the organization has in store for it upcoming season.  For more information contact Carla Ikehara at teamportlandtennis@yahoo.com.

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Ah…this is good news. Most of you may have heard what Pat Robertson said about the devastation in Haiti…In true Robertson fashion, he blamed the Haitian people for the disaster:

“Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it,” Robertson said. “They were under the heel of the French … and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, ‘We will serve you if you’ll get us free from the French.’”

“True story,” he continued. “And the devil said, ‘OK, it’s a deal.’ Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after another.”

The Haitian Ambassador spoke with Rachel Maddow last night and boy did he have a retort to nutty Robertson…Watch:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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OMG! Well we knew it would happen sometime…Sarah Palin doesn’t have a talk show, but she’s close.

This just in from the AP and Seattle Times:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska —
Sarah Palin, former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, will return to her broadcast roots and take her conservative message to Fox News as a regular commentator, the cable channel announced Monday.

“I am thrilled to be joining the great talent and management team at Fox News,” Palin said in a statement posted on the network’s Web site. “It’s wonderful to be part of a place that so values fair and balanced news.”

Fox said that according to the multiyear deal, Palin will offer political commentary and analysis on the cable channel, as well as Fox’s Web site, radio network and business cable channel.

She also will host occasional episodes of Fox News’ “Real American Stories,” a series debuting this year that the network said will feature true inspirational stories about Americans who have overcome adversity.

Read the rest of the story here

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LGBT POV has posted a Quick post on Federal Prop 8 trial in which they are reporting live in the courtroom. This quick post was done during the court’s lunch break and let’s us in on what transpired inside the courtroom this morning.

The tidbits we found interesting are as follows:

On Judge Walker: Judge Walker interrupted Ted Olson’s opening statements several times, showing he’s going to be an engaged judge. San Francisco Deputy City Attorney Therese Stewart, who is part of the case, told me she thinks he may even ask questions of the witnesses.

On the defense: Charles Cooper for the defense seemed all over the place – arguing what we’ve heard often before – that marriage is historically and culturally been defined as between a man and a woman for the purposes of procreation and a stable society. Judge Walker asked how same sex marriages effected heterosexual marriages – and he says it does because it “de-institutionalizes” the institution. Again, more on this later. I don’t think Cooper did well – and it turns out that three more of their witnesses dropped out this morning, per Stewart.

On the plaintiffs, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, testimony: Jeff went first and was emotional at several points talking about the difficulty coming out and being categorized as a second class citizen. No questions from Cooper.
Paul is on the stand now. He, too, has been emotional at times. David Boies is leading this part of the examination. There have been several technical objections – including one that Walker agreed to – re not showing the National Organization for Marriage ad “The Gathering Storm” because the link to Protect Marriage is “tenuous.” Ted Olson told me that “it’s not over,” regarding admitting the NOM ad as evidence.

Be sure to check out LGBT POV’s site and follow them on Twitter here for further updates, a longer post will be appearing tonight

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