Reaction in India was instantaneous:

"I am ecstatic, euphoric," said Sumit Baudh, a lawyer active in Voices Against 377, a coalition of social organisations that petitioned the court for the repeal of the Britishimposed law. "This means a tremendous boost to pride, and dignity."

"Given the kind of closeted lives that people have been leading, it's some measure of reassurance that the law is not going to be a hindrance to the leading of open, honest lives," he said. The constitutional challenge to India's ban has been watched closely by gay activists across Asia and Africa, especially in former colonies of the British that decriminalised homosexuality at home in 1967. The verdict was also praised by human rights groups and the UN.

However, Indian religious organisations, which carry considerable political clout in a constitutionally secular but religiously conservative society, expressed dismay. Father Babu Joseph, a Roman Catholic priest, said: "We cannot afford to endorse homosexuality as normal and socially acceptable."

Base authorities said the case is being investigated as a possible homicide and say they are holding a "person of interest" in the case but his name is being withheld.

Provost's boyfriend, Kaether Cordero, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that the dead sailor was openly gay but sought to keep his private life quite.

“People who he was friends with, I knew that they knew,” Cordero, speaking to the Union-Tribune from Houston, said. “He didn't care that they knew. He trusted them.”

"Through the prism of Urban Music, VIBE chronicles the celebrities, sounds, fashion, lifestyle, new media, and business born from this art form. With an authoritative voice, VIBE creates treads as much as it records them. VIBE covers music, educates its reader, and gives back to the community. VIBE serves as a portal to a growing, young trend-setting, multicultural audience. By being excellent journalist and innovative marketers, we are champions of urban music and culture."

I believe that Vibe magazine was able to do what it set out to accomplish. It reached most of the people, but unfortunately it was not friendly to the LGBT community. That being said, I still wish all concerned, the best.

With the closing of Vibe magazine,  many people that made "Vibe" the success that it was will face layoffs. We wish them well.

You read it at GBMNews.com

It was just released that Joe Jackson, his father gets nothing, he was cut out of the will, as Mr. Michael never got over how his father abused him, when he was a child. Strangely, Mr. Joe Jackson has been granted legal control of the Michael Jackson estate. The interesting thing is that the Michael was in disagreement with his father, most of his adult life. Only recently Mr. Joe Jackson wanted a reunion tour with Michael and his brothers, but Michael was not interested. There was also talk of Mr. Michael Jackson headlining in Vegas. Ms. Janet Jackson, his younger sister, said that if this were to happen, she would love to open for him. As for Mr. Joe Jackson handling anything belonging to the gloved one, I'm sure he would not approved.

At the Apollo, during the day, as thousands & thousands waited in the hot sun, umbrella's were opened in honor to the King of Pop. It's believed that thousands waited for 2 days outside of the theatre, to insure entrance. Now its raining, still thousands patiently wait to enter the famous theatre. At 5:26 pm, on Thursday, June 25th, everyone in NYC and LA, stopped for a moment of silence, as we, of one mind, focused, prayed and thanked God for sharing this musical genius with us.

But, being able to be open about his sexuality and to work in and for the Black gay community were benefits, McGruder says, of the effects of the Riots, which was seen as ripples sweeping across the country. It's important, he cautions, as people get caught up in the symbolisms, to remember that some of the strategies used by the gay activists were borrowed from the civil rights movement and that, as is often forgotten, Black gay men and women were also active in the Black liberation movements in spite of some its homophobic and sexist slants.

Blueprint, already screened in over 25 film festivals across Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America, was produced by Trevite Willis, featured Blake Young-Fountain as Keith, and Damion Lee as Nathan. The film was shot in 2005, mostly in Harlem and at a lake location in Sullivan County over a period of three weeks, and as a low budget independent project, under $100,000, it was largely financed by Willis and Shannon-Butts, with additional help from the Jerome Foundation and Reel Affirmations/1in10.

"The Complete Works of Williams Shakespeare (abridge)" places Shakespeare's works in modern context, and was developed through improvisation. The cast performs as if they are getting through the show on blind enthusiasm, but one thing that is not up for question is the over boundless energy they bring and leave on the stage!

Of course the big joke in the original script is having 3 male actors perform all of Shakespeare's plays in a single evening of theatre. In our approach to the material we will utilize upwards of 20 actors both male and female and all of whom are of African decent. So where's the joke in that? I'm so glad you asked! Too black? Or not too black? Black is the question! The mood of the piece will retain its comic/satirical framework but will endeavor to explore the boundaries of political correctness and racial stereotypes.

Showing in The Performing Arts Center Cox/ Lewis Theatre, TSU Main Campus, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" Too Black? Or Not Too Black? Black is the Question! Begins July 9th at 7pm and run Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until Jul 25th 7pm.

For admission simply pay what you can. 100% of donations benefit Summer Stock Theatre Program. For more information visit Friends of the Theatre.

Plus, he has put some big initiatives forward. Those initiatives (the budget, the war(s), policy changes and etc.) have to be successful. If they are, more folks will come to his side and if not, they will somewhat distance themselves from him. Obama needs the superpower to make things happen. If his main issues fail, it will be hard for him to push gay rights through the loop.

Now many of you are probably saying, so what happened at lunch? But I think it's important to give a little history. After this breakthrough album, perhaps the pressure was on, plus he had his own demons caused by his father, Mr. Joe Jackson, it's been released that father dearest use to tell the musical genius that he had a big nose. (The damage that some parents cause to their children should be against the law.)

It was also revealed tonight that Michael Jackson was also anorexic. I am currently watching live coverage on CNN, of a helicopter carrying the pop icons body, which just goes to show the enormity of this moment! There will be tributes paid all across the world all across TV channels and of course we would be remiss if we did not include some photographic tributes and a video or two.

There are reports that Michael's situation is much worse than the belated Ms. Anna Nicole Smith. Shocking yes, as we are now told that prescription drugs may have be instrumental in his sudden passing, coupled with a broken heart. The media in the last few years, broke his heart.

My sister told me recently that when Michael Jackson's tickets became available here in the United States, she and I had to get tickets. Mr. Jackson told that press that this tour would be his last. Many wondered if he could break his own record, as "Thriller", went 4 platinum.

Shy of a few weeks, the great gloved King of Pop, Mr. Michael Jackson's comeback tour, will not happen as he was called home to live with God. The world will shed tears for this wonderful gentle spirit. He will be missed and his music will be played forever. He's been compared to the late Mr. John Lennon and Elvis but there's no comparison, Mr. Jackson stands in his own light.

I pray that if there's a hereafter, that Mr. Jackson is able to feel that love from his many fans from all around the world. My heart also aches for his family. I'm sure there will be stories written about his private life, but lets concentrate on his career, the gift that he shared with us.

Mr. Michael Jackson, you are a great talent that made the world a better place. Rest in peace.

You read it at GBMNews.com

Notably the 12 States and over 100 localities that currently carry laws that protect the LGBT community against workplace discrimination, do cover a good 40% of the population, but 30 States is still a shockingly high number of States, not to mention that even 1 State alone is still 1 too many. Anything less than federal law LGBT-inclusive protection against discrimination in the workplace is frankly unacceptable.

The caller said that the HIV-positive man, who is serious about pursuing a relationship with him, felt it important to inform him in advance before taking their relationship to the next level, having sex.

DeSouza suggested that the Black gay community register its outrage at this misinformation and discrimination by calling 866-GET-WENDY or even faxing their disagreement to 866-936-3932.

I am a fire breathing liberal, and a huge Obama supporter, for which reason, I liked the idea of an Ahmadinejad loss in the recent Iranian elections, particularly given that the storyline that was developing was that his loss would be translated as a win for Obama's softly softly approach toward Iran and as an endorsement by the Iranian people (whom conservatives like to proclaim they have no quarrel with - even as they support sanctions that would weaken the Iranian economy wreaking havoc to those very Iranian people's lives) of his extension of an open hand of friendship and open dialogue. Alas, the election did not go as I had hoped, against the slim odds that Mir-Hossein Mousavi might have toppled Ahmadinejad.

100% Arabica by Mahmoud Zemmouri, 85min, 1997, France, comedy in French with English subtitles.

In a housing project located on the outskirts of Paris renamed "100% Arabica" by its inhabitants, African immigrants live side by side. The residents are united by their struggle for recognition in a society where immigrants are often regarded as second-class citizens. In a world of exiles, poverty is the common denominator. Against this backdrop, director Zemmouri has brought together two of the biggest and most charismatic stars of the cross-cultural musical form known as Rai, Cheb Mami and Khaled, who play the leaders of a band called Rap Oriental. As the band of musicians starts to gain in popularity, the Imam of the local mosque (Mouss) tries to destroy them by stirring up racial and cultural tensions. However, no one can stop the infectious popularity of the songs in this story of music triumphing over bigotry and violence.

SANKY PANKY by Jose Enrique Pintor, 110 min, 2007, Dominican Republic, comedy in Spanish with English subtitles.

The Dominican Republic has beautiful beaches, beautiful people, and a little something called "Sanky Panky," which female tourists might want to stay away from. In this musical comedy starring the charismatic Fausto Mata, his attempts at getting foreign women to fall in love with him in order to procure a visa to the United States have hilarious results. A huge hit in both the Dominican Republic and the Dominican communities abroad, SANKY PANKY is a humorous look at the little-known phenomena of seducing travelers for personal gain. Popular Dominican music, such as Big Family and Aventura, accompany many of Mata's ridiculous exploits in his quest for a little "Sanky Panky."

Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective

Storme: Lady of the Jewel Box
Dir. Michelle Parkerson, 1987, 21 min.

"Itain't easy…being green" is the favorite expression of StormeDeLarverie, a woman whose life flouted prescriptions of gender andrace. During the 1950's and 60's she toured the black theatre circuitas a mistress of ceremonies and the sole male impersonator of the legendary Jewel Box Revue, America's first integrated femaleimpersonation show and forerunner of La Cage aux Folles.

Storme herselfemerges as a remarkable woman, who came up during hard times but always"kept a touch of class." Storme was also a witness to the StonewallRebellion 40 years ago and is a founding member of the StonewallVeterans Association.

Wolfgang Busch, 2007, 48 min.

HowDo I Look captures the Harlem "Ball" traditions that originated in the70s, which was historically an off shot from the Harlem "Drag" Ballsfrom the 20s. Because of the loss of hundreds of members and leaders ofthe "Ball" community due to the HIV epidemic, this film recorded animportant aspect of history while it was still available.

So now, as I approach my fifth decade of life, I ask myself, "what happened?" And the only answer I can give is, "Life." But that's a cop-out and never let it be said that I am one to run away from the truth. The real deal for this writer is that being a Black man seems to have become so much more difficult, so much more of a monumental feat -- especially if you have somehow avoided the common pitfalls that await us -- prison, drug addiction, HIV/AIDS, unemployment ... the list goes on.

Then, to add to the complexity of this challenging road, I am an out SGL man. In other words, I love other men. More specifically, at this moment, I love ONE man. And he, like me, is a father. The question is how do you reconcile the quest to be the perfect father with the need to be the perfect lover? How do you spend time with the children and then spend time with your "man?" And why is it so difficult to blend both worlds?

Suddenly, my world became dismantled at the age of thirteen, and I no longer had the stability of a father in my life. My father died from colon cancer just a week after being diagnosed. The sad thing about my father's death is he knew he didn't have long to live. My father came home after being diagnosed for a few days, and he went to Hospice a few days later. Although, he went to Hospice to try to recover, my father ended up dying the next day after he was admitted.

Having dependable cornerstones in my life was helpful, and I shared information with them that I didn't even tell my own mother. I have seen the good and bad times in life. One upon of time I was criticized as being one of the most intellectual people that didn't have any motivation or discipline, and currently people are praising my success in college. My growth as a young African American male is because of these men.

There presence in my life shows how a father figure can make a difference in life. These men have been known as my father, and I have thankful for there involvement in my life. They have seen me play sports, struggle with grades, received my high school diploma, struggle with the temptations of selling drugs, succeed as a student leadership, and once again these men will be sitting in the crowd when I graduate with my Bachelor's of Arts Degree in English next year.

Even though, I am a grown man there are times, I still need guidance in my life because I am human and make mistakes in life. My suffrage fathers are usually only a phone call away. There are many community fathers that are living within many different communities across the United States. These are teachers, administrators, mentors, coaches, etc. that have taken the time out to give much needed advice to young men, so they are able be successful in life. In appreciation of these men, I want to wish them a well deserved Happy Father's Day.

DC Black Pride has gone through so much in the past years. But it was better than ever this year. I personally was working on my midterms and now because of my hard work I should be getting my AA in Communications in the mail. Even though Im not done with school I decided that I would celebrate by going to the Bachelors Mill last night with my partner and a couple of friends.

It turned out to be a very nice night with no pretentiousness and surliness. My partner and I danced the night away with my on lookers. When then woke up to coffee and Bloody Marys. Next we set our sights on Darryl Wilsons Picnic which was held in Temple Hills, Maryland off Allentown Rd. There was plenty of pure love everywhere. People Ive missed and people that I always see in my day to day life. We had a blast.

My partner and I laid out a picnic blanket and laid out the chicken sauced with peppers, herbs and spices and of course fresh juicy watermelon, which made my mouth water. Even though I was literally at my computer getting my mid-terms completed I have a great time.