An vital news item from JMG

The Magic Of Blue

Urban legend says the green M&Ms make you horny, but there's something in the blue ones that really might prove useful.

The food dye that gives blue M&M's their colour can help mend spinal injuries, researchers say. The compound Brilliant Blue G blocks a chemical that kills healthy spinal cord cells around the damaged area - an event that often causes more irreversible damage than the original injury. BBG not only reduced the size of the lesion but also improved the recovery of motor skills, tests on rats showed. Those treated with BBG were later able to walk, although with a limp. Rats that did not receive the BBG solution never regained the ability to walk. On the downside, the treatment causes the skin to temporarily turn bright blue and BBG needs to be injected soon after the trauma. The test injections were given within 15 minutes.

Human trials will not begin until more animal testing has been done, but researchers say they are optimistic that acute spinal cord injuries could be treated with the compound within a few years.

Bil Browning sent a message to the members of The Bilerico Project.

Subject: Bilerico Weekly Reader

One of the best parts of my job running the Bilerico sites is that I get to see so much great content before it's published. Usually I can spot a post that'll generate controversy or spur a big discussion. A couple of posts surprised me this week: Alex's post on the Larry King trial didn't get nearly the attention on TBP that it deserves (he was quoted in the Advocate for it) while Karen Ocamb's memories of working with Walter Cronkite should be required reading for any journalism fan. Be sure to check them out along with all the other fantastic posts we ran this week.

Bilerico Nation
South Bend Councilman Oliver Davis Responds to Bilerico-Indiana
Filed by: Donna Pandori (Bilerico-Indiana)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://indiana.bilerico.com/2009/07/south_bend_councilman_oliver_davis_respo.php

"I Would Not Have A Homosexual On My Staff"
Filed by: Father Tony (Bilerico-Florida)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://florida.bilerico.com/2009/07/i_would_not_have_a_homosexual_on_my_staf.php

Richmond Newspaper Regrets Role in Support of Segregation
Filed by: Michael Hamar (Bilerico-DC)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://dc.bilerico.com/2009/07/richmond_newspaper_regrets_role_in_suppo.php

Sunday
Are there any warriors in Charlotte?
Filed by: Matt Comer
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/are_there_any_warriors_in_charlotte.php

Beary Fashionable: Wonde® by Walter Van Beirendonck
Filed by: Nathan Strang
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/beary_fashionable_wonde_by_walter_van_beirendonck.php

Monday
Gay is not the new black
Filed by: Guest Blogger LZ Granderson
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/gay_is_not_the_new_black_1.php

Health care in the U.S. - stop bickering and fix it
Filed by: Pam Spaulding
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/health_care_in_the_us_-_stop_bickering_and_fix_it.php

Tuesday
(s)EXcapades: to hear or not to hear
Filed by: Michele O'Mara
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/sexcapades_to_hear_or_not_to_hear.php

A Day in the Life of a Caretaker
Filed by: Sara Whitman
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/a_day_in_the_life_of_a_caretaker.php

Wednesday
Living while Black in Cambridge
Filed by: Rev Irene Monroe
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/living_while_black_in_cambridge.php

Meet the Anti-Gay NYU Professor of Human Rights: "Diversity is not a License for Perversity"
Filed by: Waymon Hudson
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/meet_the_anti-gay_nyu_professor_of_human_rights_di.php

Thursday
Pumping Parties in the Heartland
Filed by: Austen Crowder
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/pumping_parties_in_the_heartland.php

Barbara Walters on "Bruno": "I Don't Like Seeing Closeups of Anal Sex"
Filed by: Prince Gomolvilas
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/barbara_walters_on_bruno_i_dont_like_seeing_closeu.php

Friday
AAA South Pledges Family Memberships to Same-Gender Spouses
Filed by: Nadine Smith
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/aaa_south_pledges_family_memberships_to_same-gende.php

Wisconsin domestic partnership law under attack
Filed by: Nancy Polikoff
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/wisconsin_domestic_partnership_law_under_attack.php

BONUS!
Walter Cronkite and the Player Piano
Filed by: Karen Ocamb
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/walter_cronkite_and_the_player_piano.php

Calling Brandon "obsessed with Nazis" seems restrained now
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/calling_brandon_obsessed_with_nazis_seems_restrain.php
--------------------

Equal Love : Equality: you're doing it wrong.Equal Love : Equality: you're doing it wrong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hB1XOqhB8Y&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjoemygod.blogspot.com%2F&feature=player_embedded

Weekly Bilerico Reader

Subject: Weekly Bilerico Reader

When I crossposted the video of Michael's Steele's "fried chicken and potato salad" quip on Huff Po this week, the nation went nuts. The post's popularity led to double our normal traffic on Bilerico Project and we ended the week with another high note - word that Michael Savage's wife quit working for him over her gay-positive stance with Rockstar Energy Drink! Check out the best of this week's Bilerico sites:

Bilerico Nation
Where's My Gay Tennis Player?
Filed by: Sean Bugg (Bilerico-DC)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://dc.bilerico.com/2009/07/wheres_my_gay_tennis_player.php

"Well I'll be damned"
Filed by: Nadine Smith (Bilerico-Florida)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://florida.bilerico.com/2009/07/well_ill_be_damned.php

Young Republicans elect racist middle-aged woman President
Filed by: Bil Browning (Bilerico-Indiana)
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://indiana.bilerico.com/2009/07/young_republicans_elect_racist_middle-ag.php

Sunday
Lifting the Veil off Mental Health: Life with a Bipolar Partner
Filed by: David Castillo
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/lifting_the_veil_off_mental_health_life_with_a_bip.php

Fig Trees, Transliminal Criminals, and Other Plural Nouns: Dispatch from Outfest 2009
Filed by: Jessica Hoffmann
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/fig_trees_transliminal_criminals_and_other_plural.php

Monday
Where is the Senate on ENDA?
Filed by: Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/where_is_the_senate_on_enda_1.php

Judge Sotomayor for the Supreme Court
Filed by: Kate Kendell
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/judge_sotomayor_for_the_supreme_court.php

Tuesday
A straight contributor to TBP?
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/a_straight_contributor_to_tbp.php

Gay Republican cat-fight!
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/gay_republican_cat-fight.php

Wednesday
Florida Judge Who Struck Down Gay Adoption Ban Demoted
Filed by: Waymon Hudson
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/florida_judge_who_struck_down_gay_adoption_ban_dem.php

The Politics of Comedy: What's Off Limits?; Plus, "The Goods" Wants You to Laugh at a Hate Crime
Filed by: Prince Gomolvilas
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/bruno_and_the_politics_of_comedy_whats_off_limits.php

Thursday
First the Abortionists, Then the "Homosexuals": TheCall Declares War
Filed by: Patricia Nell Warren
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/first_abortionists_now_homosexuals_the_call_declar.php

Where To Find Sex And Love
Filed by: Father Tony
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/where_to_find_sex_and_love.php

Friday
Rockstar Energy Drink CFO breaks ties with Savage Productions
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/rockstar_energy_drink_cfo_breaks_ties_with_savage.php

The F-22 v. The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill
Filed by: John Shields
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/the_f-22_v_the_matthew_shepard_hate_crimes_bill.php

BONUS!
Steele: I'll Woo Blacks To GOP With "Fried Chicken And Potato Salad"
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.bilerico.com/2009/07/steele_gop_woos_blacks_with_fried_chicken_and_pota.php

Long-Sought Hate Crimes Measure added to Defense Bill

Democrats Add Long-Sought Hate Crimes Measure to Defense Bill

http://www.truthout.org/071609C?n

Halimah Abdullah, McClatchy Newspapers: "Just days after Arizona Sen. John McCain forged an unusual bipartisan alliance with the White House to cut $1.75 billion in increased spending for the F-22 jet fighter, congressional Democratic leaders on Wednesday added a hate-crimes measure to the must-pass bill."

Enjoy!

Workation Update

Having a grand time in Ouro Preto. I am doing some work for CEAD (Centro de Educação Aberta ea Distância) at the Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto here in Brasil. As well it is the Festival do Inverno which means a lot of plays, film and art... since it is Carmen Miranda's 100th birthday this year, I feel obliged to see all her films that are being shown... actually very fun.

Everywhere here in a town that is a sculpture in itself. All this allows me to catch up on what is going on with my amigos and to walk about with my camera.

Life is good.

More details and pictures are at Notorious.

Homosexuality and Hinduism

Google News Alert for: "sri sri ravi shankar"
Homosexuality, Hinduism and Section 377
GlobalPost - USASri Sri Ravi Shankar (born 1956), founder of the international movement, Art of Living, when asked about homosexuality, stated, “Every individual has both ...

I've got some bad news.

Dear Daniel --

I've got some bad news.

After 10 years of service to our country -- including leading combat patrols, rebuilding schools and translating Arabic in Iraq for 15 months -- the Federal Recognition Board issued its recommendation on Tuesday that I be discharged from the Army for "moral and professional dereliction" under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

The board's decision to fire me is not the end. Now that this panel of four officers has recommended my discharge, it still must be approved by senior officials in the Army, a process that could take a few weeks to a year. Unless something unexpected happens, it may be just a matter of time before the Army officially fires me.

I will not give up, no matter the odds. Because I know that the only way we will win this fight to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is by facing it head on. And I need your help again to keep up the fight.

I've made my case to President Obama -- supported by more than 140,000 of your signatures. I've made my case to the Army -- supported by more than 160,000 of your signatures. And I will continue to make my case until they fire me for good.

Now we need to make our case to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Will you join me in asking Speaker Pelosi to strongly support legislation currently in Congress that would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"? Please sign on to our letter and I'll personally deliver your signatures to the Speaker ASAP:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/RepealDADT

At West Point, I recited the Cadet Prayer every Sunday. It taught me to "choose the harder right over the easier wrong" and to "never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won." The Cadet Honor Code demanded truthfulness and honesty. It imposed a zero-tolerance policy against deception, or hiding behind comfort.

That's why I can't give up now. I've got to keep fighting. My fellow servicemembers -- and the 70 fellow West Point graduates who have also come out of the closet to join Knights Out, the organization I co-founded to push for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" -- would expect nothing less.

The only way we can win this fight for the truth is if the political cost of discrimination eventually becomes too great for the system to operate successfully. We need to raise the political cost in Congress so that Speaker Nancy Pelosi understands that, as Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall once said, "justice too long delayed is justice denied."

Speaker Pelosi needs to make "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" a priority now and come out strongly in support of legislative action to repeal this discriminatory law. Will you stand by my side now and sign our letter to the Speaker? You have my word that I will deliver your signatures to Speaker Pelosi personally:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/RepealDADT

As I said a few days ago, national security means many things, but the thing that makes us secure in our nation and homes is love. What makes me a better soldier, leader, Christian and human being is love. And I'm not going to hide my love.

Love is worth it.

Thank you for your support.

Daniel W. Choi
1LT, IN
New York Army National Guard

Colin Powell: Time to Review Policy on Gays in US Military

http://www.truthout.org/070609N?n

Reuters: "American attitudes have changed and the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy toward gays serving in the U.S. military should be reviewed, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Colin Powell said on Sunday. President Barack Obama favors overturning the policy, which bars gay troops from serving openly in the military."

REVOKED is on vacation...

Pics ´n stuff of my adventures in Brasil are posted over at:

http://ubnotorious.blogspot.com/

enjoy!

Its my birthday...

Ok Folks –

Just a note to say I am going to spend my birthday flying to Brasil. The blog will change somewhat while abroad, it’s a little bit of a hassle to post stuff, and I find that I like to share things I see and do there… keep the faith, enjoy my vacation (via the blog).

Ate já!

D

P.S. for the record the Ponderosa has a house sitter or two, the alarm system is functioning with in all acceptable parameters, and there neighbors be a watch’n… yo!

Quote of the Day

"Hope has never trickled down. It has always sprung up."

~~ Studs Terkel, from _Hope Dies Last_

Now it's time to empower and inspire Californians to win these rights back.

We would like to share this special message from Gavin Newsom as well as share some exciting news that we just got a few minutes ago.

Lt. Dan Choi, who is facing trial today under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, is coming to Camp Courage Sacramento on July 11-12. Lt. Choi would like to meet some of the folks who added their name to our letter of support, signed by 158,118 people.

If you would like to meet Lt. Choi, please RSVP here now:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/CampSacramento

Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign

---

Dear Daniel --

For many Californians, November's celebration of the election of Barack Obama as our next president was tempered by sadness and anger at the passage of Proposition 8.

That night, we became the first state in the nation to use our constitution to strip rights away from our fellow citizens. Our lesbian and gay friends, family members and neighbors woke up the morning after the election with fewer rights than they had enjoyed the night before.

Now it's time to empower and inspire Californians to win these rights back.

That's exactly what my friends at the Courage Campaign are doing. Since that historic setback eight months ago, the Courage Campaign has worked with groups and activists across the progressive political spectrum to help build a people-powered movement to restore marriage equality to California.

The heart of the Courage Campaign's commitment to equality is Camp Courage -- a transformative two-day training event for marriage equality activists of all kinds, experienced or new to the movement. Modeled after "Camp Obama," Camp Courage has received amazing reviews from participants -- most rating it a 9 (on a scale of 1 to 10) -- following recent trainings in Los Angeles, Fresno, San Diego and Oakland.

Now, on the weekend of July 11-12 in Sacramento, you have an opportunity to go to Camp Courage. If you want to experience this inspiring event, time is running out to register. Sign up now to reserve your spot:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/CampSacramento

I haven't seen this much energy in the marriage equality movement since the "Winter of Love" in 2004, when Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon and more than 4,000 other couples said "I Do" following our announcement that the City of San Francisco would begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

This country took a significant step toward securing equality for every American five years ago in San Francisco. While some feel that what we did was too much, too fast, too soon, we stand firm in the belief that our actions were not only just, but legal and constitutional.

Now we need to take a stand and secure these fundamental rights for all Californians. For good.

On July 11-12, "Camp Courage Sacramento" will be ground zero in the marriage equality movement. You don't want to miss it. Please register now before time runs out:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/CampSacramento

Thanks for helping the Courage Campaign bring full equality to California and our country.

Gavin Newsom
Mayor of San Francisco

Obama Speaks At WH Gay Cocktail Party

Pam Spaulding has the complete transcript of the president's remarks. At one point Obama was interrupted by somebody's cell phone. The offender's ringtone? A duck call. Hmm. The president quacked up.



thanks JMG for this...

Obama promises progress to gay community

Leading The News

Obama promises progress to gay community

By Sam Youngman

Posted: 06/29/09 05:43 PM [ET]

President Obama worked to assuage tension between his administration and the gay community Monday, telling them that he remains committed to their most important issues. Speaking to a group in the East Room of the White House representing the gay community, Obama reiterated his pledge to overturn both the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the military's Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell rule. Monday's event was the administration's first event honoring Gay Pride Month for a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender audience and it came amid growing tension between Obama's White House and the gay community. The president has come under intense fire from a loyal demographic that has accused his administration of dragging its feet on those two issues. Last week, some high-profile gay Democrats boycotted a fundraiser attended by Vice President Biden. Obama said Monday he is aware that many in the gay community "don't believe progress has come fast enough," comparing their struggles to those of blacks during the civil-rights movement. "It is not for me to tell you to be patient any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African-Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half century ago," Obama said. "But I say this, we have made progress and we will make more." The president said that he expects and hopes "to be judged not by words, not by promises I've made, but by the promises that my administration keeps." "We've been in office six months now, and I suspect that by the time this administration is over I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration," the president said. The rift between the administration and the gay community was exacerbated by a Department of Justice (DOJ) brief defending DOMA and comparing gay marriage to incest. In defending the DOJ's brief, Obama also sought to clarify his goal of reversing DOMA. "I've called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act to help end discrimination against same-sex couples in this country," Obama said. "Now I want to add we have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides. And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law. I've made that clear." On Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell, the president said he believes "preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security." "I know that every day that passes without a resolution is a deep disappointment to those men and women who continue to be discharged under this policy, patriots who often possess critical language skills and years of training and who've served this country well," Obama said. The president said he has asked the joint chiefs and Congress to find what the White House has called an "enduring" solution to overturning the law. The president also promised to push for an employee nondiscrimination law and a hate-crimes law named after Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was tortured and murdered in Wyoming.

Leading The News

Obama tries to win back favor of gays

By Sam Youngman

Posted: 06/29/09 07:32 AM [ET]

President Obama, under fire from some gay and lesbian groups for what they see as slow movement on two of their most important issues, is taking steps to keep that voting bloc in his column. This week, the president will host an event at the White House "recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments" of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. The event comes just days after Vice President Biden was dispatched to extend an olive branch to the gay community. Despite Biden's efforts at a fundraiser last week, the event was still boycotted by some over the administration's inaction in repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Further fanning the flames of the gay community's ire, a Department of Justice memo came out earlier this month, defending DOMA and in one instance comparing gay marriage to incest. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said not to expect any announcements on the two controversial policies surrounding next week's event. But Gibbs insisted that the event was planned in honor of Gay Pride Month and not as a result of political pressure. This is not Obama's first entreaty to the gay community. Earlier this month, he signed a presidential memorandum extending some federal benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees, but many in the community say the president hasn't gone far enough. At Thursday night's fundraiser, several high-profile gay Democratic fundraisers boycotted the event, and protesters outside held signs that read "Gay Uncle Toms," "SHAME" and "No Money for DOMA." The event still raised $1 million, about $250,000 more than it did last year, but Biden acknowledged the impatience many in the gay community feel. "I am not unaware of the controversy swirling around this dinner and swirling around the speed or lack thereof that we are moving on issues that are of great importance to you," Biden said. He promised though that the administration will "put some pace on the ball" on some major issues, and he stressed that Obama is committed to "keeping the nation focused on the unfinished business of true equality for all our people." Biden added: "We're not there yet." Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), one of three openly gay members of Congress, met with the protesters outside Thursday's event, and as she turned to go inside the crowd urged her to "boycott the bigots." "We do feel an impatience and a frustration, and I think it's really important that that be expressed both outside and inside," Baldwin told one reporter at the event. Biden, who told the crowd he doesn't blame them for their "impatience," listed what the administration has accomplished for the community so far, including 60 appointments of gays and lesbians with nine that require Senate confirmation. Despite what they've accomplished, however, Biden promised that the gay community's key issues won't be "delayed, put off or not end on [Obama's] plate," receiving standing ovations when he repeated the administration's pledge to repeal both DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell. "I hope you don't doubt the president's commitment," Biden said.

Recommended Site

FROM the IGF Info Page: Forging a Gay Mainstream

The Independent Gay Forum has been created by a group of gay writers, academics, attorneys, and activists who feel dissatisfied with the current level of discussion of gay-related issues.

• We support the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in civil society with legal equality and equal social respect. We argue that gays and lesbians, in turn, contribute to the creativity, robustness, and decency of our national life.
• We share a belief in the fundamental virtues of the American system and its traditions of individual liberty, personal moral autonomy and responsibility, and equality before the law. We believe those traditions depend on the institutions of a market economy, free discussion, and limited government.
• We deny "conservative" claims that gays and lesbians pose any threat to social morality or the political order.
• We equally oppose "progressive" claims that gays should support radical social change or restructuring of society.
• We share an approach, but we disagree on many particulars. We include libertarians, limited-government conservatives, moderates, and classical liberals. We hold differing views on the role of government, personal morality, religious faith, and personal relationships. We share these disagreements openly: we hope that readers will find them interesting and thought-provoking.

IGF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It serves as a forum for debate and discussion and does not take positions on matters of politics or policy. The views expressed are those of the authors alone.

If you have an article that you think belongs here, they'd like to hear from you. But please bear in mind that, because they editorial and legal staff, articles must have been previously published in an edited journal, whether print or online. All articles published here are reprinted by permission, with copyright retained by author or original publisher.

The Editors

Subject: Gay Life After Saddam - BBC Radio 5Live

Harrowing Made in Manchester documentary

finds life was much easier for gay iraqis under
Saddam Hussein

Radio production company Made in Manchester has won its first major
commission for BBC Radio 5Live with a harrowing documentary about the
persecution of gay people in Iraq.
In Gay Life After Saddam, presenter Aasmah Mir finds out how life for the
country’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community (LGBT), has got
much worse since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Human rights campaigners claim hundreds of LGBT people have been killed or
tortured while others have fled the country fearing for their safety since Saddam
was toppled from power six years ago.
Meanwhile, in the UK, gay Iraqis seeking asylum are struggling to persuade
authorities to let them stay.
Through some harrowing testimonies, Aasmah hears from campaigners and
those who’ve been persecuted to see how life has actually changed for gay
Iraqis.
Producer Ashley Byrne, who is also Made in Manchester’s Creative Director,
says: “We’re proud to be making our 5Live debut with such an important
documentary which tackles a subject that doesn’t usually feature as part of the
usual narrative from Iraq.
“The programme includes an interview with a gay Iraqi who was kidnapped and
raped before fleeing the country, we hear from a young man who fled to Paris
after being tortured and we get exclusive access to a so-called ‘safe house’
harbouring vulnerable LGBT Iraqis on the outskirts of Baghdad,” says Ashley.
He adds: “Some of the evidence is very difficult to comprehend especially a form
of torture involving glue and diarrhoea inducing drugs.”
Presenter Aasmah Mir also meets a London based Iraqi whose life is under
threat for the work he’s doing to help gay people in his homeland. Ali Hilli, who
Suite 444 Great Northern House
275 Deansgate Manchester M3 4EL
info@madeinmanchester.tv - http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.madeinmanchester.tv
Registered in England Company No. 537 0816 Registered Address 55 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LQ
runs the group Iraqi LGBT claims he has had two fatwas issued against him from
extremists in the Middle East.
Co Producer Gail Champion says: “What becomes clear throughout is that not
one person, one group or another is responsible for this persecution. It seems
like it’s chaos in Iraq with the authorities struggling to keep control. What
surprised me more than anything was how much life was easier for LGBT people
under Saddam Hussein.”
As part of the programme, the US Government is put on the spot over the
issue.
Ashley Byrne says: “It was our reporter who managed to illicit a response from
the US Government during a State Department Briefing in Washington earlier
this month. The Obama administration’s reaction to the recent killings and
violence can be heard during this programme.”
The programme also includes interviews with the Iraqi Prime Minister, religious
leaders and ordinary people on the streets of Baghdad where homosexuality is
still viewed by many as an illness and something that needs treatment.
Gay Life After Saddam is produced by Ashley Byrne and Gail Champion and is
A Made in Manchester Production for BBC Radio 5Live. It will air from 7-8pm
this Sunday, 5th July 2009 on 909/693 medium wave, on line and DAB Digital
Radio and via the BBC iplayer.
• For further information about the programme or Made in Manchester,
please contact Ashley Byrne on 07702 155397
Notes
Made in Manchester is a radio and television production company which was
formed in May 2005 by broadcaster and former commercial radio boss Ashley
Byrne and 5 Times World Swimming Champion James Hickman. The company
has had commissions for BBC Radio 2, Radio 4, 5Live, the World Service, 1Xtra,
BBC Local Radio and ITV1. MIM also has a corporate productions and
PR/Marketing arm with clients including Speedo, Finnair and Red Bull.
--------------------

To reply to this message, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox/readmessage.php&t=1057595370669&mid=b34ad2G2c4faed8G1e916ceG0