Elton John: Gay Victims "Could Have Been Me"

Singer's getting angry about gay-marriage ban

(NEWSER) - In Britain, they call him "Sir," but the United States makes him feel like a "second-class citizen," complains Elton John. Speaking in California, the AP reports that the new dad/singer swiped at the state's gay-marriage ban, saying that "as I get older, I get more angry about it." It's a different tune from the John who two years ago expressed satisfaction with his civil partnership in the UK, saying he didn't want to get married. More»

Jokes during amateur's show were discriminatory, says victim

(NEWSER) - A Canadian human rights tribunal has ordered a stand-up comedian to pay a woman $15,700 after he insulted her and her partner at a show. Lorna Pardy says amateur comic Guy Earle discriminated against her based on gender and sexual preference, the Vancouver Sun reports. The owner of the Vancouver restaurant that hosted the 2007 event must pay Pardy an additional $7,900, the tribunal ruled. Earle plans to appeal the decision. More»

UK Baptist charged with harassment, abusive language

(NEWSER) - A UK minister was arrested for harassment after publicly calling homosexuality a sin. Baptist preacher Dale McAlpine spent seven hours in jail on charges that because he had made the remark loudly enough for others to overhear, it constituted abusive language. McAlpine was handing out religious pamphlets in public when he told a passing shopper homosexuality went against the word of God; a nearby police community support officer then approached McAlpine and told him he could be arrested for homophobic language. More»

Conservative attorney has long opposed discrimination

(NEWSER) - Conservative lawyer Ted Olson fought Bush’s side against Gore, loosened government regulations under Reagan, and helped impeach Bill Clinton. So how did the man liberals love to hate end up on their side of the gay marriage fight? Olson, who filed a lawsuit challenging California’s ban on same-sex marriage, tells the New York Times that this case aligns perfectly with the other causes he espouses: It involves "the rights and happiness and equal treatment of millions of people." More»

(NEWSER) - Five Nigerian lesbians are running for their love after a weekend wedding put them in direct violation of the local Islamic law. Police have issued arrest warrants against Aunty Maiduguri and her four wives, charging them with violating the Sharia law that governs much of northern Nigeria. More»