[news/opinion] Ropes & Gray Explores Options for Circumventing Mass. Anti-discrimination Laws for Catholic Church

From our Friends:

I just wanted to give everyone a heads-up on an issue. A story appeared in the Boston Globe last week that the Catholic Church had retained Boston-based law firm Ropes & Gray to explore legal and political options for circumventing Massachusetts' anti-discrimination laws and disallowing adoption by gay couples by the church's non-profit arm, Catholic Charities - full info. in two articles linked below.

We were pretty shocked/upset that a prominent and generally respected firm would take on such a visible and harmful anti-LGBT cause (this is paid representation), assisting the church in denying needy children loving foster parents. We were waiting on action until we could confirm that the story was true, as the two articles were somewhat vague on whether Ropes & Gray had already taken on the case. We've just learned from the firm itself that Ropes & Gray has in fact taken on the case, and now we are attempting to formulate the best response possible.

For now, we're focused on an information campaign. We feel this case is something that LGBT students and allies should at least know about when they're making decisions about which firms to work for in the fall. When fall interviewing occurs, next year's group will consider more targeted actions such as a protest or boycott of the firm.

Firms are generally scared of bad PR and anything that hurts their ability to recruit at law schools, so I feel making a very public response to Ropes & Gray's actions can send a message to law firms, small and large, about the negative publicity and consequences that can accompany their taking on these types of cases. And just to clarify: I don't take issue with R & G's right to take on the case, and I don't think we want to ask them to drop it (not only is the church's endeavor likely to fail, but we don't want to give others the opportunity to say we've intruded in the attorney-client relationship), but I do think that firms are responsible for choosing their cases, and attracting and turning off students based on the identity they create for themselves. Above all, I think it's important for LGBT and sympathetic law students to be able to make informed choices about the communities they'll be joining.

For more information:
Bishops to oppose adoption by gays (here)
Bishops dealt setback in pursuit of gay adoption exemption (here)

[note] Flickr is bettr.

We're moving our pictures over to flickr.com, because, honestly, it's really frickin' convenient (compared to FTP'ing pics onto our own server and resizing them and whatnot--I mean, look at this). So, if you have a flickr account, feel free to friend us. If you don't, maybe it's time you got one. :)

(link to our flickr sets)

--robert.

[pics] A Celebration of Marriage: Denise and Mary

Pictures from Friday night. It was a lot of fun, thanks to everyone!


(more pics link)

[news] Another Dumb Amendment

Alright, what could possibly go wrong with this amendment to the Virginia constitution?

This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.

Virginia is most definitely not for lovers anymore.

(link to article)

[event] Ladies Night at Sitcks

Put your books down and come out to shoot a game or two of pool tomorrow night (Wednesday) around 8:30 p.m. @ Sticks: 39 E. Cross, Ypsilanti, Michigan.
RSVP to Kyle if you need a ride.

[note] Robert Masur Fellowship in Civil Liberties for 1Ls

Robert Masur Fellowship in Civil Liberties: The Nation Institute is now accepting applications for the 2006 Robert Masur Fellowship in Civil Liberties.

The fellowship competition is open to first-year law students who intend to carry out significant activities during the summer in the areas of civil rights and/or civil liberties. Proposed activities may include a writing or research project, work with a public interest organization in the areas of civil rights or civil liberties, work on a civil rights or civil liberties law case under the supervision of a faculty member or lawyer, or any other work in the areas of civil rights or civil liberties. Fellowship recipient receives a $1,000 honorarium.

Robert Masur dedicated his legal career to protecting the rights of the unemployed, minorities, and the poor. A 1973 graduate of Stanford Law School, he spent six years at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago where he litigated a number of employment and consumer law cases. In 1976, he successfully argued an employment discrimination case before the Supreme Court. He entered private practice in 1981, where he focused on consumer protection law. His friends and family established the Robert Masur Fellowship Program in his memory to support the work to which he was dedicated, and to encourage young people to pursue public-interest legal careers.

Applicants should send a proposal, no more than two pages, describing his or her intended summer project, along with a resume, a brief letter of recommendation, and the name of their faculty or organizational sponsor to:

Robert Masur Fellowship
The Nation Institute
33 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003

All applications must be postmarked by May 31, 2006. For more information, see www.nationinstitute.org or call 212-209-5447.

The Nation Institute is a non-profit organization that supports research, educational programs, seminars and other projects with an emphasis on civil rights, civil liberties, and critical, progressive journalism.

[pics] Moot Court

In case there was any doubt that we do more than have parties and watch The L Word, here is proof.

(link to more pictures)

[plug] Rainbow House Events

from our friends at the Rainbow House...

Greetings Outlaws!!

I wanted to send another reminder to you about the Rainbow House benefit concert next Thursday evening at Kerrytown Concert House. Please visit the website, rainbowhouse.org, for more info about the concert, the Spring Gala in March, our current raffle, and volunteering to build the house.

Thank you in advance for your support.

[news] Video of Lewis v Harris oral argument

from the fabulous Ms. Nadine:

Hey, all!

In honor of the Freedom to Marry Day event tonight, please find below a link to Wednesday's oral arguments before the NJ Supreme Court for marriage equality.

FYI, three UM Law graduates are currently clerking for three different justices on the NJ Supreme Court, so perhaps one or more of them will be involved in writing the decision.

GO JOISEY!!

Thanks,
Nadine

The archive copy of the video of the oral argument on 2/15/2006 before the New Jersey Supreme Court in the case of Lewis v. Harris is now available on the NJ Courts website here: video

[news] McMahon Fellowship Awarded to Denise for Summer 2006

Congratulations to Denise for being awarded the Jospeh McMahon Fellowship 2006! Have a great summer in D.C. We know you will make us proud, Denise.

The Joseph McMahon Fellowship is awarded annually to a Michigan law student to work at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, the sole legal aid and watchdog organization for men and women in the military harmed by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Fellowship amount is $3,500.

[news] New Jersey Makes Its Case

You can hear the effect of Lawrence on this argument. The State isn't saying that same-sex marriage is bad for society or morally base. It's giving the court a way to avoid the decision altogether: by claiming separation of powers and the need to cabin the role of the judiciary. Without Bowers, it's hard to point to the "harm" of homosexuality. Instead, it seems you have to rely on the harm of the judiciary going against "popular will." That issue is nothing new.

DeAlmeida has consistently avoided making an ideological argument against gay marriage, even pointing out that the state sanctions gay couples as worthy adoptive and foster parents, and noting that gay couples contribute to society. In his brief, he even conceded that gays could fairly argue that they're entitled to the same publicly conferred benefits of marriage -- just not marriage in name.

It was a distinction that appeared to gnaw at several of the justices. Why, they asked DeAlmeida repeatedly, does the state insist on distinguishing between gay and straight couples in marriage?

DeAlmeida answered: "The state's object is the protection of the institution of marriage." Allowing gay couples to marry, he said, "would be a very drastic change in the definition of marriage."

Chief Justice Deborah Poritz interrupted: "It's not as if that institution hasn't changed over time, in rather dramatic ways: the position of women in the marriage structure, the laws prohibiting cross-racial marriage being declared unconstitutional. ... What separates this change and makes it unacceptable, especially given that the New Jersey Legislature has banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation?"

DeAlmeida responded: "The state's interest is in maintaining marriage as it has been."

Poritz continued: "If there is no harm to heterosexual marriage, then what is the state resting its objection on? Just that this has been the definition for a long time?"

DeAlmeida said: "There would be a change in the fundamental meaning of marriage if same-sex couples were allowed to marry."

Justice Virginia Long asked: "But how is that a harm?"

DeAlmeida said: "It's not so much a harm as a redefinition."

In exasperation, Long said: "What we need is a legal argument other than 'That was the traditional view.' "

DeAlmeida said: "The legal argument is that there's nothing in the constitution that says four members of this court can make that radical change without the other branches."

(link to article)

[plug] Kenji Yoshin on "Covering: The Hidden Assault on Our Civil Rights"

Kenji Yoshino (Yale Law School) will be discussing his book, "Covering: The Hidden Assault on Our Civil Rights"

Monday, March 6, 2006 from 4:00-6:00 pm @ 2239 Lane Hall

Kenji Yoshino has created a foundational new work in the literature of civil rights. The central concept of the book is "covering," the ways in which we hide our authentic selves. Certain identities are disfavored by mainstream America, and there is immense pressure to tone them down. Yoshino argues that harm comes from this suppression, and it is at times the law's role in these cases to protect us. He considers a common culture of authenticity to be a central paradigm for the civil rights of the future.

* Free and open to the public * Refreshments will be served*

This talk is co-sponsored by Arts at Michigan, the International Institute, Theatre and Drama, and Women's Studies.

The directors of LGQRI are David Halperin and Holly Hughes. For more information, please contact Holly Hughes.

[news] UMLS Brief Wins 1st Place at Sexual Orientation Moot Court

Germaine & Steve's brief won 1st place at this weekend's sexual orientation moot court competition (here). Arguing the brief, Steve and Foz made it to the semi-finals.

Hats off to a great showing & congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[note] Juan Tienda 2006 was a Blast

Last night was the LLSA's annual Juan Tienda banquet. The keynote speaker was Brigida Benitez (here). Benitez was a critical player in Grutter v. Bollinger. She recalled her days as a young law student and lawyer. Benitez noted how few Latino/a attorneys there were (and are) out there esp. at the partner level. I think we can all agree that having role models is important as we move into our careers as lawyers.

The talk was great and the company was even better. Of note, our own Paul Mata coordinated this amazing evening. I am sure the pressure Paul felt was unreal. Guests included Dean Caminker, professors, and many students. We all had a great time - thanks Paul!!! You make us proud!

(link to more photos)

[plug] Guerilla Bar Takeover!

Some people have noticed that the Ann Arbor scene could use a boost and are trying to get a guerilla bar takeover group started in a2. The idea is to randomly descend upon an otherwise "straight bar" and stage a takeover. Please read more (here).

The first event is scheduled for this coming Thursday (February 16, 2006) at 10:00 p.m., and the first selected bar is (here).

[edit, by robert: one of "some people" happens to be our very own Andrew.]

[note] i'm on the webteam and i'm really lazy and doing this icebreaker waaay late

name: Liz
year: 1L

two truths and a lie:
1. i am currently staring deep into the eyes of tickle me elmo
2. i got out on "keratoplasty" in the national spelling bee
3. i don't live in filth

[event] Celebrate Marriage!

Freedom to Marry: Denise and Mary's Wedding (link to pictures)

Fri. Feb. 17, 8:00 pm

Tap Room, Ann Arbor Brewing Co. (link to map)

[plug] TwiceBlessed Social Hour

Please join Twice Blessed for our first social hour on FEBRUARY 11, 2006, from 8-10 PM. We will be getting together for conversation and games at WRAP from 8-10pm. Afterward, interested people can move across Braun court to the Aut bar for drinks and more conversation!

Twice Blessed is a new group committed to meeting the social, and spiritual needs of the LGBT Jewish community. We are affiliated with Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor, but our events are open to the public. Please contact Sarai with any questions.

[plug] Community Planning Meeting for LGBTQ People and Allies

Our main topic of discussion will be "Best Week Ever," the community Pride Week in March.

"Best Week Ever" Planning Meeting
Thursday, 9 February
6:00pm-7:00pm
Beanster's Coffee - Michigan League

Gabriel C. Javier
Assistant Director
Office of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Affairs University of Michigan (here)
3200 Michigan Union 530 S. State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1308
734 763-4186 FAX 734 641-4133

[plug] Indian Law Day 2006

Justice--Constitutional or Tribal: Navajo Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Double Jeopardy

Date: March 17, 2006

Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: University of Michigan Law School, Honigman Auditorium, 100 Hutchins Hall at the corner of State and Monroe Streets.

About the program: The Navajo Nation is one of the largest and most influential Indian tribes in the United States. Under federal law, the tribe maintains its own legal jurisdiction for tribal members and tribal lands and has developed its own law and jurisprudence. Visits by the Navajo Supreme Court are rare. Three justices will hear oral arguments presented by two attorneys. There will be a brief break the oral arguments followed by a panel discussion.

Please note: No one will be admitted to the auditorium while court is in session from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and no photos may be taken during that time; a panel will follow the court session, which also will be open to the public.

[plug] "Gender in the Study of Law and Society" a talk by Anna Kirkland

Anna Kirkland's research focuses on the construction of the legal categories that receive civil rights protections in various jurisdictions of the United States, particularly gender, race, sexual orientation, and disability. She is interested in the politics of gaining legal protections as well as the ways in which ordinary people understand and negotiate their identities through the law. She is completing a book manuscript entitled, Scripting the Self: How Law Tells Us Who We Are and What We Deserve, and has published articles on transgendered plaintiffs who win their cases and on the efforts of fat rights organizations to combat weight-based discrimination. Her work has been featured in the recently published collection, The Fire This Time: Young Feminists and the New Activism (Anchor Books 2004). She teaches courses on gender, sexuality, and the law in Women's Studies and law, society, and politics in the Political Science Department.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006
4:00-5:30 pm
2239 Lane Hall

The events in this series are free and open to the public Refreshments will be served

For more information, please contact the U-M Institute for Research on Women and Gender (here).

204 S. State Street, 1136 Lane Hall
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1290
734-764-9537

[plug] Town Hall Meeting: How is affirmative action relevant to the gay community?

Affirmative Action Town Hall Meeting February 15
Southfield Public Library
26300 Evergreen Road
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

How is affirmative action important or relevant to the gay community?

MODERATOR: Kimya Afi Ayodele, MSW, CSW, ACSW
Kimya Afi Ayodele, is a trained social worker and has been with the Affirmations lesbian and gay community center for a little over 1 year. She was hired as the agency's first community outreach and older adult services coordinator on December 1, 2005. She has been active in the greater LGBT community for over 10 years. She is a founding member of Karibu House, inc. and also completed a commercial for the turnout project, funded by the gill foundation, a few years ago after being fired from her job for being a lesbian. Kimya has always been an advocate and an ally in fighting for the need for diversity, especially within the greater LGBT community, to ensure that TRUE social justice is achieved for all of humanity.

PANEL MEMBERS

Reginald M. Turner Jr. is currently the President of the National Bar Association for 2005-2006. Turner was part of the legal team in support of the University of Michigan's affirmative action program, which was upheld by the United States Supreme Court.

Jackie Washington began her career as a school social worker, but has a long history of community leadership. Currently she serves as president of the Wayne State Board of Governors.

Khaled Beydoun is the ACLU of Michigan's Field Organizer in opposition to the upcoming ballot initiative that would ban affirmative action programs in Michigan.

George Westerman has been a member of the Board of Directors for Affirmations Lesbian & Gay Community Center for five years. Professionally, Westerman is a principal consultant for IBM Global Services.

LGBT Affirmative Action Coalition in formation thus far includes: Affirmations Lesbian/Gay Community Center, ACLU Michigan LGBT Project, American Friends Service Committee - Faith Action Network, Between The Lines Newspaper, Michigan Equality, Triangle Foundation

[plug] Gender Bending and Perfomance: A Talk with Peggy Shaw and Lois Weaver

Gender Bending and Perfomance: a talk with Peggy Shaw and Lois Weaver of the Split Britches Theater Company

Friday, Feb 10 @ 12noon, Office of LGBT Affairs, 3rd Floor Michigan Union

Peggy Shaw and Lois Weaver are co-founders of Split Britches, a lesbian feminist theater company that has, since 1981, edified and wildly entertained everyone with their vaudevillian satirical gender-bending performances.

[event] QoC Coffee

From our man Bayrex:

Hey folks,

The time has come for another QoC event! We'll be getting together this Wednesday, February 8 at 6:30 PM. As per our (one-time) tradition, we'll be meeting at Amer's (611 Church Street) (link to map).*

Another returning custom will be our lack of a specific theme for the evening. All I want is for people to freely discuss any issue that might be exciting, annoying, disconcerting, or otherwise relevant. Prospective students, grades, job-search experiences, and the sudden loss of a fellow student, for instance, are all topics that we should feel comfortable discussing, and I'm hoping we do.

Finally, Outlaws will pick up the tab for snacks and drinks (non-alcoholic, natch), so I don't want to hear any excuses!

Your fellow QoC,

Bayrex

*Why? Well, let's see: yummy food and beverages; it's big enough for us to actually speak and listen to each other; the comfortable seating; cheaper; close to the law school.

[note] Where the Boys Are: A 1L's Ruminations on the Ann Arbor Scene

Ok, so I have a confession to make. Before coming here, my biggest fear was that the "scene" would be lame, or, more precisely, that the scene just wouldn't be. When I was younger, like many other boys my age, I cast a vote with my feet and left the bible-thumping South. Upon immigrating to the country's big gay candy store (a.k.a. New York City), I thought I'd finally found the pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow. I saw no reason to leave. (Well, except for a year-long stint in Germany, but, hey, I like blonds.) To be perfectly frank, the idea of moving to a small city in the middle of the country, in a state into which I'd always presumed I would never set foot no less, was just plain scary.

Luckily, those fears were quickly quelled. The most important thing I've learned during my time here is that the A2 scene is somewhat nebulous; any bar in town, well, almost any bar, is something of a gay bar, as long as you're willing to keep your eyes open and know what to look for. Obviously, there's /aut/BAR, where I recently had the honor of not being served a drink due to my perceived level of intoxication, and then there's Necto, where recently, through a strange turn of events, I was able to find an apartment for next term. But apart from the "official" homo hangouts, there really is so much more. Yes, A2's dearth of flag-flying homo bars is not a sign of a lack of scene, but a sign of the inclusiveness of all its scenes. So while gay guides have only two listings for A2, don't be fooled; they're wrong. In the interest of correcting this error, I've taken it upon myself to create a better gay guide to our little oasis in the mitten state.

I've indicated the gayness of each establishment on a scale of 1 to 10, with "1" meaning, "least gay" and "10" meaning, "completely gay."

And now a disclaimer for the lesbians: I admit it. This list doesn't take any of your interests into account. You'll have to excuse my one-sidedness, but my percipient knowledge of local lesbian hangouts is limited to Stiletto's. My intended target audience, namely gay boys, is selfishly limited.

Starbuck's (the one on E. Liberty and S. State): 9 - What? There's no gay coffeehouse in Ann Arbor you say? Give me a break! It is right across the street from the Urban Outfitters...'nuff said.

Sweetwater's Cafe (the one on Washington): 6 - Consistently voted A2's best coffeehouse, I think it should also win the award for A2's most ambiguously gay coffeehouse. There's always tension in the air here.

Ambrosia's Cafe: 5 - This place draws an alternative crowd, ranging from heroin chic, to hippie, to hipster. Oh, and their coffee's cheap, too! But if you want to work for the government, just keep that to yourself while here.


Eateries:

NYPD Pizza (the one on E. William): 1 or 10 - On Friday nights, or more precisely Saturday mornings, from about 1:00 a.m. onward, this place is 99.99% gay. Just around the corner from Necto, NYPD turns into a last-call sidewalk sale shortly before 3:00 a.m. (You've been warned.) I personally have a grudge against the size of their slices, but, still, they're the best in town.

Fleetwood Diner: 3 - As downtown A2's only 24-hour diner, don't be surprised by the eclectic mix here. Their hippie hash seems to attract members of the local neo-hippie population, but I can only describe the crowd here as "mixed."

Bars:

Bab's Underground: 8 - Certainly one of the swankier locales, think dry martinis, Bab's always has a mixed crowd. The bouncer seems to have a habit of trying to give the place a V.I.P. veneer by making people wait in line when the place is only half-full, but once inside, there's no pretension. Oh, did I mention they have a photo booth?

8-Ball: 7 - I've never quite been able to place this bar, other than to say it's a dive and that a perpetual odeur of cat urine seems to permeate the air. Reliable sources inform me that there are some members of the local gay community who have been consistently successful at meeting others of similar persuasions here. And if you want to meet members of the indie crowd, look no further. Their new internet jukebox is pretty lame, though. I'm convinced its designers programmed it to play Journey non-stop as a means of inducing patrons to pay $1 to hear something tolerable. Oh, and just remember to stay out of the way of the pool players; they're serious here.

Arbor Brewing Company: 6 - I used to think the rainbow sticker on ABC's door was just for show, but then I actually went and ate there. It's rumored to be one of A2's best "date restaurants," and this seems to apply to everyone! But before you try to impress anyone here, take this advice from someone who learned it the hard way: their micro-brewed beers have varying levels of alcohol, some approaching eleven percent.

Leopold's: 4 - With its Biergarten-style layout, visibility extends for miles in this place. It seems to be a popular first or second stop on the way to bigger and better things on Fridays and Saturdays. Oh, and they have board games.

Ashley's: 3.5 - At least half of the waitstaff seems to be gay, so if you're looking for "attitude" in a predominately straight bar, just go here. Still, the gayness doesn't stop at the waitstaff; look around and you'll see what I mean. Oh, and if you want to act really butch, order their bacon and cheddar fries. I'm sure there's enough grease in them to make a few gallons of biodiesel, but they're just too good to let them go to waste like that.


So there you have it. A2 is full of places to find a mate. I'm sick of people saying, "the good ones are all taken." Think about it, with literally many thousands of students roaming about, is it even possible that they're all taken? No.

Someone I don't know told me there's a rumor that "there is a small army of gay law students here." We've got street cred, so get out there and use it!

[plug] Wayne State Hosts Same-Sex Marriage Debate

Wayne State University is hosting a same-sex marriage debate on Monday, February 13 at 7 p.m. in DeRoy (Lower) Auditorium (click here for a campus map indicating DeRoy Auditorium).

John Corvino, a professor of philosophy at Wayne State University, will debate Glenn Stanton of Focus on the Family.

[news] Betty Naomi Goldstein Friedan Dies at 85

Feminist author of The Feminine Mystique and co-founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW) dies at age 85.

Born on February 4, 1921, in Peoria, Illinois, Betty Goldstein graduated in 1942 from Smith College with a degree in psychology and, after a year of graduate work at the University of California at Berkeley, settled in New York City . . .

Full story (here) /Biographical information (here)

I know there are many women, men, and Smithies out there simultaneously mourning and celebrating the life of this amazing woman!

[news] Clarification: US dislikes pedophiles, not gays.

Well, here it is:

The State Department said Friday that concern over potential support for pedophilia was behind the U.S. vote to exclude two gay rights groups from membership on a United Nations panel.

"We did not vote against the group because they are a gay rights group," said spokesman Edgar Vasquez.

link to article

If this is true and if there is legitimate reason to believe the excluded groups are sketchy, then the U.S. should have said that in the first place. It would have been a strong statement that the U.S. recognizes the difference between gay rights and criminal child molestation. I suspect, however, this is back-pedaling, and the State Department had to hide its animus toward a group that a lot of people dislike (gays) behind something that everyone dislikes (pedophilia). Of course, as amelioration, they'll vote a gay rights group onto the irrigation committee, and that'll be better than nothing.

[event] Speaker: Joshua Dressler--From Murder to Manslaughter

Last semester Joshua Dressler commented on a post we made concerning his 1995 article, When "HETEROSEXUAL" Men Kill "HOMOSEXUAL" Men: Reflections On Provocation Law, Sexual Advances, and the "REASONABLE MAN" Standard, 85 J. Crim. L. & Criminology 726. The conversations that came out of that post (of which there were many) led to Professor Dressler's agreeing to visit us here at Michigan to speak on the provocation defense and its off-shoot, the "gay panic" defense.

We are very excited to have him here, and hope that everyone will honor the man whose words taught most of us Criminal law by joining us in welcoming him.

Thursday, February 16th.
12:15-1:20 in Room 220, Hutchins Hall.

[news] Man, 18, sought after gun, hatchet attack at gay bar

What was that about "gay panic" being a legit mitigating factor for murder? Today is very sad for the queer community.

Police on Thursday are seeking a man in connection with gun and hatchet attacks overnight at a gay bar in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Three people were wounded. Authorities described suspect Jacob D. Robida, 18, of New Bedford as violent, armed and dangerous . . .

After finishing the drink and ordering a second one, Philip said, the man moved to the back of the bar, watching a game of pool briefly before taking out a hatchet -- a small ax the size of a hammer, Phillip said. "He started swinging the hatchet on top of this customer's head . . . Meanwhile, the attacker struck a second patron with the hatchet, pulled out a gun and shot the first victim in the face and the second twice in the head . . .

Full story here.

I am looking forward to Dressler's upcoming talk.

[plug] TRANSAMERICA Showing @ State Theatre

TRANSAMERICA is showing at State Theatre (here), Friday, February 3 at 7:15 & 9:15 p.m.

Summary: A pre-operative male-to-female transsexual takes an unexpected journey when she learns that she fathered a son, now a teenage runaway hustling on the streets of New York.