11/7/07
Adult film's Harlow Cuadra and Joseph Kerekes will be extradited Thursday for trial in the death of porn producer Bryan Charles Kocis.
Two alleged escorts from Virginia are facing murder changes for the brutal killing of gay porn producer Bryan Charles Kocis.
In January, Bryan Charles Kocis, 44, was found dead in his burning home in Dallas Township, Penn. Although his body was badly burned, a coroner ruled that he had been stabbed and his throat slashed. Dental records were used to prove his identity.
Harlow Cuadra, 25, and Joseph Kerekes, 33, will be extradited Thursday from Virginia, where they have been jailed, to Pennsylvania for the court case.
Cuadra and Kerekes are charged with homicide, accomplice to murder, burglary, robbery, arson, theft, tampering with evidence, abuse of corpse and criminal conspiracy to commit such crimes.
They were arrested in May after evidence found on Kocis' computer (which survived the fire) revealed that Cuadra arranged a meeting Kocis the night of the killing.
Described to investigators as "flashy and flamboyant," the suspects were apparently rising stars in the gay porn industry. Police claim that the motive of the killing had to do with Kocis' rival porn company. The pair were keen to hire Kocis' lead actor Sean Lockhart, 19.
Cuadra and Kerekes lived together in a $500,000 home in Virginia Beach and "enjoyed exotic vehicles and extravagant dinners, and traveled the country making contacts for their escort and adult video businesses," prosecutors claim.
"It was obvious these were two individuals who led an extravagant lifestyle and followed through with it in all facets of their life," police Cpl. Leo Hannon said.
Kocis' company, Cobra Video, produces and sells gay porn, specializing in bareback films starring twinks. Titles include "Brent Corrigan's Fuck Me Raw," "A Boy's Raw Urges" and "Bareback Twink Orgy."
In 2001, police raided Kocis' home as part of a child pornography investigation and seized video cameras, photos, magazines, computer discs and more than 600 videos.
At the time of Kocis' death, neighbor Jennifer Hughes commented that he wasn't the most pleasant of neighbors, and that he was notorious for hosting large gay parties.
"I knew what he was involved in, unfortunately, it was not nice at all," Hughes said.
"All the time we saw him he would wear the same aviator glasses, baseball cap and jeans. He wouldn't say hello to anybody. He would just keep to himself.
"I know his background so I'm not totally shocked. He had boys over all the time, young boys," she said.
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Porn company drops gay bomb
5/7/07
Following last month’s news that the Pentagon had devised a ‘gay bomb’ , Gay porn company Dark Alley has jumped at the opportunity to make a film inspired by pseudo science-fiction, inherently homophobic military maneuver.
In a move to “kick the US Government while it’s down,” Dark Alley described the upcoming “Gay bomb”, to begin filming in November 2007, as follows:
“Gay Bomb will take us into the future and the year 2012. George the Second has refused to step down as leader of the “free world,” and the nations of Europe have banded together to fight the new American military dictatorship.”
“Desperate to fend off its attackers, the US launches the experimental ‘gay bomb,’ designed to make the enemy forces drop their guns and turn fag. But the winds of fate blow in a different direction, and soon America is brought to its knees.”
In June it was revealed that US Air Force had investigated building a "gay bomb", a hormone bomb that was aimed to turn heterosexuals into homosexuals. Government papers suggested that this type of weapon would make enemy soldiers "sexually irresistible" to each other.
Edward Hammond, of Berkeley's Sunshine Project, used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain a copy of the proposal from the Air Force's Wright Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio.
The 1994 plans were projected over six years and would have cost $7.5m. The plans were eventually turned down.
Gay community leaders in California said that they found the idea of a "gay bomb" both offensive and ridiculous.
Commenting on their upcoming feature, Dark Alley’s Matthias von Fistenberg insisted, “We’re really not making this up. In fact, if the Pentagon officials want to see the outcome of this project, they should tune into Dark Alley TV on December 1.”
Dark Alley producer Owen Hawk concurred: “This was too good an opportunity to pass up. When they’re not busy wiping their asses with the Constitution, they’re showing total contempt for basic scientific knowledge and spending tax dollars to turn armies gay. We should laugh at their expense every chance we get.”
Dark Alley is also responsible for the porn political parody Gaytanamo.
Following last month’s news that the Pentagon had devised a ‘gay bomb’ , Gay porn company Dark Alley has jumped at the opportunity to make a film inspired by pseudo science-fiction, inherently homophobic military maneuver.
In a move to “kick the US Government while it’s down,” Dark Alley described the upcoming “Gay bomb”, to begin filming in November 2007, as follows:
“Gay Bomb will take us into the future and the year 2012. George the Second has refused to step down as leader of the “free world,” and the nations of Europe have banded together to fight the new American military dictatorship.”
“Desperate to fend off its attackers, the US launches the experimental ‘gay bomb,’ designed to make the enemy forces drop their guns and turn fag. But the winds of fate blow in a different direction, and soon America is brought to its knees.”
In June it was revealed that US Air Force had investigated building a "gay bomb", a hormone bomb that was aimed to turn heterosexuals into homosexuals. Government papers suggested that this type of weapon would make enemy soldiers "sexually irresistible" to each other.
Edward Hammond, of Berkeley's Sunshine Project, used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain a copy of the proposal from the Air Force's Wright Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio.
The 1994 plans were projected over six years and would have cost $7.5m. The plans were eventually turned down.
Gay community leaders in California said that they found the idea of a "gay bomb" both offensive and ridiculous.
Commenting on their upcoming feature, Dark Alley’s Matthias von Fistenberg insisted, “We’re really not making this up. In fact, if the Pentagon officials want to see the outcome of this project, they should tune into Dark Alley TV on December 1.”
Dark Alley producer Owen Hawk concurred: “This was too good an opportunity to pass up. When they’re not busy wiping their asses with the Constitution, they’re showing total contempt for basic scientific knowledge and spending tax dollars to turn armies gay. We should laugh at their expense every chance we get.”
Dark Alley is also responsible for the porn political parody Gaytanamo.
London Pride: Wet and joyful defiance
3/7/07
Despite lashing rain and terror threats, London Pride blazed ahead, attracting tens of thousands revellers for the annual festivities...
Despite lashing rain and last week’s attempted terrorist attacks, London Pride blazed ahead, attracting tens of thousands revellers for the annual festivities.
The march began at Baker Street and made its way, as planned through Oxford Street and Regent Street, confronting a hostile, yet small group of conservative Christians and National Front protesters at the bottom of Haymarket, before spilling into Trafalgar Square for a rally and pop performances.
Pride organisers met with Police on Friday and determined there was no need to cancel the festivities. Police deployed over 350 officers to secure the event, supporting their LGBT Met comrades who marched in the parade in uniform.
On Friday London Mayor Ken Livingstone insisted he would be attending the Gay Pride march, saying: "I think people are completely safe to walk about the streets of London today and tomorrow. "I have promised my family all week that we are all going on the Gay Pride march. We will all be there," he told BBC radio. "I suspect virtually everybody who intended to go on that march will be there."
Livingstone joined actor John Barrowman and comedian Amy Lamé on Pride’s lead float before speaking in Trafalgar Square with his two young children. He was joined by Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs.
Commenting on the gay community’s defiant response to the terror threats, a proud Livingstone recalled the London’s similar response to the events of 7/7.
''They planned to cause destruction and fear, and they failed,'' Livingstone said. ''No one stayed home in fear.''
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive, noted the parade's spirit of joyful defiance as his personal highlight.
"My highlight was the wonderful moment when the parade passed two dozen of the extreme Christian protestors shouting and barracking at revellers passing them by in the Mall," he told Gay.com.
"They were heavily protected by the Metropolitan Police but the noise of their hateful sloganeering was drowned out by singing and cheering and whistles. It was a reminder of that age old truth; that goodness always triumphs over hate."
"My low-point (of course) was the incredibly heavy rain. But if the Bishops of Carlisle and Liverpool believe, as they claimed rather bizarrely at the weekend, that all this rain is Britain’s punishment for introducing civil partnership then God is obviously going to have to try a little harder if he wants to stop Pride next year. Perhaps a plague of locusts?"
Pride performer Darren Hayes, whose forthcoming album 'This Delicate Thing We've Made' comes out in August, told Gay.com:
"I have to say that Pride London was my first one as an openly gay and happily married gay man and it was fab."
"The crowd were incredibly warm and I had rocketed on in from New York esepcially to be there. For me the highlight was being able to kiss my sexy husband Richard the minute I left the stage."
"I feel lucky to live in a country where same sex marriage is not just a technicality but a civil right."
Ruth Kelly ousted in cabinet shift
29/6/07
Gordon Brown announced his Cabinet appointees, shifting Ruth Kelly,former Communities secretary, to Transport secretary
The chemistry of British politics changed today as Gordon Brown announced his Cabinet appointees, shifting former Communities secretary Ruth Kelly to Transport secretary.
Roman Catholic and a devout member of Corpus Dei, Kelly lost her position of Minister of Women and Equality a position that she was criticised for, considering her strong religious ties and implicit anti-gay stance. She refused to answer questions about whether she personally thought homosexuality was sinful.
In January the Independent on Sunday reported that Kelly delayed the Sexual Orientation Regulations in a bid to exempt Catholic adoption agencies from gay and lesbian couples as prospective parents.
The Equality Act, protecting LGB people from discrimination in regards to goods and services, came into effect on April 30th.
Kelly has been replaced by Hazel Blears, Labour MP of Salford.
Alistair Darling has been confirmed as chancellor, David Miliband will replace Margaret Beckett as foreign secretary and Douglas Alexander will become international development secretary.
For a complete list of the new cabinet, click here.
Gordon Brown announced his Cabinet appointees, shifting Ruth Kelly,former Communities secretary, to Transport secretary
The chemistry of British politics changed today as Gordon Brown announced his Cabinet appointees, shifting former Communities secretary Ruth Kelly to Transport secretary.
Roman Catholic and a devout member of Corpus Dei, Kelly lost her position of Minister of Women and Equality a position that she was criticised for, considering her strong religious ties and implicit anti-gay stance. She refused to answer questions about whether she personally thought homosexuality was sinful.
In January the Independent on Sunday reported that Kelly delayed the Sexual Orientation Regulations in a bid to exempt Catholic adoption agencies from gay and lesbian couples as prospective parents.
The Equality Act, protecting LGB people from discrimination in regards to goods and services, came into effect on April 30th.
Kelly has been replaced by Hazel Blears, Labour MP of Salford.
Alistair Darling has been confirmed as chancellor, David Miliband will replace Margaret Beckett as foreign secretary and Douglas Alexander will become international development secretary.
For a complete list of the new cabinet, click here.
Gay teacher jailed for teen sex affair
19/6/07
A schoolteacher has been sent to jail after it was discovered that he had a consensual relationship with a pupil
A schoolteacher has been sentenced to a year in prison after it was discovered that he had a consensual relationship with a student of fifteen.
Thamesbridge College Drama teacher David Le Brocq, 30, was found guilty on Monday of having a six month sexual relationship with his pupil, Karl Donaldson. The relationship began when Donaldson was 15, but the pair alleges that they didn’t have sex until Donaldson’s 16th birthday, a decision which was approved by the boy’s mother, Donna Stacey.
Le Brocq found himself in court in October 2006, but the jury failed to come to a verdict. A new jury convicted him to a year in prison at Oxford Crown Court in a retrial that began last month.
The Judge Anthony King was relatively forgiving when he addressed Le Brocq saying that it was “perfectly apparent” that there was a mutual attraction.
“Sadly, though, this case is a classic example of a substantial and serious breach of trust.”
"I am wholly satisfied that this is not one of those cases where an adult has acted in a predatory, grooming way towards a young person,” judge King added.
The court heard that the pair began the relationship when Donaldson passed a note to his teacher with his mobile phone on it. While drinking at a party, Le Brocq called Donaldson and confessed his love in February 2004.
The pair then began meeting regularly at Le Brocq’s flat in Dorset. It was even reported that Le Brocq was introduced to the boy’s mother as his boyfriend, which she actively encouraged. Their relationship ended when Le Brocq told his young lover that he had fathered another colleague’s child.
Prosecuting solicitor Alan Blake, told jurors: “[Karl] loved David Le Brocq and his mother wanted him to be happy. The evidence is that there was a mutual infatuation between them.
“David Le Brocq exercised some restraint in not allowing matters to progress too far physically before the boy’s 16th birthday.”
The relationship came to light and police were notified when Donaldson’s younger sister spoke about the affair to a teacher.
Donaldson, who is now 19, responded to Le Brocq’s sentencing:
"I am glad it is now all over and I do not have to worry about anything now."
"I have not been in touch with him [Le Brocq] since we broke up and just want to forget about what happened and get on with the next chapter in my life."
His mother Donna added: "We did not choose to go through any of this.”
"My son just fell in love with the wrong person and it was his first relationship, but he is much stronger for it and has moved on."
Prior to the scandal, Le Brocq enjoyed a career of awards and was praised for his work in the school. He was even nominated for National Teacher of the Year award after three months in the profession by the pupils, teachers and parents.
A schoolteacher has been sent to jail after it was discovered that he had a consensual relationship with a pupil
A schoolteacher has been sentenced to a year in prison after it was discovered that he had a consensual relationship with a student of fifteen.
Thamesbridge College Drama teacher David Le Brocq, 30, was found guilty on Monday of having a six month sexual relationship with his pupil, Karl Donaldson. The relationship began when Donaldson was 15, but the pair alleges that they didn’t have sex until Donaldson’s 16th birthday, a decision which was approved by the boy’s mother, Donna Stacey.
Le Brocq found himself in court in October 2006, but the jury failed to come to a verdict. A new jury convicted him to a year in prison at Oxford Crown Court in a retrial that began last month.
The Judge Anthony King was relatively forgiving when he addressed Le Brocq saying that it was “perfectly apparent” that there was a mutual attraction.
“Sadly, though, this case is a classic example of a substantial and serious breach of trust.”
"I am wholly satisfied that this is not one of those cases where an adult has acted in a predatory, grooming way towards a young person,” judge King added.
The court heard that the pair began the relationship when Donaldson passed a note to his teacher with his mobile phone on it. While drinking at a party, Le Brocq called Donaldson and confessed his love in February 2004.
The pair then began meeting regularly at Le Brocq’s flat in Dorset. It was even reported that Le Brocq was introduced to the boy’s mother as his boyfriend, which she actively encouraged. Their relationship ended when Le Brocq told his young lover that he had fathered another colleague’s child.
Prosecuting solicitor Alan Blake, told jurors: “[Karl] loved David Le Brocq and his mother wanted him to be happy. The evidence is that there was a mutual infatuation between them.
“David Le Brocq exercised some restraint in not allowing matters to progress too far physically before the boy’s 16th birthday.”
The relationship came to light and police were notified when Donaldson’s younger sister spoke about the affair to a teacher.
Donaldson, who is now 19, responded to Le Brocq’s sentencing:
"I am glad it is now all over and I do not have to worry about anything now."
"I have not been in touch with him [Le Brocq] since we broke up and just want to forget about what happened and get on with the next chapter in my life."
His mother Donna added: "We did not choose to go through any of this.”
"My son just fell in love with the wrong person and it was his first relationship, but he is much stronger for it and has moved on."
Prior to the scandal, Le Brocq enjoyed a career of awards and was praised for his work in the school. He was even nominated for National Teacher of the Year award after three months in the profession by the pupils, teachers and parents.
Michael Barrymore arrested
15/6/07
Essex police arrested Michael Barrymore once again over the death of Stuart Lubbock
British comedian Michael Barrymore was arrested along with two other men over the death of Stuart Lubbock, according to the BBC.
In March 2001, 31-year-old Stuart Lubbock died after three witnesses, including Barrymore, claimed to find him motionless floating in Barrymore’s swimming pool. Although post-mortem tests showed that he died as a result of drowning, alcohol, ecstasy, and cocaine were found in his body. He also suffered severe anal injuries, suggesting that he had been raped.
At the time tabloid papers accused Barrymore of having drug-fuelled gay orgies in his Essex home, claiming that he was responsible for the death. Barrymore denied all allegations.
The Press Association are reporting that Barrymore, 55, was one of the three men arrested by Essex police. A 37-year-old man in Lancashire and a 32-year-old man in Staffordshire were also arrested on suspicion of serious sexual assault and murder.
Following Lubbock’s death in 2001 Essex police carried out an investigation to no avail. Two people who attended Barrymore’s party, unemployed Justin Merritt and drag queen Jonathan Kenney were arrested in June 2001, but were later released. The inquest that took place in September 2002 reached an open verdict.
In December 2006, Essex police reopened the case and the Independent Police Complaints Commission launched a separate investigation. The IPCC investigation is currently on hold.
In January 2006 following Barrymore’s participation in Celebrity Big Brother, Terry Lubbock, father of Stuart Lubbock, met with Michael Barrymore and apparently told him he didn’t blame him for his son’s death.
"I don't believe you had anything to do with what happened to him,” he told Barrymore, according to the Sun.
Since Stuart’s death, Terry Lubbock has leaded a campaign to secure a conviction in his son's case. He and Barrymore are said to have an amicable relationship.
Lubbock’s lawyer Tony Bennett said he was “quite surprised and shocked” that Barrymore may have been arrested.
"We've always thought [Barrymore] may have known more but up till now we've never had any indication that he might have been involved in the actual assault, and Tony Lubbock has never actually alleged that and neither have I,” Bennet told the BBC.
"What we've been campaigning for over the past 18 months is for somebody to be charged and brought to court."
Britain supports the gays
23/5/07
A nationwide survey found that almost 9/10 Britons support gay and lesbian legal protections
The vast majority of Britons support newly-introduced legal protections for gay and lesbian people, according to a nationwide poll. The 2007 Sexual Orientation Regulations, which came into effect on May 1st, assure that businesses cannot discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The legislation has been fiercely opposed by right-wing religious institutions, most notably Catholic adoption agencies that launched efforts to be exempt from the regulations.
The Stonewall-commissioned "Living Together" survey also found that 73% would not mind if their child’s teacher was gay, 80% would not mind if a relative was gay, and 88% would not mind if member of royal family was gay.
YouGov, a market research firm, surveyed over 2,000 people across Britain to analyze public attitudes toward gay people. The discovered that an astonishing 85% of people support the new laws, and that 73% of people think more should be done to tackle anti-gay hate crime.
“We wanted to establish whether the shrill voices in modern Britain still opposing equality are actually representative,” Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said,
“While a significant majority of Britons are clearly not prejudiced, as this polling demonstrates, their voices are often drowned out by a minority who are.”
In April, the House of Commons passed the regulations with 310 votes to 100, dismissing efforts made by a group of Tory MPs to block them at committee stage. From the Tory party, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, and even Ruth Kelly voted in favour of the regulations.
Catholic adoption agencies have until the end of 2008 to comply with the new laws.
A nationwide survey found that almost 9/10 Britons support gay and lesbian legal protections
The vast majority of Britons support newly-introduced legal protections for gay and lesbian people, according to a nationwide poll. The 2007 Sexual Orientation Regulations, which came into effect on May 1st, assure that businesses cannot discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The legislation has been fiercely opposed by right-wing religious institutions, most notably Catholic adoption agencies that launched efforts to be exempt from the regulations.
The Stonewall-commissioned "Living Together" survey also found that 73% would not mind if their child’s teacher was gay, 80% would not mind if a relative was gay, and 88% would not mind if member of royal family was gay.
YouGov, a market research firm, surveyed over 2,000 people across Britain to analyze public attitudes toward gay people. The discovered that an astonishing 85% of people support the new laws, and that 73% of people think more should be done to tackle anti-gay hate crime.
“We wanted to establish whether the shrill voices in modern Britain still opposing equality are actually representative,” Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said,
“While a significant majority of Britons are clearly not prejudiced, as this polling demonstrates, their voices are often drowned out by a minority who are.”
In April, the House of Commons passed the regulations with 310 votes to 100, dismissing efforts made by a group of Tory MPs to block them at committee stage. From the Tory party, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, and even Ruth Kelly voted in favour of the regulations.
Catholic adoption agencies have until the end of 2008 to comply with the new laws.
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