Senators from both sides of the aisle have introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would end discrimination based on the sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME), Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) are lead sponsors on the bill. HRC president Joe Solmonese made the following statement:

“The introduction of an inclusive employment non-discrimination bill in the U.S. Senate is an important and historic step in ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. No American, and that includes LGBT Americans, should have to worry about their livelihood being taken away from them simply for being who they are. The overwhelming majority of the American people are in favor of this legislation and now is the time for our community to visit their representatives in Congress to let them know we need this passed into law.”

Senators Merkley and Kennedy also weighed in:

Sen. Merkley: “There is no place in the workplace for employment discrimination. No worker in America should be fired or denied a job based on who they are.  Discrimination is wrong, period.  I’m proud to join Senator Kennedy, who is a civil rights legend, and Senators Collins and Snowe, both champions for equality, in taking this next step in our ongoing effort to create a more perfect union and guarantee every American, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, the right to earn a living.”

Sen. Kennedy: “The promise of America will never be fulfilled as long as justice is denied to even one among us. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act brings us closer to fulfilling that promise for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizens.  I’m proud to join Senators Merkley and Collins in introducing this important legislation.”

The Senate version of ENDA joins the House version which was introduced last June, and comes on the eve of the August recess. Be sure to contact your senator or congressman over the break and urge them to support ENDA.

Michael Medved, movie critic and conservative columnist warned in the NY Post that there is no public appetite for turning Sherlock Holmes gay in the new Guy Ritchie film slated for release this Christmas. Robert Downey Jr. who plays Holmes recently described the relationship between him and the Watson character  as “two men who happen to be room-mates, wrestle a lot and share a bed. It’s badass.” A none-to-amused Medved in the NY Post:

“There’s not a seething, bubbling hunger to see straight stars impersonating homosexuals,” Medved told us. “I think they’re just trying to generate controversy . . . They know that making Holmes and Watson homosexual will take away two-thirds of their box office. Who is going to want to see Downey Jr. and Law make out? I don’t think it would be appealing to women. Straight men don’t want to see it.”

Homophobic much? Trailer for Sherlock Holmes below.

Nope. More gay please. But at least it looks like Guy Ritchie finally has mojo back.

Vigils to honor the victims of a shooting spree at an LGBT center in Tel Aviv over the weekend are planned throughout the U.S. this week.

San Francisco
Monday, August 3
5:30pm Gather at Congregation Sha’ar Zahav (290 Dolores St @ 16th St)
6:00pm March to SF LGBT Center (1800 Market Street @ Octavia St)
6:30pm Speakers & Candlelight Vigil
(more)

Washington D.C.
Monday, August 3 at 8:15pm (more)

Los Angeles
Thursday, August 6 (more) and Friday, Aug 7 (more)

Vigils have already been held throughout Israel and in London. Video below is from a spontaneous rally the night of the shooting.

Three  teenagers are dead and 11 injured in an attack on a gay youth club in Tel Aviv last night.

A masked man opened fire on a crowd in front of a gay community centre in Tel Aviv late Saturday, killing three people and wounding at least 10 others, Israeli emergency services said.

A young man and a young woman were killed on the spot while the third victim died in hospital and one of the wounded was in serious condition, they said.

The gunman, who was dressed in black, unloaded an automatic weapon on the young group of gays and lesbians at the entrance of the centre, located in the heart of Tel Aviv, and then ran away, witnesses said.

All LGBT clubs in Tel Aviv have now been closed and there is concern that the shootings were religiously motivated.