We Messed Up

One of my big stories from yesterday that outraged my readers was the unfortunate story of Christina Santiago, an lesbian advocate that died in the tragic collapse of a concert stage at the Indiana State Fair.  I initially didn't report on it, as I don't particularly care to politicize tragedy.

However, Bil Browning broke a story claiming that Christina's partner, Alisha Brannon, was being snubbed by the state and that she would not be able to receive her remains due to DOMA.  One of the other publications I write for, Queerty, picked it up as well, so I did.  After all, when Bil Browning and Daniel Villarreal say it's true, it must be, right?

Happily, no.  The state of Indiana isn't refusing to release Christina's remains to her partner, as it turns out.  Several of us were guilty of not fact-checking, and we ran a story that got a lot of people pissed off without any basis in fact whatsoever.  I'm sincerely sorry for the mistake.

The blogosphere can be viewed in two ways that basically equal the same thing: a cooperative group of citizen journalists who promote each other's stories or an incestuous group of sensationalists that will pick up big stories from another.  Either way, we flubbed on that one.  Bil has apologized and I find I must do so myself.  I pride myself on bringing you guys the news, and I'm heartbroken that I ran something that just wasn't true.

That said, I'm happy that the story turned out to be incorrect.  At least in one case, tragedy is not compounded by injustice, and I extend my condolences to Brannon and wish her a full recovery, as she is still in critical condition from injuries from the tragic event.  So, dear readers, put away the anger for now and join me in praying for her swift recovery.

Morgan Apologizes

"I want to apologize to my fans and the gay & lesbian community for my choice of words at my recent stand-up act in Nashville. I’m not a hateful person and don’t condone any kind of violence against others. While I am an equal opportunity jokester, and my friends know what is in my heart, even in a comedy club this clearly went too far and was not funny in any context."

Still no word from NBC as to whether or not there will be any penalty or whether this will affect Morgan's job on 30 Rock.

 

[Towleroad] 

Tracy Morgan Is In Deep Shit

The gay world is up in arms this week in light of allegations which broke the news on Wednesday detailing an anti-gay diatribe which took place in Tracy Morgan's comedy routine.  During the performance, held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Morgan stated that if his son were gay, he would kill him.  When audience members objected to the vile rant, he went on to say that if gays "can take dick up their ass, they can take a joke."

Maybe we can't, Tracy. 

Understandably, this has enraged a lot of people, not least of which because he works for a popular show on NBC (which I love), 30 Rock, produced by an outspoken advocate for LGBTs, Tina Fey.  Fey has yet to comment on the allegations. 

Ryman Auditorium has disavowed any wrongdoing in the tirade, saying the theater "regrets that people were offended by statements" Morgan made, adding that it "does not control the content presented by people appearing on its stage, nor does it endorse any of the views of, or statements made by, such persons."

GLAAD has issued a statement:

"'Tracy Morgan's management needs to investigate these allegations and should they prove true, we call on him to remove these violently anti-gay remarks from his show and send a strong message that anti-gay violence is not something to joke about,' said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. GLAAD is working to confirm the story with Morgan’s management and hopes to have more details today.

"The alleged remarks included that if his son were gay he 'better talk to me like a man and not in a gay voice or I'll pull out a knife and stab that little n**ger to death.' He also allegedly aid that 'Gays need to quit being p**sies and not be whining about something as insignificant as bullying.' He allegedly added, 'Gay is something that kids learn from the media and programming.'"

The one person we want to hear from most, of course, has nothing to say, with Morgan's publicist saying, "There is no comment, thank you for your inquiry."

The best response?  Ana Matronic from the Scissor Sisters, who Tweeted:

Retraction: I'm Gonna Whoop On Wesley Darling

Turns out that cancer "cure"?  Has since been refuted by further study.  Sorry folks.

"In 2010 it was found that for human colorectal tumours grown in mice, under hypoxic conditions, DCA decreased rather than increased apoptosis, resulting in enhanced growth of the tumours."

If you click on the link below, you'll find that a shit-ton more research needs to be done, so essentially we don't have a cure, but instead some possibilities opening up in the field of cancer treatment.  Turns out in recent weeks this story has popped up a few times due to a simple misreading of the date of the study.  Whoops!

[ScienceBlog]

Thanks to James for the correction