I got a call from

I got a call from Sean tonight. He's doing well, but has a cold. And, he'd really love to go with me to the Virgin Islands. I'm going to go see him in a week or so before I go on vacation. The exercise program is going well. Now, I have to keep telling myself to keep doing it, which is hard. My muscles hurt like hell, but I am starting to loose weight. Also, I've noticed that my energy levels have increased. Tomorrow is weight training again. Argh!

'Keep Gays Out Of Baseball'. Denver, Colorado) Colorado Rockies reliever Todd Jones has caused a furor saying gay players should not be allowed in major league baseball. "I wouldn't want a gay guy being around me," Jones told the Denver Post. "It's got nothing to do with me being scared. That's the problem: All these people say he's got all these rights. Yeah, he's got rights or whatever, but he shouldn't walk around proud. It's like he's rubbing it in our face. 'See me, Hear me roar.' We're not trying to be close-minded, but then again, why be confrontational when you don't really have to be?"
Actually, it's got a lot to do with being scared and insecure about gay people. If Todd Jones were secure with his own sexuality and manhood, he would not feel so threatened. Another point I'd like to make... What is he referring to when he said "That's the problem: All these people say he's got all these rights. Yeah, he's got rights or whatever, but he shouldn't walk around proud."? As a gay man I have no more "rights" than anyone else. I have the right to freedom (to an extent), free speech (which I'm exercising now), but there are also "rights" that Mr. Jones have that I will probably never have in my lifetime. Why is that so difficult to understand? Is it because he's just a big dumb jock with a small penis that causes him to brain lock? I don't know. If I had all the rights Mr. Jones has, I would be able to marry the person I love and have that marriage respected in all 50 states. I would not have to worry about inheritance, etc. I just don't understand that when people start talking about gay people, they talk in terms of us wanting "special rights". If I hear that one more time, I'm going to scream. They need to pull their heads out of their asses and THINK about what they are saying. I challenge ANYONE to mention one "special right" that we are asking for that others do not have, and take for granted! Just one. Anyone???

Republican Lawmakers Back Senator in Gay Dispute. ASHINGTON, April 29 — Republican leaders in Congress gave strong backing to Senator Rick Santorum today, dismissing calls by gay rights groups and Democrats for him to be replaced as the third-ranking Republican in the Senate for remarks about homosexuality. Senior officials in both houses swiftly rose to Mr. Santorum's defense as Congress returned from a two-week recess and the lawmakers faced questions about him from reporters. "I think Senator Santorum took a very courageous and moral position based upon principles and his world view," said Representative Tom DeLay, the House majority leader from Texas.

Republican leaders defend Santorum - Remarks on gays won't affect Senate position. Republican leaders have thrown their support behind Sen. Rick Santorum, saying the Pennsylvania Republican will retain his party leadership post despite stirring controversy for equating homosexuality with adultery, bigamy and incest. Asked whether the Pennsylvania Republican would keep his post as the No. 3 GOP leader in the chamber, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., told reporters in Washington, "absolutely he will remain in leadership." "He has the full 100 percent confidence of the Republican leadership in the United States Senate," said Frist.

Gay-rights advocates blast senator. Santorum's remarks fuel calls for him to step down from his post. Gay rights advocates, who yesterday rallied at the Capitol, said remarks made by U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum labeling gays as "antithetical" to families would inspire their battle to win civil rights protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Pennsylvanians. State Human Relations Commission member Stephen A. Glassman of Gettysburg challenged Santorum to debate his remarks. Glassman and several other gay rights leaders demanded that Santorum, chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus, quit his Senate seat. But U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and even some of Santorum's GOP Senate critics said Pennsylvania's most powerful Republican is in no danger of losing his leadership post.

U.N. puts pro-gay resolution on hold. The United Nations Human Rights Commission put a resolution condemning antigay discrimination on hold Friday--and doesn't plan to reconsider it until next year, Agence France-Presse reports. The proposal, which would have been the first such pro-gay resolution from the international body, was hurt by the United States's refusal to back it, the news service said.

Concord Church Banished For Baptizing Two Gay Men. A North Carolina church was expelled from a local Baptist association for baptizing two gay men. Leaders of the Cabaruss (County) Baptist Association voted 250-11 on Monday night to sever ties with McGill Baptist of Concord, N.C. See also this story.