The MPAA still won’t grant Bully anything less than an “R” rating, and Weinstein Co. denies that changes were being made now, but allowed for the possibility in the coming weeks. “At this time, there are no plans to change the film for a PG-13,” said Weinstein head of marketing Stephen Bruno.

“We are in constant conversation with the MPAA and hope a compromise can be reached.” Merely bleeping profanity isn’t enough to lower a film’s rating, presumably because even impressionable kids are sufficiently worldly to know what ugly noises are being made beneath the beeps. Which makes one wonder why they need to be protected from profanity in the first place. Removing all profanity from Bully will pose difficulties for Weinstein Co., because one of Bully’s most important scenes is full of that. The scene that earned the film an “R” features one teen threatening another as the two sit side-by-side on the bus, with profanities interwoven throughout. Weinstein and filmmaker Lee Hirsch have been adamant that the scene remains in the film as is to show the full force of what bullied kids face.

Source: Los Angeles Times

Asheville, NC - Racial Strategy by Same-Sex Marriage Foes Draws Criticism – 3.28
A confidential memo saying the best way to fight same-sex marriage is to drive “a wedge between gays and blacks” and manipulate Latinos drew criticism in the weeks ahead of a vote to ban gay marriage in North Carolina. The memo, written by the National Organization for Marriage, was made public as part of a lawsuit in Maine, where voters will consider a November referendum to legalize gay marriage. The previously confidential memo outlined a number of strategies aimed at increasing opposition to gay marriage among Latinos and blacks as a way of undermining the argument that gay rights are equivalent to civil rights. “It’s really quite appalling that they would try to divide portions of the country along racial lines,” said Stuart Campbell, executive director of Equality North Carolina.

NAACP president and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous said NOM’s plan was rooted in cynicism and predicted it would fail. “No group, no matter how well funded, can drive an artificial wedge between two communities whose histories are so intertwined. People of color understand what it is like to be the target of discrimination,” Jealous said.

Source: Chicago Tribune

Topeka, KS - Kansas House Advances Bill That Could Limit LGBTQ Protections – 3.29
The Kansas House advanced legislation that would allow a religious defense to discriminate against queers. Two Lawrence representatives attacked the Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom Act as an attempt to destroy a city of Lawrence anti-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation. State Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, said, “I am very proud of my Lawrence community, and I’m very proud of the ordinance that we passed.” Ballard added, “Discrimination is an injustice 
 to everyone.” House Minority Leader Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, said, “I don’t believe it is ever right to discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation.”

But State Rep. Lance Kinzer, R-Olathe, defended his bill, saying it was meant to make sure government could not infringe on an individual’s religious beliefs.  State Rep. Charlie Roth, R-Salina, said Kinzer’s legislation was “homophobic,” and added, “It sends the message that Kansas is not welcoming. Kansas will become known as the land of the pure as defined by the few.”

The measure is supported by Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration, the Kansas Catholic Conference and Concerned Women for America of Kansas, and opposed by the Kansas Equality Coalition and the state chapter of the National Organization for Women.

Source: Lawrence Journal-World 

Tuscaloosa, AL - Tuscaloosa Schools Allow Gay Couples into Prom – 3.29
Alabama’s Tuscaloosa County School System will allow its LGBTQ students to attend prom with same-sex dates. The school district also has recognized the right of students to wear clothing with slogans expressing acceptance of LGBTQ people. The district’s statement comes after the Southern Poverty Law Center sent a letter to school officials on behalf of a Brookwood High School student who was forced to remove a sweatshirt with a slogan expressing acceptance of the LGBTQ community. An administrator also indicated that the student could not attend the prom with a same-sex date.

“We are happy that the school district has agreed to recognize and support the rights of its LGBT students,” said SPLC attorney Sam Wolfe. “Gay and transgender students are entitled to attend prom with a date of their choice just like everyone else.”

Statements supportive of LGBTQ people, as well as attending the prom with a same-sex date, are protected under the First and 14th Amendments of the US Constitution. This is true even in communities that harbor anti-gay sentiment. LGBTQ students are increasingly living true to who they are, deserving the respect and support of their schools.

Source: Southern Poverty Law Center website

New York, NY – Saturday Night Live Adds Openly Lesbian Woman to Cast – 3.30
With the future of its biggest female star, Kristen Wiig, up in the air, NBC’s Saturday Night Live is moving to add reinforcements. Seven comedy performers tested for SNL honcho Lorne Michaels, including Kate McKinnon of The Big Gay Sketch Show, produced by openly lesbian Rosie O’Donnell. McKinnon will make her debut on SNL‘s next show this Saturday hosted by Sofia Vergara of TV’s super gay-friendly Modern Family.

McKinnon will become the first openly gay female cast member in the show’s long history. McKinnon, a trouper in the New York-based Upright Citizens Brigade comedy team, has also been in several one-woman shows including Disenchanted.

Terry Sweeney was the first gay man to appear on SNL as a cast member during the 1985 season - 10 years after the show’s premiere on NBC.

It is unclear if Michaels would try out more new performers this season in preparation for locking in the cast of NBC’s late-night sketch comedy series for next season. As for Bridesmaids star Wiig, whose contract is up at the end of the season, a final decision about her future on SNL will likely come in the summer.

Source: MyFoxNY.com