Kirk McCambley is now 21. He is the proprietor of the Lock Keepers Inn, a cafe on the banks of the river Lagan in south Belfast.

Details of the affair were revealed in an interview with her husband Peter, Northern Ireland’s first minister.

Mrs Robinson said she had encouraged friends to invest in Mr McCambley’s business.

Castlereagh Borough Council, on which Mrs Robinson sits, built the visitors centre which houses the cafe.

Read More Here.

© 2010, Gay Online News. All rights reserved.

BOSTON PRIDE ANNOUNCES 2010 THEME: “RIOTS TO RIGHTS – CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF PROGRESS”
NOMINATIONS FOR PARADE MARSHALS OPEN

Boston, MA, December 15, 2009 – The Boston Pride Committee is pleased to announce that the Theme for Boston Pride 2010, per the community vote on www.bostonpride.org, is: “Riots to Rights – Celebrating 40 Years of Progress”.

“Riots to Rights – Celebrating 40 Years of Progress” honors the 1969 Stonewall Riots that commenced the modern Gay Rights movement and commemorates the progress we’ve made as a community’s since those early days of the battle for equal rights. As Boston Pride celebrates its 40th Anniversary, we encourage our community to remember the brave pioneers before us who bravely took to the streets in protest and in anger, but with incredible hope that one day we would overcome the harsh shackles and restraints of hatred, bigotry and discrimination.

And from those early riots, rose rights and freedoms and progress that we slowly see coming to fruition. What this year’s Pride theme does not do, however, is pretend that the struggle is over. We celebrate the progress that has been won thus far, but also recognize that across the globe- from Massachusetts to Moscow, Puerto Rico to Uganda, Taiwan to Sri Lanka, and thousands of lands across the world- we are still not wholly free.

During Pride week, as we remember and reflect on how our journey started, let us all commit to doing our part to ensure that our remaining battles end in victory.

With the 2010 Theme selected, Boston Pride is delighted to open up nominations for Boston Pride Parade Marshals. Nominations forms are available at www.bostonpride.org/marshals.

Questions can be directed to info@bostonpride.org or by calling the Committee’s PrideLine at 617-262-9405.

© 2009, Gay Online News. All rights reserved.

The Boston Pride Committee has reviewed the many theme suggestions for Pride’s 40th Anniversary Celebration and has narrowed them down to a selection of six candidates. The Committee is now proud to open up the vote to the community. Let your friends, colleagues, family and relatives know!

Deadline: vote by December 5th!

Candidates for 2010 Pride Theme (in alphabetical order):
- 40 Years: Standing Strong, Moving Forward
- Generations of Pride, 40 Years in the Making
- Many Voices, One Vision
- Riots to Rights – Celebrating 40 Years of Progress
- Stronger Together for 40 Years
- You Are Not Alone: Building Community for 40 Years

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

© 2009, Gay Online News. All rights reserved.

I first had to look for the cafe.  Nestled slightly back off the street, it didn’t pop right out.  Owner Steve Archambault was on hand, and quickly directed me in.  He told me side walk signs were on their way, which will help bring in business.  The Cafe is actually easy to find if you know what to look for.  It is immediately located on the right hand side of the street as you enter, snugly situated under a canopy and archway.

The all glass front windows were sparkling clean, even in New England winter weather, and looked inviting.  Upon entering, I was taken aback by the stunning artwork on display.  Throughout the entire cafe, bright bold colors open your eyes and your senses.  To offset the grand art, the cafe has a mild tone.  Together, it is a stunning combination!

The service was friendly, and extremely attentive.  Josh our server was very knowledgeable and offered many suggestions.  He kept our drinks filled, but did not seem to hover.   Our meals were served hot and did not wait on the counter for him to pick them up.  He even was able to accommodate someone with special dining needs, without any effort.

There were many choices in the menu that seemed interesting.  My party chose the mushroom and swiss burger, the bacon and cheddar burger, the chicken tender wrap, and the bagel breakfast sandwich (which is happily served all day).  I was able to sample all of them, and pleased to say the burgers were cooked perfectly!  The bagel sandwich was perfect, and the bacon thick and tasty.  I was lucky enough to be there when other diners were ordering.  The other table had 2 awesome omelets and a cobb salad.  I almost regretted my order when the spinach and feta omelet came out.

The food was delicious, hot, fast and with a large serving size.  The chef and owner Steve, came over personally to ask if everything was cooked .

Some of you may be like me, and need to watch where you go when somewhere is gay owned and operated.  I wish I could support the community always, but truth be told I can’t.  I have children, and at times I have found that people do not know how to act around them.  Even though my 2 girls know they have 2 moms, we don’t discuss how we are intimate.  I do not like it when others make comments in front of them.  I wish I could say this never happens, but in reality,  it happens a lot.  Maybe it is because few gays have children of their own, or maybe it is because being gay (they think) gives them the right to say what they want.  Either way, it could make it uncomfortable for our children, parents or friends to be dining in a gay owned and operated establishment if such things were to happen.  I can proudly say, that the staff at Chestnut Street Cafe were wonderful with my children and extremely professional.  I would bring them back at any time!

The Chestnut Street Cafe is located just one block away from the Providence Performing Arts Center in beautiful downtown Providence.  There is limited delivery available and they are open 7am to 7pm Monday through Friday and 7am to 3pm Saturday and Sunday.  I highly recommend the Chestnut Street cafe.  When you go tell him you saw this review on KymberStyle, and you may just get a surprise discount! Oh, and one more thing…don’t forget desert.  The cheesecake is Sinnfully delicious!

Kymber

© 2009, Gay Online News. All rights reserved.

Kymberstyle.com

TIS the season to be jolly, or so goes the opening line of a well-known holiday song.  Many people, most notably single men and women who find themselves alone on yet another Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve, find the holidays are anything but a time of joy.

For most it is a time of introspection, self-analysis and resolution, processes that for some singles can lead to depression and despondency. Now melancholy and gloom do not a happy holiday make. Instead of sitting around bemoaning a lost love or the lack of a mate, take positive steps to make your holiday a time of joy and celebration, a period of giving and sharing.  At the very least you will have a great time and spread a little joy to those around you.

“Depression occurs so often during the holidays because people’s expectations aren’t met,” says Joyce Hamilton Berry, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Washington, D.C. “And due to lack of planning, they end up being alone during the holidays. Most people expect a Currier and Ives Christmas; they look at commercials on television and see family settings where everybody is so happy and the festivities are opulent. If they don’t have that, then something must be wrong, they reason.”

Let us look at some ways to make the holidays even more enjoyable no matter who you are.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS: During the holidays, many people reflect on the past year and start making resolutions for the new one. But instead of pondering the positive aspects of their lives, most think about the things they don’t have: a mate, the ideal job, the desired salary and lifestyle.  I like to start with the first day of Thanksgiving, and every day during November I write down something I am grateful for.  It can be as complex as my family, or as easy as the person that pumped my gas that morning so I didn’t get wet.

SEEK THE COMFORT OF FAMILY: Most singles realize the importance of spending the holidays with family and other loved ones, and some wouldn’t dream of being anywhere else at this special time of year.  The one thing that people over look is that family is what we make of it.  Long ago I realized that my family did not want me around as much as I didn’t want them around.  I began to understand that my dearest friends are my family.  Now that is who I spend my holidays with.   Some family is through birth, and yet others through choice. Cherish them all.

THROW A PARTY: Many singles who find themselves separated from their families decide to throw a party during the holidays to bring all their single friends together.

HOLIDAY GETAWAYS: A number of singles decide to spend the holidays, or at least part of them, in an exotic location.

SHARE WITH OTHERS: Achieve a sense of fulfillment by volunteering to help others during the holidays. Participates in distribution of food to needy families, and prepares dinner for police officers who must work Christmas Day.

ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE: The holidays are not a time to be mean and bitter, but that is exactly the demeanor that some singles exhibit at this time of year. Instead, adopt a more friendly, outgoing and confident attitude. When you have a positive attitude, others will be drawn to you.

Reprinted with permission.

© 2009, Gay Online News. All rights reserved.

Stephen Reinhardt, a member of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, also reminded the bureaucracy that he decreed nine months ago in the same case that withholding benefits based on sexual orientation violates the U.S. Constitution’s due process guarantee and the circuit’s employment dispute resolution plan for federal public defenders and their staffs.

In that Feb. 2 order, Reinhardt directed the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to process Assistant Federal Defender Brad Levenson’s request to include his husband, Tony Sears, on his medical, dental and vision coverage.

In the face of that order, the Office of Personnel Management intervened to prevent Sears’ enrollment.

Reinhardt found in Wednesday’s 25-page order that Sears was “wrongfully denied benefits … by an unjustified or unwarranted personnel action,” and ordered the federal defender in Los Angeles, where Levenson works, to “compute the amount due to date” and secure reimbursement.

Read more here.

© 2009, Gay Online News. All rights reserved.

See more here.

© 2009, Gay Online News. All rights reserved.

First a judge last year in Miami ruled that the ban on gay adoption was illegal. Then came word this week that a candidate for governor in Florida, Alex Sink, supports overturning the ban.

That’s huge news, in part because Alex Sink’s opponent in the Governor’s race — current state Attorney General Bill McCollum — proudly defends the ban on gay adoption and believes that homosexuality fosters depression and psychological illness. Those are McCollum’s exact words in a lawsuit filed to keep the gay adoption ban in place. Seems like he’d rather have children languish in America’s foster care system than see them placed with qualified and outstanding parents.

To be clear, nearly every single study on adoption shows that not only do children do well when they are placed with LGBT parents, but they in some cases outperform children raised by straight parents. Moreover, massive numbers of studies show that gay parents are just as gifted and qualified to raise children than straight parents.

See the entire story here.

© 2009, Gay Online News. All rights reserved.

Steven states, ” The downtown area has needed a new place to eat for a very long time.  The downtown area is very eclectic and full of energy, we needed a cafe that could take that energy and turn it into amazing food.”

He goes on to explain, “The Chestnut Street Cafe will not only have the cafe classics like rubens, burgers and pancakes, but it will also transcend culinary cafe borders offering flavor profiles never seen before.  All at cafe prices that everyone can afford, from the college student, to the tourist. My goal was to provide exceptional food, that removed itself from the downtown cafe stereotype.  By combining many different types of cuisine, I can provide my diners with an experience they will never forget!”

We can’t wait to try it out.  Look for our review early next week!

Check out their website or visit them today:

1 Chestnut Street
Providence, Rhode Island
02903
(401) 654-4443

© 2009, Gay Online News. All rights reserved.

It asked employees to return Wednesday, adding, “Please bring boxes and/or containers that will allow you to collect all your personal belongings at one time.”

And with that, Douglas-Brown lost her job at Atlanta, Georgia-based Southern Voice — the South’s main newspaper for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities — where she has worked for more than 12 years.

Southern Voice, which was in print for more than 20 years and had a 100,000 circulation, was one of several gay newspapers and magazines, including the Washington Blade and South Florida Blade, that were shut down Monday when their parent companies, Window Media and United Media, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Read the entire story here.

© 2009, Gay Online News. All rights reserved.