Regarding hate crimes legislation, South Carolina Baptists said such legislation "could effectively kill" freedom of speech by "criminalizing any verbal opposition to homosexuals and/or their lifestyle." The resolution calls on Congress to repeal the recently passed legislation and (calls) on Americans "to avoid acts of hatred and violence toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered persons."

If anyone wants to know why conservative Christians have a tough time selling their morals to the world, this is a prize example.

Avoid? Really? Why not call on Americans to end acts of hatred and violence toward LGBT people? What about calling on Americans to deplore acts of hatred and violence toward LGBT persons? Is it because there is some list of unavoidable acts of hatred and violence the rest of us aren't aware of?

It's one part sc

With deepest regret, as editor of SoVo, I have to tell you that we arrived at the office to learn that our parent company, Window Media, has shut down. While the 20 years of SoVo have come to an end, our civil rights movement is only beginning. I am personally grateful to all of the staff, and to all of you who have had the courage to share your stories. It has been the honor of my life to help you tell them.

From AFFA:

Donna Red Wing has spent most of her life as a grassroots advocate for fairness and equality, who was called on to share her talents with HRC, GLAAD, the Gill Foundation, presidential campaigns and many local and national projects advancing equality.

On Thursday morning, Donna will facilitate a discussion on Same-Gender Marriage & Religious Freedom with area clergy. If you are interested in participating, contact the AFFA office 843-883-0343 or info@affa-sc.org

Mellow Mushroom
Wednesday, November 11th
starting at 6 pm
We will be crashing the upstairs bar area at Mellow on King Street. It's a super friendly bar, with super beer, super great service and craaaazy pizzas, so come on out. Period.

No surprises that DeMint rolls out the same arguments that have been refuted by supporters of the hate crimes bill for years, including an attempt to play off the fears of religious persecution and the protection of pedophiles and people in wheelchairs who like to run over feet. Well, that last one was mine.

The most important thing to remember is that legal protection from violence only goes so far to deter hate crimes. An even better tool is a diverse community that stands up against this violence.

The 2010 Men of Charleston calendar competition kicks off tonight at Club Pantheon. Sponsored by Chambord Liquor, all proceeds will go to benefit Lowcountry AIDS Services.

Through six weeks of competition (at midnight on Saturdays thru Nov. 28, except Halloween) two winners will be selected for a month in the calendar.

Winners receive a $50 bar tab, a calendar photo shoot, and VIP treatment at the launch party in early January.

Venues across the country have been dropping Banton's act over anti-gay lyrics in one of his earlier songs, "Boom Bye Bye." In the song, Banton sings about shooting gay men and setting them on fire.

His management has said he doesn't sing the song anymore, but gay activists say he does and they've questioned his sincerity in making amends for the homophobic lyrics.

San Francisco activist Michael Petrelis posted a note on his blog about the meeting with Banton.

According to Buju and his advisers, this was his first meeting ever with gay advocates, and they really want to put an end to the controversy that continues to dog him over violent homo-hating song he sang in his late teens, "Boom Bye Bye."

PURE Theatre's core group of actors will perform a one-night-only reading of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, the compelling and groundbreaking epilogue to the play, The Laramie Project, which was written in response to the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard. The epilogue, which is written by Tectonic Theater Project members Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephan Belber, will be performed simultaneously in theatres across the globe on Monday, October 12

Boston and the gang at Recovery Room are thrilled to host us and they'll be extending happy hour until 9pm just because we're so special. :) Happy Hour specials include a dollar off domestics and liquor drinks, 1/2 off wings, $1.25 PBR and High Life! Mmmmm, champagne of beer!

In the latest issue of Out (not available yet online), the leading national GLBT magazine offers some Charleston travel tips. The feature includes Pantheon and Dudley's (of course) along with food picks Hominy Grill, Peninsula Grill, and Vickery's (noting the gay scene on the patio). It also highlights Charleston Place (a favorite of David Sedaris) and the Mills House.

Look for it on the newsstand and we'll update here when its available online.

We stopped by the booth for Charleston's Alliance for Full Acceptance and got word of an event AFFA will be participating in with Darkness to Light, the Charleston based nonprofit that prevents child abuse by educating adults about the signs to look out for.

The event will be at 10 o'clock on Oct. 10. We'll get you more information and details as we get closer.

Welcome!

I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone attending this year's South Carolina Pride Festival. This year's organizers have succeeded in putting together a series of fun and awareness-raising events celebrating South Carolina Gay and Lesbian families. The festival is not only a time for reflection on the social issues facing the Pride movement, but also a celebration of the successes it has seen in raising awareness and compassion for the civil rights of the gay and lesbian community. Take this opportunity to proudly focus on your own individual accomplishments and efforts for a more tolerant society.

It is my sincere hope that you will have an enjoyable visit and will want to return to our wonderful city time and time again!

Most sincerely yours,

Joseph P. Riley Jr.
Mayor, City of Charleston

• Timothy Pakron

Aster Hall will be hosting an opening reception for its latest show, Reality Revisited.

The show will feature out photographer Timothy Pakron, as well as Katie Leonard.

The opening reception will be from 6-9 p.m. tonight at 481 King St.

In it, she talks about six years spent in Charleston. First in the food and bev industry and then as a reporter. Check it out.