From Black Looks and Feministing comes this update on the Nigerian legislation criminalizing homosexuality (you'll recall the PG op-ed discussion on this issue).

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The Nigerian homosexuality bill, the "Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006" which was presented to the House on the 31st March has now had its first reading in the Senate. A report in the Nigerian Vanguard states that the Bill has been widened to include "punish individuals who witness,  celebrate with or support couples involved in homosexual relationships".

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This legislation essentially criminalizes homosexuality.  It strips a group of human beings of their entire identity and any claim to justice whatsoever.  Homosexuals will "no longer be human beings, but illegal beings."

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The Bill effectively silences the issue of homosexuality in Nigeria and removes all  Human Rights of  HR defenders, lesbians, gays, bi-bisexuals and transgendered people. 

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Peter Akinola, Anglican bishop and all around homohater, argues that this law reflects the Nigerian people's view on sexual matters. 

Here's the Pittsburgh angle .... our beloved Episcopal Bishop Robert Duncan issues a press release stating that the Archbishop's support for this legislation is an improvement over Sharia law which advocates death for homosexuals.  He then whips out the arguement that outraged Episopalians (and Anglicans) are being COLONIALIST by imposing their sexual values on Nigerians ....

I can't make this stuff up folks.  God be with the entire Nigeria population.  Because the Anglican Church sure isn't with them. 

By my count, the Post-Gazette has published 11 letters to the editor on the topic of the anti-gay marriage amendment making its way through the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.  Prior to these letters, the PG featured two op-ed pieces on the same topic.  The pro-amendment position came from sponsor, Darryl Metcalfe.  The anti-amendment position came from the great Dan Frankel. 

Here's the interesting part .... out of the 11 people who took the time to write a letter to the editor, 10 of them are opposed to the amendment.  Their reasons vary, but all ten clearly do not see this issue at the top of the priority list for Pennsylvania's elected officials.  The lone supporter of the amendment is a representative of Concerned Women for America. <Click on the category Marriage on the left hand menu for links to all 11 letters>

There have been no letters in the Tribune Review. 

So my next question is whether Pennsylvania's legislators are reading the Post-Gazette.  The consensus has been that the pols are supporting this amendment to galvanize support among their conservative base.  A base that is usually quite vocal about anything homorelated.  A base that usually picks up a pen and lets the world know how they feel about gay marriage. 

But in this case, one of those persons picked up a pen.  I asked the PG letters editor to her face if the 10-1 ratio was reflective of the actual letters received and she answered in the affirmative. 

10-1 readers of the largest newspaper in Western Pennsylvania.  And no reader of the second largest. 

Are you paying attention Republican Caucus?  

Click here to read what PG letter writers said in today's edition.  Including the luminous Carol Untch.

Tribune Review colunist Eric Heyl has coined a new verb.  To "Metcalf" is to "wantonly engage in acts of stupefying redundancy."

Heyl goes right for the political jugular

From Sunday's Post-Gazette, sports colunist Ron Cook calls for Rene Portland to be fired.

Ron -- Penn State is thinking they can get away with it.  They are thinking that the end justifies the means.  Portland wins games so who cares how she gets there?   Penn State is reinforcing the stereotype that athletics ALWAYS trumps well ... anything.

You mean to tell me Ron, that not all sports fans are homophobic?  That not all sports fans think winning at any cost is acceptable?  That some sports folks actually respect diversity and believe that a healthy environment is important to the growth and development of college players? 

That Penn State is pandering to the worst stereotypes about athletes and sports fans?

Wait ... there's more .....ESPN's Graham Hayes is disgusted with Penn State.

And in this country, she has every right to be.

But that doesn't mean the citizens of Pennsylvania should be obligated to pay her to spread those views among current students or discriminate against prospective students at the state's land-grant university.

It's sad that Portland views the world through such myopic lenses; it's reprehensible that, knowing that, the school still wants her as its coach.

The folks over at Women's Hoops Blog have been doing an outstanding job covering the whole story.  Penn State students are planning to protest next week. 

On a disappointing note, Pittsburgh native Suzie McConnell-Serio can only muster up relief that Portland is remaining at Penn State ...

McConnell-Serio is on the record of stating that homosexuality is a personal choice, but acknowledging that she'll support her player's personal choices.  (Minnesota Lynx player Michele Van Gorp was living an openly gay lifestyle). 

Well, Suzie, I guess you don't want to be TOO supportive.  After all, a 20 year tradition of lesbian baiting is an important value for young basketball players.

For the past two weeks, I haven't found anything worth commenting about in the Post-Gazette's "Just Ask Cat" column, a quasi-advice section penned by Catherine Specter.  Specter is the genetic mutation of Harriet Nelson and Carrie Bradshaw, minus the cool hair. 

Why does it bother me so?  One need only turn to the back of the Employment Section for the incredibly good column "Help Me Harlan."  Harlan offers compassionate, thoughtful and gentle insight into the angst of modern life, with an especially graceful connection with adolescents.  Cat Specter offers her belief that "You are so hot" is a useful relationship building comment. 

Harlan's column calls to mind the grand dames of advice, Dear Abby and Ann Landers.    I read both religiously throughout my childhood and teen years.  They gave me an anchor in the face of seven zillion difficulties, both large and small.  I felt validated and affirmed as a person -- I felt like there was an adult out there that valued me for who I was on the inside versus trying to change who I was on the outside.

For the most part, Specter's damage is benign.  I'm sure there are women in Pittsburgh who are seeking validation in their fashion choices and their belief that the right lipstick is crucial to snaring a good man.   To everyone's disadvantage, Specter occasionally ventures in serious advice territory  - such as encouraging a reader to tacitly condone racism.  

She's like the oblivious sorority sister who fails to comprehend that your impact on the world should not be limited to fashion advice and an occasional charity event.  Sort of the pre-Harvard Elle in Legally Blond. 

Minus the cool hair.