Pope Benedict XVI is Stepping Down

Pope Benedict XVI is resigning by the end of the month. Dude only served for about 8 months, but his reasons may be because of his health.

Here's more

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Pope had not decided to resign because of "difficulties in the papacy" and the move had been a surprise, indicating that even his inner circle was unaware that he was about to quit.

The Pope does not fear schism in the Church after his resignation, the spokesman said.

The Pope's leadership of 1.2 billion Catholics has been beset by child sexual abuse crises that tarnished the Church, one address in which he upset Muslims and a scandal over the leaking of his private papers by his personal butler.

The pope told the cardinals that in order to govern "...both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

"For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter."

He also referred to "today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith."

He is the first pope to step down in 600 years. I, for one, is glad about this. He said so many hateful things about us and continued hiding the mess of the Catholic Church. Let him go and be tortured by his guilt and actions.

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Hot Rumor! Joe Solmonese may be Stepping Down from the HRC

Metro Weekly reports that Joe Solmonese may be stepping down earlier than his contract.

On Friday night, Aug. 26, Pam Spaulding at Pam's House Blend reported that Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese will be stepping down in the coming months from his leadership role at the nation's largest LGBT political organization, a fact confirmed by Metro Weekly. His most recent contract expires in March 2012, and an informed source tells Metro Weekly that "a full candidate selection process will take place" to find his successor.


A second source familiar with the situation said that a board conference call that originally was scheduled for Aug. 29 was rescheduled on the evening of Aug. 26 to take place later today, Aug. 27. The change was made after Spaulding published her report, which stated that an announcement about his departure was to be made public on Aug. 30.

So, I guess we will know more on Tuesday; however if he leaves, will this be a change in the organization? Honestly, I'm not so sure. Joe made the HRC a powerful money making machine and donors kept giving even when LGBT activists were up in arms about every move they made. I wasn't always pleased with EVERYTHING the HRC did, but I give them credit for they staying firm our their beliefs and tactics.

So I personally think (if this true) the HRC will stick close to a Joe Clone with slight changes. But the real question is... Who will lead?

Steve Jobs Resigns from Apple

Now a Gay man is the CEO,and his name is Tim Cook

GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios Resigns

After Jarrett dealt some shade cards with AT&T/T-Mobile merger, his group called for his resignation.

Here's the story:

POLITICO's Eliza Krigman reported recently that GLAAD was among a number of progressive groups with no obvious institutional interest in telecom issues who received money from AT&T and subsequently issued public statements supporting AT&T's merger with T-Mobile. Another letter was sent from GLAAD to the FCC opposing possible net neutrality rules. GLAAD later rescinded the letter, claiming it was sent in error. The issue had created an uproar in the gay blogosphere.

A source familiar with the board's deliberations told POLITICO that the executive committee voted in favor of removing president Jarrett Barrios, who refused to resign. Barrios may now take the issue to the full board of directors. A GLAAD spokesman declined to comment on the board's internal deliberations.

Jarrett has finally stepped down.

For the whole story, check out Phil Reese's piece from Washington Blade.

Executive Director of The Trevor Project Resigned

Interesting and surprising news. Executive Director Charles Robbins resigned from the Trevor Project last week.

The reason is not known, but here's a letter from the board:

Dear Friends,

The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth announces Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Robbins resigned his post April 8, 2011. The organization appreciates Charles' years of service and wishes him well in his future endeavors.

As the Board begins a national search for a replacement, Chair of the Board of Directors David McFarland has assumed the role of Executive Director on an interim basis. Board Vice Chair Ricky Strauss is the acting interim Chair of the Board. David has served in a national leadership capacity at a number of Fortune 100 corporations in the entertainment and financial management arenas, bringing extensive operational, creative and executive leadership experience to this interim role, along with experience as a Trevor Lifeline Counselor, Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Board. We are excited to engage his leadership through this transition period.

The Trevor Project Board of Directors and staff will continue the organization's work to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone. Thank you for your continued support through this new and exciting stage of The Trevor Project's growth.

All the best,

The Trevor Project Board of Directors

More to come... Very odd to be honest.

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WATCH Keith Olbermann Resign

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Editor Resigns over Anti-gay Comic Strip

Remember this pic?

In Notre Dame, this anti-gay cartoon was printed in the student-run newspaper, The Observer.
Many folks were angry and LGBT groups, including GLAAD, were immediately on the scene.

Now, one of the editors has resigned over the mishandling over the comic strip.

The Observer, the campus newspaper of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College, today published a letter of resignation and apology from Kara King, an assistant managing editor.

In the letter, King wrote: "A miscommunication between another editor and myself led to the comic running without me first reading and approving the material. Regardless, no excuse can justify the comic even being considered for publication, and the duty to censor it fell to me. I failed to do so, and am solely responsible for providing a forum for this message of hate."

The Observer also reported today that the comic strip, "The Mobile Party," will no longer be published in the paper. The authors of the strip, Notre Dame seniors Colin Hofman, Jay Wade and Lauren Rosemeyer, apologized for the cartoon in a letter published Friday.

I hope the LGBT student orgs are having conversations with them. It's still unacceptable.

Lou Dobbs Quits!

Co-Directors of the National Equality March have resigned... What happens now?

Co-Directors of the National Equality March, Kip Williams and Robin McGehee, have resigned from Equality Across America due to differences in leadership and financial security.

Cleve Jones, who also helped organized NEM said:

"We're still not sure this is a viable organization. It's still not clear to me that EAA is going to happen yet.

There needs to be a working group to take EAA forward. I'll be inviting [the March's] steering committee and executive committee members to participate."

Okay, that's not cute. The talked about how they were going to the new face of the LGBT movement and within weeks this happens.

And here's more of the "not so cute part":

Some insiders have charged that Williams and McGehee were forced out in an attempt to wrest control of the organization from the popular activists. They claim that Efinger, who also assists Jones with personal matters, is being rewarded for his close friendship with Jones.

"This position is one that is required by our fiscal sponsor, the duties of which include liaising with them on fiscal paperwork and legal matters. It is not a glorified leadership position - but as Kip was stepping out of that position it needed to be filled," Efinger clarified. "As I currently have the availability to take this on in a volunteer capacity, I agreed to the interim role."

The group still has no formal bylaws, a budget, mission statement or organizational structure. March committee members only agreed to help until the event; Jones and Efinger are currently polling them to see who wants to continue as part of a new group.

"None of this has been decided," Jones said. "The steps just haven't been taken.

This is sad to hear this because I was hoping EAA would take off. But after reading this, I'm not sure they have a shot. I fear that egos and pride will spoil our journey.

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He-Mess, Dean Grose will Resign on Monday

Dumbass Dean is realizing the impact of his 'watermelon' e-mail. Earlier, this fool sent an e-mail showing a watermelon patch on the White House lawn under the title: "No Easter egg hunt this year."

Now, after folks have raised hell and thrown watermelons at his house, he's going to resign on Monday. However, he's staying on the City Council.

I wonder how long that will last.

Focus on the Family Leader, James Dobson Resigns!

Juicy stuff!

Evangelical leader and cultural terrorist, James Dobson has resigned as chairman of Focus on the Family. However he will continue to host their radio program, write their hateful newsletter and spew hate speeches.

AP reports:

Dobson's resignation as board chairman "lessens his administrative burden" and is the latest step in a succession plan, the group said. Dobson began relinquishing control six years ago by stepping down as president and CEO.

"One of the common errors of founder-presidents is to hold to the reins of leadership too long, thereby preventing the next generation from being prepared for executive authority," Dobson said in a statement. "... Though letting go is difficult after three decades of intensive labor, it is the wise thing to do."

While Focus on the Family emphasizes that it devotes most of its resources to offering parenting and marriage advice, it is best known for promoting conservative moral stands in politics.

On political matters, Dobson "will continue to speak out as he always has — a private citizen and not a representative of the organization he founded," said Gary Schneeberger, a Focus on the Family spokesman. He said the nonprofit ministry and Focus on the Family Action — an affiliate set up under a different section of the tax code that permits more political activity — will continue to be active on public policy.

Dobson has a devoted following. His radio broadcast reaches an estimated 1.5 million U.S. listeners daily. Yet critics say his influence is waning, pointing to evangelicals pushing to broaden the movement's agenda beyond abortion, gay marriage and other issues Dobson views as most vital.

1.5 million folks? Wow, that's not cute. But it's nice to hear that his influence is waning. Maybe if he tackled real issues like poverty, failing schools and community outreach, people would listen and perhaps...have a purpose to follow him? Who knows.

Thanks to Pam for breaking the scoop

No Hope for Burris

Calls for his resignation are getting stronger and louder

From Black minsters


Then Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn called for his resignation earlier today. And finally, Burris' chief of staff walked out on his job for 'unknown reasons'.

The White House stepped in and asked Burris to use the weekend to contemplate "what lays in his future."

Mess, Roland, just mess

Within Days...

That's what a spokesman for Sam Adams said to the press about whether he will resign or not. The fallen mayor is realizing how paramount this issue is.

The gay community is split about his decision and wonders what will happen next. Stay strong my Portland LGBT community. I hope this will pass smoothly.

$100 + El Coyote Manager + Yes on Prop 8 = Pressure She Can't Handle

Miss Mess, Marjorie Christoffersen, who's the manger at El Coyote hasn't been feeling the love lately. After her $100 donation to Yes on Prop 8 campaign was put on blast, Marjorie and El Coyote has been feeling the HEAT.

There were protest, boycotts, a meeting surrounding the not-so-good Mexican restaurant (the food really sucks there BTW) days after the vote. Marjorie knew everyday from "customers" how bad her contribution was to the point that she no longer greeted folks as they came in.

Now there are talks the pressure has gotten to her. It's been said that she is considering resigning.

So I guess the old saying about the HEAT and getting out of the kitchen is the treal. Maybe this can get others to recognize the power of oppressed.