Free Republic

TAMPA - It may be the quietest public statement he has ever made. Joe Redner, king of the strip clubs, says he's gay. The disclosure came in his federal lawsuit against Hillsborough County commissioners, who recently banned the county from acknowledging or participating in gay pride events. The longtime activist who has made millions from strip clubs said he included his sexual orientation to bolster his argument that the policy directly affects him. His original suit, filed in October, didn't mention he was gay. Concerned that he needed to show a personal connection, he added the language to papers filed...

Judge Whittemore in court this afternoon requested of Schindler attorney David Gibbs a response to a brief by Schiavo attorney Felos questioning the constitutionality of legislation passed last night by U.S. Congress and signed by President Bush. Acknowledging that Terri’s life hangs in the balance, Judge Whittemore said to Gibbs that he acknowledged the “catch-22” he was being placed in, but he would like Gibbs to respond to the Felos brief before giving his ruling. Whittemore offered U.S. attorney Zimmerman the opportunity to join Gibbs in defending the constitutionality of the congressional action, but refused to require the justice department...