Continental Tests Self-Boarding

Already in use in some part in Europe (as seen above), Continental Airlines has begun testing self-boarding procedures in Houston.

Boarding a plane without an agent to inspect or take your pass has arrived in the USA. Continental Airlines has confirmed it's testing the procedure at a gate at its hub in Houston Intercontinental. It's the first experiment at what's called "self-boarding" in the U.S. In self-boarding, passengers — much like customers of the New York City subway— swipe their boarding passes at a kiosk reader at the gate. That opens a turnstile or door to the jet-bridge. Although an agent isn't there to take the pass, one is typically present to handle problems and other customer service tasks. Continental declined to provide further details on its experiment. The Transportation Security Administration, which is in charge of air security, "determined it does not impact the security of the traveling public," says Greg Soule, a TSA spokesman, adding all passengers are screened at airport checkpoints prior to arriving at boarding gates.

Lufthansa tells USA Today that self-boarding is "only a little faster" but frees up gate agents to help passengers with other problems. I doubt that's Continental's plan.

HOUSTON: Arson Destroys Gay Church

The Houston Fire Department has determined that the fire that destroyed a small gay-friendly church on Friday was deliberately set.

The intense blaze was spotted a little after 11 p.m. The church, a small wooden building near Beltway 8 and I-45 South, was immediately engulfed. The remnants have since been torn down. The church's website says "We welcome people of any nationality, race, sexual orientation, or religious affilitation. As a More Light Church, we see diversity as one of God's many blessings to the community and we choose to further this understanding through our presence and actions in the world." They are what's called an "open and affirming" church, meaning they welcome gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and anyone else.

The church has already launched a rebuilding fund on its website.

Houston Pastors Want Mayor Annise Parker's Non-Bias Order Rescinded

Last month openly lesbian Houston Mayor Annise Parker issued a sweeping non-bias order granting employment protections to LGBT workers "at every level of municipal government." Predictably, the city's Christianists are screaming about men in dresses.

“Forcing women in particular using city facilities to be subjected to cross-dressing men invading their privacy is beyond the pale and offensive to every standard of decency,” said Pastor Steve Riggle, senior pastor of Grace Community Church and an Executive Committee member of the Houston Area Pastor Council (HAPC). “This is not only morally wrong it exposes the city and therefore the taxpayers to endless litigation and expenses,” added Pastor Hernan Castano, senior pastor of Iglesia Rios de Aceite and a member of the HAPC Executive Committee. “It is irresponsible and indefensible.” Notably, however, supporters of the executive order are insisting that it remains unlawful for men to go into the women’s restroom.

The Houston Area Pastor Council says Parker's move should have been expected because she's a dirty dyke: "We are appalled but not surprised that this mayor has so early in her administration proven that we were right in asserting before the election that her sexual preference is central to her public policy."