DC's Lambda Rising Booking To Close

Sigh. Yet another LGBT bookstore bites the dust.

Lambda Rising, a bookstore serving the LGBT community in the nation’s capital for 35 years, is closing its D.C. store in Dupont Circle and its remaining out-of-town store in Rehoboth Beach, Del., in January. The closings, announced Friday, mark the end of the city’s only exclusively LGBT bookstore and becomes another in a series of gay bookstores that have closed in recent years in other cities, including New York and Baltimore. Deacon Maccubbin, 66, the store’s founder and co-owner, told D.C. Agenda in an exclusive interview that he plans to retire soon and that he and co-owner Jim Bennett, his domestic partner of 32 years, decided they would rather close the stores than sell them to a new owner who might change their focus and mission.

Where you do buy your gay-related books?

(Via - DC Agenda)

Air America: New Voting Link

Air America has updated their voting system to require an email address in order to prevent folks from voting more than once. I had thought an IP tracker would prevent that, but I guess they don't want people voting from both from their work and home computers. Last time I looked, I was a few points behind Media Matters' Karl Frisch. If you haven't voted yet, here's the link.

Tiger Woods Voicemail Remix

Afternoon View - My Building On Fire

So I came home from moderating a panel at the LGBT Center today and found my block jammed with fire engines, ladder trucks, and couple of ambulances. My building. On fire. Just as I got near the front of my building, Dr. Jeff came sprinting up from his place two blocks away. Jerry, my houseguest, had just called him to say that smoke was pouring under my apartment door and that he'd called 911. Oh, and would he mind dropping by to tell the fire department where he was?

The fire had started in the laundry service in the basement and all the floors were thick with smoke. I gave the firemen my apartment number and they went up and got Jerry, who was about to climb onto the fire escape with my cat, the dear man. All the other tenants were either already outside in the cold rain, or not at home. The fire was contained in the rear of the basement and after a long cold time, we were allowed inside. The lower floors are a bit sooty and my floor reeks of smoke, but other than a couple of doors smashed in by firemen looking for residents, things seem to be OK, thanks to 50 or so guys from the FDNY. I was a bit surprised by the massive response (at least two companies), but I guess when all the buildings abut each other, the FDNY doesn't mess around.

The Sphinx Of The Upper East Side

Slideshow: A Very MARY Holiday

Earlier this week, I attended the first annual Very MARY Holiday fundraiser put on by Broadway Speaks OUT to benefit the Ali Forney Center, NYC's shelter for homeless LGBT youth. It was a fun night, very "Hey, kids! Let's put on a show!" Host Marti Gould Cummings was a riot as loads of Broadway stars performed, including Tony winner B.D. Wong, Nick Adams, Titus Burgess, Sean Bradford, Megan Reinking, and more. Also appearing was YouTube sensation Michael Buckley, who is known to gossip fans as Buck Hollywood. My loyal companion Aaron, who is on holiday hiatus from his exile to Portland, attended with his friend Russell. And Dr. Jeff worked the red carpet with his big boy camera - all photos below are by him. GREAT night!

DC Hate Crimes Rise In Wards Repped By Anti-Marriage Council Members

Washington DC has seen 36 hate crimes so far in 2009, about the same as in each of the last two years. All but one of those hate crimes has been about sexual orientation. But check out this bit of damning news:

Numbers can be debated. But one number can not: the rise in sexual orientation hate crimes in Wards 7 and 8 [police districts 6 and 7]. In 2008, 13 percent of sexual orientation hate crimes took place in these wards. So far in 2009, the number jumped to 32 percent. On a side note, only two councilmembers---Yvette Alexander and Marion Barry---voted against the gay marriage bill. Who do they represent? Wards 7 and 8.

Says it all, doesn't it? People do follow their leaders.

(Tipped by JMG reader Jimbo in DC)

Full-Page Ad Against "Ex-Gay" Preacher Donnie McClurkin Runs In NYC

The Black Gay Men's Network today published a full-page ad in the NYC daily newspaper Metro in reaction to attacks on the LGBT community by black clergy and in response to "ex-gay" preacher Donnie McClurkin's recent outrageous and hateful rantings, which were posted to YouTube. It reads in part:

Pastor Donnie McClurkin -We love you brother and in ways the traditional church cannot because we understand your pain. You are not a man who loves men because of being molested as a child. That grave and despicable tragedy broke your spirit and damaged your mind; however it did not have the capacity to change your DNA. There is so much love in our community for you. We want to see you healed and whole. Whenever you are ready, come home and we'll love you until it doesn't hurt anymore. That's how we do!

Read the entire ad at the above link.

(Tipped by JMG reader Jeff)

Was NY Marriage Killed By The Alphabet?

An interesting theory from the New York Times.

Some have cited Mr. Addabbo, whose name falls second in the roll call when Senate votes are taken, as a major factor in setting the tone for the losing vote. He was widely known as a possible yes vote. And by his voting no, some supporters of the bill have said that he encouraged undecided senators to vote no as well. Mr. Addabbo disputed that. “I don’t think there was any domino effect at all,” he said. “Even before I said no, these votes were determined.”

Even the alphabet is anti-gay!

UPDATE: Addabbo explains his vote for the cameras.

No Jail For NY Sen. Hiram Monserratte

Local NYC news just announced that Sen. Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) will only get three years probation for the "accidental" slashing of his girlfriend's face, an attack that resulted in 40 "accidental" stitches. He also has to perform community service and attend anger management classes.

Last month Monseratte narrowly escaped felony charges for the assault after his girlfriend recanted her emergency room statements to police. Prosecutors had requested a three month prison sentence for today's misdemeanor ruling. On Tuesday Monserrate earned the eternal enmity of the NY's progressives when he joined seven other traitorous Democrats in voting against marriage equality. NOW we have to put the pressure on the NY Senate leadership to eject Monserrate from their broken-down clown car.

Here's the surveillance video prosecutors used against him.

Charlie Crist Gives Out Sex Line Number

Florida Gov. Charlie "Closet Case" Christ accidentally gave out the number to a phone sex line while making a recording for an insurance hotline.

It was supposed to be the number for a program to help parents get health insurance for kids, but, instead, this is what people heard when they called the number: "Hey there sexy guy. Welcome to an exciting new way to go live, one-on-one." It happened when the state hotline had a recorded message from Governor Crist with a number to call Florida Kid Care. The governor's office says the wrong number was on the script that the governor was reading from. The problem has been corrected.

Garsh, kids! Why do you think ole Charlie had that particular number in his head??? I am SO not buying the incorrect script cover story. BWA HA HA.

(Tipped by JMG reader Thomas in Orlando)

Harry Jackson: There Will Be Blood

Stinging over his defeat in the DC marriage battle, "Bishop" Harry Jackson vows that there will be a "bloodletting" when city council members come up for re-election.

In future races, religious people are going to start going after people's political careers. In D.C., some very vulnerable black councilmen went along with the city council, and some of these guys will not be sitting in those chairs in 2010 elections. Many in our coalition are wising up, looking for candidates. Political action committees are going to be formed. You're going to see a bloodletting that is going to mark a new style of engagement for people who are against same-sex marriage.

DC's final vote on marriage comes next week. It is not expected that Congress will attempt to intervene.

NOM Booted From Chase Contest

Chase Bank has decided that NOM is ineligible for its $5M holiday charity contest, due to the organization's blatant anti-gay bigotry.

A Chase spokesman asserted late Thursday that the antigay group headed by Maggie Gallagher is not eligible for charitable funds — even if it garnered sufficient votes — because it violates the contest's nondiscrimination rules. The database of groups was generated by GuideStar, a third-party firm that provides research on nonprofit groups. “Organizations that receive votes from the guidestar database will be reviewed to make sure that they’re in the compliance with all of our guidelines,” Joe Evangelisti, head of media relations for JP Morgan Chase, told The Advocate.

Credit goes to Queerty, who first raised the issue, and of course to all of you folks who wrote Chase to complain. Well done, all.

Singalong: Santa Claus Is Coming Out

JMG reader Sean Chapin turns in this sing-a-long response to yesterday's story about Focus On The Family's hissy fit regarding GLSEN's Xmas play.

Traitor NY Sen. Joseph Addabo Explains Why He Voted "No" On Marriage

Queens Democrat Joseph Addado, who was elected with the help of LGBT groups like the Gill Action Fund, says he had to vote "no' on marriage equality because so many calls from constituents told him to. Via Julie Bolcer at the Advocate:

In 2008, state campaign finance records indicate that Addaboo received $9,500, the maximum allowable contribution, from gay philanthropist Tim Gill, the backer of the Gill Action Fund. The contribution was part of the wave of support, ultimately totaling close to $1 million, that helped flipped the senate to Democratic control and install candidates who pledged to uphold pro-LGBT positions, including support for marriage equality.

On Friday, Addabbo defended himself by saying that he had never promised to vote “yes” on the bill, and that he wanted to keep his options open in order to gauge the sentiments of his constituents. “At no point did I ever say ‘yes,’” said Addabbo. “I proposed I would keep an open mind.” “It was my intention to keep an open mind and by doing so, I felt that I would get a clear indication of where my district stands on this issue,” said Addabbo, who said that he received more than 400 communications from constituents, 74% of whom opposed marriage equality. Pressed on whether he would also allow 74% of constituents to influence a vote on something absurd, such as a hypothetical proposal to deport all the Hispanics in the district, Addabbo said, “It’s apples and oranges.”

Addabo was elected with very slim majority. He's definitely one of the ones we can oust in 2010.

Jesus Christ Was Disruptive

Pam Spaulding dug up this gem about a woman who changed her name to "Jesus Christ." I frickin' love the last line.

Jesus Christ was called for jury duty this week in Jefferson County. Court officials were skeptical at first when on Monday a potential juror submitted a name change form with "Jesus Christ" on it. But the 59-year-old Birmingham woman, who previously went by Dorothy Lola Killingworth, assured the presiding judge that was her name. "It raised eyebrows, so I asked her if that were truly her name," Circuit Court Judge Scott Vowell said. "She assured me that it was. She had her name changed in the Probate Court, and she presented her driver's license." Christ was sent to Judge Clyde Jones's courtroom for a criminal case. She was excused because she was disruptive, court officials said. Instead of answering questions, she was asking them, a court employee in Jones's office said. Efforts to reach Christ today were unsuccessful.

According to a commenter on the story, who says he was in court that day, the judge's clerk first tried to call Jesus to the jury box by saying, "Heyzoos Crist?"

Blogger Beauty Pageant: Top Five!

Squee! Pam Spaulding and I made the Top Five in the Air America thingy. Thanks y'all! Final voting is now open via their insta-results widget. The contest ends Dec. 17th. I can't tell if you get to vote every day, like in some of these things. Anyone?

1. Digby, Hullabaloo

2. Mike Lux, Open Left

3. Karl Frisch, Media Matters

4. Joe Jervis, Joe.My.God

5. Pam Spaulding, Pam's House Blend

UPDATE: I was waaay ahead, but the Media Matters guy is zooming!

Rick Warren: I'm In An Arranged Marriage

In a Christian Post article about an upcoming biography of Saddleback megachurch Pastor Rick Warren, we learn that Warren freely admits that when he married his wife, he didn't love her, was not attracted to her, and had "no feelings" for her at all. But he married her anyway because the marriage had been arranged. By God.

Perhaps one of the most interesting parts of the biography, however, is the section about Warren’s marriage. By all appearance and comments from people who know the couple, Rick and Kay Warren have a happy and satisfying marriage. However, this was far from the truth in the beginning of the relationship. Through interviews with Sheler, Rick and Kay Warren disclosed that they were not attracted to each other nor had feelings for each other when they agreed to be married. Instead, they believed that God had spoken to each of them saying this is the person they should marry.

Rick recalled the day when he was invited to speak at the church where Kay’s father was a pastor. As he ascended the steps to the stage to speak he looked over and recognized Kay, who was then dating his best friend, playing the piano. He said he heard God clearly tell him that this is who he will marry. At the time he had a hard time believing that because he didn’t love Kay and she was madly in love with his best friend. But still he kept the revelation in mind. After his best friend broke up with Kay, Rick asked her on a date. On their second date, Rick asked Kay to marry him. At the time, Kay didn’t love Rick but felt that God was leading her to say yes. She recalled hearing God say, “I’ll bring the feelings.”

Rick Warren gets to marry someone he doesn't love, doesn't even particularly care for - because God says that's what he should do. But he's got no problem at all interfering with the relationships of other people who are madly in love with the person they want to marry. I can't even begin to wrap my head around how fucked up that is.

James Lipton On Sexting

Study On Men Who've Never Watched Porn Fails When No Subjects Can Be Found

An attempt by Canadian researchers to compare the sex lives of men who watch porn with men who never have was called off because they couldn't find any subjects for the latter group.

Scientists at the University of Montreal had to change the focus of their project after failing to find a single male aged in his 20s who hadn't been exposed to adult videos and images. "We started our research seeking men in their 20s who had never consumed pornography," the Telegraph reported Professor Simon Louis Lajeunesse as saying. "[But] we couldn't find any." Surprised researchers decided to instead explore the men's porn watching habits, finding the average age of first exposure was about 10 years old. And while being in a relationship may not to completely remove porn from a man's life, it does appear to cut their habit in half. Single men watched adult content about three times a week for an average of 40 minutes, while those with partners watched it 1.7 times a week in about 20-minute blocks, the study said.

Forty minutes? What do they do for the other 35?

Cause And Effect

As he does on everything, Porno Pete LaBarbera gets it all wrong about Meredith Baxter's coming out.

Every homosexual “coming out” is a tragedy. Baxter became a lesbian, and is now in a seven-year sexually immoral relationship with another woman, following three failed marriages to men that produced five children. (Is her lesbianism a pitiable retreat after failed relationships with men?) The wrongness of her homosexual relationship (from a biblical, truthful perspective) is not mitigated by the current politically-correct zeitgeist that would extend respect and “civil rights” to deviant behavior condemned by God. Moreover, Baxter is living proof that people can change from heterosexuals to homosexuals, so how can “gay” fanatics like Wayne Besen continue to deny that the reverse can occur?

Aside from the obvious chance that she may have been a bisexual all her life and just now happens to be in a public relationship with a woman, Porno Pete deliberately ignores the more likely truth: Meredith Baxter didn't "become" a lesbian because she failed with men. She failed with men because she's a lesbian.

Tea Party, The Movie

And they're serious. Dig the "in a world..." voice-over.

GLAAD Excuses ABC Over Adam Lambert

After talking to them about a possible anti-gay double standard, GLAAD has issued a statement excusing ABC for canceling several scheduled appearances by Adam Lambert after his performance on the American Music Awards.

After these discussions ABC issued the following statement to GLAAD: "Given the live nature of the American Music Awards, Adam Lambert’s performance, which differed greatly from his rehearsal, caught many, including the network, off guard. This is not a question of Lambert’s sexual orientation. As is evidenced by GLAAD’s media report card, ABC is at the forefront of positive gay and lesbian portrayal on television. We welcome openly gay performers and look forward to continuing our great work within the LGBT community."

“It would appear that the kiss between Adam Lambert and his keyboardist did not factor into ABC’s decision,” said Jarrett Barrios, President of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). “ABC has a history of positive gay and transgender inclusion that includes featuring kisses between gay and lesbian couples on-air.” “We applaud the visibility of openly gay performers and congratulate Adam Lambert for sharing his story on the Ellen DeGeneres Show this week as well as his upcoming appearance on The Jay Leno Show,” Barrios said.

GLAAD's statement immediately caused a furor on social networking sites, after which they issued this update.

Since his American Music Awards performance occurred GLAAD has consistently advocated that Adam Lambert and openly gay artists not be held to a double standard. As we have expressed publicly, it is disappointing that ABC will not give Lambert a chance to perform at this time. GLAAD’s discussions with ABC focused on confirming that his sexual orientation was not a factor in their decisions. ABC confirmed this is not about a same-sex kiss or his sexual orientation but about being “caught off guard.” GLAAD asked ABC and calls on them for clarification on “caught off guard” so that the community knows why Lambert is being denied the opportunity to perform on the network.

Massive Union Square Rally Promises 2010 Retribution On New York Senate

A crowd of over one thousand attended tonight's rally in NYC's Union Square, where Marriage Equality NY provided a roster of the state and city's top political leaders and activists, all of whom vowed revenge upon the 38 state senators that voted against equality.

Among the speakers: Gov. David Paterson, activist Corey Johnson, NY Sen. Tom Duane, NY Sen. Liz Krueger (my rep), NY Asssemblyman Micah Kellner (my rep AND a JMG reader), and Marriage Equality NY head Cathy Marino-Thomas. Among those attending: uber-blogger Andy Towle (whose coverage is here), Gay City News staff Paul Schindler, Duncan Osbourne, and Andy Humm, and rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker.

Throughout the crowd and from the stage, threats of retribution rained down on the "Hate 38," the Senators that voted against equality. Particular scorn was heaped upon the eight traitorous Democrats, whose faces adorn many placards and who were named and shamed from the microphone. Hearty cheers went up whenever our new heroes like Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson were mentioned. The crowd was instructed about the coming 2010 elections and the NYC seats now in everyone's crosshairs. The evening was definitely not another useless venting of rage, as these things are often characterized.

NJ Senate Marriage Vote Next Week

After a month of dithering, it appears that the full NJ Senate will vote on marriage equality next week. The announcement came to the cheers of hundreds of LGBT activists gathered at the state house in Trenton.

The New Jersey gay marriage proposal will be considered Monday by a Senate committee and could be posted for a full senate vote later in the week, state Sen. Ray Lesniak said today. "On Monday in the Judiciary Committee, we're going to vote on marriage equality," Lesniak (D-Union) said, while making the announcement to a crowd of gay marriage supporters on the Statehouse steps today. "On Thursday the full Senate is going to vote on marriage equality," said Lesniak, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee." And God be willing, we'll have 21 votes." Democratic officials previously said they would not put the legislation to a vote unless they had the support needed to pass it. Senate President Richard Codey later confirmed that the full Senate will vote on the measure on Thursday. About 650 people came here today in support of the bill's passage. At least a dozen same-sex marriage opponents, mainly a group of Orthodox Jews from Lakewood, held a counter protest at the Statehouse.

It remains unclear on when the issue will be brought before the state Assembly. Outgoing Gov. Jon Corzine has just over a month left in his term. Jersey peeps: Contact your state reps NOW via this easy-to-use contact sheet at Garden State Equality.

GLSEN: Santa Claus Is Coming OUT! Haters: Stop Mocking Our Mythical Icons!

The Gay & Lesbian Straight Education Network will be hosting a fundraiser in NYC on Dec. 8th. And of course the haters of gay children are screaming. Hang on for delirious ranting from Focus On the Family.

Yet more evidence revealing the dark side of GLSEN–the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network—has surfaced. (GLSEN is the group founded by President Obama’s “safe school’s czar,” Kevin Jennings.) At issue this time is a GLSEN fundraiser featuring a theatrical play called Santa Claus is Coming Out! GLSEN’s fundraiser invitation says the play depicts “Santa in his heartfelt struggle to reconcile his romantic relationship with Italian toy maker Giovanni Geppetto.” Pictures on a Web site promoting the production depict Santa in not-so-subtle sexually suggestive situations. The play also mocks those who support traditional values. It’s sad that GLSEN, which claims that it wants to protect kids, has chosen to use a fundraising tool that perverts the innocence of Christmas and sexualizes the longtime, child-revered icon of Santa Claus.

Yeeeah. Focus On The Family is worried about a play about a mythical person, all while promoting the real life daily tauntings, beatings, and murders of gay youth by vigorously interfering in anti-bullying efforts all over the nation.

Buy tickets to Santa Claus Is Coming Out here.

Because They Really Aren't

At last night's marriage rally in Times Square, a family of tourists passed by the protesters' pen with the mother shaking her head in disapproval at the activists. That prompted a trio of protesting women to alter their chant.

"Leggings on are not pants! Leggings are not pants!"

I love my people.

Rep. Alcee Hastings: Let Gay Soldiers Testify On DADT With Immunity

Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) has submitted a novel bill that would allow gay soldiers to testify before Congress about DADT with immunity from dismissal from the military.

Gay service members who reveal their sexual orientations during congressional testimony would be immune from forced discharges under a bill introduced Wednesday, as lawmakers prepare to consider repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the U.S. military. The legislation's author, U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., said the bill is needed to ensure that Congress has reliable and relevant witnesses at its disposal if the House holds hearings next year on the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The bill also would protect from retaliatory personnel actions any members of the military who testify for or against lifting the 16-year ban. "How can there be anything more important than a gay member of the service having the right to testify before the Armed Services Committee of the Congress that he is under the aegis of," Hastings told The Associated Press. "But if they come and testify, that testimony could be used against them under 'don't ask, don't tell.' In my judgment, it's just a question of fairness."

Hastings already has 27 co-sponsors for his bill, but gay veterans group Servicemembers United opposes it, saying even immunity from government reprisals won't protect gay soldiers from becoming "pariahs in their own units." The pro-gay Palm Center think tank, however, thinks Hastings' bill could become the first real dent in the DADT wall.

Quote Of The Day - AllahPundit

"In New York, the only outlet for displeasure is to throw the bums out, which made the pressure on the senate more intense. As for why the final tally wasn’t close, I assume the same thing happened here as happened when the amnesty bill went down in flames two years ago: Once the voting started and it became clear that the numbers weren’t there, fencesitters started peeling off. It’s fascinating to think that even in NYS, there’d be eight Democratic state senators who think a no vote is safer for them than a yes. Good luck with fundraising next year, kids.

"New York doesn’t even have civil unions, so expect that to be the next step to try to make amends. (Either that or a movement to, um, ban divorce.) The real significance of this, I think, is that with each new blue or bluish state that defeats a marriage initiative, it becomes marginally harder for the Supreme Court to do what I think it’ll probably do and agree with Ted Olson that straights-only marriage laws are a violation of equal protection. Kennedy is the swing vote, of course, and Kennedy has been sympathetic to federalist concerns in the past — albeit not when it comes to gays. But if even New York and California are unwilling to join the liberal consensus, maybe he’ll think twice. Or maybe it’ll have the opposite effect and encourage him to strike out in a “brave new consensus-forging direction” or whatever himself. You never know with Tony K!" - Hot Air blogger AllahPundit, a supporter of marriage equality.

(Via - Andrew Sullivan)

NYC: Marriage Rally Union Square 6PM

Marriage Equality New York will stage their own marriage rally tonight at Union Square, 6PM. MENY events tend to bring out the major politicos - City Council members, borough presidents, etc. Embiggen the above for the deets or go here for more.

80's Flashback

Klymaxx, The Men All Pause, 1984. It wasn't until their fourth album that the all-female Klymaxx scored their first hit single, taking the hilarious The Men All Pause to the Top Ten of the R&B and dance charts and into the repertoire and hairstyles of drag queens worldwide. The ladies saw similar success with the equally amusing follow-up, Meeting In The Ladies Room, but it was their next release, the ballad I Miss You, that introduced them to the pop charts, hitting #5 and creating a decades-long run as one of the most requested radio dedication tracks. The group ended their chart presence in 1990 having scored a total of three pop Top 40 hits and seven Top 20s on the R&B chart. In 1990 lead singer Berndatte Cooper ("riding in my Cooper's limousine") had a minor solo hit with I Look Good. Since then the band's members have been mired in internal legal disputes over ownership of their trademarked name. Slap me, somebody slap me.

A Gay Secession

LGBT news outlet Out Front Colorado has issued a (mostly) tongue-in-cheek manifesto calling for a gay secession. It reads, in part:

The American government has failed to acknowledge that civil rights cannot and should not be put to a popular vote. By definition, the majority has no concern for the well-being of the minority. Were the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964 put to a popular vote, it may not have passed. Civil rights – which is what we have been asking for, loudly and simply, since the Stonewall Riots of 1969 and before – are not the domain of public opinion.

We have been told to be patient. We have been told that progress is being made. We have been told that there are more pressing issues to attend to first. But we are tired of waiting. We refuse to be second-class citizens. We refuse to continue to pay taxes and make political, social and economic contributions to a government, society and culture that does not permit us to live freely. We refuse to be complicit in a system that does not recognize our existence, let alone our inherent right to equality.

Following yet another failure by the American Democratic process – this time, a legislative process rather than a popular vote – to recognize or even vaguely protect our rights as equal citizens, we propose radical measures. Therefore, we are claiming the U.S. states known as California, Oregon and Washington, in the name of LGBT former Americans, as a separate nation, heretofore to be known as LiBerTy Gayte. LiBerTy Gayte will be a haven for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender former Americans who, like us, are fed up with government ignorance and disavowal of their very existence. Children of, and LGBT families are of course welcome in LiBerTy Gayte.

A representative parliamentary government will be elected by majority popular vote. The Nation’s capital will be San Francisco, a centrally located and historically queer location. A sort of “Gayden of Eden,” LiBerTy Gayte citizens will enjoy the rights denied them in the United States. Initially, citizenship will be granted exclusively to LGBT former Americans. To establish a strong infrastructure and economic market, citizens will be given jobs according to their abilities.

Upon being granted citizenship in LiBerTy Gayte, "Gaytians" must recite the new pledge of allegiance:

I pledge allegiance to the Fag,
Of LiBerTy Gayte
And to the Orientation
For which it stands
One Nation,
Under the Disco Ball,
Indefatigable,
With LiBerTy and Queerness for all.

Lots more here.

Blogger Beauty Pageant Update

Air America has posted on their Twitter feed that I'm "neck and neck" in the semi-finals for their "vote for your favorite blogger" thingamajiggy. Thanks for yanking me out of 11th place, y'all! Voting form here. This round ends today. And this comes to mind for some reason: "I personally believe that U.S. Americans....."

Wingnuts Livid Over CBS' Frosty The Snowman Promotions

CBS is promoting its nighttime lineup with a series of webclips in which dialog from their more popular shows is dubbed over scenes from the children's holiday classic Frosty The Snowman. And guess who doesn't like that? Via the right-wing site Newsbusters:

In a perverse advertisement currently on the its Web site, CBS is trying to cross market the crass television show "How I Met Your Mother" with the children's holiday classics "Frosty the Snowman" and "Frosty Returns." The disgusting result was the video "Frosty the Inappropriate Snowman," in which Neil Patrick Harris's voice (in character from the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother") was dubbed over Frosty footage. Harris' Frosty said things like, "We've got to have a bros' night at a strip club" because it's "healthy" and "harmless." He also discussed his "porn collection" and "the Dominator 8000 - the best bull whip on the market." Well-known scenes of the classic Frosty delighting children by coming to life were perverted by the ad which included Frosty saying, "I have been with a lot of women. Blondes. Brunettes. Redheads. Big boobs. Small boobs. Medium boobs. Some boobs that were big but kind of in a bad way."The new, crude snowman also encouraged the white rabbit in the movie to have sexual fantasies: "You should have hit that. Dude, your pants were already off. You had a classroom full of people to cheer you on. And you can't knock her up because it's a dream."

Other shows getting the Frosty treatment includes CBS' bawdy Two And A Half Men.The Neil Patrick Harris clip is below.

Catholics Applaud NY Sen. Ruben Diaz

Bigotry makes strange bedfellows. Catholic Online's head hater Deacon Keith Fournier has published an effusive praising of NY Sen. Ruben Diaz' anti-gay performance yesterday.

Senator Ruben Diaz is a “man with a chest”. He stands out in an age of men (and women) without chests. The reaction to the vote defending marriage against its opponents has been swift. Those in the radical fringes of the homosexual community who are behind the efforts to engage in a Cultural Revolution by using judicial and legislative maneuvers are angry. Senator Diaz is being pilloried in their activist blogosphere. He is being accused of being a “homophobe” (even though he has two brothers who are homosexuals) and, you guessed it, a “hatemonger”. What he really is is a man of conviction and courage who defended marriage, along with the family and the society founded upon it.

ABC Cancels Adam Lambert Again

ABC has canceled another Adam Lambert appearance, this time for an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live scheduled for next week.

That naughty American Music Awards performance isn't going to be behind Adam Lambert anytime soon. Even after his well-received performance on "The Early Show" last week, ABC continues to feel uncomfortable around Lambert. His Dec. 17 "Jimmy Kimmel Live" appearance was canceled today--news Lambert himself delivered on his Twitter page an hour ago. The performance on Kimmel's live stage was scheduled before Lambert made his now infamous debut on the AMAs on Nov. 22. In one of his tweets about the matter, Lambert told his fans not to blame ABC but rather "It's the FCC heat." It's not clear whether ABC told Lambert to put the blame there or if the "American Idol" runner-up is making his own assumptions.

But we do know the following: The FCC doesn't monitor programming after 10 p.m. Don't believe us? The following is an excerpt from its website: "The FCC has determined, with the approval of the courts, that there is a reasonable risk that children will be in the audience from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Therefore, the FCC prohibits station licensees from broadcasting indecent material during that period. "Material is indecent if, in context, it depicts or describes sexual or excretory organs or activities in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium...The 'safe harbor' refers to the time period between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., local time. During this time period, a station may air indecent and/or profane material."

Reading Lambert's Twitter feed, it appears that this latest cancellation may include a New Year's Eve performance, but no specific show is named. Meanwhile music fans point to the below 2004 performance by Pink which included simulated male/female oral sex but resulted in zero public outcry or discipline by networks.

Comcast To Buy NBC Universal

This is major, especially for New York City. General Electric has agreed to sell a controlling interest in NBC Universal to Comcast Cable.

The agreement will create a joint venture, with Comcast owning 51 percent and G.E. owning 49 percent. Comcast will contribute to the joint venture its stable of cable channels, which includes Versus, the Golf Channel and E Entertainment, worth about $7.25 billion, and will pay G.E. about $6.5 billion in cash, for a total of $13.75 billion. For now, the network will remain NBC Universal, but ultimately Comcast could decide to change the name. Almost immediately, the transaction reshapes the nation’s entertainment industry, giving a cable provider a huge portfolio of new content, even as it raises the sector’s anxieties about the future.

The deal is valued at $30B and may take 18 months before getting the approval of the FCC. NBC's world headquarters is expected to remain in NYC for now. In 2004 Comcast failed in its bid to purchase ABC parent company Walt Disney Co.

Uganda Set To Pass Anti-Gay Bill, But May Remove Death Penalty

Uganda's infamous "kill gays" bill is about to pass in the country's parliament, but it is expected that the "gay death sentence" portion will be changed to life imprisonment.

The draft Anti-Homosexuality Bill is part of a growing campaign against homosexuals in Uganda, rights groups say. Critics say the aim is to divert attention from corruption and other political issues ahead of the 2011 national vote. But the bill's author, lawmaker David Bahati, says the legislation is about promoting family values. "Homosexuality is not part of the human rights we believe in," he said. Activists and political observers expect the private members' bill, which proscribes the death penalty for "serial offenders" and is still in the committee stage, to pass with little opposition and some minor changes. Likely changes may include modifying the death penalty to life imprisonment, altering clauses nullifying international treaties, conventions and protocols that contradict the act, and removing a section about extradition. "It's catastrophic," said Frank Mugisha, chairman of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a local activist group. People are being arrested, intimidated already. What's going to happen if it's passed?"

The "kill gays" bill was created with the aid of major U.S. GOP and evangelical leaders. It has been met with near universal global condemnation, including threats by some nations to suspend financial aid to Uganda. Yesterday Sweden announced that they would cut aid if the bill passed.

Stanford Football Coach Caught On Camera Calling Referee A "Faggot"

Stanford football coach Jim Harbaugh was caught on network television calling a referee a "fucking asshole faggot" during a game against Notre Dame on Saturday. The referee was on the field and may not have heard the epithet.

NY Marriage Vote Reactions

NY Sen. Thomas Duane, via press release:

Today’s vote against Marriage Equality makes me very angry. Promises made were not honored. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, and all fair-minded New Yorkers have been betrayed. I am enraged, deeply disappointed and profoundly saddened by the vote today. In 2006, when the New York State Court of Appeals shamefully ruled that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community did not have equal protection under the law in relation to Marriage Equality, I predicted that passing legislation to right this wrong in the State Senate would be a profound personal and sadly political battle.I have been proven right.

NY Gov. David Paterson, via press release:

It is always darkest before the dawn. The darkest day in the history of the American civil rights movement was in 1857 when the Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott, making slavery legal north of the 36th parallel. That was the darkest day for the abolitionists. But when we look back in history, we forget that this was only five years before the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in September of 1862. I understand the anger; I understand the frustration; I understand the feeling of betrayal; and I understand the profound disappointment of those who came to Albany today thinking they could get married tomorrow. But I am also here to tell you that we are not back to square one.

Empire State Pride Agenda, via press release:

While we are disappointed by today’s vote, we are pleased that the issue of marriage equality at last was debated in the New York State Senate. We had long called for a public debate on this matter so we could determine who was truly on our side. It is a step forward for our democratic process in New York that a debate and vote have now occurred. Now we know where we stand, and where we need to concentrate our efforts in the future. We are incredibly thankful to those who have stood with us and will continue to stand with us as our community presses forward to win marriage equality. In this regard: We thank Governor Paterson for his unstinting support.

Stonewall Democrats, via press release:

In New York, among the bluest of blue states, not one Republican Senator could muster the courage or integrity to vote to expand the protections of marriage to same-gender couples, an expansion supported by a majority of New Yorkers -- a move that would have also brought millions of dollars into state coffers and New York's struggling economy.For pro-equality voters in New York, and those around the country, the choice between the parties could not be clearer. New York Democrats led this fight for marriage equality, stood in the Senate chamber and gave moving statements in support of their positions, while New York Republicans could not even be bothered to justify their votes to continue the discriminatory status quo. Today's vote also demonstrates that we must be critical in examining those in our own ranks. We cannot allow the Democratic Party to harbor intolerance or hatred of any kind. On a day marked by disappointment, at least now we know which Democrats need to be held accountable on primary day next year."

Photo Of The Day

Yesterday Washington state Gov. Christine Gregoire signed the official certification enacting Washington's "everything but marriage" law. The law is in effect as of today after being put on hold during the bigoted Referendum 71 fight. Domestic partners in Washington now have all the rights, benefits, and privileges of marriage couples. One of the best wins for the good guys in all of 2009.

PhoboQuotable - Cardinal Javier Barragan

"Transsexuals and homosexuals will never enter the kingdom of heaven and it is not me who says this, but Saint Paul. People are not born homosexual, they become homosexual, for different reasons: education issues or because they did not develop their own identity during adolescence. It may not be their fault, but acting against nature and the dignity of the human body is an insult to God. Homosexuality is therefore a sin, but this does not justify any form of discrimination. God alone has the right to judge. We on earth cannot condemn, and as human beings we all have the same rights." - Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, in comments quoted by an Italian news agency. Lozano is one of the top Vatican officials.

2009 Grammy Nominations

Here are the top categories. The rest are here.

Album Of The Year:
I Am…Sasha Fierce (Beyoncé)
The E.N.D. (the Black Eyed Peas)
The Fame (Lady Gaga)
Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King (Dave Matthews Band)
Fearless (Taylor Swift)

Record Of The Year:
"Halo" (Beyoncé)
"I Gotta Feeling" (the Black Eyed Peas)
"Use Somebody" (Kings Of Leon)
"Poker Face" (Lady Gaga)
"You Belong With Me" (Taylor Swift)

Song Of The Year:
"Poker Face," Lady Gaga & RedOne, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
"Pretty Wings," Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
"Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
"Use Somebody, "Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
"You Belong With Me," Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)

Best New Artist:
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

Open Thread Thursday

Is it time to completely abandon state-level activism and focus all of our energy and resources on the federal government?

NY Marriage Protest Times Square

Within a couple of hours of today's vote in the NY Senate, rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker had made a 50-foot yellow "NY CRIME SCENE" banner and hundreds of pissed off New Yorkers had joined him in Times Square to express their anger to the national networks and thousands of tourists. NOTE: I ran into a couple of despised politicos just off Times Square - they make cameo appearances in the below slideshow. Above photo via Blabbeando, his excellent gallery is here.

Bright Lights, Big City

During tonight's marriage protest in Times Square, I decided to take my disgust to the new mega-Jumbotron above American Eagle at Broadway & 45th, where a purchase allows you "15 seconds of fame" via their in-store camera. The store's manager disallowed my uber-angry signage, so with an "I Heart(Break) NY" sticker on my hoodie, I returned with Milk art director Charley Beal to send Times Square our displeasure, to the approving hoots of the protesters. Surprisingly satisfying. (And Charley treated me to the required store purchase!) I'll have a slideshow of the protest up shortly.

New York's Heroes

The four Democrats below delivered the most impassioned and stirring pro-equality speeches of the day. If you didn't get to watch the proceedings live, please watch as each Senator approaches the issue from a different direction. Sen. Eric Adams, with gripping historical comparisons. Sen. Diane Savino, with great humor and pop culture references. Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, with a heartbreaking personal story. And Sen. Eric Schneiderman, with a challenge to bring New York into the modern age. All heroes. Every one.

Crystal Ball 2010: Traitorous Democrats Crushed By Outraged Gay Opponents

• Joseph Addabbo (D-Queens) — NO
• Darrel Aubertine (D- Cape Vincent) — NO
• Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) — NO
• Shirley Huntley (D-Queens) — NO
• Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) — NO
• Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) — NO
• George Onorato (D-Queens) — NO
• William Stachowski (D-Buffalo) — NO

Remember all of these names. I will be coming back to you to help fund their opponents.

Full vote tally here.

NOM Gloats

Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown are doing cartwheels.

"This is a huge win, it puts the nail in the coffin on the idea that gay marriage advocates can persuade a majority of Americans their cause is just," said Brian Brown, Executive Director of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM). "New York makes it crystal clear: the American people do not support gay marriage and they do not want their politicians messing with this issue."

NOM spent $600,000 in advertizing, automated calling and other voter outreach over the last few months in New York alone.

"I hope this loss causes Democratic leaders to reconsider their fanatical commitment to an issue that is a priority for only a small number of wealthy donors and activists in their party," said Maggie Gallagher, President of NOM, "Americans respectfully disagree with the politicians in New York, such as Sen. Oppenheimer and Sen. Pres. Malcom Smith, who described our views on marriage as somehow akin to Nazism, slavery or segregation. At a minimum, that kind of hateful treatment of diverse views on gay marriage needs to stop today."

Photo Of The Day

Openly gay NY Sen. Thomas Duane expresses his thanks to Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson after her touching speech about her gay brother during her unexpected "yes" vote on marriage equality in the New York Senate today. You can express your own appreciation to Sen. Hassell-Thompson by phone or email here.

[Photo credit: Nathaniel Brooks/NYT]

Marriage Equality Fails In NY Senate

Marriage equality failed today in the New York Senate after a years-long battle to bring the issue to a vote. The final tally: 24 YES, 38 NO. Among the surprises was a "no" vote from Queens Democrat Sen. Hiram Monserrate, who had previously been a vocal supporter. In October, Monserrate narrowly escaped a felony assault conviction for slashing the face of his girlfriend with a broken glass. Monserrate's NYC office: (718) 205-3881. His Albany office: (518) 455-2529.

UPDATE: I've just spoken with the Albany staff of Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson to express my appreciation for her unexpected support and for her touching speech about her gay brother. I did the same for my own Sen. Liz Krueger. It's easy and necessary to express righteous outrage to our opponents, but it's equally important to thank those that so publicly and eloquently stand up on our behalf.

UPDATE II: A protest about today's vote will take place in Times Square at 6PM on the steps of TKTS booth.

NY Senate Live Stream: Marriage Equality Vote Imminent

Well, let's play Lucy with the football. AGAIN. The NY Senate is convening any moment. Last night the state Assembly reapproved same-sex marriage for the third time, just in case and so Gov. Paterson can immediately sign the bill if the Senate, ya know, actually DOES anything.

UPDATE: The Marriage Equality Act has passed the NY Senate Rules Committee. As of this writing (noon EST), the Senate is voting on the budget. The marriage vote may come immediately afterwards.

UPDATE II: After naming all 31 states in which marriage bans have failed, head homophobe Sen. Ruben Diaz (D) urged the GOP members to remember their party's principles regarding "family values."

UPDATE III: The final vote: NO-38, YES-24. I've removed the live stream video player to improve site loading time.

Tweet Of The Day

Via NOM's blog:

DC Councilman Tommy Wells — who not that long ago actually supported school vouchers — has just written an open letter to Senate subcommittee Chairman Dick Durbin strongly opposing the reauthorization of the DC school voucher program this year. Why? Because some of the kids in the program use the vouchers to attend Catholic schools, and the Catholic Church opposes same-sex marriage. That’s right. Although he generally favors vouchers in general, Councilman Wells wants to punish the poorest of DC kids stuck in dead-end schools in order to get back at the Catholic Church for its opposition to the same-sex marriage bill pending before the DC Council.

What Wells' letter says:

We believe the program has placed too many District students in underperforming private schools and supports discriminatory employment practices at religious-based schools, in violation of the D.C. Human Rights Act. DCOSP provides vouchers for students to attend some schools that are seriously deficient. Specifically, these schools were not accredited or even in the process of becoming accredited, and employed teachers who had not graduated from college. According to a report by the General Accountability Office, these schools: “Did not meet basic requirements to operate in the District. For example, a few had no certificate of occupancy on file with the District or had certificates that did not specify educational use.” We acknowledge that some of our publicly funded voucher students attend high-performing private schools. A small minority attend Sidwell Friends, St. Albans, and John Carroll High School. However, too many attend schools with fewer resources and lower standards than those of our public schools.

What Wells is saying is that the DC voters should not pay for private school vouchers for school that cannot provide a decent education AND that taxpayers shouldn't have to support schools that encourage bigotry. I have no problem with this. If public school isn't good enough for you, pay for private school with your own fucking money.

GLEE's Chris Colfer On Conan

GLEE's Chris Colfer says he doesn't want to speculate about other actors he'd like to work with, because the last time he did that, Bea Arthur died immediately.

Hundreds Protest Mayor Of Vallejo CA: Gays Don't Go To Heaven

Hundreds of Vallejo, California residents turned out yesterday to protest (and support) the mayor's recent comments that his was a "city of God" and that gay people don't go to heaven.

The protesters waved rainbow flags, held signs demanding the separation of church and state and some called for Davis' resignation. And then there was a roar. From inside City Hall came the sounds of more than 100 people clapping and cheering, praising God. "Lord, we're not against anybody. We're for our children," prayed New Hope Church Community Senior Pastor Terrence Nichols. "No matter what outside forces may stir up the pot, it is the inside residents who will work together to bring solutions to Vallejo. Thank you God for the peace of this city."

The city has been anything but peaceful, however, since a New York Times column on Nov. 20, quoted Davis as saying of gay people, "They're committing sin and that sin will keep them out of heaven. ... But you don't hate the person. You hate the sin that they commit." Davis later apologized for offending anyone, said his remarks were taken out of context, but did not expand on his religious beliefs. Shortly before the protest began, the New York Times released an audio version of the interview on its website that expanded on Davis' remarks. In the interview Davis said that as a Christian he disagrees with homosexuality, but "loves" and "prays" for gays to see the "error in their ways." He also says that he has "very close friends" who are gay, and cited Council member Michael Wilson as one of them.

In response to Davis' claims that his bigotry was taken out of context, the New York Times took the unusual step of posting an audio clip of Davis' exact words.

Is The Afghanistan Surge The Right Call?

The president is getting a lot of criticism for his decision to send another 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. Below, Rachel Maddow compares Obama's decision to Dubya's "Bush Doctrine." The exit strategy seems a long way in coming.

Daily Grumble

On Saturday I met somebody who had never heard of the cassingle. That's all I got.

PhoboQuotable - Brian Brown

"This battle is not over. DC politicians are blocking the right of people to vote on marriage. Voters in 31 other states have already exercised their right to vote on this issue. It is ironic that some politicians actively campaign demanding DC voting rights and yet they are conspiring to deny those same citizens the right to vote on the definition of marriage.

"We will not give up on D.C. The people of D.C. have the right to vote for marriage; we will fight for their rights and we will win. NOM will be proud to fight alongside Bishop Harry Jackson to make sure politicians hear the people's voice loud and clear: don't mess with marriage. We will fight in Congress. We will fight through the courts to get this to the people of D.C. who have a God-given right to vote for marriage and Charter-given right to overturn the council's decision. We are confident marriage will win in the end in D.C. as it has in Maine and 30 other states." - NOM executive douchenozzle Brian Brown, on yesterday's vote by the Washington DC City Council to approve same-sex marriage.

Meredith Baxter Comes Out

Meredith Baxter, star of the 80s sitcom Family Ties and numerous Lifetime movies about bulimia, came out this morning on the Today Show.

“I am a lesbian and it was a later-in-life recognition,” she told Matt Lauer on TODAY. “Some people would say, well, you’re living a lie and, you know, the truth is — not at all. This has only been for the past seven years.” Baxter, 62, though anxious, decided to come out on national television after her sexuality became tabloid fodder. “I’ve always lived a very private life,” said the actress, who’s never even had a publicist. “To come out and disclose stuff is very antithetical to who I am.” The National Enquirer reported that Baxter was spotted last month aboard a Caribbean cruise sponsored by lesbian travel company Sweet, writing that she was seen “traveling with a female friend, and she seemed very relaxed and comfortable.” Baxter admitted that she did indeed take the vacation with her girlfriend, despite the threat that the couple would be outed. “I don’t want to be worried all the time,” she said. “I knew I was pushing it.”

Baxter says she was finally forced to officially come out after Perez Hilton yesterday posted photos of her and her girlfriend.