Tweet Of The Day - AZ Gov. Jan Brewer

In less than 48 hours, the nation's teabaggers have contributed almost $1M to a legal fund created to fight the Obama administration's lawsuit against Arizona's racist law allowing the detention of anybody who looks like they might be undocumented.

Glenn Beck's Faith 101

FRC Reacts To DOMA Ruling

Calling it "the Boston Massacre of marriage," the Family Research Council has released a typically hysterics-filled response to the DOMA ruling.

Four hundred twenty-seven. That's how many members of Congress voted to pass the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. One. The number of activist judges it took to strike the law down. Yesterday, a U.S. District Court did its best to preserve Massachusetts's reputation as the most liberal state in America on marriage. In Boston, a federal judge used his gavel to shatter the one law preventing a complete capitulation to same-sex "marriage" at the federal level: DOMA. Claiming that "it is only irrational prejudice that motivates" the law (p. 38), he sided with the ultra-Left on two separate cases. Although the couples who sued are considered "married" in the eyes of their state, they complained that DOMA kept them from getting federal perks like Social Security survivor payments or joint tax filings. So what did Judge Joseph Tauro do? He ruled that the government doesn't have the right to set its own benefit policies--suggesting that he knows better than a supermajority of Congress what's best for American taxpayers.

Tauro's rationale for toppling DOMA was so absurd that even liberal Yale law professors like Jack Balkin said, "No chance they'll be held up on appeal." The two opinions are so convoluted that they even contract themselves. As Balkin said, the judge's rulings are "at war with each other." Judge Tauro also claimed that there's no precedent for a federal definition of marriage. The people of Utah might disagree--seeing as it wouldn't be a state today if the Supreme Court hadn't ruled that it must outlaw polygamy first. In 1878, the Supreme Court declared that polygamy wasn't protected by the Constitution (Reynolds v. United States). In fact, that ruling was even stronger than DOMA, because it was a blanket rejection of polygamy. Unlike DOMA, it didn't leave the question up to states.

Regardless of Tauro's skewed views, the blame for this decision lies directly at the feet of Elena Kagan and her boss, President Obama. The President has called for overturning DOMA, but as Solicitor General, Ms. Kagan is responsible for defending existing federal laws in court. But instead of trying to win the case, she intentionally sabotaged it, dropping the strongest arguments in favor of DOMA. At the time, legal experts were shocked that she didn't include procreation as the main reason for protecting man-woman marriage.

New From Sharron Angle

Freep This Poll

UPDATE: The poll is open again.

Last week Good As You's Jeremy Hooper alerted GLAAD that a wedding contest planned for the Today Show would not allow entries from same-sex couples as the winners could not be legally married in New York, where the show is produced. Yesterday the show bowed to pressure from GLAAD and announced that the contest was now open to all couples, a decision that was met with many bigoted responses on the show's site. Today Yahoo News has posted the above poll. You know what to do.

Matt Morris - Live Forever

American Family Association Calls For Today Boycott Over Wedding Contest

Screencap courtesy of Jeremy Hooper at Good As You, the man who got the AFA's panties in a wad by pointing out the Today Show's anti-gay bias. Kudos, Jeremy!

Quote Of The Day - Andrea Lafferty

"We can't allow the lowest common denominator states, like Massachusetts, to set standards for the country." - Andrea Lafferty of the SPLC-certified hate group, the Traditional Values Coalition, as quoted by the Associated Press. We're standing by for the AP to go to the KKK for a quote the next time black civil rights is in the news.

Broadway Friday

- Jesse Tyler Ferguson and a host of fellow gays earned Emmy nominations yesterday. Joining the Modern Family star with noms are Neil Patrick Harris, Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer, Alan Cumming, Lily Tomlin, and Ian McKellen. Glee leads the pack with 19 nominations. Darling of the gays Betty White scored a nom for her gig as SNL host.

- South Pacific will be made as a movie again, but the songs will be retooled to be "edgier," whatever that means. Casting not announced. The show first opened on Broadway in 1949, the last revival has been playing Lincoln Center since March, 2008. The first movie version opened in 1958.

- Four-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks will helm Sister Act: The Musical when it arrives from London's West End next spring. It's expected to be next season's blockbuster.

- After 13 years at Radio City, next year's Tony Awards may take place at Washington Height's United Palace Theatre waaay up at 175th Street.

- Tomorrow Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore stage their 12th annual Broadway Barks on Schubert Alley to benefit local animal rescue groups. Expect major Broadway talent and legendary stars of the past to be on hand.

- Broadway In Bryant Park's summer series of free lunchtime shows began yesterday and continues for the next five Thursdays. Next Thursday's performers include the casts of South Pacific, Billy Eliot, and Memphis. Shows start at 12:30pm behind the Main Public Library.

- The New York Times tips Hell's Kitchen's Bar-Tini Ultra Lounge as the hip new place to meet chorus boys on their night off. I've been, it's true. Love the hostess, Paige Turner.

VIDEO: Jim David's South Pathetic plays the NYC Fringe Festival next month.

SF Considers Ban On Selling Pets

Last night San Francisco held a meeting to consider what would be the nation's first blanket ban on the selling of any animals as pets.

That includes dogs, cats, hamsters, mice, rats, chinchillas, guinea pigs, birds, snakes, lizards and nearly every other critter, or, as the commission calls them, companion animals. "People buy small animals all the time as an impulse buy, don't know what they're getting into, and the animals end up at the shelter and often are euthanized," said commission Chairwoman Sally Stephens. "That's what we'd like to stop." San Francisco residents who want a pet would have to go to another city, adopt one from a shelter or rescue group, or find one through the classifieds. The Board of Supervisors would have final say on the matter. But not before pet store owners unleash a cacophony of howling, squeaking and squawking. "It's terrible. A pet store that can't sell pets? It's ridiculous," said John Chan, manager of Pet Central on Broadway, which has been in business 30 years. "We'd have to close."

I have a feeling that PETA has their paws in this somehow.

QueerTracker

Not too crazy about the bit at 3:15. Very NSFW.

(Tipped by JMG reader Bill)

NEW YORK CITY: Summer Benefit For The Ali Forney Center - Wed. July 21st

On Wednesday July 21st, the Ali Forney Center will hold a summer benefit party at Hudson Terrace. Get tickets here and help support AFC's vital work for NYC's homeless LGBT youth. Facebook event page here.

RELATED: Visit Frank And Gabe today for a great interview with AFC's mega-hunky executive director Carl Siciliano.

HomoQuotable - Janson Wu

"We fully expect that the Obama administration will appeal the decision. It would be unusual if they didn't. Typically, when a court strikes down a law as unconstitutional, the government appeals it. To be honest, we think that would be good. The federal government wants to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples, and that's just not enough to stand constitutional scrutiny." - GLAD attorney Janson Wu, speaking to Raw Story about yesterday's DOMA decision.

4Minute - I My Me Mine

Continuing my K-pop fascination...

MTA Proposes More Fare Changes

The eternally cash-strapped MTA has announced a couple of proposed changes that won't find many fans.

Millions of straphangers would be hit with a $1 surcharge when they get a new MetroCard from a vending machine instead of refilling an old one under one of the MTA's leading fare-hike and revenue-raising plans, The Post has learned. "It would provide an incentive to hold on to the card," a source said, helping rein in manufacturing, distribution and disposal costs as well as providing a new revenue stream for the cash-starved agency. "When I see what it costs to produce MetroCards, it's not efficient, and it makes me sick when I see them strewn across the floor at stations," another source said. "I wouldn't say I'd be distressed" over a new-card surcharge. Another major change under consideration is putting a cap on the number of trips using weekly and monthly "unlimited ride" cards. Details of that plan were not immediately available. The "unlimited ride" restrictions would curb straphangers' ability to share MetroCards.

MetroCards are expected to be phased out by 2014 when the MTA transitions to a tap-and-ride Smartcard debit system.

Yearbook Photo

Quit Squirming!

(Source)

Here's The DADT Survey For Troops

Dig into this and tell us what you think.

UPDATE: Servicemembers United vents.

"While it remains safe for gay and lesbian troops to participate in this survey, it is simply impossible to imagine a survey with such derogatory and insulting wording, assumptions, and insinuations going out about any other minority group in the military," said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and a former U.S. Army interrogator who was discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." "Unfortunately, this expensive survey stokes the fires of homophobia by its very design and will only make the Pentagon's responsibility to subdue homophobia as part of this inevitable policy change even harder. The Defense Department just shot itself in the foot by releasing such a flawed survey to 400,000 servicemembers, and it did so at an outrageous cost to taxpayers."

Nicholson added, "Flawed aspects of the survey include the unnecessary use of terms that are known to be inflamatory and bias-inducing in social science research, such as the clinical term 'homosexual;' an overwhelming focus on the potential negative aspects of repeal and little or no inclusion of the potential positive aspects of repeal or the negative aspects of the current policy; the repeated and unusual suggestion that a co-worker or leader might need to 'discuss' appropriate behavior and conduct with gay and lesbian troops; and more."

The 700 Club Calls For A Constitutional Amendment Banning Gay Marriage

UPDATE: The 700 Club has replaced the original clip to include an interview with Slaggie Gilamonster. The new clip makes no mention of a constitutional amendment.

Air Google

Google will buy travel software company ITA for $700M. While they claim to have no plan to establish themselves as resellers of airline tickets, the takeover is raising concerns of anti-trust violations.

"What we're going to do is build new flight search tools that focus on end-users," Google Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt said in a conference call with analysts and members of the press on Thursday. He said that Google had no plans to sell airline tickets to consumers and that Google planned to honor all existing agreements that ITA has with its partners. The deal should allow Google to match innovations made by Microsoft Corp, whose recently re-launched Bing search engine has gained share by focusing on a handful of specific search categories like travel and shopping.

The deal, which was reported to be in the works for weeks, has unnerved travel industry players worried that Google could end up wielding too much influence in the sector. ITA, which has roughly 500 employees, provides software that organizes flight information like fares and flight times. The company is a major source of information about airfares to the aviation industry, used by airlines, travel agents and other sites including AMR Corp's American Airlines, Continental Airlines , Hotwire, Kayak, Orbitz and Microsoft's Bing.

Travel-related searches currently make up about 12% of Google's revenue.

Civil Unions For Ireland

As expected, yesterday Ireland's Seanad rubber-stamped the nation's lower chamber and approved its civil unions bill 48-4.

The Green Party Minister for State Ciarán Cuffe, who instigated the move to introduce the legislation in 2007, welcomed its approval last night. He said changes will need to be made in social welfare and tax laws to facilitate the change. He said those changes would most likely be made in December’s Budget. “I would be happy if it was in place from January 1 next year. Without giving too many hostages to fortune, I am optimistic that the first civil registrations can take place from then,” he said.

The Bill will extend marriage-like benefits to gay and lesbian couples in the areas of property, social welfare, succession, maintenance, pensions and tax. Same-sex couples register their relationship before a registrar. The legislation also provides for the legal recognition of civil partnerships obtained outside the State. At present, cohabiting couples have few rights under family laws. Among the objections voiced by Senators was the absence of a conscience clause for public servants to allow them opt out of the process. They also argued against the right to hire Church premises for celebrations of same-sex unions. Richard Greene of conservative group Cóir was one of a small group who protested outside Leinster House. He said a referendum should have been held on the issue.

The first civil unions will occur after January 1st.

Maddow Show On DOMA Ruling

Starring our hero, MA Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Anita Bryant Leaves Her Sewer

The original Queen of Hate, Anita Bryant, will be slithering out of whatever sewer she's been hiding in all these years to appear at an anti-gay event in Oklahoma tomorrow. Gossip Boy reports:

The controversial Queen of Gay Hate, Anita Bryant, will be returning to the stage on July 9, 2010 for a patriotic performance in Yukon, OK before an Oklahoma-based group that has become nationally known for its malevolent attacks on gays and whose members include the husband of leading homophobe State Rep. Sally Kern. Bryant’s appearance is part of a two-day conference spanning July 9th and 10th calling for a return to America’s Christian heritage, a crusade against Muslims and gays, and will coincide with the first ever Patriot Pastors Tea Party. The headliner for the event is the widely discredited David Barton, who, to push his Christian heritage agenda, has been caught numerous times fudging history and fabricating quotes that he would then claim were made by the Founding Fathers. Barton has gained criticism for speaking at Christian Identity gatherings that called for the execution of homosexuals.

Here's a flashback from 1977.

Today In Crazy Teabaggers

Robosexual Marriage

With perfect timing, last night's episode of Futurama tackled the issue of robosexual marriage, complete with a dig at NOM's widely parodied Gathering Storm ad. And as these things go, the issue's main opponent turned out to be a closet robosexual.

NOM Rides The DOMA Waambulance

NOM is predictably stamping their cloven hooves about yesterday's DOMA ruling.

"Under the guidance of Elena Kagan’s brief that she filed when she was Solicitor General, Obama's justice department deliberately sabotaged this case," charged Brian Brown, President of NOM, referring to the Justice Department's brief which described DOMA as discriminatory. Despite the explicit language in DOMA that the law was designed to protect children's right to their mothers and fathers, the judge disavowed that DOMA has anything to do with responsible procreation. "With only Obama to defend DOMA, this federal judge has taken the extraordinary step of overturning a law passed by huge bipartisan majorities and signed into law by Pres. Clinton in 1996. A single federal judge in Boston has no moral right to decide the definition of marriage for the people of the United States," Brown continued.

Slaggie Gilamonster waded in too.

"Does this federal judge want to start another culture war?" asked Maggie Gallagher, Chairman of NOM. "Does he really want another Roe. v. Wade? The simple fact is that the right of the federal government to define marriage for the purposes of its federal law and federal territories has been clear since the late 19th century, when Congress banned polygamy. Only an incompetent defense could have lost this case. We expect to win in a higher court."

Sad trombone for NOM!

DOMA Ruling Reactions

GLAD:

“Today the Court simply affirmed that our country won’t tolerate second-class marriages,” said Mary Bonauto, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director, who argued the case. “I’m pleased that Judge Tauro recognized that married same-sex couples and surviving spouses have been seriously harmed by DOMA and that the plaintiffs deserve the same opportunities to care and provide for each other and for their children that other families enjoy. This ruling will make a real difference for countless families in Massachusetts.” “I am thrilled that my family will now be treated in the same way as those of my married co-workers at the post office,” said Nancy Gill, who is a plaintiff with her spouse, Marcelle Letourneau. “Marcelle and I married out of love and commitment to each other first and foremost, but federal recognition of our marriage means that we’ll have equal access to important protections for our two children and for ourselves.”

Lambda Legal:

"Today's decisions mark immensely important and inspiring steps toward equality for all families under American law. Since 1996, the so-called 'Defense of Marriage Act' has defended no one, while imposing senseless and cruel discrimination against married same-sex couples and their families. We applaud Judge Tauro's conclusion today that Congress acted beyond its authority when it used the massive power of the federal government to impose a discriminatory marriage definition on the states. With today's decisions, the federal court orders that the heavy hand of the U.S. government must be lifted off the scales of justice, so all legally married people - gay and straight alike - can receive the same treatment under U.S. law and in federal benefit programs. We applaud the outstanding work of our colleagues at GLAD and the vision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that went to court to defend married same-sex couples in their state, and the courage of the plaintiffs in Gill for standing up for justice."

Human Rights Campaign:

"Today’s decision is a confirmation of what every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender American knows to be a basic truth – we, and our families, are equal,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “This is an important step forward, but there is a long path ahead before we see this discriminatory law consigned to the dustbin of history. We thank our friends at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, their courageous plaintiffs and Attorney General Coakley for standing up on behalf of married same-sex couples across the country and for their continued commitment to equality as these cases move forward. Judge Tauro’s decisions make clear that there is no constitutional justification for DOMA, despite the Department of Justice’s contentions in defending the statute. While we expect the Department to continue to defend DOMA on appeal, we urge the Obama administration to push Congress to repeal a law that we know, and Judge Tauro recognized, serves no purpose but to denigrate our families.”

One Iowa:

“This ruling is welcome news to married couples in Iowa. Section 3 of DOMA has unfairly denied federal-level protections to committed, married same-sex couples in states like Iowa. We excitedly await the day when our federal government treats us equally in the same manner as we are treated by the state of Iowa. Today’s decision brings us one step closer.”

Freedom To Marry:

Today's ruling affirms what we have long known: federal discrimination enacted under DOMA is unconstitutional. The decision will be appealed and litigation will continue. But what we witnessed in the courtroom cannot be erased: federal marriage discrimination harms committed same-sex couples and their families for no good reason. Today's ruling provides increased momentum to the national movement to end exclusion from marriage and Freedom to Marry's Roadmap to secure the freedom to marry nationwide. The crucial work of changing hearts and minds and winning the freedom to marry in more states is more urgent than ever as we build on today's momentum and encourage other decision-makers to do the right thing and end exclusion from marriage.

DOMA RULING #2: Gill & LeTourneau Vs. U.S. Office Of Personnel Management

I've uploaded the PDF of the court's decision to my Scribd account. Feel free to grab the embed code for your own sites. Click on "full screen" to read the entire 39-page ruling.

DOMA RULING #1: Massachusetts Vs. U.S. Department Of Health & Human Services

I've uploaded the PDF of the court's decision to my Scribd account. Feel free to grab the embed code for your own sites. Click on "full screen" to read the entire 36-page ruling.

BREAKING: Federal Court Rules Defense Of Marriage Act To Be Unconstitutional!!!

The U.S. District Court in Boston has ruled that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional. Bay Windows reports:

In an enormous victory for same-sex marriage, a federal judge in Boston today (Thursday, July 8) ruled, in two separate cases, that a critical part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. In one challenge brought by the state of Massachusetts, Judge Joseph Tauro ruled that Congress violated the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution when it passed DOMA and took from the states decisions concerning which couples can be considered married. In the other, Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, he ruled DOMA violates the equal protection principles embodied in the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.

In Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Health and Human Services, Tauro considered whether the federal law’s definition of marriage -- one man and one woman -- violates state sovereignty by treating some couples with Massachusetts’ marriage licenses differently than others. In Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), a gay legal group, asked Tauro to consider whether DOMA violates the right of eight same-sex couples to equal protection of the law. Both cases were argued, separately, in May, and the decision released today is a relatively quick turnaround, given that some judges take almost a year to decide cases.

I'll have more details and reactions to this historic decision here shortly. It's a great day to be a gay American! Suck it, Gov. Lingle!

The Nation Examines Violence Against Imprisoned LGBT Youth

Not only are LGBT youth highly overrepresented among the nation's homeless, they are imprisoned at a much higher rate than their heterosexual peers. And once behind bars they continue to be victimized. The Nation examines their plight in an online article and the below accompanying video. An excerpt:

Across the United States, the brutal and dysfunctional juvenile justice system sends queer youth to prison in disproportionate numbers, fails to protect them from violence and discrimination while they're inside and to this day condones attempts to turn them straight. Antigay policies aren't just a problem in the Deep South or rural regions. According to Jody Marksamer of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, one of co-authors of a recent report on LGBT youth in the juvenile justice system, "These things happen in every state."

The road to incarceration begins in pretrial detention, before the youth even meets a judge. Laws and professional standards state that it's appropriate to detain a child before trial only if she might run away or harm someone. Yet for queer youth, these standards are frequently ignored. According to UC Santa Cruz researcher Dr. Angela Irvine, LGBT youth are two times more likely than straight youth to land in a prison cell before adjudication for nonviolent offenses like truancy, running away and prostitution. According to Ilona Picou, executive director of Juvenile Regional Services, Inc., in Louisiana, 50 percent of the gay youth picked up for nonviolent offenses in Louisiana in 2009 were sent to jail to await trial, while less than 10 percent of straight kids were. "Once a child is detained, the judge assumes there's a reason you can't go home," says Dr. Marty Beyer, a juvenile justice specialist. "A kid coming into court wearing handcuffs and shackles versus a kid coming in with his parents—it makes a very different impression."

Defense Secretary Robert Gates Urges Gay Troops To Fill Out DADT Survey

Even though advocates for gay troops are worried that the anonymity of the survey may not be airtight and have advised them not to participate. Note that Gates says "when and IF" when referring to the repeal of DADT.

Set Your Phones For Prop 8 Decision Alert

The American Foundation for Equal Rights will text you the moment Judge Vaughn Walker issues his decision on Perry Vs. Schwarzenegger. Just text the word "Equal" to 69866. You can also get an email alert by "liking" their Facebook page. And you can follow them on Twitter. Judge Walker's online calendar is completely blank for the month of July, perhaps indicating that the ruling could come any day now.

Vaccine Breakthrough Finds Antibody That Kills 91% Of HIV Strains

Another advance in the search for an HIV vaccine:

In a significant step toward an AIDS vaccine, U.S. government scientists have discovered three powerful antibodies, the strongest of which neutralizes 91% of HIV strains, more than any AIDS antibody yet discovered. Looking closely at the strongest antibody, they have detailed exactly what part of the virus it targets and how it attacks that site. The antibodies were discovered in the cells of a 60-year-old African-American gay man, known in the scientific literature as Donor 45, whose body made the antibodies naturally. Researchers screened 25 million of his cells to find 12 that produced the antibodies. Now the trick will be for scientists to develop a vaccine or other methods to make anyone's body produce them. That effort "will require work," said Gary Nabel, director of the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who was a leader of the research. "We're going to be at this for a while" before any benefit is seen in the clinic, he said.

There's been lots of encouraging HIV-related news this year, but of course many of these advances are years away from any human trials.

That Doesn't Make You A Model

I'm getting a Jason Stackhouse vibe from the singer.

The Anti-Gay Gay Icon?

The New York Times has somehow declared GOP closet case Rep. Aaron Schock to be a gay icon, despite his track record of opposing LGBT rights.

As for his personal life, Mr. Schock is single and opposed to gay marriage, and he has told reporters that he is not gay. In the interview in his office, he mentioned a former girlfriend. He also said that while he is passionate about all issues, the social ones are “not what compelled me to run for office.” “Your belief system tends to be a function of how you were raised,” Mr. Schock said. “Being raised in the Midwest and in a relatively conservative household, my views were shaped by my upbringing, by my Christian faith.” So, how did he feel about joining the ranks of Liza Minnelli and Lady Gaga as a gay icon, albeit for the Washington set? He was quick to dismiss the frenzy, saying the pictures were just a distraction. As for those who admire his physique, “If they’re in my district, I’ll take votes wherever I can get them,” he said. “Who knew I could get this much attention with my shirt on?”

The story notes that Schock works out seven days a week. Hmm.

Quote Of The Day - Lord Rodger

"Just as male hetero­sexuals are free to enjoy themselves playing rugby, drinking beer and talking about girls with their mates, so male homosexuals are to be free to enjoy themselves going to Kylie concerts, drinking exotically-coloured cocktails and talking about boys with their straight female mates." - British Supreme Court Judge Lord Rodger, explaining the Tuesday's ruling that gay people have a right to asylum in the UK.

Anti-gay forces are already decrying the Court's decision, saying that "millions may falsely seek asylum" in Britain under the new rules. Thanks for the ruling, Lord Rodger, but please shut up now.

Daily Grumble

The selling point for a new gay club night in DC is that they play "nostalgia" dance oldies. OOH! Oh, wait. To them, nostalgia means music from 1997-2003. Sigh.

The Talking Feds

I have a feeling the Talking Heads didn't approve this, but you've got to admit it's well done.

Sharron Angle: If You Get Raped By Your Father, Turn Lemons Into Lemonade

"I think that two wrongs don't make a right. And I have been in the situation of counseling young girls, not 13 but 15, who have had very at risk, difficult pregnancies. And my counsel was to look for some alternatives, which they did. And they found that they had made what was really a lemon situation into lemonade. Well one girl in particular moved in with the adoptive parents of her child, and they both were adopted. Both of them grew up, one graduated from high school, the other had parents that loved her and she also graduated from high school. And I'll tell you the little girl who was born from that very poor situation came to me when she was 13 and said 'I know what you did thank you for saving my life.'" - Nevada teabagger Senate candidate Sharron Angle, on what she'd tell a girl who'd been raped by her father.

Stallions...de Amor

Here's the teaser for a gay soap opera series set to debut on the net in September. Its creator Efrain Shunior writes us:

It's called Stallions...de Amor and it stars some of the funniest people from the Groundlings and UCB here in Los Angeles. It's steamy, glamourous, and ridiculous--like all true soap operas. The story is based around solving the murder of Latina Matriarch Merlinda Stallion (the hilarious Drew Droege: Reno911, Planet Unicorn, Sarah Silverman Program) whose ghost comes back to help solve the crime!

Again With The Death Panels

Seriously, Gawker?

Today the above headline tops an article on Deadspin, the sports site owned by Gawker Media. According to author Drew Magary, NBA free agent LeBron James is a "goddamn cocksucker" for playing all the teams against each other in his bid to get the best deal. Homophobic language in sports is not surprising, but it IS a shocker coming from the otherwise gay-friendly Gawker empire, which employs many openly gay writers. Unbelievable.

Louis CK On His "Faggot" Episode

JMG reader Tallulah tips us to an NPR interview with Louis CK is which he discusses his recent Louie episode about the word "faggot." Louis says, "I don't think it matters" whether the etymological definition given on his show is accurate or not, "what matters is having the conversation." It's a great piece, start at around 18:00.

iBag - Get In It

The music sounds like Pomplamoose.

PhoboQuotable - Robert Knight

"Forcing open homosexuality on the armed forces would destroy the volunteer military and bring back the compulsory draft. Since women are now deployed close to combat, and the only legal reason they are not eligible is their combat exemption, a new draft could include our daughters. And some would face pressure to have on-base abortions in order to complete their tours of duty.

"Chaplains would be the first victims of Mr. Obama's homosexualization of the military, followed by anyone who violated 'zero tolerance' policies for homosexual acceptance. Bible-believing Christians would quickly find themselves unwelcome in Barney Frank's new pansexual, cross-dressing military. Other fallout includes family housing, reduction in retention, recruitment and unit cohesion, an increase in homosexual sexual assaults and a boost to overturning the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

"The military is a bastion of traditional values and symbolizes America's strength and independence. Opening the ranks to open homosexuality will accomplish the left's dream - undermining the military and transforming it into a wrecking ball against Judeo-Christian morality." - Coral Ridge Ministries douchenozzle Robert Knight, in an editorial published yesterday by the Moonie-owned Washington Times.

The All Marriage Equality World Cup

Several readers have written to note that Sunday's World Cup final will be between Holland and Spain and will be played in South Africa. All three nations grant full marriage equality rights to their LGBT citizens. That's pretty cool, eh?

UPDATE: A reader in Italy sends us his map of this year's World Cup participants and the status of marriage rights in each country. Embiggen for details.

ARGENTINA: Marriage Or Civil Unions?

Argentina's Senate advisory panel has rejected the marriage equality bill approved by the nation's lower chamber last month, but a civil unions bill may be approved next week by the full Senate. The marriage bill is not dead, however.

The Senate’s General Legislation Committee on Tuesday signed two resolutions: nine out of the Committee’s 15 members signed to reject a same-sex marriage bill supported by President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and her husband, Deputy Néstor Kirchner. The nine senators instead backed a civil union bill that does not include adoption rights. Six committee senators on Tuesday backed the same-sex bill passed by the Lower House. The Senate is due to debate the bills on Wednesday. If the same-sex marriage bill is rejected by the Senate, then the civil union bill would be debated and, if passed, it would then move for the first time to the Lower House. If the same-sex marriage bill garners a majority of votes in the Senate and no changes are introduced it would become law. If changes are introduced it would go back to the Lower House for it to consider them.

Yesterday NOM posted the following email from one their Argentine fans.

"I am working very hard in this campaign, yesterday we made a good first step in the Senate, we are raising money for good television spots and people all over the country are finally reacting. We are expecting more than 100,000 people for the march on 13th July, which is a good number for a social mobilization in our country."

Sarah Palin: You Don't Wanna Mess With The Mama Grizzlies

HomoQuotable - Aubrey Sarvis

"A number of service members have contacted SLDN to seek guidance on surveys concerning the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell -- the discriminatory law barring gay and lesbian service members from serving with integrity. At this time SLDN cannot recommend that lesbian, gay, or bisexual service members participate in any survey being administered by the Department of Defense, the Pentagon Working Group, or any third-party contractors.

"While the surveys are apparently designed to protect the individual's privacy, there is no guarantee of privacy and DOD has not agreed to provide immunity to service members whose privacy may be inadvertently violated or who inadvertently outs himself or herself. If a service member still wishes to participate, he or she should only do so in a manner that does not reveal sexual orientation." - Servicemembers Legal Defense Network executive director Aubrey Sarvis.

Lady Gaga Prompts Grammy Change

Lady Gaga's ineligibility for the 2009 Best New Artist Grammy has prompted a change in the rules going forward.

This rule came under scrutiny last year, when Lady Gaga – without doubt, 2009's biggest breakout act – proved ineligible for the Grammy that celebrates such success. Because Gaga's first single, Just Dance, was nominated for best dance recording in 2008, she no longer qualified as a new artist. Instead, the Zac Brown Band took home the big prize. It was "extremely challenging to change the rules", an academy spokesperson said. Under the revised rules, artists will now be eligible for the award unless they have previously released an album or already won a Grammy. Although it's too late for Lady Gaga, this is great news for Atlanta's Janelle Monáe, whose Many Moons single was nominated for (and lost) a 2009 Grammy. Her debut LP, The ArchAndroid, was released this year.

There was a time when winning Best New Artist was considered the kiss of death: Debby Boone, A Taste of Honey, Starland Vocal Band, Rickie Lee Jones, Christopher Cross....all essentially gone from the charts once they won.

Tired Old Queen At The Movies #39

1955's East Of Eden starring James Dean.

Open Thread Thursday

Good news only. What's going right in your life?

NOM's Hate Bus Is Rolling

NOM's 23-city hate tour kicks off next Wednesday in Augusta, Maine and the bus is on its way from Atlanta. Visit their Flickr page and drop off a sweet comment or two, if you'd like. We haven't heard much about any countering tour appearances by LGBT groups. Email me with your plans and I'll post them here.

UPDATE: ShowMeNoHate will stage an Action Against NOM in St. Louis when the hate bus rolls in on Thursday, August 5th.

NORTH CAROLINA: Atheist Billboard Vandalized, Fundie Website Cheers

Less than one week after it went up, a billboard from the North Carolina Secular Association was vandalized. The Friendly Atheist notes the resulting cheer that went up on World Net Daily, who exulted today in a column titled My Kind Of Vandals.

Just when I start believing there is no hope for our country I get a little reminder from my God that all is not lost. It was reported June 29 that a billboard sign sponsored by a North Carolina atheist organization had been vandalized. The ad reads, "One Nation Indivisible." It seems someone didn't think the sign was an accurate depiction of our Pledge of Allegiance, so the vandals inserted "Under God" with spray paint – and I couldn't be more relieved. It's nice to know that I am not alone in my beliefs and that some people are still willing to stand on the right side of truth. Never would I encourage vandalism, but in this case I think I'll let it slide. Atheists have been vandalizing my beliefs for years, so it's about time the shoe was on the other foot.[snip]

I also need to extend a thank you to some people in Sacramento and Detroit. In February, 10 atheist billboards were defaced in the Golden State and a slew of atheist bus ads were vandalized in Detroit. My dose of honesty this week: I am not happy that vandalism seems to be the only way to get an atheist's attention. I'm happy that I can count on other Christians to stand up for themselves and for Christians everywhere. It gives me hope.

Of course, World Net Daily would be screaming bloody murder if their Where's The Birth Certificate? billboards were vandalized.

Rock Stars Then And Now

Click over for a side-by-side comparison of how the last few decades have treated the world's most famous rock stars. Overall, the women, especially Debbie Harry and Pat Benatar, seem to have fared much better than the men. Sting, Bono, Springsteen, and Bowie all look pretty good too. Most of the others, not so much.

Today In Christian Higher Learning

Pam Spaulding provides the above highly scientific page from a textbook published by Bob Jones University. They are the Christian scientists of the future, people. Chapter 2 delves in the spooooky mystery of the tides: "God moves the water and that's all you need to know."

FINLAND: Three Men Arrested In Pepper Spray Attack On Helsinki Pride

Three men have been arrested and charged with a hate crime for unleashing pepper spray and smoke bombs during Helsinki's pride parade last weekend.

Officers are also looking for three other individuals suspected of participating in the assault. Over 30 people were hit by the spray. No one was seriously injured, however, some of the victims were children. Helsinki police officer Kari Aaltio said that the attack seemed to be meticulously planned. “First the perpetrators released smoke over the parade. Then they went around the block and attacked parade participants with the spray. At least two types of gases were used. The perpetrators were dressed in black.” Police are still looking for several other perpetrators. The suspects come from outside of Helsinki and are Finns. Police are trying to determine if they belong to a larger group.

Finland's President Tarja Halonen denounced the attack.

“This is a very unfortunate situation for those participating in the parade and for Finns. We are accustomed to respecting people's differences, both morally and of course under the law.” “Many countries put on a Pride festival. Finland had a good reputation in the past. Now it’s been delivered a harsh blow. This incident could result in the kind of brand we don't want,” she added. Halonen also expressed concern for the parade’s participants. ”It has taken decades of work for them to believe that we are on the side of human rights, and we value individuals' rights to choose their sexual orientation,” she said.

The assailants were caught on camera by a local television crew as they fled the scene.

(Tipped by JMG reader Roosa)

The Hunt For Lingle's Lady Friends Is ON

JMG reader Josh writes:

I thought your readers might just love this photo of us with Governor Lingle, taken at the Kailua Independence Day parade (held on July 5). This photo was taken just 24 hours before Governor Lingle vetoed the civil unions bill, and at the Independence Day parade, no less. The Governor spent 15 minutes posing for photos with a dozen representatives of PFLAG-Oahu, and treating us like human beings, even though she had decided a week ago to veto the civil rights bill and to call for a statwide vote on whether we should have relationship recognition. This is the new face of evil. Love the smile--she must be "comfortable" with her decision, all right.

Meanwhile the emails have been flying between highly-placed activists today as the hunt for any "lady friends" of the twice-divorced and gaydar-pinging Gov. Lingle heats up. Please email me with any tips or clues at JoeMyGod@gmail.com.

Lingle's term ends in December and her successor may be nutjob Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, seen below being "annointed in the Lord" at a Christianist voodoo ceremony in which they pledge to "break every weapon of the enemy."

Queen Lays Wreath At Ground Zero

After her address at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, Queen Elizabeth II endured the record-breaking heat to lay a wreath at Ground Zero. The New York Times gushes:

The small, white-haired monarch, wearing a flowered suit and white gloves, and with an elegant silk hat on her head, stepped out of her car just past 5:10 p.m., in the still-pulsating heat that had reached 103 degrees in Central Park, a whisper of wind riffling the air. Scores of camera-ready onlookers teetered on the perimeter of the rebuilding site, keen to catch sight of her. Not a bead of sweat on her face, Elizabeth inched her way past an honor guard, before being welcomed by Govs. David A. Paterson of New York and Christopher J. Christie of New Jersey and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Sarah, one of Mr. Christie’s children, handed the queen a bouquet.

Mayor Bloomberg reminded the Queen that New York City is named after her "first cousin, ten times removed." The Queen concluded her visit by cutting the ribbon at British Garden, a memorial to the 67 Brits killed on 9/11, the second-highest toll after Americans.

RUSH LIMBAUGH: Obama Created The Recession As Payback For Racism

TEXAS: Fan Falls From Upper Deck

A spectator miraculously survived a fall from the upper deck at a Texas Rangers game yesterday after he lunged for a foul ball, landing on fans on the field level. The fall wasn't captured on television, but the horrified reactions of the players and umpires tells the story.

PhoboQuotable - Slaggie Gilamonster

"I know something about the founding of NOM -- I was there. And this film and this claim is fantasy. NOM was not founded by Mormons as a secret front group. We have many valued members from the LDS Church since, but no member of the LDS Church hierarchy helped provide seed funding for NOM, or is responsible for NOM or what we did in California to get Prop 8 on the ballot.

"Gay rights activists believe they have the power to determine reality. If they say gay unions are marriages, it must be true. If they repeat the Big Lie that NOM is a Mormon front group, it must be true. I say this as a person who believes deeply that Mormons, like other Americans, have every right to participate in coalitions with others to promote core values in politics. But the relentless religious bigotry by gay activists against a religious minority with a long history of persecution in this country is shameful. The wallowing in fantasy (e.g., the belief that if they say it, it becomes true) is just sad." - Slaggie Gilamonster, responding to the documentary 8: The Mormon Proposition.

Rabid Raccoon Attack In Central Park

A woman was bitten by a presumably rabid raccoon in Central Park and today she tells New York Magazine her story.

I live on the Upper East Side. I was doing a little shopping on the Upper West Side and when I was done, decided to walk back through the park. But it was so gorgeous out, I stopped to enjoy it and read my book. So I'm sitting on a bench right on the 72nd Street Transverse, near the Mall and Bethesda Fountain. I was sitting there maybe 30 minutes ... and suddenly I felt something around my feet, and a sharp pang in my left ankle. I think I felt the presence of something first, because I remember thinking maybe it was a leaf or something, but then I felt the bite. My first thought was: Someone's dog. I looked down at my ankle and it was dripping blood.

When I got bit, it startled me, obviously, so I jumped — which caused two ladies walking by to turn and look. (I still wish I would have gotten their numbers or e-mails or something to thank them for their kindness. They were the ones that made me call 911; I was ready to slap a Band-Aid on it and be on my merry way.) One of them turned as they walked past and said, "Oh, it was a raccoon." She paused for a second and then said, "It didn't bite you, did it?" I stood up and showed them my ankle. Then I turned back to the bench, and sure enough there was the raccoon — sitting behind the bench near a bush.

She was treated with four rounds of rabies shots and is OK. But ZOMG I think she was sitting right where Dr. Jeff and I took a heat-stroke break on Monday. And then we walked home through the Ramble because our Seattle friend Jerry had never seen it. We barely escaped with our lives!

TORONTO: Anti-Israel Apartheid Activists Rile Some At Pride Parade

Queer United Against Israeli Apartheid marched behind their banner in Pride Toronto's parade on Sunday, angering some and forcing the police to intervene when members of the Jewish Defense League left their group and attempted to accost QUAIA.

Hot Chip To Play Central Park

Devo-esque gay favorites Hot Chip will play Central Park's Summerstage on August 4th. I was a little late getting to the Hot Chip party, but 2008's Ready For The Floor did it for me. You're my number one guy!

Headline Of The Day

Yeah, yeah, we're third graders.

Florida Quislings Get All Quislingy

South Florida's gay GOP club, the Sunshine Republicans, has endorsed Gov. Charlie "Closet Case" Crist for the U.S. Senate. But they are being shady about saying so, according to Shark Tank.

The Sunshine Republicans is a club that branched off from the local Log Cabin Republicans and is headed by Dr. Ben Lewis, Ph.D. The Vice President of the group is Nick Stone, and the Treasurer is Dr. Ronald Bullard, M.D. The group has told me a couple of times that they are not endorsing Governor Crist in the Senate race, yet I had to ask myself- what is the definition of an endorsement? When visiting the clubs website the button ‘our candidates’, the club openly promotes 3 Republican candidates, one being Governor Crist. Couple that with yesterday’s sponsoring of the Crist for Senate grassroots meeting, and the club distributing Charlie Crist bumper stickers at their last meeting, I think the case is clearly made as to who the club is effectively backing in the senate race.

Here's a clip from Sunshine Republicans vice president Nick Stone.

Uganda Beheading Story A Hoax

Jim Burroway at Box Turtle Bulletin reports today that yesterday's story about the beheading of a Ugandan LGBT activist was an apparent hoax planted by an anti-gay activist. Hit the BTB link for exhaustive examination of the scam.

HAWAII: Bigots Celebrate Bigotry

BRITAIN: Court Rules Gay Asylum Seekers Have A Right To Stay In The UK

Britain's Supreme Court has ruled that gay people who fear retribution in their home countries have a right to asylum in the UK. The decision involved two men from Iran and Cameroon who say they face physical harm should they be returned to their home countries. Via Pink News:

Lord Hope, who read out the judgment, said: "To compel a homosexual person to pretend that his sexuality does not exist or suppress the behaviour by which to manifest itself is to deny him the fundamental right to be who he is." An earlier Court of Appeal decision said the government could return the pair to their home countries on the basis that they could be discreet, despite homosexuality being illegal in both countries and HT suffering violence from his neighbours. The case was brought on behalf of the men by the London office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The men's lawyer, Iona Harding, of Baker & McKenzie, said: "This is an excellent result which will ensure that lesbian, gay and bisexual people receive the protection they are entitled to as refugees in the UK and are not expected to hide their identity in order to escape execution, long prison sentences or other forms of persecution."

Britain's new coalition government says it will institute new rules to stop the deportations of anybody who fears "imprisonment, torture or execution" in their home countries based on their sexual orientation.