Human League - Night People

Their first new single in a decade and this remix is by legendary French disco star Cerrone! Night People will be available on iTunes this Tuesday and the full-length Credo, their ninth studio album, comes out in March.

Tweet Of The Day - Tammy Bruce

Homocon radio host and GOProud board member Tammy Bruce has announced an all-out version of "Operation Bristol" to pay back the Democrats she claims mailed Briston Palin a package of talcum powder. Bruce: "If you don't have ATT phone get a friend who does & use their phone to text vote; vote online, call, & email. Go all out! Show the threatening, unhinged libprogs they will not succeed! A vote for Bristol is also a vote against hate."

Quote Of The Day II -Jimmy McMillan

"I would love to put on my website that the Board of Elections can suck my dick, I would love to do that, but I got little children going to my website, I can't do it, the motherfuckers. I would love to, before every one of them go to bed at night, suckin' my damn dick. That's what I'd love to put on my website. Every fuckin' one of them, you know." - Rent Is Too Damn High gubernatorial candidate Jimmy McMillian, who is suing New York for $350M because they left the word "damn" off his ballot line.

Pope OKs Condom Use For Male Hookers

In a bizarre interview with a German journalist, Emperor Palpatine has decreed for the first time that the usage of condoms is now sanctioned by the Catholic Church in "certain circumstances." The "for example" he uses? Male hookers!

To illustrate his apparent shift in position, Benedict offered the example of a male prostitute using a condom. "There may be justified individual cases, for example when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be ... a first bit of responsibility, to re-develop the understanding that not everything is permitted and that one may not do everything one wishes," Benedict was quoted as saying. "But it is not the proper way to deal with the horror of HIV infection." Benedict reiterated that condom use alone would not solve the problem of HIV/AIDS. "More must happen," he said. Becoming simply fixated on the issue of condoms makes sexuality more banal and exactly this is the reason why so many people no longer find sexuality to be an expression of their love, but a type of self-administered drug."

The interview will be published in book form and will be translated into 18 languages.

Pomplamoose For Hyundai

My favorite YouTube band landed a commercial.

Quote Of The Day - Boris Johnson

"One moment he might be holding forth to a great perspiring tent at Hay-on-Wye. The next moment, click, some embarrassed member of the Welsh constabulary could walk on stage, place some handcuffs on the former leader of the Free World, and take him away to be charged. Of course, we are told this scenario is unlikely. Dubya is the former leader of a friendly power, with whom this country is determined to have good relations. But that is what torture-authorising Augusto Pinochet thought. And unlike Pinochet, Mr Bush is making no bones about what he has done." - London Mayor Boris Johnson, saying Dubya runs the risk of arrest as a war criminal if he visits the UK.

(Via - Alan Colmes)

Barbara Bush: Palin Should Stay In Alaska

American Family Association On "Homosexual Special Rights" In Hospitals

Following up on today's press release denouncing a new federal rule allowing the partners of LGBT patients to visit them in hospitals, the American Family Association took their objections to their national radio show, which is broadcast on over 200 stations nationwide.

Today In Auto-Correct

(Source)

November 22nd In NYC: Broadway Stars To Perform In Benefit For Trevor Project

On Mondays, most Broadway houses are dark. But next Monday the stars of Broadway will gather for a special benefit performance for the Trevor Project. Lea DeLaria will host. Also scheduled to appear:

Betty Buckley, Ricky Ian Gordon, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Marc Kudisch, Aaron Lazar, John Tartaglia, Seth Rudetsky, Lea Delaria and Jeanine Tesori, as well as Emily Albrink, Jeff Blumenkrantz, Attila Joey Csiki of Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Jason Forbach, Constantine Germanacos, Joe Lodato, Matthew Morris, Todd Palmer, Kate Pazakis, Nurit Tilles, Erin Quill, Tony Yazbeck and Jennifer Zetlan.

Tickets are only $25! Betty Buckley! Get tickets here.

OLBERMANN REDUX: Joe Scarborough Suspended Over Political Donations

As they did with Keith Olbermann, MSNBC has suspended commentator Joe Scarborough over his political donations.

MSNBC said Friday that it is suspending “Morning Joe” co-host Joe Scarborough for two days after he acknowledged giving eight previously unknown $500 contributions to friends and family members running for state and local offices during his tenure at the network, a violation of parent NBC’s ban on political contributions by employees without specific permission from the network president. “I recognize that I have a responsibility to honor the guidelines and conditions of my employment, and I regret that I failed to do so in this matter,” Scarborough said in a statement. “I apologize to MSNBC and to anyone who has been negatively affected by my actions,” he said, adding that after he was made aware of some of the contributions, he called MSNBC President Phil Griffin “and agreed with Phil's immediate demand of a two-day suspension without pay.”

RELATED: Scarborough has been rumored as one-half of a potential 2012 presidential "odd couple" independent ticket with NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg as his running mate. The top name on that ticket changes depends on which rumor you're reading.

Joe Biden Mocks Palin's 2012 Chances

NEW YORK CITY: Guilty Verdict In Murder Of Gay College Student Kevin Pravia

Jeromie Cancel (above right) has been found guilty in the murder of Manhattan college student Kevin Pravia, who was strangled in his apartment by Cancel after the part allegedly met to conduct a drug deal in Union Square. The defense had implied "gay panic" as a reason for the murder. Duncan Osborne reports at Gay City News:

The trial opened on November 4 and the jury began deliberating late on November 17, broke for the day, and found the 24-year-old Cancel guilty of second-degree murder, the one charge he faced, before 11 a.m. on November 18. The defense said that Cancel was under the influence of an extreme emotional disturbance when he strangled the 19-year-old to death, but the jury clearly rejected that argument. Michael Alperstein, Cancel’s attorney, implied that his client’s emotional state was caused by a gay sex act between Cancel and Pravia. Alperstein called a psychiatrist and a psychologist who testified to Cancel’s troubled history, but neither witness said he was compelled by an extreme emotional disturbance during the crime.

Cancel faces 25 years to life in prison at his sentencing next month.

Black Gay News From No More Down Low

I posted the first episode of No More Down Low TV several weeks ago. This latest installment covers public displays of affection in the black gay community, the rise of YouTube star Antoine Dobson, and more. Part Two of this episode is here.

HomoQuotable - Dan Savage

"My husband and I have never had a threeway with a "stranger," Porno Pete. But if you prefer to picture the two of us getting with hot, sweaty, well-hung strangers when you're drafting a post/rubbing one out/living vicariously though us, go for it.

"As for my marriage—my monogamish marriage—it's lasted twice as long as Ronald Reagan's first marriage, longer than all but one of Newt Gingrich's three marriages (and soon it will have lasted longer than all three of Newt's marriages), and much, much longer than any one of Rush Limbaugh's four marriages.

"So forgive me, Porno Pete, but I kinda maybe think the two of us—me and the husband, still crazy in love after all these years—just might be doing something right." - Dan Savage, responding to yet another dumbass attack from Porno Pete LaBarbera.

Former GLAAD Head Neil Giuliano To Lead San Francisco AIDS Foundation

Former GLAAD president Neil Giuliano has been hired to head the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Giuliano replaces former SFAF CEO Mark Cloutier, who left in January to "work on federal and state health policy reform." Via press release:

“Neil is an experienced leader, broadly respected for bringing people and communities together and for his collaborative approach to solving tough problems,” said Dr. Lorna Thornton, Chair of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation board of directors. “His distinguished track record of accomplishments in the public and non-profit sectors is outdone only by his vision for the future — a future when HIV infection rates plunge in San Francisco and, eventually, everywhere.”

Prior to GLAAD, Giuliano was the four-term mayor of Tempe, Arizona.

Fox News Confirms: Heaven Is For Real

(Tipped by JMG reader David)

FDA Endorses Anal Cancer Vaccine

The FDA has endorsed the vaccine Gardasil as a preventive for anal cancer in young men and women. The drug prevents certain strains of HPV (human papillomavirus) which are known to cause various vaginal, penile, and anal cancers. To be effective, the vaccine must be administered at a young age before sexual activity and HPV infection occurs.

Men who have sex with other men are diagnosed with anal cancer at a higher rate than any other population, but in terms of overall numbers, more women get the disease than do men. Women account for approximately 60% of all cases. Like cervical cancer, anal cancer is strongly linked togher rate than any other population, but in terms of overall numbers, more women get the disease than do men. Women account for approximate several types of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. The Merck vaccine has been shown to effectively prevent the development of HPV in girls and young women, thereby preventing cervical cancer. The anal cancer studies that Merck presented to the FDA showed a similar positive outcome in the prevention of HPV in men.

Christianist groups like the Family Research Council have long opposed the use of Gardasil in pre-adolescent children, characterizing the drug as "the promiscuity vaccine" because it protects against a sexually transmitted disease. The FRC appears to have softened their stance recently, judging by their just-released fact sheet on Gardasil. However they continue to oppose the routine mass vaccination of school children.

(Tipped by JMG reader Bill)

Fox News Hosts Diss Sarah Palin

Unfortunately for them, someone in the control room was recording and leaked out the video.

British PM David Cameron - It Gets Better

(Tipped by JMG reader Vivian)

James Carville On President Obama

"If Hillary gave up one of her balls and gave it to Obama, he'd have two." - Democratic strategist James Carville, speaking about the president's commitment to the repeal of DADT. After Carville's comment was widely criticized, he fired back: "If I offended anybody, I am not sorry and I do not apologize."

GOP Birthers: Keep Obama Off 2012 Ballot

GOP state legislators swept into office in the midterm elections are using their new majorities to push bills that would require proof of American citizenship in order to be placed on state presidential ballots. Bills are now being readied in Pennsylvania, Texas, Arizona, and Georgia. The internet birther headquarters, Christianist site World Net Daily, is cheering them on.

Texas state Rep. Leo Berman told WND he's seen neither evidence nor indication that Obama qualifies under the Constitution's requirement that a president be a "natural-born citizen," a requirement not imposed on most other federal officers. "If the federal government is not going to vet these people, like they vetted John McCain, we'll do it in our state," he said. He noted the Senate's investigation into McCain because of the Republican senator's birth in Panama to military parents. Berman also said there will be pressure on any lawmaker who opposes the bill, since voters would wonder why they wouldn't want such basic data about a president revealed.

And he said even if one state adopts the requirement, there will be national implications, because other states would be alerted to a possible problem. "If Obama is going to run for re-election in 2012, he'll have to show our secretary of state his birth certificate and prove he's a natural-born citizen," he said. "This is going to be significant." Berman said he's convinced there are problems with Obama's eligibility, or else his handlers would not be so persistent in keeping the information concealed. A year ago, polls indicated that roughly half of American voters were aware of a dispute over Obama's eligibility. Recent polls, however, by organizations including CNN, show that roughly six in 10 American voters hold serious doubts that Obama is eligible under the Constitution's demands.

The president's birth certificate as well as Hawaiian newspaper birth announcements have been widely circulated, of course. But that doesn't matter to the birther loons, who clearly believe somebody planted those newspaper reports 49 years ago, just in case he ever became president.

The Superions - Crummy Christmas Tree

The Orlando-based Superions are a side project from B-52's frontman Fred Schneider. Their holiday album Destination: Christmas is now on sale.

UPDATE: JMG reader Hightemp suggests you might like this one better. I do.

Quote Of The Day - Gary Bauer

"From the standpoint of the Democratic Party, she did a great job of ramming their agenda down the throats of the House of Representatives. But in so doing, she has alienated a good bit of the American people, including those independent voters. I thought it was rather humorous that for weeks and weeks, there was a big sign outside the Republican National Committee that said 'Fire Nancy Pelosi' -- followed a day or so after the election with a big sign that said 'Hire Nancy Pelosi.'" - American Values founder and former GOP presidential candidate Gary Bauer, saying that Republicans are delighted that Pelosi was retained as leader of the House Democrats. Bauer was president of the Family Research Council for the ten years before Tony Perkins took over.

Murkowski Waffles On Her DADT Vote, Two Other GOP Senators May Be Onboard

Last night Sen. Lisa Murkowski characterized her position on the repeal of DADT as "indeterminate" despite earlier reports from Alaskan media that she'd indicated she would support the repeal. The second clip from Rachel Maddow, which also talks about potential GOP support from Sen. Dick Lugar and Sen. Susan Collins, was recorded before Murkowski backtracked to CNN. The bottom clip is what Murkowski said to an Alaska station before she got wishy-washy.

What The American Public Knows

(Via - Andrew Sullivan)

Adele - Someone Like You

Grammy winner Adele appeared on the UK's Later...with Jools Holland to debut a new single from her upcoming sophomore release, which is due in January. She's only 22.

NOM Thinks You're Mentally Ill

Good As You points out the above diatribe from NOM's Facebook moderator Louis Marinelli. So much for NOM's incessant protestations that they aren't anti-gay, that they totally respect LGBT people, etc etc.

He's A Hoopy Frood Who Really Knows Where His Towel Is (And Has Been)

This is actually an ad for this nonsensical product. NSFW.

American Family Association And Liberty Counsel Object To Hospital Rights For Gays

"Certainly there are Catholic hospitals and Baptist hospitals that recognize homosexual behavior as sinful behavior and they do not want to take part in affirming homosexual sin under the strong arm of the government." - Liberty Counsel spokesbigot Matt Barber, objecting to new federal rules which stipulate that any hospital that receives Medicare or Medicaid funding must allow LGBT patients to be visited by their partners. The rule goes into effect in 60 days. The American Family Association calls the rule "special visitation rights" under the headline "Fed To Hospitals: Go Gay Or Go Broke."

As unbelievably cruel as it may sound, God's Gentle Loving People™ are actually publicly saying that gay people should die alone without their loved ones by their sides. I can't think of a single thing more vile or detestable. Or one that more perfectly encapsulates the vicious nature of American Christianism.

UPDATE: The American Family Association has added the below poll to the above-linked story.

A Message From Transport Canada

(Via - AmericaBlog)

Democratic Senators Hold Press DADT Conference: We Will Get This Done

Joe Biden On DADT

Lieberman : We Have The DADT Votes

This afternoon Sen. Joe Lieberman said that there are more than enough votes to repeal DADT in the Senate. Via Wonk Room:

“I am confident that we have more than 60 votes prepared to take up the Defense authorization with the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ if only there will be a guarantee of a fair and open amendment process, in other words, whether we’ll take enough time to do it,’ Lieberman said, naming GOP Sens. Susan Collins and Richard Lugar as ‘Yes’ votes. “Time is an inexcusable reason not to get this done.”

Also from Wonk Room comes word that Sen. Lisa Murkowski told a local Alaska news station that she would support the repeal. Reporters are awaiting confirmation of that from Murkowski's office.

TEXAS: Possible Gay Panic Defense In Murder Of 18 Year-Old Student

Texas police have charged a 19 year-old student with murder after he led investigators to the beaten and burned body of 18 year-old fellow student Joshua Wilkerson (left). The suspect claims the pair fought after Wilkerson made sexual advances on him.

The suspect, identified as Hermillo Moralez, beat Joshua Wilkerson to death with a large wooden object sometime Tuesday afternoon, according to court records from Brazoria County. The 19-year-old then burned the teenager's body. Moralez told investigators Wilkerson gave him a ride in his truck after school and sometime later, the victim "began to come on to him in a sexual manner," according to a probable cause document. Moralez said he hit Wilkerson and the two got out of his truck and fought. Moralez was previously a person of interest in the investigation when he was seen loitering in the area of Joshua Wilkerson's abandoned vehicle, according to a Pearland Police Department statement.

According to a local ABC station, after a handcuffed Moralez led police to Wilkerson's body, he attempted to pull a detective's gun from its holster and make an escape. Those two felonies will be added to the murder charges. He is being held without bond. News reports have not speculated as to whether Wilkerson was gay.

(Tipped by JMG reader Tarick)

Two Minutes Of Crazy

Televangelist/con artist/homophobe Cindy Jacobs tells an audience of college students that she has personally "stationed angels all around this church" in order to "pierce the darkness of humanism and atheism." As a bonus in crazy, nasty homophobe Lou Engle comes on stage to babble in tongues and encourage the students to do the same. Mekka-lekka hi there!

GOP Negotiation Tactics

(Via - Ezra Klein)

HRC's Fred Sainz On Mormon Church's So-Called Change Towards Gays

Much noise is being made about the Mormon Church's so-called softer position on homosexuality. HRC's Fred Sainz went on MSNBC to talk about it, but Pride In Utah, who has read the new Mormon Handbook, says don't believe the hype.

Quote Of The Day - Sarah Palin

"Did you ever wonder where the producers of American Idol come up with the seemingly endless supply of people who can't sing but are deluded enough to get up in front of a national television audience and screech out a song anyway?" - Sarah Palin, from her coming book America By Heart.

GOProud Vs. Concerned Women

As part of their hilarious campaign of asking the anti-gay teabaggers they endorsed to not be so darn anti-gay, yesterday GOProud's Jimmy LaSalvia battled Wendy Wright from Concerned Women for America, who shot holes in LaSalvia's argument.

Donald Trump: If Sarah Palin Really Runs For President, I Might Too To Stop Her

Donald Trump says he's not really all that interested in running for president, but the threat of a President Palin might force him into the race.

On Thursday's edition of Good Morning America, Trump said "it could be fun" to mount a run for the White House because he'd "like to see some positive things happen for the country." He also spoke out on the possibility of facing off against former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, who signaled this week she's seriously considering running for president in the next election cycle. "She's very interesting," explained Trump. "And don't underestimate her. I mean, I see what she does. Do not underestimate Sarah Palin."

Trump also says that he's the person that would "stand up to China." If both Trump and Bloomberg both throw their hats in, we could see our first billionaire versus billionaire campaign. Television stations are surely hoping, hoping, hoping.

Joe Biden - It Gets Better

"There's not a single thing about you that's not normal, good and decent." And this: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Don't give your consent."

Tony Perkins: So Many Will Quit Over DADT, The Draft Will Be Reinstated

Family Research Council president Tony Perkins says that because the military is primarily made up of blacks, Latinos, and people from rural areas, President Obama will be forced to reinstate the draft if DADT gets repealed. Because everybody knows blacks, Latinos, and folks from rural areas are totally anti-gay and they'll all quit rather than serve alongside homos.

The military is not a red state/blue state institution. It unifies our country. It draws its dedicated members from all regions. Still, it is no secret that the military is a socially conservative institution. It recruits heavily from rural areas in the South, the Midwest, and the Inter-Mountain states. In our larger cities, black and Hispanic recruits are encouraged to consider the military — which has historically been a great ladder of achievement for racial and ethnic minorities. These are the very areas and groups who have been most resistant to the demands of the homosexual lobby. These are the very regions and groups who have rallied to our side whenever we put a defense of marriage initiative on the ballot. If these regions and groups do not enlist in our all-volunteer force, President Obama will be driven to the place he does not want to go: the military draft. No action on repeal of the military ban on homosexuality should be taken in this lame-duck session of Congress. No votes should be taken — except to postpone major social changes.

One gets the sense that Perkins thinks the repeal might actually happen.

Stars Speak Out On LGBT Homelessness

This month's celebrity-filled edition of Cyndi Lauper's We Give A Damn project includes Susan Sarandon, Alan Cumming, Pete Wentz, Rebecca Romijn, and Eden Riegel speaking out on LGBT youth homelessness.

Patti Smith Wins National Book Award For Memoir Of Life With Robert Mapplethorpe

Punk legend Patti Smith has won the National Book Award for Just Kids, her "sweetly evocative" memoir of her life with the late legendary gay photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

Accepting the award to applause and cheers, Ms. Smith — clearly the favorite of the night — choked up as she recalled her days as a clerk in the Scribner’s bookstore in Manhattan. “I dreamed of having a book of my own, of writing one that I could put on a shelf,” she said. “Please, no matter how we advance technologically, please don’t abandon the book. There is nothing in our material world more beautiful than the book.” “Just Kids” was published by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Here's Smith speaking about the book at the New York Public Library earlier this year.

DADT Study Co-Chair: No Early Release

The Wonk Room reports that the co-chair of the DADT survey today told Sen. Carl Levin that the survey will not be released in advance of its scheduled December 1st debut, despite all the leaks.

Mr. Chairman, I think it will take until the first of December. The key factor remaining for us in the review group is to receive the review and comment by the Service Chiefs and service secretaries, which is ongoing. We anticipate their comments soon, Mr. Johnson and I will review those comments, make final adjustments to the report, which is currently in draft form and deliver to the Secretary of Defense on 1 December.

Golden Revenge On A Bully

From today's Ask Reddit, which queries the Reddit community on legal issues.

Question: A relative of a close friend helped a school bully drink piss, and now the family is suing. Is he liable?

Background: Relative of a close friend (we'll call him Todd) carried Mountain Dew in his backpack to school every day. For a few weeks, this bully ("Brian") would go in his bag, say fuck you, and drink the Mountain Dew. Fed up with this and being a cunning lad, last Tuesday Todd drinks the Mountain Dew before class, and pisses in the bottle. Brian drank the piss, shat brix, and Todd emerged the victor that day. Now, Brian's family is threatening to sue, claiming Todd endangered Brian's health. Todd's family is apparently shitting and scrambling to collect character references for Todd from teachers, letters from doctors saying urine isn't harmful, and generally thinking their son is a psycho. I applaud Todd and think that he should walk into court holding a bottle of piss, it's freedom of expression, some people like piss filled bottles, but IANAL.

Edit: The school became aware of the incident when it happened. I believe Todd was suspended for a short period of time. The principal is actually instructing Brian's parents to press charges because the school doesn't want to get further involved

The Reddit folks are split on the question, with some saying that "the trap" set by the bullied kid makes him liable.

Brothers & Sisters- It Gets Better

Sally Field joins the cast and crew of Brothers & Sisters for their It Gets Better message.

Will Sen. Mark Kirk Vote Against DADT Repeal In Senate Like He Did In House?

Senator-elect Mark Kirk (R-IL) will be seated on November 29th, putting him in the unique position of being able to vote on the repeal of DADT twice. Earlier this year as a House member, he infuriated LGBT supporters and reversed his previously pro-gay record by voting against the repeal, a move most said was a transparent attempt to pander votes from his teabagger opponent. Today NBC Chicago calls on Kirk to return to his socially liberal roots.

Since Democrats will hold a 58-42 majority during the lame-duck session, Reid needs two Republican votes to prevent a filibuster. Kirk has a chance to make up for his last vote, and regain his reputation as one of the few pro-gay Republicans in Washington. The Pentagon is expected to release a report on Dec. 1, saying that allowing gays to serve openly will not harm military morale. Kirk could use that as cover for changing his position. Kirk was a socially liberal congressman when he represented his North Shore district, but swung to the right during the Senate campaign, leading one commentator to call him “an ideological windsock.” The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell vote will be Illinois’s first chance to find out what kind of senator we elected: the independent voice we saw in Congress, or the partisan hack we saw during the campaign.

Two Gay Dads By Glenn Beck

Well, that's what Buzzfeed thinks it looks like.

No No No No No No NO!

Former JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater fancies himself a rapper. Here's a snippet of his single, I'm Steven Slater, Bitches. Make it stop, please.

Tons Of Remixed Sequins

Glee Cast's Gay Cover Of Teenage Dream Debuts At #1 Digital, #8 Billboard Pop

The Glee cast's cover of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, sung memorably on last week's episode from one boy to another, has debuted at #8 on Billboard's top ten, becoming the highest debuting single of the show to date. The single has also bowed at #1 on the Digital Sales chart with 214,000 downloads in one week, become the show's first chart topper ever. Again, a love song sung from one gay boy to another is number freakin' ONE in the country.

Murkoswski Dodges DADT Question

We're glad she beat that teabagger whackadoodle, but Sen. Lisa Murkowski still bobs and weaves under direct questioning like any typical Republican.

Taiwan's Animators Cover TSA Story

I'm trying really hard (but mostly failing) to get all revved up about the "national outrage" on TSA scanning and searches.

Maddow On Today's DADT Actions

Tired Old Queen At The Movies #58

1954's The Naked Jungle, starring Charlton Heston and Eleanor Parker.

Open Thread Thursday

Speaking of gay coffins, what are your plans for disposing of your body?

CNN On DWTS Teabagger Cheating

Jeannie Moos edited out 99% of Kevin DuJan's dumbass and racist commentary, which is really too bad in a way. Note how DuJan sent them a photo from a previous century.

Prop 8 Appeal To Be Televised

Rex Wockner tips us to a major development in next month's appeal of the overturn of Proposition 8 before the Ninth Circuit Court.

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Notice of Docket Activity
The following transaction was entered on 11/17/2010
Case Name: Kristin Perry, et al v. Arnold Schwarzenegger, et al
Case Number: 10-16696

[snip]

C-SPAN applied to televise live the case captioned above, scheduled to be heard in San Francisco, on December 6, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. C-SPAN's request to televise live is GRANTED. A maximum of two (2) video cameras will be permitted in the courtroom. C-SPAN will serve as the pool-feed for all media organizations that submit an application.

As you may recall, the first hearing of Perry Vs. Schwarzenegger was to have been broadcast on YouTube, but Protect Marriage rushed to the Supreme Court to prevent that because they didn't want their witnesses to become national laughingstocks. Let's see if they try that again.

Bush 41 To Get Medal Of Freedom

Former President George H.W. Bush will be among 14 recipients of the Medal Of Freedom, the highest civilian honor granted by the United States.

President Obama will present the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to former president George H. W. Bush and 14 others with careers in politics, the arts, business and sports. In a statement, Mr. Obama said the award recipients “have lived extraordinary lives that have inspired us, enriched our culture, and made our country and our world a better place. I look forward to awarding them this honor.” The award is presented to individuals who have made “especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors,” according to a press release from the White House.

Included among the other recipients are German Chancellor Angela Merkel, civil rights activist John Lewis, billionaire investor Warren Buffet, poet Maya Angelou, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Tweet Of The Day - Sen. Harry Reid

Interesting move. Certain to be filibustered by the GOP, I'm betting. The DREAM Act has been languishing in Congress for ten years thanks to Republican opposition.

Virginia AG Ken Cuccinelli: Christian Celebrations Are OK On Public Property

Saying that he has divined the original intent of the writers of the U.S. Constitution, teabagger Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has decreed (PDF) that Christians may now use public property, included their government offices, to declare and celebrate their faith. The Liberty Counsel exults:

In a detailed opinion, Cuccinelli shed light on the original intent of both the United States and Virginia Constitutions in regards to freedom of religion and concluded that the “establishment of religion” clause does not, in fact, compel local governments to restrict religious speech on public property. He further stated that the local governments themselves may recognize such religious holidays as Christmas, as long as religious symbols are accompanied by secular ones. Cuccinelli addressed an issue that many Christian employees face throughout the year, dealing with the right of public employees to display religious artwork or symbols in their offices. He concluded that only under certain limited conditions could the government restrict the religious speech of its employees.

That sound you hear is thousands of photos of Jeebus being hung on the walls of local town halls, DMV offices, classrooms, and court houses.

Bryan Safi Wants To Be On The A-List

President Obama Lobbies Sen. Carl Levin To Keep DADT In DOD Authorization Bill

Chris Geidner reports at Metro Weekly that President Obama has called Sen. Carl Levin to encourage him to fight efforts to strip the repeal of DADT from the defense authorization bill.

This afternoon, White House spokesman Shin Inouye told Metro Weekly that President Obama had spoken with one of the Senate leaders of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal -- Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) -- about the provision's inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act. Inouye wrote, "Today, President Obama called Chairman Levin to reiterate his commitment on keeping the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in the National Defense Authorization Act, and the need for the Senate to pass this legislation during the lame duck." He added, "The President's call follows the outreach over the past week by the White House to dozens of Senators from both sides of the aisle on this issue."

UPDATE: The below press release just came in from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, noting a joint press conference to be held tomorrow morning with nine Democratic Senators and pro-repeal LGBT groups. The purpose of the press conference is to urge other Senators to support the repeal vote.

ALASKA: GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski Declared Winner Over Teabagger Joe Miller

Sen. Lisa Murkowski has become the first person elected to the Senate via a write-in campaign since SC Sen. Strom Thurmond did it 56 years ago. Alaska election officials declared Murkoswki the winner today after it became clear that her lead could not be overcome by the remaining uncounted ballots. Teabagger Joe Miller has threatened to sue for a recount, but it seems that may not happen, based on the near-final tally. However he hasn't conceded as of this writing.

CNN is calling Murkowski's win a "huge black eye" for Miller-backer Sarah Palin, who was eviscerated by Murkowski yesterday.

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowki told CBS News' Katie Couric today that she would not support Sarah Palin for president because Palin lacks the "leadership qualities" and "intellectual curiosity" to craft great policy. "You know, she was my governor for two years, for just about two years there, and I don't think that she enjoyed governing," Murkowski said. "I don't think she liked to get down into the policy." The Alaska senator added that she prefers a candidate who "goes to bed at night and wakes up in the morning thinking about how we're going to deal with" important issues.

GOProud's Tammy Bruce: Willow Palin Isn't A Homophobe Because Gay Men In WeHo Call Each Other "Faggot" Too

CORRECTION: The below quote is from GOProud board member Tammy Bruce, not their chairman Chris Barron as I first posted. This is first time I've seen Bruce speak on their behalf, hence my error.

TMZ went to GOProud for their opinion on homophobic language. That in itself is hilarious. At least TMZ put them in their place.

GOProud just told TMZ, "The slur used here is one you could hear on the streets of West Hollywood or Chelsea every day of the week. Apparently, it's only a homophobic slur when it comes from the daughter of a conservative female leader." We beg to differ. See here, here, here and here. The group adds, "Make no mistake; this is all about destroying Sarah Palin by any means necessary."

Yeah. We're gonna destroy Sarah Palin via her daughter's Facebook page. If only.

UPDATE: Tammy Bruce has posted this additional statement to GOProud's site.

“The angry misogynistic left and their accomplices in the main stream media have been unable to take down Governor Palin – no matter how hard they have tried. Unable to take her down directly they now have decided to try to hurt her by attacking the most important thing in her life – her family. Any person, gay or straight, who participates in this cheap political smear should be ashamed of themselves.”

I guess GOProud figured they better let their token female speak on this bit of "misogyny." Meanwhile their executive director Jimmy LaSalvia spoke on MSNBC today about outlawing abortion. No contradiction there, right?

Rep. Nancy Pelosi Re-Elected Leader Of House Democrats

But 43 Democrats voted against her.

Officials said that Ms. Pelosi defeated Representative Heath Shuler of North Carolina in an internal party vote, 150 to 43. Mr. Shuler acknowledged before the vote that he had no chance to win, but he wanted to give disgruntled Democrats a chance to register their opposition to Ms. Pelosi’s leadership just the same. Earlier on Wednesday, the House Democrats defeated a motion to delay the leadership election by a vote of 129 to 68. The 68 votes in favor of a delay showed the fractures in the caucus over Ms. Pelosi continuing as the party’s leader. Representative Peter DeFazio of Oregon, one of those pushing for a delay, said he believed the vote sent a substantial message.

Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD) is expected to become House Minority Whip.

HomoConQuotable - Kevin DuJan

"Okay, just taped a phone segment with Jeannie Something or Another on the phone…it’s going to air during [CNN's] Situation Room. I have no idea how they are going to edit it, so I assume they are going to try to make me sound stupid, but whatever. The reporter kept telling me how unfair it is that I’m encouraging people to vote for Bristol 50-60, or 10,000 times. I told her that it’s funny whenever the Left talks about voting being unfair regarding anything, considering the rampant voter fraud Democrats engage in on a daily basis, particularly the Obama campaign in 2008.

"I talked about the voter fraud in Iowa, the Black Panthers in Philly, and all the George Soros Secretaries of State projects where the goal is to allow criminals, illegals, and the dead to vote for Democrats. So, the Left gets mad at me for encouraging voting for Bristol on Dancing, but they don’t care at all about voter fraud in our actual elections…they think it’s cute and funny, actually. CNN didn’t like that and kept saying I was encouraging people to 'cheat' which made me talk more about Democrat voter fraud. They didn’t like that." - Homocon Hillbuzz founder Kevin DuJan, who was busted today by gossip site Jezebel for instructing teabaggers on how to thwart ABC's email voting system.

Commenters on Hillbuzz, Conservatives 4 Palin, and other sites reported being able to vote up to hundreds of times each using DuJan's tips. DuJan's cheating plot is now being reported across most news outlets including the New York Times and the Washington Post, with some calling on ABC to respond. His CNN appearance is scheduled for around 6pm this afternoon.

Gay-Themed Coffins On Sale On Germany

And here you thought that rainbow Xmas tree was the most horrible thing you'd see today.

Funeral directors in Germany are bidding for the pink pound - by launching coffins specially designed for gay customers. The caskets feature homoerotic artwork on the outside and come with a series of tastefully luxurious plush designer interiors, say makers Mike Konigsfeld and Tom Brandl in Cologne, Germany. The designers - who have lived together for more than 10 years - say the images of muscular young men in classical poses are the perfect way to send off a loved one. "Naturally there were some people who threw their hands up in horror when we had them on display in the window but they are tasteful and beautiful - like our customers," explained Mike.

Aaand cue the Freepers.

-"Discount for friends of the deceased who were infected by him with AIDS?"
-"I think the high-end one comes with an eternal flaming."
-"That will give archaeologists something to chuckle over in 1,000 years. ‘Don’t open that one George, no telling what they died of."
-"Most gay men only live to about age 40 or so. This article is telling us that gay men are not living long and that 'gay coffins' are in big demand. This is not good news for the gay community. This means their deathstyle is bringing their numbers lower. They are planning their funeral, when just a year ago they were planning their 'gay wedding'."

SYDNEY: Kylie Minogue Flash Mob

Featuring local drag stars Joyce Maynge and Auntie Mavis. Huge number of participants by the end and they even use a snippet of my favorite Kylie track.

Shit Robot - Take 'Em Up

Nicely understated electro featuring LCD Soundsystem vocalist Nancy Whang, who gets rotoscoped through the unlovely landscape of Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Daily Grumble

As I presume many people who live alone do, I talk to the cat. All day. Usually it's just things like "How are you doing?" and "WHAT are you doing!" and "Down!" But last night I put on my coat and paused at the door to ask if she needed anything from the store. SRSLY.

Photo Of The Day - Gay Xmas Trees

Treetopia is running a billboard in Los Angeles advertising their dreadful rainbow Xmas tree. From the product description on their site, which is "written" by the tree itself:

My first home was in a Vacation Bible School classroom where the students were learning all about Noah's Ark and God's promise to never again destroy the earth. Life was full of love; children sat close to me to be around the happiness that comes from rainbows and Christmas. I got to play the rainbow in all the church pageants. I was happy. But one day the new minister's wife ran in screaming, "That tree is a bad influence on my little boy!!!" She pointed a shaking finger at me, and two burly members of the congregation picked me up and put me in a closet-like box. I didn't understand what the uproar was about. After all, I'm Just a Rainbow Tree. A few months and a cross country trek later, those closet doors were thrown open and I alighted onto the floor of a thrift store in San Francisco. A crowd gathered around; their "oohs" and "aahs" and "Fabulous!" escalated until they hoisted me onto their shoulders. I was paraded up and down Castro Street, and soon a line formed behind me as we sang "Somewhere over the Rainbow". I was so overwhelmed by the immediate acceptance and love that I just burst into tears.

Proud sobbing rainbow trees are available for $229.

(Tipped by JMG reader Dr. Jeff)

NEW YORK CITY: Marine Corps Wrestles Name Back From Gay Holiday Toy Drive

For 25 years one of the glitziest events on NYC's homo holiday calendar has been the Toys For Tots party at Chelsea Piers, where the gay glitterati gather to booze, schmooze, and deliver mountains of new toys for the city's needy kids. As a Marine brat who went to USMC Toys For Tots events back in the 60's, I've always thought it was neat that the Marines let the gays use their famous (and trademarked) 63 year-old name for the event. Well, that's over.

A glitzy "Toys for Tots" charity party underwent a name change Tuesday after a stern reprimand from the Marines. The annual bash at Chelsea Piers is organized by gay men, not the U.S. Marine Corps, which uses the name for its own well-known toy drive. The Marines, which will field 1 million requests for toys in the city this year, doesn't get donations from the party, which draws A-listers like Mayor Bloomberg. "I want people to understand that when they donate to Toys for Tots that they are donating to the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program and the reputation it carries with that name," said Staff Sgt. Ivan Lebron, coordinator of the Toys for Tots NYC campaign.

The creator of the Chelsea Piers event says that he just "pulled the name out of a hat" back in 1985. Right. The new name for the gay event, which will take place as planned on December 3rd, is "Holiday Gifts for Children and Seniors." Oy.

Hillary Clinton Invokes States Rights When Asked About Marriage Equality

Speaking on a broad range of issues before an audience of young Australians, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton fielded a question on marriage equality by saying that while she has not supported marriage equality in the past, she does support civil unions and American states "taking actions that they believe reflects the evolution of attitudes about this." Disappointing. The marriage question comes at 2:30.

HomoQuotable - Robin McGehee

"Only two short days after being arrested for chaining myself to the White House fence and asking my President why he hasn’t fulfilled his promise of equality, I’ll pass through the same gate and by those familiar guard shacks today to meet with Brian Bond, Deputy Director of the Office of Public Engagement. I accepted Mr. Bond’s request for a meeting, but let me be clear – I don’t, for a second, plan on backing down.

"Not for a second will I be talked out of fighting for my community’s equality because of political pressure or the fear of not being invited back. Instead, I plan on following in the footsteps of Rep. Luis Gutierrez, an elected leader who showed the courage to fight for what he believed in by being arrested because of the lack of leadership other elected leaders are showing on immigration reform. As Rep. Guiterrez did yesterday, I too will honor the meeting they requested with me, but I won’t honor any closed-door attempts to quiet a community starving for their dignity and their equality." - GetEQUAL's Robin McGehee, via AmericaBlog.

[Photo credit: Rex Wockner]

Beauty Pageants For Boys

Just as creepy as the pageants for little girls.