Saturday, March 12, 2011

The Facebook Song

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The Elvis Burger

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JAPAN: Nuclear Power Plant Explodes

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Morning View - Pine Street

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TONIGHT: Honey Soundsystem's SPKR

Tonight I'll be attending a fundraiser party for San Francisco's GLBT Historical Society.
SPEAKER will feature five significant venues from San Francisco’s timeline: I Beam, End Up, Trocadero Transfer, Townsend, and The Box. These parties and the personalities gravitating around them will be portrayed as a multimedia family tree – telling the tales of notorious Sunday Tea Dances, a sexually charged and libertine rave culture, and the emergence of a global authority on dance music for the present generation. The GLBT Historical Society Archives, private donors, and newly commissioned photography will be used to weave together a concise narrative for SPEAKER. A poster and audio documentary will be produced to showcase select media from the show. After the event the show will be open for a public viewing of all media and collateral on March 12th and 13th..
Original Trocadero Transfer DJs Bobby Viteritti and Steve Fabus will perform. Should be amazing. Advance tickets here.

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Quote Of The Day - Tony Perkins

"Never underestimate the power of a few committed Christians! Just a few hours ago, the Maryland same-sex 'marriage' bill went from the verge of passage to crushing defeat. In an overwhelmingly Democratic Assembly, this is victory of gigantic proportions. Once again, it signals that even the most liberal states are not on board with the agenda to redefine marriage. FRC's Peter Sprigg, who testified against the bill in both chambers, was instrumental in pointing out the harms of same-sex 'marriage.' As he said, the confidence of the homosexual community is clearly misplaced.

"The opposition to this legislation, even from one its former cosponsors, shows the groundswell of resistance that exists in Maryland and beyond. This is in no small part due to the effort of FRC allies, Bishop Harry Jackson and Derek McCoy, who took such a courageous stand. Our thanks go out to everyone in the state who worked against all odds to protect the sanctity of marriage. It does make a difference!" - Family Research Council head Tony Perkins, via press release.

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#Haas11

I'm in San Francisco for a Haas Fund-sponsored conference on immigration equality, LGBT youth homelessness and suicide prevention. Pretty much every LGBT journalist/blogger you've probably heard of is here in the room with me. You can follow the conference live on Twitter via the hashtag #Haas11.

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EX-GAY FALSEHOODS: Truth Wins Out Rips Lisa Ling's Pray Away The Gay Show

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Maryland TV On Marriage Battle

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Friday, March 11, 2011

Maryland Marriage Failure Reactions

Equality Maryland
While we are disappointed the House did not vote to pass marriage equality today, we are confident we will win in the future. With so much at stake today for thousands of Maryland families, we are thankful that our legislative allies have taken such care with this vote. It is best to delay this historic vote until we are absolutely sure we have the votes to win. We look forward to working strategically with our amazing allies in the legislature, and our supporters across the state, to continue to build support for, and win, marriage equality in the Free State. We are extraordinarily grateful to the many leaders who have stood by us throughout this journey. We wouldn't have made it this far without their tireless dedication.
Lambda Legal
On behalf of many same-sex couples and their families who seek equality, we are disappointed by the Maryland House’s failure today to finish the job started by the Senate last month. But this is not the end. We commend the state Senators who passed the Civil Marriage Protection Act and the House Delegates who have staunchly supported marriage equality. We urge the House to soon bring the bill to a successful vote and give critical protections to Maryland's thousands of same-sex couples and their families. We applaud Equality Maryland for its tireless and ongoing work for Maryland families. Thousands of same-sex couples in Maryland are still not allowed to get married in their home state and must travel out of state to better protect their families.

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Afternoon View - Ferry Building

I'm back in San Francisco for a few days.

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MARYLAND: Marriage Bill Dies In House

It wasn't going to pass so it was "sent back to committee."
The Maryland House of Delegates has voted to effectively kill for this year a bill that would have allowed same-sex marriage in Maryland. The House approved on voice vote a motion to send the bill back to the Judiciary Committee, an acknowledgment by supporters that it did not have sufficient votes to pass on the floor. The bill cleared the Senate two weeks ago on a 25-to-21 vote, and Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) had pledged to sign it.
Very disappointing. NOM is doing backflips and taunting on Twitter.

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Quote Of The Day - Pastor Tim LaHaye

"The Bible tells us in Matthew 24 that one of the signs of the last days – one of the birth pangs to occur – is an increase in earthquake activity and intensity. We're seeing that happen here. It's not just earthquakes, but hurricanes and all kinds of natural disasters. Indeed, in Matthew 24:4-14, Jesus tells His disciples in response to questions about His second coming and the end of the age." - Pastor Tim LaHaye, author of the best selling Left Behind series, saying that today's earthquake in Japan is part of the End Times.

RELATED: LaHaye and his wife are visiting Hawaii today and as a precaution they were evacuated to the top floor of his hotel, where he says he "feels safe" now the the tsunami threat has subsided. Hang on, didn't this guy write 16 books about the glory of being raptured? What's he so afraid of?

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Blocked

Maybe he got tired of me always misquoting him by posting screen caps of his tweets.

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TRAILER: Becoming Chaz

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HomoQuotable - David Starkey

"It seems to me that what we are doing is producing a tyrannous new morality that is every bit as oppressive as the old. The way to [handle this] is not to ban them, not to fine them. It is for them simply to put up what seems to me to be a quite proper notice in a small privately run hotel which says we are Christians and this is what we believe. Otherwise, we are as I said, we are producing a new tyranny." - Openly gay British historian, atheist, and television commentator David Starkey, speaking against the recent fining of Christian bed-and-breakfast owners because they wouldn't rent to gays.

Starkey words are being repeated today on American Christianist sites, where he is being described as a "gay activist."

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LISTEN: Final Maryland Marriage Debate

Audio only is here. Things are about to start.

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Tired Old Queen At The Movies #70

1949's Flamingo Road starring Joan Crawford.

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Why Frank Rich Supports Gay Marriage

Speaking to a group at Harvard, New York Times columnist Frank Rich explained that he first came to support gay rights when at the height of the AIDS crisis, an editor asked him to write a lengthy essay on how straight people view gays.

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Newt's Exploratory Boulder

What he's really doing, of course, is airing his filthy laundry right now so that it'll all be tired old news come primary season.

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Koch Brothers-Backed House GOP Works To Abolish EPA Rules On Climate Change

The House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is now chaired and dominated by Republicans funded by the oil industry Koch Brothers, is working to abolish EPA rules designed to reduce climate change. (More billions for the Kochs!) Despite daylong expert scientific testimony, GOP committee members repeatedly denounced the evidence and declared that Democrats want to destroy the nation's energy supply. That prompted Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) to deliver one of the best responses you'll like hear in something as normally dry-as-dust as an energy meeting.

Yeah, I had to look up Schrödinger's Cat too. Shortly after Markey's speech, the bill was advanced to the full House by a voice vote.

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Tweet Of The Day - Peter Sprigg

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CORRUPTION BUST: New York Post Outs Anti-Gay Sen. Carl Kruger And Boyfriend

The New York Post has blown the lid off the federal corruption investigation of anti-gay state Sen. Carl Kruger, outing both Kruger and his wealthy gynecologist boyfriend.
Closeted Brooklyn state Sen. Carl Kruger, a Democratic powerhouse, traded political favors for more than $1 million in bribes over the last five years -- which his live-in boyfriend helped launder, the feds charged yesterday. Kruger and his secret longtime companion, Manhattan gynecologist Michael Turano, were among eight men arrested in a sweeping government "pay-to-play" corruption scandal. The charges include allegations that Kruger, Brooklyn Assemblyman William Boyland and previously convicted Queens Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio -- who died in prison in January -- received bribes and other largesse to help two competing health-care companies buy hospitals, and direct state funds to those firms. Kruger's constant companion, Turano, is accused of using bribe money he deposited in two shell companies for Kruger to pay the lease on a Bentley luxury sedan, credit-card bills and the mortgage on the garish, multimillion-dollar Mill Basin home where the two men for years have shacked up with Turano's mom and brother, authorities and neighbors said.
The loathsome Kruger helped sink New York's marriage equality bill in 2009 when he joined eight Democrats in voting against it.

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Lawrence O'Donnell Rewrites Newt Gingrich's Statement On Adultery

Excellent stuff. "Calista and I have a great marriage. Because it started as an extramarital affair. Nothing is hotter than an extramarital affair!"

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Today's Family Research Council Prayer

The Family Research Council is asking its supporters to pray against equality in Maryland.
Pray that the bill to legalize same-sex "marriage" will be defeated in the Maryland House. May Maryland be the Gettysburg in the war to overthrown marriage, and be followed by judicial decisions, legislative and citizen action that uphold DOMA, California's Marriage Amendment (Proposition 8) and protect traditional, Biblical marriage in every state (Gen 1:27-28; 13:13; 18:20-21; 19:12-13, 24-25; Mt 19:4-6; 1 Cor 6:9-11; Heb 13:4; Jude 7).
They add a prayer PS: "Now is the time, amid the longest recession since the great depression and with public sentiment on our side, to defund everything immoral or morally questionable. Such will happen as we pray. Thank you for praying!"

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The Slow-Ass Sloth

Honey badger don't give a shit about the slow-ass sloth.

SUNDAY: Palin Fans Plan Nationwide "Pull Over If You Hate Obama" Traffic Demo

This Sunday beginning at 4pm EST, supporters of Sarah Palin are planning to pull off the road wherever they are and spend an hour honking their hatred for Obama.
Stand Up America is promoting this effort for people to express their outrage. To vent in a manner that cannot be overlooked by anyone! This first wave of action is something the people can really grasp, and in no way shape or form does it condone any ill-action, rather, its about civility, and its akin to a sit-in. You can take it for anything you wish, but it is in our educational directive and charter that SUA wants America to observe, learn, and understand that the time is now for action.
"Stay one hour if you can, get your friends to do the same, line up all your vehicles in a safe manner as far off the side as you can, and hit your horns!" The above link features tons of advice on how to behave politely and not get tickets from the cops. This should be hilarious.

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Eurovision: Switzerland's Anna Rossinelli

Pleasant enough, but again lacking the Eurocheese.

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Tony Perkins: Obama Is Ignoring The Bullying Of Christian Students

"The Left tends to spin the issue of bullying as a uniquely homosexual problem. They hold up tragic incidents like Tyler Clementi's suicide to push for school-based curriculum and other initiatives that give homosexuals a platform for normalizing their behavior. Even the government's Stop Bullying website is dominated by information about LGBT bullying. This is the liberals' way of turning a serious problem into an opportunity for greater censorship of those who disagree with their behavior.

"In the White House materials, they turn a dialogue about bullying into a conversation about protecting homosexuals. The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Alliance (GLSEN) is featured in the government's resources with a generous plug from President Obama. The debate has also created a window for homosexual Kevin Jennings, the embattled 'safe school czar,' to spread his propaganda in the classroom--and on the White House website. Does the anti-bullying initiative extend to young people with Christian beliefs, who find themselves the subject of a teacher's ridicule on subjects like sexuality or science? If it doesn't, then America is only exacerbating the problem." - Hate group head Tony Perkins, via press release.

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Massive Quake Slams Japan

At a reported 8.9 magnitude, it appears to have been the worst quake in Japanese history. The live video of the resultant tsunami has been both riveting and horrifying.
The quake was originally reported at a magnitude of 7.9 but was later upgraded to 8.9. That makes it the fifth largest recorded world-wide since 1900, according to the U.S. Geological Service, larger than the 7.9-magnitude Great Kanto Earthquake that devastated Tokyo in 1923 or the 6.8 magnitude quake that hit Kobe in 1995. The quake caused mass panic around Tokyo, where workers evacuated their buildings and power was cut off at 4.1 million households in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures.
Hawaii Civil Defense has ordered the immediate evacuation of all coastal areas. Go to NOAA for the latest on tsunami warnings, which have been extended to much of the U.S. west coast.

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Thursday, March 10, 2011

Sen. Rand Paul: I Have Less Choice In Toilets Than Women Have In Abortion

Libertarian nutjob Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) brought the crazy today when he grilled an Obama administration energy official, asking if she was pro-choice. Because conservationists like her are stopping him from choosing the super-toilet he needs. So she's not really pro-choice, is she? Or something. There's a joke here about Kentucky and outhouses.

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A Teabagger's View Of Unions

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Quote Of The Day - Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

"All children should always feel safe and secure in our schools. While at school to learn, some students are forced to endure harassment, violence, bullying, and intimidation because of their sexual orientation. This is completely unacceptable. Our laws ensure that all students have access to public education in a safe environment free from discrimination, and these laws must guarantee these same protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students." - Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, announcing today's reintroduction of the federal anti-bullying Student Non-Discrimination Act, which died in committee in 2010.

Gillbrand is one of 21 Senate cosponsors of the bill.
The Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA) would establish a comprehensive federal prohibition against discrimination in public schools based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. It would forbid schools from discriminating against LGBT students or ignoring harassing behavior. SNDA would also provide meaningful and effective remedies (loss of federal funding and a legal cause of action for victims) for discrimination in public schools based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, modeled after Title IX.

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At The White House Bullying Conference

Can you imagine anything remotely like this taking place during a Republican administration?

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Peter Sprigg Vs. Evan Wolfson On DOMA

Even though the Family Research Council's Peter Sprigg famously called for the expulsion of all gay people from the United States, this hate group spokesdouche still gets invited onto national television. Today he sparred with Freedom To Marry's Evan Wolfson over the GOP's plan to defend DOMA. Hilariously, Sprigg claims that the main opposition to same-sex marriage isn't based on religion.

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Forbes Issues 2011 Billionaires List

Forbes Magazine has issued this year's list of the world's richest people. The number of billionaires grew by 199 in 2010.
Mexico's Carlos Slim expanded his lead as the world's richest man, adding $20.5 billion to his net worth in the past year, for a total fortune of $74 billion. Microsoft founder Bill Gates, now co-chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is second with a total worth of $56 billion. Despite Apple's leaps in value the past year, CEO Steve Jobs is still only No. 110 on the list, worth a comparatively more modest $8.3 billion. By February, Apple had grown to be worth $100 billion more than Microsoft. Eight of the world's billionaires this year are 30 years old or younger, and half of them got rich off of popular social networking site Facebook.
Tea Party kingpins David and Charles Koch are tied at #18, with a combined net worth of $44B. GOProud backer Peter Thiel lands this year at #833.

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ARIZONA: Teabaggers Introduce Bills Setting Up Interstate Pacts To Defy Feds

Tea Party-backed GOP lawmakers in Arizona have introduced bills that would create alliances with other states in order to defy the federal government. Ironically (or maybe not so, since we're talking about teabaggers), the federal government would have to approve the alliances.
The push to form interstate compacts, which have the power to supersede existing federal law if approved by Congress, is part of a broader effort at the Arizona Capitol to promote states' rights. Lawmakers have introduced bills that seek to limit congressional spending and federal authority on issues from elections to environmental inspections, and Gov. Jan Brewer lists federalism as one of her top priority initiatives this term. So far this session, Republican legislators have introduced more than a dozen bills that propose to create compacts, about three times as many as lawmakers introduced in each of the past two or three years. Among them are measures to allow participating states to build a border fence, regulate endangered species without federal interference and set up their own health-care programs.
The lawmakers behind the bills cite the Tenth Amendment, which stipulates that the federal government cannot issue laws on subjects not explicitly mentioned in the U.S. Constitution. And since the Constitution never mentions environmental protection, health insurance, etc...all those federal laws are therefore illegal.

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Eurovision: Turkey's Yüksek Sadakat

Meh. Where's my beloved Eurovision cheese? I'd normally discount this entry from having a chance, but then I remember Finland's bizarre Lordi, who won in 2006.

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Truth Wins Out Launches Petition To Remove "Ex-Gay" App From iPhone

Truth Wins Out, the organization that fights the "ex-gay" movement, has launched a petition calling on Apple to remove Exodus International's new iPhone app.
This new iPhone app is the latest move in Exodus’ dangerous new strategy of targeting youth. In light of the recent wave of LGBT youth suicides, this tactic is particularly galling as it creates, legitimizes, and fuels the ostracism of LGBT youth by their families. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, LGBT teens who experienced negative feedback from their family were 8 times more likely to have attempted suicide, 6 times as vulnerable to severe depression, and 3 times more likely to use drugs (Caitlin Ryan, San Francisco State University, June 2009). Apple doesn’t allow racist or anti-Semitic apps in its app store, yet it gives the green light to an app targeting vulnerable LGBT youth with the message that their sexual orientation is a “sin that will make your heart sick” and a “counterfeit.” This is a double standard that has the potential for devastating consequences. Apple needs to be told, loud and clear, that this is unacceptable. Stand with Truth Wins Out — demand that the iTunes store stop supporting homophobia and remove the Exodus app.
Sign the petition here.

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At The "Islamic Radicalization" Hearings

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim ever elected to Congress, got quite choked up during today's ridiculous "Islamic radicalization" hearings hosted by Rep. Peter King (R-NY), who himself has a history of backing terrorist groups. I've been watching the hearings live on CNN and only Hollywood could come up with a more McCarthyesque scenario.

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Illinois Abolishes The Death Penalty

Yesterday Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed the bill abolishing the death penalty in his state and commuting the sentences of prisoners on death row. Today Amnesty International updated their above map, which is interactive on their site. Among the 35 states still making executions, Texas has almost five times more prisoners on death row than the number two state, Virginia.

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NEW YORK: Marriage Activists Buoyed After Meeting With Governor Cuomo

New York marriage equality activists say they have renewed hope after yesterday's private meeting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Paul Schindler reports at Gay City News:
“I’ve been to lots of meetings where presidents or governors call people in to say that they’re with them, and this one was really extraordinary,” said Richard Socarides, the executive director of Equality Matters, a new LGBT-focused effort of the progressive watchdog Media Matters. During the Clinton administration, Socarides, an attorney, was the White House liaison to the LGBT community. “What was clear to me from the meeting is that the governor is very committed to this,” Socarides continued. “He is prepared to do what it takes to get it done. He’s going to work on it and his team is going to work on it as soon as they get the budget done.” Acknowledging that Cuomo did not put it in so many words, Socarides said if the budget is completed on or close to the April 1 deadline, with both Senate Republicans and Assembly Democrats reasonably content about that process, “I think he will turn to this, and it will be his top priority.” Socarides was not alone in his glowing assessment. Another participant, who did not wish to be identified, said, “The governor is really, really focused on this. He is putting the smartest people in his office on it.”
The New York Assembly has approved same-sex marriage three times and would doubtlessly do so again. The problem, as always, is in the state Senate, where even when Democrats held a slim majority, marriage failed. Today the GOP holds a 32-30 lead, meaning at least five or six GOP votes are needed to overcome the remaining traitorous Democrats. How the governor intends to achieve that is unclear.

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MISSOURI: Chamber Of Commerce Cancels Speech By Chick-Fil-A President

Responding to complaints from LGBT activists, a St. Louis-area chamber of commerce has canceled a planned speech by Chick-Fil-A president Dan Cathy over his company's affiliation with the Family Resource Institute, an SPLC-certified hate group.
The decision to cancel Cathy's March 18 presentation here was made after PROMO, a statewide organization that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality, protested his appearance and asked Focus and the Chamber of Commerce to reconsider. Ellen Gale, the head of the chamber, said today that when the groups agreed to co-sponsor Cathy's appearance, they had no idea he held controversial views. We are a pro-diversity culture here and certainly don't want to offend anyone," Gale said. "We didn't know anything about this when he was booked." Focus said in a statement that inclusion and acceptance for all people in the community is a core principal of the organization.
Stand by for the screams of outrage about those damned homofascists.

(Tipped by JMG reader Jeff)

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Addicted To War

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Satan Fears The Number Seven

And we're all afraid of that wig.

(Source)

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A Note From Equality Maryland

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WISCONSIN: Republicans Break Law To Strip Collective Bargaining Rights

Things begin to go nuts at 2:30.

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Target Responds To Dropped Gaga Deal

"We were very surprised and disappointed by the statements made by Lady Gaga's organization related to her partnership with Target. Target remains committed to the LGBT community as demonstrated by our contributions to various LGBT organizations, our recently established Policy Committee to review our political giving and our respectful, inclusive workplace environment." - Target spokesperson.

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SF Frontrunners - It Gets Better

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The Revolt Of 2020

Pastor Patrick Johnston has written a book about the coming Christianist revolution against the U.S. government. Via Christian Newswire, here's the book's teaser:
Abortion bans are gaining support in Mississippi, Colorado, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, Georgia, and Montana. Most state legislatures are bucking unconstitutional federal dictates with Sovereignty Amendments and resolutions. "Firearms Freedom Acts" have passed in seven states. States like Arizona are tackling the crisis of illegal immigration on their own, highlighting federal incompetence. Thirty-one states have banned gay marriage to insulate against judicial activism. Twenty-seven states have sued the federal government over Obamacare. The popularity of authentic conservatives is increasing, while neo-cons lose their grip on voters. School boards and state judges buck the feds with their Ten Commandments monuments that they refuse to uproot. TEA Parties harness an increasing distrust of federal rule that has not been witnessed since the 1880's. Could all this culminate in a popular secession movement?
Johnston: "The cause of the Confederacy was crippled because of its tolerance of slavery. But we're a terrorist-attack away from disarmament, and a Supreme-Court decision away from mandated gay marriage and physician-assisted suicide. Most Americans are disillusioned with the immoral usurpations of the central government and long for justice for the preborn and righteous leadership. The soil in America is ripe for the seeds of revolution."

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Sassy Gay Friend - Black Swan

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Kathy Griffin Fires Back At Sarah Palin

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Open Thread Thursday

What's on your bucket list?

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Wednesday, March 09, 2011

NEW YORK: Anti-Gay Sen. Carl Kruger To Surrender On Corruption Charges

Tomorrow morning anti-gay New York state Sen. Carl Kruger will surrender to federal authorities on charges that he accepted campaign donations in return for favors doled out to powerful businessmen. Kruger was one of the eight traitorous Senate Democrats who voted against same-sex marriage in 2009.
Mr. Kruger headed the powerful Senate Finance Committee until Democrats lost control of the chamber last year, a position from which he amassed the Senate’s largest campaign war chest. One of Mr. Kruger’s campaign donors, Michael Levitis, who is suspected of serving as an intermediary between the senator and those seeking favors, pleaded guilty this month of lying to federal investigators in the Brooklyn case. Mr. Kruger is set to join an ever-lengthening parade of New York State lawmakers from both parties who have been indicted, convicted, or pleaded guilty to criminal offenses in the last decade, many of them relating to illegally soliciting or receiving money from individuals seeking help with state business.
In 2008 Kruger was part of the infamous "Gang Of Three" Democrats that engineered a coup in the state Senate, installing Sen. Pedro Espada as Majority Leader. Espada lost his seat in the 2010 primary and is himself under investigation by federal and state authorities for ripping off over $14M from the public health clinic he founded. The last of the Gang Of Three, former Sen. Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate, was indicted last October on federal charges of mail fraud and corruption. Monserrate was expelled from the Senate in early 2010 over a scandal in which he slashed the face of his girlfriend with a broken glass. He subsequently lost a bid for the state Assembly.

Let's hope ALL of the Gang Of Three end up in prison.

RELATED: In December 2009 gay activists picketed Kruger's Brooklyn home, declaring that he was a known self-loathing closet case who only voted against same-sex marriage to shield his own homosexuality.

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House Panel Orders DOMA Intervention

By a 3-2 vote, the leaders of the U.S. House voted today to intervene in the DOMA cases presently in the courts.
In a party-line vote of 3-2, the five-member Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group composed of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Democrats House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.), gave the House general counsel the authority to retain outside counsel to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Speaker Boehner issued a statement after the vote.
"Today, after consultation with the Bipartisan Leadership Advisory Group, the House General Counsel has been directed to initiate a legal defense of this law," Boehner said in the statement. "This action by the House will ensure that this law's constitutionality is decided by the courts, rather than by the President unilaterally."
During the vote, Pelosi and Hoyer demanded to know where the money was coming from.
"Pelosi and Hoyer both pressed the General Counsel on what this case would cost the House of Representatives," according to the source. "General Counsel Kerry Kirchner would only say it would "not be inexpensive." Mr. Kirchner noted that there are currently at least 10 cases and he does not have the in-house resources to deal with that many cases as he has a staff of five with one lawyer currently on maternity leave." The intervention will take 18 months minimum, Kirchner informed the leaders. He noted, too, that previous Presidents, including Ronald Reagan, have opted not to defend laws in court.
The Human Rights Campaign reacts to the vote.
“Apparently, the Republicans’ jobs plan is a full employment project for right-wing lawyers bent on defending discrimination,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “With today’s vote, Speaker Boehner has made clear that an anti-equality agenda trumps helping American families in tough economic times, including loving and committed couples who are legally married in their states.”

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They Fell In Love At "Ex-Gay" Camp

Another clip has been released from the call-in show that followed OWN's Pray Away The Gay last night.

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OHIO: GetEQUAL Sits-In At Speaker Boehner's Office, Arrest made

Via press release:
West Chester -- Minutes ago, activists from GetEQUAL Ohio -- a direct action LGBT civil rights group associated with the national organization GetEQUAL -- entered Speaker Boehner's West Chester office to demand the Speaker not use tax-payer money to defend Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). At this moment, five protesters are holding a sit-in, demanding to speak to their representative. GetEQUAL State Organizer Tom Morgan issued this statement, "Later today the Speaker will be meeting with his bipartisan legal advisory group to consider whether to defend DOMA. We strongly encourage the Speaker to heed the advice of Rep. Pelosi and the millions of Americans who are demanding the Speaker focus on job creation and not discrimination."

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Quote Of The Day - Jim Daly

"First, by Stefani Germanotta’s own admission, she’s built her entire persona and celebrity on a platform that’s anything but typical. She is playing a part, a role, and not living as she would outside the bright lights. Put another way, Lady Gaga was clearly not born this way.

"Second, and more importantly, the message found within the lyrics of Born This Way is in stark contrast to the message of the Gospel. All of us are born into sin, the Bible tells us, with desires and resulting actions that separate us from God and put us at odds with His blueprint for our lives. But the Good News is we’re not hopelessly trapped in our sin and failure. Despite the fact that we were 'born this way,' each of us can be set free – from homosexuality, or heterosexual sex outside of marriage, or pornography, or greed, or gossip, or any other human shortcoming – to be the men and women God intended us to be." - Focus On The Family head Jim Daly, attacking Lady Gaga.

(Via - Right Wing Watch)

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Wingnut Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX):
Even Terror Babies Are A Gift From God

Remember when whackadoodle Rep. Louie Gohmert said that terrorists are importing their women to America so they can have babies that will grow up to be domestic suicide bombers? And therefore we should do away with the 14th Amendment? Now Gohmert allows that even "terror babies" are gifts from God, even though they're just gonna grow up to become Jihadists that will kill abortion-supporting leftists. Or something.

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Scenes From New Orleans Mardi Gras

[Photos by Keith Darcé]

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Boston Pops Announces Judy Garland YouTube Sing-Along "National Choir"

The Boston Pops writes us today to invite JMG readers to participate in a Judy Garland tribute. Post a YouTube clip of yourself singing Over The Rainbow and you may be featured in their "national choir collage" to be played at Boston Pops performances all this season.
To pay respect to the shared cultural heritage of the American Songbook, the Boston Pops is asking for video submissions of fans singing “Over the Rainbow” for inclusion in a video collage to be shown at Boston Pops performances throughout the season. Voted number one on the RIAA and NEA’s “Songs of the Century” list, Harold Arlen’s “Over the Rainbow” is an American Songbook selection that unites generations and ties the 2011 Spring Pops Season together—from the Opening Night Judy Garland tribute to the finale “Triple Crown” performance celebrating America’s Heartland. The signature Boston Pops sing-along has long been an audience favorite, so this year the orchestra is opening the sing-along to a national choir. Participants of all ages can submit video of themselves singing “Over the Rainbow,” by adding a video to YouTube and emailing a link and contact info to overtherainbow@bso.org. Videos will be featured on the Boston Pops YouTube channel, on the Boston Pops website, and at Boston Pops performances throughout the season. All video submissions are due by Saturday, April 26, 2011.
There's more than a few of you that I'd love to see do this.

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NOM Announces $1M Fund To Defend Maryland's Anti-Marriage Democrats

NOM has just announced a $1M fund to support the reelection campaigns of Maryland Democrats that vote against same-sex marriage. That same fund will be used to oppose the reelection of any Republican that votes in favor of equality.
“It’s become quite clear in recent days in Maryland that the Democratic leadership and the same-sex ‘marriage’ lobby will resort to any tactic, including threats and intimidation, to coerce Democratic legislators to support their agenda,” said Brian Brown, President of NOM. “We want to be sure those courageous Democrats who cast their vote of conscience in favor of marriage will have a strong supporter if the radical gay activists come after them in their next primary election.”

The NOM PAC Maryland is similar to a PAC formed in New York by NOM, which successfully defended Democrats who supported marriage, despite a major effort by pro-gay marriage advocates to defeat several Democrats in their primaries who had stood up for marriage. In fact, NOM supported candidates like state senator Ruben Diaz, won by larger margins than before their votes against same-sex marriage. NOM PAC Maryland will also oppose in their primaries any Republicans who support gay marriage. The PAC announced that it will target for defeat State Senator Allan Kittleman in his expected race for Howard County Executive.
NY Sen. Ruben Diaz was never in the remotest danger of losing, so it's kind of funny that he's the guy NOM is using as their example of their power.

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The Obamas Speak Out Against Bullying

In advance of an anti-bullying conference to be held at the White House tomorrow, the president and First Lady have posted the below message to the federal government's official Stop Bullying page on Facebook.

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Baltimore Archbishop Calls For Day Of Fasting To Prevent Same-Sex Marriage

Baltimore Archbishop Edwin O'Brien is calling on Maryland's Catholics to pray and fast on this Friday in order that God hears their call to prevent same-sex marriage. Good As You has the rest of his message:
“The institution of marriage can only belong to the union of one man and one woman because nature – not social prejudice – has given this relationship the unique capacity to bring children into the world,” Archbishop O’Brien said. “It is for this reason that religion and governments alike have bestowed special recognition upon this relationship for thousands of years. We commend those political leaders who have had the courage to stand by their convictions by voting to uphold our society’s most fundamental institution…The value of marriage must not be abandoned for the sake of partisan politics or political gain. It is not too late for the members of the House of Delegates to hear from God’s people and to vote in accordance with their true conscience to uphold marriage.”

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MARYLAND: Marriage Bill Survives Four Hostile Amendment Attempts

After voting down four hostile GOP amendments, the Maryland House of Delegates has just voted to advance its marriage equality bill to a third (and possibly final) reading tomorrow. Here are the failed poison pills offered by the enemies of equality:

Amendment 1: "This Act may not be construed to require an entity to provide adoption, foster care, or social services if providing the services would violate the entity's religious beliefs."
Amendment 2: "Providing that, in a public school that offers instruction involving materials that promote same-sex marriage, a public school teacher may not be required to teach the materials and a parent shall be given an opportunity to have the parent’s child excused from the instruction under certain circumstances."
Amendment 3: "Change title of Act to 'Same-Sex Marriage Act'."
Amendment 4: "To require a public referendum on same-same marriage."

All of the above provided to JMG readers via email by openly gay Delegate Luke Clippinger.

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PHILADELPHIA: 21 Catholic Priests Suspended Over Abuse Accusations

In a move that is being described as the most sweeping in the history of the American Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has suspended 21 priests accused of sexual abuse or "inappropriate behavior with minors." The Archdiocese is refusing to identify the the suspended priests and most parishioners will learn of their priest's involvement when he fails to appear for Ash Wednesday services today.
The announcement was a major embarrassment for Cardinal Justin Rigali, who, in response to the grand jury report, had initially said there were no priests in active ministry “who have an admitted or established allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against them.’’ A few days later, Rigali placed three priests on administrative leave. His statement yesterday did not explain why he had made his initial assurances nor did it say why the priests had not been suspended earlier. “We may have to be asking, what did the cardinal know and when did he know it?’’ said Leonard Norman Primiano, a Roman Catholic and chairman of the religious studies department at Cabrini College, in suburban Radnor, Pa. He described the mass suspensions as “astonishing.’’
If the charges stick, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia faces potential lawsuits in the many millions of dollars. The already financially beleaguered Archdiocese has closed almost 50 Philadelphia-area schools since 2006.

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Eurovision: Israel's Dana International

Transgender Israeli pop star Dana International won Eurovision 1998 with her single Diva, which went on to become a worldwide smash. This year she represents Israel again with the self-penned Ding Dong.

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MARYLAND: House Delegate Comes Out In Advance Of Marriage Equality Vote

Maryland's House of Delgates today has seven openly gay members as Del. Peter Murphy comes out to the Washington Blade.
Del. Peter Murphy (D-Charles County), a divorced father of two who also has two grandchildren, said his colleagues and family have known for years that he is gay. “I have never denied [being gay],” Murphy said, “I just presumed people knew.” [snip] Murphy said he’s confident the marriage equality bill will pass later this week, possibly in a final vote on Friday. “As I have said all along, I think it’s a strong civil rights bill,” Murphy said. “I think it’s a fair bill because it also addresses the religious issue and doesn’t require any religious organization to practice something that goes against their teachings.”
Including one state senator, Maryland has more openly gay legislators than any other state.

RELATED: Openly gay Maryland Delegate and JMG reader Luke Clippinger writes us this morning with a recap of what we can expect today.
Here's the big picture - the bill is on second reading today. There will be a number of amendments offered to the bill today and tomorrow - any amendments that pass will require that the bill will need to go back to the Senate, presuming the bill then passes the House. Throughout the day there will also be a number of procedural votes regarding rulings of the chair. There is not normally a vote to "pass" the bill on second reader. After the amendments are offered on second reader, the bill is printed and moves to third reader. Then, further amendments may be offered, followed by the final vote.

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Newt Gingrich: Yeah, I Fucked Around On My Wives, But God Has Forgiven Me!

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Tweet Of The Day - Nancy Pelosi

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SAINT MAARTEN: Pastors Demand Special "Code Of Conduct" For Gay Tourists

A group of pastors on the tiny Caribbean island of Saint Maarten say that the corrupting influence of homosexual tourists must be curtailed. Therefore they want their local Parliament to impose a new "code of conduct" to prevent gay cruise ship visitors from committing public displays of affection. The pastors met yesterday with Parliament's Committee For Tourism to present their demands.
Pastor Wycliffe Smith, who headed the delegation, said the group was guided by the word of God and had not been politically motivated or manipulated by anyone to champion these issues. He said the churches were following the rule of God by loving the sinner, but hating the sin. "We are not saying it is right to do it hidden or in the closet," he said. Smith said homosexuals were coming to the island every day via the airport and the harbour and there also were many who live here. His contention is that these people should not impose their way of life and should curb public displays of affection. "As a Christian nation, we love you [homosexuals], but we don't love your lifestyle," he said. [snip] Pastor Leyland Sam said the concern was that the gay cruise would be an "avalanche" of gay people on the island. If St. Maarten doesn't stop this inflow, he added, probably 15 years down the line the island will have to expand its prisons and hospitals because of the gay people.
One member of Parliament noted the pastors' concerns, but said that any changes to local law would have to be in line with human rights treaties the island presently has with the Netherlands.

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CNN Covers Born This Way Blog

Nice piece from the author of Born This Way Blog, which posts childhood photos that seem to predict the subject's future gayness.

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Fire At The Roseland Ballroom

Last night a two-alarm fire damaged Manhattan's Roseland Ballroom, home to next week's Black Party. Six firefighters were injured and the blaze was declared under control an hour after the first report. Little is presently known about the extent of damage.

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Chuck Colson: President Obama Is Wrecking The Constitution

Convicted felon and Manhattan Declaration author Chuck Colson says about DOMA: "I'm practically beside myself over the administration's arrogance, but I'm just as perplexed by the [lack of] reaction by the church."

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The Virgin "Ex-Gay"

One of the victims of Exodus International has decided that he would rather live his entire life without human intimacy than be gay. This clip is from the call-in show that followed last night's Pray Away The Gay show on OWN.

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Glee Spoiler: Sexy

Stay out of the comments if you haven't yet seen last night's episode. Otherwise jump in and dish the sex ed.

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George Michael - True Faith

I like George Michael. I like New Order. I do not like this.

(Via - Pop In Stereo)

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Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Swag Tuesday

Courtesy of the Saint At Large (NSFW) this week's Swag Tuesday prizes are two tickets each to the major events that bookend next week's Black Party Weekend (NSFW), Friday and Saturday's Black Party Expo and Sunday night's closing party, After Black: Asylum.
Black Party Expo
Friday, March 18th - 5pm - 1am
Saturday, March 19th - 12pm - 7pm

Billed as "Behind The Scenes At The World's Sexiest Party," this 2 day- exposition at Roseland Ballroom is the ultimate gay adult play and entertainment shopping experience. A rare opportunity for visitors to pull back the leather curtain and step into the netherworld behind the biggest and most notorious gay dance party in the world.. Over 50 fetish and fashion vendors, dozens of adult film stars, strange live acts and more. On Friday night, RENTBOY.COM in association with BPX: THE BLACK PARTY EXPO presents The Hookies: The 5th Annual International Escort Awards hosted by Leslie Jordon. Red Carpet 10:00pm. Show 11:00pm.

After Black: Asylum
Amnesia: 609 West 29th Street
Sunday March 20 - 7pm until 2am

Music by 80R15 of Berlin & Paulo. Lights by Darren Kawa. THE SAINT AT LARGE in association with NO EXIT productions present international superstar DJs 80R15 of Berlin & Paulo at the official BPX after party.
$30 through day of event; $40 at door if available.
Advance tickets to both events are now available (NSFW). Enter to win tickets by commenting on this post. Only enter once and please remember to leave your email address in the text of your comment. Entries close at midnight on Thursday, west coast time. If you cannot be in NYC on the days of the events, your winning entry is transferable to your favorite leather man or gal. Publicists: If you'd like to take part in Swag Tuesday on JMG, please email me.

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Lady Gaga Ends Target Deal

Earlier this month it was reported that Lady Gaga had struck a special promotional deal with Target with the stipulation that the company "start affiliating themselves with LGBT charity groups." Now it appears that deal has fallen through.
Carmen Cacciatore, co-founder of Fly-Life marketing agency, announced this afternoon that the earlier reported deal between Target Corp. and Lady Gaga was dissolved this past week. Bob Witeck of Witeck-Combs Communications was familiar with the dissolved deal, although he does not represent Gaga or any of the parties, and told Metro Weekly, "Despite the expectation that this was all unfolding as a deal, it has been in a sensitive stage of continued discussion for probably the last three weeks." He added, "Quite a few people, even early on, were afraid it was going to dissolve."

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New From Rhode Island Marriage Equality

The below ad begins airing today on Rhode Island television. Via press release:
“Today’s roll out is the next step in a broader strategic plan aimed at raising awareness and building the wave of support necessary to achieve a legislative victory this year,” said Martha Holt, Marriage Equality Rhode Island board member. “The message of the commercial, ‘It’s Time,’ reflects a belief shared by a majority of Rhode Islanders – it’s time we live up to our founding principles and make marriage equality the law for all Rhode Islanders.” Karen Loewy is a board member of MERI and a staff attorney at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, which produced the ad for the Coalition. She said, “It’s time for every Rhode Islander to have access to the marriage protections they need and deserve.”

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"Ex-Gays" Launch iPhone App

I wonder if it comes with a Grindr-like GPS function so they can find each other. To talk about Jeebus! And totally nothing else! Ex-Gay Watch has the app's description:
Exodus International is the world’s largest ministry to individuals and families impacted by homosexuality. With over 35 years of ministry experience, Exodus is committed to encouraging, educating and equipping the Body of Christ to address the issue of homosexuality with grace and truth.

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Frothy Mix Won't Judge Adulterers

Former Sen. Rick "Frothy Mix" Santorum is a "washed in the blood of lamb" defender of marriage. But thrice-married Newt Gingrich, whose serial fuckery has destroyed marriages of his own? Santorum believes Gingrich is perfectly free to declare what's best for the rest of society.

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GLAD To Speaker Boehner: Bring It On

Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) announced today that they are more than ready to take on Speaker John Boehner's special House counsel on DOMA. Via press release:
“It is now perfectly clear that U.S. House leaders plan to intervene in the pending cases,” said Mary L. Bonauto, co-lead attorney in GLAD’s two cases Gill et al. v. Office of Personnel Management, and Pedersen et al. v. Office of Personnel Management. “We are ready to address any defense of DOMA’s double standard for how the federal government deals with legally married couples,” she added. [snip] "Even though these couples are married, pay their taxes, and play by the rules, DOMA has separated spouses, taken money from children’s college funds, and denied widows assistance at the worst time of people’s lives.” GLAD won a victory in Gill in July 2010 when Federal District Court Judge Joseph L. Tauro ruled that DOMA is unconstitutional. Pedersen was filed by GLAD in November 2011; briefing is underway.
There are three other pending cases which challenge DOMA's constitutionality.

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Ultimate Pastor Fight


(Source)

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KANSAS: Lawmakers Call For Continued Criminalization Of LGBT Residents

Even though in 2003 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all anti-sodomy laws in its landmark Lawrence vs. Texas ruling, two state legislators in Kansas are fighting to keep their now unconstitutional laws on the books. The Kansas Equality Coalition reports:
State Representatives Jan Pauls (D, Hutchinson), and Lance Kinzer (R, Olathe) said yesterday that being gay or lesbian should remain a crime in Kansas. Pauls made, with Kinzer’s support, the successful motion in the Kansas Legislature’s Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee to keep the criminalization of gay and lesbian relationships on the books. Their action removed key language from HB2321, proposed by the Kansas Judicial Council, which would have resolved inconsistencies in Kansas criminal code, as well as remove unconstitutional laws. “Jan Pauls was trusted to be a judge before becoming a state representative, and should know better than to support unconstitutional laws, breaking her oath to defend the Constitution,” said Jon Powell, Chair of the Hutchinson Area chapter of the Kansas Equality Coalition. “We are fed up with her obvious support of harassment of gays and lesbians. We will not be bullied.”
Equality-minded Kansans are encourage to join a March 17th demonstration calling for Rep. Paul's removal as chairwoman of the Kansas House Judiciary Committee.

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Liberty Counsel's Matt Barber: Dan Savage Is The Gay Version Of Fred Phelps

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Christians Taunt Praying Muslim Man

Video taken outside the White House.

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NYC Women & HIV/AIDS

In observance of this week's National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the New York City Department of Health has issued the above infographic, which is part of their NYC Knows campaign to get every city resident tested for HIV.

(Tipped by JMG reader John)

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