Fans Arrive For Eurovision Finals

Lots of gay boys, as usual.

LIVE STREAMING VIDEO: You can watch the finals live right here with the download of the Eurovision proprietary video plug-in, which works great for me so far.

Tomorrow

Details.

The Butler Did It

The pope's private butler has been arrested and charged with leaking embarrassing and confidential Vatican documents to the Italian press.

The pope's butler has been arrested by Vatican police on suspicion of leaking a large number of confidential letters addressed to Benedict XVI which have lifted the lid on alleged corruption and nepotism at the Holy See. A Vatican spokesman declined to confirm the butler's arrest, which was widely reported by Italian media on Friday, stating only it had arrested a person discovered in illegal possession of "confidential documents". Paolo Gabriele, 46, who has worked as Benedict's butler since 2006, was reportedly taken into custody after investigators found a mass of documents in the Vatican apartment he shares with his wife and three children. The arrest comes a month after the Vatican gave an investigative team led by Cardinal Julian Herranz, a member of Opus dei, a full "pontifical mandate" to join Vatican police in rooting out the perpetrators of what has been dubbed Vatileaks.

Among the scandalous revelations being published in a book is the claim that Vatican's official newspaper started a rumor that the editor of a rival paper is gay.

RNC Continues Booker Attack

Hate Group Reviews Adam Lambert

Focus On The Family's Plugged In site has reviewed Trespassing, the latest release by Adam Lambert that this week became the nation's first-ever #1 Billboard album by an out gay artist. The lengthy, bitter, nasty Focus review concludes:

There are isolated moments in which Adam Lambert tries to delve below the surface, to get past the flesh and into the soul. Mostly, though, he's merely interested in sexual satiation. Several songs hint at his willingness to engage in a risky sexual encounter with someone he's just met. And in this, Lambert perhaps unwittingly reinforces the stereotype historically held about gay men: Namely that they're promiscuous and sexually voracious, ready to indulge a carnal tryst at virtually any moment.

Then, the album's last song, "Outlaws of Love," laments how homosexuals frequently feel judged by others. "We can't change," Lambert sings. "Everywhere we go, we're looking for the sun/Nowhere to grow old, we're always on the run/They say we'll rot in hell, but I don't think we will/They've branded us enough, outlaws of love." But maybe it's Lambert who brands himself here. Brands himself as lascivious. Brands himself as masochistic. Brands himself as "crazy." Brands himself as "shady."

Purchase Lambert's new album. (Tipped by JMG reader Rod)

Email Of The Day - Eugene Delgaudio

"Dear Joe, Public Advocate has won another victory for marriage! Republican New York state senator James Alesi, who betrayed the Family last summer by voting for homosexual 'marriage,'” has announced he is conceding his political seat. Public Advocate supporters sent countless emails and newsletters exposing Alesi’s role in this betrayal -- and it has paid off! Alesi admitted that his vote against marriage was the factor that cost him the support of his constituents. Thank you for all your help in this battle. It is vital that we hold politicians accountable for voting against true marriage and family values. It is up to you and me to show them morality is not optional." - Eugene Delguadio, the second-biggest liar in Hate Land.

FACT CHECK: As I reported here weeks ago, Alesi is actually retiring because a scandal involving a lawsuit he filed against the owners of a unfinished home where Alesis fell while allegedly trespassing.

MAINE: Hundreds Of Churches To Take Special Collection Against Civil Equality

On Father's Day, June 17th, hundreds of Maine's churches will take up a special second collection during Sunday services. That round of money will go directly to fight the November vote on same-sex marriage.

Between 150 and 200 churches are expected to raise money for the Protect Marriage Maine political action committee, said Carroll Conley Jr., executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine evangelical organization and a member of the PAC. Conley is also trying to drum up support for the Maine campaign from religious leaders from around the country. Protect Marriage Maine has been in contact with about 800 churches across the state and expects 150 to 200 to participate in the Father's Day collections, Conley said. They include Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Nazarene, Church of God, Wesleyan, Evangelical Free, Advent Christian and other denominations.

In 2009 the Maine Catholic Diocese ordered a similar second collection. The local Catholic Church says it is staying out of anti-gay fundraising this time.

EUROVISION: Iran Accuses Azerbaijan Of Hosting A Gay Parade During Contest

The Eurovision finals are taking place this weekend and as many of Europe's media outlets poured into Baku, neighboring Iran took to its state-controlled press to accuse host nation Azerbaijan of allowing a "gay parade."

On Wednesday, Iran claimed that the Azerbaijani government was insulting Islam because it was going to allow a "gay parade," according to the semi-official Fars news agency. In fact, there has never been such a demonstration in the country, and none was planned for Eurovision. In reality, Tehran is upset because the oil-rich Azerbaijan concluded a multi-billion dollar arms deal with Iran's arch-enemy, Israel, in February and apparently promised to allow the Israeli Air Force access to several military airfields in Azerbaijan -- which the Israelis could potentially use for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. As it happens, there was never any chance of a gay pride event being held to coincide with Eurovision, as gay rights activist Ruslan Balukhin explains. "We would need the city's permission for that -- and we would not get it."

The activist quoted in the above article contends that gay Eurovision attendees will be safe "not because the Azerbaijanis are tolerant, but because the authoritarian government doesn't want any disturbances." Last month Islamic terrorists vowed to use "chemical weapons and knives" against gay visitors. The 57 year-old competition is heavily followed by gay fans, many of whom travel to the host cities every year for associated parties and nightclub events.

Isaac's Live Lip-Dub Proposal

Clip description:

"On Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012, I told my girlfriend to meet me at my parent's house for dinner. When she arrived I had stationed my brother to sit her in the back of an open Honda CRV and give her some headphones. He 'wanted to play her a song.' What she got instead was the world's first Live Lip-Dub Proposal."

Get a tissue. Get two.

(Tipped by JMG reader Daddy Ray)

Trans People Make Jeebus Cry

"There’s been a movement from 1967 to erase the sexual differences, the gender assignment that God has given. There has been an assignment of Hell trying to tell us that we need to be unisex, that we need to move into some kind of homogenous, androgynous zone. There’s been something in the culture that is trying to erase the image of God from before us. Marriage is supposed to be a reflection of Christ’s relationship with the Church, but also in the reality of that there is an understanding of femininity and masculinity that also reflect godly roles and assignments. How dare people have gender reassignment surgery that says the way God originally dedicated them to be was not good enough." - Harry Jackson, speaking at the Family Research Council's Watchmen On The Walls conference.

Shake, Rattle, & Roll

Finally we have a video of what's been rattling my apartment daily for the last 18 months. The cat used to get freaked out, but now she hardly lifts her head.

(Via - Gothamist)

Christine Quinn, Speaker Of The Redacted

Twenty-four hour local news channel NY1 filed a Freedom Of Information request to obtain the 2011 schedule of NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the presumptive leader in the 2013 mayoral election. What they got back was a list that included over 600 hours of blackened appointments.

They could be instances when she goes to spinning class in TriBeCa. They could also be certain instructions to staff or interagency deliberations that aren't finalized. "It seems that there might have been names, names of staff members for example, public employees, other people that Ms. Quinn might have met that did involve the performance of her duties," said Robert Freeman of the State Committee on Open Government. "It would be difficult to understand why those names would be redacted." The schedules do reveal that Quinn has met with at least four campaign fundraisers during the work week. Half were in the council's offices.

In 2009 Quinn won reelection with over 80% of her Chelsea/West Village district's vote, but her support for overturning term limits, which enabled third terms for both herself and Mayor Bloomberg, angered many former supporters. Quinn's backing of the term limits issue was considered by some pundits to be a campaign tactic to buy time to overcome a then-raging scandal about her administration of a $17M slush fund that had allocated city funds to nonexistent organizations.

In September 2011 a federal investigation into the slush fund "closed without taking up any action," according to City Council attorneys. Quinn continues to be dogged at personal appearances by a small but very vocal group of LGBT detractors who claim she is the puppet of wealthy landlords and developers intent on further gentrifying the poor out of New York City.

Today In Gay Marketing

Quote Of The Day - Jon Cryer

"I respectfully disagree. I want to stand up for all the slightly effeminate dorks that are actually heterosexual. Just cause the gaydar is going off, doesn't mean your instruments aren't faulty. I've had to live with that, and that's okay." - Jon Cryer, responding to Pretty In Pink costar Molly Ringwald, who says that his Duckie character was gay but didn't know it. Ringwald's statement has spawned a playful Twitter exchange between Cryer, Ringwald, and fellow cast member Andrew McCarthy.

RELATED: Ringwald will be a grand marshal of this year's Los Angeles Pride.

Updated Electoral Projections

I'm going to try and remember to post one of these every Friday until November. The interactive version with the latest polling data can be found at Huffington Post.

Anderson Cooper Interviews Supporter Of Pastor "Concentration Camp" Worley

Peter LaBarbera: Christians Must Become More Brutal Towards Homosexuals

"Simply put, we as a movement must conquer whatever timidity, fear and political correctness we have in NOT wanting to debate the morality of homosexuality–because our fanatically driven LGBT opponents will never relent in their audacious campaign 'sell' homosexuality to the public. Notice that while many conservatives shrink from the homosexuality debate, self-described 'queer' activists never back-track in their misguided, indeed, pathological quest to compel society to approve of their aberrant 'lifestyles.'" - Porno Pete LaBarbera, in an AFTAH column posted from Madrid.

RELATED: LaBarbera is in Spain for the World Congress of Families, where NOM's Brian Brown and numerous other hate leaders are appearing and where one symposium is chillingly titled "Solutions To Homosexual Behavior."

GOProud Vs Meghan McCain

"Meghan McCain should be absolutely ashamed of herself. She went on a liberal network with a liberal host and demonized Andrew Breitbart. During his life, Andrew Breitbart did more for gay people, and showed more political courage on behalf of gay people, than Meghan McCain could ever dream of. Meghan McCain has made quite the career for herself picking fights with high profile conservatives and then going on liberal outlets to trash them. She picked a fight this time with a man who isn’t even alive to defend himself. As usual, however, this is a fight Meghan McCain has lost." - GOProud's Chris Barron, this time attacking Meghan McCain via press release, rather than his usual "She's FAT" messages on Twitter.

UPDATE: This is what has Barron so bent out of shape.

Gay Rights Are Inherently Misogynistic

"Mothers were given the talent to bear children. That talent doesn't belong to men. When a man says he wants to get married to another man, we in Zimbabwe don't accept it. We can't talk of women's rights at all if we go in that direction. It will lead to extinction. Our customs look down on women as inferior. Men pay cattle and money to get a wife and expect women to obey them. Women will surely lose. Men say that women are not as knowledgeable as us. The attitude of men still despises women." - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, speaking at an HIV/AIDS conference.

GOP Statistics

Indonesians Protest Lady Gaga

"Lady Gaga is a prostitute and Satan worshipper." Hurray! More protest photos from Jakarta can be found at Buzzfeed.

SpaceX Connects With Space Station

Newspaper Woes For New Orleans

After a widely-praised post-Katrina comeback, insiders claim New Orleans' major daily newspaper will be cutting back to publishing twice a week.

The Times-Picayune, which has published since 1837, was bought by the Newhouse family in 1962 and later merged with the afternoon daily. Up to now, the paper has avoided some of the deeper cuts in the industry, in part because the newspaper played such a critical role in the coverage of Katrina and its aftermath. “The newspaper, oddly enough, is stabilizing, albeit at a reduced level from before the storm,” he said. “It has not come roaring back — it is a smaller business, but it is healthy business and that can’t be said of many American newspapers. The reporters and editors who work here accomplished something amazing.”

Mariela Castro Endorses Obama

Speaking at a San Francisco event, Cuban LGBT rights activist Mariela Castro yesterday said she would vote to re-elect President Obama, were she an American. Mariela is the niece of Fidel Castro and the daughter of current Cuban president Raul Castro.

"If we don't change our patriarchal and homophobic culture ... we cannot advance as a new society, and that's what we want -- the power of emancipation through socialism," she said. "We will establish relationships on the basis of social justice and social equality .... It seems like a Utopia, but we can change it." During her 90-minute appearance in San Francisco, she hailed Barack Obama’s support for homosexual "marriage" and the loosening of U.S.-Cuba travel restrictions, saying: “I would vote for President Obama.”

The Romney campaign has called on the president to reject Castro's endorsement.

“President Obama should disavow the endorsement of the daughter of Cuban dictator Raul Castro,” Romney campaign adviser Alberto Martinez said in a statement. "It is galling that an envoy from a Communist regime would come to our country and lecture the American people on who to vote for while the regime refuses to hold free and fair elections and systematically violates the human rights of its people,” said Martinez. “The decision by the Obama Administration to welcome Mariela Castro to our shores — a decision that has received rightful criticism from both Republicans and Democrats — continues to be an egregious affront to the people of Cuba and those who love freedom everywhere.”

Regarding the "decision to welcome Mariela Castro" to the United States, both the Romney campaign and the linked wingnut site fail to mention the inconvenient fact that Castro was granted THREE such visas by the Bush II administration.

Pastor Charles Worley: Remixed

Hate Groups Gather In Madrid

The World Congress Of Families takes place in Madrid this weekend, where the main topic of discussion appears to be the "demographic winter" facing Europe, namely the relative decrease in the number of white Christian babies. But the other big topic, of course, is the demise of the "natural family," the issue which has drawn the attendance of Porno Pete, the Red-Caped Catholic Loons, the Concernstipated Women, and other American opponents of civil equality such as the Alliance Defense Fund and Focus On The Family, both of whom are major sponsors of the convention. Ironically, all of this takes place in a nation which offers its citizens full marriage equality.

No Wedge: Religious And Black Groups Form Coalition To Fight NOM-Style Tactics

From the No Wedge 2012 site:

The real threat to marriage in Black America is not marriage equality. The real answer to promote and sustain Black families is educational opportunities, economic development, eliminating race-based profiling, and eliminating the disproportionate rate of incarceration among Black men. Interlopers are counting on provoking African Americans and gay Americans battling to determine which group has suffered and or has been marginalized more. Importantly, this discourse has its place, however not to the point of distracting us from the realities that unify us.

LA Gay Bar Bans Bachelorette Parties

Citing recent LGBT rights setbacks like North Carolina's Amendment one, Los Angeles gay hotspot The Abbey has banned bachelorette parties. From their press release:

Every Friday and Saturday night, we’re flooded with requests from straight girls in penis hats who want to ogle our gogos, dance with the gays and celebrate their pending nuptials. They are completely unaware that the people around them are legally prohibited from getting married. Over the past 22 years, The Abbey has been a place that accepts everyone, gay, straight, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and everything in between. We love our straight girlfriends and they are welcome here, just not for bachelorette parties. It has long been a policy at The Abbey to deny admission to groups in costume, including Bachelorette regalia. Bachelorette parties had previously been allowed inside if they removed their costumes. The Abbey's Bachelorette Ban comes on the heels of a ban on Gay Marriage in North Carolina and a number of other states across the south. The Abbey encourages other gay-owned and operated establishments to institute their own bans as a sign of solidarity until Marriage is legal everywhere for everyone.

I think DC's Town club has the same policy.

NYC's Fleet Week Is Underway

The weather continues to be dark and drizzly, but the parade of "tall ships" from around the world rolls on as NYC launches its 25th annual Fleet Week. The streets of midtown have been crowded in white bell-bottoms for a couple of days. Event slideshow here.

BRAZIL: Civil Unions Bill Nears Passage

Brazil's national legislature yesterday took another step towards legalizing civil unions nationwide, a move seen as putting into written law what some courts have already allowed.

The country’s human rights committee yesterday approved a measure to change the law regarding civil unions – the new bill classes a ‘union’ as a contract between two people in a ‘continuous and long-lasting’ relationship, established with the aim of starting a family, regardless of gender. This bill, sponsored by Senator Marta Suplicy, moves the law forward in line with what is already happening in the country. Since May 2011, the Supreme Court has been approving civil unions for same-sex couples, and state courts have since allowed these to become fully-fledged marriages. Sen. Suplicy said: “All we have done is added something to civil law that the Supreme Court has already done.”

The bill faces several other steps before final passage.

Why God Hates Civil Unions

Hate Group Leader Bradlee Dean Claims "Victory" Over YouTube For Yanked Clip

"They said that the content was 'hate speech', [but] there's absolutely nothing to do with any sort of speech, other than the fact that we were just showing them the fruit that fell from the tree and is falling from the tree over in Canada concerning homosexual marriage. It sends a strong signal to America that we can do this thing if we stick together. We can win our country back." - Hate group leader Bradlee Dean, whose clip was actually flagged by YouTube viewers after being posted here on JMG. Dean then wrote a furious editorial in World Net Daily, claiming that YouTube had singled him out for censorship.

The reposted clip is here.

Kylie Minogue - Timebomb

(Via Towleroad)

Tweet Of The Day - Cory Booker

FRANCE: Stars Crowd amfAR Gala

GLAAD Cheers CNN Host's Handling Of Hate Group Leader Tony Perkins

GLAAD president Herdon Graddick today cheered the manner in which CNN host Brooke Baldwin handled her interview with hate group leader Tony Perkins.

Thursday afternoon, CNN’s Brooke Baldwin gave an almost textbook example of how to tell a complete story when dealing with an anti-gay activist. Joining Baldwin was Tony Perkins, there to speak about his 3PM press conference opposing President Obama’s support for marriage equality. Perkins is certainly one of the loudest anti-gay activists in the country, and his voice was absolutely relevant to today’s discussion, surrounding his press conference. But he always needs to be put into context, since in front of mainstream audiences he plays a completely different character than the one he plays in front of supporters.

In order to tell the full story when interviewing Perkins, it needs to be made clear to the audience that this is someone who believes gay people “have an emptiness within them” and are trying to “recruit (children) into that lifestyle” through support campaigns like It Gets Better. [snip] Baldwin did the best job we’ve seen from anyone at CNN since the Obama announcement of showing her audience exactly who Tony Perkins is, exactly who he speaks for, and most importantly, that he doesn’t speak for them.

Watch the clip below and hit the above link for a play-by-play on what Baldwin did right and the the one thing GLAAD thinks she missed.

Real Minnesotans Voting No

Not A Fake

The DNC reacts:

Once again Mitt Romney is failing the moral leadership test. Instead of rejecting Donald Trump's 'birther' conspiracy theories and divisive attacks, he's endorsing them by campaigning and fundraising with him. Romney has shown time and again that he's not ready to have his John McCain 2008 type moment by speaking out against these types of attacks against the President. This type of false and extremely divisive rhetoric has no place in the political discourse of our country and Mitt Romney should stand up against it instead of standing with Donald Trump to raise money for his campaign.

One Million Shrews Against Homo Comics

Well, at least they're timely.

Children desire to be just like superheroes. Children mimic superhero actions and even dress up in costumes to resemble these characters as much as possible. Can you imagine little boys saying, "I want a boyfriend or husband like X-Men?" This is ridiculous! Why do adult gay men need comic superheroes as role models? They don't but do want to indoctrate impressionable young minds by placing these gay characters on pedestals in a positive light. These companies are heavily influencing our youth by using children's superheroes to desensitize and brainwash them in thinking that a gay lifestyle choice is normal and desirable. As Christians, we know that homosexuality is a sin (Romans 1:26-27).

God's Law Supersedes The Supreme Court On The Criminalization Of Homosexuality

Russia & Japan Want Moon Bases

Move over Newt Gingrich, you've got company.

At the Global Space Exploration Conference, which started on May 22 — the same day SpaceX successfully launched its Dragon capsule towards the ISS, which is why NASA administrator Charles Bolden was absent from the conference — Russia and Japan laid out their plans for space exploration, both focusing on Earth’s natural satellite. “We’re not talking about repeating what mankind achieved 40 years ago. We’re talking about establishing permanent bases,” said Vladimir Popovkin, the head of Roscosmos, the Russian space agency. Japan’s space exploration goals for the near future are similar to those of Russia. “We are looking at the moon as our next target for human exploraiton,” said Yuichi Yamaura, an associate executive director at JAXA, the Japanese Space Agency.

Astonishing X-Men

Via Andrew Belonsky.

Ice Cream Burger

It's a thing.

Totally Not Gay Preacher Breaks Down While Selling Anti-Gay Propaganda

This went down at a FRC convention in DC.

FREAK SHOW: Teabagger Website To Give Away One Gun Per Week Until Election Day

The Daily Caller, which was founded by proud gay-basher Tucker Carlson, announced today that it will give away a "high-capacity" handgun per week until our Kenyan Communist Gay President is toppled in November. Can this possibly be legal? Surely some states must outlaw such nuttery.

New From The Obama Campaign

MARYLAND: New Poll Shows Strong Majority Support For Marriage

According to a Public Policy Polling result issued today, should Maryland's pending marriage equality bill be forced onto the November ballot, voters would approve the issue by a 20 point margin.

57% of Maryland voters say they’re likely to vote for the new marriage law this fall, compared to only 37% who are opposed. That 20 point margin of passage represents a 12 point shift from an identical PPP survey in early March, which found it ahead by a closer 52/44 margin.

The movement over the last two months can be explained almost entirely by a major shift in opinion about same-sex marriage among black voters. Previously 56% said they would vote against the new law with only 39% planning to uphold it. Those numbers have now almost completely flipped, with 55% of African Americans planning to vote for the law and only 36% now opposed.

The big shift in attitudes toward same-sex marriage among black voters in Maryland is reflective of what’s happening nationally right now. A new ABC/Washington Post poll finds 59% of African Americans across the country supportive of same-sex marriage. A PPP poll in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania last weekend found a shift of 19 points in favor of same-sex marriage among black voters.

CHICAGO: Labor Controversy As Leather Event May Cross Host Hotel Picket Lines

The 34th annual International Mister Leather convention is taking place this weekend in Chicago, where attendees at the host hotel could potentially face a picket line over a long-running union labor dispute.

The Hyatt Regency Chicago, site of the recent competitions, has been at the center of a bitter a contract fight with workers represented by the union UNITE HERE since 2009. The workers, union spokeswoman Annemarie Strassel said, want one room per day subtracted from their quota to compensate for the fact that they have to get down on their hands and knees to clean floors, rather than using a long-handled mop. They also want better job security. UNITE HERE brands Hyatt "the worst employer in the hotel industry," and it asks that supporters "not eat, meet or sleep at Hyatt." UNITE HERE has been asking International Mr. Leather to relocate its convention since at least 2010 — and last year, one LGBT website accused the organization of "crossing picket lines" by continuing to hold events at the Hyatt. The convention leaders, however, dismiss the union's charges — and accuse the union of playing on popular discomfort with their subculture. Jon Krongaard, coordinator of International Mr. Leather, says "there is no picket line," and all he and his organization have seen are "random walkouts."

The "one LGBT website" cited above appears to be that of the Chicago-based Gay Liberation Network, which last fall had called on IML organizers to relocate the event, saying that event founder Chuck Renslow was showing "disrespect to work-place issues." According to the above-linked news item, IML claims it would have a faced a $700K loss had it broken its 2012 contract with the Hyatt Regency. Additionally, a spokesman claims that union supporters have harassed at least one IML attendee by calling his place of employment and outing him as a member of the fetish community.

Teabagging "Politichicks" Discuss Our Muslim Communist Gay President

It looks like they've finally shitcanned Victoria Jackson from their weekly ditz-fest. It feels slightly less crazy without the ukelele. Slightly.

Great White Steals Fisherman's Catch

New York Legislature Ponders GOP Bill To Outlaw Anonymous Web Comments

New York GOP Assemblyman James Conte wants to make it illegal to leave anonymous comments on the internet. SRSLY. Wired weighs in:

Republican Assemblyman Jim Conte said the legislation would cut down on “mean-spirited and baseless political attacks” and “turns the spotlight on cyberbullies by forcing them to reveal their identity.” Had the internet been around in the late 1700s, perhaps the anonymously written Federalist Papers would have to be taken down unless Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay revealed themselves. “This statute would essentially destroy the ability to speak anonymously online on sites in New York,” said Kevin Bankston, a staff attorney with the Center for Democracy and Technology. He added that the legislation provides a “heckler’s veto to anybody who disagrees with or doesn’t like what an anonymous poster said.” Sen. Thomas O’Mara, a Republican who is also sponsoring the measure, said it would “help lend some accountability to the internet age.”

Under the proposed bill, New York-based sites would be commanded to remove any anonymous comment "unless such anonymous poster agrees to attach his or her name to the post."

HISTORY: Openly Gay Cadets Graduate From Air Force Academy

(Via Zack Ford)

ISRAEL: Rabbi Calls For Jewish Doctors To Withhold Treating Gentiles On Sabbath

Ultra Orthodox Rabbi Ovadia Yosef is the founder and head of Israel's Shas Party, which presently holds a number of seats in the national government. Last week Yosef declared that "religious doctors" should refuse to treat non-Jews if their emergency occurs on the sabbath.

During a class on Sabbath halacha relating to religious physicians, the spiritual leader of Shas said that while doctors are expected to do everything in their power – even if it requires violating the Sabbath – in order to save Jews whose lives are in danger, the same does not apply for gentiles. "If a gentile were to get injured in a car accident during Sabbath, and he is brought to the hospital – Israel must not treat him," he said, explaining that "if the particular procedures come from rabbis (de-rabbanan), then they might be permitted, but if they stem from prohibitions in the Torah (de-'oraita), then they are not allowed, as the Torah forbids to violate the Sabbath for gentiles."

Shas is the Knesset's fourth-largest party. They hold four cabinet posts in the administration of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Via Friendly Atheist)

Where Dinosaurs Have Saddles

Creationists freeped the online poll of a popular travel site to place Kentucky's Creation Museum as the #1 place that "any kid should see before the age of 15." And now they're all butt-hurt because the site refused to list the freeped result.

The creation science group that runs the museum, Answers in Genesis, expressed disappointment. The group said, “Curiously, despite being a clear winner in terms of votes received, the Creation Museum does not appear on the Budget Travel List.” Noting the company explanation that the Creation Museum did not fit into a “universal appeal” profile, the ministry said, “We are certainly aware many evolutionists fear exposing children to the sort of critical thinking encouraged by a visit to the Creation Museum. And while we never discourage parents from taking their children to museums such as the number two choice on Budget Travel’s list – the Field Museum of Chicago, home of ‘the biggest Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever dug up’ – we do suggest they go armed with a bucketful of discernment.”

AFA Plans Target Boycott

Right on cue, the American Family Association says it is asking its supporters to "shop elsewhere" until Target cancels its selling of gay Pride t-shirts.

"We know for a fact that Target is a very gay-friendly company. You may remember a couple of years ago, when Target came under heat from homosexual activists for donating to a pro-family candidate for United States Congress," the special projects director recalls. "And I think what Target has done is they've folded that tent and they've completely caved in to the homosexual agenda." So, AFA is urging consumers to contact the Target corporate office, specifically Chairman Gregg Steinhafel, and let them know that as long as the retailer donates cash to promote something in which they do not believe, they will shop elsewhere.

Romney On Day One, Part Two

Editorial Of The Day

The New York Times yesterday posted an editorial about Dr. Robert Spitzer's recanting of his infamous "ex-gay" research and its conclusions.

Dr. Spitzer, who just turned 80, has acknowledged that his survey was deeply flawed. In a letter to the editor of the Archives of Sexual Behavior, which had published his study, he said he had no way of knowing whether the patients who said they had changed were deceiving themselves, lying or reporting accurately. He apologized for making “unproven claims” about reparative therapy and for any harm he may have caused to anyone who “wasted time and energy” undergoing the therapy. Critics have noted that the people interviewed were nominated by centers that were performing the therapy and that there was no control group and no clear definition of what counted as therapy. There is also some evidence that reparative therapy can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts and behavior. It is absurd, potentially harmful, pseudopsychiatry. It should have been rejected long ago.

NEW JERSEY: Anti-Gay Teacher Vicki Knox May Retire Rather Than Face Tenure Trial

You may recall that last fall New Jersey public school teacher Vicki Knox was so upset by a pro-gay bulletin board at her school, she took to Facebook to launch a tirade calling gays "perverted spirits" whose sin "breeds like cancer." Knox was then suspended for conduct unbecoming a public servant, leading local anti-gay groups to protest the school board in defense of their latest martyr. The story was picked up the mainstream national press after Gov. Chris Christie denounced her behavior.

Last week Knox requested a delay in her tenure trial while she pursues a disability retirement pension on "psychological grounds." Because of those perverted gay spirits? She also claims to have a back injury.

William Quinn, a spokesman for the state Treasury Department said Knox can apply for an ordinary or an accidental disability pension. Accidental disability pensions, which are related to an on-the-job injuries, pay a higher percentage of an employee’s salary. But Quinn said the tenure charges must still be dealt with, either through the disciplinary process or through a settlement with the district before a final decision on the disability application is made. "Filing a disability application will not allow someone to short-circuit the disciplinary process," Quinn said. "It’s the Division of Pensions and Benefits’ practice not to make a final decision on retirement applications until there has been a resolution of the disciplinary process."

OHIO: Gay Rights Lobbyist Named Director Of State Republican Party

Matt Borges, a hired lobbyist for Equality Ohio and other unrelated groups, has been named the executive director of the Ohio Republican Party. Borges had been working on a still-pending bill to ban anti-gay housing and employment discrimination.

Borges, recently named to his role by Ohio GOP Chairman Robert T. Bennett, said he will take a leave of absence from the Columbus lobbying firm Roetzel & Andress through the end of the year and will resign as a lobbyist registered with the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee. His leave will begin soon — there’s one little-known bill in the legislature of interest to a client he’d like to see through — and will include a hiatus from lobbying for his 16 clients currently registered with the state. They include the MetroHealth System of Cleveland and Akron public schools.

At this writing I haven't found any mention that Borges is gay himself, but merely counting Equality Ohio among his many clients is enough to condemn him to anti-gay hate groups.

SAN DIEGO: Gay Sailor's Homecoming

Yesterday JMG reader Aaron Heier accompanied his Navy veteran friend Lee to the San Diego homecoming of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, where Lee was reunited with his longtime boyfriend Trent, who'd been at sea for six months.

SPLC Issues Report On NOM's Lies

Judging by this blistering report just issued by the Southern Poverty Law Center, it looks like NOM may finally be getting its long-overdue hate group classification. The article begins:

About the worst thing said about gay men, an allegation that is regularly dragged out by certain religious-right organizations, is that they molest children at rates vastly higher than their heterosexual counterparts. It is as devastating a charge as one can make in a country where jailed pedophiles, known in prison parlance as “short eyes,” are frequently murdered by self-righteous fellow inmates. But it is also completely false, a demonizing construct long ago debunked and denounced by virtually all relevant scientific organizations and serious researchers. That’s why the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), the leading opponent of same-sex marriage but also a group that prides itself on keeping its criticisms of homosexuality both civil and factual, does not employ the accusation. Or does it?

Bolding is mine. You must read the full story.

The New S.T.U.D.

New Zealand Says WTF To Homophobia

Naughty language delivered in a charming accent.

Arizona AG Folds: Hawaii Has Convinced Me That Obama Can Be On The Ballot

Last week Arizona Attorney General Ken Bennett said that he would keep President Obama off his state's November ballot unless Hawaii responded to his demand for their birth records. Here's the latest:

Bennett, a Republican, said in a written statement that Hawaii officials "have complied with the request, and I consider the matter closed." Bennett's office says Obama's name will appear on Arizona's November ballot as long as he wins his party's nomination and all paperwork is properly completed. Obama campaign spokesman Mahen Gunaratna noted that Bennett also is Arizona campaign co-chair for Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney. Gunaratna said Bennett's inquiry will have no bearing on the election, "But it does present an opportunity for Mitt Romney to finally rise to the occasion and denounce the extreme voices in his party." The Romney campaign responded saying the candidate has made his stance on the issue clear. "I think the citizenship test has been passed," Romney said to CNBC in April, a statement relayed to The Associated Press by his campaign on Wednesday. "I believe the president was born in the United States. And there are real reasons to get this guy out of office."

Open Thread Thursday

What are you reading?

74% Of Americans Believe That Religious Beliefs Should Supercede Civil Law?

According to a Marist Poll paid for by the Knights Of Columbus (AHEM), 74% of respondents say that religious beliefs should always take precedence over civil law. World Net Daily:

In the Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll, nearly three in four Americans, 74 percent, said freedom of religion should be protected “even if it conflicts with other laws.” Majorities of Americans also would protect the First Amendment conscience rights of health care workers, insurers and hospitals, the poll said. “This survey reveals that the American people are fundamentally dedicated to protecting the First Amendment conscience rights of everyone,” said Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson. “Allowing people to opt out of these procedures or services – which violate their faith – is the right thing to do. It is also key to protecting the First Amendment rights of all Americans and enjoys strong public support as well.”

Hurray! My religion demands that I drive on the sidewalk. Stop repressing my religious liberty and get out of my way, assholes! HONK.

TRAILER: The Great Gatsby

HomoQuotable - Richard Grenell

"The claim that gays should be barred from conservative activism is not only bigoted but is a bipartisan view. The intolerant assault comes from the far right, who object to Republicans who are gay, and the far left, who object to gays being Republicans. When the extremists on both sides are the only ones speaking up, the majority suffers. [snip]

"Like many voters, I rarely agree with a candidate's every position. I can support Mr. Romney for president but not agree with all of his stated policies. I can be proud of President Obama's personal support for gay marriage and still take exception to his dismal national-security and economic records. Millions of American voters will also evaluate both candidates' policies in total and come to the same conclusion: Mr. Obama doesn't deserve to be re-elected and Mr. Romney does." - Former Romney spokesman Richard Grenell, in an essay published by the Wall Street Journal.

Obama Campaign Launches New Site And Video In Praise Of LGBT Rights Advances

Updated site: LGBT Americans For Obama.

Satan Uses Gays To Destroy America

Alveda King Fires Back At Critics

"The 21st century homosexual lobby likes to point to the professional relationship between my uncle Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bayard Rustin, his openly homosexual staffer who left the movement at the height of the campaign. Rustin attempted to convince Uncle M. L. that homosexual rights were equal with civil rights. Uncle M. L. did not agree, and would not attach the homosexual agenda to the 20th century civil rights struggles. So Mr. Rustin resigned. He was a brilliant strategist and was hired by Uncle M. L. not because he was gay, but because he was a capable strategist. He also was not fired, he chose to resign. My uncle was not a bigot, and he didn't judge people for the color of their skin nor their sexual orientation. Neither do I. As compassionate Christians who won't be forced to sit on the back of the bus as far as our spiritual commitments are concerned, we can be compassionate without endorsing sin." - Alveda King, apparently feeling the heat after yesterday's denouncement of the NAACP. Hit the first link for much more.

Colin Powell Backs Gay Marriage

Human Rights Campaign

“Colin Powell’s support for marriage equality is representative of the continued momentum for marriage that we’re seeing nationwide, and its significance cannot be overlooked,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “One of our nation’s foremost statesmen and a top military leader, Colin Powell is another example of how a growing number of Americans are personally connected to loving, committed LGBT couples – and these connections are having transformative results. As more and more Americans come to see the discrimination their own LGBT family members and friends experience on a daily basis, support for marriage equality is increasingly common-sense. No longer can marriage be used as a wedge issue for any community – Americans are increasingly supportive of marriage equality regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation or political associations.”

Fred Karger Vs Mitt Romney

But Unlike YOU, Donohue, We're Only Obsessed With The Sex WE Are Having

The Power Bears Of NYC Pride (Plus Me)

A couple of months ago, the folks at NYC Pride invited me to pose for their "Rise Of The Power Bears" feature. I know, right? But since my hero, Carl Siciliano of the Ali Forney Center, had already signed on, how could I refuse? Rounding out our trio was Kiehl's president Chris Salgardo, who is also one of this year's Grand Marshals. The above shot is the final result of two hours in a West Village barbershop, where I think photographer Steven Rosen finally decided that putting me in the chair made the size difference between those two big guys and me less apparent. Plus, I finally got Carl between my legs!

Betty DeGeneres Leads PFLAG's New National Anti-Bullying Campaign

Johnson & Johnson have teamed up with Walgreens and PFLAG on a Pride season project to raise money for anti-bullying campaigns. Fronting the effort is Betty DeGeneres, Ellen's mom.

AFA Rides The Target Waambulance

The American Family Association has issued a crybaby notice that Target is blocking their campaign of anti-gay emails over the Pride t-shirts I mentioned earlier today. Here's the sample email that's not going through:

Dear Chairman Steinhafel: Thirty-one states have overwhelmingly voted for constitutional amendments to protect marriage as only between one-man, one-woman. And your company does business in all of these states. That's why I can't understand why Target would purposely choose to offend me by donating cash to support the Family Equality Council's push for legalizing homosexual marriage. I urge you to reconsider this promotion and stop supporting a gay marriage campaign. Otherwise, I will reconsider shopping at your stores and choose making my purchases from your competitors.

Adam Lambert Becomes Nation's First Out Performer With #1 Billboard Pop Album

Gay performers have had numerous #1 albums, of course, but none of them hit the top spot again after they came out. Billboard has the numbers:

For the first time, one "American Idol" replaces another at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart as Adam Lambert's "Trespassing" debuts atop the list with 77,000 sold according to Nielsen SoundScan. His arrival bumps last week's leader, Carrie Underwood's "Blown Away," down to No. 3 (54,000; down 55%). Lambert is the seventh "American Idol" finalist to reach No. 1, following Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Underwood, Chris Daughtry (of Daughtry) and Scotty McCreery.

RELATED: Last month I chatted with Lambert at an industry meet-and-greet to support the new album. Nice guy, chatty, and not a hint of rock star 'tude.