Pumpcast News

Almost a million views since last night.

NBC Cancels The New Normal

Via Hollywood Reporter:

The series, like the rest of its Tuesday block, suffered without The Voice, notching a string of lows before the singing competition returned to revitalize the lineup. While its April season finale was penned to serve as a potential series finale, producers said that a second season would have featured the newly married couple raising their newborn son. The 20th Television entry marks Murphy's first show to not move beyond its freshman run.

Stand by for you-know-who to scream "VICTORY!" (Via Towleroad)

Homocon Tweet Of The Day

NEW YORK CITY: Cops Make Two Arrests After Midtown Gay Bashing

Port Authority cops made two arrests yesterday after they came upon a group of five men attacking a gay couple outside a midtown PATH station. The two victims, one of which has required eye surgery, asked the police to release their photos in order to help find the other attackers.

Asllan Berisha and Brian Ramirez, both 21, were with at least three others when Port Authority Sgt. Michael Thomas spotted them beating two men outside the station entrance on W. 33rd St. and Ninth Ave. about 5 a.m., officials said. Thomas and two other Port Authority lawmen, Dwight Clark and Matt Vogelman, darted toward the brawl and cuffed Berisha and Ramirez. The others got away. One of the victims said the hate-filled attackers “came after us and fought us because we’re homosexual,” a source said. Berisha and Ramirez, who both live in Manhattan, were arraigned Friday night on charges of misdemeanor assault and harassment, a violation. Berisha was later released on $1,500 bail. It was unclear if Ramirez made bail.

Misdemeanor assault? Earlier this week another gay couple was attacked near Madison Square Garden, but police believe the crimes are not related.

VIDEO: CBS New York recaps the latest spree of gay bashings in Manhattan.

Quote Of The Day - Matt Barber

"To any member of the armed services who is harassed, demeaned, reprimanded or charged by this Obama Pentagon with obeying Jesus – with endeavoring to 'recruit or convert' others to His exclusive saving grace – we at Liberty Counsel are delighted to say, 'We’ve Got your back!' Pro bono. Free of charge. How are we able to do this? Through the generous financial and prayer support of more than 1.2 million Liberty Counsel donors and supporters. So please, get this information to every member of the armed forces you know. If you (or they) are being persecuted in any way, at any time for sharing the love of Christ, let us know." - Hate group leader Matt Barber, continuing to flog a completely debunked story.

TRAILER: August: Osage County

Minnesota Gives Tony Perkins The Sadz

"As conservatives, it's easy to despair. With liberal states falling like dominos, Americans must be wondering if this is the end of the road for marriage. Well, it's not--and here's why. If you look at the dozen states with same-sex 'marriage,' homosexual activists are picking off the easiest targets: progressive pockets of the country that have rejected traditional morality. Our short-term strategy should be containment. If conservatives can confine same-sex 'marriage' to these liberal jurisdictions, the evidence of why this policy won't work will begin to show. More people will realize that this isn't about the marriage altar -- it's about fundamentally altering society. It's time to look at the marriage scoreboard -- 30 states to 12 -- and recognize that same-sex 'marriage' isn't a wave that's sweeping the nation. If anything, it's a call to stand for natural marriage -- and keep standing." - Hate group leader and apparent pizza fan Tony Perkins, via email.

Today's New York Daily News

Despite today's headline, if you actually read this "exclusive" you'll learn that NYC's public school cafeterias stopped using butter five years ago.  But news from 2008 doesn't fit the Nanny Bloomberg meme, so....

FRC Launches Boy Scouts Video Series

Six more nasty clips just went up on their channel.

Rabbi Noson Leiter: NY Anti-Bullying Bill Is Emotional Child Molestation

"Much of the homosexual agenda is predicated on predatory practices targeting youth. I would suggest people look at the information on the Dignity for All Students Act in New York state, the homosexual indoctrination in schools is a major issues that could be attacked on that basis. It’s like spiritual and emotional child molestation, that’s a term people may want to use. There are bills in California and proposed in New Jersey and New York seeking to ban reparative therapy, as Greg Quinlan referred to it as the Jerry Sandusky bill that we just testified against this week in New Jersey. These are all examples of terrorist and barbaric tactics and strategies and policies of the homosexualist movement." - Rabbi Noson Leiter of Torah Jews For Decency. Right Wing Watch has much, much more at the link.

RELATED: Last fall Leiter declared that Hurricane Sandy was God's revenge on New York for legalizing same-sex marriage. He was later denounced by Governor Cuomo.

Sad Cat Diary

"Dear Diary: The authorities have removed the black pants from the couch and there is no longer any place for me to sleep. I have vomited three times in protest."

Rising In NYC: 60-Story "Jenga" Tower

Super-skyscapers are rising all over Manhattan and the "Jenga" tower is the city's latest hot building for jillionaires.

Tribeca’s soon-to-be-tallest building, 56 Leonard, sold more than 70% of its 145 units in just 10 weeks — including one to a Frenchman who got so excited just from looking at renderings of the unevenly shaped structure that he bought a $6 million apartment over the phone. The 60-story tower at Church St. was designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron — which also built Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest” Olympic stadium. The building will top out in 2014 — and prices are rising, too. A two-bedroom unit that sold for $3.6 million two months ago is now selling for $4.9 million.

The 57th floor penthouse is going for mere $24M.

Highest Paid Public Employees

In 42 states, the highest paid public employee is a sports coach. (Tipped by JMG reader Michael)

Headline Of The Day

Interesting stuff from Mother Jones:

Last year in Maryland, the church even went so far as to squelch an effort by some Mormons to organize against a pro-marriage initiative on the state ballot. The loss of the church as an ally has been a huge blow to foes of gay marriage, especially given its ability to deploy a host of motivated volunteers. (The efficiency of the LDS church during natural disasters has been compared to that of the German Wehrmacht.)

If nothing else, the movement against gay marriage has lost a significant source of cash. In March, the Huffington Post reported that a scant 16 Utah residents (a rough proxy for Mormons) had donated a collective total of $1,264 to four state ballot committees fighting same-sex marriage bills. Back in 2008, more than 800 Utah residents gave $2.7 million to support Prop 8.

Bachmann: Benghazi Was God's Judgment

TEASER: Broadway Bares 2013

Might not be work-friendly. Recap from Broadway Cares:

Broadway Bares: Solo Strips was a sexy tease for Broadway Bares, one of BC/EFA's annual signature events. This year's racy, road trip-themed edition, Broadway Bares 23: United Strips of America, will feature 200 of New York's most desirable dancers discovering -- and uncovering -- amber waves and mountain majesties that only Broadway Bares could find. Broadway Bares 23: United Strips of America will be held Sunday, June 23 with two performances only at 9:30 pm & midnight at Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

I recommend the raunchier midnight show. Get tickets here.

Illinois Governor Calls For Marriage Vote

"Illinois passing marriage equality into law, I think, sends a great signal to the people of our state and the people of America. So it's important that Illinois and the House of Representatives get moving. I believe a majority exists to get this bill passed through the House onto my desk so I can sign it into law. We've waited now three months, plenty of time for people to reflect on it. And now it's time to pass it." - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn.

Ohio Democrats Launch Marriage Bid

Yesterday the Ohio Democratic Party launched a fundraising pitch to repeal that state's ban on same-sex marriage: "This week Delaware became the 11th state in the nation to recognize marriage equality. Isn’t it time that we make Ohio the 12th state to recognize marriage equality? Chip in today to help us mobilize our efforts to promote marriage equality."

On Top has more:

The group FreedomOhio began its effort to repeal the amendment last year. The Ohio Freedom to Marry and Religious Freedom Amendment would replace language in the Ohio Constitution excluding gay couples from marriage with inclusive language, thereby legalizing marriage equality in the state. Ian James, a co-founder of FreedomOhio, has previously said that while his group will easily surpass the roughly 385,000 valid signatures needed by July 3 to qualify for this November's ballot, a decision to put the question before voters this year hinges on public support and available resources.

(Tipped by JMG reader Dennis)

The 23rd Annual Night Of 1000 Stevies

A tambourine-waving crowd packed the Chelsea's Highline Ballroom for the 23rd annual Night Of 1000 Stevies, which bills itself as "the largest and most beloved Stevie Nicks fan event in the world." The performers included former Scissor Sisters guitarist Del Marquis & Xavier, the Ho Hos, and Jenna Torres.

408-Foot Spire Tops Out One WTC

One WTC was topped out this morning.

Construction workers bolted a 408-foot spire into place atop One World Trade Center on Friday, symbolically capping New York's comeback after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. The spire brings the iconic building to a height of 1,776 feet -- an allusion to the year the United States declared its independence. It also makes the building the tallest in the Western Hemisphere and the third-tallest in the world. The company developing the building in partnership with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey confirmed the installation. While the building still has significant construction before its scheduled 2014 opening, the installation brought cheers from New Yorkers, and from people around the country.

Tweet Of The Day - Sen. Rand Paul

Texas Cheerleaders Win Court Battle

A Texas court has ruled that public high school cheerleaders may display banners which claim that God wants their team to win.

District Judge Steve Thomas Wednesday ruled that the Kountze Independent School District cannot prevent the displays. The controversy began when the cheerleading squad at Kountze High School was ordered by the superintendent to stop displaying the banners. The order came after the district received a letter on September 17, 2012 sent by the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation. The letter said the group was acting on behalf of someone who wished to remain anonymous. Some of the cheerleaders, with help from the Plano, Texas-based Liberty Institute, filed a lawsuit against the school district after the ban went into place, saying since they make the banners on their free time and pay for the supplies, they are merely exercising their freedom of speech.

Suri Cruise To Launch Fashion Line

Seven year-old Suri Cruise, daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, has reportedly signed a $2.3M deal to launch her own fashion line.

“Suri is only seven but she is incredibly interested in clothes. She has been through a very difficult year and adapted amazingly to her new life in New York, including the upheaval of starting normal school,” a source tells the newspaper. “This is a nice hobby for her, it’s certainly not going to take over her life. Most girls dream of being able to make their own clothes, this just means her drawings will now become a reality. It’ll be interesting to see how it pans out, there’s nothing around quite like it.” Apparently Suri’s mom, Katie, helped put the wheels in motion on the project along with her longtime friend and stylist-turned-designer Jeanne Yang. The duo also have their own collection called Holmes & Yang.

RELATED: Three years ago then 14 year-old Lourdes Ciccone co-launched the Material Girl brand with her mother.

UPDATE: Katie Holmes is denying the story "100%" in an interview with Vogue.

GERMANY: Gay Man Fathers 22 Kids?

Yesterday the Munich Evening News broke a story which claims that a local gay man has fathered 22 children via sperm donations to women in several countries. Gay Star News reports:

He has never had sex with a woman but Markus K from Munich, Germany may be the gay dad with the most kids in the world – 22 so far. Slim, dark-haired and 1.94 meters (6’3”) tall he has 12 children living in Munich, one in Tuscany, one in Vienna, six in other German towns and two still in the womb – they are due to be born this summer. If both those pregnancies go as planned he will end up with 12 girls and 12 boys. He thinks that’s a good number and may consider stopping. And, unlike many sperm donors, the 45-year-old is still in touch with all of them.

Markus told the German newspaper his reasons: "Help, reproductive instinct, loneliness and quiet revenge on the church. I can not be a priest as a gay man, but I can reproduce myself as often as I want." Markus claims he was kicked out of a Catholic seminary in 1994 for being gay. Stand by for NOM and everybody else to go nuts.

NOTE: I put a question mark on this post's headline because so far I'm not totally buying this story.

Chicago Transit Bans Political Ads

As Pam Geller continues a court battle with the city of Detroit, Chicago's transit authority has banned all political advertising. Geller's transit ads have faced legal challenges almost everywhere they have appeared.

The CTA said in a statement it allows ads as a way to raise money — not as a way to get a political message out. “CTA buses and trains are not public forums for debate," said CTA President Forrest Claypool. "These guidelines make clear the purpose advertising has for the CTA and defines more precisely what is acceptable advertising on our system and what is not.”  The Chicago Transit Board voted to only allow ads in three categories: commercial and promotional; government; and public service announcements. Those PSAs will be limited to non-profits with messages related to health, welfare and education. As opposed to a public space such as a park, where people can choose to walk away from something they think is offensive, "if there's a form of advertising on our trains or buses, that's a captive audience," said CTA spokeswoman Tammy Chase.

Chicago's new rules also ban ads for movies, television, and violent video games. In the Detroit case, Geller is denying that her anti-Islam message is political and is instead designed "to save lives."  Hit the first link and read her raging account of yesterday's development. (Tipped by JMG reader Mel)

The First Clinton 2016 Attack Ad

By Fox News, of course.

Minnesota Gives Brian Brown The Sadz

"Minnesota voters should be outraged that they were sold a bill of goods by gay marriage activists last November. Our opponents filled the airwaves and spent millions claiming marriage was under no threat in Minnesota. And yet they lost no time in pushing for the redefinition of marriage as soon as our marriage protection amendment failed, despite new polling that shows a majority of Minnesotans oppose redefining marriage. We have long argued there is a very grave threat to marriage and today we witnessed our predictions sadly confirmed.  The recent actions in Minnesota should serve as a wakeup call to other states that have not yet passed Marriage Protection Amendments: if you do not protect marriage proactively in your constitution, the powerful and wealthy gay marriage lobby will target your state for their next campaign to change your laws. The new legislation in Minnesota will expose pro-marriage Minnesotans to additional legal action and harassment, as we have seen happen time and time again in other states that have redefined marriage." - Hate group leader Brian Brown, riding the waambulance.

Today's Manif Pour Tous Protest

From their press release:

The demonstration is organised by the “Manif pour Tous” with the support of the “Muslims for childhood”, the “Catholic Family Associations”, the “Protestant Family Associations”, the UOIF, Vita Alliance, and the Mayors for Childhood Collective. It is thus the people in France in all their diversity that will speak out in the streets of Argenteuil to defend children's right to a father and a mother, against Taubira's Law which seeks to deprive some of them of that fundamental right. It is another rehearsal in preparation of the third great demonstration planned for May 26 in Paris.

TRAILER: The World's End

YouTube Launches Paid Channels

YouTube has launched a monthly paid subscription model for some of its channels.

YouTube’s new service asks users to pay as little as 99 cents a month for individual channels. Netflix charges a higher subscription rate but boasts partnerships with studios including Disney, which Thursday granted the streaming service exclusive rights to five popular children’s shows. Paid channels begin rolling out immediately and will be available more broadly to a number of YouTube content creators over the “coming weeks,” according to a company blog post. Users will be able to access YouTube paid channels on their computers, phones, tablets and televisions.

Other announced partners so far include Sesame Street, the Ultimate Fighting Championship league, and National Geographic.

NOM's Thomas Peters Has The MN Sadz

Victory In The Minnesota House!!!

TODAY: MN House Marriage Vote UPDATE: Bill PASSES 75-59!!!

The House is scheduled to begin today's session at  noon local time. (1PM NYC-time).  Watch live here.

House Speaker Paul Thissen had said he would not put the measure to the full House if leaders did not believe it had the support to pass. It is unclear if any Republicans will support the bill, but Democrats hold a 73-61 majority. Minnesota for Marriage, a group opposed to the bill, has called for prayer and protest on Thursday at the state Capitol in St. Paul, while Minnesotans United for All Families has asked bill supporters to wear orange and blue for the vote.

Keep an eye out for Kalley Yanta!

UPDATE: Things are about to start. Local television is also live-streaming the proceedings.

Obama Slams Climate Change Deniers

Neil Patrick Harris To Host 2013 Tonys

"I’m very excited to be back hosting the Tony Awards at the legendary Radio City Music Hall. It’ll be more impressive than ever—if my math is correct, it will be 267 times bigger than last year. Oh, wait. No, that can’t… hold on… carry the one… I’m awful at math. But rest assured, the show will rock!" - Neil Patrick Harris, who hosted the event last year to general acclaim.

HomoQuotable - Michelangelo Signorile

"For gay men over 40, it's as if we've come back from a war that was far away and distant to most Americans even as it was happening -- not unlike the actual wars we've experienced in this country in the past decade. All of us who were in the trenches of the AIDS war are today dealing with the grief and the survivor guilt, even as the war itself goes on. Many are grappling with deeper scars and something akin to post-traumatic stress. A lot of it is immeshed in all the other issues people face, such as mid-life crises and aging. But as John Voelcker pointed out, unlike for other veterans of other wars, there isn't a Veterans Administration or any built-in support system for the survivors of the AIDS war, nor is there any outlet for mass grieving of the thousands who've died from AIDS similar to the memorials for war dead or terrorism victims." - Michelangelo Signorile, writing for the Huffington Post.

Read Signorile's full essay, which includes mention of tonight's Manhattan panel on AIDS survivorship, where I'm one of the speakers.

Minnesota Marriage Bingo

Via Minnesota Public Radio. (Tipped by JMG reader Daniel)

Abercrombie CEO: No Fatties, No Uglies

We've known that Abercrombie CEO Michael Jeffries was a beyond-creepy douche ever since that 2006 Slate profile, so this latest flap really isn't very surprising.

Bryan Fischer Won't Tell Alan Colmes If He's Ever Been Attracted To Men

Radio host Alan Colmes tried and tried to get Bryan Fischer to say whether he's ever been sexually attracted to men. Fischer refused to say. Listen and enjoy.

Iowa Hate Group Leader Bob Vander Plaats: We'll Reverse Same-Sex Marriage

But maybe not in our lifetime.

GLSEN To Honor Jason Collins

Via press release from GLSEN:

“We are incredibly proud to honor Jason Collins with our Courage Award,” said Dr. Eliza Byard, GLSEN’s Executive Director. “His decision to come out is a game-changer for sports and will have a profound impact on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, particularly those who participate in or want to participate in athletics.

Jason’s actions also send another clear message to young people that sexual orientation can no longer be the standard to unfairly judge an athlete’s ability or potential. Joining the ranks of trailblazers like Martina Navratilova, Greg Louganis, Wade Davis and Brittney Griner, we have witnessed another obstacle overcome in sports.”

Jason Collins will receive the Courage Award for his historic decision to come out as gay, becoming the first active out athlete in the NBA, MLB, NHL or NFL. By coming out, Collins has broken monumental barriers for and raised the hopes of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) student athletes in K-12 schools.

The 10th Annual GLSEN Respect Awards take place May 20th in New York City.

Teabagger Tweet Of The Day

Twitchy thinks this is "hilarious."

Charlie Crist Backs Marriage

"Some great news: On Tuesday, Delaware became the 11th state to allow marriage equality. And just a few days ago, Rhode Island adopted a similar measure, which followed victories last fall in Maine, Maryland and Washington. I most certainly support marriage equality in Florida and look forward to the day it happens here." - Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, writing yesterday on his Facebook page.

During his 2006 gubernatorial campaign Crist signed the petition to place a ban on same-sex marriage in Florida's constitution and touted his support for "traditional marriage" in his campaign materials. That year he also supported Florida's ban on gay adoptions, a position he would later reverse.  Last December Crist joined the Democratic Party after losing his Senate primary bid against Marco Rubio as an independent.

Martina Navratilova On ENDA

WASHINGTON: Seattle Lesbian Suffers Broken Jaw In Hate Crime Assault

A 21 year-old Seattle man faces hate crime charges after brutally attacking a lesbian in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant.

Describing the Nov. 16 incident, a Seattle detective said Cage and his girlfriend were inside the University Way Northeast restaurant when Cage tauntingly questioned the woman about her gender. According to charging documents, Cage then called the woman several anti-gay slurs before she left the restaurant. As the woman and a friend moved to leave the area, Cage approached her and punched her in the face several times, knocking her to the ground, the detective told the court. He then left the area.

The above-linked article notes that the victim suffered a broken jaw. Why is this six months ago attack just now being reported?

From Minnesota For All Families

Music by Minnesota's The Suburbs. Great 1984 original here.

(Tipped by JMG reader Jim)

FRC: We Need "Divine Intervention" To Stop Gay Marriage In Minnesota

The Family Research Council is asking its followers to pray against same-sex marriage in Minnesota.

Dear Praying Minnesotan,  Please activate your prayer team NOW, and encourage your friends to come to the Capitol on Thursday! We are on the verge of having same-sex "marriage" legalized in Minnesota. Minnesota House leadership has announced that they will debate and vote on the bill to legalize same-sex "marriage" on Thursday, May 9, 2013. This means that House leadership is confident they have the votes to pass the bill. But, with your help and the help of your church, we still can defeat this assault on God's design for marriage.

To stop the redefinition of marriage in our state, the minds of 1 or 2 House members who've told leadership they'll vote Yes need to be changed. We are doing all we humanly can to change those minds, but that's not enough. It will require divine intervention. If a king's heart is "a stream of water in the hand of the Lord," to turn wherever He wills (Proverbs 21:1), then surely the hearts of MN state legislators can be turned according to His will also.

This is important enough to take time off from work or school to participate. This is your congregation's last chance to talk with Representatives before the vote, as well as to join other marriage supporters in prayer and public support. They can bring their own signs, as long as they are hand-held and not attached to a stick or anything else. In the name of Jesus and for the love of the gospel, we urge you to contact your Representative today and tomorrow and urge them to vote "NO" on the same-sex "marriage" bill.

(Via Good As You)

New ABC Poll Reveals Broad Support On Multiple LGBT-Related Issues

ABC News reports on their latest poll:

Backing is widest and deepest for Collins, with 68 percent of Americans saying they support the NBA center’s decision to announce his sexual orientation. Those who “strongly” support his step outnumber his strong critics by a 3-1 margin.

A substantial 63 percent in this poll, produced for ABC by Langer Research Associates, also support the Boy Scouts’ plan to begin admitting gay scouts younger than 18, while 56 percent oppose its intention to continue to ban gay adults. Again strength of sentiment favors gay rights, by 16- and 12-point margins, respectively. Both policies go to a vote of the group’s governing council, meeting the week of May 20 in Grapevine, Texas.

Some of these views even overcome political sentiment to some degree. Majorities of Republicans and conservatives, 52 and 54 percent, respectively, support Collins’ step, and 53 percent of Republicans support admitting gay scouts. These groups are much less apt to support admitting gay scout leaders or legalizing gay marriage.

Support’s far higher in other groups. Nearly three-quarters of moderates and independents support Collins, as do more than eight in 10 Democrats and liberals. Than two-thirds or more in each of these groups favor admitting gay scouts, and six in 10 or more oppose continuing to ban gay adults from scouting.

Support for gay marriage, for its part, reaches six in 10 or more in each of these groups, far higher than its support among conservatives and Republicans, 33 percent in both groups.

More details here.

Chattanooga Koo Koo

"I disappeared for awhile because my family just moved to TN!! I love it so much! Smack dab in the buckle of the Bible belt. I'm gonna fight the Murfreesboro Mosque and Agenda 21 because I love this land, God's country. One of my neighbors keeps his horse in his front yard! I love that! I saw a cardinal, a bunny, a bird's nest and a calf in the middle of the highway. I'm in heaven!" - Victoria Jackson, writing on her Facebook page. (Tipped by JMG reader Kevin)

VIDEO: Colorado's First Civil Unions

OMM Against Disney Gay Days

"Dear Joe, Homosexuals will be celebrating the 23rd anniversary of Gay Day wearing matching Gay Day merchandise, such as T-shirts. There will also be transvestites dressed in drag showing their support for the event. This event is planned with the intent to expose and desensitize children to this lifestyle by same-sex couples holding hands, hugging and kissing. In short, a Gay Day participant's main goal is to be seen versus seeing Disney World. In past years when we have contacted Disney representatives about this same issue, their response was simply that they do not sponsor this event.

"On June 1, unsuspecting families will witness a well-orchestrated event that Disney says they have no control over. Disney has taken no action to stop this, which leaves families stunned and offended. So instead of a normal day at this popular theme park, parents will be angry at the harm this causes families. Disney has been irresponsible for far too long. Disney should monitor this day and event for public displays of affection and require proper conduct and appropriate attire." - One Million Moms head Monica Cole, calling on straight people to boycott Disney that day.

RELATED: That's me on the right (with my eyes closed, darn it) at the third Gay Day in 1993. Our red Dade County Fire Department t-shirts were supplied by a Miami fireman in our group. I'm wearing my prized 1993 March On Washington pin. That "warning" sign outside the main gates got a lot more pleasant in the following years. Somewhere I have a photo of a later version that said, "While today's gay-lesbian event is not sponsored by Walt Disney World, all are welcome to enjoy the park." Do they still bother with a sign at all?

Lip Sync For Your Life

Jimmy Fallon vs the ridiculously woofy John Krasinski.

(Via AmericaBlog)

Christian Post Headline Of The Day

An entirely calm and reasonable analysis.

Margaret Cho On John Travolta

"I’m going to get in trouble, but I’ll just tell you. He is so gay. John Travolta is so gay. He’s not just gay. He doesn’t just like men. He is like Oscar Wilde gay. Like Lord Byron gay. That kind of crazy, incredibly flamboyant gay. I know him well because I did a movie with him and worked with him for a year. I feel bad for him; because I know he would be much happier if he could just come out. But he can’t." - Margaret Cho, during a concert in Australia.

INDONESIA: Aceh Province Considers Public Canings For Homosexuality

The deputy mayor of the capital city of Indonesia's Aceh province has called for criminalizing homosexuality with a punishment of one hundred public lashings with a cane. The Jakarta Globe reports:

Banda Aceh Deputy Mayor Illiza Sa’aduddin Djamal called homosexuality “a social disease that should be eradicated,” as she pushed for harsher bylaws against sexual behavior that runs counter to the region’s adherence to Islamic Shariah Law. The Aceh Legislative Council (DPRA) is discussing proposed changes to the province’s bylaws, including a bylaw criminalizing homosexuality. The proposed bylaw received the support of the deputy mayor, who bemoaned the fact that police were unable to punish same-sex couples under current regulations. “There is no law that could be used to charge them,” Illiza said. “The existing [regulations] only stipulate about khalwat [being in close proximity] for intimate relations between unmarried males and females.” Banda Aceh’s Shariah Police have struggled to crack down on same-sex relationships, Illiza said. Couples meet in rented rooms and pursue relationships under a veil of secrecy, she said.

An estimated 98% of Aceh's 4.5 million residents are Muslim. LGBT rights are virtually nonexistent across Indonesia, although a national bill to criminalize gay sex failed in 2003.

Wanna Be Head Of GOProud?

They're taking applications.

After 4 years as GOProud's full-time executive director, GOProud Co-Founder Jimmy LaSalvia announced that he will leave that position at the end of June 2013. GOProud's Board of Directors has begun a search for a new executive director. Those interested in applying for the position should send their resume, a cover letter, and a writing sample to Lisa De Pasquale, Board Chair, at info@goproud.org.

Please list your qualifications. Be specific, cite examples, show your work.

One Year Ago Today

In the 72 hours following Joe Biden's endorsement of same-sex marriage, the world waited to see if the president would follow suit. One year ago today we first got that news via a prematurely posted ABC News article that was removed minutes later. But by then others were already confirming the president's historic interview with ABC reporter Robin Roberts.  It's impossible to know where the movement would be today without the president's endorsement, but few would argue that we could have come nearly this far without him. Just ask the folks in Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Washington. And in a few days, most likely, Minnesota.

Here's how ABC covered the story that day.

Open Thread Thursday

What's on your DVR right now?

Harvey Milk Terminal, Not Airport

The bid to renamed San Francisco International for Harvey Milk has apparently ended in a compromise agreement to name one of the airport's terminals for the slain gay rights icon.

Under a deal aimed at avoiding a ballot fight and a load of potential political embarrassment, Supervisor David Campos has settled for putting Milk’s name on a yet-to-be-determined terminal. The compromise comes after weeks of negotiations between Campos — chief backer of rechristening SFO in Milk’s honor — and the mayor’s office and some fellow supervisors who weren’t too hot on the idea. Campos initially suggested he would be open to naming the international terminal after the slain supervisor. But some supervisors thought that should be reserved for Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the former mayor who was instrumental in its building.

SFO has three domestic terminals.

BREAKING: Cable News Suddenly Has To Cover Actually Important Stories

Fox News: Benghazi Is Watergate II

Via Media Matters.

NOM Still Flogging That Dead Horse

Starbucks' stock value is at a 12-month high. Keep it up, NOM! (The message above his tweet is to remind me that Thomas has blocked me so that I don't repeat his words verbatim in that horrible way I have.)