Protect Marriage Files "Emergency" Petition To SCOTUS Demanding Reversal Of Lifted Stay On Prop 8 Overturn

Via press release from Protect Marriage:

Today our Prop 8 Legal Defense Team filed an emergency petition to U.S. Supreme Court to stop the Ninth Circuit's premature move requiring same-sex "marriage" licenses in California. The petition, prepared overnight by our good friends at Alliance Defending Freedom, was submitted Saturday to Justice Anthony Kennedy, the associate justice who decides such motions pertaining to the Ninth Circuit. On Wednesday, Justice Kennedy had agreed with our view that the voice of the voters must heard in a case like this challenging an initiative proposition.

When the Ninth Circuit originally put in place its stay to prevent same-sex marriage pending Supreme Court action, it stated clearly that “the stay shall continue until final disposition by the Supreme Court.” Under Supreme Court procedural rules, "final disposition" comes when the Supreme Court issues a "mandate" to the Ninth Circuit, at least 25 days after announcing its opinion in the case. The 25-day waiting period is provided to allow parties like us to petition the Supreme Court for a re-hearing of the case.

Today's petition asks the Supreme Court to find that the Ninth Circuit had no jurisdiction to order same-sex marriages on Friday, since the case had not yet come back down from the nation's highest court.

Suspiciously, the Ninth Circuit's announcement late Friday ordering same-sex marriages came as a surprise, without any warning or notice to Proposition 8's official proponents. However, the same-sex couple plaintiffs in the case, their media teams, San Francisco City Hall, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the California Attorney General all happened to be in position to perform same-sex marriages just minutes after the Ninth Circuit's "unexpected" announcement.

Read the full petition.

SCOTUSblog says they are wasting their time.

As a formal matter, the Ninth Circuit did not put the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Proposition 8 case into effect prematurely. The Supreme Court held that the proponents of Proposition 8 could not file appeals in federal court. That ruling says nothing about imposing or lifting a stay on same-sex marriage. The court of appeals likely has the authority to act with respect to its own previously entered stay, which is a form of controlling its own docket. Although the court of appeals had previously stated that they stay would remain in effect until the Supreme Court’s ruling was final, it presumably can change its mind.

LGBT HISTORY: INS Issues First Green Card To Binational Gay Couple

Posted this afternoon to the DOMA Project's Facebook page.

Bryan Fischer Has A Dream

NYPD Doubles NYC Pride Protection

In response the ongoing spree of anti-gay hate crimes, the NYPD has doubled the usual number of officers for tomorrow's gay pride parade.

The surge of officers will include twice the usual amount of plainclothes cops assigned to the area, where several gay people have been attacked since the beginning of the year, police said. “There’s been concern, rightfully so, about some of the violence that’s happened in the gay community,” Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. In May, Eliot Morales, 33, allegedly fatally shot Mark Carson, 32, after shouting homophobic slurs at him on W. Eighth St. near Sixth Ave.

Creation Museum In Financial Trouble

RUSSIA: Violence And Dozens Of Arrests At St. Petersburg Pride Demonstration

Dozens were arrested today at a gay pride demonstration in St. Petersburg, Russia where anti-gay protesters assaulted and pelted the attendees with eggs.

Media reports estimated that several dozens of LGBT activists came to the Field of Mars (Marsovo Pole) in the city’s downtown to rally for gay people's rights in Russia. The event was attended by some 200 of anti-gay activists urging to ban the rally and throwing eggs at their opponents.

“After the complaints of local residents, representatives of the local administration and the police warned the protestors that their protest was illegal and asked them to leave,” a police spokesperson said. Police officers then broke up the protest and arrested dozens of gay rights activists, the spokesman added.

The Russian LGBT network said on its Facebook page Saturday that several activists were beaten up by their opponents during the event, and more than 50 held by the police. Eight of the anti-gay activists were detained as well, the police said. One of the police officers was injured while trying to detain an anti-gay activist, local Fonatanka.Ru news website reported.

Gay Star News has more.

Five Russian gay couples, who yesterday in a historical legal move applied for marriage licenses, were also taking part in today's march and are now under police custody. The chair of St. Petersburg Pride and Equality organization Yury Gavrikov and his partner Maksim were one of the couples arrested. Dimitry Chunosov, who along with his partner partcipated in yesterday's application for marriage license, was reported to have been beaten up by the anti-gate protestors. Gavrikov, who knew he was likely to face arrest for organizing today's gay pride march, could face double penalties as an LGBT individual and leader of an LGBT organization who breached the local and federal Russia's gay gag laws.

Below is video of the arrested couples attempting to register for a marriage license. Many more photos of today's rally and arrests are here.

Thomas Peters Has The Prop 8 Sadz

NEW YORK CITY: Lady Gaga Sings National Anthem At NYC Pride Rally

Lady Gaga made an unannounced appearance at last night's NYC Pride rally at Pier 26 in Tribeca. Her full speech is here.

Brian Brown Is VERY Angry About Prop 8

"In a case that has been marked by judicial arrogance and, frankly, lawlessness since the beginning, three judges of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals late Friday lifted their stay which had been in effect since a trial judge had ruled against Proposition 8. Same-sex couples began being 'married' in California when state officials illegitimately declared Proposition 8 was no longer in force and ordered county clerks to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples immediately! This, despite the fact that the US Supreme Court decision does not take effect for three more weeks.   It would appear that the desire to impose same-sex marriage by some public officials trumps integrity, fairness, propriety, and even the rule of law. All Americans should be outraged!" - Hate group leader Brian Brown, who would like some money to make him feel better.

Tired Old Queen At The Movies #117

Clip description:

Special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen creates one of his legendary fantasy films using the classic Greek tale of Jason and his quest for the Golden Fleece in "Jason and the Argonauts" (1963). With a cast headed by Todd Armstrong as Jason battling mythic monsters of all descriptions, Nancy Kovak as Medea, the woman he loves and featuring a cast of top flight British actors , the film is fast paced, action filled and gloriously scored by legendary composer Bernard Herrmann. It's a summer treat that can't be beat!

Tonight In New York City

Via the Twitter account of Inga Sarda-Sorensen.

LOS ANGELES: Mayor Marries Prop 8 Plaintiffs Paul Katami And Jeffrey Zarrillo

And now all four plaintiffs in Hollingsworth v Perry are married!

Pre-Order Your Pride Magazine T-Shirt

Due to popular demand following yesterday's JMG post, the publishers of the national Pride Magazine have decided to make this year's historic Edith Windsor cover available as a limited edition t-shirt, which will be shipped with a physical copy of this year's magazine.  Reserve your shirt and magazine now by writing to PrideMagazine2013@Gmail.com.  Just state your name and the desired size. You will be contacted for shipping and payment details shortly. The price is $19.95 for all sizes in 100% cotton.

UPDATE: I've been asked to move this post from yesterday back to top because the folks handling your t-shirt orders have been overwhelmed by your responses. I'm told that everybody's emails will be responded to within 24 hours, if they have not yet been answered already. They do have enough shirts for everybody, don't worry.  Simplify the process by just putting the quantity and sizes of your request in the subject line. Examples: "Two mediums" or "One large, one extra-large."

Protect Marriage Is OUTRAGED That Ninth Circuit "Jumped The Gun" On Prop 8

"We just received word that the Ninth Circuit, without waiting for the Supreme Court’s decision to become final and depriving us of our right to ask for reconsideration, has rushed forward to order same-sex marriage licenses.  This outrageous act of judicial tyranny tops off a chronic pattern of lawlessness, throughout this case, by judges and politicians hell-bent on thwarting the vote of the people to redefine marriage by any means, even outright corruption.

"Homosexual marriage is not happening because the people changed their mind. It isn’t happening because the appellate courts declared a new constitutional right. It’s happening because enemies of the people have abused their power to manipulate the system and render the people voiceless. The resumption of same-sex marriage this day has been obtained by illegitimate means. If our opponents rejoice in achieving their goal in a dishonorable fashion, they should be ashamed. It remains to be seen whether the fight can go on, but either way, it is a disgraceful day for California." - Yes On 8 head Andy Pugno, in very very very upset press release.

BREAKING: Ninth Circuit Lifts Prop 8 Stay, Gay Marriage Returns To California!!!

The Los Angeles Times reports:

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday cleared the way for gay marriages to resume in California. The court lifted its stay on an injunction which ordered state officials to stop enforcing Proposition 8. With the court's action, counties can now begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

A spokesman for the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals had originally said it would takes the court at least 25 days to act after a Supreme Court ruling. Immediately afterward, Gov. Jerry Brown ordered his public health agency to advise the state's counties to "begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in California as soon as the 9th Circuit confirms the stay is lifted."

Happiest gay pride EVAH!

UPDATE: Cleve Jones and Dustin Lance Black are at City Hall with Prop 8 plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, who are getting their license right now.

UPDATE II: California AG Kamela Harris is officiating.

UPDATE III: And they are MARRIED.

UPDATE IV: Nancy Pelosi cheers.

UPDATE V: Next stop, Los Angeles.

UPDATE VI: Contrary to a couple of SF media feeds, the above photo of Kris and Sandy is of them attesting to their marriage license. Here's the wedding! "I now pronounce you spouses for life."

GAYSPLOSION: Cher + Cooper + Cohen

Quote Of The Day - Alec Baldwin

"The idea of me calling this guy a 'queen' and that being something that people thought is homophobic, a queen to me has a different meaning. It’s somebody who’s just above. It doesn’t have any necessarily sexual connotations. To me a queen - I know women that act queeny, I know men that are straight that act queeny, and I know gay men that act queeny. It doesn’t have to be a definite sexual connotation, or a homophobic connotation. To me those are people who think the rules don’t apply to them. This guy could blatantly lie, I mean blatantly lie about my wife on the internet and there are just no rules that apply to him, but that’s outrageous to me." - Alec Baldwin, speaking this afternoon to Gothamist.

RELATED: Earlier today Andrew Sullivan reacted: "This is not just hate speech; it’s a specific call for other people to physically attack a gay man. It’s a call to violence against a specific person, which, last time I checked, was a crime. He’s a pro-gay liberal, so he may get a pass for this. He shouldn’t." Baldwin responded in the above-linked Gothamist interview: "I don’t think it’s a call for violence against a specific person because they’re gay, it’s a call for violence against a person who lied about my wife."

UPDATE: Baldwin has issued a statement to GLAAD.

"My ill-advised attack on George Stark of the Daily Mail had absolutely nothing to do with issues of anyone's sexual orientation. My anger was directed at Mr. Stark for blatantly lying and disseminating libelous information about my wife and her conduct at our friend's funeral service. As someone who fights against homophobia, I apologize. I have worked, periodically, with numerous marriage equality organizations, especially over the past couple of years, to achieve the very rights that gay couples are earning by recent court decisions. I would not advocate violence against someone for being gay and I hope that my friends at GLAAD and the gay community understand that my attack on Mr. Stark in no way was the result of homophobia. Many Thanks, Alec Baldwin."

Feds Announce Immediate Extension Of All Benefits To Spouses Of Gay Employees

From the Office Of Personnel Management:

Health Insurance (FEHB): All legally married same-sex spouses will now be eligible family members under a Self and Family enrollment. In addition, the children of same-sex marriages will be treated just as those of opposite-sex marriages and will be eligible family members according to the same eligibility guidelines. This includes coverage for children of same-sex spouses as stepchildren. Employees and annuitants will have 60 days from June 26, 2013 until August 26, 2013, to make immediate changes to their FEHB enrollment. Enrollees will continue to be eligible to make changes to their coverage options during Open Season later this year. For those employees and annuitants who already have a Self and Family insurance plan, coverage for their same-sex spouse will begin immediately upon their notifying their FEHB carrier that there is a newly eligible family member. For those employees and annuitants electing Self and Family for the first time, benefits will be effective on the first day of the first pay period after the enrollment request is received. While online enrollment systems are updated, it may be necessary for employees and annuitants to update their elections using the paper (rather than electronic) version of the SF2809 form.

Life Insurance (FEGLI): All legally married same-sex spouses and children of legal same-sex marriages are now eligible family members under the FEGLI Program, which means that employees may add coverage for a same-sex spouse and any newly eligible children under Option C. Employees will have 60 days from June 26, 2013 until August 26, 2013, to make changes to their FEGLI enrollment.

Dental and Vision Insurance (FEDVIP): As with FEHB, all legally married same-sex spouses will now be eligible family members under a Self and Family enrollment or a Self Plus One enrollment. Current FEDVIP enrollees may now call BENEFEDS (877-888-FEDS (3337)) directly to make the necessary enrollment changes. Employees will have 60 days from June 26, 2013 until August 26, 2013, to make changes to their FEDVIP enrollment. Current enrollees will also be able to make changes to their coverage options during Open Season later this year, and individuals wishing to enroll in FEDVIP for the first time may also do so at that time.

The press release also announces the full extension of benefits regarding long-term care insurance, retirement accounts, and flexible spending accounts. I've uploaded the full document to my Scribd account. Federal employees, take a look.  What an AMAZING week!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Via Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed.

The memorandum states at several points that the changes apply to “all legally married same-sex spouses,” which an OPM spokesman confirmed includes couples who are legally married in one state but live in a state that does not recognize the marriage. “Yes, these benefits will be available to any Federal employee or annuitant who has a valid marriage license, regardless of their State of residency,” Thomas Richards, OPM director of communications, told BuzzFeed Friday afternoon.

Tweet Of The Day - Ann Coulter

ACLU Hires Jimmy LaSalvia

Homocon Jimmy LaSalvia has landed a new gig after leaving GOProud earlier this year.

As part of the broad-based effort to involve conservatives in the movement to encourage the freedom to marry, the ACLU has hired conservative strategist Jimmy LaSalvia. LaSalvia is the founder and former executive director of GOProud and will work with the ACLU to do outreach to gay conservatives, particularly within the Tea Party. "The Republican party stands for freedom, for limited government intrusion in our personal lives and for freedom," said Schmidt. "The issue of marriage equality is the Republican Party’s best chance to stand on the right side of history, create a meaningful legacy of fairness, and maintain relevance with young voters. I am proud to help the ACLU make all couples equal in the eyes of the law in all 50 states."

We can only presume that the ACLU was unaware of LaSalvia's history of promoting faked anti-gay hate crimes that he blamed on the gay left.

GOP Rep. Tim Huelskamp: The Supreme Court Has Attacked Jesus Christ

As I reported earlier this week, Huelskamp is planning to reintroduce the Federal Marriage Amendment, which has ZERO chance of passage. Image source.

Happy Pride From YouTube

From YouTube's official YouTube channel.

AFGHANISTAN: Defense Department Posts Pride Clip Featuring Gay & Lesbian Troops

Facebook Meme Of The Day

AFA Loses Shit Over Bert & Ernie

The American Family Association has posted a frothing column from Bryan Fischer about today's New Yorker cover featuring Bert and Ernie.  Unsurprisingly, Fischer cites the debunked Regnerus study extensively.

The tony, elitist New Yorker magazine, read by those who fancy themselves our moral and intellectual superiors, is in effect promoting child endangerment on the cover of its latest issue, and shamelessly using Bert and Ernie to do it. A staggering 23% of adult children of lesbians reported having been sexually molested - unwanted sexual touching or worse - than children raised by a mom and a dad. Six percent of children raised by a homosexual father reported being the victims of sexual abuse, which is a rate 300% higher than among the children of married biological parents. It is thus clear from the best in social research that being raised in a same-sex environment poses completely unacceptable risks to vulnerable young children. By promoting same-sex marriage, and using Sesame Street to do it, the New Yorker staff in effect is promoting child abuse. They should be ashamed of themselves.

The cover image has gone viral elsewhere across Teabagistan.

AFER Posts Prop 8 Highlights Reel

Watch and enjoy!

American Decency Association: DOMA Ruling Was As Bad As Pearl Harbor

"As we look back on history there are dates which we now see were crossroads, turning points for nations and cultures. July 4, 1776; June 6, 1944. December 7, 1941; January 22, 1973. Battles fought, decisions made – some establishing goodness and justice, others are dates that 'will live in infamy.' God will not bless a nation that puts a stamp of approval upon that which he calls an abomination.

"The evidences of God’s displeasure are evident and becoming more so with each passing day. We are rapidly coming upon a time when a handful of unelected, increasingly politicized appointees are demonstrating that their allegiance to the U.S. Constitution and to natural law is under question. However, God’s law supercedes [sic] man’s. As Christians, we must defy man’s law if it requires us to break the law of God." - Lisa Van Houten, writing for the American Decency Association. (Via Right Wing Watch)

Christian TV On SCOTUS Rulings

MICHIGAN: Federal Court Strikes Down Ban On Domestic Partners Benefits

Via press release from the ACLU:

A federal judge today ruled that a state law that would have barred many public entities from providing health insurance to the domestic partners of their employees is unconstitutional. The American Civil Liberties Union and Kirkland & Ellis LLP challenged the law on behalf of five gay and lesbian public employees, as well as their long-term domestic partners, who either lost their health insurance or would have lost their insurance as a result of the law.

"We're breathing a sigh of relief right now," said Peter Ways, an Ann Arbor teacher whose partner would have lost his benefits. "This law was clearly meant to target families like ours and to make us feel as though we didn't count." In striking down the law, U.S. District Court Judge David M. Lawson found it discriminated by forcing cities, counties, school districts, and community colleges to cancel family benefits for gay and lesbian employees in committed relationships while heterosexual employees had the ability to marry their partners to maintain health insurance. Same-sex couples cannot marry in Michigan.

And the hits keep coming! Read the full press release.

Frothy Mix Has The Supreme Sadz

FRC Wants You On Your Knees

The logo for this weekend's Family Research Council event is causing a bit of snickering.

Lionel Richie For Tap King

Slightly gay-tinged, yes?

(Tipped by JMG reader Birdie)

Alec Baldwin Calls Reporter "Toxic Little Queen," Deletes Twitter Account Again

Alec Baldwin went on a tweeting rampage yesterday after a reporter from Britain's Daily Mail tabloid claimed that Baldwin's wife had been sending tweets about shopping during the funeral for James Gandolfini. After posting the above messages from his now-deleted account, Baldwin added that he wanted his followers to find the reporter and "straighten out this little fucking bitch."

Fox News is characterizing Baldwin's tirade as full of "homophobic slurs," but the New York Daily News does not mention that aspect of the story.  The Daily Mail is standing by its claim about Baldwin's wife, although other outlets have noted that their reporter was reading her tweets from California and that timestamps from her tweets reflected the local time and not when the Baldwins were at the funeral in New York City.

RELATED: Baldwin raised gay eyebrows in 2011 when he tweeted that a barista at an Upper West Side outlet of Starbucks was an "uptight queen with an attitude problem."  Baldwin has long been an outspoken ally to the LGBT movement and most (at that time) gave him a pass for the incident.

Last Night At SFO

Napolitano: Come Get Your Green Cards

"I applaud the Supreme Court decision in United States v. Windsor holding that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. This discriminatory law denied thousands of legally married same-sex couples many important federal benefits, including immigration benefits. I am pleased the Court agreed with the Administration's position that DOMA's restrictions violate the Constitution. Working with our federal partners, including the Department of Justice, we will implement the decision so that all married couples will be treated equally and fairly in the administration of our immigration laws." - Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano, via press release.

Next Week's New Yorker

UPDATE: Ho-hum. Right on cue.

AUSTRAILIA: Prime Minister Endorses Marriage, Suggests National Referendum

During all the hoopla this week, I didn't get to mention that Australia had a change in power. Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is back in charge after toppling Julia Gillard as leader of the Labor Party. One day after being re-sworn in and a month after writing a blog post announcing his reversal on marriage, yesterday Rudd used his first press conference to suggest placing the issue to a national vote if the opposition party does not allow a conscience vote in Parliament.  Unsurprisingly, gay activists do not want marriage on the ballot.

Marriage equality advocates are thrilled the Mr Rudd has spoken about the issue in his first major media event, but do not support his call for a public vote. Rodney Croome, the national convenor of Australian Marriage equality, said a process of a referendum would be "unnecessarily expensive". He also said while he believed the majority of Australians would vote for marriage equality, he was concerned was about the process. "We have consistently opposed a national plebiscite or referendum on marriage equality for a number of reasons," Mr Croome said. "It could potentially be deeply polarising, becoming a platform for fear-mongering against the gay and lesbian community, and we think that our politicians are elected to make these kinds of decisions, rather than hand-balling them back to the voters. "It could be quite destructive... particularly for young, same-sex attracted people coming to terms with their sexuality. "They don't need to see the kind of fear and hate campaigns that I feel would inevitably come out during a referendum."

What Is Manif Pour Tous Planning For This Weekend's Tour De France Race?

Earlier this month Manif Pour Tous announced a plan to disrupt the Tour De France, which begins tomorrow. Yesterday they posted the below "teaser" clip, which features them cheering on a solo biker wearing their logo. You figure it out.

RELATED: Earlier this month anti-gay marriage protesters disrupted the French Open finals by running onto the court with ignited smoke torches.

Edith Windsor For Christine Quinn

That was quick.

Weiner Denounces Gay Blood Ban

One day after he lost Edith Windsor's endorsement to Christine Quinn. Anthony Weiner worked to win back some gay votes by denouncing the FDA's ban on blood donations.

"Why does it still exist? Simple. Fear," Weiner said outside a blood donation center on the upper East Side. The issue was one Weiner said he also tackled while in Congress when he and 32 other members petitioned the FDA to "revisit the limitation." At the time, he said, the agency responded that the ban was "not optimal," but kept it in place. At Weiner's side, Brad Baso, 34, said he learned in college that he couldn't give blood when he had to fill out a questionnaire that asked about his sexual orientation. He said he was disappointed because he wanted to help.Weiner said he wants to have a science-based conversation about the ban -- which ignores that blood donations are tested for the HIV virus that causes AIDS, he added -- adding that those tests have gotten better over the years.

Allen West Launches 2016 Straw Poll

In a typically transparent bid to harvest emails for future money begs, crackpot Allen West has launched a 2016 GOP presidential straw poll. Among the choices: Donald Trump, Sarah Palin, Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, Scott Walker, and Rick Santorum. Ever the modest fellow, West does not include his own name on the list. I have a morbid interest in seeing who his followers select.

NEW YORK CITY: PFLAG Founder Jeanne Manford Honored With Memorial Plaque

PFLAG founder Jeanne Manford passed away in January at the age of 92. On Sunday this happened in the West Village:

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), and The Church of the Village unveiled a bronze historic marker now permanently affixed to the facade of this landmark church memorializing the first meeting of what came to be PFLAG, led by Jeanne Manford, at the church in 1973. PFLAG is now a national organization with 350 chapters in the United States and 200,000 members and supporters, which does work internationally as well.

Below is a photo of Manford and her late son Morty at the 1972 Christopher Street Liberation March.  On this Sunday when you pass the site of the above plaque during what we now call the gay pride parade, tip your hat to Ms. Manford and her tremendous legacy.

Tea Party Head: We Can Use The DOMA Strategy To Overturn Obamacare

"The left has used a tactic called 'Sue and settle' where special interest groups sue the Federal Government and sometimes state government and the government quickly settles the case. Then the consent order from the settlement governs, regardless of what the Congress or the legislature wants to happen afterwards.Two can play this game.

"In 2016, there will be another Presidential election and if we get a conservative administration in office, conservative groups should sue agencies to block every law we do not like from Obamacare on down and the new administration should settle every one of those lawsuits. Conservatives should adopt the 'sue and settle' strategy with the new administration we bring in, in 2017. Liberals should learn a lesson from this. Be very careful what you wish for. Because that which you want can be very easily used against you. And we will." - Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips, writing for the Christian Post.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Judson Phillips says President Obama should prove he's not a gay crackhead.  Judson Phillips says liberals killed one billion people in the 20th century. Judson Phillips says only home owners should be allowed to vote.

Updated Marriage Map

Source.

PENNSYLVANIA: Openly Gay State Rep. Brian Sims To Introduce Gay Marriage Bill

Openly gay Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims today announced his plan to introduce a same-sex marriage bill.

“About two hours ago, I shopped around a co-sponsorship memo for a marriage bill, and I’m going to introduce an LGBT marriage equality bill,” he says, adding the Supreme Court cases “helped light the fire under my colleagues to do it now.” The co-sponsorship memo, which is sent out to House members for additional support, notes it “would re-define the definition of marriage as a civil contract between two people who enter into matrimony, and eliminate the current prohibition against same-sex marriage in our Commonwealth. It is important to note that this bill provides protections for religious organizations and entities that do not wish to sanction, perform, or in any way recognize such marriages.”

A marriage equality bill was introduced in the state Senate in March, but it has not yet been considered. Same-sex marriage is banned by state statute (Sims' bill would undo that), but repeated attempts to place a ban in the state constitution have all failed. Still pending is a constitution ban introduced in March by virulently anti-gay GOP state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, about whom I posted when he introduced the same item in 2011 and 2012.

RELATED: After yesterday's historic Supreme Court rulings, Sims attempted to speak on the topic from the House floor, but he was stopped by Metcalfe, who used a chamber rule to denounce Sims as being "in open rebellion against God's law." Today Sims asked his chamber to formally reprimand Metcalf, saying, "His comments did not live up to the standards set by this body."

“For me to allow him to say things that I believe are open rebellion against God are for me to participate in his open rebellion,” Metcalfe told the AP. “There’s no free speech on the floor.” Members have the right under House rules to veto another’s remarks under “unanimous consent,” and when Sims got up to speak on Wednesday, Metcalfe and at least one other representative withdrew their consent. He spoke on the floor Thursday under a different rule, “point of personal privilege.” On Thursday, House Speaker Sam Smith, R-Jefferson, told Sims the proper procedure under the circumstances would be either going through the Ethics Committee or seeking a House resolution. Sims said he plans to pursue the matter. “This is a guy who hates women, he hates gay people, he hates minorities and he hates immigrants,” Sims said.

NOTE: Amendments to the Pennsylvania constitution must be passed in two successive two-year sessions by both chambers of the state legislature and then approved by a public referendum. A marriage ban is not going to happen. Metcalf is just showboating for the teabaggers.

Tony Perkins: It Might Takes Years Of Litigation Before Prop 8 Is Settled

This morning Yes On 8 seemed resigned to Prop 8's demise. The Family Research Council, however, is clinging to the belief that its repeal will be tied up in the courts for years.

Senate Passes Immigration Reform Bill

Before a gallery packed with reform supporters, this afternoon the Senate approved its immigration bill by a 68-32 vote. Fourteen Republicans voted for the bill.

Before announcing the result, Biden warned against outbursts from the public gallery, but chants of "Yes we can" and "Si se puede" broke out after he read the tally. Biden called for the sergeant at arms to restore order. "Today is another historic day in the Senate," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont. "This legislation will reunite families. It will bring millions of people out of the shadows and into our legal system. It will spur job growth and reduce our deficit. And it will make us safer." "The time has come to act in the interest of all Americans," declared Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, a member of the Gang of Eight. "I hope that message will be heard loud and clear in the House (of Representatives)."

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) called today's vote "largely symbolic" as it faces very dim prospects in the GOP-dominated House.