Evening View - From The Ferry

This is a big shout-out to the many JMG readers who introduced themselves at Provincetown's Bear Week. It was great meeting and chatting with all of you! I was especially pleased to finally meet Maryland state Rep. Luke Clippinger, who tipped us with many updates during that state's marriage battle.  Bear Week 2014, here we come!

Afternoon View - Pearl Street House

The house. I was taking a picture of the purple house. Swear.

Britain To Grant Posthumous Pardon To Gay Codebreaker Alan Turing

Famed WWII codebreaker Alan Turing will be granted a posthumous pardon by the British government. Turing committed suicide after being convicted of gross indecency under Britain's anti-homosexuality code.

The government signalled on Friday that it is prepared to support a backbench bill that would pardon Turing, who died from cyanide poisoning at the age of 41 in 1954 after he was subjected to "chemical castration". Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, a government whip, told peers that the government would table the third reading of the Alan Turing (statutory pardon) bill at the end of October if no amendments are made. "If nobody tables an amendment to this bill, its supporters can be assured that it will have speedy passage to the House of Commons," Ahmad said. The announcement marks a change of heart by the government, which declined last year to grant pardons to the 49,000 gay men, now dead, who were convicted under the 1885 Criminal Law Amendment Act. They include Oscar Wilde.

Turing is considered by many to be the father of computer science.

Dan Savage On Bill Maher

Grover Norquist (above) wasn't too happy with a joke Dan Savage made on last night's Bill Maher show. Mediaite has a recap:

Savage credited all of the people brave enough to come out to their families as one of the biggest contributing factors to the social progress that’s been made in the United States. One significant achievement was that, while years ago, “if one of those douchebags who’s always threatening to kill me made good on it,” as Savage put it, his family would not get the same kind of benefits straight couples would when one of the partners dies.

He also said how whenever he has people come up to him and tell him that gay people cannot biologically produce a child, he just tells them “Anything is possible for God,” and “I’m gonna keep inseminating my husband and keep my fingers crossed.” The camera jumped to a one shot of conservative guest Grover Norquist looking visibly uncomfortable, leading Maher to quip that Savage should move on so as not to induce any actual vomiting.

Helen Thomas Dies At Age 92

CNN reports:

Longtime White House journalist Helen Thomas has died at age 92 after a long illness, sources told CNN Saturday. Thomas covered 10 presidents over nearly half a century, and became a legend in the industry. She was a fixture at White House news conferences -- sitting front and center late in her career -- where she frequently exasperated government spokesmen with her pointed questions. Thomas began covering the White House for United Press International when John F. Kennedy became president in 1961 and was a fixture there until her retirement in 2010.

CALIFORNIA: San Diego County Clerk Files To Stop Same-Sex Marriages

San Diego County Clerk Ernest Dronenburg yesterday filed a petition to the California Supreme Court asking that all county clerks statewide be barred from issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

About a week ago, a group opposing same-sex marriage asked the state Supreme Court to declare that Proposition 8 is still valid. Among other things, the group said the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling affected only Alameda and Los Angeles counties -- the two regions where plaintiffs who originally challenged the law live. On Friday afternoon, Dronenburg said he is one of 20 county clerks -- out of 58 in California -- expected to file petitions with the California Supreme Court seeking clarity on the controversy. He filed his petition Friday and said the others are scheduled to submit their filings by the end of Monday.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris reacted: "The filing offers no new arguments that could deny same-sex couples their constitutionally protected civil rights. The federal injunction is still in effect, and it requires all 58 counties to perform same-sex marriages. No exceptions."

The chair of the San Diego County Board Of Supervisors reacted: "The County Clerk has acted independently on this matter. No one else from the County was consulted or had any part of this court action, including the Board of Supervisors. The County's position is and always has been that we, the County, will follow applicable law with regards to same-sex marriage."

Equality California reacted: "This is an outrageous and desperate attempt that is without merit. Our Attorney General Kamala Harris' swift response asserting that all 58 counties are required to perform same-sex marriages without exception, further illustrates the importance of electing pro-equality leaders to office. We thank our Attorney General for her continued leadership!"

Morning View - PTown Record Shop

Obama Speaks On Zimmerman Verdict

"Ex-Gay" Crackpot DL Foster: I'm The Harriet Tubman Of Fighting Slavery To Homosexuality

Brian Tashman writes at Right Wing Watch:

Since first reporting on the creation of “Ex-Gay Pride Month” and its now-cancelled reception at the Family Research Council, we have uncovered more unhinged rants by organizers DL Foster and Greg Quinlan. Foster, who previously called for Dan Savage’s arrest and claimed gay Christians are like people wearing “blackface,” has posted several blog entries likening gay rights advocates to slave owners and the Ku Klux Klan. Now, he has taken it one step further by equating himself to Harriet Tubman, literally putting a picture of himself over a Harriet Tubman “wanted” poster. Foster goes on to compare himself to Jesus Christ. But since Foster is freeing people from gay slavery…naturally we here at Right Wing Watch, according to Foster, are like the slave catchers trying to bring the tens of ex-gays back to the gay plantation.

You really should read the full thing.

HomoQuotable - Robert Oscar Lopez

"Gay marriage is a done deal. The only reason I had a stake in it is children's rights. If you browse through my blog, you'll find that I do a lot of work on three basic human rights regarding children -- 1. Kids have a right to be born free, not bought or sold. 2. Kids have a right to a mom and dad (see Unicef 2012 on children's rights to civil traditions, also you can look at my piece on the blog about the Declaration of Independence and what this means for rights to a mom and dad.) 3. Kids have a right to know and bond with their authentic (biological) origins. 

"Gay marriage has been put forward to advance homosexual parenting, which tramples on all three rights and opens the way for a return to chattel slavery, because gays have to change laws in order to make it possible for them to buy children. They won't call it buying children but that's essentially what international adoption on demand, sperm banking, and surrogacy are." - Homocon anti-gay activist Robert Oscar Lopez, surrendering on marriage equality. (Via Good As You)

RELATED: In addition to appearing on stage at an anti-gay Manif Pour Tous rally in France, Lopez has testified against LGBT equality before several state legislatures and he co-signed an anti-gay homocon brief to the Supreme Court.

Full Frontal Freedom - Women's Rights

A parody of Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines, created in support of Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis.

MASSACHUSETTS: Exorcist Testifies Against Bill To Ban "Ex-Gay" Therapy

Earlier this week a woman who claims to be able to exorcise the demons out of gay people testified against a Massachusetts bill to ban "ex-gay" therapy for minors. Wayne Besen writes for Truth Wins Out:

Known exorcist, Joanne Highley of Life Ministries in New York City, testified as a key witness on Tuesday in front of the Massachusetts legislature’s JoAnne 300x225 Known Exorcist Testifies Against Massachusetts Bill To Ban Ex Gay TherapyJoint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. She spoke out against a bill filed by Representative Carl Sciortino (D–Medford) that would ban any Massachusetts state-licensed medical, mental health, or human service professional from practicing so-called “conversion or reparative therapy” with minors.  “It was unethical for Highley to conceal the alarming fact that she is an exorcist who tries to extract demons from the bodies of LGBT people,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “This is an extremist who is Exhibit A on why we need this bill to pass. We are grateful for Representative Sciortino’s leadership and critical work to stop child abuse masquerading as legitimate therapy.”

Hit the link, there's much more to the story.

Sen. Rand Paul: Obama Will Bail Out Detroit Over My Dead Body

"There’s some good things that come out of bankruptcy. One is you get to start over. Bankruptcy lets you be forgiven of your debt. And you do so by getting new management, better management, and by getting rid of unwieldy contracts, contracts that give you where public employees are getting paid twice what private employees are and things come back more to normal. That’s the way cities and businesses can recover. "I basically say he [Obama] is bailing them out over my dead body because we don’t have any money in Washington." - Sen. Rand Paul, speaking to Breitbart.

Rolling Stone Defends Cover

"Our hearts go out to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, and our thoughts are always with them and their families. The cover story we are publishing this week falls within the traditions of journalism and Rolling Stone’s long-standing commitment to serious and thoughtful coverage of the most important political and cultural issues of our day. The fact that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is young, and in the same age group as many of our readers, makes it all the more important for us to examine the complexities of this issue and gain a more complete understanding of how a tragedy like this happens." - Rolling Stone editors, in a preface to their story.

TRAILER: Unstoppable

Clip recap:

Kirk Cameron returns to movie theaters September 24 with the follow-up to his record-breaking, one-night theatrical event, Monumental. In UNSTOPPABLE, a brand-new documentary, Kirk takes you on a personal and inspiring journey to better understand the biggest doubt-raiser in faith: Where is God in the midst of tragedy and suffering?

(Via Christian Nightmares)

Michelangelo Signorile Got Married Today

Radio host and author Michelangelo Signorile got married today at New York City Hall in Manhattan. Congrats, guys!

UPDATE: Mike's husband's name is David Gerstner. My apologies for not mentioning that earlier.

WBC: Are You Illerate? Can't You Read?

Same-sex marriages commence in Rhode Island on August 1st. Via Pink News.

NYC Bar To Host Smallest Penis Contest

Tomorrow a Brooklyn straight bar will host a smallest penis contest. Gothamist explains:

Organizers at Kings County Bar confirmed with us yesterday that this is really happening: "The contest is absolutely happening this Saturday. Time has been moved up slightly, so we are anticipating starting between 3-4pm (doors will open to the public at 2pm). There are currently 12 contestants." Also, they expect a crowd, so get there early if you want to get a good view. Please be advised, the tiny penises may be covered by underwear, as nudity is not required. That underwear, however, will be made wet with water guns.

There was no max size requirement for the contest, and our sources tell us probably half will be swiftly eliminated—so prepare to heckle the show-offs. When we spoke to one organizer, Aimee Arciuolo, in May, she told us: "I do expect there will be a few giant dicks that come to show off, but if they are over eight inches they will be disqualified and forced to buy a round for the judges."

Didn't Howard Stern already do this?

Obamacare Explained In Seven Minutes

Morning View - Bear Week Detritus

Headline Of The Day

At the wingnut Daily Caller.

Harrison Ford On Orson Scott Card

"No part of the story concerns Mr Card’s theories about society in terms of gay issues or homosexual issues. I think he has a right to his opinions and has also made it clear that it was a battle that he fought and lost and would like to get on with the rest of life." - Harrison Ford, promoting Ender's Game at San Diego's Comic-Con.

Moby - A Case For Shame

From his coming album, Innocents, which is due in October.

Detroit Declares Bankruptcy

Yesterday the city of Detroit finally declared bankruptcy.

The decision, confirmed by officials after it trickled out in late afternoon news reports, also amounts to the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in American history in terms of debt.  “This is a difficult step, but the only viable option to address a problem that has been six decades in the making,” said Gov. Rick Snyder, who authorized the move after a recommendation from the emergency financial manager he had appointed to resolve Detroit’s dire financial situation. Not everyone agrees how much Detroit owes, but Kevyn D. Orr, the emergency manager, has said the debt is likely to be $18 billion and perhaps as much as $20 billion.

Mexican Gays Picket Russian Embassy

About 30 gay activists in Mexico City picketed yesterday outside Russia's embassy in a "message of solidarity" to Russia's LGBT people. Details (in Spanish).

Cher - The Golden Girls Remix

Double Talk From Maggie Gallagher

"I don’t back something called 'conversion therapy.' I don’t even really know what conversion therapy is, and I’m not qualified to express an opinion on a particular kind of therapy. I back the right of gay people to seek the kind of counseling help they want, not the kind the SPLC lawyers want them to have, including help to live their sexual lives with integrity, according to their own values, not the SPLC’s values. That’s all." - Maggie Gallagher, writing for the National Review.

RELATED: The SPLC is suing JONAH, a New Jersey-based "ex-gay" group whose therapy included telling young men to expose and fondle their genitals in the presence of a totally not gay anymore counselor. Because that gets the patient in touch with his true masculinity. Maggie can call it whatever the fuck she wants, but that IS the group she is backing.  She is the chair of their legal defense team.

Mexico Elects First Openly Gay Mayor

An openly gay man has been elected mayor of a county in the northern Mexico state of Zacatecas.

Benjamin Medrano, a 47-year-old singer and gay bar-owner, says he is proud to be openly gay and rights groups say his victory in the city of Fresnillo's July 7 election marks a significant point in the fight for gay rights.  They add that it is too early yet to declare victory and Medrano, who takes office in September, acknowledges that he was the target of a malicious phone-calling campaign in which his political rivals "tried to smear me, as if being gay were a crime." Zacatecas is a largely rural state with a reputation for cowboy hats and macho swagger, one of last places in Mexico that seemed likely to elect a gay mayor.

How To Bind The Powers Of Darkness

Armistead Maupin At Bear Week

My buddy Mike and I just returned from Armistead Maupin's packed appearance at Provincetown's Crown & Anchor, where a rapt audience heard excerpts from the coming The Days Of Anna Madrigal. Like last year, my favorite part of event came when Maupin invited questions from the audience. The show runs again tomorrow, get tickets here.

It's Your Patriotic Duty To Worship God

BREAKING: House Republicans Cave On Defending Marriage Statutes

Chris Geidner has the story at Buzzfeed:

House Republican leaders announced in a court filing Thursday that they will not be defending remaining statutes similar to the Defense of Marriage Act that ban recognition of same-sex couples’ marriages.  Judge Richard Stearns had asked the parties in a lawsuit addressing the rights of service members and veterans and their spouses to give “any reasons why judgment should not enter for plaintiffs in this case,” following the Supreme Court’s June 26 decision striking down section 3 of DOMA. The deadline for responding to Stearns’ question is Thursday.

Here's what the BLAG attorneys told the court:

The Supreme Court recently resolved the issue of DOMA Section 3’s constitutionality. See United States v. Windsor, 570 U.S. __ (2013), 2013 WL 3196928 (U.S. June 26, 2013). The Windsor decision necessarily resolves the issue of DOMA Section 3’s constitutionality in this case. While the question of whether 38 U.S.C. § 101(3), (31) is constitutional remains open, the House has determined, in light of the Supreme Court’s opinion in Windsor, that it no longer will defend that statute. Accordingly, the House now seeks leave to withdraw as a party defendant.

Activists Arrested At Small CA Town Protest Over Pride Proclamation

Three gay activists were arrested on Tuesday after protesting the decision by the Porterville City Council to rescind a pride month proclamation made by the mayor.

Porterville City Hall was quiet Wednesday afternoon after a heated council meeting Tuesday night that ended with three people in jail.  The three gay activists who were arrested Tuesday night were released from jail Wednesday. As it appears, the gay rights community in Porterville and several city council members are no closer to making amends. Police quickly detained three gay rights activists who, holding up signs, protested in Porterville's City Council Chambers after the council voted 3-2 to take back a gay pride proclamation made by the mayor in June.  "What Porterville folks in city hall both staff and city council need to learn is city hall is not a church," said Barry Caplan with Gay Porterville.

Openly Gay WA State Sen. Ed Murray Launches Bid For Seattle Mayor

Unlike San Diego's homocon candidate for Congress, Ed Murray puts his sexuality (and his partner) front and center in the first television ad of his campaign for mayor of Seattle.

How To Suck At Your Religion

Go read the full thing at The Oatmeal.  And don't miss the final line at the bottom.

Tomorrow In NYC: Queer Music Summer Benefit Tour At Webster Hall

Tomorrow the Accidental Bear queer music summer tour hits NYC's Webster Hall. Beneficiaries include the Ali Forney Center. On the bill: Big Dipper, Logan Lynn, Darling Gunsel, Rica Shay. Get tickets here. Facebook event page.

TENNESSEE: Man Sues Apple For Not Protecting Him From Pornography

A Tennessee lawyer is suing Apple for not stopping him from accessing the porn that he says destroyed his marriage.

In his 50-page complaint, Chris Sevier is seeking to force Apple to sell all its products with installed porn blocking filters. If a buyer 18 years or older wishes to remove the filters, Apple should also provide them with a mechanism to do that. The complaint also points out the harmful effects of porn on society including American girls being abducted and cast into sex trafficking after travelling abroad. "The Plaintiff is a victim of Apple's product that was sold to him without any warning of the damage the pornography causes," notes Sevier in the complaint.

RELATED: Last month Sevier was arrested for stalking country music star John Rich.

Virginia Poll: 50% Back Marriage

From the latest poll by Quinnipiac:

Virginia voters support 50 - 43 percent allowing same-sex couples to marry in the state. Support is 68 - 26 percent among Democrats and 52 - 39 percent among independent voters. Republicans are opposed 68 - 26 percent. Women back same-sex marriage 55 - 39 percent while men are opposed 49 - 43 percent. White voters support it 51 - 43 percent while black voters are opposed 48 - 42 percent.

Satanic Temple Holds Gay Wedding At Westboro Baptist Family Gravesite

View more photos.

Todrick Hall - The Wizard Of Ahhs

Featuring Pentatonix. Over a million views in 48 hours.

(Via Towleroad)

HomoQuotable - Patrick Strudwick

"What did it feel like to be a gay teenager back then [in the nineties]? The following thoughts ran in a depressive loop: I will not be able to have sex legally until I am 21. My teachers are not allowed to talk to me about being gay. Any business can refuse my custom. Future employers are free to fire me. Violence and hatred will stalk me, a prison for no wrongdoing. AIDS could well bring a gasping, early death. I will never have children. I will never enjoy the family life I was raised within. I will never marry. Imagine inflicting those thoughts on a child.

"No one can go back and comfort me - or anyone from my generation. But at no time since then have I wished more desperately that I could return brandishing a newspaper to bring the Good News: Look! In 22 years' time the law will be completely on your side! Protection and equality! Teachers can talk to their pupils. Drugs give people with HIV near-normal life expectancy. You can have children. And the change that would have meant the most, because we all lean towards love’s light like saplings: you can get married." - Patrick Strudwick, writing for Britain's Independent. (Tipped by JMG reader James)

Christine Quinn Retakes Polling Lead

The New York Times reports on their latest poll:

After 12 years with a peevish and pragmatic billionaire running the city, New Yorkers are eager for a mayor with heart. By a clear majority, the city’s voters say empathy is the most important trait in the next mayor, far more important than temperament, management experience, or the ability to recruit new businesses, according to a new poll by The New York Times and Siena College. Ms. Quinn may be benefiting from the desire among voters for a more empathetic leader. Over all, 61 percent of voters said a candidate’s ability to understand the needs and problems of ordinary New Yorkers was the most important factor.

Porno Pete LaBarbera Is Ever So Angry About The Folsom Street Fair

"Below is the 'official' promotional poster for the Folsom Street Fair, an annual, sadomasochism-celebrating street festival in San Francisco. The 'fair' is notorious for its open-air perversions, mocking of religion, sadistic whippings, 'master-slave' couples, and full nudity — and the latter will be allowed again this year due to an exemption granted to FSF to a new anti-public-nudity law passed by city supervisors. Words can barely convey the evil captured by this image — a rebellious wickedness that comes from glorifying sin in defiance of the wholesome boundaries for sex established by God. Folsom is also the creepy cousin of 'gay pride' and 'diversity' — there would be no Folsom Street Fair were there not first a 'gay' revolution, with its ground zero in the homosexual Mecca of San Francisco." - Peter LaBarbera, in his annual fit of impotent rage.  The not-work-friendly poster is here.

Last Night On Commercial Street

I just about crashed my bike last night as I pulled over to say hello to pop crooner Matt Alber, Armistead Maupin, and his husband, Christopher Turner.  Tonight and tomorrow the Crown & Anchor will host An Evening With Armistead Maupin. Get tickets here.

Autoheart - Moscow

The band writes:

We are lucky in Britain to have laws that mean whether we are gay, straight, bisexual or anything in between, our relationships are recognised and our rights protected by law. But in Russia there is an anti-gay crisis happening right now: their government does not want to afford their people those same rights and are trying to criminalise even the discussion of gay equality.

(Tipped by JMG reader Megaera)

Now Available: Kosher Lube

A group of rabbis in California have certified a line of lube as kosher for Orthodox Jews.

The US-made Wet range of lubes now has eight lines that have been given a religious stamp of approval, including its "Ecstasy" product. This means that rabbis from the Rabbinical Council of California have inspected Wet's 52,000 sq ft production plant and researched the origins of every ingredient to check none comes from items prohibited by kosher rules. As with many great innovations, the lubricant resulted from personal motivation. Sean Smith, president of Trigg Laboratories, which produces Wet, converted to Judaism after marrying a Jewish-Israeli woman.

And why does lube need a kosher certification, while other products such as sunscreen and moisturizers do not? Because lube could be swallowed.  (Tipped by JMG reader Kevin)

David Cameron Cheers Gay Marriage

"I am proud that we have made same-sex marriage happen. I am delighted that the love two people have for each other — and the commitment they want to make — can now be recognised as equal. I have backed this reform because I believe in commitment, responsibility and family. I don’t want to see people’s love divided by law. I also want to acknowledge those that worked to bring about this moment: the campaigners, groups such as Out4Marriage and Freedom to Marry, and the team in the Civil Service and Parliament who worked to deliver it.

"The UK is rated as the best place in Europe for LGBT equality — but we cannot be complacent. There are subjects we must continue to tackle: not least taking a zero-tolerance approach to homophobic bullying, and caring for elderly members of the LGBT community. Rest assured, this Government will work tirelessly to make sure this happens." - British Prime Minister David Cameron, writing for the Standard.

Liz Cheney For US Senate

VIRGINIA: Eugene Delgaudio Disciplined By County Board Of Supervisors

Yesterday the Loudoun County board of supervisors finally took some action against crackpot Eugene Delgaudio.

In three separate votes, the supervisors moved to formally censure Delgaudio; to place his district budget under the control of the full board, except for minor expenditures; to remove his staff aides; and to prohibit him from serving on any county, local and regional committees. The board’s action came in response to a June 24 special grand jury report that marked the end of a months-long criminal investigation of Delgaudio, who faced accusations by a former staff aide that he used his county office to benefit his political campaign.

Stand by for another long money beg about long-haired men in a dark and stormy warehouse.

The Supreme Court Is Gay

Well, at least Kennedy and Kagan.

Open Thread Thursday

What's your dream vacation?

Bryan Fischer Vs Liz Cheney

Afternoon View II - Provincetown Painter

This guy has an easel set up right outside our front door and is painting the house across the street, which one of our crew has already booked for SpookyBear 2014.

TEXAS: Austin Police Seek Public's Help In Murder Of Gay Man

Austin police have released a surveillance photo of the man they believe may have murdered a local gay man after meeting him at a popular gay nightclub.

David Villarreal, 36, was found dead inside his unit at the 360 Condominiums tower late Monday. Police on Wednesday released surveillance images of the victim and suspect. The images show Villarreal and a man in his 20s to 30s entering the condo tower at 360 Nueces Street sometime early Saturday morning, a police official said. Police believe the victim and suspect met Friday night at the nearby downtown club Oilcan Harry’s and made their way back to the tower early Saturday. The suspect was then seen leaving the towers about an hour later.

(Tipped by JMG reader Warren)

TRAILER: Fruitvale Station

The trailer has been out all summer, but the film has been getting a lot of renewed attention since the Zimmerman verdict.

Afternoon View - Bear Week Line-Up

Liberty Counsel: We Can Stop Gay Marriage Just Like We Stopped Slavery

HomoQuotable - Robert Oscar Lopez

"Children have a right to a mom and a dad. You don't ask sociologists to prove to us that free speech and liberty from slavery are justifiable because you can prove the negative impacts of being denied those rights. You can't do that when it comes to a child's right to a mom and a dad. Same-sex parenting flagrantly violates children's rights, deprives them of inalienable rights, and risks inflicting grievous emotional distress on them, with no justification whatsoever, other than the whims of adults. It is abuse. It is abuse. Face it." - Robert Oscar Lopez, writing today on his personal blog.

RELATED: In addition to appearing on stage at an anti-gay Manif Pour Tous rally in France, Lopez has testified against LGBT equality before several state legislatures and he co-signed an anti-gay homocon brief to the Supreme Court.

NOM's Thomas Peters In Critical Condition Following Car Accident

According to some of Peters' followers on Twitter, he suffered a broken neck.  Peters is NOM's communications director and also blogs for Catholic Voice. We wish him well.

UPDATE: Other sources are now reporting that Peters was actually injured in a "swimming accident." LifeSiteNews has not yet followed up on the above tweet.

UPDATE II: Here's a Facebook post from Peters' father, who is the US legal advisor to the Vatican.

Dandy Darkly At Dick Dock

Last night my housemates and I attended New York City performance artist (and my real life pal) Dandy Darkly's third annual show under Provincetown's famed Dick Dock, where audience members were handed mini flashlights to train on Dandy as he spun elaborately rhythmic and alliterative story/poems, one of which was about the Stonewall Rebellion. "Oral traditions are not something found on Manhunt, my darlings." Dandy Darkly will play the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for most of next month.

Brian Brown: Look At All Our WINS!

"Our opponents and those in the biased media say, 'It's inevitable. You can't win. Give up.' I couldn't disagree more! In 2008, I heard the same things when we worked on Prop 8 in California...and we WON! In 2009, I heard the same things when we worked on Question 1 in Maine...and we WON! In 2010, I heard the same things when we worked in Iowa to oust state Supreme Court justices...and we WON! In 2011, I heard the same things when we worked in New York to oust legislators who flipped on marriage and betrayed their constituents...and we WON! Showing up is more than half the battle. If you agree with me that marriage is worth fighting for, we can and will win this fight! Please make a donation today to stand up for marriage!" - Hate group leader Brian Brown, who has a very strange concept of winning.

Religion's Gifts To The World

Eighth in a monthly series.

Openly Gay State Rep. Heather Mizeur Announces Bid For Maryland Governor

Openly gay Maryland state Rep. Heather Mizeur has announced her 2014 run for governor. The Washington Blade reports:

“I’m running for governor because I love this state and I see limitless possibilities on what we can accomplish together,” she told the Washington Blade in an interview before she officially declared her candidacy in an e-mail to supporters. Mizeur cited economic development, protecting the state’s environment and improving the quality of Maryland’s public schools and health care system as among her top campaign issues. “There are great challenges facing us and also incredible opportunities.”

If elected, Mizeur would become Maryland's first female governor and the first openly gay governor in the history of the nation. Current Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley cannot run for a third consecutive time, per state election rules. Among Mizeur's possible GOP opponents is former RNC chairman Michael Steele.

JMG On Savage Lovecast

Dan Savage invited me onto this week's Savage Lovecast to talk about the Seattle Pride incident. Listen at the link.

Great Big World - Everyone Is Gay

Hillary Clinton On Zimmerman Verdict

"My prayers are with the Martin family and with every family who loves someone who is lost to violence. No mother, no father, should ever have to fear for their child walking down a street in the United States of America. Yesterday I know you heard from the attorney general about the next steps from the Justice Department and the need for a national dialogue. As we move forward as we must, I hope this sisterhood will continue to be a force for justice and understanding." - Hillary Clinton, speaking yesterday to an African-American sorority group in Washington, DC.

Queen Gives Royal Assent: Gay Marriage Now Legal In England & Wales

She didn't waste any time, did she?