Saturday, October 19, 2013

Ben Cohen's Fourth Week On SCD

Here's a review of tonight's performance:
Former Saints strongman Ben Cohen put in another good performance on Strictly Come Dancing, impressing the judges with his bulging biceps as well as his twinkling toes. The ex-Franklin’s Gardens star, born and bred in Northampton, scored a total of 31 points. He received scores of eight from three of the judges and a score of seven from Bruno Tonioli, to put him halfway up the leader board. Ben, who danced the salsa, ripped off his shirt during the dance, before being praised by the judges for his moves. After watching the performance, which featured a number of high-risk throws, Len Goodman told him: “You’ve got the guns and tonight you’ve got the ammunition.”

(Via JMG reader Andrew)

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Updated Marriage Map

According to Wikipedia.

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"Ex-Gay" Of The Year Trace McNutt: I've Totally Still Got The Hots For The Menz

Earlier this month drag queen Trace McNutt, seen above washing himself in the blood of the Jeebz, was bestowed with the 2013 "Ex-Gay" Award For Insane Former Cocksuckers. Except that he's not so former, as he totally still craves the hot, hot sweaty touch of the menz and even fell in love with the bassist in his Christian rock band. But that's OK, cuz even Paul prayed three times for that thorn to be removed from his man-friendly butt.

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Queer Nation To Protest Moscow Leaders

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Trump To Roberts: Russia's Laws Are Bad, But I'm Still Against Your Marriage

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First Gay Adoption Approved in France

Five months after the passage of France's marriage and adoption bill, a lesbian couple has been granted adoption rights.
A couple being identified in local media reports as Caroline and Pascale A. were married in June, and on Thursday received approval for one wife’s two biological children, Laure and Lise, to be adopted by the other wife, Le Monde reports. Both children are reportedly the result of artificial insemination by an unknown donor or donors. The announcement was celebrated by the Association of Gay and Lesbian Parents and Future Parents, which said that from now on, children may hear in school hallways, “Two moms or two dads, it’s possible!”
As you may recall, France's massive anti-gay marches focused heavily on adoption rights.

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Comrade Brian Brown Is Back In Russia

Right Wing Watch reports:
Brown didn’t say what he was in Russia for, but we can guess that he was at the World Congress of Families’ planning meeting along with anti-gay activist Scott Lively. Brown is an enthusiastic supporter of the group, which pushes anti-gay and anti-choice measures abroad and has been a strong cheerleader for Russia’s recent anti-gay crackdown. The World Congress’ “hosting committee” includes the group’s “representative in Russia” Alexey Komov and philanthropist Konstantin Malofeev, who hosted a meeting that Brown attended with members of the Duma in June. Now, Brown has no obligation to announce to the world every time he takes a trip overseas, but we find it curious that he’s been so quiet about his work in Russia. After all, NOM tries to portray itself as a kinder, gentler anti-gay group that’s just about preserving “traditional marriage” in the United States. Hanging out with people like Scott Lively and egging on the Russian parliament as they pass a spate of vicious anti-gay bills doesn’t exactly bolster that image.

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Martin Bashir Vs Larry Klayman

Start at around the 4:00 mark.

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Friday, October 18, 2013

Manhattan's Roseland Ballroom To Close

The legendary Roseland Ballroom, home to the Saint-At-Large Black Party for more than two decades, will reportedly close in April. Via Billboard Magazine:
Evolving from ballroom dancing in the ‘20s to popular music, Roseland has for years been a favored New York play for a wide range of bands from the early days of rock, through disco, grunge, modern rock, jam, pop, urban and EDM. The venue found a new gear with a $1 million production/rigging renovation in the early ‘90s, funded by Ginsberg, which led to more high profile bookings of multiple dates on bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and other hot acts when competition in that cap range was not as fierce. The room sits its in a sweet spot in terms of capacity at about 3,500, just right for developing bands climbing up the venue ladder as well as bigger bands, including the likes of the Rolling Stones, Madonna and Radiohead, that want to create buzz with an underplay. But its capacity is also a highly competitive space in the market, with AEG’s Best Buy Theater at about 2,500, Live Nation’s 3,500-cap Hammerstein Ballroom, Bowery Presents Terminal 5 at 3,000 cap, and the 2,800-cap Beacon Theatre, operated by Madison Square Garden. Still, Roseland remains a busy room, and one artists and agents prefer in many cases, so the move to close is likely related more to property values than the venue’s bottom line.
As Billboard notes, there are several similarly sized venues in Manhattan, including one not far from the Roseland in Times Square, but it will be interesting to see if any are willing to take on as colorful an event as the Black Party. Next year's event may be safe, as the Black Party takes place in late March. Broadway Cares' wildly popular Broadway Bares AIDS fundraiser, however, takes place in late June. (Tipped by JMG reader Rod)

RELATED: Here's a very short clip I took at the Black Party in 2006. Audio is lousy as I was right over a speaker.

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Petition Of The Day

41K signatures. And yes, it's silly, but at least it has the wingnuts over at the amusingly named Legal Insurrection in a tizzy.

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Brian Brown Has The New Jersey Sadz

"It is extremely disappointing that the New Jersey Supreme Court has allowed the ruling of an activist judge to stand pending its appeal through the court system. The definition of marriage is something that should be decided by the people of New Jersey themselves, not by any judge or court. New Jerseyans should have the right to vote on this issue just as voters in nearly three dozen other states have done. In addition, the decision to allow same-sex ‘marriage’ to proceed even while the law is being tested in court is unfair both to the voters of the state and to same-sex couples themselves. If the state Supreme Court were to uphold marriage as they should do, then the validity of the ‘marriages’ that will be performed starting next week will be called into question. Further, the decision opens the door to a possible federal court ruling similar to what occurred in California in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal which held that once a state grants same-sex ‘marriage’ rights it can never take them away. All in all, today’s ruling is another sad chapter in watching our courts usurp the rights of voters to determine issues like this for themselves." - Hate group leader Brian Brown, hitting all the expected crybaby points.

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Dolly Parton Raps For Queen Latifah

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Christie Administration Reacts To Ruling

"The Supreme Court has made its determination. While the governor firmly believes that this determination should be made by all the people of the state of New Jersey, he has instructed the Department of Health to cooperate with all municipalities in effectuating the order of the Superior Court under the applicable law." - Michael Drewniak, spokesman for Gov. Chris Christie. (I can't really call this a case of the sadz, can I?)

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NEW MEXICO: State Supreme Court Could Rule Immediately On Wednesday

More possibly great news on the short horizon:
The five-member high court is scheduled to hear oral arguments next Wednesday in a case that could resolve an issue that's historically stalled in the Democratic-controlled Legislature. New Mexico law doesn't explicitly authorize or prohibit gay marriage, but lawmakers have refused to ban it or allow for domestic partnerships. The court agreed to take the case after New Mexico's county clerks asked the justices to clarify the law and decide whether a decision by a state district judge in Albuquerque was correct. That judge ruled in a lawsuit against two counties that it was unconstitutional to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The Supreme Court's decision would apply statewide. The justices could rule immediately or take the case under consideration and issue a decision later.
And Hawaii's special legislative session on October 28th. Zoom, zoom, zoom!

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NJ Victory Lap From Lambda Legal

Just in via press release:
"The long wait in New Jersey is finally over - the door is open for love, commitment and equality under the law! This is a huge victory for New Jersey's same-sex couples and their families." said Hayley Gorenberg, Deputy Legal Director of Lambda Legal and the organization's lead attorney on the case. "Beginning October 21st, New Jersey's same-sex couples will be able to marry and have the critically important rights, benefits, and protections they need for their families. Take out the champagne glasses - wedding bells will soon be ringing in New Jersey!"

"Today the New Jersey Supreme Court has stood on the side of equality and refused to delay the freedom to marry. We have been fighting an uphill battle for the dignity of marriage for years and we are finally within sight of the summit. However, this is not the time to rest, it is the time to recommit, and it is the time to pull out all the stops. We have to continue to push because we are in the fight of our lives. We will continue to demand that action be taken at the state house. We will not rest until we guarantee the freedom to marry to every New Jerseyan, and we are certain that it can never be taken away," said Troy Stevenson, Executive Director of Garden State Equality.
Congratulations, Garden State!

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BREAKING: Stay Denied! New Jersey Marriages To Commence On Monday!

Read the full ruling here!


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UTAH: Boy Scout Leaders Topple Ancient Rock Formation, Face Felony Charges

Via the Salt Lake Tribune:
A group of Boy Scout leaders is potentially facing felony charges for destroying a rock formation nearly 200 million years old. The trio of men was adventuring in Utah's Goblin Valley State Park when they decided to film themselves knocking over one of the formations, known as "goblins." One man can be seen leveraging himself against a nearby rock and pushing a formation over. "We have now modified Goblin Valley," the cameraman crows. "A new Goblin Valley exists with, uh, this boulder down here on the bottom. Muscles here pushed it off." The three laugh, cheer and high five each other. Utah State Parks officials were not so amused. "It is not only wrong, but there will be consequences," said spokesman Eugene Swalberg, noting that a criminal investigation is underway by the State Parks authorities.
The valley's unique landscape dates back to the Jurassic era. 

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NEVADA: Lambda Legal Takes Marriage Equality Appeal To Ninth Circuit Court

Via press release:
Today Lambda Legal filed its opening brief with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a case on behalf of eight same-sex couples challenging the amendment to Nevada's constitution and other state laws banning marriage for same-sex couples. "The world has changed dramatically since we filed this lawsuit over a year ago," said Tara Borelli, Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Western Regional Office. "After the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling striking down Section 3 of DOMA, Nevada's ban on marriage for same-sex couples has become exponentially more harmful to same-sex couples who are barred from a sweeping array of federal benefits as well."

The brief argues: "As the arbiter of which couples may be married in the State, Nevada thus holds the key to access for the sweeping array of spousal rights and responsibilities available under federal law, and keeps them locked away from same-sex couples under the marriage ban. By foreclosing same-sex couples from marriage, Nevada inflicts virtually the same collection of federal harms and deprivations on unmarried same-sex couples as DOMA previously did, since nearly all federal benefits are unavailable to unmarried couples, regardless of whether they are registered domestic partners."
I can't keep up any more! Who could?

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Gif Of The Day

Sanctity of marriage champion, hero to Palin and NOM, and US Senate loser Steve Lonegan sure had an interesting way of responding to the consoling touch of his wife during his concession speech.

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Tom Foley Dies At Age 84

Former House Speaker Tom Foley has died at the age of 84.
Foley, also a former U.S. ambassador to Japan in the Clinton administration, had been in hospice care at his home in the nation's capital. He represented eastern Washington state in the U.S. House of Representatives for 15 terms, from 1965 to 1995. "With his passing, the House loses one of its most devoted servants and the country loses a great statement," House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said. Foley's defeat in 1994 was historic: He was the first House speaker to lose re-election to his congressional seat since the Civil War. Known for his ability to strike compromise, Foley was the highest-profile Democrat turned out of office as voters swept Newt Gingrich and a Republican majority into power. It was the first time in four decades that Republicans controlled the House, and voters kept the GOP in control until Democrats regained power in the 2006 elections.
RELATED: You might recall that Newt Gingrich's henchmen (with help from Lee Atwater) started a whisper campaign that Foley was gay.
As Foley was about to become House speaker, in 1989, some Republicans began a whisper campaign that Tom Foley was gay. One GOP operative went so far as to send out a release under the title: "Foley -- Out of the liberal closet." House Republican Whip Newt Gingrich walked up to Foley on the House floor, and earnestly disclaimed any responsibility. "I don't fight that way," Gingrich told Foley. Foley knew full well that a senior Gingrich aide was spreading the rumors. He stayed silent. Still, Foley related later, the lie from Gingrich was so brazen that he felt the tingling of blood leaving his face."
The rumors ended when Barney Frank threatened to out every gay Republican that he knew about.

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Reality Show Contestant Steven Baldwin To Headline "Ex-Gay" Meeting

Via Right Wing Watch:
The conference, which will include ex-gay testimonials [PDF] and workshops such as “Healthy Male Same-Sex Relationships” and “Ministering to Teens,” will also feature ex-gay therapist Joe Dallas and McKrae Game, who claims he “relented and came into the homosexual lifestyle” after a neighbor came on to him. Game claims the new group is “developing strategic partnerships with Exodus Global Alliance, Focus on the Family, The Billy Graham Association, and other avenues for referrals and connections” as part of an effort to revive ex-gay therapy following the closure of Exodus International.

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TODAY: SiriusXM At 3:30PM

Today at 3:30pm I'll be on Michelangelo Signorile's new SiriusXM show to talk about some of the latest LGBT news items. Mike's new channel is SiriusXM Progress 127 and you can listen live online if you sign up for a freebie account. What's on your mind?

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Homeless Youth: Any Given Tuesday

A short film from the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center. Gay Star News recaps:
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center is the only organization in Los Angeles dedicated to providing these kids with food, clothing, medical care and a warm bed. They offer these young people, kicked out by their parents for being LGBT, the help they need to get off the streets and make it on their own. Writer/director Trent Kendrick and producer Michael Fossat were so inspired and touched by a tour of The Center that they developed and produced a short film called Any Given Tuesday. The film dramatizes a scenario that is all too real: parents find out son is gay and immediately kick him out of the house. He ends up on the streets and turns to prostitution and drugs and considers suicide. The filmmakers have some star power to help drive home the point: Elton John and spouse David Furnish, actors Jamie Foxx and James Woods, television journalist Lisa Ling and reality TV stars Lisa Vanderpump and Bruno Tonioli.

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Headline Of The Day

Details.

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Sarah Palin: GOP Senators Should Be Primaried By The Tea Party

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Bitter Tea

Pew Research reports:
The Tea Party’s favorability rating has fallen across most groups since June, but the decline has been particularly dramatic among moderate and liberal Republicans. In the current survey, just 27% of moderate and liberal Republicans have a favorable impression of the Tea Party, down from 46% in June. The decline in favorable views of the Tea Party over the past four months crosses party lines – Republicans, independents and Democrats all offer more negative assessments today than in June. For Republicans, the decline is steepest among those who describe themselves as moderate or liberal. Today, Moderate Republicans Less Positive toward Tea Partyonly about a quarter (27%) of moderate and liberal Republicans have a favorable opinion of the Tea Party movement, down 19 points from June. Yet the Tea Party’s ratings have also declined among conservative Republicans, from 74% favorable in June to 65% now.
(Tipped by JMG reader David)

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FRANCE: High Court Rules Civil Servants May Not Refuse Same-Sex Marriages

France's Constitutional Council has ruled against seven mayors who demanded to be exempted from performing same-sex marriages. JMG reader David provides the translation:
The Constitutional Council deems that by not providing a provision to allow government officials to assert their disagreement with the dispositions of the May 17, 2013 law and avoid performing official duties associated with celebrating marriages, the legislation aimed to ensure the application of the law by officers and thus to guarantee proper performance and neutrality of the State’s public service. The Council deems that given the duties of State officials in celebrating marriages, the legislation did not attack their freedom of conscience. The Constitutional Council judges the contested dispositions of the law respect the Constitution.

Stephen Fry Vs MP Vitaly Milonov, Author Of Russia's "Homosexual Propaganda" Bill

You will love this. 

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October 25th In NYC: Ali Forney Center's Annual Place At The Table Benefit

Via press release:
This October 25th, the Ali Forney Center (AFC) - the nation’s largest services and advocacy organization working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) runaway and homeless youth - will hold its annual A Place at the Table benefit dinner at Capitale. This year’s event will celebrate the eleventh anniversary of AFC’s work to protect and empower homeless LGBT youth, and to support them in becoming safe and independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood. This year’s event will be hosted by Padma Parvati Lakshmi, chef, author, actress, model and television host.

The 2013 honorees, chosen for their for their work in the LGBT community and their support and advocacy of homeless LGBT youth, include Frank Selvaggi, one of the community’s leading LGBT activists and philanthropists; model and actress Isis King, who was at one time a resident in the AFC transitional living program; and Room and Board. "I'm honored to do my part to make sure everyone, including LGBT youth, feels safe and secure in our culture," said Padma Lakshmi, who will be hosting the event for the first time but has been a longtime supporter of the Ali Forney Center’s work.
You may recall that in 2011 Salvaggi and his husband were inspired to make a huge donation to the Ali Forney Center after reading Carl Siciliano's annual Thanksgiving post here on JMG. Tickets to this year's fundraiser can be purchased here.

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Rep. Alan Grayson: The Tea Party Is No More Popular Than The Klan

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Photo Of The Day

Source.

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Rick Scarborough: Christians Need To File A Class Action Suit Against Homosexuality

Brian Tashman reports at Right Wing Watch:
Watch out Big Gay, prepare to be served! Rick Scarborough invited Peter LaBarbera to address his Tea Party Unity group today, and the two anti-gay activists discussed ways to somehow file a “class action lawsuit” against homosexuality just like when attorneys general of many states filed a lawsuit against tobacco companies. LaBarbera was also upset that Fox News and other outlets aren’t covering the “wonderful stories of happy men and women who have left the homosexual lifestyle,” explaining that he wished there was an ad “of the kid in high school who was counseled by the official school counselor to just be gay, then he comes down with HIV.”

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House Stenographer: The Holy Spirit Sent Me To Deliver A Message To America

"For the past 2 and 1/2 weeks, the Holy Spirit has been waking me up in the middle of the night and preparing me (through my reluctance and doubt) to deliver a message in the House Chamber. That is what I did last night." - US House stenographer Dianne Reidy, in an email to Fox News. Her husband adds: "My wife is a sweet, level-headed wonderful woman of God. I am proud of her."

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

NEW JERSEY: Asbury Park Issues Marriage Licenses In Advance Of Court Ruling

The New Jersey Supreme Court might rule tomorrow that same-sex marriages can begin on Monday, even though it won't actually hear the full case until January. And the popular gay tourism town of Asbury Park has already begun issuing licenses, just in case.
Asbury Park's action touched off conflicting legal advice for towns. The Star-Ledger of Newark reported that the state Health Department sent emails to municipal clerks Thursday telling them not to issue any licenses until after the state Supreme Court rules on whether the nuptials will be recognized next week. Meanwhile, the gay rights legal group Lambda Legal said towns should issue licenses so couples can start getting married at 12:01 a.m. Monday. Under state law, there's a 72-hour waiting period for marriage licenses. A state judge ruled last month that the state had to recognize gay marriage starting Monday, but the administration of Gov. Chris Christie appealed.
From the above-cited Star-Ledger report:
Asbury Park administrator Terence Reidy said the city has fielded at least two dozen calls from couples asking whether it is issuing marriage license applications. He said he’s told them yes. "We’re doing it so that we’re ready," Reidy said. "If something happens — the law changes — the city isn’t going to do anything in violation of any ruling or regulation. We’re being proactive so that when the 21st comes, any couple that wants to be married, they’re ready and we’re ready." "Absent a legally binding order not to issue these applications, it is our understanding of the law, that we have the right and obligation to begin issuing applications tomorrow," Reidy said. "Please be clear, this is not a act of civil disobedience, but rather our interpretation of what the law permits at this time." Jersey City also intends to begin issuing licenses Friday, Mayor Steve Fulop said. "As the largest LGBT community in New Jersey and one of the first in the state to issue civil unions, we are intending on being the first to issue licenses and perform weddings on Monday," Fulop said in a statement. "We are currently working to ensure that the marriage certificates will be legal and binding."
Stand by for Brian Brown's screams about lawlessness!

UPDATE: Newark mayor and US Senator-elect Cory Booker plans to marry gay couples on Monday, should the Court allow it.
Multiple advocates in New Jersey confirmed that the Newark mayor who just won election to the Senate on Wednesday plans to conduct weddings in the first floor rotunda of Newark City Hall after the clock strikes midnight. The only remaining question is whether the New Jersey Supreme Court will issue an order before then putting marriage equality on hold while it considers an appeal of the trial-court decision that led to Booker’s plans. In Newark, the couples being married by Booker are being required to fill out and sign the required marriage license application by 10 a.m. Friday, according to information provided to BuzzFeed. Media coverage, including interviews with the couples, also is being coordinated. The couples, who are invited to bring up to five guests, are being asked to arrive at Newark City Hall an hour prior to the ceremony.

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HomoQuotable - Thomas Roberts

"Courage is contagious. I have felt that way since coming out publicly in 2006. I’ve never regretted it. This November, I will co-host Miss Universe in Moscow partly because it is a huge, visible opportunity for LGBT people. Everywhere. [snip] So people may wonder: 'Thomas, how can you accept this assignment? Shouldn’t you boycott Russia?' I am not going to boycott. Boycotting and vilifying from the outside is too easy. Rather, I choose to offer my support of the LGBT community in Russia by going to Moscow and hosting this event as a journalist, an anchor and a man who happens to be gay.

 "Let people see I am no different than anyone else. All kids—Russian, American or otherwise—need hope. I am a happy, healthy, gainfully employed, educated and married man. And yes, I am gay. These new Russian laws won’t stop Russians from being born LGBT and growing up to identify as such. Russia’s treatment of its LGBT citizens is unacceptable, unrealistic and only promotes homophobia and intolerance for a community that does and will continue to exist. [snip] We do them no favors by turning away now. We must be visible, we must show up, and, as Harvey Milk said, we must 'give them hope.' I go to prove there’s hope." - News anchor Thomas Roberts, writing for MSNBC.

RELATED: In August, Bravo host Andy Cohen announced that he would not be returning to host Miss Universe, saying that he "didn't feel right as a gay man stepping foot into Russia."

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Winner: "Ex-Gay Of The Year" Award

No, really. This former drag queen, now completely cured heterosexual, got the award at the First Annual "Ex-Gay" Awareness Dinner earlier this month.

(Via Good As You)

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The Moob-Busting Shirt

So there's an undershirt that's billed as "moob-busting." Via Gizmodo:
Not only does the Funkybod t-shirt promise to camouflage manboobs, it also creates the illusion you've got a muscular toned physique, no matter how frail you might be in real life. It's all thanks to a set of subtle plates—presumably made of a comfortable foam—that accentuate your shoulder, bicep, lat, pectoral, and shoulder muscles. Worn by itself the fake muscles are easy to spot, but when worn under another shirt no one will be able to tell you don't spend every morning at the gym. And the plates supposedly even feel like real muscle, so no one will be the wiser until you're forced to take your shirt off.
Fifty bucks each.

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Queers Don't Need A Piece Of Paper

"What's it gonna take to get these queers to realize they don't need a piece of paper. God will not bless their union because he plainly speaks against queers in the Bible. Want to cover your queer with insurance? Buy a policy. Want your queer to get your stuff when you die? Make a will. All I can say is if people want to crucify me that's fine. I know that following Jesus, I'm going to be crucified." - Linda Oliver, mayor of West Union, South Carolina, who doesn't want gay marriage "rammed down my throat." (Tipped by JMG reader Michael.)

RELATED: While Oliver is clearly a vile person, most of the controversy about her statement regards her usage of "queer" - a word that has long divided the LGBT community and one that the above-linked television report would only refer to as "the Q-word." (You may recall the drama when San Francisco Pride's 1993 theme was "Year Of The Queer.") Personally, I've got no problem with "queer," but I definitely get why others feels so strongly about it. Meanwhile, Queer Nation has reemerged and taken the point on the Russian cause here in New York City.

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Instead Of Leather, For Once

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Laverne Cox On Transgender Rights

"Many in the trans community are fed up with LGBT organizations that continue to erase trans identity or just give lip service to trans issues. We need our cisgender allies – gay and straight – to treat transgender lives as if they matter, and trans people need multiple seats at the tables in the organizations that say they’re interested in LGBT equality; this absence has been painful since Stonewall. Everyone has a stake in ending the stigma against trans identities, but gay people may have a more personal interest. When kids are bullied and called anti-gay slurs, it’s rarely because the victim seemed to be attracted to members of the same sex. It’s because the child did not conform to gender expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. The bullies might yell 'gay,' but it’s about gender expression." - Transgender actress Laverne Cox, in a New York Times piece that asks "Are Trans Rights and Gay Rights Still Allies?" Hit the link for the full essay by Cox as well as commentaries from five other activists. (Tipped by JMG reader Birdie.)

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Gun Owners Group Head: Obamacare Could Lead To Concentration Camps

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Air Force Clarifies Marriage Policy

Posted today to the website of the Air Force:
In order to be granted administrative absence, the Airman must be located more than 100 miles from a U.S. state, the District of Columbia or other jurisdictions that allows the couple to marry. According to the policy, if two service members are part of a couple and desire to get married, both members may be granted an administrative absence if qualified. Members may be granted up to seven days if stationed in the continental United States, and up to 10 days if stationed overseas. The waiting period, required by law, to obtain a legal marriage from the jurisdiction nearest the assignment location is what determines the days. Also, a maximum of two travel days is authorized if stationed in the continental U.S., and five days is authorized if the member is stationed overseas. "This will allow all Airmen to be recognized equally under the law in regards to spousal benefits," said Maj. Mark Cipolla, Air Force force management policy division.
Anti-gay groups have been screaming that the military is "paying for homosexual honeymoons." Hey, there's a really easy fix for that!

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Yes, Michelle

Even shorter Obama: Suh-NAP!

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XELLE - Red Flag

Via press release:
“Red Flag” is a call-to-action, meant to inspire fans to stand up to people like Russian President Vladimir Putin and New Jersey governor Chris Christie (who is petitioning his state’s court to repeal their recent ruling allowing gay marriage). “We want ‘Red Flag’ to be the theme song for a movement that helps change the world for the better,” say JC Cassis and Rony G, the dance floor divas who front XELLE.

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BRITAIN: "Ex-Gay" Group Sues Again Over "Some People Are Gay" Ad Campaign

A British "ex-gay" group has filed a lawsuit which demands that London's transit agency remove the recently relaunched advertising campaign by the LGBT rights group Stonewall. Earlier this year the "ex-gay" group lost a different lawsuit after London Mayor Boris Johnson refused to allow them to post a response campaign which proclaimed, "Not Gay! Ex-Gay, Post-Gay and Proud. Get Over It!" But the judge's ruling in that case noted that Johnson's action was "inconsistent and partial."
It [the suit] claims that transport chiefs are deliberately ignoring a ruling by a High Court judge that the posters, from the gay rights group Stonewall, are “highly offensive to fundamentalist Christians” who believe that gay sex is a “sin”. Dr Michael Davidson, founder and Core Issues Trust, is lodging an urgent judicial review application seeking an injunction forcing TfL to take the new advertisements down. “I feel that Stonewall and the Defendant are deliberately flouting the rulings of the court by renewing their advertisement campaign on buses which was clearly prohibited by the earlier judgment of Mrs Justice Lang,” his application says. “Until such time when we have the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the Defendant should not have allowed Stonewall’s advertisement to reappear on their buses.”
The CEO of Stonewall responded to the latest suit: "It does seem a tragedy that these people who make so much noise about being Christian don’t spend a little more of their money on tackling polio or Third World poverty but a lot of money on slightly frivolous legal actions."

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OREGON: State Orders Agencies To Recognize Out-Of-State Gay Marriages

Willamette Week reports:
The state of Oregon will now recognize the marriages of same-sex couples who legally wed out of state. In a memo sent to all state agencies today, state Chief Operating Officer Michael Jordan says any gay couple who wed in a state where same-sex marriage is legal will now be eligible for the same benefits as any other married couple. "Oregon agencies must recognize all out-of-state marriages for the purposes of administering state programs," Jordan writes. "That includes legal, same sex marriages performed in other states and countries." Jordan made the decision based on a legal opinion from the Oregon Department of Justice.
The ruling is unrelated to the marriage equality lawsuit filed on Tuesday on behalf two Oregon gay couples. What is related is this poll from an Oregon television station. You know what to do. (Tipped by JMG reader Mathew)

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Sarah Palin On Cory Booker's Win

"The press has now called the race for Barack Obama’s celebrity stand-in, Cory Booker, but rest assured that Steve fought gallantly for every vote that would have led to American solvency and exceptionalism.  Steve energized commonsense conservatives all across the country. And though it’s sad, it’s not surprising to see the far left lapdog media finally cover this race tonight (once their chosen one was deemed the victor, but not previously when voters deserved to hear of Lonegan’s successful small-government record and intentions to defend our republic). Friends, do not be discouraged by the shenanigans of D.C.’s permanent political class today. Be energized. We’re going to shake things up in 2014. Rest well tonight, for soon we must focus on important House and Senate races. Let’s start with Kentucky – which happens to be awfully close to South Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi – from sea to shining sea we will not give up. We’ve only just begun to fight." - Sarah Palin, teaching geography on her Facebook page last night.

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Deficit Comparison

The debt ceiling kerfuffle has prompted the BBC to post several economic comparison charts.
Taken out of context, the numbers are staggering. The US has a total debt pile of almost $17 trillion (£10.6 trillion), which is expected to rise to almost $23tn in the next five years. Japan is not far behind, with current debts totalling $11.5tn. By any standards, these are big, big numbers. But context is needed - after all, debt is not necessarily a problem if you have the income to cover it. That is why the two most common measures used to gauge a nation's indebtedness are: total debt, as expressed as a percentage of total economic output (GDP), and budget deficit, the amount by which a government's expenses exceed its income, expressed as a percentage of GDP.

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Quote Of The Day - Ken Ham

"I think that's deliberately in the face of Christians, shaking their fist at God because it's taking God's name in vain and they know that. Our approach wasn't to denigrate them. We certainly boldly told them they're wrong, but they had to do something that was offensive to Christians, that is to take God's name in vain." - Creation Museum director Ken Ham, who is very upset about the Times Square billboard that was posted in response to his own message to atheists. The response from the Freedom From Religion Foundation merely says, "OMG! There is no god!"

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NEW YORK CITY: Joe Lhota Accused Of Race-Baiting With Anti-De Blasio Ad

Via Politicker:
Republic mayoral candidate Joe Lhota’s latest television ad warns New York City will plunge into violence if Bill de Blasio is elected mayor. In the most negative attack of the election season, the ad features chilling images of crime scenes and corpses lying on the ground, and slams Mr. de Blasio’s allegedly “recklessly dangerous agenda on crime,” warning the Democrat will “take New York backwards.” The 30-second spot, which began airing on broadcast stations today, according to the campaign, includes video of the recent motorcycle gang attack on a father on the West Side Highway and a barrage of images of an overturned cop car, cops in riot gear, graffiti and a scared woman peering out from behind a subway pole–all set to menacing music.
Lhota is slamming critics of the ad.
Enraged by suggestions that his latest campaign ad is divisive and potentially race-baiting, Joe Lhota slammed his front-running opponent in the mayor’s race, Bill de Blasio for comparing his commercial to the infamous “Willie Horton” ad. “I think this is about Bill de Blasio and his inability to have a vision at all,” Mr. Lhota groused to reporters at a campaign stop in Boro Park today. “What you should do is go look at the Willie Horton ad and then ask yourself why they would make such a ludicrous comparison.”
The ad, of course, is a desperation move as De Blasio is leading by more than 40 points. The election is in two weeks.

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TENNESSEE: Knoxville Mayor Orders City To Offer Domestic Partners Benefits

Saying that she does not need the permission of the city council to do so, Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero has ordered the city to expand domestic partner benefits to LGBT employees of the city.  
"Last year, we expanded our employee nondiscrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity. This change in our benefits ensures that we are treating everyone fairly," Mayor Rogero said. "It will help us attract and retain the best City of Knoxville employees, regardless of their domestic situation." City officials with Chattanooga and Nashville are considering the change, as well. To be eligible for domestic partner benefits, an employee must fill out an affidavit about their committed relationship and show proof of financial interdependence. The city cautions that non-married couples, domestic partner benefits may be treated as taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service, so they encourage employees to research it and consider the tax implications.
RELATED: In August, the Tennessee town of Collegedale became the first in the state to offer domestic partner benefits. Knoxville is the second. (Tipped by JMG reader Mike)

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Open Thread Thursday

Tell us about your Congress critters. Do you ever reach out to them? Do they ever personally respond?

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Maddow: The GOP Got Exactly Nothing

Josh Feldman recaps:
Maddow explained how “the Republicans thought for sure the Democrats would cave” on Obamacare, and the fact that they didn’t threw them for a loop and so they had “no idea what to do next.” She went down the list of all their “weird, specific demands” about Obamacare and a list of other issues, from birth control to Paul Ryan‘s tax code on their “constantly-changing list of demands.” And “of their entire list,” Maddow said, “they are going to get nothing. Nothing.” She added, “It may be true that nobody won, but someone definitely lost here.”
Definitely worth watching.

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The Senate GOP Default List

Plus 144 GOP members of the House. Source.

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LGBT Groups Slam USOC

The Human Rights Campaign and All Out are criticizing the United States Olympic Committee, who last week added sexual orientation to their non-discrimination policy.

From the HRC:
“We welcome the news that the USOC has added sexual orientation to the non-discrimination policy in its code of conduct, and hope this is a sign of more good things to come. However, given the fact that the very same code of conduct requires that athletes adhere to foreign laws, this new non-discrimination policy becomes moot the second athletes arrive to Sochi,” HRC vice president of communications Fred Sainz told BuzzFeed.
From All Out:
“Despite their best intentions, the USOC non-discrimination policy and the IOC’s Charter will be toothless as long as Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law remains in place. The USOC and IOC should press for the repeal before the 2014 Sochi Games,” Andre Banks, the executive director of All Out told BuzzFeed. “It’s not too late. China made serious concessions ahead of Beijing to ensure the [2008 Olympic] Games were consistent with international standards and Russia should not be exempt from doing the same.”
The USOC: "We do not think it is our role to advocate for a change in the Russian law."

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Crazy Eyes On Fox News: President Obama Got 100% Of What He Wanted

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TODAY: GLAAD's Spirit Day

The third Thursday of October is GLAAD's anti-bullying Spirit Day, when they encourage the wearing of purple in solidarity with LGBT youth. I'm putting this post up now as a reminder before you head to work in the morning. I only own one purple shirt so I'll be wearing the same one as last year. Feel free to post purple selfies in the comments!

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

US House Stenographer Rushes Mic, Shouts About Mocking God And Jesus

As the shutdown votes were being tabulated in the US House tonight, a chamber stenographer rushed the microphone below the speaker's chair and began shouting about mocking God, the US Constitution, and her savior Jesus Christ. House security guards rushed the woman as startled reps near the dais tried to shush her and the chairperson slammed the gavel. Quite the scene. The microphone was not on for the C-SPAN feed, but you can hear it below.


UPDATE: House reps interviewed on CNN say they regarded the woman as a "stable, reliable worker" and "not a crazy person." Until tonight, we presume.

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The Shutdown Is Over

The Senate vote was 81-18.

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Cory Booker Wins US Senate Seat

The Associated Press has declared Cory Booker to have won the US Senate race in New Jersey.  
When Booker is sworn in, the Democratic Caucus will once again hold a 55-45 advantage over the GOP Conference. Booker will fill the seat once held by Frank Lautenberg, a long-serving Democratic senator who died in June. Gov. Chris Christie appointed fellow Republican Jeff Chiesa to be Lautenberg's interim replacement.

Booker, 44, will become the chamber's second African American member along with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.). The Democrat will enter the Senate having already achieved celebrity status. A regular on cable news programs and Sunday morning news shows with more than 1.4 million followers on Twitter, Booker has cultivated a profile that extends well beyond New Jersey.

He could fill a void in the Senate. While there are a handful of freshman Republican senators with growing national profiles like Sens. Ted Cruz (Tex.), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.), there is a dearth of new Democratic senators eager for a spotlight.
All those carpetbagging Tea People and all that last minute money and robocalling from NOM was wasted! And a single perfect tear falls from our eye...

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