Feds Recognize All Gay Marriages For Student Financial Aid Applicants

Citing Edith Windsor's victory at the Supreme Court, yesterday the Department of Education announced that all same-sex marriages will be recognized for the purposes of federal financial aid grants regardless of the state where the applicant resides.

For purposes of the Title IV HEA programs, a student or a parent is considered married if the student or parent was legally married in any domestic or foreign jurisdiction1 that recognizes the relationship as a valid marriage, regardless of where the couple resides. The Department is applying a “place of celebration” rule and, accordingly, has determined that any legal marriage that is recognized by the jurisdiction in which the marriage was celebrated will be recognized for Title IV HEA program purposes without regard to whether the marriage is between persons of the same sex or opposite sex, and without regard to where the couple resides. This determination applies to both a student and to the parents of a dependent student. It also applies to a student attending an institution located in a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage and in a jurisdiction (e.g., a state) that does not recognize same-sex marriage. Further, this determination applies only to marriages and does not apply to registered domestic partnerships, civil unions, or similar formal relationships recognized under state law.  Finally, this determination is relevant to all questions concerning marriage and marital status on the FAFSA.

Afternoon View - Island House

Father Tony and I have arrived at Key West's fabulous Island House for our annual visit. I'll be blogging poolside for the next week, so expect more typos than usual.

This Is An Ad For Something

The frame seen below tells you that this is not office-friendly.

(Tipped by JMG reader Tony)

Documentary Kidnapped For Christ Describes "Ex-Gay" Teenage Torture Camp

Via Raw Story:

“Kidnapped for Christ” is a new documentary that tells the story of teenagers sent to an evangelical Christian boarding school outside the U.S. where school personnel attempt to rid them of feelings of same sex attraction or other “ungodly” influences. “They mess your mind up,” said former student Deirdre Sugiuchi to Raw Story. “Prisoners have more freedom than we had.” The “school” is Escuela Caribe, an evangelical Christian reform school that is run like a prison camp by an organization called New Horizons Youth Ministries. Many of the students are the children of Christian parents who believe their sons and daughters’ nascent feelings of same sex attraction can be eliminated by the school’s program of Bible study, brutally hard work, exercise and physical punishment to break the students down.

An important detail from the above-linked article: "The Romney family contributes heavily to the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs (WWASP), an umbrella organization for evangelical reform schools like Escuela Caribe — which was briefly closed down, then reopened under the name Crosswinds — and their Mormon equivalents." The film's website is here. It makes its debut next month at the Slamdance Film Festival.

Greg Louganis: Sochi Athletes Should Publicly Thank Gay Supporters

Olympic legend Greg Louganis is opposed to a boycott of the Sochi Games, but he has an idea about how athletes could make a statement there without raising the ire of the IOC. Via USA Today:

Greg Louganis urged American Olympians on Friday to dedicate their performances at February's Sochi Games to their gay friends and relatives as a means of public but personal protest against Russian anti-gay laws. Louganis said as he understands the law, Olympic athletes in Sochi could potentially be in trouble for wearing rainbow pins in support of the LGBT movement. That, he said, is why he thinks athletes should publicly thank gay friends and relatives who have supported them in their road to the Olympics. "I don't see how the IOC can say anything about that, because it's personal, not political," Louganis said. "If you have a supportive aunt, uncle, cousin, friend who is gay, you don't win a gold medal by yourself. There is a team of people behind you. And to recognize those people is a way athletes can show their support of the LGBT community and what's going on in Russia."

Louganis says that he got hate mail from gay people after he first declared his opposition to a boycott.

TEXAS: GOP Candidates Agree, Creationism Must Be Taught In Schools

The Dallas Morning News reports that all four GOP candidates for Texas lieutenant governor agree that creationism should be taught in public schools.

Late last month, state Board of Education members adopted new high school science books that include full coverage of evolution without the disclaimers sought by social conservatives and other critics of Charles Darwin’s theory. While none of the lieutenant governor candidates mentioned the board’s decision, three — Patrick, Patterson and Staples — blasted teaching only evolution as a form of “political correctness.” They linked it to what they described as a broader moral decline. “The breakup of the family in this country has started when we took God out of the classroom,” said Patrick, a radio talk show host. “As a Christian, certainly creationism should be taught,” said Staples, a former state legislator. Dewhurst, who is seeking a fourth term, agreed. "It’s a fair discussion to expose students to both sides and let them make the decision with the advice and counsel of their parents,” he said.

(Tipped by JMG reader Eric)

EU Rules For Civil Union Benefits

From the EU Observer:

Workers in civil partnerships are entitled to the same benefits as married couples, the European Court of Justice has ruled, in a case that could have a profound impact on employment contracts and welfare regimes across the bloc. In a judgement on Thursday (12 December), the Luxembourg-based court found that denying equal rights to benefits amounted to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. The ruling comes in response to a case lodged in 2012 by Frederic Hay, a French bank worker with Credit Agricole. Hay brought the case after being denied extra days of leave and a salary bonus given to newly-wed employees, despite entering a civil solidarity pact (PAC) with his partner in 2007.

Morrissey At The Nobel Concert

Morrissey performed three numbers at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo on Thursday night. Stereogum ponders:

His voice sounded strong, and he looked as engaged as he ever looked. But he still offered a few questions to puzzle out. For instance: Why was he wearing what appeared to be enormous wide-legged sweatpants? And why were all the members of his backing band rocking matching Hustler T-shirts? Finally, why would an event like this, which seems to operate entirely on sincerity, book a hall-of-fame arch ironist like Moz in the first place?

INDIANA: Mary Cheney Speaks Against Proposed Gay Marriage Ban

As advertised, Mary Cheney on Thursday appeared at a Freedom Indiana event to denounce the attempt to write a gay marriage ban into the state constitution. Via Buzzfeed:

Of Freedom Indiana’s campaign against the proposal, which must be passed by the legislature for a second time before being put to the people for a vote, Mary Cheney said, “While certainly a step in the right direction, defeating HJR-6 won’t get us there. Not even close.” Freedom Indiana campaign manager Megan Robertson said in a statement, “We were honored to have Ms. Cheney visit Indiana and voice her opposition to HJR-6, the proposed amendment that would permanently destroy legal protections for so many Hoosier families.”

Hit the link for video of Cheney's remarks.

Fischer Just Wants To Save Your Soul

Morning View

There's a small marina for jillionaires right across the drawbridge from Father Tony's building.

Fox News Anchor Megyn Kelly Enlists Anti-Gay Freak Show Harry Jackson To Defend Her Claims About White Santa

UTAH: Federal Judge Strikes Down Portions Of State's Ban On Polygamy

In a move that will cause much told-you-so-ing from the anti-gay slippery slopers, today a federal judge struck down portions of Utah's ban on polygamy. The case was brought by the Brown family of TLC's Sister Wives reality show fame.

In a 90-page opinion, United States District Court Judge Clark Waddups found key parts of the law to be unconstitutional, specifically the language that criminalized cohabitation. According to Attorney Jonathan Turley, the Brown family and their counsel have spent several years fighting the law, both in a criminal case and in their challenge to the law. “With this decision, families like the Brown can now be both plural and legal in the state of Utah,” Turley said in a post on his website.

In a post tonight on his personal website, the attorney for the Browns cites the landmark sodomy ruling in Lawrence V Texas, which should give anti-gay groups ammunition for the next couple of years.

My final thanks is to the Brown family which has endured years to threats and investigation to bring this day about. They have secured for plural families the equivalent of Brown v. Board of Education in breaking through centuries of prejudice. They have also guaranteed that the promise of privacy recognized for same-sex couples in Lawrence v. Texas will also be extended to plural relationships. In recognition of the importance of this civil liberties case (and contrary to the statements of state officials), the Brown have made little reference to the case on their TLC show so not to distract attention from the merits of the case. They have earned this historic victory and both my respect and gratitude.

(Tipped by JMG reader Eric)

Merry Xmas From The NRA

Blogger David Badash notes that today's tweet came in the middle of yet another mass shooting at a high school in Colorado.

LGBT Allies Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis Land #1 Pop Single For 2013

Billboard Magazine has compiled its year-end charts and named the Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis single Thrift Shop as the most popular song of 2013. This is somewhat of a surprise as the #2 single for the year, Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines, had twelve weeks at #1 vs the six weeks at #1 for Thrift Shop. Lorde's smash single Royals, which had eight weeks at #1, is ranked at #15 for 2013 due to its late in the year peak.

Here are Billboard's top ten singles for 2013.

1. Thrift Shop - Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis
2. Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke
3. Radioactive - Imagine Dragons
4. Harlem Shake - Bauer
5. Can't Hold Us - Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis
6. Mirrors - Justin Timberlake
7. Just Give Me A Reason - Pink
8. When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars
9. Cruise - Florida Georgia Line
10. Roar - Katy Perry

It's "fucking awesome" that the most popular song of the year is from two of the most outspoken straight allies in pop music.

"Ex-Gays" File Discrimination Complaint With Department Of Justice

The "ex-gay" crackpots at PFOX have filed a federal discrimination complaint with the Department of Justice and the Department of Education because the Montgomery County, Maryland school board won't let them advocate for the torture and brainwashing of LGBT students. Via press release:

PFOX requests the federal agencies initiate an investigation into the discriminatory practices of Superintendent Starr and the Montgomery County school board and to oversee a remedial program to ensure diversity and non-discrimination against ex-gays. "Starr misused his official position as school superintendent to gain access to students and indoctrinate them with his prejudicial bias against the ex-gay community," said Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX. "The Department of Justice has investigated complaints against schools for discriminating against transgenders -- those who have changed their gender identity. The ex-gay community -- those who have changed their sexual orientation -- asks for equal treatment from our federal government."

After PFOX distributed ex-gay flyers to high school students as part of the schools' flyer distribution program for non-profit organizations, Starr publicly denigrated PFOX and former homosexuals by calling the actions of PFOX "reprehensible and deplorable" and labeling the flyer's sexual orientation freedom stance as "a really, really disgusting message." "PFOX's flyers provided information on unwanted same-sex attractions, discouraged student name calling, and urged tolerance for former homosexuals," Griggs said. "Starr does not respect real diversity. As school superintendent, Starr's actions make it impossible for Montgomery County public schools to provide an atmosphere where everyone is treated fairly and with respect, and free from discrimination and abuse, as mandated by its sexual orientation nondiscrimination policy.

Griggs: "Their actions are reminiscent of the 1950s Jim Crow South, when public pools were closed rather than allow the participation of African-Americans."

HomoQuotable - Andrew Sullivan

"It has been fascinating lately to watch Fox News go after the Pope for reiterating long-standing Catholic and Christian doctrine about the false god of materialism. By echoing Jesus’ insistence that you cannot know the kingdom of Heaven if you are bound up in wealth and possessions, the Pope drew charges of Marxism (which is anathema to Christians for the same reasons that unrestrained market capitalism is) and engaging in politics (from a channel that has long insisted that Christianity cannot and should not be relegated to the private sphere). [snip]

"When you absorb the constant racial undertones on Fox, and its constant worship of the god of money, when you absorb their long list of fears about the 'other', whether immigrants or gays or the poor, when you recall their glee at the torture of human beings, or their passion for the death penalty, you can’t help but wonder if they are not one of the most powerful forces against Christianity in our culture. They have competitors out there, but Roger Ailes is never satisfied with being Number Two, is he?" - Andrew Sullivan, writing for his blog.

Andy Cohen For GLSEN

Beyonce - Drunk In Love

CNN reports:

Beyoncé has delivered the ultimate holiday surprise. Just after midnight on the east coast, the singer suddenly dropped a brand new 14-track self-titled album on iTunes. That's right — without any pre-promotion. As if this bombshell — which, in her Instagram announcement, she described as a "visual album" — needed anything else, each song also comes with a music video and a download of BEYONCÉ will also score you three additional video.

This clip will likely get yanked as it's a fan upload.

UPDATE: Aaand it's gone.

UPDATE II: Closeted homosexual Matt Drudge mocks.

Obamacare: Sign Up Cuz It's Hot

A new video that encourages Obamacare enrollment has the wingnuts howling. Via Talking Points Memo:

The video, done by a President Obama impersonator, parodies Snoop Dogg's hit "Drop It Like It's Hot." "And if you need that new healthcare, sign up cause it's hot," the performer sings in the video. An innocuous parody? Hardly. Rove, the former right-hand man to a president who donned a flight suit and landed on an aircraft carrier before delivering a nationally televised speech, said he worries about "something that seems to aim at glorification of the commander-in-chief." "[The video] disturbingly gets too close to the line," Rove said. Van Susteren agreed and said the video is "sort of insulting to young people because it says get Obamacare because it's cool, not because substantively it is a good program for you, it's important for your health."

Fox News Anchor Megyn Kelly To Explain "White Santa/White Jesus" Remarks

Mediaite reports:

Friday evening on The Kelly File, Fox’s Megyn Kelly will address the controversy surrounding her Wednesday evening segment in which she declared that it is a “verifiable fact” that Santa Claus is white. The segment set off all kinds of reactions, from outrage to mockery to eye-rolls to scholarly analysis. Several media outlets noted how Kelly was absent from the anchor desk the next night, but her absence was unrelated to the Santa segment.

This should be interesting.

The Advocate Names Russian President Vladimir Putin "Phobie Of The Year"

The Advocate today announced its Phobie Awards, with Russian President Vladimir Putin topping their list of the thirteen most homophobic people in the world. The rest of the list features evildoers well known to JMG readers: Orson Scott Card, Scott Lively, Pat Robertson, E.W. Jackson, Marco Rubio, Frigide Barjot, Ken Cuccinelli, Robert Mugabe, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Rep. Louie Gohmert, and two anti-gay California groups working to overturn transgender rights. Hit the link and read the Advocate's justification for each selection.

Headline Of The Day

A report filed by TMZ has again fired up speculation that reality star and Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner is beginning gender reassignment. Jenner says, "I just never liked my trachea."

God Created The Weekend

And therefore non-Christians should work seven days a week.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Declares Victory On National Guard Issue

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel today declared that National Guard units in all states are now in compliance with his directive that same-sex spouses be allowed to register for military benefits. Here is his full statement.

On October 31, I called on the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to work with several states to fully implement DoD policy by providing DoD ID cards to all eligible military spouses, regardless of sexual orientation. Following consultations between the National Guard Bureau and the Adjutants General of the states, all eligible service members, dependents and retirees - including same-sex spouses - are now able to obtain ID cards in every state. All military spouses and families sacrifice on behalf of our country. They deserve our respect and the benefits they are entitled to under the law. All of DoD is committed to pursuing equal opportunities for all who serve this nation, and I will continue to work to ensure our men and women in uniform as well as their families have full and equal access to the benefits they deserve.

Suh-nap.

UPDATE: The ACLU reacts via press release.

This is a welcome announcement, and one that Secretary Hagel deserves credit for making happen. The resistance on the part of some governors on extending these benefits to same-sex couples was a grossly unfair violation of federal law that turned the promise of equal treatment for all military personnel on its head. The ACLU is pleased to have partnered with the American Military Partner Association on a national petition urging the Department of Defense to ensure that same-sex military couples could not be denied equal access to the federal benefits to which they were entitled.

American Family Association: Government Is Causing More Cases Of AIDS

"It's ridiculous that our tax dollars are in essence being used to promote the lifestyle of creating the HIV/AIDS crises in this country. And $100 million is a drop in the bucket when the federal government's talking, but again, it's our tax dollars that are being used. The government is not doing its part in stopping this epidemic simply because they are promoting the lifestyle. And until they stop promoting this lifestyle, there will not be an AIDS-free generation."- Diane Gramley, head of the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Family Association.

Trump Continues Birther Crusade

President Obama truly has some amazing assassins on the payroll, what with their ability to make sure that only the right person dies in a plane crash.

Politifact's Lie Of the Year: If You Like Your Health Insurance, You Can Keep It

Politifact has named its Lie Of The Year for 2013.

It was a catchy political pitch and a chance to calm nerves about his dramatic and complicated plan to bring historic change to America’s health insurance system. "If you like your health care plan, you can keep it," President Barack Obama said -- many times -- of his landmark new law. But the promise was impossible to keep. So this fall, as cancellation letters were going out to approximately 4 million Americans, the public realized Obama’s breezy assurances were wrong. Boiling down the complicated health care law to a soundbite proved treacherous, even for its promoter-in-chief. Obama and his team made matters worse, suggesting they had been misunderstood all along. The stunning political uproar led to this: a rare presidential apology.

Right wing sites (which typically denounce Politifact) are doing back flips.

Gay Man & Evangelical Walk Into A Bar

From the Christian Broadcasting Network: "The Journey Church recently rented a nightclub in St. Louis for an evening of calm discussion over the red-hot topic: Marriage. They billed the event: 'A Gay Man and An Evangelical Walk Into a Bar.'"

NEW YORK: ACT UP Crashes Ceremony Honoring Home Of Closet Case Ed Koch

Members of ACT UP yesterday crashed the ceremony to announce that the home of late New York City mayor and closet case Ed Koch is being named a historical landmark. That apartment building, NOT incidentally, is also the home of Larry Kramer.

Brian Brown: Bakers Are Artists And Deserve The Freedom To Discriminate

"I challenge any same-sex marriage activist to take to their blog or to pen an op-ed doubling down on the opinion that what cake decorators and bakers do isn't a form of artistry and doesn't deserve protections as a form of expression! And I'd be willing to bet if this case had involved a portrait painter, or a photographer, or a musician, or a florist, the judge would have ruled exactly the same way. How's that for citizenship 'rights' in America? So that same-sex couples can redefine marriage to suit their own desires, the first amendment rights of all artists — poets and painters, florists and bakers, musicians and photographers — will be delineated by what the courts decide constitutes 'expression.'" - Hate group leader Brian Brown, writing about the Colorado bakery case.

Morning View

SUNDAY: Global Protests Planned In Support Of Indian LGBT Community

On Sunday there will be protests of the Indian Supreme Court ruling in major cities around the world. The list of cities so far: Sydney, Toronto, Cambridge, London, Delhi, Ann Arbor, Chennai.  More locations will be added at this link, at which you can find details for each city.

Russian Actor: I Would Like To Shove All Living Gays Into A Furnace

"I myself would shove all living gays into furnace. This is Sodom and Gomorrah.  I as a beliver in God can not treat this indifferently, this is a live threat to my kids! I do not wants my kids to think that faggots are normal. This is lavender fascism. If a person can not choose someone of an opposite sex for procreation – this is a overt sign of mental abnormality, so they should be denied voting rights." - Actor and Russian Orthodox priest Ivan Okhlobystin, speaking last week on his "spiritual tour." Queer Russia notes that the audience applauded after the above remark.

Editorial Of THe Day

From the New York Times editorial board:

The court’s statement inviting the Legislature to amend the law is disingenuous. Given the fractious nature of India’s Parliament, the conservative views of many of its members, and the political stakes in the run-up to general elections next spring, the Legislature is unlikely to take up this issue on its own. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh now has an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy of progress before his government steps down next spring. His cabinet should act immediately to seek a repeal of Section 377. This 1861 law has no place in a 21st-century democracy.

Indian AG Denounces Ruling

"The world has moved on. It is fast changing. Perceptions have changed. Attitudes have changed. Law does not and cannot remain static. Whenever necessary, the Supreme Court has reflected changed perceptions of the law and has struck outmoded laws down. They did so when striking down rent control laws as socially irrelevant. They also did it by breathing fresh life into Article 21, protecting life and personal liberty. They did it by consigning the archaic judgment in A K Gopalan vs State of Madras, rendered in 1950, into the dustbin of history. Unfortunately, they declined to give a similar treatment to Section 377. Therein lies the tragedy." - Goolam Vahanvati, Attorney General of India.

Jon Stewart Vs Megyn Kelly

Fox News Anchor Megyn Kelly: Jesus Christ & Santa Claus Were Totally White

"By the way, for all you kids watching at home, Santa is white but this person is just arguing that maybe we should also have a black Santa. Santa is what he is and just so you know, we are debating this because someone wrote about it, kids. Just because it makes you feel uncomfortable doesn't mean it has to change. Jesus was a white man, too. He was a historical figure. That's a verifiable fact -- as is Santa. I just want the kids watching to know that." - Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly.

FRANCE: Manif Pour Tous Releases Dozens Of Chickens Outside Parliament

France's Manif Pour Tous yesterday released dozens of chickens outside of Parliament in Paris in yet another bizarre anti-gay marriage protest.

What was it all in aid of? Well, the unleashing of the chickens was, of all things, a protest by anti-gay marriage movement La Manif Pour Tous (the Demo for All). The organization, bereft of its original leaders, who walked away in rancour and humiliation after France’s legalization of gay marriage in May, was responsible for the “poulets” protest around 3pm on Wednesday. The organizers of the stunt pulled up outside the National Assembly and attempted to unleash 450 chickens from the back of an Avis rental van – even kicking some of the birds out. As the van sped away, followed by police, around 40 chickens were left to flutter about outside the French parliament, dodging passing traffic and being chased by members of the gendarmerie. At least two were killed by passing vehicles, and another two found dead at Bois de Boulogne on the outskirts of the city, according to Libération.

Four members of Manif Pour Tous were arrested at the scene and animal rights activists from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation say they are pressing charges of animal cruelty.

Lesbian Friends Might Turn Your Kids Gay

Afternoon View

From Father Tony's balcony.

INDIA: Top Politicians Vow To Repeal Law Against Homosexuality

In the wake of yesterday's shocking recriminalization of homosexuality by the Indian Supreme Court, politicians there today vowed to repeal the law legislatively.

"We will have to change the law. If the Supreme Court has upheld that law, then we will certainly have to take firm steps," Thursday. "Change has to be made fast, and any delay cannot take place." Sibal's comments were echoed by other government officials. Sonia Gandhi, the head of the ruling Congress Party, who is among the most powerful political figures in the country, said Thursday she was disappointed by the Supreme Court's ruling, adding she hopes "Parliament will address the issue and uphold the constitutional guarantee of life and liberty to all citizens of India, including those directly affected by the judgment." The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, fresh off massive wins in state elections last week, refused to comment on the ruling, "react when we see the government's proposal." The BJP is seen as a front-runner ahead of next year's national elections.

Bob Newhart To Headline For Hate Group

GLAAD's Jeremy Hooper reports that Bob Newhart will headline the convention of Legatus, a Catholic group which backs the "ex-gay" crackpots at NARTH and which declares that it is "non-negotiable" for any Catholic to vote for a candidate who backs same-sex marriage.

Yes, that's right: Beloved comedian Bob Newhart, who most recently won an Emmy for playing opposite openly gay Jim Parsons on The Big Bang Theory, is going to *headline* this organization's summit. The man so famous for his dry wit is lending his name and talents to an organization whose anti-LGBT agenda is anything but funny. And get this: Newhart is scheduled to appear alongside such noted anti-LGBT figures as the Catholic League's Bill Donohue and Rick "man on dog" Santorum. Yeah, it's going to be that kind of a night. Why in Larry, Darryl, and my other brother Darryl's name would Mr. Newhart, legendary TV star and one of the most genuinely well-liked people to ever appear before a film camera, sign up for such a gig?!

Here's what Legatus says about homosexuality:

There are many reasons why people suffer from SSA disorder. Some “discover” this tendency within them. Others grow into it through pursuits of pleasure or experimentation. Some use it to punish themselves or others. Whether the disorder has some deep, unknown roots over which one has virtually no control, or whether it’s a developed disorder resulting from bad choices, it leaves an individual disposed toward activities and a lifestyle that are dangerous — physically, emotionally and spiritually. Fortunately there is hope for those who suffer from the disorder. The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality reports that significant numbers of homosexual persons have undergone treatment and had their sexual drives properly ordered.

Hooper hopes that Newhart is simply unaware of the nature of Legatus and that "this booking is the result of bad advice."

God Stopped Obama From Nuking America

YouTube Bans Teen Homophobe For Life

You might recall teenage Limbaugh wannabe Caiden Cowger, whose virulently anti-gay rants have appeared on JMG in years past. Well, it appears that YouTube has had enough of him. From their email to Cowger:

We’d like to inform you that due to repeated or severe violations of our Community Guidelines, your YouTube account CaidenCowgerShow has been suspended. After review we determined that activity in your account violated our Community Guidelines, which state that hate speech is not acceptable on our site. “Hate speech” means content that promotes hatred or violence against members of a protected group (race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, and sexual orientation/gender identity). Please be aware that you are prohibited from accessing, possessing or creating any other YouTube accounts.

Bryan Fischer is ever so pissed.

Headline Of The Day

Details.

"Ex-Gays" Explain What Made You Gay

Via Right Wing Watch:

Family Watch International – a group affiliated with the World Congress of Families that supports the criminalization of homosexuality abroad and retains Uganda anti-gay crusader Martin Ssempa as a “volunteer” staff member – teamed up last month with leaders of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) to produce the half-hour documentary, “Understanding Same-Sex Attraction.” In the film, NARTH psychologists and self-proclaimed “ex-gays” – some of them with their faces blurred out for privacy – push any number of anti-gay myths, including that homosexuality is caused by sexual abuse, absent fathers, and overbearing mothers. We’ve put together a short highlight reel.

Morning View - Fort Lauderdale Beach

I'm in Florida for the next couple of weeks for my annual holiday visit with friends and family.  I hear there's a big snow storm about to hit New York City. What a pity.

Opening Bid: $100,000

From Invaluable Auctions:

Bert Lahr “Cowardly Lion” prop “Witch Remover” from The Wizard of Oz. (MGM, 1939) This instantly recognizable prop is wielded by the Cowardly Lion as he, Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow enter the Haunted Forest and read the sign aloud stating, “Haunted Forest…Witches Castle one mile…I’d turn back if I were you.” So visually important is this scene that M-G-M chose the image of this sequence for one of their eight promotional lobby cards. This vintage hand pump exterminator sprayer is constructed of steel and wood measuring 32.5 in. long x 8.25 in. wide. Painted gray with red trim and “WITCH REMOVER” by hand on both sides along the cylinder. Exhibits usual wear with general paint loss and scuffing. An iconic and exceedingly rare prop from this cinematic masterpiece. Provenance: Christie’s East, New York, May 24, 2000, lot 156. $100,000 - $150,000.

(Tipped by JMG reader Bill)

TEXAS: Judge Schedules Hearing For Temporary Block On Gay Marriage Ban

A Texas judge has scheduled a February hearing on a demand to temporarily block the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

Two same-sex couples from Plano and Austin filed the request for an injunction in November. The case is a part of seven similar ones filed in other states with the goal of eventually getting the constitutionality of a ban on same-sex marriage in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Federal District Judge Orlando Garcia set the Texas hearing for February 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the John H. Wood, Jr. United States Courthouse in San Antonio. If the judge grants the injunction, the case will be eligible for immediate appeal to the U.S. Fifth Circuit of Appeals in New Orleans.

(Tipped by JMG reader James)

Open Thread Thursday

Tell us about your holiday plans. Will you be with your biological family or (as Armistead Maupin calls it) your logical family? Do both worlds blend at this time of year?

TODAY: Queer Nation To Protest At NBC

Queer Nation will today crash the holiday party for NBC staffers at a hotel in downtown New York City. They write:

This is the not at all inspiring tale of the International Olympic Committee and eleven of the top Olympic sponsors' Road to Sochi. This coalition of some of the biggest mega-corporations on Earth dutifully and unfortunately followed the lead of feckless IOC president Thomas Bach. They have made a collective agreement that the shining ideals of the Olympic charter are merely easily expendable platitudes if they ever threaten to interfere with the collecting of large wheel barrels full of Olympic profits. The result of the IOC and sponsors' inaction is the Olympic charters' hollow assurances of non-discrimination and respect for basic human rights have now been reduced to mere jive talk and many in the global LGBTQ community are not at all fooled by it.

Brooklyn Borough President: My Borough Is The Lesbian Capital Of The Northeast

"We remain the lesbian capital of New York City and the Northeast. In other words, we have a much larger lesbian population in Brooklyn. New York City is fortunate to have a large LBGT community, but in Brooklyn in particular, the lesbian community, there’s no question it’s the capital of the Northeast. They’ve made unbelievable contributions to the quality of life in our city and our borough." - Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President, speaking yesterday on WNYC.  Markowitz, one of the most colorful politicians in NYC, leaves office next month due to term limits.

Glenn Beck: TIME Magazine Is Totally Fascist For Selecting Pope Francis

Mediaite breaks it down:

Just like his fellow conservative host Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck was not pleased with TIME Magazine’s decision to name Pope Francis its Person of the Year for 2013. But unlike Glenn Greenwald and countless other journalists, Beck didn’t think the honor should have gone to Edward Snowden. He had someone else in mind: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). Beck claimed that the only reason TIME didn’t put Cruz on its year-end cover was because they “didn’t want to give him anymore power.” Meanwhile, Beck admonished the magazine for making Adolf Hitler what was then called “Man of the Year” in 1938. He was also upset about the inclusion of Benito Mussolini, even though that never actually happened. “Remember, progressives are fascist,” he reminded his audience. “They are for fascism.”

HomoQuotable - Kate Kendell

"It is repellent that extremist religious opposition worldwide is such a corrosive impediment to basic human rights. The groundbreaking Delhi high court decision would have stood had religious opponents not attempted, now successfully, to roll it back. Even the Indian government refused to defend the law in court. We are unfortunately in a global culture war with many more challenges ahead. [snip] We are living in a Dickensian world, the best of times for many LGBT people in great swathes of this nation and some other countries, and the worst of times on far too much of the planet. It is impossible to enjoy our liberty and freedom knowing that so many others suffer. We always knew our work was not done, and today we have another grim reminder." - Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Something Something Miley Anti-Christ Something Pope Something Prophecy

The Third Eagle Of The Apocalypse and Co-Prophet of the End Times says that TIME Magazine and Miley Cyrus are telling us that the world is thisclose to totally exploding. For realz. Or something.

Homophobes Are Like Christ?

Northern Ireland Legalizes Gay Adoption

At least there's some good news this week. Via BBC News:

A ban on gay and unmarried couples applying to adopt children in Northern Ireland has been removed. They may now apply in the same way as heterosexual couples. Health Minister Edwin Poots had tried to challenge an appeal court decision to extend adoption rights to gay couples. However, the Supreme Court said the Department of Health's argument for appeal did not meet the criteria. Previously, a single gay or lesbian person could adopt children in Northern Ireland, but a couple in a civil partnership could not. In June, the Court of Appeal ruled that the ban based on relationship status was held to discriminate against those in civil partnerships and to breach their human rights. Northern Ireland was the only part of the United Kingdom where that policy existed. Now, the law in Northern Ireland is in line with the rest of the UK.

RELATED: In October, Northern Ireland's Equality Commission endorsed same-sex marriage and demanded that the issue be put forward in the legislature. The Democratic Unionist Party has so far blocked any attempts.

Australia: In The End, Love Will Win

As I reported last night, the marriage shown in this clip is now invalid. Get Up Australia posted the clip shortly after the ruling was announced.

Updated Map: India Rejoins 76 Other Nations That Criminalize Homosexuality

Business Insider takes note:

The news that India has re-criminalized homosexual acts has come as a blow to the worldwide LGBT movement. Roughly 16% of the world's total population — 1.2 billion people — live in the South Asian state. But India isn't alone in considering homosexual acts a crime. According to the 2013 report from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, 76 countries (plus India) have laws making homosexuality illegal. In five of these countries — Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Mauritania, Sudan — plus parts of Nigeria and Somalia, homosexuality is punishable by death. Additionally, there are a number of countries where homosexuality is not illegal but laws exist that seriously restrict homosexuality — most famously, Russia, which enacted a law that prohibited homosexual "propaganda" last year.

And let's not forget that Uganda's "kill the gays" bill remains pending. The full list of the countries on the above map is at the link.

NEW YORK: State Sen. Liz Krueger To Introduce Bill To Legalize Marijuana

My state senator wants to New York to follow in the footsteps of Colorado and Washington state. Via press release:

Joined by a broad spectrum of drug law reform advocates and fellow elected officials, State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) announced that she will be introducing the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) today. The legislation would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana under state law along lines similar to the state’s current system regulating alcohol, and would represent a new approach for New York State after decades of costly, counterproductive policies that have produced racially discriminatory outcomes. “Prohibition of marijuana is a policy that just hasn’t worked, no matter how you look at it, and it’s time to have an honest conversation about what we should do next,” said Sen. Krueger. “The illegal marijuana economy is alive and well, and our unjust laws are branding nonviolent New Yorkers, especially young adults, as criminals, creating a vicious cycle that ruins lives and needlessly wastes taxpayer dollars. Worst of all, this system has resulted in a civil rights disaster: African Americans are dramatically more likely to be arrested for pot possession than whites, despite similar rates of marijuana use among both groups.”

The Weed Blog reports on the ridiculous pot arrest stats for New York state:

New York’s current marijuana policies are widely recognized as broken. Approximately 600,000 people, mostly young Black and Latino men, have been arrested for marijuana possession in NY since 1997, saddling them with criminal records that impede their ability to obtain jobs, student loans, and housing. In New York City, marijuana possession is the number one arrest, and NY makes more marijuana arrests than every other state in the country, including California, Florida and Texas. Nearly 97% of all marijuana offenses in New York were for mere possession. The vast majority of those arrested (85%) are Black and Latino, mostly young men, even though numerous government studies report that young white men use marijuana at higher rates.

Gentlemen Against Homophobia: German Male Celebs Kiss Against Russian Hate

The German edition of GQ Magazine has launched a campaign in which straight male celebrities kiss in protest against Russia's campaign against its LGBT citizens. Gay Star News reports:

Lifestyle monthly GQ, generally known for advertising fast cars and hot women to its readers, launched the Gentlemen Against Homophobia campaign. 13 celebrities puckered up for the pics. While relatively unknown outside of the country, they included actor August Diehl, the band Revolverheld and singer Herbert Grönemeyet. Six incredible photos were produced, aiming to be published all over Germany on buses, posters and billboards. ‘The intolerance that homosexuals are still fighting against is shocking,’ Editor-in-Chief José Redondo-Vega said. ‘With #Mundpropaganda we wanted to give a clear sign in favor of a free society.’

Here is the magazine's making-of video.

YouTube's Top Videos For 2013

YouTube yesterday issued the lists of their most-watched viral and music videos for 2013. The Washington Post reports:

It turns out we’re all really interested in knowing what the fox says. According to YouTube’s annual list of top-trending videos, Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis had the hottest video of the year with “What Does the Fox Say?” The posting drew 276 million views since it was posted in September. Actually, it was a good year for Norwegians: The Norwegian Army version of the Harlem Shake dance craze came in right behind Ylvis’s video as the most popular of the 1.7 million versions of the dance that got uploaded to the site, YouTube said Wednesday in announcing the statistics. It was also a good year for brands on the site, with three brand videos making the top 10 trending list: “Evian Babies,” “Volvo Trucks” and “Telekinetic Coffee Surprise,” which promoted the new “Carrie “movie.

Ad Age breaks down the dough:

Earlier this year YouTube crossed the billion-user mark, and now it's poised to surpass the five-billion-dollar mark. The Google-owned video service is expected to record $5.6 billion in gross revenue this year, according to estimates from eMarketer. That's up 51% from last year and would equate to 11% of Google's total ad revenues. That figure does not include money YouTube passes on to advertising partners and content creators. This year Google will keep 35% of that total or $1.96 billion, according to eMarketer's estimate. Google generally takes a 45% cut of advertising sold into its content partners, and Google's take is exected to rise in the coming years as it phases out less-favorable revenue-sharing deals with TV networks. After revenue sharing, YouTube will take $850 million this year from video ads served in the U.S., which is up 50% from last year. Including display ads, YouTube will will net $1.08 billion this year in U.S. ad revenues.

AUSTRALIA: Hight Court Rules Against Same-Sex Marriage In Capital Territory

In the last five days, 27 same-sex couples, including two JMG readers, have gotten married in the Australia Capital Territory (ACT.) Those marriages have just been ruled invalid. Via the Australian:

The High Court has unanimously struck down the ACT's gay marriage laws. The decision will mean that about two dozen week-old marriages have no legal effect. The ACT Marriage Equality (Same Sex) laws passed the territory's legislative assembly in October, but only came into effect last month and couples were required to provide four weeks' notice before conducting wedding ceremonies. As of today, about 20 couples have been married to date under the ACT's laws, with the first ceremonies conducted on Saturday. Had the nation's top court upheld the ACT's gay marriage legislation it would have opened the door to similar laws being passed across the country, pressuring the government to make it legal at a national level. The commonwealth government sought an expedited hearing in the High Court arguing the national capital's laws were inconsistent with federal legislation and unconstitutional. Federal government lawyers argued in the High Court that the commonwealth marriage act was intended to ensure that state and territories did not operate as different countries when it came to determining whether a couple was married. The High Court determined that the federal parliament has the power under the Australian constitution to legislate on same-sex marriage, and that whether or not same-sex marriages are legalised is a matter for the federal parliament.

SOUTH AFRICA: "Fake" Sign Language Interpreter At Mandela Memorial

Deaf people around the world took to social media yesterday to declare that the sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial was speaking gibberish. Many wondered if the man was using a sign language unique to South Africa, but that was not the case.

Paul Breckell, chief executive of the U.K.-based charity Action on Hearing Loss, said: "We are shocked by the quality of sign language interpretation at Nelson Mandela’s memorial -- if it could be called interpretation at all." He added that "the limited number of signs, the amount of repetition, lack of facial expressions and huge gaps in translation meant that deaf or hard of hearing people across the world were completely excluded from one of the biggest events in recent history." Among the first to express their dissatisfaction was Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen, the first deaf woman to be elected to the South African parliament, who tweeted that the signing was "rubbish," adding: "He cannot sign. Please get him off."

And the YouTube parodies have already arrived.

HomoQuotable - Nancy Goldstein

"NBC has been dodging attempts from activists to hold them accountable since the laws were enacted. A letter from the gay lobbying group Human Rights Campaign’s president asking NBC to include news of Russia's human-rights violations alongside their standard Olympics coverage elicited a mealy-mouthed response from the network, which said it would 'provide coverage of Russia's anti-gay laws if the controversial measures surface as an issue during the upcoming Winter Olympics.' As though the fact that Neo-Nazis keep luring gay men to hotel rooms by baiting them online, then kidnapping and torturing them and posting their videos online isn’t an issue at all so long as no queers are actually forced to drink their own urine in front of NBC’s cameras during the snowboarding finals." - Nancy Goldstein, writing for Prospect.