VIRGINIA: In First Official Act, Gov. Terry McAuliffe Signs Executive Order Protecting LGBT Employees

In his first official act following today's inauguration, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order protecting LGBT state employees from discrimination. Shortly after taking office in 2010, GOP former Gov. Bob McDonnell stripped such protections from the traditional order, claiming that there was no evidence that gay people are discriminated against.

McAuliffe: "My administration is committed to keeping Virginia open and welcoming to all who call our Commonwealth home. Executive Order Number 1 sets the tone for an administration that will not accept discrimination in any form, and one that will work tirelessly to ensure all Virginians have equal opportunity in the workplace, no matter their backgrounds, race, religion, or whom they love."

The Washington Blade notes that today's order includes gender identity and expression for the first time. Let's hope Eugene Delgaudio's head was exploding during his protest today. (Tipped by JMG reader Dwight)

Virgin Galactic Makes Test Flight

Via the Los Angeles Times:

Virgin Galactic, British billionaire Richard Branson’s commercial space venture, reached its highest altitude yet Friday in a supersonic rocket plane that’s set to carry paying customers into sub-orbit later this year. The company’s SpaceShipTwo blasted through the sound barrier and sped to Mach 1.4, climbing to 71,000 feet in its first powered test flight of the year. The flight, the program's third rocket-powered test flight, is the latest milestone in Virgin Galactic’s goal to take dozens of people into space multiple times each day. The test flight took place shortly after sunrise Friday beginning on the desert runway at Mojave Air and Space Port, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. During the test, SpaceShipTwo was taken to about 46,000 feet by a carrier aircraft and dropped like a bomb. After a short free fall, test pilots Dave Mackay and Mark Stucky engaged the hybrid rocket motor, powered by nitrous oxide and a rubber compound, for about 16 seconds, at which point SpaceShipTwo accelerated to Mach 1.4.

Amazing video.

Petition Of The Day

Nearly 5000 people have signed a petition calling on the New York City Council to write new fire safety laws after last week's high-rise fire in Hell's Kitchen claimed the life of a newlywed gay man and severely injured his husband. The two men were found in the emergency stairwell. The FDNY says that in most high-rise fires, it is safer to remain in your apartment than attempt to flee via the emergency stairs. Petitioners are demanding that all such buildings install public address systems that building management or firefighters can use to advise residents. Recently elected and openly gay City Councilman Corey Johnson, whose district includes Hell's Kitchen, will hold an 11am press conference on Monday at City Hall to announce the introduction of a bill requiring "additional safety measures in high-rise residential buildings." 

RELATED: An online fundraiser for the still-hospitalized victim has netted over $66,000 at this writing.

TEXAS: Judge Refuses Regnerus Brief Filed By Anti-Gay Christian Group

A federal judge in Texas has refused to consider an amicus brief filed by the anti-gay Christian group Texas Values in the marriage equality lawsuit against the state.  The brief cites the work of discredited researcher Mark Regnerus four times. The Dallas Voice reports:

The group’s brief argues that children in same-sex families are at a disadvantage compared to children in opposite-sex homes. It encourages the court to deny a temporary injunction two same-sex couples are seeking so state officials are prohibited from enforcing the state’s marriage ban. It further explains that studies by associations like the American Psychological Association are wrong in their findings that gay parents raise well-adjusted children. [snip] U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia ruled Monday that the brief be stricken from the record because “it cites no legal authority in its motion to this regard.”

Bolding is mine. Texas Values was one of the leading opponents to San Antonio's recently approved ordinance that grants employment and housing protections to LGBT residents. (Tipped by JMG reader Win)

Eugene Delgaudio Just Got This Guy Appointed To The County Library Board

Via the Washington Post:

A Sterling man who once tore out pages of the Koran in front of the White House, and whose fierce rhetoric on Twitter included declaring “the only good progressive is a dead progressive,” has been approved by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to sit on the county library’s board of trustees for the next four years. The Loudoun supervisors last week confirmed Andrew Beacham, 31, a recently defeated candidate for Congress in Kentucky, to the library board. But several supervisors, including Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) who nominated him, said they were unaware of Beacham’s colorful past. Beacham has twice stood and heckled President Obama during speeches about health care, he has worked closely with longtime anti-abortion activist Randall Terry, and his active presence on Twitter indicates he has little patience for liberals, gays or Nelson Mandela.

Unaware of his colorful past? Yeah. And the above is only the tip of this lunatic's iceberg. Hit the link. (Tipped by JMG reader James)

Ariel Sharon Dies At 85

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon died today at the age of 85.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the nation bowed its head to a man he described as “first and foremost a brave soldier and an outstanding military commander” who “had a central role in the battle for Israel’s security from the very beginning.” In many ways, Mr. Sharon’s story was that of his country. A champion of an iron-fisted, territory-expanding Zionism for most of his life, he stunned Israel and the world in 2005 with a Nixon-to-China reversal and withdrew all Israeli settlers and troops from Gaza. He then abandoned his Likud Party and formed a centrist movement called Kadima focused on further territorial withdrawal and a Palestinian state next door. Mr. Sharon was incapacitated eight years ago, in January 2006, and in elections that followed, Kadima still won the most votes. His former deputy, Ehud Olmert, became prime minister. But the impact of Mr. Sharon’s political shift went beyond Kadima. The hawkish Likud Party, led by his rival, Mr. Netanyahu, was returned to power in 2009, and Mr. Netanyahu, too, said then that he favored a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Lawn Again Christians

Details.

UTAH: Hundreds Rally At State Capitol For Reinstatement Of Same-Sex Marriage

State Department Issues Security Warning To Americans Traveling To Sochi Olympics

The U.S. State Department today issued an updated travel advisory for Americans planning to attend the Sochi Olympics. An excerpt:

MEDICAL CARE: The Olympics are the first large-scale event to be held in Sochi and medical capacity and infrastructure in the region are untested for handling the volume of visitors expected for the Olympics. Medical care in many Russian localities differs substantially from Western standards due to differing practices and approaches to primary care. Travelers should consider purchasing private medical evacuation and/or repatriation insurance.

TERRORISM: Large-scale public events such as the Olympics present an attractive target for terrorists. Russian authorities have indicated that they are taking appropriate security measures in Sochi in light of this. Acts of terrorism, including bombings and hostage takings, continue to occur in Russia, particularly in the North Caucasus region. Between October 15 and December 30, 2013, there were three suicide bombings targeting public transportation in the city of Volgograd (600 miles from Sochi), two of which occurred within the same 24-hour period. Other bombings over the past 10-15 years occurred at Russian government buildings, airports, hotels, tourist sites, markets, entertainment venues, schools, and residential complexes. There have also been large-scale attacks on public transportation including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights, in the same time period.

The warning goes to say that the State Department is presently unaware of any threat specifically aimed at Americans. Today's message includes a special warning to LGBT travelers.

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER (LGBT) ISSUES: In June 2013, Russia’s State Duma passed a law banning the “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” to minors. The U.S. government understands that this law applies to both Russian citizens and foreigners in Russia. Russian citizens found guilty of violating the law could face a fine of up to 100,000 rubles ($3,100). Foreign citizens face similar fines, up to 14 days in jail, and deportation. The law makes it a crime to promote LGBT equality in public, but lacks concrete legal definitions for key terms. Russian authorities have indicated a broad interpretation of what constitutes “LGBT propaganda,” and provided vague guidance as to which actions will be interpreted by authorities as “LGBT propaganda.” LGBT travelers should review the State Department’s LGBT Travel Information page.

Read today's advisory in full.

27 GOP House Reps Co-Sponsor Randy Weber's Bill To Ban Federal Recognition Of Out-Of-State Same-Sex Marriages

Yesterday House Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) introduced a laughably doomed bill that would limit the federal government to only recognizing same-sex marriages that are legally conducted in the state where the married couple resides. Since the bill's introduction, 27 GOP members of the House have signed on as co-sponsors. The list so far is a cavalcade of crackpottery: Michele Bachmann, Louis Gohmert, John Fleming, etc. Eleven of the 27 co-sponsors are from Texas.

SWeber, a freshman rep and former air conditioner repairman, has previously only authored one failed House resolution. Therefore I suspect his bill was actually written by the Family Research Council, who jointly announced its introduction yesterday with an appearance by Weber on Tony Perkins' national radio show. Other anti-gay hate groups are today praising the bill, including NOM, which posted the below message today on their blog.

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today expressed its support for a bill announced in Congress yesterday, the “State Marriage Defense Act of 2014” (HR 3829), and praised Representative Randy Weber (R-TX) for authoring and introducing “this vitally important legislation.” “Representative Weber deserves praise for this vitally important legislation which will lend clarity to the way states’ marriage laws are dealt with by federal agencies,” said Brian Brown, NOM’s President. “The bill simply reaffirms and strengthens the rights reserved by the states under the US constitution.” Brown also said that the bill is based upon a proper understanding of last summer’s decision by the Supreme Court in the Windsor case that struck down one facet of the law but supported states’ rights to determine their own definition of marriage.

Wonkette today posted a typically fabulous reaction.

Given that even Utah briefly recognized gay marriage, we are pretty sure that this legislation isn’t going to go anywhere, let alone have a chance in hell of passing the Senate with Harry Reid being the badass that he is. However, it is a good reminder that there has always and forever been only one form of marriage which is between a man with a PENIS and a woman with governmentally regulated LADYPARTS the GOP continues to hate on the gays in new and inventive ways. We have no idea if this bill deals with age-of-marriage laws, which also differ between states, but we guess that so long as that 12-year-old GIRL is marrying a 40-year-old MAN, Weber and his ilk are probably totes cool with it, because that is WAY MOAR BETTERER than two consenting adult menfolk doin’ it in the butt.

One Million Moms Vs Staples

Just in from One Million Moms:

The new Staples ad campaign uses the tagline "What the L!" We all know children repeat what they hear. Everyone knows exactly what the company is implying with the mock swearing, but their commercials make sure there is no doubt of their intentions to push the advertising envelope. Staples printed ad spells out "STAP ES" (minus the L), - leading to the question, "What the L is going on?" Staples commercials use these slogans: "There will be L to pay; L if I know; Get the L out of here; All L has broken loose and What the L is going on." Staples' ads (airing on broadcast airwaves and in print) are irresponsible and offensive. They are extremely destructive and damaging to impressionable children who will be exposed to this suggested profanity. Send Staples an email letter and urge them to no longer produce marketing campaigns that cross the line, to pull the newest "What the L" commercials off the air and stop circulation of the printed ad immediately.

Jesus Wants Obama To Be Impeached

"Many Americans are still adamantly unwilling to choke down the prospect of life under a vicious, dictatorial regime. Their eyes see past the populist disguise of socialist gangsterism. Some have (I think prematurely) concluded that America’s liberty is irretrievable defunct. But even they have by no means surrendered their allegiance to it. Others, particularly those who believe in Jesus Christ’s permanent resurrection of hope, look unflinchingly into the abyss, sure that if they remember and trust in God’s law of love and mercy, He has the power to restore their nation to the better path of human destiny. It is especially (though not exclusively) among such people that the movement to impeach and remove Obama and his cronies from office arises." - Three times failed presidential candidate Alan Keyes, writing for World Net Daily.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Alan Keyes speaks at Larry Klayman's rally to overthrow the government. Alan Keyes says gay rights rape Christian parents. Alan Keyes says gay Boy Scouts will force straight Scouts to be gay themselves. Alan Keyes says gay activists are controlled by Satan. Alan Keyes says it is a fact that gay men have half the life expectancy of straight men. Alan Keyes says gun control is a government plot to murder hundreds of thousands of Christians. Alan Keyes says legalizing gay marriage is like legalizing slavery. Alan Keyes loses lawsuit which demands that the Supreme Court review President Obama's birth certificate.

Brian Brown Has The DOJ Sadz

"It is outrageous that the Justice Department would move so brazenly and publicly to undermine Utah's standing constitutional provision regulating marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It is the right of states to determine marriage, and the voters and legislature of Utah have done just that. Their right to do so is encoded in the U.S. Constitution, and was explicitly upheld by the Supreme Court this summer in the Windsor decision. But with this move, the Department of Justice under this Administration signals that it simply has no regard for the Constitution and the rule of law. The Justice Department's edict today expressly contradicts the determination of Utah's Governor and Attorney General, and represents one of the most significant overreaches of federal authority imaginable. Furthermore, Attorney General Eric Holder is now doing the very thing that the Supreme Court in Windsor v. United States held the federal government could not do - use a definition of marriage for federal law purposes that did not respect the policy choices made by the individual states. This determination should be reversed if the State of Utah's sovereignty-or really any state's-is to be upheld and respected." - Hate group leader Brian Brown, in a statement published to NOM's blog.

Rasmussen Poll On Christie

Source.

Russian Orthodox Church Calls For Referendum To Criminalize Homosexuality

Days after a similar demand from Russian actor Ivan "Burn Gays Alive" Okhlobystin, the Russian Orthodox Church has called for a public referendum to criminalize homosexual acts.

The Church's abrupt intervention came amid a growing debate over whether the Kremlin should mount a firmer defence of traditional values that many in the overwhelmingly conservative country view as coming under attack from Europe and the United States. Church spokesman Vsevolod Chaplin pointed to polls showing more than half of Russians viewing homosexuality as either an illness or a crime as a sign that the country was ready to revert to a Soviet-era homosexual ban. "There is no question that society should discuss this issue since we live in a democracy," Chaplin told the online edition of the pro-government Izvestia daily. "For this reason, it is precisely the majority of our people and not some outside powers that should decide what should be a criminal offence and what should not," he said.

A member of Vladimir Putin's ruling party told the news agency Interfax that Russia is bound by international treaties that ban outlawing homosexuality.

David Barton, Time Traveler

Anti-gay crackpot David Barton says he speaks to 600 groups a year AND works 14 hours a day on his ranch during the summer. Amazing!

Indiana Gov To Keynote For Hate Group

Good As You reports that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R-Duh) will keynote an anti-gay marriage luncheon to be held later this month by the Indiana Family Institute.

The Marriage Amendment is at a very critical point. Legislators need to know that fellow believers back home are supporting them as they support marriage. As a part of the event, attendees will have the opportunity to walk over to the Statehouse (only a block away from the Westin), take a tour of the Statehouse from IFI staff and meet with legislators (they are scheduled to be in session that day). Please join us for this free luncheon and invite as many pro-marriage Hoosiers as you can! Due to the nature of this event we need detailed information for each attendee.

That line that I bolded indicates that they are afraid that pro-gay Hoosiers might attempt to attend. It sure would be a shame if a whole bunch of flying monkeys were to sign up.

ITALY: Party Leader Threatens To End Coalition Government Over Gay Marriage

Via the Times Of Malta:

Il Tempo reports Italian Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Angelino Alfano [PHOTO]  has said the new centre-right party he leads would leave the government if the centre-left Democratic Party proposes legalising gay marriage in a government pact. Premier Enrico Letta, of the PD, started talks on Tuesday with the parties supporting his left-right coalition government on a policy pact for this year. The head of the PD, Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi, has proposed making the legal recognition of civil partnerships - including same-sex unions - part of the pact.

More from Gay Star News:

He [Alfano] said: "If they propose gay marriage, we'll bolt for the door, denouncing the move before the public." Alfano’s party are currently debating policy for 2014. Matteo Lenzi, Mayor of Florence and secretary of the Democratic party, put civil partnerships on the policy agenda following his election to leadership of the party last month.

Eric Holder: The Federal Government Will Recognize Utah's Same-Sex Marriages

Attorney General Eric Holder essentially just told Utah Gov. Gary Herbert to suck it.

The Obama administration on Friday said that it would recognize as lawful the marriages of 1,300 same-sex couples in Utah, even though the state government is refusing to do so. Wading into the fast-moving legal battle over same-sex marriage rights in one of America’s most socially conservative states, the administration posted a video on the Justice Department’s website making the announcement. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said that the federal government will grant federal marriage benefits to the same-sex couples who had rushed to obtain marriage licenses after a federal judge last month unexpectedly struck down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage. “I am confirming today that, for purposes of federal law, these marriages will be recognized as lawful and considered eligible for all relevant federal benefits on the same terms as other same-sex marriages,” Mr. Holder said in the video. “These families should not be asked to endure uncertainty regarding their status as the litigation unfolds.”

Holder: "In the days ahead, we will continue to coordinate across the federal government to ensure the timely provision of every federal benefit to which Utah couples and couples throughout the country are entitled – regardless of whether they are in same-sex or opposite-sex marriages."

View Eric Holder's video message.

UPDATE: The Human Rights Campaign is cheering.

"These 1,360 Utah couples are married, plain and simple, and they should be afforded every right and responsibility of marriage,” said HRC President Chad Griffin following today’s news. “Attorney General Eric Holder has once again shown the kind of leadership that earns you a spot in the history books. This is only the beginning of this fight, and this work continues until marriage equality returns to Utah for good, and full equality reaches every American in all 50 states."

UPDATE II: Freedom To Marry head Evan Wolfson applauds.

"The Attorney General’s determination that the federal government must respect married same-sex couples in Utah as what they are -- married -- is lawful, predictable, and correct. Even though the 1000+ couples married in Utah are encountering unfair treatment and disrespect by their home state and the other remaining states that discriminate, these couples are as married as any couple on the planet. As cases move forward in Utah and numerous states around the country, Freedom to Marry will continue working until all couples share in the freedom to marry and all marriages are respected throughout the United States. We applaud the Attorney General and the Administration for their fidelity to the law, the freedom to marry, and the Constitution’s command of equality.”

Africa's Most Popular Televangelist

TB Joshua claims to be able to faith-heal the AIDS right out people. Last year four people were killed in Ghana during a stampede to get "holy water" from him. Joshua encourages HIV+ people to stop taking their medications. Joshua also claims to have prophesied the Boston bombings and the outcomes of high-profile soccer matches. Last year thousands of his followers abandoned Facebook because of a rumor that he had prophesied that those with accounts would become "infested by demons." Joshua then issued a statement blaming the rumor on Satan.

Fugitive Russian Gay-Basher Maxim Martsinkevich Has Fled To Cuba

Wanted by Russian and Ukrainian authorities for brutally attacking and humiliating gay men and teenagers, infamous Russian gay-basher Maxim "The Cleaver" Martsinkevich has fled to Cuba. Vocativ reports:

According to posts on Martsinkevich’s VKontakte social networking page, he was in Cuba as early as December 10. According to the visa agreement between Russia and Cuba, Russians are allowed to stay without a visa for 30 days. That means he either needs to get a visa now, stay illegally or leave. And he says he doesn’t have the money to fly home. In a post on his blog today, he talks about flying from Kiev to Havana via Frankfurt, and expounds on the lack of virtues of the German airport. Martsinkevich does not find German women attractive. He says nothing about his visa situation or future travel plans.

Vocative translates from Martsinkevich's blog post:

Attention! Official dispatch from Freedom Island (i.e. Cuba)! An offer regarding the investigation and trial. The case against me is very unusual. There are no victims. No damages. The investigation was done by incompetents. The crimes were committed virtually. I was charged without being present. I was arrested in absentia. Contrary to Interpol statutes, there has been an international arrest warrant issued in my name. I do not recognize my guilt. I am currently in Latin America and do not have the money to return to Russia. Given the above and thinking logically, I ask the following: To hold the questioning and trial in the open for the mass media to observe, with me being present via Skype. In case of conviction, I offer to serve the prison term virtually, by placing an avatar behind bars for the amount of time designated by the court. That would be fair and just, and would help bring about legal innovation. If you agree, repost this message. Sincerely, Maxim Martsinkevich.

Read Vovativ's full report.

RELATED: Last month I reported on Martsinkevich's vicious attack on a contestant from Ukraine's version of American Idol.

Luxembourg Set To Approve Gay Marriage

Same-sex marriage will likely come to Luxembourg this summer after being delayed by a change in government.

Justice Minister Félix Braz announced the news this week, saying he hoped it would be finally made law after years of delays. Drawn up by the former government in 2010, the same-sex marriage draft law was due to be voted on late last year. But following a change of government in October, the vote was postponed. Same-sex couples have only been able to mark their union under a PACS – based on French civil unions – meaning they have less rights and are unable to jointly adopt children. Luxembourg’s LGBT group Rosa Lëtzebuerg Asbl welcomed the news, saying marriage will finally be for ‘all of us’. The group’s president Gabriele Schneider said they were ‘very happy’, saying they expected marriage equality to take years to pass.

The prime minister and deputy prime minster of Luxembourg are both openly gay.

Letterman's Chris Christie Top Ten

95 Year-Old Pens Marriage Anthem

Matthew Rettenmund tips us to the below marriage equality anthem written by 95 year-old actress Marsha Hunt.

Today's New York City Tabloids

Sen. Marco Rubio Blocks Appointment Of Openly Gay Judge William Thomas

After objections from Sen. Marco Rubio, President Obama has withdrawn the nomination of William Thomas, who would have become the nation's first black and openly gay federal judge. Orlando's Watermark reports:

Sen. Marco Rubio blocked the appointment, despite the fact that he supported Thomas’ initial nomination in November of 2012. The White House resubmitted about 200 nominees to the Senate at the beginning of this year, and Thomas’ name was missing from the list. Rubio interviewed Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge William Thomas and supported President Obama’s nomination of him. Nominees must secure the approval of both U.S. senators in their home state, and Sen. Bill Nelson offered his approval. The Federal Judicial Nominating Commission then officially recommended Judge Thomas to become a Federal District Court Judge for the Southern District of Florida. But in September of 2013, Rubio changed his mind and blocked confirmation hearings for Judge Thomas.

The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force reacted via press release:

We need more diversity in the federal judiciary, not less and it's disappointing that Judge William Thomas was not included among the nominees the White House submitted to the Senate this week. Judge Thomas is an eminently qualified jurist and, if confirmed, would have been the first openly gay black male to serve on the federal bench. Senator Marco Rubio's procedural maneuvering to stop this nominee was unacceptable and harmful given that the vacancy on the Southern District Court of Florida has been classified as a judicial emergency. Senator Rubio's actions are in no way helpful to the people of Florida.

(Tipped by JMG reader Dennis)

UTAH: Attorney General Orders County Clerks To Finish Gay Marriage Paperwork

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes yesterday ordered county clerks to finalize the paperwork on same-sex marriage applications submitted before the U.S. Supreme Court issued its stay.

The stay remains in effect while the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals considers the long-term question of whether gay couples have a right to wed in Utah. In Weber County, about 30 couples married before the ruling, but their marriage certificates were not completed after county attorneys said to put them on hold. Reyes' new advice was issued to clear up some confusion and only applies to marriages that were solemnized, his spokeswoman Missy Larsen said. "As long as the marital ceremony happened prior to the stay, then the marriage can receive documentation," Larsen said. The attorney general's office said Thursday's guidance is not a decision on whether the marriages are valid. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court will have the final word on that, Larsen said. "We are not able to make that statement," she said. "All we know is that Utah state law precludes them from being recognized."

According to Reyes, the paperwork is an administrative function, not a legal one. Got that?

IDAHO: Rally Tomorrow At Statehouse

Via Boise State Public Radio:

For the eighth year in a row, Idaho gay rights advocates will attempt to get the attention of the Legislature with a rally at the Capitol this Saturday. "Add the Words Idaho" organizer Mistie Tolman says more than 600 people have said on Facebook that they’ll attend. She says people from all across the state will ask lawmakers to add the phrase “sexual orientation and gender identity” to the state’s human rights amendment. “Eight years now we’ve been asking for the dignity of a public hearing," says Tolman, "for [legislators] to hear us and listen to our stories and understand where we’re coming from when we talk about living with this fear of discrimination.”

LGBT people have no statewide legal protections in Idaho.

TEXAS: Federal Judge Refuses To Consolidate Three Marriage Lawsuits

Via Lone Star Q:

Following a hearing in Austin, a federal judge today rejected a motion from [Texas Attorney General Greg] Abbott’s office to consolidate three separate lawsuits brought by same-sex couples who allege the marriage bans violate the U.S. Constitution. The decision from U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks means the cases will proceed separately toward trial in Austin and San Antonio. Neel Lane, an attorney representing the plaintiffs in one of the lawsuits, said he was pleased with the decision because it means a hearing set for Feb. 12 in San Antonio will go forward. U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia has scheduled the hearing to consider the couples’ motion for a preliminary injunction, which would bar the state from enforcing the marriage bans pending trial. The case is known as DeLeon v. Perry.

The two other cases will be tried simultaneously, probably in late summer.

Humphrey Bogart's Estate Is Shocked

Lambda Legal: Why We're Suing Houston

Late last month Lambda Legal filed suit against the city of Houston and Mayor Annise Parker in order to force the reinstatement of the same-sex partner benefits ordered by Parker.  Some folks are apparently confused by that action so yesterday Lambda posted an explanation.

Some have asked why we would sue the Mayor and the City, when they have taken the correct position and done the right thing. The law is peculiar that way. The Mayor and the City face the threat that antigay activists will obtain a court order forcing employees to lose valuable benefits – employees who are not even part of that lawsuit. The best counter punch in this situation is for those employees – real people who also pay taxes and stand to be harmed by the antigay taxpayers’ conduct – to seek an order against the Mayor and the City to order them not to do that. To be sure, we stand with the Mayor’s decision. If a court were to order her to terminate spousal coverage from lesbian and gay City employees—while leaving family coverage intact for non-gay City employees with a legally recognized spouse—she would deny lesbian and gay employees, such as our clients, equal compensation for equal work and discriminatorily inflict upon each of them and their spouses anxiety, stress, risk of untreated or inadequately treated health problems, and potentially ruinous financial burdens. The Mayor knows this is wrong, both legally and morally, and we seek a court order that will reinforce her and the City’s decision to do the right thing and insulate them from other inconsistent orders. In other words, we are suing the mayor in order to compel her to do that which she wants to do. Counterintuitive, we know, but we are confident that this is what the mayor would want.

I wasn't confused, were you? (Tipped by JMG reader Joe)

Eugene Delguadio: Let's Crash The Inauguration Of VA Gov. Terry McAuliffe

Eugene Delgaudio is calling on his supporters to crash tomorrow's inauguration for Virginia Gov.-Elect Terry McAuliffe. Via his press release published today by Christian Newswire:

The conservative Public Advocate group is distributing thousands of commemorative badges marking the inauguration of a liberal governor Saturday, January 11 in Richmond. The group is opposing Governor-elect McAuliffe's anti-family legislation or any so-called pro-homosexual executive orders. Public Advocate's signs and commemorative badges will have the following message on them: "Preserve Traditional Marriage, Inauguration Day January 11, 2014 Richmond, Virginia." "We are here at the Inauguration of Governor Terry McAuliffe to express demands from a majority of Virginians and Americans that traditional marriage and religious liberty be preserved not attacked. We urge the Governor, and all the delegates and state senators to defend Virginia's families," said Eugene Delgaudio, president of Public Advocate.

And there a typically lame video.

Debbie Harry For Vanity Fair

From Blondie's Facebook page: "Debbie photographed by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair, February 2014. We always thought Deb should play Boudica anyway."

Tony Perkins Has The New Mexico Sadz

"The once-conservative Governor of New Mexico decided to pack it in and go home when her state's supreme court ruled the wrong way on marriage. Instead of standing her ground, Martinez waved the white flag on a potential state marriage amendment -- yielding every ounce of her power to an out-of-control judiciary with political goals. Before the judges sided with the radical Left, there was a strong consensus that the state should introduce a marriage amendment and let the people decide. Monday, Martinez handed the victory to New Mexico liberals on a platter, insisting that the state should focus on other issues like the economy and education reform. Obviously, Governor Martinez needs a class in basic civics, because the court doesn't write the law -- legislators do. And it's absolutely indefensible that a leader who ran on a pro-marriage platform would renege on her word and silence constituents. If Governor Martinez won't do her job, then conservative clerks shouldn't have to perform theirs." - KKK-affiliated hate group leader Tony Perkins, via email.

Fox News Defends Chris Christie

Josh Feldman recaps:

Bill O’Reilly finally tackled the Chris Christie “Bridgegate” scandal on Thursday night, and he mostly defended Christie against the criticisms lobbed against him, especially the “bully” label. Laura Ingraham joined O’Reilly and pointed out that Republicans will also be gunning for Christie too, because for years now conservatives have been unhappy with the moderate Christie and his embrace of President Obama during Hurricane Sandy. Ingraham said Christie’s press conference was “as best as you can do in these circumstances,” reminding O’Reilly that a lot of Republicans just outright hate Christie, so he has to decide if he’s going to be a “punching bag” going forward.

Tweet Of The Day - Crazy Eyes

I presume they're attempting to recreate this photo. Hello, Lord Ladybird. The guesses on Crazy Eyes' post are hilarious. (Tipped by JMG reader Tom)

Mormon Church Says It Won't File Court Brief Against Utah Marriage (For Now)

Via Salt Lake City's Fox affiliate:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not currently planning to file an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in the appeal of a ruling that struck down Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage, a spokeswoman for the LDS church confirmed Thursday. The LDS church did file two such briefs last year, when they asked the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold California’s Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act. LDS church spokeswoman Jessica Moody said the current plan not to file an amicus curiae could change at a later date.

Interesting. But let's see if this holds.

GOP House Rep. Randy Weber Introduces Bill To Ban Feds From Recognizing Out-Of-State Same-Sex Marriages

Freshman U.S. House Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), a former HVAC repairman who won the seat vacated by retiring fellow crackpot Ron Paul, has introduced a bill he calls the State Marriage Defense Act. The bill appears to limit the federal government to only recognizing same-sex marriages that are conducted legally in the state where the married couple resides. From Weber's website:

The State Marriage Defense Act will simply require federal agencies to look to a person’s legal residence when determining marital status and application of federal law. The 10th Amendment was established to protect state sovereignty and individual rights from being seized by the Federal Government. For too long, however, the Federal Government has slowly been eroding state’s rights by promulgating rules and regulations through federal agencies. I drafted the State Marriage Defense Act of 2014 to help restore the 10th Amendment, affirm the authority of states to define and regulate marriage, as well as, provide clarity to federal agencies seeking to determine who qualifies as a spouse for the purpose of federal law. By requiring that the Federal Government defer to the laws of a person’s state of legal residence in determining marital status, we can protect states’ constitutionally established powers from the arbitrary overreach of unelected bureaucrats.

KKK-affiliated hate group leader Tony Perkins is cheering:

Family Research Council strongly supported the Defense of Marriage Act, and disagreed with the Court's decision in Windsor. However, if the federal government is required to defer to state determinations of which of their residents are "married," it must defer to those determinations in all fifty states – not just those that have redefined marriage. The State Marriage Defense Act is consistent with the ruling in Windsor, which reiterated that states have the "historic and essential authority to define the marital relation." The current Obama administration policy is doing the very thing which the Court condemned – "creating two contradictory marriage regimes within the same State."  The State Marriage Defense Act serves to protect state definitions of marriage against what the Court called efforts "to put a thumb on the scales and influence a state's decision as to how to shape its own marriage laws."

I can't yet quote from Weber's bill as it hasn't been posted to the House website. The only previous House legislation authored by Weber is a failed 2013 resolution which declared that "extensive scientific studies" have found the Keystone pipeline to be "environmentally sound." Which means, of course, that the FRC surely had a hand in writing today's bill. Weber has a 100% approval rating from the virulently anti-gay Heritage Foundation. He will appear tonight on Tony Perkins' nationally syndicated radio show.

UPDATE: The Family Research Council just published a petition for their supporters to call on other members of the House to co-sponsor Weber's bill.

UTAH: ACLU Seeks Plaintiffs For Marriage Recognition Lawsuit Against State

Talking Points Memo has the story.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah announced Thursday that it is planning litigation against the state of Utah for putting recognition of same-sex marriages on hold after the Supreme Court issued a temporary stay. The ACLU called for plaintiffs on Wednesday, and got "overwhelming interest" from couples who were married before the stay was granted. "We have a great pool and we are working through that, and plan to bring litigation that will protect all marriages, whether the couples are named plaintiffs or not," the ACLU said in a statement. In a letter to Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes on Wednesday, ACLU of Utah legal director John Mejia called on the state to recognize the same-sex marriages performed before the stay. "In short, these marriages are valid and have vested the married couples with rights that the state and federal governments must recognize. Utah and the federal government should thus accord same-sex couples who married in Utah all of the same protections and obligations that married couples of the opposite sex receive," he wrote. "When these couples married, they immediately obtained all of the same protections and obligations enjoyed by all of the other married couples in Utah."

(Tipped by JMG reader Dwight)

ASAP Science: Can Plants Think?

Virginia Marriage Hearing: January 30th

Via press release from AFER:

On Thursday, January 30, 2014, the first hearing in the Virginia marriage equality case of Bostic v. Rainey will be held at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia before Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen. The Bostic Plaintiffs’ lawsuit – first filed in July 2013 in Norfolk – argues that the Virginia Marriage Amendment is unconstitutional because it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, violates Due Process, and singles out gays and lesbians for a disfavored legal status, thereby creating a category of “second-class citizens." The American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), the sole sponsor of Bostic v. Rainey and the sole sponsor of the landmark federal constitutional challenge that eliminated California’s Proposition 8, will hold a press conference immediately following the hearing.

Olson and Boies are on the case!

INDIANA: Constitutional Ban On Gay Marriage Introduced In State House

Indiana's long expected constitutional ban on same-sex marriage has been introduced in the state House.

A resolution that would amend Indiana’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage was filed in the Indiana House of Representatives as expected today, setting into motion a bitter fight between conservatives who want to protect traditional matrimony and those who want to protect the rights of same-sex couples. However, a companion measure (House Bill 1153) clarifies that the intent of the proposal is not to deny employer health benefits to same-sex couples or to circumvent local ordinances that forbid discrimination. That clarifiying language would appear to address some of the concerns raised by employers and others that the amendment would make employee recruitment difficult and make Indiana appear unwelcoming. The clarifying bill, however, seems to still ban civil unions for same-sex couples — a provision that some see as a step too far.

NOM is putting a lot of effort into Indiana, of course. As you can see from the above graphic, Freedom Indiana is inviting pro-gay supporters to attend the bill's hearing on Monday.

Dennis Rodman Apologizes: I Was Drunk

"I want to first apologize to Kenneth Bae's family. I want to apologize to my teammates and my management team. I also want to apologize to Chris Cuomo. I embarrassed a lot of people. I'm very sorry. At this point I should know better than to make political statements. I'm truly sorry. I had been drinking. It's not an excuse but by the time the interview happened I was upset. I was overwhelmed." - Former NBA star Dennis Rodman, apologizing for his bizarre rant on CNN earlier this week. Rodman says his dream of "basketball diplomacy" with North Korea is falling apart.

Shabbat Dinner

After playing more than 50 film festivals, this award-winning "short film about coming out" was posted in its entirety to YouTube today.

FRANCE: Hate Party Youth Leader Calls For Ban On "Homosexual Propaganda"

Julien Rochedy, 25, the youth leader for France's neo-Nazi affiliated National Front party is calling for a ban on "homosexual propaganda" similar to the ban approved last year in Russia. Via Gay Star News:

"What I know is that the law bans LGBT propaganda in schools. That is their priority, and yes I would like that," he said in a radio interview. "Why not have it? Why not have it in the streets as well?" When told Russia has seen several arrests, suicides and murders since the law was introduced, Rochedy said that was "complete nonsense." Rochedy, known as the "beau bigot," is the rising star of the extreme right party. This "petit Putin" is often trotted out to argue on right-wing National Front social policies, known for his ability to seduce young voters. The party is recovering after suffering a major loss last year after same-sex marriage and adoption was passed into law.

RELATED: The National Front is a supporter of the anti-gay Manif Pour Tous. Its former president, Jean-Marie Le Pen, has been convicted six times for inciting racial hatred, including for denying that the Holocaust took place. Last year Le Pen's daughter, herself a failed candidate for France's presidency, praised the man who committed suicide at Notre Dame Cathedral in protest of same-sex marriage.

Frothy Mix: I Want My Studio To Become The Pixar Of Religious Filmmaking

Today's New York City Tabloids

Feds To Investigate Chris Christie

Via the New York Times:

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey will begin a preliminary inquiry into the lane closures in Fort Lee, according to a law enforcement source. A source with knowledge of the plans said that the United States attorney for New Jersey, Paul J. Fishman, would announce the investigation on Thursday morning. The decision to open an inquiry came after the matter was referred to the office by the inspector general for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which controls the bridge, the source said. The fallout from the release of the emails, which are as brazen as they are blunt, reverberated nationally, threatening to undermine the political future of Mr. Christie, one of the leading figures in the Republican Party and a likely candidate for the party’s presidential nomination in 2016.

The Tea People, who have always loathed Christie, are doing cartwheels over this scandal because (in their minds) this brings us closer to having a Canadian president.

Christie Fires Top Aide

Kelly was Christie's deputy chief of staff. (Graphic source)

Duke Dumont - I Got U

Pitchfork raves:

Duke Dumont's "Need U (100%)" topped the UK charts earlier this year and vaulted the producer from the ranks of low-level remix aficionados everywhere to a new level of prominence. "I Got U," featuring producer and new Blasé Boys Club signee Jax Jones, is the second single from Dumont's forthcoming debut. This is the kind of music you look to when you can't afford a holiday vacation—a blast of sunlight and warm, humid air, flecks of steel drum, vocal samples, and a joyous, radiant vocal take.

You'll like the Whitney sample. The full album and remixes of the single become available on iTunes on March 17th.

UNRELATED: Disqus doesn't appear to be updating the comments counter this morning. I'll remove this notice if they get it fixed.

Headline Of The Day

Details.

Today In Texas: Federal Judge To Hold Hearing On Same-Sex Marriage Lawsuits

Lone Star Q reports:

A U.S. district judge in Austin will hold the first-ever hearing Thursday, Jan. 9 on federal lawsuits filed by same-sex couples challenging Texas’ marriage bans as unconstitutional. The three Texas lawsuits are part of a wave that have been filed across the country in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act last June. Judge Sam Sparks, of the Western District of Texas, will hold a status conference Thursday to consider pending motions in the lawsuits. Chief among those motions is a request from Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott, who’s defending the state’s marriage bans, to consolidate the three lawsuits into one. Plaintiffs in the cases oppose Abbott’s consolidation request, but an attorney for one acknowledged it’s likely to be granted.

Two gay men who filed one of the suits have declined offers from attorneys and are representing themselves.

VIDEO: The Icy Hudson River

A couple more days of this and they'd need one of those Chinese icebreakers.

Including Grindr?

So says some guy at the Christian Post.

Chris Kluwe: Instead Of Never Coaching Again, Now I Want Priefer To Get Help

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports:

In a Tuesday appearance on Fox Sports Live, Kluwe retreated from his original stance on Priefer. While not backing down from what he alleged, Kluwe said, "After thinking about it, after reflecting on it, I don't think an appropriate punishment is if he never coaches again. I think it would be better if he got therapy, if he got counseling, and then a year or two from now, come back into the league as a role model, help out with LGBT groups, and show people that this is an important issue." Those are two very different things, of course -- Kluwe's desire in the Deadspin post vs. what he said Tuesday -- and we're not entirely sure the rabbit can be stuffed back in the hat. That said, the larger issue in play remains whether Priefer said what Kluwe alleges. And that is still playing out.

Fox News Head Roger Ailes: I Hired Sarah Palin To Piss Off People Who Hate Her

"The only two people I knew who got worse press than her were Richard Nixon and George W. Bush -- some of it unfairly, much of it unfair to her family. She's recognizable, she's attractive, and she still has the message of stop raising taxes. The Tea Party started as a group that [the government] could make go home to bake meatloaf at any point in the last three years by simply doing two things: Stop raising taxes and stop stealing their money. Congress can't stop spending money. I'm not a defender of everything she says. I don't hear everything she says. But I know she represents a certain group of people who rose up against their own party, which you rarely see. I probably hired her back, if you really want to get to the bottom of it, to give her a chance to say her piece and piss off the people that wanted her dead." - Fox News president Roger Ailes, speaking to the Hollywood Reporter.

The Hottest Gadgets At CES 2014

MARYLAND: Bill Introduced To Ban "Ex-Gay" Torture Of LGBT Youth

Maryland Del. Jon Cardin has introduced a bill to ban the "ex-gay" torture and brainwashing of minors. Via Washington Blade:

“There are numerous gay conversion therapy providers as well as organizations like the infamous International Healing Foundation located right here in Maryland advocating for what I consider very harmful conversion therapies,” said Cardin, noting Prince George’s County Public Schools last year stopped using an anti-bullying curriculum that included references to the Bowie-based organization and other “ex-gay” groups. “To me it is incredibly repulsive.” International Healing Foundation Director Christopher Doyle criticized Cardin and others who seek to ban conversion therapy to minors in Maryland. “This is not being fueled by mental health advocates,” Doyle told the Blade on Tuesday. “This is being done by political organizations that are more interested in promoting a political ideology as opposed to clients’ rights.”

Similar bills have been approved in New Jersey and California. In November the anti-gay Liberty Counsel lost a court battle to overturn New Jersey's ban.

Truth Wins Out reacts via press release:

If Delegate Cardin's bill passes, it will render a blow to the "ex-gay" industry nationwide, as one of the worst organizations advocating for such "therapy," the International Healing Foundation, is based in Maryland. IHF Executive Director Richard Cohen was banned from the American Counseling Association for life in 2002 after multiple ethics violations, and advocates "therapeutic practices" which involve beating pillows with tennis rackets in order to heal anger toward one's mother, followed by sessions where he cuddles his male patients in order to recreate a father's love. IHF Director Christopher Doyle admitted that he tried to molest little girls in his mother's daycare when he was ten, a disturbing fact considering IHF's focus on youth and Doyle's status as an ill-credentialed counselor. Another "ex-gay" activist, Greg Quinlan of the Maryland-based PFOX, claims to heal LGBT people, but when he's around like-minded people, is more inclined to practice verbal gay-bashing than healing, telling an anti-gay conference in 2010 that he was never a "limp-wristed, flaming faggot," a statement revelatory of his true feelings about the LGBT community.

The Final Blowoff?

It appears that next week's Blowoff party in DC may be the last one.

Saturday, January 18th will be the last Blowoff for the foreseeable future. We’re taking an indefinite break to focus on other projects. Eternal thanks to everyone who has made Blowoff a success for the past 11 years. It has been important to many people — us three included. We hope to see you on MAL Saturday for one more BLOWOFF DC celebration! - Nick Lopata, Rich Morel, and Bob Mould.

Eleven years is a impressively long run for any party, much less one that catered to a somewhat older crowd that typically doesn't do a lot of clubbing. Over the last decade I've been been to dozens of Blowoffs, mostly in Manhattan - but also in DC, San Francisco, Provincetown, and Brooklyn. I'll always remember it with a smile. Thanks, guys. Tickets to the DC party are available here.

This Guy Wants To Buy The NY Times

Via Gothamist:

Kazillionaire Chen Guangbiao, one of the top 400 richest people in China, recently announced his intentions to buy the NY Times with his gajillions of moneys. While the Times thus far has respectfully declined his requests for a meeting to discuss such an investment of gobagillions, if they got a better look at his business card, they might change their minds. Because clearly anyone who is a demolition expert, a moral leader, and the "most influential person of China" deserves a shot at the top of the masthead.

Buzzfeed has a fascinating story about him.

Open Thread Thursday

Tell us about your mobile devices. Raves and complaints.

TRAILER: We Cause Scenes

Trailer recap:

Since their humble beginnings in New York City in 2001, Improv Everywhere has grown from a small gang of restless jokesters into an internationally recognized prank collective and a viral video-making machine. From the No Pants Subway Ride to Frozen Grand Central to the MP3 Experiment and beyond, their publicly staged scenes of chaos and joy are beloved by the hundreds who witness them, the thousands who participate in them, and the millions who watch and share the videos online. We Cause Scenes: The Rise of Improv Everywhere is the inside story of this groundbreaking group and its founder, Charlie Todd, who has turned the world into a stage, inventing an art form for the Internet age.

Coachella 2014 Lineup Announced

Billboard reports:

Outkast will headline on Friday April 11 and 18; Muse on Saturday April 12 and 19; and Arcade Fire on Sunday April 13 and 20. Other major names include Queens of the Stone Age, Beck, Lorde, HAIM, Ellie Goulding, Pet Shop Boys, The Replacements, Skrillex, Calvin Harris, Neutral Milk Hotel, Lana Del Rey, MGMT, and a previously announced set by rock legends Motorhead. Some of the many fine-print highlights include Solange, ZZ Ward, Blood Orange, AlunaGeorge and John Newman, along with noted veteran acts Dismemberment Plan, Superchunk, Fishbone, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.