Media Matters: Right-Wing Rodeo

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SEATTLE: Possible Break In New Year's Eve Gay Nightclub Arson Attempt

Multiple news outlets in Seattle are reporting that the suspect in the New Year's Eve arson attempt at the popular gay nightclub Neighbours might have been identified. Reports conflict on whether the police have named the man as a "person of interest" or if they are just "interested in talking to him." The man being discussed is well-known to local business owners and has been arrested four times since last May. The Seattle Stranger yesterday posted the above photo from the man's Facebook page.

From the Stranger:

Seattle police confirmed in a voice mail today that the person of interest in the New Year's Eve arson case—in which a person allegedly poured gasoline on the stairs of a crowded gay nightclub and then lit it ablaze—is Musab Mohamed Masmari. The police estimated that some 750 people were inside Neighbours nightclub at the time of the arson attack. Several photos were posted on the SPD Blotter of a man carrying an object which may have been the gas can that was found later at the scene. The SPD chose not to release surveillance video, but Neighbours released security camera footage to local TV stations last weekend. They show what appears to be a man with receding hair and thick eyebrows walking around the club.

Seattle Municipal Court records show Masmari faced several criminal charges in 2013, including assault, violation of an anti-harassment order, property destruction, and obstructing a police officer. An active case concerns an assault for which Masmari was initially booked into jail in July 2013. A "guilty finding [was] entered" by a jury, according to records from the Seattle Municipal Court, and Masmari appeared in court for sentencing on January 16—three days after SPD posted the photos and more than two weeks after the arson incident. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and allowed to leave temporarily on work-release. He is due to appear in court for his jail sentence on February 18.

From Capitol Hill Seattle:

A north Broadway business owner and others who had run-ins with the man have identified a possible person of interest in the New Year’s arson at Neighbours nightclub. But police would not yet say whether they have questioned the man or if he is a suspect in the case. In an email to CHS, SPD spokesperson Detective Renee Witt said public affairs has not confirmed Masmari as a person of interest. “We have not confirmed anything with anyone simply because we don’t have that info. The subject in the pictures that detectives are interested in talking to on the Neighbours arson is just that- a person detectives are interested in talking to. We only name suspects.”

The business owner and others CHS has spoken to about the situation say the man is a familiar face for many on north Broadway. Two people familiar with the former Capitol Hill resident said they contacted police immediately after detectives released surveillance images of a man seen acting unusually inside the club as the flames broke out. CHS has reviewed reported assaults, an obstruction charge and no contact orders against him in a series of recent brushes with the law in the last year. CHS was in the courtroom last week when Masmari received a 30-day jail sentence following a recent conviction. Masmari told the judge he intends to participate in a work-release program to allow him to keep his job at a gas station. He was also ordered to undergo a mental evaluation. His lawyer said he planned to appeal the decision. Masmari declined to speak with CHS under advice of his attorney.

A spokesman for Neighbours is furious that Masmari has not yet been arrested.

"I think the police should bring him in for questioning," says Shaun Knittel, who is handling media for the Capitol Hill nightclub and is president of the gay-advocacy group Social Outreach Seattle. "I don’t understand the delay. What are they biding their time for?" "The community needs to feel safe," Knittel continues. "It's not just about Neighbours. If there is someone out there trying to hurt one business, then they might be willing to hurt another. This is the one guy they wanted to ID, and three weeks into this [investigation], they have a name. I don't get the game that they are playing." The Seattle Police Department's media bureau—which has several staffers—has not answered its telephone today, nor have SPD spokespeople responded to e-mails and voice mails seeking comments.

Watch a Seattle television report on this latest development.

Swedish Marines Get Grease-y

JMG reader MarkOH directs your attention to the upper left hand corner at the 1:00 mark. I didn't know that Sweden was IN Afghanistan.

(Via Towleroad)

OKLAHOMA: GOP State Rep Introduces Bill To Ban ALL Marriages

Let's stop the gays by banning ALL marriages!

State lawmakers are considering throwing out marriage in Oklahoma. The idea stems from a bill filed by Rep. Mike Turner (R-Edmond). Turner says it's an attempt to keep same-sex marriage illegal in Oklahoma while satisfying the U.S. Constitution. Critics are calling it a political stunt while supporters say it's what Oklahomans want. "[My constituents are] willing to have that discussion about whether marriage needs to be regulated by the state at all," Turner said. Other conservative lawmakers feel the same way, according to Turner.

NEVADA: AG Reconsidering Marriage Defense After Heightened Scrutiny Ruling

Two days ago Democratic Nevada Attorney General Catherine Masto earned widespread criticism when she filed a defense brief that compared same-sex marriage to incest and bigamy. Last night Masto declared that she is reconsidering that brief in light of the Ninth Circuit Court's application of heightened scrutiny in an unrelated ruling that gays cannot be peremptorily booted off of juries. Here is her statement:

“A potentially significant case was decided by the Ninth Circuit on Tuesday of this week, the same day that a brief was filed on behalf of the State in Nevada’s same-sex marriage case. The Ninth Circuit’s new decision, entitled SmithKline Beechum Corp. v. Abbott Laboratories, appears to impact the equal protection and due process arguments made on behalf of the State. After careful review of the SmithKline decision these arguments are likely no longer tenable in the Ninth Circuit. This office will conduct further review over the weekend in order to evaluate the State’s argument in light of SmithKline. We will be discussing this with the Governor’s Office next week.”

Could it be that Masto will drop her defense entirely?

Mitt Romney Slow Jams The News

State Department Warns Olympians: Don't Wear Team USA Gear Around Russia

The State Department today warned American athletes not to wear US-branded apparel outside of the official Olympic venues while in Russia.

"The U.S. Department of State has advised that wearing conspicuous Team USA clothing in non-accredited areas may put your personal safety at greater risk," says the memo, which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. The memo details other steps that athletes can take to ensure their safety while in Sochi, including enrolling in a State Department traveler program. Greg Bretz, a snowboard half-pipe rider preparing for his second Olympics, said in an interview Thursday that U.S. Olympic officials "have told us not to wear our USA gear outside of the venues," but added, "I have so much faith in the United States and our safety that I'm not too worried about it." Officials caution athletes about safety at each Olympics, but the warning about Team USA gear seemed new to Bretz, who also competed four years ago in Vancouver and said he received no such warning then.

Earlier this month the State Department also issued a travel warning to all Americans traveling to Sochi.

NOM Hate March 2: We Never Learn

Remember last year when NOM held a DC hate march and hardly anybody showed up? Remember all their press releases saying, 'Huh uh! We did too have eleventy jillion marchers!" And then they kept downgrading their own attendance numbers? Well, they going to try again. Here's our favorite photo from last year and its reboot. All my coverage from the 2013 march is here.

HomoQuotable - Belle Brockhoff

"The Australian Olympic Committee has been really supportive and they want me to be safe. They don't recommend me waving a [rainbow] flag around which I won't do. The most I'll do is hold up six fingers to represent Principle Six. Possibly I'll do it on camera here or there, and maybe after the heats of my event. After I compete, I'm willing to rip on his [Putin's] ass. I'm not happy and there's a bunch of other Olympians who are not happy either." - Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff, speaking to the Courier Mail.

VIRGINIA: Olson & Boies Tell Court To Immediately Rule In Favor Of Marriage

Via press release from AFER:

The American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), the sole sponsor of Bostic v. Rainey, the federal constitutional challenge to Virginia’s discriminatory Marriage Amendment, issued the following statement regarding U.S. District Court Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen’s order seeking Status Reports from all parties in the case regarding whether oral argument on the issues presented is warranted or whether the Court should rule promptly on the briefs without a hearing: “Every day these discriminatory laws remain in effect is another day gay and lesbian Virginians and their families are harmed and treated as second-class citizens,” said AFER Executive Director Adam Umhoefer. “We urge Judge Allen to proceed immediately to judgment and find Virginia’s laws banning marriage for gay and lesbian couples unconstitutional." The Judge’s order was issued following the compelling Notice from the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia that the Attorney General concluded that Virginia's laws denying the right to marry to same-sex couples violate the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. If a hearing is deemed necessary, oral argument will be heard at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, January 30, 2014.

Bolding is mine. Zoom, zoom, zoom?

Millions More Abandon Duck Dynasty

Details.

Teabaggers Vs Boehner, Part 24

Canada Names Outspoken Putin Critic As Official Flag-Bearer At Sochi Olympics

Reuters has the news:

Hayley Wickenheiser, Canada's most decorated female ice hockey player and an outspoken critic of Russia's anti-gay laws, was named on Thursday as her country's flag-bearer for next month's Sochi Winter Games. A triple gold medallist and pioneer of her sport who has played professionaly in men's leagues, Wickenheiser said she was honored to be chosen to represent her country. "You don't really think about carrying the flag in the Olympic Games when you are a kid growing up and having a dream to go to the Olympics," she told reporters on a conference call on Thursday. "For us in women's hockey, the Olympics is our Stanley Cup. It's what we play for every four years, it's what we strive for, it is everything." Once named one of Sports Illustrated's Top 25 Toughest Athletes in the World, Wickenheiser will be making her sixth Olympic appearance.

Wickenheiser might become an IOC committee member.

Tipped as a possible future International Olympic Committee member, Wickenheiser has never shied away from defending her sport or speaking out against Russia's anti-gay legislation and right of athletes to compete at the Olympics no matter what their sexual orientation. "I am a big believer that the Olympic Games should be about including everyone, treating everyone with respect," she said. "I am supportive of every athlete being able to compete regardless of your race, gender or orientation and I will carry that Canadian flag proudly believing I am representing all the athletes that feel that way as well."

Queer Nation Tweaks Coca-Cola Ad

Email Of The Day- Eugene Delgaudio

"Dear Joe, 'Accept the Homosexual Agenda, or get out of New York.' This is the message Governor Andrew Cuomo is sending to the ENTIRE STATE. That’s right. If you hold to traditional values or believe in real marriage, you are no longer welcome in your own state. How dare he?! I can’t imagine the unmitigated gall Gov. Cuomo must have to make such a statement. It’s simply outrageous. Homosexuals make up less than 2% of the population, but the Homosexual Lobby is determined to take control of the entire country. That’s why I’m asking all of Public Advocate's NY supporters to contact conservative Senate Majority Co-Leader Dean Skelos. The New York State Senate should formally censor Andrew Cuomo for his statements. Please contact Senator Skelos at (518) 455-3171 and ask him to take action immediately. Together, we need to show the nation that out-of-control politicians cannot push us around. P.S. Will you chip in $5 or $10 or $35 to help Public Advocate fight for family values?" - Hate group crackpot Eugene Delgaudio, writing from a darkened warehouse on a suspiciously well-trafficked pier.

Tony Perkins: I Might Run For The Senate Seat Of David "Diaper Boy" Vitter

KKK-affiliated hate group leader Tony Perkins has been dropping hints about running for office again for several years. Now that Sen. David "Diaper Boy" Vitter has announced his 2015 candidacy for governor of Louisiana, those hints are getting louder.

Though he’s not currently looking at jumping into the race against [Sen. Mary] Landrieu, Perkins said he wouldn’t rule anything out, including a run for Vitter’s seat or for the open 6th district seat Cassidy vacated to run for Senate, which he has previously expressed interest in. "I never say never anymore,” he told The Hill. He added that while “today, and for the foreseeable future, I’m at [the Family Research Council],” supporters had been urging him to run for office in the state. Perkins said none of the races looked most appealing to him at this point. “Louisiana’s my home. Obviously, I listen to people. I’ve been getting a lot of phone calls and encouragement to look at these current races, but right now I’m at FRC,” he said.

As for Vitter's run for governor, Perkins acknowledges that the whole hooker/diaper fetish thing will haunt his campaign.

Perkins, a Louisiana native and friend of Vitter's, is supporting the senator's candidacy. But he said questions about his past are fair game for the media and his political opponents. "People will be watching him closely and viewing it. And they have a right to do that," Perkins said in an interview on C-SPAN's Newsmakers program, scheduled to air Sunday. "When you do something like that, you open yourself to greater scrutiny and criticism and it's just something you'll have to live with."

And Perkins will "have to live it" when everybody in the left bringing up his payment to KKK Grand Wizard David Duke and his keynoting a white supremacists meeting.

Tensnake & Nile Rodgers - Love Sublime

Via press release:

"Love Sublime" is a delicious slice of disco pop adorned with the beguiling vocals of Fiora and the unmistakable guitar grooves of Nile Rodgers. The one-track single is out January 28th on Astralwerks and will be followed by a remix package out March 4th featuring remixes from super-producers Duke Dumont, Le Youth, Ewan Pearson, Jonas Rathsman, plus the album and extended mix. Taken from Tensnake's debut album "Glow", out March 11th on Astralwerks, "Love Sublime" is a glistening example of what's to come from Tensnake, a.k.a. German DJ and producer Marco Niemerski.

I've been loving all this nu-disco lately.

Catholic Bishops Have The Virginia Sadz

The Virginia Catholic Conference has posted a joint statement from Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde (photo) and Richmond Bishop Francis DiLorenzo:

"Virginia voters put this provision in the Constitution, and no politician should be able to reverse the people's decision. We call on the Attorney General to do the job he was elected to perform, which is to defend the state laws he agrees with, as well as those state laws with which he personally disagrees. We will continue to defend marriage between a man and a woman, an institution whose original design predates all governments and religions. The Government of the Commonwealth of Virginia should preserve and defend this original design because the constituent majority that supported the constitutional amendment understands the unique benefit that marriage between a man and a woman provides to individual families and society at large."

Nancy Goldstein Vs McDonald's

Activists are now in their fourth day of hijacking the #CheersToSochi hashtag on Twitter. (Tipped by JMG reader Str8 Grandmother)

HRC Head Chad Griffin On Nigeria

Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin joined HuffPost Live today to talk about the situation in Nigeria and Goldie Hawn, who yesterday issued a mortified apology after posting a photo of Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan with the caption, "Met the wonderful president of Nigeria." In the clip below, Griffin blasts NOM's Brian Brown and other American Christians for exporting their hate around the world.

Liberace's Ex Sentenced To Prison

Scott Thorson, who was played by Matt Damon in HBO's Liberace biopic  Behind The Candelabra, has been sentenced to 8-20 years in prison for failing drug tests while on probation for identity theft.

Washoe District Judge Patrick Flanagan sentenced Scott Thorson on Wednesday after a string of bad drug tests capped by his failure to show up at a court-ordered treatment facility. Flanagan originally suspended the prison sentence in July and gave Thorson a second chance in September after testing positive for methamphetamine, but he failed tests twice in October and again on Nov. 1. He was arrested Nov. 19 after violating an order to enter an inpatient treatment facility in Reno two weeks earlier, court records show. Thorson, 54, whose real name is Jess Marlow, had admitted he was an addict but insisted he was determined to get sober when he tearfully appealed to the judge in September to spare him from prison. "I’m just asking for another chance,” Thorson said, explaining he was dealing with his newfound celebrity stature.” “I can’t help who I am,” he told the judge at the time. “I’m in show business. I attract these cameras.” Flanagan said it would be his “last chance.”

HBO's movie was based on Thorson's 1997 book of the same name, which recounted his five years as Liberace's boyfriend. Last week the film won the Golden Globe award for Best Television Movie.

Meanwhile At Buckingham Palace...

Britain's Express reports:

The flamboyant potter, renowned for his ceramic artwork depicting his darkest and most private feelings, wore an elegant midnight blue dress and matching fitted jacket with a wide-brimmed hat decorated with what appeared to be ostrich feathers. Perry, 53, once described Claire as "a cross between Katie Boyle and Camilla Parker-Bowles" but when reminded of it today, he laughed and said: "This is my Italian mother of the bride outfit." He admitted that his choice of outfit had been upper most in his thoughts when he heard the news that he was to be awarded the CBE for services to contemporary art. "When I got the call my first thought was: what am I going to wear? It's a serious thing. I'm not going to compromise my identity as Britain's pre-eminent transvestite. I Googled to see what people wore and went for the sexier end. I always do like the older woman who makes an effort."

Charles was giggling because he couldn't get the ribbon over the giant hat, not because Grayson was in drag. The press did note, however, that the investiture was scheduled for January when the Queen is usually out of town. Grayson, who is straight, first came to public notice in the early 80s when he and Boy George would go clubbing together. His wife and daughter were present for the ceremony. While today's outfit was suitably subdued for the occasion, Grayson usually looks like this. (Tipped by JMG reader Glenneth)

From The Editor Of Gawker

Maddow & Letterman Talk Sochi

Rachel Maddow appeared on Late Night With David Letterman last night to talk about Chris Christie and the Sochi Olympics. Towleroad quotes Letterman lamenting the lack of a Sochi boycott: "I was hoping that everybody would pull out and everybody would say 'This is not right. This is medieval times. We're not going.' Vladimir Putin said they would not be targeted. Which to me was like, 'Oh, thanks'."

Sunday's New York Times Magazine

The web has gone nuts mocking this bizarre cover image. Here's just a couple of the parodies.

NEW YORK: Wingnut Dinesh D'Souza Indicted For Campaign Finance Fraud

Christian activist and Breitbart hero Dinesh D'Souza, whose 2012 movie 2016: Obama's America grossed $33M, has been indicted on federal charges of campaign finance fraud.

D’Souza, an author and the former president of King’s College, is accused of “causing $20,000 in illegal campaign contributions to be made to a candidate for the U.S. Senate in calendar year 2012,” according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. He is also charged with causing false statements to be made to the Federal Election Commission. “As we have long said, this office and the FBI take a zero tolerance approach to corruption of the electoral process,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement. “If, as alleged, the defendant directed others to make contributions to a Senate campaign and reimbursed them, that is a serious violation of federal campaign finance laws.”

D'Souza reportedly gave money to others to support Wendy Long's failed campaign against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. His lawyer claims the it was "an act of misguided friendship." D'Souza was fired by King's College last year after he appeared at an event with his "fiance" while still married to another woman. The Christian school took a dim view of that.

Tegan & Sara For Oreos

Canadian pop stars and lesbian twin sisters Tegan & Sara have recorded a jingle for Oreos that will debut during Sunday's Grammy Awards.

Tegan & Sara’s commercial will double as a launch spot for Oreo’s new limited-edition flavors, Cookie Dough and Marshmallow Crispy Oreo Cookies, which arrive in stores next month. A one-time only, top-secret hashtag will be featured at the end of the GRAMMY commercial offering the fastest-thumbed fans on social media the chance to get a first taste of the new cookies. Oreo has teamed with social-conversion platform Chirpify to implement the action-oriented hashtags. Like the artists previously heard in Oreo’s Wonderfilled campaigns, Tegan & Sara did not write their jingle. However, a team of copywriters at The Martin Agency have worked closely with each artist to write a song that best represents their respective musical style -- and sometimes even inspired by it.

Listen to the jingle here.

British Headline Of The Day

When Margaret Thatcher died last year, a social media campaign succeeded in pushing Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead to #2 on the British single charts. This week there's a similar campaign after a now-suspended member of Britain's far-right UKIP party declared that God was sending floods because of gay marriage.

A Facebook campaign has been launched to get 80s classic ‘It’s Raining Men’ to number one in the UK charts after a UKIP councillor claimed the recent floods were a result of legalising same-sex marriage. Thousands of people have joined the social media campaign following UKIP party member David Silvester’s controversial remarks. "We believe that that show of strength to get a song to Number 1 will create a huge spotlight on our campaign for equality as a whole," explains the Facebook group. For decades now, this song has been used as a gay anthem, we thought it fitted all the better based on UKIP’s comments regarding storms and floods being caused by LGBT people and gay marriage. Let’s get It’s Raining Men to Number 1 to show the power and community of gay people pulling together is stronger than his idiotic views of us, as well as also celebrating the new laws being passed on equal marriage in the UK very soon."

According to the Facebook group, online oddsmakers are giving It's Raining Men a 5/1 shot at being number one in Britain next week. Former Weather Girls vocalist Martha Wash finds the flap rather amusing. From an email passed along by JMG reader Wayne:

First of all I don't know anything about David Silvester, but I did read the article about him and his comments and concluded that as a straight woman who supports the LGBT community, he is totally Daft (as the British would say). While he is entitled to his opinion, I feel he is out of touch with reality. To say that "storms and floods were caused by LGBT people and gay marriage".....Really? He sounds like someone living in the 80's when it was said HIV/Aids was caused by "gay people". I think some people need to buy a clue and realize that everything wrong or bad or catastrophic is not caused by gay people. I support same-sex unions or marriages (depending on where you live) and feel it should be equality for ALL!!! BTW I'm a Christian also and the God I serve is ALL LOVE for ALL People. HE knows who he created. In regards to using It's Raining Men to support this campaign, I have no problem with it. I'm flattered that after all these years, the song is still relevant (even if it is for "storms and floods")!! Lol XO Martha Wash

Peter Sprigg Has The Virginia Sadz

Family Research Council vice president Peter Sprigg has said that Lawrence v Texas was "wrongly decided" and there should be "criminal sanctions against homosexual behavior." He's also declared that gay people should be "exported" out of the United States. Yesterday he appeared on Christian television to denounce Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring.

(Tipped by JMG reader Chris)

Brian Brown Has The Virginia Sadz, Calls For Impeaching AG Mark Herring

"The Attorney General swore an oath that he would 'support...the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia' and faithfully discharge his duties, which include defending duly enacted laws like the state's marriage amendment. Yet now Attorney General Herring is participating in a lawsuit against the very people he is sworn to represent, the citizens of Virginia who preserved marriage in their constitution. This malfeasance and neglect of duty is not only a disgrace, it's an impeachable offense under the constitution. Section 17 of the Virginia state constitution provides that the Attorney General may be impeached for 'malfeasance in office, corruption, neglect of duty or other high crime or misdemeanor.'

"Thanks to the foresight of Ken Cuccinelli, there is a governmental entity who is defending the law now that the Attorney General has abandoned his constitutional responsibility. Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk Michele McQuigg is in a position to defend the law and appeal a decision if need be. We call on the General Assembly to make sure that she has the financial and legal resources and expertise needed to effectively defend the law. We also encourage the General Assembly itself to intervene to defend the people's decision to preserve marriage." - Hate group leader Brian Brown, in a statement posted to NOM's blog.

One Million Moms Vs The Disney Channel

Just in via email:

Joe, Alerting all parents! If "Good Luck Charlie" goes through with introducing LGBT content, then the floodgates will be opened for all programs on the Disney Channel - a trend that will be almost impossible to stop. An upcoming episode in this last season of "Good Luck Charlie" will feature a family with two moms, a first for Disney Channel. Because "Good Luck Charlie" is coming to a close, the characters are only expected to appear in one episode. However, one episode is enough, especially since the network repeatedly airs reruns of all its programs. One Million Moms launched an email campaign in 2013 that urged Disney officials to abandon their plans to corrupt the children's network with LGBT content. However, Disney officials have not responded to the thousands of emails protesting their plans. Disney has decided to be politically correct instead of providing family-friendly programming. Disney should stick to entertaining, not pushing an agenda. Conservative families need to urge Disney to avoid controversial topics that children are far too young to comprehend. This is the last place a parent would expect their children to be confronted with topics that are too difficult for them to understand. Mature issues of this nature are being introduced too early and too soon, and it is extremely unnecessary.

Bolding is mine. Heh. There's a petition, of course.

Phyllis Schlafly: Many Americans Are Moving Out Of Marriage Equality States

Right Wing Watch's Miranda Blue: "The liberal media must be covering up this mass exodus from marriage equality states, because we haven’t heard a single story of someone doing this." Well, there was that one family to got lost at sea for 91 days in their attempt to escape homosexuality. Does that count?

Marriage Equality Lawsuits Map

JMG reader Jeff took a stab at creating a map that includes the states with active marriage equality lawsuits. Embiggen the image or see it at his site.

Tony Perkins Has The Virginia Sadz

"Someone should have handed Virginia's new Attorney General a job description before he was sworn in. With barely a month under his belt, the radical liberal seems to be completely confused about his role as the state's chief law enforcer. Despite his campaign promises on same-sex 'marriage,' the new AG is obviously taking lessons in lawlessness from President Obama, whose administration never met a marriage law they didn't ignore. Like a majority of states, Virginia had overwhelming support (57%) to pass its marriage amendment in 2006. Now, under the new regime of Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark Herring, the democratic process has been tossed out the window -- along with the votes of 1,328,134 Virginians. This week, the new attorney general announced his intentions to fight the constitutional amendment -- by not enforcing it. Of course, the irony is, if there weren't laws to defend, there'd be no reason to have an attorney general in the first place! If Mark Herring wanted to write legislation, he should have stayed in the state Senate. Instead, he's decided not only to ignore his responsibilities but trample on the people who gave them to him." - KKK-affiliated hate group leader Tony Perkins, who using Herring's move to harvest emails for the FRC.

Fox News: Obama Is Like Justin Bieber

From Fox News' Greg Gutfield:

“The real culprit: the mindset of the teenage girl that suspends critical thinking, replacing it with mindless euphoria driven by hormones and a desire for acceptance, but enough about Obama. True his poll numbers have a Bieber-esque quality, adored by people who pay more attention to dimples than direction. It’s a direction we can predict, for like Bieber, Obama has no friendly speed bumps, no trusted critical eye to stop the decline with helpful device. They’re too scared to hurt the pinup’s feelings, which is why there’s nothing to see here, because we’ve all seen it before.”

These Are Team USA's Sochi Uniforms

Reactions on Twitter are decided mixed, with some calling the look "Ugly Xmas Sweater Party Goes To Russia." The outfits were designed by Ralph Lauren, who two years ago suffered scorn because the USA team's 2012 uniforms were made in China. The Sochi outfits are "a patchwork of American craftsmanship — of wool carted from Oregon, spun in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and knit in California." I don't think they look so terrible.

NEVADA: Dem AG Files Brief Comparing Same-Sex Marriage To Incest & Bigamy

Democratic Nevada Attorney General Catherine Masto has filed a brief to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in which she compares same-sex marriage to bigamy and incest. Chris Johnson writes at the Washington Blade:

Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry, took Masto to task for making an implicit comparison between same-sex marriage and bigamy or incest while saying she makes no solid argument against allowing gay nuptials in Nevada. “Marriage is not ‘defined’ by who is denied it, and nothing in the brief explains why loving and committed couples of the same sex should be denied the legal commitment and bundle of obligations and protections that are available to different-sex couples,” Wolfson said. “To invoke bigamy and incest, as the attorney general does — at least she stopped short of bestiality! — doesn’t supply an explanation; it makes clear that the state has nothing to offer to justify the discrimination against same-sex couples in Nevada. But Wolfson said he concurs with another argument within the attorney general’s brief: domestic partnerships, which are permitted under Nevada law, aren’t equivalent to and don’t provide a substitute for marriage.

The brief was filed in Lambda Legal's Sevcik v. Sandoval, the hopes for which got much brighter earlier this week when the Ninth Circuit Court invoked heightened scrutiny in a ruling that barred the peremptory dismissal of gay jurors. Masto's brief urges that the Court not consider heightened scrutiny in Lambda Legal's case.

GetEQUAL Nevada organizer Derek Washington has issued a response to Masto's brief.

I count Attorney General Cortez Masto as one of my very first mentors, having met her at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. I am deeply disappointed that she would take the positions she has in her vigorous defense of a law that I find discriminatory and against the ideals of equality this great country was founded on. For the Attorney General to equate marriage equality with bigamy and incest is not only jaw dropping, but it is also a personal affront from someone I thought understood that we, LGBTQ Nevadans, are just the same as all other Nevadans. We work hard, send our children to school and contribute to the health of our communities. To be lumped in with bigamists and sexual criminals by a friend is, to say the very least, heartbreaking.

Stoli Donates $300K To LA LGBT Center

"The responses to the attacks on LGBT rights in Russia show that our lives are global and interconnected. Some responded to the attacks on LGBT rights in Russia by boycotting Stoli. It’s worth clarifying that SPI Group, which is in no way affiliated with the Russian government, has been the owner of the Stolichnaya brand outside of Russia since 1997. The Stolichnaya made in Russia for the local market is owned by a state-controlled entity. We feel it is important to raise our voice again and let the LGBT community know we share the same desire for justice and equality. And we are invested in achieving a brighter tomorrow for all. We are proud to be working with the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center to make our joint vision possible through the Leadership LAB, which empowers LGBT people to defeat prejudice locally, while developing leaders in LGBT communities in the U.S. and around the world. - SPI Group president John Esposito, in an Advocate op-ed announcing a $300,000 donation to the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.

Broadway Stars Unite For Satire Of Russia's Crackdown On LGBT People

A galaxy of Broadway stars have gotten together for skits and songs that mock Russia's crackdown on LGBT people. You'll recognize a lot of people: Harvey Fierstein, Laura Benanti, Michael Cerveris, Joanna Gleason, Jonathan Groff, Jackie Hoffman, Andrea McArdle, Brad Oscar, Stephen Schwarz, John Tartaglia, Mary Testa, Michael Urie, and many more. There are even cameos from Dan Savage and Michael Musto.

(Tipped by JMG reader Blane)

NIGERIA: Catholic Cardinal Promoted By Pope Francis Praises Anti-Gay Laws

"The church accepts people as they are, we condemn homosexuality, Nigeria is an independent country and we do not beg for food. We have every right to order our social life in any way we think it should go. Our social life should not be organised on the basis of what others think. On this note, I commend our National Assembly and Mr President for resisting all the pressures and enacting a law against homosexuality. Signing the bill into law by President Jonathan in spite of pressures from within and outside the country should be commended by all and sundry. The world is at crossroads and there is nothing new under the sun. `We all know that this is not the first time we have heard about the agitation for gay rights but our position, as a church, has not changed. Even when some sections of society view same sex issues as moral disorder acts, homosexuality has not stopped, it still happens in the open around the world. It doesn’t mean that it should be accepted." - Cardinal John Onaiyekan, speaking to Nigeria's PM News. Onaiyekan got his red hat from Pope Benedict in 2012.  Last July Pope Francis named him the Vatican's Apostolic Administrator (rule enforcer) for the Diocese of Ahaira in southern Nigeria. (Via Bilerico)

Buzzfeed Writer: I'm In Bieber Hell

Buzzfeed writer Ryan Broderick took a screenshot of his TweetDeck feed, which today is almost entirely Justin Bieber mugshots. (Via Business Insider)

Fox News Has The Virginia Sadz

Fox News says that Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring is "throwing out" the Tenth Amendment. They are VERY UPSET. Snork!

Virginia AG Mark Herring: I Have The Duty And Authority To Support Gay Marriage

Watch this. Watch the entire thing.

NEW YORK: State Endorses Truvada For Daily Use As HIV Preventive

The New York state Department of Health has officially endorsed daily use of the Gilead medication Truvada for the prevention of HIV infection.

After months of anticipation, the Health Department's AIDS Institute released thorough clinical guidelines for pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP, which is a daily dose of HIV medication that people who are HIV-negative but at-risk of contracting the virus can take to drastically reduce their chance of infection. The drug, known by its prescription name Truvada, can reduce the chance of infection by as much as 73 percent, according to studies funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. However, the AIDS Institute stressed that PrEP alone was not enough to prevent new infections. "PrEP should not be offered as a sole intervention for HIV prevention. PrEP should only be prescribed as part of a comprehensive prevention plan," the report says.

Preventive use of Truvada, while supported by most HIV/AIDS groups including ACT UP and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, remains controversial. In particular, the Los Angeles based AIDS Healthcare Foundation has long battled against the preventive use of Truvada. In July 2012, when the drug was first approved for daily preventive use, the AHF accused both Gilead and the FDA of "negligence bordering the equivalence of malpractice which will sadly result in new infections, drug resistance and serious side effects among many, many people." Last August the AHF declared victory in their Freedom of Information Act request which sought proof that Gilead colluded with the FDA on "what to say to get their unfavorable drug trial results spun in such a way that the FDA deemed them sufficient to approve the drug."

Truvada retails at an annual cost of up to $14,000 and its use as a preventive is not yet covered by all insurance plans. Today's guideline from the state recommends that AIDS groups focus on identifying the most high-risk persons who would benefit from its daily use.

Catholic Archbishop: We Thank God For Nigeria's Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Nigerian Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama was appointed by Pope John Paul II in 1995. Yesterday New York City-based Sahara TV interviewed him about Nigeria's super-criminalization of homosexuality. Here's how they recap the clip below:

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, joined SaharaTV's Rudolf Okonkwo to explain his reasons for supporting Nigeria's recently enacted Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act. "We thank God that this bill was passed," said Archbishop Kaigama, speaking from Nigeria. Although in support of the new law, Archbishop Kaigama also sympathized for the gay community and noted that they should not be discriminated against. "As a priest and by my Christian values it not a crime to be gay or heterosexual," said Kaigama. "I will treat [a gay person] with great understanding and love, with great compassion," he said.

At the 2:30 mark the interviewer brings up the eleven gay men that are facing stoning to death in the northern Nigerian state of Bauchi. Kaigama responds: "That would be...they have extra-judicial abilities (in Bauchi). I don't imagine that just simply because somebody is gay he or she will be arrested or maltreated. I don't think that is acceptable. I think the constitution is clear about this. The legislation is very, very clear against gay unions." He later says, "It is not a crime to simply be a gay person."

The archbishop is either deeply uniformed or is simply lying.

Bryan Fischer Has The Virginia Sadz

The Cooch was a liberal!

At Yesterday's DC Anti-Abortion March

Note the camouflage cap on the fetus. Source.

Hate Group Has The Virginia Sadz

"The decision by the attorney general is not surprising, but it is disappointing and frightening. It’s disappointing that he wouldn’t be clear about his intentions on this issue while campaigning for the office. More importantly, it’s frightening that politicians like the attorney general feel that they can pick and choose which aspects of the Constitution they deem worth to defend and apply. Whether one agrees with the marriage amendment or not, the idea that over a million Virginia citizens can be left defenseless by the attorney general after legally voting for an amendment that he himself supported is chilling." - Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation Of Virginia, which once named Ken Cuccinelli its "legislator of the year." (Tipped by JMG reader Blair)

Freep This Virginia Poll

Mid-page on the left. (Tipped by JMG reader Sam)

Rep. Randy Weber Confirms: My Anti-Gay Marriage Bill Was Written By The FRC

Two weeks ago former HVAC repairman Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) introduced a House bill that would limit the federal government to only recognizing same-sex marriages that are conducted legally in the state in which the married couple resides. In my first report on the bill, I wrote: "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." Yesterday Weber confirmed that the bill was indeed written by the Family Research Council and Concerned Women Of America. Thanks to Jeremy Hooper at Good As You for finding the clip. The bill remains stalled with 38 cosponsors, which is a whopping 8% of the U.S. House.

Unshocking Headline Of The Day

Details.