Tweet Of The Day: Dan Savage

Michael Sam Drafted By St. Louis Rams

What a great day for LGBT people. Arkansas. Eurovision. And now pro football. Politics, pop culture, pro sports - there is NOTHING our people can't do.

UPDATE: ESPN just ran a live shot from Michael Sam's home where they showed him kissing his boyfriend after smashing a celebratory cake in each others' faces. THAT is a first for pro football.

UPDATE II: GLAAD reacts.

"Without a doubt, this is a game changer," said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. "Today, Michael Sam has redefined what it takes to be a champion. He's tackled stereotypes and joins the ranks of athletic trailblazers like Jason Collins and Brittney Griner in showing Americans that there's no place for homophobia on the field. As support for equality continues to surge, it's clear that sports fans are ready, football is ready, and America is ready for its first openly gay NFL player."

UPDATE III: HRC reacts.

“We congratulate Michael Sam and the St. Louis Rams on their terrific decision to draft him. Today, LGBT young people can look to Sam as proof that being open and proud of who you are doesn't keep you from achieving your dreams. Gay people are our neighbors and friends. They're our United States Senators and, starting today, they're our professional football stars.”

UPDATE IV: Michael Sam gets the call with his boyfriend by his side. You might want a tissue for this.

UPDATE: Here's the cake-kiss clip. Replayed over and over.

Conchita Wurst WINS Eurovision 2014!!!

Austrian gender-fuck artist Conchita Wurst won Eurovision 2014 tonight after a stunning performance at the finals held in Copenhagen. The audience was clearly on Conchita's side during the vote tally and as each nation reported points for Austria, the screaming was crazy. Conchita Wurst: "This night belongs to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. We are unity and we are unstoppable." What a fantastic FUCK YOU to Russia's homophobes. I think we'll see a new category of sadz tonight.

UPDATE: The clip below shows the final votes being announced. Check out the douchey anti-Conchita comment from Lithuania at 9:45. The host immediately smacked him down. Stick around for Austrian announcer right after that - she's wearing a fake beard in Conchita's honor, as were many in the audience. At 15:30 the announcers declare that Conchita has won as her lead was then insurmountable.

HISTORY: First Same-Sex Couple Legally Marries In Southern State, Witnessed By Lawyer Who Brought Down Arkansas Ban

UPDATE: The Associated Press reports.

An Arkansas clerk issued the state's first gay marriage license on Saturday, breaking a barrier that voters put in place with a constitutional amendment 10 years ago. Carroll County Deputy Clerk Jane Osborn issued a license Saturday morning to Kristin Seaton, 27, and Jennifer Rambo, 26, of Fort Smith. They had slept in a Ford Focus after arriving in Eureka Springs at 2 a.m. Saturday and were the first of about 10 couples to line up outside of the courthouse before it opened. When the license was issued, Rambo said, "Thank God." Seaton and Rambo, who have been together four years, then held a marriage ceremony on the courthouse steps. A woman in a rainbow dress officiated.

ARKANSAS: Gay Couples Jam Eureka Springs Office, Clerk Not Opening DoorsUPDATE: Clerk Relents, First Same-Sex Marriage License In South Issued

The clerk's office in Eureka Springs, Arkansas has not yet opened despite its regular Saturday start time of 9AM. Gay couples are jamming the courthouse and say they won't leave until they until they get their marriage licenses. The website of the Carroll County clerk's office notes Saturday hours of 9AM to 1PM. More photos at this Instagram account. Story developing...

UPDATE: After much confusion and police barring the door, the clerk's office has begun issuing licenses!

BROOKLYN: Liza And Rosie Join Cyndi Lauper For Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

During last night's concert at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, Cyndi Lauper prefaced a song from Kinky Boots by mentioning that she has now won a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Tony, a status known as GET. Lauper noted that the night's headliner, Cher, has EGO status as she's won an Emmy, a Grammy, and an Oscar.  Following the Kinky Boots number, Lauper brought Rosie O'Donnell up out of the audience and Rosie pointed out that she was seated with a full EGOT winner, Liza Minnelli, who then joined the the pair onstage for an obviously unrehearsed take on Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

RELATED: Lauper is one of twenty artists with GET status. Eighteen artists have EGO status. Twelve artists have full EGOT status and Liza is not on that list because her 1990 Grammy Living Legend award is honorary. Barbra Streisand and James Earl Jones are also asterisk EGOT holders for the same reason. Rosie O'Donnell has 11 Daytime Emmys for her talk show and an Emmy for her performance as the host of the 1999 Tony Awards. Next month Rosie will receive an honorary Tony Award for her philanthropic work on Broadway.

Franklin Graham Has The HGTV Sadz

ARKANSAS: State Files Immediate Stay Request, Marriage Licenses Available At 9AM Today In Eureka Springs

Late last night the state of Arkansas filed for a immediate stay on yesterday's marriage ruling and while weekend responses to such requests are rare, they have happened. Arkansans for Equality reports that the clerk's office in the tiny town of Eureka Springs will be open to issue marriage licenses at 9AM today. There is no waiting period in Arkansas and proof of residency is not required, so hello Oklahoma and Missouri. If you want to get married right away in Arkansas, the Eureka Springs office is only open until 1PM so today's four hour window might be your only chance in the short term. If anybody knows of other offices that will be open today, please share the details in the comments.

BONUS: Eureka Springs is a popular destination for LGBT tourists and the town hosts several "diversity" weekends every year.

ARKANSAS: Attorney General Supports Gay Marriage But Will Appeal Ruling

"We respect the Court’s decision, but, in keeping with the Attorney General’s obligation to defend the state constitution, we will appeal. We will request that Judge Piazza issue a stay of his ruling so as not to create confusion or uncertainty about the law while the Supreme Court considers the matter." - Spokesman for Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, who last week endorsed marriage equality.

BREAKING: Arkansas Judge Rules That Marriage Ban Is Unconstitutional, Does NOT Issue Stay On His Decision

Via the Arkansas Times:

Circuit Judge Chris Piazza today invalidated the Arkansas ban on same-sex marriage and recognition of marriages legally entered by same-sex couples in other states. An appeal is expected. The judge did not stay his ruling, though the state probably can be expected to request a stay. The order came after county clerks ofices closed for the week. But they can expect a flood of applicants Monday morning. Pulaski County Clerk Larry Crane said he'd be ready with software to issue gender-netural marriage licenses Monday morning. The lawsuit challenged both the state constitution and statutory bans. Piazza's 13-page ruling struck down both statute and constitutional ban. He noted that tradition wasn't sufficient to continue a bar to interracial marriage.

Read the full ruling.

UPDATE: Freedom To Marry reacts.

“Today a state circuit judge in Arkansas ruled in favor of the freedom to marry, the latest in a unanimous wave of favorable rulings from more than a dozen state and federal judges across the country in recent months. Judge Piazza held that there is no good reason for discriminating against couples and their loved ones just because they are gay. With nearly 70 marriage cases now making their way through the courts, and five federal appellate courts now hearing arguments and soon to rule, today's decision out of Arkansas underscores that all of America is ready for the freedom to marry.”

Rep. Louie Gohmert: Gay Nazis Are Bigoted Against The Benham Brothers

Lambda Legal Denounces Indiana For "Shameful" Marriage Recognition Appeal

Via Lambda Legal:

Lambda Legal filed suit and won a court ruling requiring the State of Indiana to respect the marriage of Amy Sandler and Niki Quasney — an important victory for the couple and their two children, as Niki battles stage four cancer. Niki wants to be recognized as married in her home state while she is still alive. But our work is not done and the victory is at risk. Please sign the petition and tell Attorney General Zoeller: Stop the appeal of the court ruling! It is an outrage and shameful that the State of Indiana would continue to fight this couple.

Hit the link and sign the petition.

KENTUCKY: Governor's Brief Says Gay Marriage Will Cause Birth Rates To Drop

Attorneys for Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear have filed a brief which claims that same-sex marriage must remain illegal otherwise straight people will have fewer babies. And that will cost Kentucky lots of money.

Appealing a federal judge's decision that the state's ban violates the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law, Beshear's hired counsel say Kentucky has a legitimate interest in encouraging procreation to support "long-term economic stability through stable birth rates." U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn II in February struck down Kentucky's law and constitutional amendment banning the recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states, saying Kentucky had offered no rational basis for treating gay and lesbian couple's differently. In a 32-page appeal, attorney Leigh Gross Latherow says Kentucky has an interest in maintaining birth rates, which, if allowed to fall, can induce economic crises because of the reduced demand for good and services and the reduction of the work force. She cited recent dips in the economies of Germany and Japan tied to declines in their birth rates. The appeal doesn't explain how allowing gays to marry would reduce the birth rate among heterosexual couples.

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, who announced his bid for governor earlier this week, has refused to defend the ban. Beshear's lawyers are from an outside firm hired by the state.

Read the full brief here.

Starbucks Includes "Two Moms" in Mother's Day Ad Voiced By Oprah Winfrey

JMG tipster Lynda expects that you-know-who will be ever so pissed about this new Mother's Day campaign from Starbucks. Oprah does the voice-over.

Freep This HGTV Poll

Right here. (Tipped by JMG reader Cave)

Ten Reasons Why Conchita Should Win

From the International Business Times:

1. It will upset the Russians. Vitaly Milonov, the politician who was behind Russia's strict anti-gay propaganda law, has been reported as saying that "pervert" Wurst would "insult millions of Russians" by taking part in the "Europe-wide gay parade". Russia is expected to suffer in the voting because of its stance on homosexuality and the current crisis in Ukraine. The Ukrainian entry received rousing cheers during the semi-finals, while Russia's Tolmachevy Twins were booed.

2. It will upset homophobes in Eastern Europe. Protesters in Armenia and Belarus have created petitions asking their national broadcasters to edit Conchita out of the live broadcast, though the European Broadcasting Union wouldn't allow that.

3. It would upset Austrian right-wing politicians like Heinz-Christian Strache, FPO leader. During the national selection process he called Conchita "ridiculous" and threw his support behind another entry, Alf Poier, who said Conchita needed psychiatric help. The Austrian media quoted Poier as saying: "If someone doesn't know if they're a man or a woman, they should go to a psychotherapist rather than to the song contest."

Hit the link for the rest. (Via JMG reader Polish Bear)

Olive Grindr & TGI Friendster

"Not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Applebee's International, Inc., or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates." Here's the site.  The app IS available at the iTunes store.

Pat Robertson Has The HGTV Sadz

Indiana Appeals Marriage Recognition Ruling For Terminally Ill Lesbian

Via the Associated Press:

Indiana has asked a federal judge to stay his order requiring it to recognize the out-of-state marriage of a lesbian couple in which one woman is terminally ill, saying that the ruling could raise false hopes for other same-sex couples. State attorneys also filed a formal notice of appeal following U.S. District Judge Richard Young's ruling. Indiana will ask the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to review Young's decision, which applies just to one couple — not to others who were legally wed elsewhere and are seeking to have Indiana recognize their marriages. Young issued a preliminary injunction Thursday extending last month's temporary restraining order forcing the state to list Amy Sandler as the spouse of Niki Quasney on a death certificate after Quasney dies of cancer. Young did not rule on whether Indiana's gay marriage ban is unconstitutional. That ruling is expected to come later.

The couple is represented by Lambda Legal.

Use Yah Blinkah

Via Boston televison:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation no doubt got the attention of thousands of motorists Friday morning when their electronic highway message boards suddenly had a wicked strong Boston accent. In an effort to get attention to the Massachusetts law that requires all drivers to signal when changing lanes, the signs read "Use Yah Blinkah." The law, which clearly requires the use of a signal when changing lanes, is widely ignored by some Massachusetts drivers.

Ben Shapiro: MTV's Anti-Bigotry Campaign For Millenials Is Marxist Indoctrination

I am curious about Shapiro's home planet and its people.

Wingnuts Are Selling Benghazi Swag

The Tea People are selling panties, flip-flops, onesies, coffee mugs, beer steins, and hundreds of other items imprinted with Benghazi-related slogans. Some are pitching their wares as Mother's Day gifts over on Cafe Press. Show your love for Mom with a message about terrorism.

UTAH: New Marriage Ad Launches

Eurovision Hosts Told They Can't Wear Rainbows To Support Gay Community

"I'm not allowed to be political. Because east Europe is such a big part of Eurovision. They just need to chill the fuck down. But Eurovision is inherently political, surely. I asked them if I can wear rainbows. No. We're not allowed to be political. It's about music, not politics. But music and politics, you can not divide them. Not in my mind. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland always give each other top points in Eurovision. If that's not politics, I don't know what is." - Eurovision host Pilou Asbaek, speaking to the Guardian.

Tony Perkins Implies That Right Wing Watch Is Lying About The Benhams

Last night Tony Perkins appeared on Fox News to imply that Right Wing Watch is lying about the Benham brothers, saying they are "about as reliable as the Obamacare website." Right Wing Watch, as you know, always backs up their reports with audio, video, and verbatim quotes that link directly to the douchebag being cited. Media Matters has more:

Fox News host Megyn Kelly invited anti-gay hate group leader Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council (FRC) to comment on HGTV's decision to cancel a program that would have starred a rabid anti-gay extremist, pushing the FRC's own talking points to baselessly frame HGTV's decision as an attack on Christians. During the May 8 edition of The Kelly File, Kelly asked Perkins to weigh in on the controversy. Kelly suggested that while HGTV would have been condemned for cancelling a show featuring gay stars, the Benhams were being punished because, unlike gay people, Christians' rights aren't as "protected and recognized in this country": KELLY: "If HGTV had a couple of hosts who are about to launch a TV show and it came out that they were gay and then they pulled the plug on them because they're gay, the backlash would be enormous in this country, and that's because gay rights are more and more protected and recognized in this country. Christian beliefs and Christian rights, not so much."

Watch below.

Two Years Ago Today

Two years ago today the playing field for marriage equality suddenly got a LOT better.

"At a certain point, I've just concluded that-- for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that-- I think same-sex couples should be able to get married. Now-- I have to tell you that part of my hesitation on this has also been I didn't want to nationalize the issue. There's a tendency when I weigh in to think suddenly it becomes political and it becomes polarized. And what you're seeing is, I think, states working through this issue-- in fits and starts, all across the country. Different communities are arriving at different conclusions, at different times. And I think that's a healthy process and a healthy debate. And I continue to believe that this is an issue that is gonna be worked out at the local level, because historically, this has not been a federal issue, what's recognized as a marriage." - President Barack Obama, two years ago today.

Allen West Mulls Runs For President

"A diamond is but a rock until it undergoes intense pressure and heat. Steel is purified by intense heat. We cannot seek to live a life where our goal is to go from one oasis to another. Sometimes we have to cross a desert in order to develop inner strength. Many are asking me to consider a huge undertaking. If God had not placed a challenge before me and closed one door, perhaps a new mission would not be possible." - Former Rep. Allen West, in a blog posting that right wing sites are interpreting as his acknowledgement that he is considering a run for president.

West was elected to Congress in the 2010 Tea Party wave and was booted back out by voters after just one term. Last year he left the right wing PJ Media network after he allegedly harassed a female staffer with an anti-Semitic slur. Some sources say he was fired, West says he left to "pursue political aspirations." West first gained national attention when he faced an Army court martial for abusing an Iraqi prisoner. He was allowed to retire and pay a fine rather than be tried.

In the above-linked post West attempts to link his Army scandal to Benghazi.

Many of those who watch CNN and MSNBC castigate me as a “war criminal.” I find this hilarious and absurd. I wonder what they call a person who, instead of taking an action to save American lives, took no action at all? Matter of fact, said individual allowed four Americans under Islamic terrorist attack to be murdered. As far as we all know, said individual went to sleep due to a strenuous schedule of campaign fundraising events the following day.

Not only that, but said individual then proceeded to lie about their non-actions and cast blame elsewhere. When I was asked, during the Article 32 hearing, if I would take the same action again, perhaps I should have blamed my actions on a video and all would have been fine? Instead, I responded, “If it is about the safety and lives of my men, I would go through hell with a gasoline can.”

To the useful idiots and mindless liberal lemmings who refer to me as anything other than Lieutenant Colonel, Retired, Allen B. West — with 22 years of honorable service, rank, and benefits — you are delusional and confused. You criticize me, a commander who stood up for his men, while you embrace a cowardly commander-in-chief, Barack Hussein Obama, who did nothing while Americans died. It is both disgusting and despicable.

Good grief.

Tornado Damage Caught On Video

NBC News reports:

A Northern Mississippi church has released a video documenting the destruction caused by a massively violent tornado that struck their community in late April. “It really kinda brought things back, seeing it a week later,” said Brad Bullock, technical director for St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Tupelo, Mississippi. He posted the stunning security-camera footage to his YouTube account. “The building was really damaged,” Bullock told NBC News, “About 50 percent of the front of the building is gone.” Across the country, at least 35 people died in the late April twisters.

There's no audio. Watch the trees snap at 1:45.

American Atheists To Launch TV Network

This summer American Atheists will launch the nation's first-ever channel devoted to atheism.

American Atheists already has a production studio at their national headquarters in Cranford, N.J., where they film their public access cable show “Atheist Viewpoint.” The show is in its 20th season and is distributed to 50 markets across the country. AtheistTV will make use of content from their homegrown show, as well as their archive of footage from the past 50 years of its activist history. But they’re also seeking to join forces with other content providers—non-profit secular organizations such as the Richard Dawkins Foundation and atheist YouTube stars with big fan bases.

The channel will be available through Roku, a wifi device that lets users stream from the Internet onto their TVs. Viewers will need to pay to get Roku, but subscribing to the channel will be free. The lack of atheist programming is apparent on Roku’s channel listing. More than 300 faith-based channels are available, featuring programming centered around Christian music, sermons, and worship services. Since they’re first on the scene, American Atheists will face the challenge of defining what exactly godless programming will look like.

Hopefully the channel will expand to other streaming devices.

Benham Brothers: HGTV Was Bullied Into Cancelling Our Reality Show

They don't hate homosexual individuals, they just don't want you to have any civil rights because Jesus.

Linda Harvey Has The HGTV Sadz

Tony Perkins Has The HGTV Sadz

"As sons of a preacher, the brothers have never shied away from their beliefs, which led them to back the North Carolina marriage amendment -- a stance the brothers seem to now be paying for, thanks to radical pro-homosexual activists like GLAAD, whose only answer to real diversity is harassment. Now, the same cultural elitists that tried to bully the likes of 'Duck Dynasty' are back to silencing anyone who expresses biblical values -- even if those values are expressed outside the workplace. That narrow-mindedness is sure to backfire here, since the Benhams' goal, like Catholic Charities', World Vision's, and others', was to help the less fortunate. Unfortunately, liberals don't care who would be helped by people like the Benhams. Forcing their sexual ideology is more important than the compassion they say they practice. Sadly, this isn't the first time the Left has been willing to punish hurting people in the name of political correctness." - KKK-affiliated hate group leader Tony Perkins, who six weeks ago called for punishing hurting people when he announced that he was ending his support for World Vision because they had agreed to hire married gays.

NOTE: GLAAD did not call for the cancellation of the Benhams' show. In fact, not one LGBT organization so much as issued a press release before HGTV announced that it was pulling the show.

Tweet Of The Day - God

Visa Inks Endorsement Deal With Michael Sam, Launches First Ad During NFL Draft

Visa tonight announced it has signed an endorsement deal with Michael Sam. The first ad in the campaign has launched on YouTube as the first round of the NFL draft is underway in New York City.

In his first spot, Sam, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year out of Missouri, is shown working out while a voiceover urges the viewer to judge him for his play on the field, not off of it. "We felt that Michael's story was a perfect fit for our 'everywhere' campaign, which is meant to inspire people to reach their own personal goals and aspirations," Visa's chief marketing officer Kevin Burke told ESPN.com. "We wish Michael the best on and off the field as he embarks on the next chapter of his life." Added Cameron Weiss, Sam's agent and attorney: "We've been really selective in trying to find the right partners and we couldn't be more pleased to start with a world-class company like Visa."

Some sports analysts have predicted that Sam won't be selected until the third round of the draft on Saturday. ESPN notes that Sam has received dozens of endorsement offers, an "unprecedented number for an expected late-round pick."

COPENHAGEN: Austria's Conchita Wurst Advances To Eurovision Final Round

Despite boycott campaigns and anti-gay petitions out of Russia and Belarus, Austrian gender-fuck artist Conchita Wurst tonight advanced to the Eurovision finals in Copenhagen.

With the Second Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest over, the line up for Saturday's Grand Finale is now certain, and will include Austrian singer Conchita Wurst, who has faced a transphobic backlash from some conservative countries. Before the show, Ms Wurst hit back at critics, including Russian politician Vitaly Milonov, who called her a “pervert.” “I can only say ‘Thank you for your attention!’” she told the Associated Press. “If this is only about me and my person, I can live with it. I'm just a singer in a fabulous dress, with great hair and a beard," she added. The reception that Russia will receive at the final is likely to be a concern for the show's organisers, in light of the country's anti-gay laws, as well as its encroachment into Ukrainian territory in recent weeks. Russian twins Anastasia and Maria Tolmachevy were booed during the first semi-final, while Ukraine’s Mariya Yaremchuk was cheered by the crowd.

Besides Austria, also advancing tonight were Switzerland, Slovenia, Poland, Romania, Norway, Greece, Malta, Belarus and Finland. Eliminated tonight: Israel, Georgia, Lithuania, FYR Macedonia, and Ireland. Twenty-six nations will compete in Saturday's finals. The online gambling site Paddy Power is currently ranking Conchita as the favorite at 5/2 odds to win. Sweden's chances are rated at 3/1. Russia's odds are 100/1. Heh.

The first clip below is tonight's performance. In the second clip, Eurovision host Lise Rønne kibitzes with Conchita between acts. (Watch for a fleeting shot of beefy Conchita fanboys in the audience.) In the bottom clip, the audience goes wild as Austria is the last of tonight's finalists to be revealed, prompting the announcer to declare Conchita to be "the queen of Austria." Twitter wags are accusing Eurovision officials of deliberately naming crowd favorite Conchita last in order to heighten the dramatic effect.

GOP Lobbyist: Christians Will Boycott Any NFL Team That Drafts Michael Sam

The Christian Post reports:

Jack Burkman, head of the Washington, D.C. lobbying firm J.M. Burkman & Assoc. who is seeking to ban gays from the NFL, says he intends to build a national coalition to boycott any football franchise that picks openly gay football player Michael Sam in the NFL Draft, which starts Thursday at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. In a release issued Thursday, Burkman said he would "leverage his political clout" to ensure that the franchise that selects the 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive end from Missouri would get "roughed up financially."

"We shall exercise our First Amendment rights and shall not stop until the drafting NFL franchise cannot sell a single ticket, jersey or autographed football," said Burkman. "In short, we shall be relentless." Burkman claims in the release that he is currently mobilizing "powerful grassroots organizations in 27 of the 50 states," as well as a "coalition of Evangelical Christian leaders from across the nation to take part in a protest if Sam is drafted. The NFL, like most of the rest of American business, is about to learn that when you trample the Christian community and Christian values there will be a terrible financial price to pay," said Burkman.

The draft begins at 8PM tonight.

Bryan Fischer Has The HGTV Sadz

Kyle Mantyla writes at Right Wing Watch:

Last month, after Christian radio stations and music fans began to boycott the band Jars of Clay over the lead singer's support for marriage equality, Bryan Fischer proclaimed that this sort of reaction was the logical result of that singer's own decision to make a "foolish declaration." If someone chooses to speak out on this sort of issue, Fischer declared, "that's fine, but then don't complain when there are consequences for making a foolish declaration like that."

Guess who's complaining about HGTV?

SAN JOSE: Morrissey Ends Tour-Opening Concert After Fans Rush The Stage

Stereogum recaps the mayhem:

One of the old visual trademarks of a Morrissey show is that fans will rush onstage to hug him and he will go on singing, ignoring them, an apt visual metaphor for the way he’s conducted much of his career. But last night, it seems, some fans took it a bit far. Morrissey opened a North American tour last night at San Jose’s City National Civic, marking his first Bay Area show in some years after he’d canceled a few area shows. And during the encore, fans started doing the rushing-onstage-and-hugging thing, and a few got so physical that they were basically bodyslamming him. It’s a bit tough to see, from the fan-made footage, what was going on, but he cut the show off mid-song and did not return.

San Diego Paper: GOP House Candidate Carl DeMaio Is A Hideous Opportunist

From the 2014 primary endorsements page of the San Diego CityBeat:

DeMaio is just the most hideous kind of political opportunist. Sure, most politicians do it to an extent, but DeMaio is opportunism and crazed ambition on steroid-boosted steroids. It's been quite a show to watch him transform his narrative right before our eyes to this "new generation" Republican who's so gosh-darn proud of his homosexuality. Believe us, were he running in a more conservative district, he wouldn't be singing that tune. There's a reason LGBT groups don't support him—because he's only pro-LGBT when it serves his needs. Part of us wouldn't mind seeing him go to Washington, D.C., and get buried among 435 members, but knowing him, he'd be running the place within a year. And that's not good for anyone. We beg you on our hands and knees to vote for Scott Peters in the 52nd.

They also say that DeMaio is "the worst San Diego-area politician in at least the last 15 years and probably a lot longer." Suh-NAP.

Focus On The Family Mocks Justice Kagan's Dissent In Public Prayer Ruling

Headline Of The Day

As we know, Chick-Fil-A is preparing a "massive" launch of outlets in NYC. The right-wing New York Post has found a handful of gays who say they can't wait to eat there.

“I have a healthy fear of the gay mafia,” says William, a gay 26-year-old digital strategist living in Hell’s Kitchen, who asked that his last name not be used due to anxiety over backlash over his choice. “But the crispy chicken is orgasmic. This sounds terrible because it’s fast food, but it’s the most tender chicken I’ve ever had.” William points out that the LGBT community can be rife with hypocrisy. Many bandwagoners on the Anti-Chick-fil-A Express gleefully shop at companies that have conservative execs at the helm — they just haven’t gotten the media coverage (or been stupid enough to tweet their political beliefs). Known past offenders who have suffered far less outrage include Urban Outfitters, Papa John’s Pizza, Exxon, the Salvation Army, Purina and Cracker Barrel. “It would shock you,” says William. “You wouldn’t be able to step out of your house if you boycotted them all.” The result is that some gay men feel ostracized by their own community, unable to express opinions different from the GLAAD-approved agenda.

Trans Indians: Wear Your Seatbelts

1.7M views already. Quite the unusual PSA.

"Ex-Gays" Promote Catholic Dogma: Disordered Gays Must Become Celibate

In a new 38-minute film partially shot in Catholic churches and laden with images of popes and priests, a handful of "ex-gay" crackpots tell their sad sad story about their empty meaningless lives as sexual human beings and how they came to love Jesus. Among those featured is notorious nutjob and NARTH supporter Christopher Doyle and freakshow "therapist" Richard Cohen, who earned national ridicule years ago for his "gay cure" treatment which involved beating a pillow with a tennis racket while screaming, "Why, Mommy, why?" I'm not aware of either Doyle or Cohen actually being Catholic, but the film includes lengthy explanations of how the Catholic Church's condemnation of gay people as "intrinsically disordered" is actually a message of love. The film closes with several calls for lifelong celibacy for gay people who just cannot bring themselves to feign sexual interest in the opposite sex.

(Tipped by JMG reader George)

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: In January, Christopher Doyle said that communist American gay activists are to blame for the religion-motivated murders of gay men in Africa. Last September I wrote about the latest scam from Doyle and Cohen.

The crackpot "ex-gays" over at PFOX have announced "the end of homosexuality." Training sessions will be conducted by Richard "Tennis Racket" Cohen and Christopher Doyle. For a mere $295, these totally and forever gay scamsters will train you to be a certified "Sexual Orientation Coach" via 12 thirty minutes sessions of de-gaying by means of "touch therapy" in which Cohen and Doyle will lovingly hold the clients in their completely homosexual arms while muttering gruff Jeff Stryker-isms into their ears. You really want it, don't you? Oh, wait. That was the old therapy. The new therapy will be performed online! Oh, the possibilities! For an additional $100 donation they will send you a Don't Let Me Suck Your Cock wristband so that unwary suitors know to steer clear at the local dirty bookstore. How proactive!

Brian Brown: We Won Big In Indiana

"The National Organization for Marriage and its allies have once again demonstrated that abandoning marriage is a disastrous decision for any politician. At a time when many local Republican party committees are under pressure from elites to remove support for marriage and life from their platforms, the results of the Indiana primaries should be a warning sign — abandon marriage at your own peril. These victories continue the streak of successes that NOM and local allies have had in states like New York, Maine, and New Hampshire where the organization has been instrumental in electing pro-marriage candidates and defeating incumbents of both parties who have voted to abandon marriage. For example, NOM was instrumental in defeating four state Senators in New York who voted to redefine marriage." - Hate group leader Brian Brown, reacting to Tuesday's defeat of two pro-gay Indiana state reps.

RELATED: Streak of successes? Like Tony Perkins, last month Brown had nothing to say when NOM failed to unseat three pro-gay Illinois state reps despite having vowed to "destroy" their careers.  In today's statement  Brown claims that four New York state Senators lost their seats because of NOM's campaign against them. In January 2013 Brown claimed that it was three New York state Senators that he had unseated. But that was a lie too as two of those Senators were arrested on corruption charges and the other did not even run because of a scandal about a lawsuit.

2009 Flashback: Flip Benham Attacks Gays, Muslims, Obama, Clinton, Everybody

Flip Benham is the father of David and Jason Benham.

(Via JMG reader Gigi)

Benhams React To HGTV Cancelation

"The first and last thought on our minds as we begin and end each day is; have we shined Christ's light today? Our faith is the fundamental calling in our lives, and the centerpiece of who we are. As Christians we are called to love our fellow man. Anyone who suggests that we hate homosexuals or people of other faiths is either misinformed or lying. Over the last decade, we've sold thousands of homes with the guiding principle of producing value and breathing life into each family that has crossed our path, and we do not, nor will we ever discriminate against people who do not share our views. We were saddened to hear HGTV's decision. With all of the grotesque things that can be seen and heard on television today you would think there would be room for two twin brothers who are faithful to our families, committed to biblical principles, and dedicated professionals. If our faith costs us a television show then so be it." - David and Jason Benham, in a statement published this morning by USA Today.

UTAH: Gays Banned From Mormon Parade

The Salt Lake Tribune reports:

Days of ’47 Parade organizers have denied a float application from Mormons Building Bridges, saying an entry from the group founded to improve relationships between Latter-day Saints and the gay community would be too controversial. "The parade is very specific in its requirement that no float can enter that will create controversy," Executive Vice President Greg James said Tuesday. "We wouldn’t have the Mormons Building Bridges float in there any more than we’d have the NRA [National Rifle Association] or something else that might turn people off." The July 24 event, which celebrates the Mormon pioneers’ 1847 arrival in the Salt Lake Valley, is Utah’s biggest parade. "We’re nonpartisan. We don’t take a position on any issue," James said. "One of the problems in the country right now is everyone is too polarized. We’re just trying to stay as neutral as we can."

Other groups rejected for the parade: PFLAG, Utah Pride, Equality Utah. (Tipped by JMG reader Chris)

NORTH CAROLINA: Gay Couples Mark Ban Anniversary By Demanding Licenses

Two years ago today North Carolina's Amendment One enshrined anti-LGBT bigotry into the state constitution. This morning gay couples are marking the anniversary by demanding marriage licenses in the state capital. Via Freedom To Marry:

A lot has happened in North Carolina in the past two years: New relationships have formed. Children have been welcomed into the world. Families have continued leading their lives. But every day in the state, loving, committed couples are building their families without the fundamental protections of marriage, enduring the discriminatory Amendment One and looking toward a future where no one in North Carolina - or in any state - is denied the freedom to marry the person they love.

That's why today, couples in Raleigh, NC are taking a stand with the Campaign for Southern Equality, friends, family members, and clergy, through the WE DO campaign. These couples will request marriage licenses and provoke denials from the Wake County Register of Deeds, and married couples will pay $26 to record their commitment in the county as a way of demonstrating that laws like Amendment One are hurting real people and real families in this community.

Freedom To Marry is live-tweeting photos from today's event.

TRAILER: Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

The apes use smartphones!

Haters Have The HGTV Sadz

The anti-gay Christian group Faith Driven Consumer has launched a petition campaign which demands that HGTV reinstate the reality show that was to have been hosted by anti-gay activists David and Jason Benham. HGTV canceled the show yesterday after Right Wing Watch exposed the Benhams' history of advocating against LGBT civil rights. Via press release:

Following the sudden cancellation of the upcoming HGTV series “Flip It Forward” simply because the stars of the show, brothers David and Jason Benham, hold a biblical worldview on the issues of life and marriage, Faith Driven Consumer is announcing a brand new grassroots campaign called #FlipThisDecision to return the show to the network’s fall lineup.

“David and Jason Benham are well-qualified to star on an HGTV show, they are well-respected members of their community, and the network has invested time and treasure in developing 'Flip It Forward’. Now, this project has come to a screeching halt simply because the Benham brothers hold a biblical view of life and marriage. This is pure intolerance, discrimination, and bullying toward those who hold to widely held and legitimate views. HGTV’s rash actions hold no place in America’s rainbow of diversity. Whether people agree or disagree with the Beham’s faith-driven perspective is beside the point; the Benhams have a right to have those views and to be treated equally with those who hold to other viewpoints. This is the very definition of tolerance,” said Chris Stone, Founder of Faith Driven Consumer and Certified Brand Strategist.

"Through its actions, HGTV is in conflict with its own stated core values of integrity and diversity, which emphasize 'having a strong moral compass which points to character, honesty, ethical practice and accountability' and hold that all are included in the 'broad canvas of interests, backgrounds, lifestyles and ethnicities.’ This is the height of hypocrisy.

Faith Driven Consumer is endorsed by the American Family Association and Focus On The Family.

RELATED:  In December 2013 Faith Driven Consumer launched a petition campaign to reinstate Phil Robertson to Duck Dynasty. That campaign garnered over 250K signatures. Also that month Faith Driven Consumer launched a campaign which called on Christians to boycott retailers that have pro-LGBT policies. Their list of stores to be boycotted was culled from the HRC's Corporate Equality Index. Among the companies which scored the lowest on their list: Macy's, Home Depot, Gap, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Abercrombie & Fitch, Amazon, and Levi's. Two months ago the group launched a boycott of  the movie Noah for its non-Biblical message.

Seinfeld Book Prompts $1M Defamation Suit About Insulting Gay People

Via the New York Daily News:

Kenny Kramer - the inspiration for Kramer on "Seinfeld" - has filed a $1 million defamation suit against a former writer on the sitcom for defaming him and his tour business in a new book. The suit says Fred Stoller, 55, smeared Kramer by claiming his tour guides would yell the famous Seinfeld line "Not that there's anything wrong with that!" at gay people while leading tours through Greenwich Village. "It's not funny. It's just nasty. He's worried about this affecting his business," said Kramer's lawyer, Fred Lichtmacher. "He doesn't want to be viewed as a gay basher." He noted his client's tours don't go to the Village - and they actually don't even go below W. 40th Street. Stoller "just completely made that up," Lichtmacher said. Kramer, 70, told the Daily News the "Seinfeld" scribe went out of his way "to make me look like a total idiot."

Strangest. Spokesman. Choice. Ever.

Orly Taitz: As California AG I'll Prosecute Officials Who Claim Obama Is American

Batshit crazy birther queen Orly Taitz has filed to run for California Attorney General. If elected she promises to "prosecute state officials who ignored all evidence brought by law enforcement and experts, showing Obama to possess citizenship of Indonesia, fabricated Selective Service certificate, fabricated birth certificate and a CT Social Security number."

She's not the only looney tune in the race.

Attorney General Kamela Harris faces four Republicans, including longtime state legislator Phil Wyman. He proposed that state lawmakers who are found guilty of crimes that endanger the lives of others should face public execution by hanging, firing squad or lethal injection as a deterrent to others. That prompted intraparty criticism by fellow Republican David King. The former San Diego deputy city attorney and regional water quality control board member said Wyman should withdraw from the race.

Taitz has been endorsed by Harlem Pastor David "Jesus Would Stone Homos" Manning and recently appeared on his internet show. (Tipped by JMG reader Pieter)

RELATED: In 2010 Taitz lost the primary for California Secretary of State and then she unsuccessfully sued the Republican nominee, claiming he had been ineligible to run. In 2012 Taitz lost the primary for the US Senate and then she unsuccessfully sued to block the certification of the polling results, claiming that "rampant voter fraud" had cost her the election.

Charlie Crist: I Left The GOP Because They Are Racist And Anti-Gay

Politico recaps the interview below:

“I couldn’t be consistent with myself and my core beliefs, and stay with a party that was so unfriendly toward the African-American president, I’ll just go there,” Crist said Tuesday on Fusion’s “America with Jorge Ramos.” “I was a Republican, and I saw the activists and what they were doing; it was intolerable to me.” Crist, who said he is “liberated as a Democrat,” insisted he broke with the GOP because the party’s leadership “went off the cliff.” “They’re perceived now as being anti-women, anti-immigrant, anti-minority, anti-gay, anti-education, anti-environment,” Crist said of the Republican Party.

Crist is currently polling several points ahead in his bid to unseat Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

Pat Sajak Slams Al Gore

MICHIGAN: Activists Launch Marriage Equality Referendum Drive For 2016

In March a federal judge ruled that Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. That ruling was stayed pending appeal but not before over 300 gay couples had married. The ACLU then filed suit on behalf of eight of those couples with a demand that the state recognize the marriages conducted during the days in which it was legal. While the original suit awaits consideration by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, local Michigan activists are today launching a petition drive to place the issue before voters in 2016.

Community activists, religious leaders and other supporters of same-sex marriage in Michigan are expected to kick off a campaign Thursday for a 2016 ballot initiative to legalize gay marriage in the state. The initiative will be called Michigan for Marriage, organizers said. In Metro Detroit, organizers will kick off their petition drive at noon at the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Auditorium, located at 1200 N. Telegraph in Pontiac. Petition drives will also be launched in Lansing and Grand Rapids.

Visit the Michigan For Marriage site for more details.

Open Thread Thursday

Tell us about your favorite summer getaway.

Perkins: Indiana Voters Have Punished State Reps Who Backed Gay Marriage

"Supporting marriage might cost you a job in broadcasting, but in Republican politics, it's the best decision you can make. Indiana voters made that crystal clear in last night's primary, refusing to 'hold their peace' on two GOP House members who helped sink the state's chance at a marriage protection amendment. Kathy Heuer (R) and Rebecca Kubacki (R) probably regret their decision to undercut the state's marriage amendment now, after losing in a landslide rebuke of their liberal social positions. The women, who both lost to pro-marriage challengers, flip-flopped on the issue when the state was debating a November referendum -- betraying the GOP platform and ultimately costing Hoosiers the chance to vote their values. Of course, the media wants you to think that Americans everywhere are ready throw man-woman marriage on the ash heap of history. Don't believe it. What happened in Indiana Tuesday only proves what the polling says: Republicans don't just support natural marriage -- they expect their candidates to." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, who was curiously silent when the exact opposite happened last month in Illinois.