Is Dallas Television Host Amy Kushnir The Daughter Of Scamvangelist Robert Tilton?

It appears that anti-gay Dallas television host Amy Kushnir, who is so terribly outraged by Michael Sam's kiss, is the daughter of legendarily disgraced scamvangelist Rev. Robert Tilton, whose multi-million dollar grifting empire first crumbled in the early 90s following an exposé by ABC News. Christian Nightmares points us to this 2011 post on the televangelists watchdog blog Snake Oil, which refers to Kushnir as "Amy Tilton Kushnir." 

None of available bios on Kushnir list the names of her parents so I did a little digging.

Rev. Robert Tilton's first wife, to whom he was married during the ABC-spawned scandal, is named Martha and goes by the unusually spelled nickname Marte. Two weeks ago Kushnir posted a Facebook photo of her mother's birthday party and in the comments a friend of Kushnir's writes, "Happy birthday, Marte!"

Robert Tilton's mother, Margaret Ruth Tilton, died in 2006 and her obituary lists the scamvangelist and his current third wife among her survivors. Also listed is an Amy Tilton Kushnir and her husband Bill. The husband of the television host Amy Kushnir is indeed named Bill and his Facebook profile lists that he attended Oral Roberts University.

Fourteen years ago Charisma Magazine interviewed Marte Tilton and noted that she had four children with Robert Tilton, including a daughter named Amy, then aged 30. According to the Explore Talent site, Dallas television host Amy Kushnir is 44 today. In a 2001 interview with the Dallas Morning News, Marte asked that paper not say where her children live, adding that they have "suffered a lot because of their last name." Marte and Rev. Tilton divorced in 1993, when the television host Amy Kushnir would have been 23.

That's an awful lot of possible coincidences, but if I've connected the dots properly, it's certainly understandable that Amy Kushnir wouldn't want the world to know about her infamous father. But it's rather illuminating if she indeed grew up in lavish mansions that were paid for by the then-estimated $80M conned annually out of old ladies by Rev. Robert Tilton, who is still in the scamvangelism game and was raking in $24M a year as recently as a few years ago.

VIDEO: I won't go into all the ways that Rev. Robert Tilton scammed his followers, there's plenty about that on his Wikipedia page. Let's just close this post with one of the dozens of truly infantile and utterly hilarious YouTube clips that mock him. Maybe an Amy Kushnir remix is called for.

Headline Of The Day

Snork!

TODAY: Massachusetts Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary Of Same-Sex Marriage

Ten years ago today, the first same-sex couple got married in Massachusetts.

When Julie and Hillary Goodridge walked into City Hall and applied for a marriage license 10 years ago, they did it with a police escort at their side. As the plaintiffs in the landmark case – Goodridge v. Department of Public Health – that brought same-sex marriage to the first state in the country, the Goodridges, six other couples, and their attorney Mary Bonauto broke an historic barrier on May 17, 2004.

A decade later, 17 other states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act which had long deterred other states from following Massachusetts’ lead, and gays and lesbians now serve openly in the military without fear of being discharged. President Obama and many elected leaders have come to embrace marriage equality as have a majority of Americans. Just last week, the NFL drafted its first openly gay player.

While many have championed the successful legal strategy that saved same-sex marriage in the state of California, for civil rights activists, it’s hard to overstate the importance of Goodridge which set an example for the country in terms of equal rights and the freedom to marry.

Conchita Wurst: My Goal Is A Grammy

Via Britain's Express:

The 25-year-old Eurovision winner - whose real name is Tom Neuwirth - made her first ever UK television appearance on The Graham Norton Show this week, and revealed that Elton John had left flowers in his dressing room at the BBC studios. Speaking of the card which he found with the bouquet, Conchita said: "The card read, 'We love you, Elton and David.'" Conchita added that she was so chuffed to have received a tweet from Cher, and added: "I was so excited to receive the tweet, which said, 'Darling you deserve a lovelier name and better wig'. Cher, THE Cher, tweeted me!" Conchita explained that she has high hopes of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna next year, but is unsure what her plans will be for the immediate future. "Our society is so fast so I'm going to sit back and choose wisely," she told Graham. "I will have to make new stuff. My goal is a Grammy so my songs will have to be good. I have cast myself in the role of host at Eurovision next year in Vienna."

(Tipped by JMG reader Gerard)

Oprah Postpones Michael Sam Doc

Apparently in reaction to criticism from the St. Louis Rams, Oprah Winfrey's OWN network has put the Michael Sam documentary on hold.

“After careful consideration and discussion with the St. Louis Rams, the untitled Michael Sam project has been postponed, allowing Michael the best opportunity to achieve his dream of making the team,” said Erik Logan, president of OWN. “OWN is about elevating and empowering people to achieve their best. It’s clear that we, along with the world, recognize the important opportunity that Michael now has in this moment. We will continue to support him in his journey to earn a spot playing for the Rams.” “After today’s meeting with the Rams, we collectively feel it is best to postpone the project,” said Sam’s agent Cameron Weiss. “This will allow for Michael to have a total focus on football and will ensure no distractions to his teammates. Everybody involved remains committed to this project and understands its historical importance as well as its positive message.”

Bryan Fischer is exulting that the NFL has told Sam to "go back into the closet."

Is Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear Trying To Lose The Marriage Case On Purpose?

Last week the outside counsel hired by Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear filed an appeal brief which argued that same-sex marriage must remain illegal otherwise straight people will have fewer babies. The brief is so absurd that some now believe the state is purposely trying to lose the case.

Some lawyers in Kentucky say the brief filed May 7 at the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals is so illogical that they theorized that Gov. Steve Beshear, who previously was friendly to gay rights, may be trying to lose the case while appearing to defend the ban. Beshear hired private lawyers to represent the state after Attorney General Jack Conway declined to appeal a ruling that struck down the state ban. Beshear has refused to comment on the case, including whether he shares the view expressed in the brief that that only "man-woman couples can naturally procreate" and the state has a legitimate interest in encouraging them to do so to support "long-term economic stability through stable birth rates." Attorney Leigh Gross Latherow of Ashland, who prepared and signed the brief, declined to respond to requests for comment. Her firm referred questions to Beshear's office, which spokeswoman Kerri Richardson said had no comment.

The Family Foundation of Kentucky is defending the governor, saying that since courts have rejected marriage defenses based "traditional morality," his legal team had no choice but to make other claims.

#IDAHOT

9/11 Museum: 10 Year Time-Lapse

Clip description:

A letter from the CEO & Founder of EarthCam: It's been a heroic undertaking to rebuild downtown New York City after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Within days of this national tragedy, I personally installed a camera to webcast the rescue and recovery for the families, and the world, to see the brave determination of first responders. As the recovery effort continued, we installed more cameras to document the rebuilding and construction of the site. This commemorative time-lapse honors the victims of 9/11 and is dedicated to their families and friends, with special gratitude to the first responders and the steadfast construction teams.

Retweeted By Ann Coulter

Quote Of The Day - President Obama

"Tomorrow, as we commemorate the 10th annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, we recommit ourselves to the fundamental belief that all people should be treated equally, that they should have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, and that no one should face violence or discrimination -- no matter who they are or whom they love.

"This year, the United States celebrates the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, and the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. In doing so, we reflect on lessons learned from our own civil rights struggles and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the human rights of all people are universally protected.

"At a time when, tragically, we are seeing increased efforts to criminalize or oppress LGBT persons, we call on partners everywhere to join us in defending the equal rights of our LGBT brothers and sisters, and in ensuring they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve." - President Barack Obama, via press release.

ARKANSAS: State Supreme Court Issues Stay, Same-Sex Marriages To Stop

Via the Arkansas Times:

At 4:30 p.m. today, with many of the justices at an out-of-state conference, the Arkansas Supreme Court issued a stay of Judge Chris Piazza's ruling last Friday that Arkansas law and constitutional bans on same-sex marriage violated the U.S. Constitution. It was a one-sentence order without any elaboration. Piazza's decision will now go through the appeal process. A record of the lower court case must be prepared. A briefing schedule must be set and probably oral arguments. The court takes a two-month recess each summer. Even with an expedited schedule, it's uncertain if the case can be decided this calendar year, when two of the current justices — Cliff Hoofman and Donald Corbin — will be replaced by Rhonda Wood and the winner of a race between Judge Robin Wynne and Tim Cullen.

Bolding is mine.

Operation American Spring: Something, Something, Killary Clinton, Benghazi

OREGON: Marriage Ruling Due Monday

UPDATE: Via Oregon United.

The federal judge in Oregon’s marriage equality lawsuit said he plans to issue an opinion at noon on Monday. If judge Michael McShane strikes down Oregon’s law excluding same-sex couples from marriage, all loving and committed couples in Oregon could be granted the freedom to marry. “We don't know which way the judge will rule, but we are hopeful that Oregon is on the verge of making history—and that by next week, all of Oregon's loving, committed couples will be able to wed in our state,” said Amy Ruiz, deputy campaign manager for Oregon United for Marriage.

COSTA RICA: Newly Elected President Flies Rainbow Flag Over Casa Presidencial

Via the Tico Times:

Just over a week since taking office, President Luis Guillermo Solís made history Friday morning when he became the first Costa Rican leader to raise the rainbow flag of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement on even mast with the Costa Rican red-white-and-blue tricolor on the lawn of the Casa Presidencial. Vice President Ana Helena Chacón hoisted the flag in honor of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, May 17. “This is the house of all Costa Ricans. When we say all Costa Ricans we mean all, without exclusion, without violence, without harassment in absolute respect for the rights of each one,” Solís told a crowd of LGBT leaders and advocates during his brief comments on the lawn.

LGBT Costa Ricans enjoy protections in employment, public accommodations, and other areas, but same-sex marriage, gay adoption, and military service remain banned. Perhaps that will change soon.

"Firenadoes" Rage In Southern California

Hillary Clinton Surprises Barbara Walters On Her Last Day Of The View

Via ABC News:

Hillary Clinton, who has been on a whirlwind schedule since stepping down as Secretary of State, surprised Barbara Walters on the final day of her 50 year career today and gave her advice – take a vacation. “You’re in no position to tell me!” Walters laughed. Clinton, who showed up on Walters’ last day on The View, said she really has been relaxing and so should Walters. “Take some time. You have a wealth of friends who adore you. Spend some time with them, take a real vacation,” Clinton said. “I go out with my dogs, my husband and I take long walks, just let down and enjoy. Clinton added: “For like a week at least.” Walters couldn’t let the possible 2016 presidential candidate go without talking trying to get a scoop, telling Clinton: “The question I really want to as you is if you are going to run.” “Well I am running. Around the park,” Clinton said to laughs.

Today's show was taped yesterday.

Paul McCartney - Appreciate

"Presented by Microsoft."

ARKANSAS: Marriage Resolution Fails

Via the Arkansas Times:

A motion to suspend the rules was necessary for consideration of the resolution because it wasn't filed with adequate notice before the meeting. That required a two-thirds vote. Rep. Greg Leding asked for a roll call. The two-thirds vote failed on the Senate side, with 8-6 in favor, but short of the two-thirds (10) necessary. The House contingent voted heavily for consideration, 19-5. By the roll calls, the resolution would have passed had it been considered. Then the debate became whether a two-thirds vote of all voting was needed or two-thirds from both the House and Senate delegations. Chair John Edwards, after the division was illustrated, declared the rules suspension had failed. Rapert argued there should have been an overall roll call vote on the resolution. Edwards gaveled the meeting to a close. Edwards is a term-limited Democrat from one of Little Rock's most liberal districts. One Republican, House Speaker Davy Carter (a lawyer) voted against considering the resolution today. A number of Democrats sponsored the resolution.

The resolution was put forward by GOP Sen. Jason Rapert, who on Sunday called for the impeachment of the judge that overturned the ban. Rapert is going nuts on Twitter.

Renew America: Michael Sam's Kiss Is Part Of The Plan To Outlaw Christianity

"Michael Sam is the latest black pawn of the homosexual movement. Not only was this erotic display sinfully sick, but it also involved another black male athlete. I recall the earlier 'coming out' of a basketball player who was also black. The predominantly white Left was as ecstatic then as it is now (so was Barack Obama). It seems obvious to me, and maybe to [Dolphins player Don] Jones as well, that the Left's championing of non-male black men is part of its ongoing plan to destroy black America, in this case, by emasculating its men. All people who feel the same revulsion that Don Jones feels at being visually assaulted by public displays of homosexual eroticism should be brave enough to voice that revulsion, whenever confronted with such displays. Because if we do not voice our disgust, the behavior will not stop and it will get worse, and eventually Christianity will be outlawed in the America that was founded by Christians." - Sylvia Thompson, writing for Alan Keyes' Renew America.

Live From Operation American Spring

ARKANSAS: State Supreme Court Moves Up Deadline On Stay Requests

Via the Associated Press:

Arkansas' highest court has moved up its deadline for a group of same-sex couples to respond to a bid to halt a judge's ruling that struck down the state's gay marriage ban. The Arkansas Supreme Court gave attorneys for the group of gay couples challenging the ban until 2 p.m. Friday to respond to the motion for a stay of Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza's ruling striking down all measures preventing gay couples from marrying. The court had initially given the attorneys until Monday at noon to respond. It was unclear how quickly justices would act. Piazza last week struck down a 2004 constitutional amendment and a 1997 state law banning gay marriage. He expanded that order on Thursday to include all state laws preventing gay couples from marrying.

On Wednesday the state Supreme Court denied the first stay request, noting that the existing statute effectively meant that there was nothing to stay.

Houston Pastor: Businesses Have The Right To Refuse Service To Jews

Pastor Becky Riggle opposes Houston's pending LGBT rights ordinance but a sharp city council member quickly called her on her hypocrisy.

(Via Good As You)

Facebook Meme Of The Day

Via Memeographs.

Spider-Man Andrew Garfield Does Drag In New Arcade Fire Clip For We Exist

Via Rolling Stone:

Amazing Spider-Man 2 star Andrew Garfield plays a whole different kind of superhero in Arcade Fire's inspirational (and psychedelic) video for "We Exist." Dressing in a woman's wig and short jean shorts, Garfield's character heads down to a local bar, where he defends himself against a hoard of violent drunks – and embraces his destiny. Overall, the video's message of self-empowerment and equality is a perfect match for Win Butler's lyrics and the track's throbbing synth-rock arrangement. In a press release, Butler describes the track as "about a gay kid talking to his dad" and coming out to his straight father, and he's introduced the song onstage (including at the band's Coachella set last month, during which the video's live footage was shot) by saying, "The right to marry anyone you want is a human rights issue."

Watch the full clip.

(Tipped by JMG reader Robert)

FRANCE: High School Boys Taunt Anti-Gay Manif Pour Tous Protesters

The neo-Nazi affiliated Manif Pour Tous showed up at a high school in western France yesterday to protest an anti-sexism event called The Day Of The Skirt. And as with all things this week, Conchita Wurst was brought up.

There were tense scenes outside a school in the centre of Nantes, western France, on Thursday, when around 200 supporters of the right-wing group Manif Pour Tous turned up to protest against an anti-sexism stunt set to take place on Friday. The protest was organized soon after it emerged that education authorities in Nantes were inviting boys to wear skirts to classes in 27 high schools as part of an anti-sexism day designed to promote equality in schools. The thought of schoolboys wearing skirts has not been welcomed by the Manif pour Tous group, which led the protests against gay marriage back in 2013. Protesters believe the initiative is concealing the fact that gender theory – the belief that children’s gender is not fixed at birth – is going to be taught in French schools. Frigid Barjot, the former leader of the anti-gay marriage Manif Pour Tous movement asked the country’s education minister via Twitter: “And the girls, will they be wearing beards as well?” in a nod to bearded Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst. Another anti-gay marriage militant Tugdual Derville tweeted: “It’s not April Fool’s Day. It’s not a wind up. In our schools, with our expensive taxes, confusion of genders.”

VIDEO: In the first clip below, students and Manif Pour Tous supporters scream at each other as riot police stand by on the street.


(Tipped by JMG reader Str8 Grandmother)

Anti-Gay Dallas Host Tells Fox News: ESPN Is Promoting Left Wing Agenda

Amy Kushnir: "If you are trying to maintain traditional values and views in your home and if you share them, you are going to get lambasted." Kushnir says that since she stalked off the set of her Dallas show on Wednesday she has been subjected to death threats, rape threats, and petitions for her to be fired.

INDIA: Anti-Gay Hindu Nationalist Party Takes Power In Landslide Election

The right wing Hindu nationalist party that supported India's recent recriminalization of homosexuality has swept to power in a landslide election.

Via the Independent:

India's ruling Congress party admitted defeat this morning as the Narendra Modi wave washed over the country in a scale few had predicted. Initial counting in the country’s general election pointed to a massive victory for his opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and the worst ever performance for the Congress. As noisy victory celebrations involving drums and horns broke out outside the BJP’s headquarters in the centre of Delhi where 100,000 traditional Indian sweets had been ordered in preparation, a few streets away at the Congress’s offices, the mood was grey. “We accept defeat. We are ready to sit in the opposition,” Congress party spokesman Rajeev Shukla told reporters. “Modi promised the moon and stars to the people. People bought that dream.”

From the Associated Press:

Modi's singular message on the economy has helped him ignore or beat back criticism of his personal life -- including his strong links to a right-wing Hindu nationalist group, as well as his four-decade marriage to a retired school teacher he had never mentioned publicly until last month. Born in 1950, Modi will be India's first prime minister born after the country's violent 1947 partition and independence from imperial Britain. His rise marks a paradigm shift for the secular democracy after decades of welfare policies that have emphasized lifting the country's impoverished. Modi has extolled the merits of trickle-down economics through industrialization. He also has maintained strong links with the conservative, paramilitary Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, or RSS, which some describe as neo-fascist.

From the Voice Of America:

The right-wing Hindu nationalist party will return to its leadership role after 10 years, as the ruling Congress Party conceded defeat Friday. Modi’s critics remain uneasy about how the Hindu nationalist leader will govern a diverse nation with many religious minorities. As governor of Gujarat state, he was criticized for his handling of Hindu-Muslim rioting that killed more than 1,000 people in 2002. India’s Supreme Court cleared Modi of charges that he incited the violence.

(Tipped by JMG reader Jamie)

UN: Tell Your Story On International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Via press release:

On the eve of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has released an emotive, new video that focuses on the impact that each of us can have by sharing our own stories and by showing our support for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex friends, colleagues and family members. The video, entitled 'The Power of Sharing' has been produced as part of the OHCHR- led Free & Equal campaign, which is aimed at raising awareness of homophobic and transphobic discrimination, and promoting respect for the rights of LGBT people. It focuses on the impact that each of us can have by sharing our own stories and by showing our support for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex friends, colleagues and family members.

Via their IDAHOT website.

IDAHO: Wedding Chapel Says It Will Close Before Serving Same-Sex Couples

Via the Spokesman-Review:

Thousands of couples have tied the knot at the Hitching Post, an institution in Coeur d’Alene right up there with the famous Hudson’s Hamburgers. But the popular wedding chapel across the street from the Kootenai County Courthouse will not perform marriages for same-sex couples, even if that means closing its doors after 95 years in business. “We will not be marrying gay couples here,” said Donald Knapp, an ordained minister along with his wife, Lynn. Knapp said he follows biblical teaching on marriage, as do the other Christian ministers who perform weddings there. “I’m not antagonistic to people of that belief. If that’s what they want to do, they can choose to live together to do the things that they’re doing,” said Knapp, a member of Life Center church in Spokane. “I cannot in good conscience perform same-sex marriages.”

Last year Coeur d’Alene adopted a public accommodations ordinance that protects LGBT residents from discrimination. The town's bill exempts religious entities, but the Hitching Post also performs civil ceremonies.

RELATED: While no public accommodation protections exist statewide in Idaho, the towns of Boise, Sandpoint, Ketchum, Moscow, and Pocatello have similar laws to Coeur d'Alene.

Liberty Counsel: Michigan Marriage Must Be Stopped Or There Will Be More STDs

The Liberty Counsel yesterday filed a brief with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in which they claim that Michigan must not allow same-sex marriage because it would somehow increase the incidence of STDs.

Not only is there no bodily good or function toward which two same-sex bodies can coordinate, but there are in fact inherent harms associated with same-sex unions. For example, homosexual males are at exponentially higher risk of developing a variety of sexually transmitted diseases, and have increased risks of developing various cancers and medical conditions because of the nature of same-sex sex. The personal, social and financial costs of these homosexual-specific health problems concern not just those who engage in homosexual activity, but also the larger community of citizens who help provide services and who must bear part of the burdens imposed by the health challenges. It would be rational for the voters of Michigan to seek to minimize the deleterious effects of these conditions on public health, safety and welfare by affirming that marriage in Michigan remains the union of one man and one woman.

Notably, the Liberty Counsel makes no mention of their erstwhile hero Mark Regnerus, who was so brutally eviscerated during Michigan's marriage trial. You'll also be amused to learn that they cite a 2007 article by Prop 8 witness David Blankenhorn, who now supports same-sex marriage.

IDAHO: At The GOP Gubernatorial Debate

Below is a supercut of the Idaho GOP gubernatorial debate. About the guy dressed like a biker:

Idaho GOP gubernatorial candidate Harley Brown is running as the “candid candidate,” and he rode the candidness to the end of the line during a debate Wednesday evening, calling political correctness “bondage,” and defending his right to impugn everyone from Jews to blacks to “these bondage types” on his campaign website. It all started when a moderator asked Harley about the “Harleyisms” posted on his website. Samples: "A while back I visited Israel and discovered the REAL reason Jewish men get circumcised – Because Jewish women won’t touch anything that is not at least 20% off."  "Riding a Jap bike is like f_cking a faggot. I guess it feels OK until somebody sees you doing it."

As you'll see, Brown isn't the only crazy one.

TODAY: Operation American Spring

Nobody seems to have noticed that millions of teabaggers are in DC today to overthrow the federal government.

Phase 1 – Field millions, as many as ten million, patriots who will assemble in a peaceful, non-violent, physically unarmed (Spiritually/Constitutionally armed), display of unswerving loyalty to the US Constitution and against the incumbent government leadership, in Washington, D.C., with the mission to bring down the existing leadership. Go full-bore, no looking back, steadfast in the mission.

Phase 2 - One million or more of the assembled 10 million must be prepared to stay in D.C. as long as it takes to see Obama, Biden, Reid, McConnell, Boehner, Pelosi, and Attorney General Holder removed from office. The senior republican in the US House of Representatives will become Speaker of the House and the US House of Representatives will elect a temporary President and Vice President of the United States. The U.S. Senate will take action to elect a new majority and minority leader.
As required, the U.S. Congress will execute appropriate legislation to convene new elections or U.S. States will appoint replacements for positions vacated consistent with established constitutional requirements.

Phase 3 – Those with the principles of a West, Cruz, Dr. Ben Carson, Lee, DeMint, Paul, Gov Walker, Sessions, Gowdy, Jordan, will comprise a tribunal and assume positions of authority to convene investigations, recommend appropriate charges against politicians and government employees to the new U.S. Attorney General appointed by the new President.

More from the above-linked Tea Party site:

While the number of protestors who will show up on Friday is unknown, American Spring organizers told Personal Liberty that they are certain there will be a large showing of militia members and military veterans of all stripes from throughout the Nation thanks to organizing efforts. A woman named Rose, a public relations contact who asked that her last name not be used, also relayed that the movement has prepared ahead for the second phase of the operation by securing long-term accommodations and stocking supplies in the area. She didn’t provide many other details related to the preparations. The American Spring has been championed by Tea Party Nation, many militia-oriented organizations and a handful of patriot groups online.

Them baggers is wily, I tell you what. Who else could hide millions in a town of 600K? Watch the below message from the creator of Operation American Spring, who looks forward to rallying with fellow patriots today in "Warshington."

Maupin & Hubby Move Back To SF

After two years in Santa Fe, Armistead Maupin and his husband have moved back to San Francisco.

They're renting a ground-floor flat in a Castro cottage, both "craving village life again," said Maupin. They're going to keep their house in Santa Fe "because we love it, putting it up on Airbnb in hopes, of course, that it will pay for our tiny SF apartment." They returned "because we were missing the city of our hearts, and we both kind of admitted it at the same time. We absolutely adore the wild nature of our home in the desert, but it's not enough. So if we're lucky, we'll be able to have both things."

(Tipped by JMG reader Paul)

Moscow Bans Parade To Honor Conchita

Moscow authorities have banned a parade that would have honored Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst.

Although homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia in 1990s, animosity toward gays remains strong in Russia. The county last year passed a law banning the dissemination to minors of so-called "gay propaganda" and routinely rejects applications to hold gay rights demonstrations. Alexei Maiorov, head of Moscow's security department, was quoted by the Interfax news agency Thursday as saying the Wurst parade was rejected because of concerns it would provoke clashes between gays and their opponents.

RELATED: Moscow might pull out of Eurovision and launch its own contest.

Pat Robertson: Love Your Gay Family Members By Refusing To Accept Them

Headline Of The Day

Details.

Hashtag Debbie Harry

Last night Debbie Harry held up the above sign at the end of a Daily Show "celebrity elevator violence" PSA.  Watch the clip here.

BREAKING: Ninth Circuit Court Issues Temporary Stay Of Idaho Marriage Ruling

There won't be any gay marriages in Idaho tomorrow. Via Chris Geidner:

In a one-sentence order, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals wrote, “The district court’s May 13, 2014 order is temporarily stayed pending this court’s disposition of appellants’ emergency motions for a stay pending appeal.” The order follows the request from Idaho Gov. Butch Otter to stay the enforcement of this week’s trial court decision finding Idaho’s ban on same-sex couples’ marriages to be unconstitutional. Otter is appealing that decision, which was scheduled to take effect at 9 a.m. Friday, and asked for a stay pending the appeal.

The temporary stay will be in effect until the Court decides on whether it will hear the appeal.

Martha Plimpton On Batman

I would watch the hell out of that movie.

IDAHO: NCLR Files Stay Opposition Brief With Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals

The National Center for Lesbian Rights has filed their motion in opposition to the stay demand made yesterday to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals by Idaho Gov. Butch Otter (seriously.) View the full ruling at my Scribd account and pull out the best parts.

FUN FACT: Marriage defender Gov. Butch Otter's first wife of 28 years was named Gay. Her name was Gay Otter. Seriously. Her maiden name was Gay Simplot and she's one of the heirs to a multi-billion dollar potato fortune. Seriously. These days Gov. Otter is married to a former Miss Idaho, who is 25 years younger than the former Gay Otter.

BONUS FUN FACT: When Butch Otter was busted for DUI in 1992, he told the cops that he'd failed the Breathalyzer test because his chewing tobacco was soaked in Jack Daniels. Seriously. He was convicted and ordered to rehab. The scandal brought down his bid for governor that year.

Marriages Are BACK ON In Arkansas

Via the Associated Press:

A judge cleared the way on Thursday for gay marriages to resume in Arkansas, striking down all state laws that prevent same-sex couples from wedding. A day after the state Supreme Court effectively halted gay marriages in the state, Pulaski County Judge Chris Piazza expanded his ruling striking down a constitutional ban to also include the prohibition on clerks issuing same-sex marriage licenses. Justices had ruled Wednesday that Piazza's decision on the gay marriage ban did not change that license law. Piazza also rejected a request to suspend his ruling, saying there's no evidence the state would be harmed by allowing gay marriages to continue.

At this writing only Pulaski County, home to the state capital of Little Rock, is issuing licenses.

Guess Who'll Be On Fox News Tonight?

Via CBS Dallas:

Amy Kushnir will not appear on today’s airing of The Broadcast as she is not in the city. She’s actually on her way to New York to appear on Fox News to address her comments in front of a national audience. Steve Kemble has been in touch with Kushnir and producers of The Broadcast since yesterday to confirm the news and bring us the exclusive! He says, Amy is hurting right now. She feels her comments were very misunderstood, and she is looking forward to explaining them further in hopes that people will better understand her viewpoint.

If you missed yesterday's post about her, here it is.

Maggie Gallagher Defends The Benhams

"If the Benham brothers are able to survive and flourish as home building faith filled reality TV stars, the dark curtain will have lifted a bit. The future will look brighter, new possibilities will open up, whether it is on traditional existing media, or whether we begin to fund and create our own networks of communication. For as the Benham brothers have made clear, for them, whether they are on TV or not, matters not so much. For the future of a free, tolerant, and religiously diverse America, it matters a great deal. The contest right now is whether or not the Left and their LGBT allies will successfully redefine mainstream orthodox Christian (or Jewish or Muslim) beliefs as the equivalent of racism. Or whether we will forge a peculiarly American path to a better, more diverse, and tolerant outcome for us all." - Maggie Gallagher, defending the guys who say the gay people are controlled by Satan's "demonic agenda." (Tipped by JMG reader Christopher)

NOTE: In her opening paragraph, Gallagher accuses the left of "slut-shaming" Carrie "Ladyfingers" Prejean back when her masturbation videos were leaked. Sorry Maggie, that was hypocrisy shaming.

Today On Matt Barber's Site

Right Wing Watch pointed out that the image has been photoshopped from the Republicans For Obama sign. Barbwire blogger Pastor Jeff Allen says it was an "innocent mistake." Tweet him a message about how much you believe him.

PENNSYLVANIA: Former Sheriff Warns Critics: Your Fucking Day Is Coming

As you might recall, last year small town Pennsylvania sheriff Mark Kessler lost his job after posting a series of chilling videos in which he denounced "libtards" while firing semi-automatic weapons. Over 700 gun-brandishing Tea People descended on Kessler's town for the meeting at which he was first suspended. Today Kessler is back with a video in which he warns his critics that "your fucking day is coming." He closes with another furious round of bullets. (Tipped by JMG reader Joe)

UPDATE: Kessler has made his video private. Raw Story has posted their own copy.

Tweet Of The Day - Rustem Adagamov

"The ROC [Russian Orthodox Church] categorically opposes bearded men in dresses!" - Popular Russian blogger Rustem Agadamov, reacting to the church's denouncement of Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst.

Vladimir Legoyda, the chairman of the ROC, described Wurst’s win as a "sign of the world’s moral decline" and "part of the aggressive assertion of Western cultural norms." He told Interfax: "The process of the legalisation of that to which the Bible refers to as nothing less than an abomination is already long not news in the contemporary world. Unfortunately, the legal and cultural spheres are moving in a parallel direction, to which the results of this competition bear witness." It comes as Russian lawmakers have called for the country to pull out of Eurovision to create their own version where ‘gay culture’ would be banned.

Courtney Act - Mean Gays

Michigan Clergy: Gays Are Our Enemy

Via USA Today:

Declaring "the fight is on," a formidable coalition of conservative Christian groups filed legal briefs in federal appellate court Wednesday supporting Michigan's ban on gay marriage. Representing potentially millions of worshippers in the state, the Michigan Catholic Conference, the Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., and a national coalition of Baptists, Lutherans, Mormons and evangelicals led by Catholic bishops filed three separate briefs Wednesday in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. The briefs back Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette in his efforts to defend the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, which was overturned earlier this year by a federal judge in Detroit.

The rant below is really something.

9/11 Museum Dedicated In NYC

President Obama is in Manhattan this morning for the dedication of the 9/11 Museum, which finally opens to the public next week after years of delay. Among those attending the ceremony: The First Lady, Mayor Bill De Blasio, former mayors Rudy Guiliani and Michael Bloomberg, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Gov. Chris Christie, and the Clintons.

Some object to the $24 admission price for the public, including 9/11 families who have said it makes the museum a “revenue-generating tourist attraction.” (Victims’ families and several other categories of visitors are allowed to see the exhibit for free.) Revenue generated by the museum, which has a projected $60 million annual operating budget, allows the Memorial fountains and plaza to remain free and open to the public, museum officials have said. Meanwhile, the museum, a private, not-for-profit institution, is still fighting for federal funding. Efforts to secure federal funding for the 9/11 museum have been blocked in Congress. The museum directors had hoped to open three years ago, for the 10th anniversary of the attacks, but the project has endured funding disputes, building delays and even a flood caused by Superstorm Sandy. When asked what the most contentious issue has been, museum director Greenwald answered, "Everything."

The 110,000 square foot museum descends seven stories into the bedrock that once supported the towers. It contains over 10,000 artifacts, 23,000 photos, and more than 500 hours of film.

RELATED: Longtime JMG readers might recall that in 2011 I was solicited by the museum to donate a piece of artwork that I rescued from the front of a Chelsea grammar school during a rainstorm one week after the attack. I'm very curious to see if the piece has made it into the exhibit and if the museum's curators were able to establish the name of the child who created it.

LPAC Announces 2014 Endorsements

Via the Washington Post:

The country’s only lesbian-backed political action committee, LPAC, will unveil a first wave of political endorsements Thursday -- including five openly gay candidates seeking congressional seats and state offices ranging from governor to attorney general. The endorsement list includes 15 Democrats so far. Among them: gubernatorial hopefuls Wendy Davis of Texas, Heather Mizeur of Maryland, Martha Coakley of Massachusetts and Pat Quinn, the Illinois incumbent who is facing a tough reelection fight this year. The announcement, including a $1 million fundraising goal for 2014, will be made by the incoming board chair of the organization, Laura Ricketts, co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, the first openly gay woman owner of a major league baseball franchise. She is the daughter of Joe Ricketts, founder of TD Ameritrade who launched Ending Spending, a group that backs fiscally conservative candidates from both parties.

NHL Reaches LGBT Rights Milestone

Associated Press: "The National Hockey League is the first major league sports association to have players from every team voice support for LGBT rights.

ARKANSAS: No Licenses Today

While the Arkansas Supreme Court yesterday declined to issue a stay on same-sex marriage, the overlooked detail of a state statute means that no licenses will be issued today by the handful of counties that had done so.

Last Friday, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza threw out a 10-year-old ban that voters placed in the state constitution and a separate state law barring same-sex marriages. But he didn’t rule on the separate law that regulates the conduct of county clerks, which threatens fines if they issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Clerks in five counties responded to Piazza’s decision by issuing marriage licenses to gay couples, and more than 450 gay couples in Arkansas have since received permission to marry. Two counties continued to issue licenses on Wednesday, but they stopped after the Supreme Court’s ruling. Couples that already have licenses can still get married.

“County clerks have been uncertain about their responsibilities and couples unable to know definitively whether their marriage will remain valid,” said Aaron Sadler, a spokesman for Attorney General Dustin McDaniel. “A stay issued by either the Supreme Court or Judge Piazza would have brought some certainty. Unfortunately, today’s decision did not do that.” The state’s other 70 counties had not issued licenses to gay couples, with many saying the Supreme Court needed to weigh in. “I would argue that is implicit in his ruling, but we’re going to have to get him to address that,” lawyer Jack Wagoner said.

Lawyers for both sides will be back in Piazza's court today to request clarification.

IDAHO: We're Getting Ready, Just In Case

Idaho county clerks say they are preparing for a rush of gay couples seeking marriage licenses tomorrow in the event that Gov. Butch Otter (seriously) doesn't get his stay from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ada County Clerk Chris Rich said his staff also is preparing for a media onslaught. "They are more apprehensive about the media focus and possible protesters than the change," Rich said. The Ada office has one full-time person handling marriage licenses, who on a busy day can process about 30 at 10 to 15 minutes per license. Rich is not sure how many gay couples to expect Friday, so he's bringing in six additional staffers. "We are going to put all our resources out there," he said. Canyon County Clerk Chris Yamamoto is also preparing for a busy Friday. "We will be open for business and we will handle business," he said. Idaho's county clerks will get a crash course Thursday on how to comply with Judge Dale's ruling via an online training session, said Idaho Association of Counties Executive Director Dan Chadwick. "If there is no stay, then we are going to provide tools for the clerks to implement the court's ruling," said Chadwick. "We want to make sure everyone is on the same page."

Idaho has no waiting period to be married after the license is issued, but court watchers say there is little chance that the Ninth Circuit won't issue the stay.

RUSSIA: Vladimir Putin Says Gay Nazis Are Behind Civil Unrest In Ukraine

According to Matthew Schmidt, an American expert on the region, Vladimir Putin has taken to labeling anti-Russian protesters in Ukraine as "gay Nazis."

The gay Nazis label was simultaneously an attempt to tie the new pro-Europe camp in Kiev to the hated German Third Reich while also taking advantage of the growing acceptance of gay marriage in the West, particularly in the United States. "Putin has said homosexuality is not our values, and that sense of tolerance of homosexuality is not part of Euroasia," said Schmidt, who will be in Ukraine monitoring the May 25 elections that are being overseen by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Euroasia is the name for the empire Schmidt believes Putin is trying to construct. Schmidt says Putin is driven by the goal of rebuilding a Euroasian empire with Moscow as its capital. Putin also has written extensively on the subject of Euroasia, which would generally follow the geography of the former Soviet Union. Bringing Ukraine into Moscow's camp would be crucial to seeing that dream come to reality. Russian media also have called the Maidan square, where protests led to the demise of former pro-Russian Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych, the "Gayeuromaidan," thus tying together Europe and the gay rights movement, writes Yale history professor and author Timothy Snyder in The New York Review of Books.

The above-linked report notes that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin tweeted this week that Conchita Wurst's win at Eurovision "showed supporters of European integration their European future - a bearded girl." That comment is apparently considered further evidence of Putin's campaign to tie Russia's expansion plans to anti-gay sentiment. Where have we seen that kind of strategy before?

Quote Of The Day - Charles Blow

"The sheer volume of bile spewing from the mouth of the Clippers owner, Donald Sterling, is staggering. But just as awe-inducing, and stomach-churning, is the unrestrained breadth of its variety, which makes putting the offenses in order — if one were inclined to — nearly impossible. But high on any list — on a par with the racism, sexism, misogyny, paternalistic plantation thinking and bias cloaked in benevolence — has to be Sterling’s attempt to AIDS-shame Magic Johnson. [snip] In attempting to AIDS-shame Johnson, Sterling further shamed himself — if that’s even possible — and proved supremely disrespectful of and destructive to people living with H.I.V. and those (like Johnson, who responded magnanimously) who are working to reach the affected and protect those at risk. In this it is clear that Johnson is a far better example for our children than Sterling." - Charles Blow, writing for the New York Times.