Empire State Pride

From its Facebook page: "To celebrate this year's NYC Pride Week, the Empire State Building's lights will cast a rainbow across New York City over the next three nights."

Marriage Population Pie Chart

Via the Chicago Sun-Times:

19 states and Washington D.C. currently allow same-sex marriage licenses. 9 states have had their bans overruled, but a judge issued a stay while the decision is contested. 22 states have a same-sex marriage ban currently being contested in court. There are no states whose same-sex marriage ban is going unchallenged. This chart shows what percentage of the United States’ population lives in which of the three categories. The map changed as recently as this week, when a judge issued a stay against same-sex marriage in Indiana. Those who married since Wednesday’s ruling striking down the state’s gay marriage ban are in limbo.

(Tipped by JMG reader Steven)

SAN FRANCISCO: Suicide Nets Finally Approved For Golden Gate Bridge

Via CNN:

On Friday, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge Board of Directors unanimously approved $76 million in funding to erect a 20-foot-wide steel net -- extending out from each side of the 1.7-mile span -- to deter would-be jumpers. The federal government will cover $50 million of the cost; the rest will come from state and local sources. Last year, 46 people died after jumping off the Golden Gate, according to the Bridge Rail Foundation, an organization dedicated to stopping suicides from the bridge. The organization estimates that more than 1,600 people have leapt to their deaths since the bridge opened in 1937. "Where nets have been erected as suicide barriers they've proven to be 100% effective thus far," said Denis Mulligan, CEO and general manager of the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, which presented the proposal to the board. "Suicidal people have stopped jumping at those locations."

Some opposed the nets for many years, saying the addition would harm the bridge's beauty.

Sia + NYC Gay Men's Chorus

Performed at Logo's Trailblazers event.

(Tipped by JMG reader Gary)

Perkins Has The Executive Order Sadz

"After 30 days of nonstop, in-your-face celebration, the White House is capping off 'gay pride' month with its biggest gift yet. Next Monday, the pot of gold at the end of this President’s rainbow is an executive order giving special workplace benefits to the sexually confused. For the far-Left, it caps off a long fight to get the administration to do what Congress has not: order employers to put aside their profits, principles, and practices in the name of political correctness. The President’s order implementing part of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) -- once considered 'too radical' even for his own party -- forces government contractors and subcontractors to hire gays, lesbians, transvestites, and transsexuals -- regardless of their legally protected morals. This level of coercion is nothing less than viewpoint blackmail -- and from the federal government no less!" - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via email.

Tired Old Queen At The Movies #125

Clip description:

The underside of Gay Hollywood history is examined with love, sensitivity and a lot of humor in Bill Condon's brilliant "Gods and Monsters" (1999). Starring Ian McKellen as veteran, gay, Brit director James Whale and Brendan Fraser as a beautiful, young, gardener he takes a fancy to, the film deals with the relations ship that develops between these two vastly different men, under the watchful eye of Lynn Redgrave as Whale's over protective German housekeeper. The Oscar winning screenplay examines the price that was paid for being an open homosexual in old Hollywood along with the loss of one's creativity, lively hood and spirit as a result. It's funny, touching and ultimately unforgettable.

INDIANA: Seventh Circuit Court Orders Stay On Same-Sex Marriages

Via Indianapolis' ABC affiliate:

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a motion by Indiana's attorney general to stay an earlier ruling overturning the state's same-sex marriage ban, effectively halting the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses in the state. The court issued the stay just after 6 p.m. Friday following an emergency motion filed that afternoon by Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller. In the motion, Zoeller says a stay is needed to "stem the long-term negative impact that may be created by hundreds, if not thousands, of same-sex marriages that ultimately may prove to have no basis in law."

Sigh.

UPDATE: Lambda Legal reacts.

“For now, same-sex couples are once again denied the freedom to marry in Indiana. The emergency order issued by the appeals court not only puts on hold the continued issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but it also prevents continued recognition of the marriage of Niki Quasney and Amy Sandler, who were granted emergency relief early in the case because Niki is battling Stage IV ovarian cancer. “Niki, Amy, and their two toddler-aged daughters need respect as a legal family during this agonizingly difficult time. It is wrong to block the marriages of all couples and it's a shameful display of cruelty towards a Niki and Amy and their two children whose marriage is vital as they battle an aggressive cancer and fight to be together. Lambda Legal will do everything in our power to win marriage for all Hoosiers. Greg Zoeller will not have the last word, justice will.”

Viral Video Of The Day

Possibly not cubicle-friendly.

UPDATE: Yanked for violating YouTube's terms of service.

OKLAHOMA: GOP US House Candidate Says Opponent Is Dead And Has Been Replaced By A Robot Or Lookalike Human

"I, Timothy Ray Murray, am a human, born in Oklahoma, and obtained and continue to fully meet the requirements to serve as U.S. Representative when honored to so. I will never use a look alike to replace my (The Office’s) message to you or to anyone else, as both the other Republican Challengers have. Rep. Frank Lucas, and a few other Oklahoma and other States’ Congressional Members were depicted as being executed by The World Court on or about Jan. 11, 2011 in Southern Ukraine. On television they were depicted as being executed by the hanging about the neck until death on a white stage and in front of witnesses. Other now current Members of Congress have shared those facts on television also. We know that it is possible to use look alike artificial or manmade replacements, however Rep. Lucas was not eligible to serve as a Congressional Member after that time. The World knows the truth and We must always display and communicate the truth. I will always share public information with the truth when honored to serve as your Representative." - Timothy Murray, Oklahoma Tea Party candidate for the US House, writing on his campaign website.

UPDATE: Some sites such as New York Magazine have identified Murray as a Tea Party candidate. Others are merely calling him a GOP candidate. For now, I've changed the headline to remove "Tea Party."

CNBC Host Casually Outs Apple CEO Tim Cook, Panel Reacts With Awkward Silence

That Apple CEO Tim Cook is gay isn't exactly a secret - after all, he's regularly listed at the top of Out Magazine's annual list of the "Most Powerful Gays" in America. Still, there was some awkward silence today on CNBC after one of the panelists casually dropped Cook's name as one of the nation's gay CEOs. Valleywag weighs in:

The inadvertent discussion of reality came after CNBC contributor and New York Times columnist James Stewart said, with an air of surprise, that he had reached out to many (gay) CEOs and received a "cool" response. Stewart journalistic mothership, of course, has stayed in the realm of innuendos when it comes to Cook's sexuality. The paper's star media reporter, David Carr, has been emphatic that a gay CEO isn't even newsworthy. And yet Stewart, who only seconds before had expressed with frustration how unwilling people are to discuss gay CEOs, becomes entirely unwilling to discuss this gay CEO. If Tim Cook's sexuality is truly "consonant in the personal résumé," it's hard to explain this stunned television silence.

LOS ANGELES: Grammy Museum To Open Exhibit Honoring Donna Summer

Via the Randy Report:

Fans of classic 70s and 80s pop/rock/dance music - mark your calendars! On July 2, 2014, The GRAMMY Museum will unveil its latest temporary exhibition, Donna Summer: Four Seasons of Love. Located on the Museum’s fourth floor, the exhibition will offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic career of 5-time Grammy Award-winner Donna Summer. This will be the first exhibition highlighting the career of the legendary “Queen of Disco.” “Donna Summer galvanized a diverse group of music fans and she was able to give credibility to a genre of music that had many skeptics,” said GRAMMY Museum executive director Bob Santelli. “We are honored to tell her story and help demonstrate why Donna Summer is not only the undisputed ‘Queen of Disco,’” but also one of the most successful female artists of all time.”

The show runs through the spring of 2015. More details.

RELATED: In other Donna Summer news, there's a Facebook group advocating that a memorial to Summer be built in her birthplace of Boston. On July 18th the city of Boston will present "The Donna Summer Memorial Roller Disco Party" on City Hall Plaza. Bring your own skates or rent them at City Hall.

SUNDAY: PBS Debuts Britain's Vicious, Gay Sitcom Starring Ian McKellan

Via the New York Times:

If it is surprising to see esteemed actors like Mr. McKellen and Mr. Jacobi trading barbs in a traditional, multicamera sitcom recorded in front of a studio audience, “Vicious” further astonished British audiences, when it ran on ITV last year, with its very premise. It cast Mr. McKellen (of the “X-Men” and “Hobbit” movies) and Mr. Jacobi (“I, Claudius”) as two fussy, feuding partners in a gay relationship of nearly 50 years. “Vicious” was successful enough to earn a second season, but it was also criticized by British publications like The Stage, which said that its “gay characters are nothing more than camp stereotypes” and that the scenarios “bear no resemblance to the lives of the viewers at home,” while The Guardian wrote that the series “cheerfully trades in clichés of homosexuality.” As “Vicious” arrives in the United States, the debate over its depictions of gay men reopens an argument that has confronted American comedies like “Will & Grace,” “Glee,” “Modern Family” and other shows with gay characters. Is a television character who exhibits stereotypically gay qualities a stereotype himself? Or does the presence of such figures demonstrate that TV is making progress on gay representation? And who gets to decide what attributes are offensive, or stereotypical or gay?

MINNESOTA: Christian Group Plans To Cure HIV/AIDS At Twin Cities Pride

A Christian group plans to invade Twin Cities Pride these weekend with hundreds of members who will cure attendees of HIV/AIDS. Yup.

Trinity Works, in coalition with what it says are 30 Twin Cities churches, is planning “Humility 2014,” an infiltration of Twin Cities Pride by outreach workers hoping to convince members of the LGBT community to leave the “lifestyle” as well as their partners, family, and friends, and become heterosexual born-again Christians. The group even had a failed plan to rent out the Gay 90s [nightclub] as a church during Pride. The group says it has about 300 outreach workers scheduled for Pride, and those workers will be based at First Baptist Church on Hennepin Avenue along the Pride parade route. Its leader Steven Uggen told a group gathered in April at The Well, A Living Church in Robbinsdale, that people will be cured of “HIV or AIDS” at the Pride festivities. Uggen says that by healing those with HIV, it will prove to the LGBT community that they should find Jesus and leave “the lifestyle.”

After being cured, here's what the group's leader wants attendees to do: "Go to your doctor, get tested for HIV or AIDS and when you come back negative, you’ve got a decision to make whether you’re gonna serve the God who just healed you." (Tipped by JMG reader Jim)

TRAILER: To Be Takei

Movie recap:

A hilarious and moving look at legendary actor, activist and pop culture icon George Takei, who has conquered new frontiers from outer space to Capitol Hill with his trademark grin. Oh, my! Director: Jennifer M. Kroot. Actors: George Takei, Brad Takei, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, Howard Stern, Dan Savage, Walter Koenig.

The film opens on August 22nd.

FLORIDA: Former Gov. Charlie Crist Files Pro-Gay Marriage Amicus Brief

Via Equality Florida:

Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist has filed an amicus brief today in support of the marriage equality lawsuit Pareto v. Ruvin, which is set for a hearing on July 2 before Judge Sarah Zabel in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami. Judge Zabel will hear from attorneys who filed a lawsuit in January on behalf of six same-sex couples and Equality Florida Institute. The lawsuit argues that Florida’s laws barring same-sex couples from marriage violate the United States Constitution by denying them the legal protections and equal dignity that having the freedom to marry provides. In the brief, Crist stated that as a former Governor and Attorney General who previously supported the ban, he is in a unique position to provide the court a perspective on why it is wrong, harmful to Florida and harmful to gay couples and children who are denied the protections only marriage provides. Crist is among the fast growing majority of Floridians, 57% currently, who have come to support full marriage equality.

Also filing pro-gay briefs are the mayors of Orlando and Miami Beach. The lead counsel for the plaintiffs is National Center for Lesbian Rights attorney Shannon Minter. On Wednesday, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a motion to intervene on behalf of the state as Miami-Dade County Clerk Harvey Ruvin is not "actively defending" against the suit. Earlier this month the above-named judge denied the Liberty Counsel's motion to intervene on behalf of three local anti-gay Christian groups.

Read Crist's amicus brief.

Could Florida be next? I think we've got a good shot.

RELATED:  According to poll released this week, Crist is currently tied with Gov. Rick Scott in the 2014 gubernatorial race.

MISSISSIPPI: Tea Party Leader Suspected In Photo Scandal Commits Suicide

Via Mississippi's Clarion-Ledger:

Sources have confirmed that attorney Mark Mayfield has died of an apparent suicide. Mayfield, vice chairman of the Mississippi Tea Party, and is one of the three men charged with conspiring with Clayton Kelly to photograph U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran's bedridden wife in her nursing home and create a political video against Cochran. Mark Mayfield of Ridgeland, an attorney and state and local tea party leader, was arrested last month along with Richard Sager, a Laurel elementary school P.E. teacher and high school soccer coach. The arrest of Mayfield, well-known in political, business and legal circles, caused shock in Mississippi, in a criminal case and election that already had Mississippi in the national spotlight.

GOP Gov. Phil Bryant has expressed sadness at the loss of his "longtime friend."

HOUSTON: Anti-Gay Group Airs Bizarre Ad In Campaign To Repeal LGBT Rights

Earlier this month a Houston anti-gay group called on Christian men to "occupy" the city's ladies restrooms in order to protect women from the coming avalanche of bearded men in dresses. Or something. Their petition drive to repeal Houston's just-approved LGBT rights ordinance faces its signature deadline on Sunday. Today Jeremy Hooper tips us to a bizarre radio commercial that has begun airing. The spot mentions Macy's, McDonald's, pubic hair, and features, for some reason, the theme song from The Young & The Restless.

Quote Of The Day - Signe Walsoe

The woman who sings yesterday's "the rainbow belongs to God, not gays" song is very upset about your reaction to her warning that we'll all spend eternity writhing in a lake of FIIRRRRREEE.

Addressed to those of you who has left some pretty hateful comments to the Rainbow-song (and to me)! I don't know if your hearts can (wants to) receive this.... however, I wish to bring this statement: NO HATE, WHAT SO EVER, on my part, having shared this message concerning the rainbow! However, it IS the conviction of my heart, that has driven me to shout from the rooftops, that this in fact this IS a serious matter... and whether you believe it or not, I have shared it with LOVE... coz' I love and respect people... people of ALL KIND! I have precious gay-friends and lesbian-friends whom I LOVE despite the fact that my heart will never be able to agree on their homosexual lifestyle. There is a world of difference between disliking something (a lifestyle) and disliking someone (the person who practice this particular lifestyle)! I have NO HATE in my heart towards any of you who practice a homosexual lifestyle! God bless you!

The track was brought to our attention by crimes against humanity defendant Scott Lively.

TONIGHT: New York City Drag March

Facebook event page.

Demi Lovato - Really Don't Care

X-Factor judge and pop star Demi Lovato headlines this Sunday's NYC Pride Pier Dance. Today we get her new music video which was recorded during her performance at Los Angeles Pride earlier this month. The clip has 1.7M views already.

Today In Christian Candidates

See those crosses? See that flag backdrop? Obviously, this is a guy that all of Teabagistan can get behind! Or maybe not, depending on how they feel about multiple arrests involving an extremely unusual sexual fetish called "cranking." Which, perhaps surprisingly, has nothing to do with drugs. (Tipped by JMG reader Ron)

Tony Perkins Cheers Abortion Ruling

"All nine justices, including the President’s prodigies, agreed that creating an invisible barrier between pro-lifers and clinic entrances was a ridiculous infringement on free speech rights. In a state like Massachusetts, plenty of liberals objected to the practice and worked to pass a law that makes it a crime to knowingly stand on a 'public way or sidewalk' within 35 feet of an entrance or driveway to any place, other than a hospital, where abortions are performed. Massachusetts leaders claimed their law furthered public safety and order -- but the real aim was restricting pro-life speech. A transparent ploy the justices saw right through. Although the decision is narrower than we would have liked, the Court did agree that the Massachusetts law violated the First Amendment." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via email.

AUSTRALIA: Gay Couple Legally Marries At British Consulate In Sydney

Gay Star News has the story:

From today British consulates around Australia are allowed to marry same-sex couples where at least one of the parties is a UK citizen. What is believed to be the first such marriage in Australia took place today around 3pm at the British consulate near Sydney’s Circular Quay and involved a Scottish Australian couple. Peter Fraser and Gordon Stevenson married wearing matching kilts in the Fraser clan tartan after 19 years together. The couple were declared married by the British Consular General who said performing the marriage was one of the highlights of his posting to Australia.

Australia does not recognize same-sex marriages regardless of where they were performed. Such marriages are now permitted at any British consulate in the world, with the provisos that one person must be a UK citizen and that the host nation does not object. More from the Guardian:

Fraser and Stevenson thanked the British government for giving same sex couples the opportunity to marry in their consulates around the world. “While I do feel so proud and really privileged to be the first of what I’m sure will be many couples here, I am also conscious that now we have left the consulate and gone outside, our marriage will not be recognised here under Australian law,” Fraser told media. “Gordon and I have waited 19 years for this day, I hope we do not wait much longer for our marriage and the marriage of all Australian couples who have gone overseas to get married… to soon be recognised here in the country we all call home.” He said he hoped that just as swiftly people could marry as they had done, surrounded by family and friends “but without the need to seek protection of the laws of another country.”

The couple appeared on an Australian chat show today before the ceremony.

This Is A Gun Safety Ad

(Via Raw Story)

Tweet Of The Day - Equality Illinois

Via Huffington Post:

Though Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner is not planning to attend Sunday's massive Gay Pride Parade in Chicago, his presence will still very much be felt -- thanks to a giant banner erected by LGBT advocates. Equality Illinois and a number of associated community members and elected officials on Thursday unveiled a two-story banner featuring a photograph of Rauner along with his statement, made last year at a Tea Party event, that he would have vetoed Illinois' new marriage equality bill had it come to his desk as governor of the state.

New From Frothy Mix Studios

Rick Santorum's EchoLight Studios has yet another "Christians are being persecuted" movie coming out in September. This one features Mike Huckabee. And Nazis!

Barney Frank: Don't Vote For Gay GOP House Candidate Richard Tisei

Former Rep. Barney Frank is urging the LGBT community not to vote for gay GOP House candidate Richard Tisei, who has the backing of the Victory Fund.

The campaign for Massachusetts' 6th Congressional District has received a significant amount of national attention this cycle, in large part because Richard Tisei, the challenger in the race, could become the first openly gay Republican elected to Congress. Tisei received a nice boost in February, when the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund endorsed him despite the fact that incumbent Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.) has an exceptionally strong record on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. The race has presented LGBT advocates with a dilemma that a few years ago might have seemed too good to be true: Support an openly gay Republican candidate who could perhaps help convince his colleagues to evolve on equality, or stay with a Democratic congressman who is straight but has been a stalwart on these issues? "I do believe it is very important to support gay and lesbian candidates. But the notion that we will tell an incumbent who has been absolutely perfect on gay, lesbian, bisexual [and] transgender issues -- absolutely perfect -- that perfection will do no good because he has sex with the wrong person, is the antithesis of what we should be fighting for," said Frank, referring to the fact that the Victory Fund is dedicated to electing LGBT candidates.

Frank also opposed Tisei's failed 2012 bid for the House.

COLORADO: Gay State Senator Marries In Boulder, Clerk Continues To Defy AG

North Atlantic Skies

Clip description:

Every day, between two and three thousand aircraft fly across the North Atlantic between Canada, the United States and Europe. Airspace across the North Atlantic is divided into six Oceanic Control Areas (or OCAs). These OCAs are controlled by Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) working at different locations in different Countries. This visualization shows Transatlantic traffic over a 24 hour period taken from a day in August last year and shows 2,524 flights crossing the North Atlantic, of which 1,273 pass through the Shanwick OCA. At our busiest periods in the Summer, traffic can peak at 1,500 flights a day passing through the Shanwick OCA.

(Tipped by JMG reader Ray)

INDIANA: Activists Tell State Attorney General Not To Appeal Marriage Ruling

Bilerico's Bil Browning, an Indiana native, writes on Facebook: "The Attorney General is conducting a poll on whether the marriage decision should be appealed. The number is 317-232-6201, choose 1 for English and then 5 to speak to an operator. Then you can just tell the operator you’re calling about voting 'no' for the appeal, and they will mark you down." There's a petition too.

Labor Secretary Tom Perez Cheers DOMA Anniversary, Promises Further Reforms

Via press release from Secretary of Labor Tom Perez:

It was a year ago today, June 26, that the Supreme Court issued its decision in U.S. vs. Windsor repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (known as DOMA). Since then, President Obama has instructed all Cabinet members to review relevant federal statutes and regulations to ensure full implementation of Windsor, and we have responded accordingly. Covered retirement and health employee benefit plans now have to extend otherwise eligible same-sex spouses the same protections as opposite-sex spouses. And we've updated our Family and Medical Leave Act guidance materials to remove all references to DOMA provisions that denied federal benefits to legally married, same-sex couples.

The FMLA, enacted in 1993, allows eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons — for example, caring for a spouse who has a serious health condition — without the fear of losing your job. But currently, the FMLA's regulatory definition of "spouse" only applies to same-sex spouses if they are living in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage. So last week we issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would change the definition so that FMLA protections would be based on the law of where the marriage took place. We welcome and encourage public comments on the proposed rule, which can be submitted through written comments.

Hit the link and weigh in. You know the haters will be doing it.

Quote Of The Day - Michael Stipe

"In the early Eighties, as a 22-year-old queer man living during the Reagan-Bush administration, I was afraid to get tested for HIV for fear of quarantine, the threat of internment camps and having my basic civil rights stripped away. I waited five years to get my first anonymous test. I am happy that attitudes have matured and changed, and I feel lucky that I live in a country where acceptance, tolerance and policy toward HIV-AIDS and LGBTQ issues have advanced as far as they have." - REM frontman Michael Stipe, speaking on tonight's episode of Trailblazers on Logo.

The Rainbow Belongs To God Not Gays

Crimes against humanity defendant Scott Lively writes:

You will be blessed by this amazing song “The Rainbow Belongs to God." It was written my friend Johny Noer, a Danish pastor living in the Negev Desert of Israel, and performed by the very talented singer/composer Signe Walsoe. Johny was an attendee and guest lecturer at my Bible seminar in England last fall and was inspired by my article/strategy “The Rainbow Belongs to God” which I created to encourage the Russians to reclaim the rainbow as a Christian symbol during the Winter Olympics. This beautiful music video is a fruit of our ministry partnership and I encourage you to forward it to your pro-family friends around the world.

Like Jeremy Hooper, I'm quite amused by the song's ending: "And who is the one that dares to doubt God's warning that the next time is fire? Ooooooh, FIRE. Ooooooh, next time is FIIIIRRRREEE!!!"

New York City Issues Promo Clip In Bid To Host 2016 Democratic Convention

The finalists are New York City, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Columbus, Phoenix, and Birmingham.

RELATED: Yesterday the GOP narrowed their 2016 finalists to Cleveland and Dallas.

One Million Moms Vs ABC's Mistresses

Just in via email:

Joe, The show "Mistresses" centers around a group of four women who have no regrets and feel little or no remorse about committing adultery with someone else's husband - or cheating on their own. The program has always been degrading to women but now also encourages illegal behavior. Two characters on the show glamorize the escort service as being wonderful for many reasons including a way to make money, feel beautiful, have excitement and never have to sleep alone. This is morally wrong and also dangerous as it places one in situations that could be unsafe. The show references this life as being consequence free when that is the furthest from the truth. "Mistresses" includes other inappropriate content such as adultery, cheating, lies and deceit in explicit and sensually graphic scenes. Our society doesn't need more negative influences than it already has on broadcast airwaves. "Take Action: Please send an email letter to the sponsors of this week's "Mistresses." This week's sponsors were: T-Mobile, CSpire, XELJANZ (Pfizer) and L'il Critters Gummy Vites (Church & Dwight Co.). Urge advertisers to place it on their "do not advertise" list in protest of pushing sin directly into America's living rooms.

Ann Coulter: Immigrant Soccer Fans Are Leading America Into Moral Decay

"Any growing interest in soccer can only be a sign of the nation's moral decay. Individual achievement is not a big factor in soccer. In a real sport, players fumble passes, throw bricks and drop fly balls — all in front of a crowd. When baseball players strike out, they're standing alone at the plate. But there's also individual glory in home runs, touchdowns and slam-dunks. In soccer, the blame is dispersed and almost no one scores anyway. There are no heroes, no losers, no accountability, and no child's fragile self-esteem is bruised. There's a reason perpetually alarmed women are called 'soccer moms', not 'football moms.' If more 'Americans' are watching soccer today, it's only because of the demographic switch effected by Teddy Kennedy's 1965 immigration law. I promise you: No American whose great-grandfather was born here is watching soccer. One can only hope that, in addition to learning English, these new Americans will drop their soccer fetish with time." - Ann Coulter, in today's syndicated column. (Tipped by JMG reader Will)

COLORADO: County Clerk Won't Stop Issuing Licenses Until Court Makes Her

Boulder County Clerk Hillary Hall is continuing to issue marriage licenses today in defiance of her state Attorney General.

Despite warnings from Colorado Attorney General John Suthers that the documents aren't worth the paper they are printed on, same-sex couples lined up at the Boulder County Clerk's office Thursday morning to get marriage licenses. Clerk and Recorder Hillary Hall began issuing the "invalid" marriage licenses to same-sex couples Wednesday after the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Utah's ban on gay marriage. But in a news release akin to a fraud advisory, Suthers made it clear that the licenses are not valid. "That's their opinion. We disagree with it," Hall said Thursday morning. "We will be here issuing marriage licenses until a Colorado court or the Supreme Court tells us to desist." Andie Lyons, 32, and her partner were one of about 10 couples in line at the Boulder City and County building when the doors opened at 8 a.m. Thursday. Lyons knows what Suthers said but said it was still worth $30 for the license.

Yesterday Hall declared that the Tenth Circuit Court ruling in the Utah case, which has been stayed, applies to Colorado.

World Cup Open Thread

Judging by Twitter, many of the nation's offices have suspended work to watch the USA vs Germany match. If you're among those folks, here's an open thread to weigh in, at least on the hotness of the players.

UPDATE: The USA has lost.

Gary Bauer Has The Two-State Sadz

Freep This Indiana Poll

Below the fold on the right.

Edith Windsor On DOMA Anniversary

Former Marriage Equality USA president Cathy Marino-Thomas has interviewed Edith Windsor about today's anniversary of the overturn of DOMA.  Windsor: "There is no wrong time for justice. If you're going to go for it, go for it." Watch and learn about how Windsor came to be the plaintiff.

SCOTUS Rules Unanimously: Abortion Protesters Can Get Right In Your Face

Via Think Progress:

The Supreme Court unanimously struck down Massachusetts’ abortion buffer zone law on Thursday, ruling in favor of anti-choice protesters who argued that being required to stay 35 feet away from clinic entrances is a violation of their freedom of speech. The decision rolls back a proactive policy intended to safeguard women’s access to reproductive health care in the face of persistent harassment and intimidation from abortion opponents.

“By its very terms, the Act restricts access to ‘public way[s]‘ and ‘sidewalk[s],’ places that have traditionally been open for speech ac­tivities and that the Court has accordingly labeled ‘traditional public fora,’ ” the opinion states. “The buffer zones burden substantially more speech than necessary to achieve the Commonwealth’s asserted interests.”

Reproductive rights advocates had been hoping the justices would uphold the policy, which they say has gone a long way to ensure that woman can safely enter abortion clinics. More than 30 pro-choice organizations filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to rule in favor of Massachusetts’ buffer zone, which was approved in response to a mass shooting at several of the state’s abortion clinics.

Christianist groups are celebrating on Twitter. The above-linked article wryly notes that protesters are not permitted on the Supreme Court's 252-by-98 foot plaza. 

No Hobby Lobby Ruling Today

MISSOURI: Four Gay Couples Marry In Office Of St. Louis Mayor, City To Challenge Ban, State AG Likely To Sue City

Yesterday's action in Colorado by the Boulder County Clerk was copied late yesterday afternoon in Missouri, as four gay couples married in the office of St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay.

St. Louis is mounting the first direct challenge of the state ban. The city, which operates as an independent municipality, also performs county functions. The four marriage licenses were signed by an emotional and misty-eyed Recorder of Deeds Sharon Quigley Carpenter, and four wedding ceremonies were held in Slay’s office as the smiling mayor snapped cellphone pictures of the couples. Two men who were married Wednesday have been in a committed relationship for 39 years. “It makes me proud as a citizen and as a mayor,” Slay said.

But the echo of champagne corks popping in the mayor’s office will likely be silenced today with the thud of legal documents as officials get down to less-celebratory business. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, who is charged to enforce the state’s constitution, is expected to sue the city, starting what will likely be a long legal battle.

Even with the official marriage documents from the city, the validity of the couples’ unions will be in question. Missouri’s constitution recognizes only marriage between a man and woman and bars county recorders from issuing licenses to same-sex couples. “But, make no mistake about it,” said Slay, “I, and all of us standing here, are doing this to force the issue and to get the law settled for everyone who wants to get married in the state of Missouri.”

NOTE: Missouri is under the jurisdiction of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Colorado is part of the Tenth Circuit.

(Tipped by JMG reader Tim)

FIFA Bans World Cup Biter

INDIANAPOLIS: Gay Wedding Officiants Raise Money For LGBT Youth Group

Marion County Clerk Beth White has arranged for marriage officiants to accept donations to the Indiana Youth Group, which advocates on behalf of LGBT kids, in lieu of payment for conducting same-sex weddings. From her Facebook page:

Here’s your final update from the Clerk's office for today, Wednesday, June 25. The last couple was married about 11PM today, capping off a day of 186 same-sex weddings (188 total couples were married as two heterosexual couples were wed today, too). The Marion County (IN) Clerk’s Office issued 250 marriage licenses, which includes same sex and opposite sex couples. Our best estimate is 20-25 heterosexual copies applies for marriage licenses today, most before this afternoon’s decision. Marriage license services will resume at 8AM tomorrow,Thursday, June 26, and officiants will be on hand to offer civil ceremonies for a voluntary donation of $50 to the Indiana Youth Group (cash and check only). So far, about $4,000 has been raised for IYG.

 White is running for Indiana Secretary of State.

RELATED: Last year a court ordered the reinstatement of the specialty license plate that benefits the Indiana Youth Group. The license plate was revoked in 2012 after a screaming fit by the American Family Association that had the support of 20 anti-gay state legislators.

Indiana Archbishop Has The Equality Sadz

"The Church upholds the dignity and sanctity of marriage as a natural union established by God between one man and one woman, intended towards the establishment of a family in which children are born, raised, and nurtured. This is not simply a matter of belief. It is at the very heart of the nature of marriage. Thus, it is not within the power of any institution, religious or secular, to redefine marriage since it is God who is its author. The decision by Richard L. Young, Chief Judge United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, to redefine the institution of marriage as an emotional partnership between two consenting adults regardless of gender ignores this fundamental and natural truth of marriage and opens its definition to the whims of public opinion." - Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Indianapolis, in a joint statement cosigned by five other bishops.

Indiana Haters Have The Equality Sadz

"In the event that same-sex marriage is here to stay, as we have seen in other states, those who refuse to applaud same-sex relationships will eventually be punished by their own government for their sincerely held beliefs. Business owners such as bakers, florists, bed and breakfast owners, photographers and many others are being, fined, forced to close their businesses and even threatened with jail time for refusing to participate in same-sex 'weddings' or in some way publicly supporting homosexuality. If the government recognizes same-sex 'marriage' it indirectly takes the position that moms and dads are optional and makes a moral judgment about human sexuality. As we have seen in Massachusetts and other states, when same-sex 'marriage' is recognized, the schools teach students about homosexuality and that moms and dads are optional, even at a young age, and even when parents object. Regardless of whether or not Judge Young’s act of judicial activism is allowed to stand, the reality remains that the citizens of Indiana need religious liberty and free speech protection." - The Indiana Family Institute, via press release.

INDIANA: Gay Couples Rush To Marry

MAINE: Dem US Senate Candidate Objects To HRC's Endorsement Of GOP Opponent

"My opponent, Republican Susan Collins, had the chance to speak up in favor of marriage equality in 2012 or any time in the previous decade. Two years after her constituents made their feelings known at the ballot box, she has refused to break her silence. I believe Mainers need, want and deserve more proactive representation on equal rights -- on allowing LGBT students to learn without fear of bullying, on applying for jobs and going to work without fear of discrimination, and on much more. I'm running for Senate to provide that proactive representation and to expand Constitutional protections for our LGBT community. This is one endorsement in an election year. Mainers are more interested in both candidates' records, and my record speaks for itself." - Former ACLU of Maine executive director Shenna Bellows, via press release.

RELATED: In an op-ed written for the Huffington Post, last week Bellows vowed that "one of her first acts as senator would be the introduction of a national Human Rights Act to prohibit anti-LGBT discrimination in marriage, housing, education, access to credit, public accommodations and employment."

MAINE: Ethics Commission Extends Deadline For NOM To Disclose Donors

Via the Bangor Daily News:

The Maine Ethics Commission gave the National Organization for Marriage a reprieve Wednesday on disclosing the donor list from its 2009 campaign against same-sex marriage in Maine. But the five-person commission did not back down on its demand for the national organization to pay a $50,250 fine for violating the state’s campaign finance and disclosure laws.

Jonathan Wayne, the commission’s executive director, said Wednesday the commission unanimously approved a temporary delay on the disclosure of the national organization’s donors because the group has pledged to take its case to the Maine Superior Court, which would likely allow NOM to keep its donor list private while the case is active. The vote to uphold the fine was also unanimous.

Meanwhile, according to Wayne, NOM has filed complaints against two other national groups, the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, which supported same-sex marriage in Maine in 2009, for either not registering as political action committees or not disclosing donors. Those complaints will be considered by the commission at its July 31 meeting.

(Tipped by JMG reader Seth)

MAINE: Susan Collins Becomes Fourth GOP Senator To Endorse Gay Marriage

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has become the fourth GOP member of her chamber to endorse marriage equality.

“A number of states, including my home state of Maine, have now legalized same-sex marriage, and I agree with that decision,” the Maine Republican said in a statement issued after several news organizations made inquiries. Collins joins three other GOP senators who have said they support gay marriage: Illinois’ Mark Kirk, Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski and Ohio’s Rob Portman. She had been criticized for keeping her view to herself until Wednesday. Campaign spokesman Lance Dutson says she has consistently said the decision rests at the state or local level. She has twice voted against proposed constitutional amendments to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

The Human Rights Campaign reacted by endorsing Collins' reelection bid.

“Senator Susan Collins has played a pivotal role in advancing support for LGBT equality -- from her dogged support for the repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” to her critical vote for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act last year, to her proud support for marriage equality,” said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “HRC is proud to stand with Senator Collins, and with allies on both sides of the aisle like her, because she firmly believes that every American should be evaluated based on their abilities, and not who they love.”

“I am grateful for the support that I continue to receive from the Human Rights Campaign for my work in the Senate to end discrimination and achieve LGBT equality,” said Senator Collins. “HRC fully understands the need to have allies in both the Republican and Democratic caucuses, and I am proud of the reputation that I have established for working with my Senate colleagues of both parties in a bipartisan spirit for fairness and equality. I look forward to our continued work together to bring people together and remove barriers that divide us.”

Google Cardboard

Forbes breaks it down:

Google’s answer to VR? Cardboard. Or, rather, a DIY cardboard headset equipped with cheap lenses into which you slide your smartphone. Simply download the Cardboard app and you’re ready to roll, all for a few bucks in materials. Which is—let’s face it—about as weird an idea as anyone could dream up, but also sort of brilliant; a truly “open” solution to virtual reality that hearkens back to Google’s roots and commitment to open development. And one that sidesteps a lot of the challenges facing other VR gadgets by utilizing the ubiquitous smartphone. The actual construction of the cardboard VR headset will probably deter many would-be virtual-reality-goers, but it really doesn’t look difficult at all for anyone with a knack for putting stuff together. Almost certainly kits and fully-assembled versions of this will be available for sale within…days? Hours? Soon, in any case. I suspect we’ll even see more expensive, less “disposable” iterations pop up. After all, this is sort of the point: What Google is doing with Cardboard is opening up the possibilities of VR to basically anyone.

Here's the website.

Today In Creepy Robots

Uncanny valley, anyone?

Open Thread Thursday

One year ago today the Supreme Court changed the LGBT landscape forever. Tell us where you were and how the DOMA and Prop 8 rulings may have affected you.

Punctuation Pride

Clever. (Tipped by JMG reader Liam)

COLORADO: Boulder County Clerk Issues Same-Sex Marriage Licenses, Says Stayed Utah Ruling Applies In Her State

"I am relying on the 10th Circuit's statement that marriage is a fundamental right. Because the Court stayed its mandate, officials in Utah will not have to implement the decision immediately. Even so, I believe the opinion is clear and it is important to act immediately. Colorado's prohibition on same sex marriage has treated our family, friends and co-workers have been treated as second class citizens for long enough. Unless a Court in Colorado or the U.S. Supreme Court tells me otherwise, I plan to begin issuing licenses." - Boulder County Clerk Hillary Hall, who has begun issuing same-sex marriage licenses. At this writing no other Colorado officials are following suit.

More from the Denver Post:

The Colorado Attorney General's office said the licenses won't be valid. The clerk's office said it would issue same-sex marriage licenses until 4:30 p.m. at its Boulder office, 1750 33rd St., and resume issuing licenses at 8 a.m. Thursday. The clerk's offices in Lafayette and Longmont will start issuing same-sex marriage licenses on Friday. No mention was made in the clerk's online news release about the stay the three-judge panel put on its ruling, pending a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on the matter. Carolyn Tyler, spokeswoman for Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, said any marriage licenses issued in Colorado will be invalid. Because the 10th Circuit decision was stayed, Colorado's ban against gay marriage remains in effect, she said. "It's not binding on Utah let alone on Colorado," Tyler said. "Boulder has a history of activism on this issue."

UPDATE: There's a press release on the Boulder County website.

In response to the historic ruling in the 10th Circuit Court today, Boulder County Clerk and Recorder Hillary Hall will begin issuing same sex marriage licenses immediately, beginning today, June 25, 2014 in our Boulder office at 1750 33rd Street, and in our Lafayette and Longmont offices starting Friday, June 27, 2014.

Because 10th Circuit decisions are binding in the State of Colorado, the precedent established by Kitchen v. Herbert is applicable to the same-sex marriage ban contained in the Colorado Constitution. The Tenth Circuit found that “those who wish to marry a person of the same sex are entitled to exercise the same fundamental right as is recognized for persons who wish to marry a person of the opposite sex.”

Clerk Hall intends to uphold the fundamental right to marriage now recognized by 10th Circuit by issuing marriage licenses to any person who wishes to marry. “Couples across Colorado have been waiting a long time to have their right to marry the person they love recognized,” stated Boulder County Clerk Hillary Hall. “I want to act immediately to let them carry out that wish.” Marriage licenses will be issued at the Boulder County Clerk and Recorder’s office in Boulder today until 4:30 p.m. and will resume tomorrow at 8 a.m.

(Tipped by JMG reader Sean)

Crazy Eyes Goes Nuts On Fox News

A furious exchange between Rep. Michele Bachmann and Fox News host Neil Cavuto got so heated today that the network abruptly cut to a commercial. Bachmann was invited on to discuss the lawsuit being filed by House Speaker John Boehner over the president's use of executive orders.

Cavuto exasperatedly pointed out that the timing of the lawsuit seemed too political to make sense. “You’ve been bemoaning it for a long time. Why now the suit?” he asked. “Why not just fix things that are very, very wrong now rather than dragging someone to court over whether they overstepped their bounds? It just seems to me like an enormous waste of effort.” Bachmann attempted to defend the lawsuit by hitting the GOP’s talking points, Cavuto wasn’t having any of it: "Where was your rage with Democrats when Democrats were going after President Bush on the same use of executive orders? Because I think you knew then that was a waste of time then. I think you know in your heart of hearts this is a waste of time now.” Eventually it devolved to the point where Cavuto abruptly took the program to a commercial break as Bachmann was in the middle of a loud denunciation of Cavuto.

Cooper: I'm No Expert On Vaginas

FINLAND: Committee Rejects Marriage Bill, Pushes Issue To Full Parliament

The Finnish Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee today rejected a marriage equality bill, pushing the item to consideration by the full national legislature later this year.

After a lengthy campaign, the latest bid to legislate for same-sex marriage has foundered once again at the Finnish Parliaments's Legal Affairs committee. The committee, which also rejected a previous bill on the issue, voted 10-6 to push the law back to the whole legislature. Three of the four National Coalition Party MPs on the committee voted against the bill. The bill will now be considered by a full sitting of parliament in the autumn. Finland is the only Nordic country not to have introduced a gender-neutral marriage law. After the previous attempt failed, campaigners launched a Citizens' Initiative on the matter that gathered more than 166,000 signatures.

The chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee says the bill had technical flaws.

”It just wasn’t ready,” Holmlund said. “All the experts we asked said that the specific legislation proposed in the initiative is technically non-viable.” The voting margin was bigger due to two Social Democrats being absent from the committee vote. Additionally, Arja Juvonen of the Finns Party — who would have voted yes — was represented by Mika Niikko, who voted 'no'. The bill may well go through in the autumn or based on the next government negotiations,” said Green League MP Oras Tynkkynen, who voted for the initiative. “The Western world is gradually coming to accept a gender-neutral legislative stance on marriage, and it feels unlikely that Finland would be the last to come around.”

Joseph Farah: I Carry A Gun At All Times Because I'm Afraid Of Killer Gay Activists

Earlier today we learned that three-time Just For Men Olympics gold medalist Joseph Farah had been detained at Dulles International because he "forgot" to take a loaded revolver out of his carry-on bag.  In a post written for World Net Daily this afternoon, Farah reveals that he carries a loaded handgun at all times because he's afraid of the murderous gay activists that might be sent his way by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

I am licensed to carry a loaded firearm in multiple states and carry a concealed weapon virtually all of the time. I get death threats against me. Let me tell you about that. Aug. 15, 2012, a gunman attempting to enter Family Research Council’s Washington, D.C., headquarters shot a security guard, 46-year-old Leonardo Johnson, in the left arm. While injured, Johnson assisted others who wrestled the gunman to the ground until police arrived and placed the gunman under arrest.

During his FBI interview, the gunman, Floyd Corkins was asked how he chose his target. His response was “Southern Poverty Law, lists … uh … anti-gay groups. I found them online.” [snip] You might note who broke the story that Joseph Farah was detained at Dulles Airport Sunday for carrying a handgun – the Southern Poverty Law Center. You might also note the Southern Poverty Law Center has repeatedly labeled my news organization a hate group – with even worse descriptions of me personally.

I have many friends at the Family Research Council. I knew that August day that it could just as easily have been my office that was attacked. Again, I’m not making any excuses about my dumb mistake last Sunday. What I did was dumber than dumb. But I thought you deserved to know the rest of the story, as my inspiration Paul Harvey would say.

The gun nuts at WND are chiding Farah for not finding the gun himself during a "groggy" search of his computer bag that he claims to have done before attempting to board the plane. Sample reader comment:

If you couldn't find the firearm when you searched for it while NOT under the stress of an approaching threatening gunman, how the hell do you expect to find when a freak like the FRC sociopath is coming for you. Wear the damn thing all the time like plains clothes cops do so you know precisely where it is all the time (because it can be felt). Then when you arrive at the A/P you can dismount it and leave it locked in your vehicle. Have another one waiting for you when you arrive at your destination. Only good guys with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun. Bags are the perfect place in which to lose something.

(Tipped by JMG reader Alan)

Brian Brown Has The Two-State Sadz

"Today's split decision of a panel of judges in the 10th Circuit is not surprising given that this Circuit refused to even order a stay of the district court decision when it came down during the Christmas holidays. While we strongly disagree with the two judges in the majority, we are encouraged by the strong defense of marriage articulated by Justice Paul Kelly in his dissent, and especially his defense of the sovereign right of the people of Utah to decide this issue for themselves. This principled recognition by a federal judge considering the marriage issue underscores that the people of a state are entitled to respect and deference in their desire to promote marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

"The elected representatives of the people of Indiana have decided, for good and proper reasons, to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It is judicial activism for a single judge to substitute his own views on marriage for the considered opinion of the people's representatives. This is just the latest example of activism from the federal bench, but we fully expect this decision to eventually be reversed when the US Supreme Court upholds the right of states to define marriage as a man and a woman. In the meantime, it is imperative that the state legislature move forward a state constitutional amendment preserving marriage so that the people always remain in control of the definition of marriage in Indiana." - Hate group leader Brian Brown, via press release.

Tony Perkins Has The Two-State Sadz

"While disturbing, today's rulings come as no surprise given the rising disdain for the rule of law promoted by the Obama administration. These latest rulings are not just about redefining marriage but they are a further attempt by the courts to untether our public policies from the democratic process, as well as the anthropological record. While judges can, by judicial fiat, declare same-sex 'marriage' legal, they will never be able to make it right. The courts, for all their power, can't overturn natural law. What they can do is incite a movement of indignant Americans, who are tired of seeing the foundations of a free and just society destroyed by a handful of black-robed tyrants. The Left has long believed packing the federal courts with liberal jurists is the means of fulfilling a radical social agenda, as the American people refuse to endorse that agenda at the polls or through their elected representatives. As we saw with Roe v. Wade in 1973 - despite the Left's earnest hopes, the courts do not have the final say. The American people will have the final word as they experience the consequences of marriage redefinition and the ways in which it fundamentally alters America's moral, cultural and political landscape." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

NASA Celebrates LGBT Pride Month

LOUISIANA: Judge Surprises By Deciding To Consider Full Marriage Equality As Well As Out-Of-State Recognition

And the hits just keep coming:

The attorneys stuck to one specific issue as they made their case before a judge in New Orleans on Wednesday: whether gay and lesbian couples married legally in other states should be recognized as married in Louisiana, which has a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman had other ideas. After hearing about an hour and half of oral arguments on the question before him, Feldman announced that he wants to decide on both issues involved in gay marriage lawsuits going on around the country; in other words, not just whether Louisiana must recognize legal marriages from elsewhere, but whether Louisiana must also allow same-sex couples to wed here. “I feel uncomfortable resolving some issues one way or the other and not all issues one way or another,” Feldman said before calling lawyers for both sides into a private conference to sketch out a time line for additional briefs and oral arguments.

This certainly bodes well, but it may mean the ruling will take longer to come. (Tipped by JMG reader Chris)

Matt Barber Has The Indiana Sadz

Via Barbwire:

Federal courts in Indiana and Utah on Wednesday blatantly disregarded the will of the people and subversively imposed same-sex “marriage” on the citizens of both states. The judicial oligarchy (tyranny of the few) continues flexing the muscle of its apparently unchecked power. The death of democracy is undeniably upon us. Each victory for the homosexual activists represents another nail in America’s coffin. The light of morality and freedom is being brutishly snuffed out right before our very eyes. It’s a national tragedy unfolding at an accelerating pace.

Hooray for the accelerating pace! Zoom, zoom, zoom!