Ted Cruz Wins Hate Summit Straw Poll

Shocking.

Sen. Ted Cruz won the 2014 Values Voter Summit straw poll for the second year in a row on Saturday, following an extremely popular speech Friday in which the Texas Republican promised a kind of salvation from the Obama presidency. Cruz earned 25% of the 1,900 votes cast at this weekend’s Values Voter Summit to be president, less than the 42% he received last year shortly after he led the government into a the shutdown. Dr. Ben Carson, a regular straw poll contender, earned 20%, while Gov. Mike Huckabee, another speaker at the event, came in third with 12% of the vote. Hillary Clinton earned one vote, likely the work of a jokester. The straw poll for vice president saw similar results: Carson and Cruz earned 22% and 14% of the vote, respectively. Perhaps the only surprise of the poll was Bobby Jindal, who earned 11% support from attendees in the vote for vice president.

No poll was held in 2008 and 2012 as the Republican nominees had already been selected. Previous winners: Ted Cruz (2013), Ron Paul (2011), Mike Pence (2010), Mike Huckabee (2009), Mitt Romney (2007).

Ebola Success Seen With HIV Med

Acting out of "desperation," a doctor in Liberia is reporting success in treating ebola with the HIV medication marketed as Epivir.

Dr. Gobee Logan has given the drug, lamivudine, to 15 Ebola patients, and all but two survived. That's a 7% mortality rate. Across West Africa, the virus has killed 70% of its victims. Outside Logan's Ebola center in Tubmanburg, four of his recovering patients walk the grounds, always staying inside the fence that separates the Ebola patients from everyone else. "My stomach was hurting; I was feeling weak; I was vomiting," Elizabeth Kundu, 23, says of her bout with the virus. "They gave me medicine, and I'm feeling fine. We take it, and we can eat -- we're feeling fine in our bodies." Kundu and the other 12 patients who took the lamivudine and survived, received the drug in the first five days or so of their illness. The two patients who died received it between days five and eight. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases says that theoretically, Logan's approach has some merit. Lamivudine is a nucleocide analog, and other drugs in this class are being studied to treat Ebola.

In the United States, Epivir is typically prescribed as one of the medications in the combination pills Trizivir and Combovir.

October 24th: Ali Forner Center Gala

The Ali Forney Center will hold its annual fundraising gala on October 24th in lower Manhattan. Comedian and Orange Is The New Black cast member Lea Delaria will be the evening's host. Get tickets here.

Marie Osmond As Madonna, Liz, Marilyn

For her Vegas show, Showstoppers.

Maggie Gallagher: Marriage Poll Dropped Because Of Phil Robertson & Brandon Eich

According to Maggie Gallagher, the recent five-point drop in marriage equality polling can be sourced to public outrage over the treatment of Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson and former Mozilla CEO Brandon Eich. She writes at National Review:

Salon may be right — this polling result may well be temporary or an outlier. But if my analysis is right, the future depends on two things: whether gay-marriage advocates continue to press the idea that supporters of the Christian and traditional understanding of marriage should be treated as bigots in the public square — and whether stories of the oppression of opponents of gay marriage “break through” the media blockade. That will in turn depend in part on whether political champions of supporters of classic marriage emerge to make oppression visible.  I am not necessarily either optimistic or pessimistic, but I would say this: In previous articles and essays I have discussed the political effects of the GOP’s decision to silence itself on so-called “social issues.” If your goal is simply winning elections, this mute strategy, while I think it demonstrably unwise, could be arguable. What is not arguable is that if you are one of the people who actually care about these issues — for whom protecting life, marriage, and religious liberty is not a political strategy but a reason for being in politics — the candidates’ silence will hurt your cause. You donate to or otherwise support candidates who adopt a mute strategy at your own peril. In a culture war, the single most effective thing you can do is persuade your opponents to stop talking. When only one side speaks, the polls will move, and its victory will become inevitable.

(Tipped by JMG reader CM)

The 2 Bears - Not This Time

I've posted tracks by these guys before, but here's some background in case you missed that. 

Raf Rundell and Hot Chip's Joe Goddard, who are both straight, call themselves the 2 Bears in homage of the gay subculture mostly because they fit the bill aesthetically but also as homage to the vanguards of the dance music they love. "We have huge respect for the pioneers of house music and nightclubbing-- some of them were gay," Rundell, aka DJ Raf Daddy, said an interview.

This clip definitely continues their queer aesthetic.

(Tipped by JMG reader Bob)

Quote Of The Day - Eric Holder

"I expect that the Justice Department will file a brief and the brief will be consistent with the positions that we have taken in the past in support of same-sex marriage. I can't imagine that that would be -- that we would take any other position in -- while this president is in office, and certainly as long as I am attorney general, or anybody who is my successor. [Pete Williams: Is the country ready for that?] Yeah, I think the country is ready for that. I think all the polls certainly show that. The reactions to the continuing number of court cases that have found same-sex marriage to be constitutionally mandated -- the polls have shown that the American people, I think, are prepared to accept that. Now this has been a sea change. This is something that has happened, I think, relatively quickly. Part of it is generational. I talk to my kids, who seem, no problems with this, no issues with this at all. But I think it's more than a generational change. I think that people who know folks who are gay, who are lesbian, and who are their friends, their coworkers, they see the moral side to this. Um, it's a civil-rights issue. From my perspective, it is the civil-rights issue of our day -- gay and lesbian equality." - Attorney General Eric Holder, in an interview with NBC's Pete Williams.

INDONESIA: Aceh Province Approves 100 Public Lashes For Homosexuality

The provincial legislature in Aceh has approved the bill calling for 100 public lashes with a cane for those convicted of homosexuality.

Aceh is the only part of the majority-Muslim nation that is allowed to implement Islamic sharia law and already carries out public canings for gambling, drinking alcohol and fraternising with the opposite sex outside of marriage. The law explicitly outlaws anal sex between men and "the rubbing of body parts between women for stimulation", making homosexuality technically illegal for the first time in Aceh. The bylaw will also be the first in Aceh to be applied to non-Muslims, both Indonesians and foreigners. Gay sex is not illegal in the rest of the country. Amnesty International, which has called for an end to caning in Aceh, asked that the bylaw be repealed immediately. "The criminalisation of individuals based on their sexual orientation is a huge blow for equality in Indonesia," the group's Asia-Pacific director Richard Bennett said. Mr Bennett said the law would increase the "climate of homophobia, fear and harassment many in Aceh are already facing".

The law was first proposed in May 2013 by the deputy mayor of Aceh's largest city. An estimated 98% of Aceh's 4.5 million residents are Muslim. LGBT rights are virtually nonexistent across Indonesia, although a national bill to criminalize gay sex failed in 2003.

LIVE VIDEO: FRC Hate Summit, Day Two

On the schedule for this morning beginning at 8:45AM: Sandy Rios, Mat Staver, Tony Perkins, Mark Levin, Star Parker, and Todd Starnes. Not quite the star power of yesterday, but today guarantees to provide even more anti-gay animus.

UPDATE: The event has concluded.

Chelsea Clinton Has A Daughter

Marc and I are full of love, awe and gratitude as we celebrate the birth of our daughter, Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) September 27, 2014

Via the Los Angeles Times:

After much public anticipation, Bill and Hillary Clinton have finally become grandparents as their daughter, Chelsea, gave birth to a daughter Friday. The former president and the past--and perhaps future--presidential candidate delivered the news via Twitter, copying a post from their daughter referring to the birth. "Marc and I are full of love, awe and gratitude as we celebrate the birth of our daughter, Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky," read the post on Chelsea Clinton's Twitter feed. No other details were made public. Coming as her mother makes plans for a second presidential campaign, the news that Chelsea Clinton and her husband, Marc Mezvinsky, were expecting their first child garnered tremendous attention in the political world — leading some to compare it to the frenzy that surrounded the arrival of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s son, George.

REPORT: Eric Holder To Ask Supreme Court To Legalize Gay Marriage Nationwide

NBC News correspondent Pete Williams reported tonight that Attorney General Eric Holder will ask the Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. Activists have gotten louder in recent weeks with calls for the Department of Justice to make this move. The Human Rights Campaign reacts via press release:

"Once again, Attorney General Eric Holder and the Obama Administration have stood up for marriage equality at a critical moment," said HRC President Chad Griffin.  "As the nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court gather on Monday to evaluate several marriage equality cases for full hearing, I hope they consider two facts—that the nation is ready for marriage equality, and that there are painful consequences to inaction. Committed and loving gay and lesbian couples can't afford to wait any longer. It's time to settle this constitutional question, once and for all." On Monday, September 29, the Supreme Court will be considering which cases pending before them will be chosen to hear on appeal.

Included amongst the cases they’ll be considering are marriage equality cases from five states – Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, Indiana and Wisconsin. Earlier in the year three federal appeals courts upheld lower court decisions that ruled state bans on marriage equality are unconstitutional. We could know soon thereafter whether or not one or more of these cases has be granted certiorari – meaning the Court has taken up the case(s) – though the court could delay making a decision for weeks or even until next term. Recently Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg told an audience that there is “no rush” to take up a case, especially if the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals continues the current streak of circuit courts striking down state marriage bans.

John Aravosis at Americablog is suggesting caution until we see exactly what Holder said.

UPDATE: Here's the NBC report.

Tony Perkins: Jeb Bush And Chris Christie Were Not Invited To FRC Hate Summit

Perkins won't say so, of course, but Bush wasn't invited because he's "soft" on immigration and Christie wasn't invited because he dropped his same-sex marriage appeal to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

TRAILER: Bad Ass Gays

Clip recap:

Taking a hard punch in the ring, careening 180 mph around a race track or leading a combat mission, it's a brave new world for gay men openly pursuing their professional passions, defying stereotypes, discrimination and setting the stage for a new generation. "Bad Ass Gays" is a documentary that tells the personal stories of gay men in "manly" professions, going on the job with them, revealing their motives, passions, joys, challenges and struggles to succeed. The film is a co-production between Rogue Culture and Logo TV. It premieres in the fall of 2014.

Britain To Join ISIS Airstrikes

Via the New York Times:

The British Parliament voted overwhelmingly on Friday to approve airstrikes in Iraq against the militants of the Islamic State. The vote brought a country weary of international engagements belatedly into the American-led campaign against Sunni extremists. Prime Minister David Cameron called Parliament back from recess to consider the motion, which authorizes the government to conduct air operations over Iraq. It does not authorize the deployment of ground troops, nor does it authorize action in Syria. The decision was seen as significant, after British lawmakers voted last year not to join proposed strikes against Syria over its use of chemical weapons. The vote last year dented Britain’s reputation as America’s closest ally in the fight against extremism, and the debate on Friday was seen as a test of Britain’s stomach for further military intervention after unpopular wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Palin Mocks Obama At FRC Hate Summit

In a speech laden with so many teabagger catch phrases randomly assembled from fridge magnets and bumper stickers that it was impossible to count, Sarah Palin dug out a coffee cup from under the podium to give her impression of President Obama saluting with a coffee cup. The audience, of course, roared. Nobody on Twitter seems know what the speech was about, but whatever it was about it was totally about that. A lot! Near the end of her rambling, Palin declared that "truth is an endangered species at 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue." The dude using that public restroom is in for a rude awakening.

Brian Brown At FRC Hate Summit

Brian Tashman writes at Right Wing Watch:

Back from defending anti-gay laws in Russia, Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage introduced Rick Santorum at today’s Values Voter Summit. Brown spent most of his time pushing back on claims that the GOP’s opposition to abortion rights and LGBT equality is dragging down the party, suggesting that Republicans would win more elections if they nominated more social issue crusaders in the mold of Rick Santorum. “It’s not our fault” when Republican candidates lose, Brown said. “You cannot blame social conservatives for lost elections.”

Sen. Ted Cruz At FRC Hate Summit

Cruz was introduced by Brent Bozell, who is best known around here as the guy who appeared on national television to describe the president as a "skinny ghetto crackhead."

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) took the stage Friday morning at the 2014 Value Voters Summit and delivered a fiery sermon full of Christian imagery and calls for the president to demand the freedom of various American “prisoners of conscious” being held by authoritarian governments around the world. Cruz spent a great deal of time discussing the story of Mariam Yehya Ibrahim, who took refuge in the U.S. Embassy after being sentenced to death by Sudan’s government for marrying a Christian man. Her story, Cruz said, demonstrates the power of Christian faith. Cruz also lambasted the Obama administration for what the senator characterized as infringements on religious liberty, but cheered on the Supreme Court’s decision in favor of Hobby Lobby in the infamous case involving the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate. The senator received a standing ovation when he implored the audience to help vote in a new GOP Senate majority and effectively vote out Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “We stand for life, we stand for marriage, we stand for Israel,” Cruz said of which message wins best.

Cruz also vowed that the new Senate will repeal Common Core - which of course was never approved by Congress, but whatevs! Applause! Jesus! Praise! Glory!

NEW YORK: United Nations Human Rights Council Endorses LGBT Rights

Via press release:

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) today applauded the United Nations’ top human rights body for approving a resolution condemning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, calling it an important step forward toward progress for equality and human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.

“The Human Rights Council has taken a fundamental step forward by reaffirming one of the United Nations’ key principles—that everyone is equal in dignity and rights,” said Jessica Stern, executive director of IGLHRC. “This resolution puts the UN on a trajectory to address the discrimination and violence LGBT persons suffer daily across the world.”

“The council is confirming that LGBT people have universal human rights,” said Stern. “We know, of course, that the struggle is long, and that we will need the Council to focus on the violations we suffer for many years to come. But for now, we celebrate that the majority of States stood with us to declare, unequivocally, that human rights are for everyone, everywhere.”

The Human Rights Council resolution—led by Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay—followed a resolution in 2011 on the same topic led by South Africa and asks the UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights to gather and publish information on how best to overcome discrimination and violence.

Opponents of the resolution employed procedural tactics to defeat the text, by presenting a total of 7 amendments that would have eliminated all reference to sexual orientation and gender identity from the text, and made it applicable only to countries who proactively declare support for sexual diversity and rights. These amendments were defeated by vote. The resolution passed by 25 votes in favor, 14 against, and 7 abstentions.

Voting For:  Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Macedonia, Montenegro, Peru, Philippines, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam.

Voting Against: Algeria, Botswana, Ethiopia, Gabon, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kuwait, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. 

Abstaining: Burkina Faso, China, Congo, India, Kazakhstan, Namibia, Sierra Leone.

UPDATE: The White House applauds.

The United States applauds today's adoption by the UN Human Rights Council of a resolution in support of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. The second such resolution to be passed by the UN Human Rights Council, today's resolution reiterates that LGBT persons are entitled to the human rights and fundamental freedoms that are the birthright of all humankind, expresses grave concern regarding acts of violence and discrimination against LGBT persons, and requests the preparation of an important new report on preventing such abuses. We thank sponsors Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay for their leadership, and commend the Council for taking another historic step to reinforce the unassailable principle that LGBT rights are human rights.

UPDATE II: More from Buzzfeed:

The proposal’s opponents — led by Egypt and other members of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation — fought determinedly to defeat the proposal, which they framed as a form of cultural imperialism and an attack on Islam. “We feel there is an attempt to impose uniculturality” that “runs counter to religious and cultural practices of some countries,” said Saudi Arabia’s representative during debate. The language “In my opinion, this [resolution] is a human rights violation.” Pakistan’s representative was more explicit: “The wider connotation of the words ‘sexual orientation’ can be destructive and inimical to our Muslim [faith] …and to our youth as a whole,” he said.

But several amendments intended to gut the bill failed, and the final vote suggests the these arguments are losing ground even in the regional blocs that have historically been the most unified in opposing U.N. language supporting LGBT rights. Congo, Sierra Leone, and Namibia broke with most of the rest of the Africa bloc to abstain on the resolution, a kind of soft “yes” vote. Kazakhstan, a member of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation abstained as well. The vote was far more lopsided than when a virtually identical resolution was voted on in 2011, when it passed by a vote of 29 to 19 with three abstentions.

Tweet Of The Day - Michelangelo Signorile

Michelle Bachmann just told me re: gay marriage, “it’s not an issue anymore,” runs off,adds, ‘In fact it’s boring.’ #ValuesVoterSummit
— Mike Signorile (@MSignorile) September 26, 2014

OREGON: NOM Files For En Banc Rehearing Of Attempt To Stop Same-Sex Marriages

Included in the filing are dozens of attachments which NOM claims bolsters its accusation that the Oregon attorney general's office colluded with the plaintiffs in the case.

On September 10, 2014, I was able to quickly review some of the documents in the production and learn that there had been a high degree of cooperation between attorneys for Plaintiffs and attorneys with the Office of the Attorney General in the underlying litigation challenging the constitutionality of Oregon’s state constitutional definition of marriage passed by voters as Measure 36 in 2004, and that this cooperation began even before the lawsuit was filed. As a result of that quick initial review, co-counsel and I determined to include reference to these documents in NOM’s petition for rehearing en banc, with a promise of this declaration to follow, because the documents demonstrate a lack of adversarialness sufficient to raise serious questions about the jurisdiction of the court below to have issued the broad-ranging declaratory and injunctive relief that it issued.

See the full filing at Equality Case Files.

Wife-Swappers For Jesus

"They say you should not covet your neighbor's wife. But what if your neighbor wants you to?"

NOM: Oregon's Attorney General Colluded With Plaintiffs In Marriage Equality Case

NOM chairman John Eastman today accused Oregon's attorney general of colluding with marriage equality plaintiffs in a post that was almost immediately deleted from NOM's blog, but not before Good As You blogger Jeremy Hooper captured the above screenshot. A larger version of the above image is here. As you surely know, courts have repeatedly denied NOM's attempts to intervene in Oregon's same-sex marriage battle. These attempts continue even though gay couples have been marrying in Oregon for more than four months.

Pet Shop Boys Stand With LGBT Egypt

Following recent events in Egypt, Pet Shop Boys support #18Oct_EgyLGBT. Learn more here: http://t.co/vhn4jO98kq #StandforEgyptLgbt
— Pet Shop Boys (@petshopboys) September 26, 2014

Activists are planning demonstrations at Egyptian embassies around the world on October 18th.

Because of all the prosecutions, discrimination, jailing, detentions, physical and verbal violence conduct, anal examinations, torture, deceptive, exposing and unethical media tools, humiliations, murders, the outdated cultures and believes pursued by the society and the Egyptian government against LGBTQI community members who have been living a double life full of fear and disgrace. We are calling for a solidarity protest, a stand for human rights, cause there is no excuse to be treated as such. To stop prosecuting Egyptian LGBTQI community members and show both, the society and the government that people stand for each other no matter where they are in the world. To tell both, the society and the Egyptian government, that people with diverse sexualities and gender identities can’t be punished for who they are. To deliver a message to the government in Egypt, that's what they did and they keep on doing won’t pass easily. The 18th of October, is the day in which we will become more vocal, visible and united. Join us on the 18th of October.

I'll have more details on the protests as the date gets closer.

Viral Video Of The Day

Seen At The Values Voter Summit

LIVE VIDEO: FRC's Hate Summit

C-SPAN2 is also covering the event live.

NEW YORK: Wedding Venue Says They Don't Hate Gays, Just Gay Marriage

The Alliance Defending Freedom is pushing their appeal of the upstate New York wedding venue that was recently fined for refusing a same-sex ceremony. From the Heritage Foundation site Daily Signal:

“We’re not hateful people,” Gifford said in an interview with The Daily Signal, holding back tears. “We just believe that a marriage is between a man and a woman, and we don’t want to hold a [same-sex] marriage ceremony on our farm because the state tells us to.” In this special video report from The Daily Signal, Cynthia Gifford tells the story of the government’s unexpected action to punish her and her husband for their religious beliefs. Their attorney, James Trainor of the Alliance Defending Freedom, explains the constitutional issues at stake. Initially, Gifford—a Christian, as is her husband—had no idea the caller was recording their conversation. That was Sept. 25, 2012. The lesbian couple, Melisa Erwin and Jennifer McCarthy, soon filed a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights.

Sen. Ted Cruz: Hold Off On Eric Holder's Replacement Until New Senate Is Seated

"It is good news that Eric Holder has announced his resignation. Sadly, he has proven to be the most partisan attorney general in our history, repeatedly defying and refusing to enforce the law. It did not have to be this way, but Holder’s leadership has grievously undermined the Department of Justice’s long bipartisan tradition of independence and fidelity to law. To ensure that justice is served and that the Attorney General is not simply replaced with another extreme partisan who will likewise disregard the law, the Senate should wait until the new Congress is sworn in before confirming the next Attorney General. Allowing Democratic senators, many of whom will likely have just been defeated at the polls, to confirm Holder’s successor would be an abuse of power that should not be countenanced." - Sen. Ted Cruz, in a statement published on his website.

Hospital Fires Alleged Gay-Basher

ABC News reports:

The daughter of a Pennsylvania police chief, facing assault charges, was fired today from her hospital job after allegedly posting photos and information about patients that potentially violate privacy policies. Lansdale Hospital-Abington Health told ABC News,“Effective today, September 25, 2014, Kathryn Knott has been terminated from her employment at Abington Health.” Knott, 24, had initially been suspended her because of charges stemming from her alleged involvement in an attack on two gay men in downtown Philadelphia. Knott, from Southampton, Pennsylvania, had worked at the hospital since 2011 as an emergency room tech. Her Twitter page includes tweets about apparent patients and photos of X-rays. She was arrested this week with two men, Kevin Harrigan, 26, and Phillip Williams, 24, for her alleged role in the Sept. 11 fight. Her lawyer has said she is innocent, but her tweets going back to 2012 are going viral for what she had to say about foreign cab drivers, gay men and Asian people, among others.

A trial date has not yet been set.

New From Freedom To Marry

This clip will debut on Sunday's network news shows.

Hate Groups Launch Joint Campaign: Don't Vote For Pro-Gay GOP Candidates

Posted yesterday on NOM's blog:

Three of the nation's top pro-family groups have announced an unprecedented campaign against three top Republican candidates for federal office because the candidates are supporters of same-sex 'marriage' and abortion. The National Organization for Marriage, Family Research Council Action and CitizenLink announced they will urge voters not to support Republican House candidates Carl DeMaio (CA-52) and Richard Tisei (MA-6), and will urge Oregon voters not to support US Senate candidate Monica Wehby. "The Republican Party platform is a 'statement of who we are and what we believe.' Thus, the platform supports the truth of marriage as the union of husband and wife, and recognizes the sanctity and dignity of human life. This is what Republicans believe," said Brian S. Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM). "It is extremely disappointing to see Republican leaders in Washington help push the election of candidates who reject the party's principled positions on these and other core issues. We cannot sit by when people calling themselves Republicans seek high office while espousing positions that are antithetical to the overwhelming majority of Republicans."

CitizenLink is an arm of Focus On The Family.

Jimmy Somerville - Back To Me

Christian Group: Homosexuals And Gossips Both Deserve The Death Penalty

"We aren't just defending marriage - whether we call it natural marriage or traditional marriage or Biblical marriage - because it's the way we've always done things. We have a much more firm foundation than tradition. We affirm marriage in the way that God himself intended it. The church is not a Christian congress or Supreme Court. The laws of God cannot be overruled or deemed unconstitutional. Of course, we ALL break those laws and being a homosexual doesn't make a man a sinner any more or less than being a gossip. Both crimes deserve the death penalty, and only the one who relies on the righteousness of Christ can escape it." - Chris Johnson, writing for the American Decency Association, which notes on its Facebook page that it is the former Michigan chapter for the American Family Association.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: The American Decency Association declares that while they totally hate that homosexual Michael Sam, they are not the group by the same name that called for protesting Dallas Cowboys games. The American Decency Association calls for a boycott of Target and for Christians to mail their destroyed charge cards to company headquarters. The American Decency Association says the DOMA ruling was as bad as the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Right's Worst Smears About Holder

EGYPT: Grindr Issues Entrapment Warning After Six Men Sentenced To Prison For Renting Apartment For Sex Hook-Ups

Grindr has issued the above warnings to its users in Egypt. J. Lester Feder reports at Buzzfeed:

Six men were sentenced by an Egyptian court on Thursday to two years in prison with labor for allegedly advertising their apartment on Facebook for men to have sex with each other for a fee of $200 per night, reports the state-owned Egyptian news site Ahram Online based on information from “a judicial source.” This case may be the first case in which Egyptians have been caught on social media for charges of homosexuality, something human rights activists have warned could become widespread as the Egyptian government widens its crackdown on LGBT rights. Since October, around 80 people are known to have been arrested on allegations of homosexuality, including eight men who are due in court on Saturday for appearing in a video that shows a couple of men exchanging rings that made headlines throughout the Arabic press as a “gay wedding.”

Earlier this month Grindr announced that its distance function would not longer be the default feature for users in countries where homosexuality is illegal or dangerous.

Tweet Of The Day - Rep. Brian Sims

Over 300 people ignored rain to rally against #LGBT hate crimes - Thank you! A summary: http://t.co/FfXzDDb3pN pic.twitter.com/aXMzs9ap9E— Rep. Brian Sims (@RepSims) September 25, 2014

RELATED: This morning Sims appeared on public radio.

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams has pressed charges against two men and one woman in connection with the Sept. 11 assault on a gay couple in Center City. The case has renewed calls to expand Pennsylvania’s hate crime law to people based on their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability. The Commonwealth’s existing hate crimes law covers race, religion color and national origin. Today on Radio Times we’ll talk about the need for such legislation on the state and national level, its history in Pennsylvania, and its purpose as a prosecutorial tool and a deterrence to crime targeting specific groups of people. Our guests are State Representative BRIAN SIMS, who is leading the call for reform, law professor STACEY SOBEL, former executive director of Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, and New York University professor ANN PELLEGRINI, co-author of “You Can Tell Just By Looking” and "20 Other Myths about LGBT Life and People."

LOUISIANA: GOP Rep. Vance McAllister Says His Christian Wife Forgives His Cheating So Send Him Back To Congress

Philandering opposite marriage champion Vance McAllister wants you to know that his "Christian wife" is giving him a second chance. Therefore the voters of Louisiana should do the same. Praise! Glory! As I noted earlier today, McCallister is up against five other GOP candidates in the primary, including Zach Dasher, the nephew of Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson.

(Tipped by JMG reader Ken)

Today In Teabagistan

World Net Daily, Gateway Pundit, Breitbart, and Twitchy have settled on a headline theme.

Headline Of The Day

The Daily Beast today published a lengthy accounting of the The Gathering, a secretive meeting of anti-gay right wing activists that starts in Orlando today. An excerpt:

The Gathering is an annual event at which many of the wealthiest conservative to hard-right evangelical philanthropists in America—representatives of the families DeVos, Coors, Prince, Green, Maclellan, Ahmanson, Friess, plus top leaders of the National Christian Foundation—meet with evangelical innovators with fresh ideas on how to evangelize the globe. The Gathering promotes “family values” agenda: opposition to gay rights and reproductive rights, for example, and also a global vision that involves the eventual eradication of all competing belief systems that might compete with The Gathering’s hard-right version of Christianity. Last year, for example, The Gathering 2013 brought together key funders, litigants, and plaintiffs of the Hobby Lobby case, including three generations of the Green family. The evangelical right financial dynasties and foundations that meet each year at The Gathering dispense upwards of $1 billion a year in grants. But even that is overshadowed by the bigger sums that The Family and The Gathering have managed to route from the federal and state government to fund their movement via the Faith-Based Initiative program, USAID, PEPFAR and other multibillion-dollar programs.

Many of the anti-gay hate groups involved will be familiar to you. Definitely hit that link.

TRAILER: The War Against Gays In Russia

Debuts on HBO on October 6th. Narrated by Matt Bomer.

Feds Sue Over Anti-Trans Discrimination

Chris Geidner has the scoop at Buzzfeed:

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed lawsuits Thursday against two companies accused of discriminating against transgender employees, the first time the federal government has brought suit under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect transgender workers. The two complaints, filed in federal courts in Florida and Michigan, are the latest — and most ambitious — steps in a series of aggressive moves taken by the commission in the past several years to advance LGBT rights under existing laws. “This enforcement priority aims to give full force to Title VII’s prohibition against sex discrimination to ensure it helps eliminate unlawful discriminatory barriers to LGBT applicants and employees,” EEOC General Counsel David Lopez said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. “It seeks to ensure employers aren’t considering irrelevant factors, like gender-based stereotypes or gender identity, in making employment decisions.”

The Florida case is against an eye clinic and the Michigan case is against a funeral home. Hit the link and read Geidner's lengthy dissection of the issues.

Haters Celebrate Holder Resignation

Attny Gen. Eric Holder making a fast & furious exit. We'll remember him as the lawless AG #marriage. #VVS14

— Tony Perkins (@tperkins) September 25, 2014

Holder is resigning. God bless America!

— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) September 25, 2014

Eric Holder getting out while Obama still has 51 Senate votes to replace him with somebody worse.

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanJFischer) September 25, 2014

Holder to resign. So, the GOP really is going to win the Senate in November.

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) September 25, 2014

HRC Head Chad Griffin: Obama Should Consider LGBT Successor To Eric Holder

"Some Attorneys General wait for history, others make history happen. Attorney General Holder made history for the LGBT community. He was our Robert F. Kennedy, lightening the burden of every American who faces legal discrimination and social oppression. We owe him a profound debt of gratitude for his legacy of advocacy and service. President Obama faces a historic opportunity in light of Attorney General Holder's departure. The President has expressed a commitment to appointing a cabinet that reflects the full diversity of the American people, and there are many richly-qualified candidates available to serve as the first openly-LGBT cabinet secretary. It would be a natural extension of this administration's enduring commitment to equality to send a message of visibility and inclusion by nominating such a candidate to serve in this historic role." - Human Rights Campaign Chad Griffin, via email.

Petition Of The Day

The petition was launched by the friend of the Philadelphia gay-bashing victims who has been speaking to the press on their behalf. Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims is co-hosting a rally in support of the bill this afternoon. See the petition.

Attorney General Eric Holder To Resign

AG Eric Holder has served 6 years. Obama plans to announce Holder's resignation today, White House official says. http://t.co/Ipm9jlIH5F
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) September 25, 2014

The cheering from Teabagistan is sweeping Twitter.

Duck Dynasty Kin Runs For Congress

Zach Dasher, nephew of Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson, is running for the US House in Louisiana. As you'd expect, his wife has an opinion on homosexuality.

In one blog on the controversy surrounding Phil Robertson’s suspension from A&E for anti-LGBT comments made to GQ, Dasher’s wife, Jil, writes that she’s seen people who have “come out of” addictions like homosexuality in her home. Dasher compares it to an addiction, akin to heroin and alcohol. “I have had folks sit on my couch who have come out of all kinds of addictions; alcohol, heroin, homosexuality, etc and hear them talk of healing and how they were able, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to overcome a life that was destroying them. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?” Dasher has made his religion a central part of his platform telling Sean Hannity, “my platform begins with God.”

Dasher is one of five Republicans running against incumbent Rep. Vince McAllister, the sanctity of opposite marriage defender who was busted on video in April as he made out with a female employee. The Dashers home school their four children. Of course! Louisiana's primary is November 4th.

Bill Clinton To Keynote HRC Gala

Via press release:

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality, announced today that President Bill Clinton will deliver the keynote address at the 18th Annual HRC National Dinner to be held on Saturday, October 25, 2014, in Washington, DC. “President Bill Clinton is a transformational leader for our nation and the world,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “His ability to build partnerships around the globe and harness the power of human potential is truly remarkable, and we are thrilled he will be returning as our keynote speaker for our national dinner.”  After leaving the White House, President Clinton established the Clinton Foundation with the mission to improve global health, strengthen economies, promote health and wellness, and protect the environment. In addition to his Foundation work, President Clinton has served as the top United Nations envoy for the Indian Ocean tsunami recovery effort and as the UN Special Envoy to Haiti. Today, the Clinton Foundation is supporting economic growth, capacity building, and education in Haiti. President Clinton attended HRC's first national dinner in 1997.

The event is already sold out.

Perkins: The Left Fears My Hate Summit

"Pop Quiz: What annual event has the Left so worried that they are spending tens of thousands in advertising dollars to stop? You guessed it; the Values Voters Summit. In the Washington Post, leftwing groups including GLAAD, (known for its failed campaign to fire Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson,) the anti-Christian Southern Poverty Law Center, and the George Soros-funded 'Faithful America,' signed onto a three-quarters page ad demanding that speakers 'not attend the Values Voter Summit.' The ad complains that I described homosexual activist Dan Savage's attacks on Christians as 'disgusting.' I believe most people would be hard pressed to disagree with my assertion. The Left is clearly discouraged by the effectiveness of the Values Voter Summit and is willing to fork over a lot of money to stifle speech they disagree with." - KKK-affiliated hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

Philly Three Released On Bail

The Associated Press reports that the three Philadelphia gay-bashing suspects were freed on bail at 3:30AM this morning. Bail for the two men was $75K, bail for Kathryn Knott was $50K. A trial date has not been set.

UPDATE: There's video of the trio being released.

PHILADELPHIA: City Council To Consider Local Hate Crimes Ordinance

Today Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims will co-host a Harrisburg rally in support of a statewide hate crimes bill that likely faces slim prospects in the current session. Meanwhile the Philadelphia City Council will today hear a local version of the bill. Via the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown and Councilman Jim Kenney are introducing legislation Thursday in response to the Sep. 11 assault of a same-sex couple in Center City, that would add a hate crime chapter to the city code. If approved, the ordinance would mandate higher penalties for any crime committed against a person because of hatred toward that person’s “perceived sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, or disability.” A hate crime violation would add up to 90 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000, the ordinance suggests. The ordinance would amend the section of the code that addresses “Regulation of individual conduct and activity,” including ethnic intimidation and institutional vandalism. Violation of ethnic intimidation is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and monetary fines for a Class III crime offense. The bill could be amended once it goes to a council committee for hearings.

(Tipped by JMG reader David)

New Message From Harlem's Hate Church

(Via HIVstories)

Viral Video Of The Day

Over 20M views in one day.

Open Thread Thursday

Twice a year I ask you to pimp out your own website, your artwork, your music, your garden, your writing. Today's that day. Links and photos, please.

Fox News Hosts War Criminal

Hospital Suspends Alleged Gay-Basher

"We can confirm that Kathryn Knott has been employed at Lansdale Hospital since May 2011. Because of the nature of the charges against her, she has been suspended from her job as an Emergency Room tech. We are investigating an additional issue that was brought to our attention related to this employee’s Twitter account for potential violations of patient privacy and our organization’s social media policy. Abington Health takes patient privacy and confidentiality very seriously and is fully investigating this matter." - From the Facebook page of Philadelphia ABC reporter Kenneth Morton. As some of you have seen in the comments threads, Knott had apparently tweeted out confidential medical information such as patient X-rays. (Tipped by JMG reader Str8 Grandmother)

IOC: All Future Olympics Host Cities Must Agree To LGBT Discrimination Protections

The International Olympic Committee today announced that future Olympics host cities must sign a contract with an added clause vowing to protect LGBT participants and attendees from discrimination. Via press release from All Out:

“This is a significant step in ensuring the protection of both citizens and athletes around the world and sends a clear message to future host cities that human rights violations, including those against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, will not be tolerated,” said Andre Banks, co-founder and executive director of All Out, the global movement for love and equality. “This is a particularly important moment for the world’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens who face discrimination and persecution not only in Russia but in countries all over the world. We will continue working to make sure this change is powerfully enforced - these new rules must prevent a replay of Sochi.”

According to IOC Sports Director, Christopher Dubi, the new clause will include “the prohibition of any form of discrimination, using the wording of Fundamental Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter." This clause will ensure that future host cities must abide by international human rights standards in order to host the games, including the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens and athletes. “By adopting a non-discrimination clause into its host city contracts, the IOC is showcasing its own realization that we must protect the rights of every athlete to live free and openly,” said Hudson Taylor, Executive Director of Athlete Ally. “The Principle 6 campaign sought to shed light on the responsibility of host countries to uphold the olympic values, and this action validates all of the hard work by organizations and individuals across the world who’ve engaged in the fight for LGBT equality.”

RELATED: The 2016 Summer Games will be held in Rio De Janeiro, where robust LGBT protections already exist. The 2018 Winter Games will be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, where homosexuality is legal, but anti-discrimination laws do not exist.

PHILADELPHIA: Mug Shots Released

Lawyer For Alleged Basher Kathryn Knott: This Young Woman Couldn't Bust A Grape

The lawyer for alleged Philadelphia gay-basher Kathryn Knott appeared on right-wing AM talk radio today to declare, unsurprisingly, that his client is completely innocent. An excerpt:

“She completely denies having touched anyone and she maintains that that just simply didn’t occur and that those who are making the accusations are incorrect. She was walking with a group of friends. Unfortunately, there was an altercation between two males, of which, she was not a part of. That altercation got out of control. Unfortunately, one gentleman was injured, but he wasn’t injured because of the conduct of Ms. Knott. This is a woman who grew up in a law enforcement environment, in a law enforcement home. She has the utmost respect for the law. She is a gentle, kind person who was never in trouble before. She has zero animus to anybody, let alone somebody of a particular group or persuasion. This young woman, on her best day, couldn’t bust a grape. She hurt no one. She struck no one. Simply stated, she didn’t do this."

The show's host and the lawyer both talk about being offended that Catholics like them are being stereotyped as bigoted. The lawyer added that Knott should be free on bail later today. Hit the link and listen to the full interview.

More 2012 Tweets From Kathryn Knott

In a post that includes the racist and homophobic Twitter history archived by Scott Wooledge, Philadelphia Magazine has dug up a couple of more tweets from Kathryn Knott, the alleged gay-bashing daughter of a suburban Pennsylvania police chief.

A guy ran me off the road, called my dad ran his license, and got him ticket #sorrynotsorry #lovemydad— Kathryn Knott (@kathryn_knott) March 21, 2012

@garlicknott dad just let me kick down a door on a raid #epic— Kathryn Knott (@kathryn_knott) December 18, 2012

(Tipped by JMG reader Joel)

Republican National Committee Launches Fundraising Site On "Coffee Salute"

From the just-launched SemperLatte.com: "Our Commander-in-Chief should take the time to properly salute our nation’s heroes in uniform. They do it for him. Unfortunately, his disregard is part of a larger pattern. If you want to send a message to this White House that you’ve had enough, fill out this form and get your free bumper sticker." You get your bumper sticker AFTER you deliver all your contact information to the RNC.

Red-Caped Catholic Loons: Ban Satanist Events Because Religious Freedom

The NRA Has A Question For You

SCOTUSblog On Louisiana

SCOTUSblog on the confusing situation in Louisiana:

A state judge in Louisiana, ordering state officials to treat as legal the California wedding of a same-sex couple, has struck down a state ban on such marriages — the same ban that was upheld in federal court earlier this month. The federal case is now awaiting an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, where state officials want it reviewed by the same panel that will rule on a Texas ban that has been nullified.

The situation in Louisiana has now become somewhat muddled, although the conflicting rulings are by different courts — one state, one federal. In a ruling on Monday that has just been made public, state District Court Judge Edward D. Rubin found unconstitutional a 2004 state constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage, as well as state laws also imposing a ban and refusing to recognize such marriages performed elsewhere.

State officials are expected to appeal Judge Rubin’s decision within the state court system. The conflicting ruling by U.S. District Judge Martin C. Feldman of New Orleans on September 3 has been appealed by same-sex couples to the Fifth Circuit. That court has not yet set a hearing date, and state officials have formally asked that, when the Louisiana couples’ appeal is heard, it be put before the same panel now set to review the constitutionality of Texas’s ban. State officials in Texas have appealed to try to salvage their state prohibition.

A redacted version of Monday's ruling is here.

Obama Addresses United Nations General Assembly, Says Airstrikes Must Continue

Via USA Today:

U.S.-led airstrikes in Syria and Iraq are necessary to stop the terrorist threats of the Islamic State and others, President Obama told world leaders Wednesday. "The only language understood by killers like this is the language of force," Obama told the United Nations General Assembly in his annual address. The president also called on the world's nations and While there is a "pervasive unease" over a variety of global problems — from the spread of Ebola in West Africa to Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine — Obama told the U.N. delegates they are making progress in addressing them. "As we look to the future, one issue risks a cycle of conflict that could derail such progress," Obama said. "And that is the cancer of violent extremism that has ravaged so many parts of the Muslim world."

Another Beheading By ISIS

French tourist seized in Algeria is seen beheaded in a video circulated by a group aligned with ISIS, SITE says. http://t.co/A5CqfqFtNg
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) September 24, 2014

Robertson Slams Obama's "Latte Salute"

Yes kids, American missiles are raining down on Syria and THIS remains the headline across Teabagistan today.

AUSTRALIA: Gay Club Issues Lifetime Ban On Patrons Found Using (Some) Drugs

Saying they are fed up with problems caused by patrons using GHB and crystal meth, the popular Melbourne gay nightclub Poof Doof has announced a lifetime ban for any customer caught using those substances. These bans will be shared with more than 100 nightclubs across Australia, who jointly use a system called Scantek to record the identities of problem customers.

It's the first time a city club has made a public stance on crystal methamphetamine, following moves at mainstream venues almost two years ago to place life bans on punters caught partying on the drug GHB. "There is a sadness and exhaustion attached to these drugs - everyone seems to know someone who has been directly affected," Poof Doof organiser Anthony Hocking said. "An individual who has been given a lifetime ban at one venue, will be flagged by all venues," he said. Melbourne clubs have been using the technology since 2006 and there are now 33 Victorian venues on Scantek. There are almost 4500 active bans across the country and nearly 1500 in Victoria with men accounting for 84 per cent of bans. Drug use or possession accounts for about 20 per cent of prohibitions, while threatening or violent behaviour is responsible for 43 per cent. Venues have used the system for years, but it is rare for Melbourne club owners, wary of being cast as having a drug problem, to go public and threaten drug users with lifetime bans. The last time was more than a year ago.

Poof Doof posted a statement on Facebook:

After seeing how these horrific drugs have affected our community, Poof Doof has decided to take action. Far be it from us to tell you what to do – we’re not the fun police – but we are putting our foot down with regards to what goes on whilst you’re all in our care on Saturday nights. Any doofer caught with these substances inside Poof Doof will be banned for life via the Scantek security system. This means that individual will also be banned for life at all other Scantek venues. Our venue staff and security will be assisting us to identify, eject and ban those individuals who have not heeded our warning. Make no mistake: we are serious. And the lifetime bans will be irreversible. Poof Doof says no.

Notably, the anti-drug campaign makes no mention of ecstasy or its current incarnation, molly. Doof, by the way, is Australian slang for a rave party.

PHILADELPHIA: All Three Suspects In Mob Gay-Bashing Have Surrendered

Via the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Two men and a woman surrendered to police Wednesday morning to face charges in the Sept. 11 beating of a gay couple in Center City. Accompanied by their lawyers, Philip Williams, 24; Kathryn Knott, 24; and Kevin Harrigan, 26, turned themselves in at Central Detectives, 401 N. 21st Street in Franklintown. The three, all from Bucks County, are to be charged with two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and related offenses, officials say.

Hopefully mug shots will come later today.

Wingnuts: Obama Has Catfished America

Via TIME Magazine:

An outside Republican group, Americans for Shared Prosperity, is running a new ad that compares President Obama to a bad boyfriend. The 60-second spot features a woman talking about a man she met online in 2008 with a seemingly perfect profile: “smart, handsome, charming articulate.” But since, their relationship has soured. AFSP bashes Obama for recent NSA spying scandals and the president’s foreign policy as if they were personal transgressions. “He’s in my emails and text messages, spying on me but ignoring real threats,” the woman says. The ad goes on to critique Obamacare: “He thinks the only thing I care about is free birth control, but he won’t even let me keep my doctor.”

Critics are saying that the ad echoes the recent NFL-related #WhyIStayed social media campaign in which the victims of domestic abuse explain why they remained in abusive relationships.

iPhone 6 Shatters Sales Records

Via Forbes:

Apple didn’t need the world’s largest smartphone market to break records this year. The latest iPhone models broke opening weekend sales records with over 10 million new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus sold since Friday. It was a blockbuster weekend for Apple, exceeding the 9 million iPhone 5 and 5S models sold in the same weekend last year. And Apple did it without China — where the phones likely won’t go on sale until early 2015. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the largest phones Apple has made to date, were only available in 10 regions: the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Apple says the iPhones will be available in 115 countries by the end of the year.

RELATED: Twitter is lighting up with the hashtag #bendgate.

Experts are divided over whether Apple should respond to claims that its new iPhone 6 handsets are prone to becoming bent when carried in trouser pockets. Several members of the public have posted photos to the Mac Rumors site that appear to show the problem. A reporter for the Geek.com news site also reported his phone had warped. And it is not yet clear if the new iPhones' aluminium shells make them particularly vulnerable. Even so, the claims have been reported across tech blogs as well as mainstream media including the Independent, the Washington Post, India Today and the Sydney Morning Herald. Twitter users have also posted thousands of comments about the claims. The BBC has contacted Apple but the firm has yet to provide any comment.

Lively: God Is My Campaign Manager

"Friends, As you know, I am not running a typical election campaign. My Campaign Manager is the Holy Spirit, and He has His own plan and purposes for my run for Governor of Massachusetts. First, He has told me NOT to try to make things happen in my own will and strength, but wait on Him to move others to take action on my behalf. That was the word I received while on my annual personal retreat on the Appalachian Trail this May. I confess I haven’t been completely faithful to that command. It is not in my nature to be passive. But truthfully, every effort I have made in violation of His guidance has been a complete dud. Getting on the ballot was a genuine miracle." - Scott Lively, in a money beg in which he notes that his campaign donation page delivers a malware warning. Apparently, God has shitty coding skills.

Carl DeMaio Vs Rep. Scott Peters

Last night Log Cabin Republicans endorsee Carl DeMaio debated Rep. Scott Peters.

As they have for much of the campaign, the two honed in on each other’s record while on the San Diego City Council and DeMaio’s 2012 mayoral campaign. Peters repeatedly tried to paint DeMaio as a tea party extremist, while DeMaio said Peters was at the center of the city’s pension debacle and reduction in services. Republican DeMaio said Democrat Peters was labelling with him a politically pejorative term in an effort to obfuscate his own record, which DeMaio described as dismal. “In four years time I cleaned up the mess you made in eight years,” DeMaio said, pointing to his push for city worker pension reform and reductions in council perks. Peters stuck with the tea party theme, highlighting a statement DeMaio made at an appearance before the group during his 2012 mayoral campaign in which he indicated if elected he would “owe them and our collective movement everything.” DeMaio said the comment was taken out of context and that a video clip showing it had been spliced. Peters said the full video is on his campaign website.

The full debate is below. You might just want to watch the first few minutes in which the station sets up the campaign so far. Peters, should you be new to this particular battle, is an ardent LGBT ally.