Friday, August 31, 2012

Tea Party Billionaire Funder David Koch: ‘I Believe In Gay Marriage’


David Koch, arguably one of the founders — and definitely one of, if not the largest funders — of the anti-tax Tea Party, announced last night that he supports same-sex marriage. Koch is actually an Republican National Convention (RNC) delegate from New York, and was specifically asked about the GOP’s platform on gay marriage.
“Billionaire industrialist David Koch, who is helping steer millions of dollars to elect Mitt Romney and congressional Republicans, on Thursday told POLITICO he disagrees with the GOP’s stance on gay marriage and believes the U.S. needs to consider raising taxes to balance the budget,” Politico reports:
Koch, who is serving as a delegate to the Republican National Convention from New York, spoke to POLITICO after delivering brief remarks at a reception held in his honor by Americans for Prosperity, the political advocacy group he chairs and has helped fund.
The 1980 vice presidential nominee for the socially liberal – but fiscally conservative – Libertarian Party, Koch told POLITICO “I believe in gay marriage” when asked about the GOP’s stance on gay rights.
Romney opposes gay marriage, as do most Republicans, and when that was pointed out to Koch, he said “Well, I disagree with that.”

Thursday, August 30, 2012

ANN ROMNEY INVITED TO OFFICIATE AT MITCH AND CAM'S WEDDING ON 'MODERN FAMILY'


Ann_romney

The Hollywood Reporter makes note of Ann Romney's favorite TV show:

Asked by Entertainment Tonight to name her favorite TV show, aspiring First Lady Ann Romney replied that Modern Family -- the hit ABC sitcom about the lives of three very different and intertwined families -- was the show she most looked forward to watching each week.

Modern Family executive producer Steve Levitan tweeted in response: "Thrilled Ann Romney says ModFam is her favorite show. We'll offer her the role of officiant at Mitch & Cam's wedding. As soon as it's legal."


Stephen Colbert Explains How the Gays Created Hurricane Isaac to Destroy the GOP Convention

California Takes Big Step in Becoming First to Outlaw 'Reparative' Therapy

he California State Assembly approved Senate Bill 1172, The Conversion Therapy Ban, which would make it the first state in the nation to outlaw the practice of “conversion” or “reparative” therapy for young LGBT Californians if signed by the governor. The unprecedented bill has been heralded by nearly every national LGBT organization.


Dad Wears Skirt in Solidarity With Dress-Loving Son


A German father said that he sometimes wears skirts to support his son, who also prefers to wear skirts and dresses.

Nils Pickert and his family moved from West Berlin to a more traditional village in southern Germany, Gawker reports. After Pickert's son expressed worries that other kids at school would mock him for wearing dresses, his father decided to also don a dress in solidarity.

"I didn't want to talk my son into not wearing dresses and skirts," he said. "He didn't make friends in doing that in Berlin already and after a lot of contemplation I had only one option left: To broaden my shoulders for my little buddy and dress in a skirt myself."

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

French government to introduce bill to legalize same-sex marriage


The French government is expected to introduce legislation in October that would legalize same-sex marriage, a move that would bring France in line with several European countries and fulfill an campaign promise by President François Hollande.
Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, had previously announced in the French Parliament that gay and lesbian couples would be permitted to marry and adopt children by 2013.

RNC ATTENDEE HURLED NUTS AT BLACK CNN CAMERAWOMAN, CALLED HER AN 'ANIMAL'



Shuster

A tweet from journalist David Shuster brought attention to an ugly racial incident at the Republican National Convention yesterday:
An attendee at the Republican National Convention in Tampa on Tuesday allegedly threw nuts at a black camerawoman working for CNN and said “This is how we feed animals” before being removed from the convention, a network official confirmed to TPM.

The convention released a statement saying, “Two attendees tonight exhibited deplorable behavior. Their conduct was inexcusable and unacceptable. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated."

CNN also acknowledged the incident, saying, "CNN can confirm there was an incident directed at an employee inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum earlier this afternoon. CNN worked with convention officials to address this matter and will have no further comment.”


Republican Party approves platform: Ban same-sex marriag


In a convention dominated by the politics and policies of the conservative far right, the Tea Party and “family values” special interests, delegates to the 2012 Republican National Convention on Tuesday approved a platform calling for a ban on all same-sex unions, reshaping current Medicare benefits into a voucher-like program and tax code reform that would make it easier for businesses to generate more capital and create more jobs.
In language crafted by Tony Perkins, the anti-gay leader of the Family Research Council, the platform states that the party believes that it must honor the rights of states and the federal government not to recognize same-sex marriage, and backs a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Monday, August 27, 2012

French government to introduce bill to legalize same-sex marriage


The French government is expected to introduce legislation in October that would legalize same-sex marriage, a move that would bring France in line with several European countries and fulfill an campaign promise by President François Hollande.
Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, had previously announced in the French Parliament that gay and lesbian couples would be permitted to marry and adopt children by 2013.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

California Most Likely To Survive Global Warming

As if we needed another reason to love California, the Golden State has been named most likely to survive the tolls of climate change.

A recent study done by the Natural Resources and Defense Council highlights the best and worst states equipped with plans to combat water shortage and other problems expected to occur from globally increasing temperatures due to climate change. One of only nine, California was given top awards for an integrated and comprehensive preparedness plan that addresses all relevant water sectors and state agencies.

From snow in the Sierra Nevadas to farming in the Central Valley and the beaches of San Diego, water (and usually lack thereof) has always been an important issue for the state. According to the study, California is leading the way on addressing climate change threats.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Freedom To Marry Debuts 'Grandparents' TV Ad In Minnesota

YES ON 8 FINED $49,000 FOR IMPROPER DISCLOSURES



Prop8fineCalifornia's Fair Political Practices Commission today imposed a $49,000 fine against Yes on 8, the discriminatory group that successfully banned marriage equality in The Golden State, for the organization's donor disclosure failures.
From the LA Times:
The state Fair Political Practices Commission determined that the campaign committee ProtectMarriage.com—Yes on 8 failed to properly file public reports disclosing late contributions and political checks over $5,000, as well as failing to properly dispose of an anonymous $10,000 contribution. An investigation concluded that more than $1 million in contributions was not properly reported.
The campaign committee admitted to the violations and agreed to pay the fines.
Ellen Sturtz from Equality California says the "modest" fines do no go far enough and wants further investigations into Yes on 8's campaigning. "I come here today, urging you to do your utmost to protect our democracy against those who have contempt for it, us and our laws," she said today.

The Commission, however, found no evidence of any other political chicanery and said that the case is now closed.



Thursday, August 16, 2012

First List Of Top Ten Trans-Friendly Universities

Campus Pride, a nonprofit that works for safer college environments for LGBT students, has compiled its first top ten list of trans-friendly colleges and universities.

Campus Pride’s executive director Shane Windmeyer and trans author Genny Beemyn based their ranking on which schools had policies that were most trans-affirmative, including things like non-discrimination polices that include specific protections for gender identity and/or expression, offering gender-inclusive bathrooms and lockers, forms that allow for the recognition of trans identities and, arguably most importantly, vibrant, dynamic LGBT organizations staffed and lead by members of the trans community.
Here’s how the top ten broke down:
1. Ithaca College
2. New York University
3. Princeton University
4. University of California, Los Angeles
5. University of California, Riverside
6. University of Massachusetts, Amherst
7. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
8. University of Oregon
9. University of Pennsylvania
10. University of Vermont


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

REI announces support for marriage equality


Outdoor retailer REI, founded by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers in 1938, on Monday announced it has taken “a position in support of marriage equality.”
The announcement came in a blog post to REI’s 11,000 employees by CEO Sally Jewel, who wrote, “REI is taking a position in support of marriage equality — an issue that is important to the co-op as an inclusive organization and a welcoming place to work and do business.”
Jewell said that “sixteen years from now, when I expect to be celebrating my 50th wedding anniversary, I sincerely hope that there will be millions more of a new generation for whom 50 years of marriage will become a possibility through these changes in our legal system.”

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

An Open Letter to Bailey Hanks


Dearest Bailey Hanks,
Like you, I am a Broadway performer. I am also gay. While I very much support your right to free speech and free association, I would like to hold you accountable for your stance on the whole fried chicken thing. On Aug. 1, when you went to "feast" at Chick-fil-A, you did not merely sit quietly and enjoy your fried chicken sandwich; you decided to make it a political statement:
2012-08-10-20120809ScreenShot20120809at10.23.08AM.png
So here I am, as well, exercising my rights -- that is, until your deliciously bigoted poultry company pours more money into taking them away.
Truth be told, even though we are in the same field, I had never heard of you until I read Jamie McGonnigal's revealing article here on HuffPost. Coincidentally, that same night, I had dinner with a very close friend of mine who was on the creative teams of both the Broadway show of Legally Blonde and the reality show in which you appeared. I also received messages from friends of mine, cast members of yours who shared the stage with you eight times a week, people who thought you were their friend.
Just a reminder: You were plucked out of obscurity by a team of gay men, gay men who not only believed in you and gave you the chance of a lifetime but treated you with loving kindness and respect -- the same gay men you discriminated against by publicly supporting Chick-fil-A. You were chosen to star in the show Legally Blonde specifically by the director/choreographer, who is a gay man. The associate choreographer and vocal coach who helped you win the reality show you were on are two gay men. A few of the Broadway show's producers (the ones who paid you) are gay. Your costume designer is a gay man, as is the designer of the wigs and makeup you wore. You were taught the choreography and put into the Broadway show by a gay man, and you were supported and made to feel safe and part of the Broadway community by the many gay people in your cast. These people are not only my coworkers, Bailey, but, more importantly, they are my friends. After your time on Broadway (surrounded by gay people), you did not run screaming home, where the hills have eyes. You stayed here, in Sodom and Gomorrah. You auditioned and continued to make friends and work with -- guess what -- more gay people. We invited you into our homes and offered you a place at our table. You stayed for dinner, ate all the food, even stuck around for dessert, and now vomited it all up in our faces. Your website describes you as "sweet, kind, caring"; perhaps you should add "unless you're gay."
You say you are a "proud Christian." Bailey, I, too, am a proud Christian. Many LGBT people I know are people of faith. So what's your point? Is your point to hide your ignorance and bigotry behind Christ? That's not very "Christ-like." And while we are on that topic, let's not pick and choose what passages from the Bible we want to believe in because they suit our social and political gain. If we are going to hold on to Leviticus 18-20, then let us also hold on, with a white-knuckle grip, to Leviticus 15:19-30, which states that if a woman is on her period, she has to get out of the house for seven days, and if anyone -- God forbid (literally) -- touches her, that person is "unclean." Bailey, I know we are not close, but I venture to guess that you menstruate. I therefore assume that when your Aunt Flo comes to visit, you are living outside for those seven days. I also assume that when you are riding the "crimson canoe," you call out sick from your show, because, according to the Bible, all those fellow actors who might come into contact with you would be unclean and would have to bathe with water and wash their clothes (oh, how the wardrobe department would hateyou!). Also, let's really try to do our best and pay special attention to 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. Bailey, are you listening? It states here that women should be silent in church. Sorry, that means no talking and absolutely no singing (bummer, because I know how you love to sing!). Biblically speaking, because you are a woman (and I don't want you to feel the wrath of God), I should pray that you don't open your mouth. You might just shove your foot in it, the same way you did when you were stuffing it with a "#1 w/ a large sweet tea and a fudge brownie." Hating on gays while eating a "fudge brownie." Is that some sort of perverted sexual insult, Bailey? Well, I never!
Bailey, you used gay people for your personal gain to make your dreams come true and then sold them down the river with your message condoning a company that is publicly known to donate money to anti-gay groups. With your actions, you agreed to treat gay people like second-class citizens and, in doing so, disrespected my friends, my family, my marriage, and me -- all this in an Instagram photo of your hate-filled waffle fries. Stop hiding bigotry and hatred behind religion; let's call it exactly what it is. If we are going to live by any biblical rule, let it be the golden one.
John Carroll

Fluffy Paul Ryan Media Analysis

Put up a Fence and Start Shooting




“Wurzelbacher first made the remarks during a campaign rally for Arizona Republican state Rep. Lori Klein on Friday, according to video published by Prescott eNews,” The Raw Story’s David Edwards reported:
“For years I’ve said, you know, put a damn fence on the border, going to Mexico and start shooting,” he insisted.
Wurzelbacher then repeated the remarks at a so-called “Patriot Rally” with Klein on Saturday.
“I’m running for Congress. How many congressmen or people running for Congress have you heard, put a fence up and start shooting? None? Well you heard it here first. Put troops on the border and start shooting, I bet that solves our immigration problem real quick.”
While Klein refused to condemn the call for border violence, her District 11 opponent, Republican state House Speaker Andy Tobin, called for Wurzelbacher to apologize or go back home to Ohio.
“I would ask for him to retract the statement as made in jest, and if not made in jest, I’m appalled at him,” Tobin told KTVK. “We don’t do that in Arizona.”

PAUL RYAN ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Monday, August 13, 2012

Horribly Homophobic Spanish-Language Show Yanked From Air


GLAAD's 18-month campaign against the homophobic, misogynistic talk show José Luis Sin Censura has been won: the program has finally been yanked from the air.
The Spanish-language, Jerry Springer-like show features outrageous, likely set-up, situations that prompt dramatic reactions from a live audience. According to a 2011 FCC complaint filed by GLAAD and the National Hispanic Media Coalition, more than 20 episodes that aired between June 18 and December 7, 2010, contained images and language usually censured in English-language shows. The language included expletives, antigay slurs, and anti-Latino slurs. The program also frequently features blatant nudity and female guests involved in violent fights. Women are also beaten on the show. Audience members are regularly shown shouting antigay epithets and profanity at guests.
GLAAD and the NHMC urged advertisers to drop the show. Last year AT&T and Time Warner Cable pulled commercials, but it wasn't until a year later that the show was finally off the air.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

'God Hates Gays' Displayed On Utah Road Construction Sign



An illuminated roadside construction sign allegedly posted in Provo, Utah appears to display the words "God Hates Gays."

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Chicken, with a side of HATE

Obama opposes Boy Scouts' ban on gays


When it comes to gays and the Boy Scouts, President Barack Obama and the youth organization he serves as honorary president have agreed to disagree.
The White House on Wednesday said Obama opposes the youth organization's recently reaffirmed policy of excluding gays as members and adult leaders. He has no plans to resign as honorary president, White House spokesman Shin Inouye said.
The Scouts said in a statement that they respect Obama's opinion and believe that "good people" can disagree on the subject and still work together to "accomplish the common good."
American presidents have been honorary presidents of the Boy Scouts for a century. Obama became the Scouts' honorary president in March 2009, shortly after taking office
Last month, after a confidential two-year review, the Scouts reaffirmed their longstanding policy, which has been the target of numerous protest campaigns.
For three weeks, the White House didn't comment on the Scouts' decision. On Wednesday, the press office issued an email to The Associated Press on the subject.
"The president believes the Boy Scouts is a valuable organization that has helped educate and build character in American boys for more than a century," the White House statement said. "He also opposes discrimination in all forms, and as such opposes this policy that discriminates on basis of sexual orientation."

One World Trade Center Special Beam Installation

HOWARD STERN WON'T PATRONIZE ANTI-GAY CHICK-FIL-A

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Father’s Hateful Letter To Gay Son After Coming Out



After coming out and being disowned by his father, a gay man published his father’s short, handwritten letter (image, above), which has now gone viral. The son, who goes by the name “RegBarc” on the Internet social sharing site Reddit, blames “zealotry from Bryan Fisher, Maggie Gallagher, Dan Cathy, etc.” for his father’s response.
The father’s letter reads:
“James: This is a difficult but necessary letter to write. I hope your telephone call was not to receive my blessing for the degrading of your lifestyle. I have fond memories of our times together, but that is all in the past. Don’t expect any further conversations With me. No communications at all. I will not come to visit, nor do I want you in my house. You’ve made your choice though Wrong it may be. God did not intend for this unnatural lifestyle. If you choose not to attend my funeral, my friends and family will understand. Have a good birthday and good life. No present exchanges will be accepted. Goodbye, Dad.”
The son’s thoughts, via Reddit:
“It’s important to know just what this zealotry from Bryan Fisher, Maggie Gallagher, Dan Cathy, et al., does to everyday people. I’ve never done drugs, was an excellent student, an obedient child (far less trouble than many of my classmates), didn’t drink until I was 22 because it terrified me, and have had just 1 speeding ticket in my life. Yet I am still seemingly deserving of this terrible act of hate and cowardice that one person can place on another. 5 years on and I am still doing fine, though this letter saunters into my mind every once in a while. When it does, I say without hesitation: F**k you, Dad.”
Andy Towle at Towleroad, who first published the letter via Reddit, writes:
It’s an all too familiar situation for many LGBT kids out there.
He’s right. The Dan Cathys of the world are giving tacit permission to parents to act this way. Shame on them.
On Reddit, the post has over 4000 comments and 2270 “up votes.”
“Pretty nasty stuff” is what John Aravosis at AmericaBlog calls it, noting:
This is how the religious right, and the Republican party that enables them, quite literally kill people.
John M. Becker at Truth Wins Out shares a personal story, and adds:
The shockingly cruel letter below, from a father to his newly-out gay son, has been spreading like wildfire through social media. When I first saw it posted on the Facebook profile of Hudson Taylor, an all-star wrestler and outspoken gay rights supporter, I knew I had to share it with you because it serves as a stark reminder of why the fight for LGBT equality and against religious extremism is so critical.

Romney on the Boy Scouts Exclusion of Gay Members

Same Sex Marriage Protest Goes Wrong

Future In-Laws Brought Together by Their Gay Sons in Touching New Australian Marriage Equality Ad

Monday, August 6, 2012

Hardware stuff

image of Mitt Romney carrying a plastic bucket full of some random crap outside a hardware store
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney carries his purchases in a bucket as he leaves Bradley's Hardware in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012.

"Hardware stuff."—Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, when asked by reporters what he bought at a hardware store during a campaign stop in New Hampshire.


Sunday, August 5, 2012

Rant Alert


In 1787, the government decided you were only worth 3/5 of a person. Until 1865 you were a slave, owned like cattle and treated like less. You couldn't vote until 1870. In 1896 the government decided you needed separate facilities, away from others. That lasted, in the legal sense, for 58 more years until Brown v Board of Education in 1954. It took another 10 years for the government to decide you should be equal and passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Until 1967 the government told you who you could or couldn't marry, like you want to do now. And every step of the way there were people fighting the progress, invoking the name of God to support their bigoted views. 


 - Jonathan Arnold

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Jon Stewart Calls Out Harry Reid For 'Bullsh*t Shot' Against Mitt Romney

$2.5 million donation in Washington


Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie have donated an astonishing $2.5 million to support same-sex marriage in a referendum campaign in Washington State. The donation was prompted by a heartfelt email from former Amazon employee and lesbian mother Jennifer Cast. Here's an excerpt from her email:
"I want to have the right to marry the love of my life and to let my children and grandchildren know their family is honoured like a 'real' family," Ms. Cast wrote. "We need help from straight people. To be very frank, we need help from wealthy straight people who care about us and who want to help us win."
She was pretty shocked when she received this reply:
"Jen," the e-mail said, "this is right for so many reasons. We're in for $2.5-million. Jeff & MacKenzie."


R

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Hamburger Mary's to Donate Profits of Their New Hate Free Chicken Sandwich


Hamburger Mary's, the legendary LGBT- and drag-friendly chain of eateries that serve burgers with side of sass, wants to remind customers that it's a place for "open minded people, a place where everyone is welcome and diversity is celebrated," according to spokesperson Ashley Wright. So, she says, "Mary’s is adding her voice to the increasing number of campaigns to counter Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy’s controversial public stance against marriage equality— by offering a southern-style chicken sandwich while advocating diversity."
Hamburger Mary’s new “hate-free” southern-style chicken sandwich starts with a fresh chicken breast, marinated and battered with Mary’s secret recipe flour and spice mixture. It’s then deep-fried and served with herb mayo and dill pickles on a bakery fresh bun. A portion of the sale of the chicken sandwiches will be donated to support equality causes.

5 Reasons It Isn't What You Think


Former GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee decreed Wednesday, Aug. 1, to be "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day." The former Republican governor of Arkansas says he "has been incensed at the vitriolic assaults on the Chick Fil-A company because the CEO, Dan Cathy, made comments recently in which he affirmed his view that the Biblical view of marriage should be upheld."
Of course, not one word of that is accurate, not even that Dan Cathy is the CEO (his dad is), and if you're standing in line waiting for your chicken sandwich and waffle fries, why not take a moment to learn about what Chick-fil-A really does, and -- even if you're opposed to same-sex marriage -- what you money is buying.
Here are five reasons why Chick-fil-A isn't what you think:
1) Chick-fil-A has donated at least $5 million to organizations (including a certified hate group) that, among other things, depict gay people as pedophiles, want to make "gay behavior" illegal, and even say gay people should be "exported" out of America.
Even if you oppose same-sex marriage, do you really want to support a company that advocates putting gay people in jail, or "exporting" them, just because they're gay?
2) Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy didn't merely say he supports traditional marriage. Dan Cathysaid if you support gay marriage, you "are inviting God's judgment on our nation," and that we "shake our fist at Him" when we do. Dan Cathy also said same-sex marriage is the result of a "deprived" mind and called it "twisted up kind of stuff."
Even if you don't support same-sex marriage, do you really think gay marriage is "inviting God's judgment on our nation"? Haven't we all heard enough blame from those who claim to speak for the Lord, like after Katrina or, more recently, after the shooting in Aurora, Colo.?
3) Chick-fil-A supports organizations that have claimed they can change gay people into straight people -- "pray away the gay" -- despite the fact that practically every major medical organization has stated that this is not only impossible but dangerous and harmful.
Even if you don't support same-sex marriage, do you support fake "science" that is known to harm the very people it claims to help?
4) The media keep saying Chick-fil-A has never discriminated, but the truth is that Chick-fil-A has been sued over a dozen times for employment discrimination. That's what a leading business publication, Forbes, stated in 2007, when they also called Chick-fil-A a "cult" and reported that Chick-fil-A's founder and CEO Truett Cathy said he wanted to hire married people because they are more industrious and productive. Truett Cathy has also said he would probably fire someone who "has been sinful or done something harmful to their family members."
Even if you don't support same-sex marriage, do you want to support what some call a "cult" whose CEO says he would fire employees for "being sinful"?
5) Chick-fil-A is just exercising their First Amendment rights by running a business based on the Bible, right? Wrong. There's a line between the "free exercise of religion" and violating the law. If Chick-fil-A is violating the law by discriminating against gay people, or by firing women so that they can be "stay home" moms, as one woman who is suing Chick-fil-A says in court documents, that's not exercising religious expression or free speech, and that's not a First Amendment issue. It may be, if the court decides, a violation of the law.
Even if you don't support same-sex marriage, do you want to support a company that might fire women to force them to be "stay home" moms against their will?
There are plenty of good restaurants that are happy to work hard for your hard-earned dollar. Why support a company that is working so hard to deny people their rights?

From David Badash

Prop 8 Closer Than Ever to Supreme Court

DOMA Ruled Unconstitutional In Yet Another Case


Joanne Pedersen and Ann Meitzen
A federal judge in Connecticut has ruled against the Defense of Marriage Act in a challenge brought by married same-sex couples.
Judge Vanessa Bryant ruled in the case, Pedersen v. Office of Personnel Management, that the 1996 law that prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages violates the Equal Protection Clause found in the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The plaintiffs are being represented by Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, while the House Republican-controlled Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (BLAG) has intervened to defend DOMA.