Papal Advisor's Priest Charged With Pedophilia Says "I Am HIV Positive"

Even more shocking than the news just reported that a priest in the archdiocese of a top advisor to the Pope on the Vatican’s pedophilia scandal was arrested on pedophilia and drug charges is the news now that the priest is HIV positive and knowingly had unprotected sex, and may have had orgies with a minor.

Father Riccardo Seppia, a 51-​year-​old parish priest, lived a “life of sexual obsession, drug delirium,” according to a translation of Italian news site La Reppublica. “Unprotected sex? “Yes, but …” admits Don Sepia. If during the investigation, in the hands of policemen led by captain Paul Belgians, were to emerge the transmission of HIV to some partners, the file would add the crime of injury and attempted murder.”

Vermont Single-Payer Health Care Law Signed By Governor

Vermont became the first state to lay the groundwork for single-payer health care on Thursday when its governor signed an ambitious bill aimed at establishing universal insurance coverage for all residents.

"This law recognizes an economic and fiscal imperative," Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin said as he signed the bill into law at the State House.

"We must control the growth in health care costs that are putting families at economic risk and making it harder for small employers to do business."

Legislators say the plan, approved by the Democratic controlled House and Senate this spring, aims to extend coverage to all 620,000 residents while containing soaring health care costs.

A key component establishes a state health benefits exchange, as mandated by new federal health care laws, that will offer coverage from private insurers, state-sponsored and multi-state plans. It also will include tax credits to make premiums affordable for uninsured Vermonters

Belinda and Son on Coming Out

Singer Belinda Carlisle and her activist-actor son, James Duke Mason, reminisce about the way his coming-out affected their family, offer advice for confused parents of LGBT teens, and discuss how former first lady Nancy Reagan is “down with the gays.”

Carlisle, who enchanted music lovers as lead vocalist of her pioneering pop band the Go-Go's and as a chart-topping solo star, admits that even though most of her friends are gay or lesbian, she was still shocked when James Duke told her he is gay. Carlisle, who has had a large LGBT fan base throughout her career, eventually came to a realization that she'd kind of known all along. "Of course I'm going to have a gay son," she says with a laugh.

Gay couple crowned prom king and queen in Sanford, Maine

Senior Christian Nelsen was crowned queen and his boyfriend Caleb Jett won the title as king.

Bloomberg's Case for Marriage Equality

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg delivered a significant address Thursday afternoon in which he made an intellectual and personal case for the marriage equality bill that could come before the state legislature within weeks.
The nearly 20-minute speech, delivered in Manhattan before more than 150 invited guests of the administration, positioned marriage equality as the next step in the inevitable expansion of “freedom, liberty, and equality” that has defined the American experience through the abolition of slavery, workers’ rights, women’s rights, and minority civil rights. The mayor made special mention of New York City as the home of the Stonewall Inn, site of the 1969 uprising credited with sparking the modern gay rights movement.

“The time has come for us to fulfill the dreams that exploded into Sheridan Square 42 years ago to allow thousands of men and women to become full members of the American family, and to take the next step on the inspired journey our founding fathers first began,” said Bloomberg to the audience at Cooper Union, which was founded by abolitionist Peter Cooper.

His speech argued for marriage equality in highly personal terms while also directing appeals toward undecided state senators, whom he described as “torn,” urging them to vote on the right side of history. Last week Bloomberg, a Republican turned independent, made his first visit to Albany for the exclusive purpose of lobbying members of that chamber, where no Republican supported the bill in 2009, when it passed the assembly for a third time but failed in the senate.

“It is my hope that members of the state senate majority will recognize that supporting marriage equality is not only consistent with our civic principles — it is consistent with conservative principles,” he said. “Conservatives believe that government should not intrude into people’s personal lives — and it’s just none of government’s business who you love.”

‘Don’t Say Gay’ – or anything else

If “Don’t Say Gay” weren’t an actual bill, it would be funny.

"Don't Say Gay" ...Or Anything Else. - watch more funny videos

If only it were true that by NOT saying things, we could make them disappear…

Priest In Archdiocese Of Advisor To Pope On Pedophile Priests Arrested In Pedophilia Sex Ring

A priest in the archdiocese of the top advisor to Pope Benedict XVI was arrested May 13 on pedophilia and drug charges in a drug and sex ring investigation.

Via Time and Worldcrunch:

“Father Riccardo Seppia, a 51-​year-​old parish priest in the village of Sastri Ponente, near Genoa, was arrested last Friday, May 13, on pedophilia and drug charges. Investigators say that in tapped mobile-​phone conversations, Seppia asked a Moroccan drug dealer to arrange sexual encounters with young and vulnerable boys. “I do not want 16-​year-​old boys but younger. Fourteen-​year-​olds are O.K. Look for needy boys who have family issues,” he allegedly said. Genoa Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco, who is the head of the Italian Bishops Conference, had been working with Benedict to establish a tough new worldwide policy, released this week, on how bishops should handle accusations of priestly sex abuse.”

“According to investigators, Seppia told a friend — a former seminarian and barman who is currently under investigation — that the town’s malls were the best places to entice minors. In tapped phone conversations the two cursed and swore against God. The priest is charged with having attempted to kiss and touch an underage altar boy and of having exchanged cocaine for sexual intercourse with boys over 18.”

“Questioned by the investigators, the altar boy reportedly confirmed the attempted kiss. Another male minor who, according to the investigators, was stalked with messages and pressing invitations, will be questioned soon. Psychologists are helping Carabinieri police officers obtain testimony from the alleged victims. “The boys are ashamed to talk and to admit what happened,” says one of the investigators. The evidence amounts to at least 50 messages and phone calls. In the tapped phone conversations, the drug dealer contacted the boys and gave their phone numbers to the priest, who paid them with cocaine or 50 euros each time for sexual intercourse.”

Piercarlo Casassa, a retired priest, in a report by The Daily Telegraph, said of Seppia, “I told the Church about him in 1994 but was ignored. I told them he was not the right person to have around youngsters.”

In related news, the Vatican released a report last week that many are calling “the ‘blame Woodstock’ explanation.”

Tennessee Governor Defends Antigay Bill

Tennessee's Republican governor, Bill Haslam, defended the bill he signed this week that prohibits cities and counties from enacting antidiscrimination ordinances, effectively leaving the state's LGBT citizens open to firing and eviction.

U.S. House approves defense spending bill with three anti-gay amendments

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes three controversial, anti-gay amendments that seek to delay implementation of repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and reaffirm Congress’ support for the Defense of Marriage Act.

The Washington Blade reports:

By a vote of 322-96, the Republican-controlled House approved the fiscal year 2012 defense authorization bill after three days of debate that discussed continued military operations in Afghanistan, funding for next-generation military programs and increased pay rates for U.S. troops.

Among the many provisions of the defense authorization bill is anti-gay language that the House Armed Services Committee inserted upon consideration of the legislation.

Minnesota Family Council tells legislators gays engage in bestiality, pedophilia, deviant behavior

The head of the anti-gay Minnesota Family Council, a main proponent of Minnesota’s anti-gay marriage amendment, has defended his organization’s “legislative manual” that asserts gays and lesbians are more likely to engage in bestiality, pedophilia, and eating human excrement.

The manual, excerpts of which were published earlier this week by blogger Jeremy Hooper of GoodAsYou.org, quickly disappeared from the Minnesota Family Council website, but Tom Prichard, the group’s president, said he stands by the documents, reported NPR.

Prichard defends the postings as getting “into the nature of homosexuality and homosexual behavior,” but says that won’t be the focus of his group’s efforts to pass the constitutional ban.

“The focus of this campaign is the nature and purpose of marriage — not a referendum of homosexuality per se, or its lifestyle activities and behaviors,” he says. “I would see that as a separate issue.”

The Minnesota Family Council organized much of the testimony in favor of putting the anti-gay marriage amendment question on the Minnesota ballot. The measure passed in the GOP-controlled state House on Saturday night, the final step necessary to go before voters in 2012.

Tennessee's 19-Year Step Back

Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has signed an underhanded new law making it impossible for cities and counties to enact antidiscrimination ordinances — quite possibly the harshest antigay measure in nearly two decades.

Australia's Got Talent's Strip Tease

Here's one sure fire way to make sure the judges on Australia's Got Talent don't forget you — strip for them.

Dylan Yeandle put on a show for judges Dannii Minogue, Brian McFadden and Kyle Sandilands when he stripped down to a red speedo while singing Tom Jones' "Sex Bomb."

Professional Bowling Champ Comes Out

A professional bowler who was named Rookie of the Year says being openly gay while on the tour was "extremely important" to him, so that he could act as a role model for fellow gay athletes.

After passing the California bar exam in 2009, Scott Norton went on to pursue another life-long dream or becoming a professional bowler. In his first season, 2010-2011, Norton won a Professional Bowling Association tour title, and then was named PBA Rookie of the Year by his peers. Norton wrote on the league's website Thursday, that his experience on the tour "surpassed nearly everything I could hope for in terms of acceptance."

"I am very proud and happy with who I am and who I have become as a person," he added, "and I would hope that this will empower other gay athletes – past, present, or future – to come to terms with the truth about who they are and love themselves for who they are."

Focus on the Family CEO: 'We've Probably Lost' on Same-Sex Marriage

Freedom to Marry writes, in a press release:

In an interview in the June 4, 2011 issue of World Magazine, Jim Daly, President and CEO of Focus on the Family, a leading funder of anti-gay attacks concentrated on denying same-sex couples the freedom to marry, declared that the opponents of equality are being repudiated by young people and have "probably lost" on marriage, stating:

We're losing on that one, especially among the 20- and 30-somethings: 65 to 70 percent of them favor same-sex marriage. I don't know if that's going to change with a little more age—demographers would say probably not. We've probably lost that.

Said Evan Wolfson, Founder and President of Freedom to Marry: "Focus on the Family finally got something right—the American people are rejecting their anti-gay toxic rhetoric and punitive politics, and are siding with loving and committed couples seeking the freedom to marry. With six national polls now confirming that a majority of Americans support the freedom to marry, it’s time for Focus on the Family and other anti-gay industry activists to move on and, ideally, redirect their resources toward tackling the real problems gay and non-gay Americans could be confronting together in these tough economic times.”

Lisa Lampanelli vs. Westboro Baptist Church

The Westboro Baptist Church may have met its match in Lisa Lampanelli, longtime supporter of gay rights and Comedy's "lovable Queen of Mean."



Lampanelli recently told TMZ she would donate $1,000 to the Gay Men's Health Crisis organization for every Westboro Baptist Church member that showed up to protest her show in Topeka, Kansas. Well, now the nation's oldest HIV/AIDS prevention and service organization will be getting a hefty $50,000 check from Lampanelli -- in the church's name.

Nearly 50 people showed up to protest the show, some of whom you can see in the video below as Lampanelli greets them with a few zingers. After the show, Lampanelli tweeted that the GMHC would be getting $44,000, but after another count showed 48 protesters instead of 44, she updated again via Twitter: "I won't quibble. I'll make it an even $50,000!!!"

Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla Says She Would Not Oppose Court's Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage

When Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla was elected in February 2010 she was adamant about her belief in "traditional" marriage, but clarified those remarks this week by saying she would not oppose a court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.
The Tico Times reports:

Two gay couples, as part of the Diversity Movement, asked a Costa Rican court Monday to be married in a civil union, drawing attention to the issue.

Chinchilla made the statement during the last day of her visit to California, as part of a 6-day visit to the United States. The Latin American leader noted during her campaign for president in 2009 that she was a supporter of traditional marriage. She maintains that belief. However, she qualified the issue by saying that if a Costa Rican court allowed gay couples to marry, Chinchilla would not oppose the decision.

"There are complex issues that require us to prioritize, such as employment or security," Chinchilla said. "Obviously, if there is a decision of a court of law, we could not object to it."

I Am Not A Homophobe

Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum Wednesday, in response to HLN’s Joy Behar’s statement that “Rick Santorum … seems like a big homophobe,” denied the claim and brushed off same-​sex marriage as merely “a public policy discussion,” in a similarly out-​of-​touch manner as he did the previous day when he suggested that Senator John McCain — famous for enduring torture as a Vietnam POW — “didn’t understand how enhanced interrogation works.”

Vote NO to the MN Marriage Amendment

GOP Governor Signs Bill Banning All Local LGBT Rights Laws

GOP Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today signed the bill overturning Nashville's non-discrimination ordinance. The bill also effectively outlaws all local LGBT rights laws statewide as it bans any discrimination protections not already offered by the state.

What Would You Do? Gay Parents Bashed at Texas Restaurant

ABC's What Would You Do? looks at what happens in a Texas restaurant when a pair of lesbian moms is harassed by a waitress in front of their children and other diners.

Harold Camping Moves Goalpost: October 21 is the New Rapture

In a new interview with reporters, Family Radio broadcaster Harold Camping admits he was wrong about the doomsday date and sets a new date for The Rapture — October 21. Oh, and by the way, they've been saying that all along.

AP:

Through chatting with a friend over what he acknowledged was a very difficult weekend, it dawned on him that instead of the biblical Rapture in which the faithful would be swept up to the heavens, May 21 had instead been a "spiritual" Judgment Day, which places the entire world under Christ's judgment, he said.

The globe will be completely destroyed in five months, he said, when the apocalypse comes. But because God's judgment and salvation were completed on Saturday, there's no point in continuing to warn people about it, so his network will now just play Christian music and programs until the final end on Oct. 21.

Tennessee Anti-Gay Law: Alcoa Only National Company To Say "No!"

Alcoa can’t wait… to distance themselves from the part an Alcoa representative on the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce played in helping an awful anti-​gay bill pass in that state.

In response to AmericaBlog initiated Netroots action, Alcoa has released a statement condemning the law and calling on Governor Bill Haslam of Tennessee to veto it.

“Alcoa provides equal employment opportunity without discrimination and supports state and local legislation protecting the rights of all community members. We do not agree with the chamber on this issue and would ask that the governor veto the bill.”

Alcoa responded 100% to the ask of the petition action, ask the Governor to veto it. The text of the petition:

We demand that you issue an immediate statement withdrawing your support for HB 600/​SB 632, and that you tell Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to veto this bill.

So we can be very grateful to Alcoa for this unequivocal show of support and penance. Alcoa is a publicly traded corporation with nearly 60,000 employees and reported over $21B in revenues in 2010. They produce aluminum. Other companies that control board seats include FedEx, AT&T, Comcast, DuPont, Pfizer, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Caterpillar, KPMG,Whirlpool, Embraer and United HealthCare.

Michelle Obama Delivers West Point Graduation Speech With Nod To Gay Families

At West Point Friday evening, Michelle Obama delivered a graduation speech — along with a gentle nod to gay and lesbian families — to graduates and their families at the USMA Graduation Family Banquet. Saying. “I ask you to remember that family has always been a centerpiece of our American story,” the First Lady told the Cadets, “no matter how you’ve grown up, no matter how you define family, all of you have someone in your life who believed in you and pushed you. You had someone who taught you the values and lessons that will sustain you when times get tough or you’re unsure of what’s ahead. Some of those people are here with you tonight.”

Authorities Stop Man From Killing Pets Before Rapture

“Animal control recently had to step in when a California man was planning on euthanizing his pets before the rapture to keep them from suffering after judgment.”

The Rapture did not happen, but this “believer” was willing to kill his beloved pets to “save” them.

Anti-gay marriage amendment over state budget

As reported late Saturday night, the Minnesota House voted 70-62 to place a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage on the 2012 ballot.

The following video is a local CBS News affiliate in the twin cities covering that event Sunday. What is most telling though is the exchange between the reporter and the news anchor back in the studio following the same-sex marriage vote regarding the Minnesota House’s lack of passing a state budget which, unless the Governor steps in and calls for a special session of the legislature, means that Minnesota faces a state government shut down on July first.

Franken Slams Antigay Minn. Ballot Measure

"This amendment would do nothing more than write discrimination into our state’s constitution and add to the barriers same-sex couples already face to the full recognition of their families," the Minnesota senator told The Advocate in a Monday statement.

NY GOP Sen. Marty Golden Intro's Bill "Voiding" Out Of State Gay Marriages

New York GOP state Sen. Marty Golden today quietly introduced a bill that would "void" out of state same-sex marriages. In 2008, then Gov. David Paterson issued an executive order that New York state recognize gay marriages from other jurisdictions. Anti-gay groups sued, but courts upheld Paterson's order, which would apparently be undone by Golden's bill.

Scott Lively Writes Open Letter To The Gay Community

Scott Lively says that God recently gave him a prophecy that He "would soon use me to lead some homosexuals to Him" and so it seemed like a good time for him to write an open letter to the gay community explaining his history and motivation:

I am Pastor Scott Lively and it has been my mission for 25 years to work against the “gay” agenda. I am probably one of your best-known opponents in this world. Amongst the many hate-mail messages I receive are the occasional sincere requests to explain my motivation. I believe the time has come to do that.

On March 8th of this year I received a message known in charismatic Christian circles as a prophetic “word of knowledge,” which said in essence that God would soon use me to lead some homosexuals to Him, and referenced 2 Samuel 14:14: “For we will surely die and are like water spilled on the ground which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished one will not be cast out from him.”

In the several weeks since I received that, I have given a lot of thought to the message, and realized that in all of my years of talking about you and “the homosexual issue” generally, I have never spoken to you as a community. I repent of that, and apologize to you.

I know a lot about repentance, because I have struggled with many sins in my life, and have only ever found victory in any of them by “letting go and letting God” take over. I had a terrible family life as a child due to my Dad’s mental illness. I became an alcoholic at 12, a drug addict at 14 and all my life have struggled with addictive behaviors. Today, however, I have freedom in Jesus Christ from all of those things.

Contrary to speculation, I have never struggled with same-sex attraction, but I have recognized in my own sins enough of a similarity to homosexuality to have felt empathy for you. Just as recovering addicts know that a drug is a drug is a drug, mature Christians know that a sin is a sin is a sin. They are different in form, but equal in their effect: separating us from God.


Most of the body of the letter consists of Lively laying out the Biblical case against homosexuality and he concludes by imploring gays to just trust Jesus and "contact Exodus International" ... and wondering if the level infamy he has obtained was all part of God's plan to make him the man he is today:

Frankly, as I sit here at my computer, I wonder whether my entire career against your political and social agenda, and all of the notoriety I have achieve in your community might all have occurred so that I would be a person whose letter you would read today. Because in the end, none of the politics really matter. This earth and everything in it will pass away, perhaps sooner than we think. What matters is where we end up when this short life is over.

Tennessee Senate Approves 'Don't Say Gay' Bill in 19-11 Vote

Tennessee's Senate has approved Stacey Campfield's hideous "Don't Say Gay" bill which would forbid discussion of homosexuality in classrooms, WMCTV reports:

Under the proposal approved 19-11 on Friday, any instruction or materials at a public elementary or middle school will be "limited exclusively to age-appropriate natural human reproduction science." Republican Senate sponsor Stacey Campfield of Knoxville says "homosexuals don't naturally reproduce."

Campfield says current state curriculum is not clear on what can be taught.

The companion bill has been withdrawn from consideration in the House. But its sponsor has said he will bring it up again next year if the Senate version passes.

There is another horrible piece of legislation in Tennessee aside from the "Don't Say Gay" bill which got final approval this week. This bill prohibits local municipalities from enacting their own non-discrimination statues and would force them to rely on state law. The new law would void a Nashville ordinance barring companies that discriminate against gays and lesbians from doing business with the city.

The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce lobbied for the bill. FedEx, AT&T, Comcast, DuPont, Pfizer, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Caterpillar, KPMG, Whirlpool, Embraer, Alcoa, and United HealthCare are on that board, notes Americablog.

For first time, most Americans favor gay marriage

Confirming what several other national polls have found in the last few months, the latest Gallup poll says that a majority of Americans support legal gay marriage for the first time.

According to the poll, 53 pecent of Americans believe same-sex marriage should be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages.

Who has changed their minds? Democrats (13 percent) and Independents (10 percent). Republicans haven’t moved.

Harvey Milk Day

People.com Editor Comes Out as Transgender

Janet Mock is an editor at People.com, a popular blogger, co-host of the podcast The Missing Piece, and the author of a new memoir in which she’ll share another piece of her story – her journey to come out as a transgender woman. She told her story to writer Kierna Mayo for a very personal and touching article published by Marie Claire.

After high school graduation, many of my classmates were throwing big graduation parties and buying new cars. Those kids went looking for good times and great memories, but I was desperately searching for one thing only: a chance to be in the right body for the first time in my entire life.
(…)
Two weeks after the surgery, I was in class at the University of Hawaii, finally focusing on something other than my gender. Four years later, I left Hawaii, a beautiful, confident woman armed with a journalism degree and bound for graduate school and a career in New York City.

ESPN New York Radio Host Jared Max: 'I Am Gay'

Jared Max, one of the best-known voices in New York sports radio and current ESPN New York 1050 morning host of 'Maxed Out in the Morning', came out of the closet this morning after talking about the other sports figures who have come out of the closet this week.
Said Max (my transcript):

"Are we ready to have our sports information delivered by someone who is gay? Well we are gonna find out. Because for the last 16 years, I've been living a free life among my close friends and family, and I've hidden behind what is a gargantuan sized secret here in the sports world. I am gay. Yeah. Jared Max. The sports guy who is one of the most familiar faces in New York sports isn't quite like the majority. And while you already knew I was a little different, this might help make sense of it. But more so, I’m taking this courageous jump into the unknown having no idea how I will be perceived..."

Providence Bishop Objects to Civil Unions

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Providence wants Rhode Island lawmakers to defeat a proposal that would allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions.

Arizona teen lobbies Congress for support of Student Non-Discrimination Act

An Arizona teen who started his anti-bullying activism when he was forced to drop out of high school at the age of 16, has taken his cause to Washington to lobby Congress to make schools a safer environment for LGBT youth.

Caleb Laieski, 16, of Surprise, Ariz., is in the nation’s capital this month, hoping to convince legislators to support and pass the Student Non-Discrimination Act, a bill that would prohibit discrimination in public schools based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

For Caleb, seeing this bill passed is personal.

Caleb said he was repeatedly threatened with violence and death threats because he is gay — threats that were ignored by teachers and school administrators.

And he lost a close friend who committed suicide after being gay bashed.

Caleb, who has now received his G.E.D., brought the fight to his school district last year, starting with a legal notification that he would bring a lawsuit to protect himself and others who were harassed by billies.

Harold Camping, Leader of May 21 'End of the World' Movement, Says Gays Are to Blame

Harold Camping, the Christian broadcaster and President of Family Radio, the group that sets this Saturday, May 21, 2011, as The Rapture, explains in the following video how it's all because of gay people.

Protect Your Children From Harvey Milk Gay Day In Schools

“Protect Your Children From Harvey Milk Gay Day In Schools” is the latest campaign from Save California, a group few have heard of, but that’s been around since 1999. They claim they have “consistently raised the standard for truth,” but by the lies, and the fear-​mongering and hate-​mongering in this video, that statement seems to be false.

Randy Thomasson, Save California’s founder and leader, who also runs the Campaign for Children and Families, is so radical and extreme that the Yes On 8 folks — who brought you Proposition 8 — tried to ban Thomasson and his group from their campaign, because he would make them look bad!

“With SaveCalifornia​.com, you get it real and you get it straight,” their website claims, tongue in cheek, no doubt. “God is the source of our imagination, love and vision for children and families in California and America. In all we do, we want to please the One who created us.”

Rhode Island House committee advances same-sex civil unions bill

A Rhode Island state House committee on Tuesday voted to advance a bill that would legalize civil unions for same-sex couples — the same bill that was met with scorn by gay marriage supporters and opponents at the committee hearing last week.

Supporters said the bill treats gay couples as a second-class minority, proponents of traditional marriage said the bill would amount to a state sanction of immoral behavior and open the door to same-sex marriage being approved in the courts.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 9-3 to advance the measure to a House vote now scheduled for Thursday.

The bill would allow gay couples to enter into civil unions granting all of the rights and benefits given to married couples under Rhode Island law, but stops short of sanctioning marriage. The proposal was introduced as a compromise after legislative leaders said gay marriage legislation lacked the votes to pass this year.

Exploding Watermelons in Jiangsu Province Latest Sign of China's Food Safety Problem

Farmers in China's eastern Jiangsu province awoke one morning earlier this month to a scene of agricultural carnage -- hundreds of exploded watermelons. More continued to burst throughout the next couple of days, ruining more than 100 acres of the crop. In the search for a culprit, many are placing the blame on the misuse of growth chemicals in a country already deeply troubled by food-safety scandals.

Gov. Scott Walker Wants To End Hospital Rights For Gay Couples

Wisconsin GOP Gov. Scott Walker has ordered the state to stop defending a 2009 law granting gay couples the right to visit each other in the hospital and make end-of-life decisions. The anti-gay group Wisconsin Family Action is suing the state to overturn the law.

Newt Gets Glittered

Newt Gingrich was showered with rainbow glitter, courtesy of a 24-year-old LGBT activist, prior to the 2012 presidential candidate’s Tuesday appearance at the antigay Minnesota Family Council’s annual dinner.

“Feel the rainbow, Newt,” activist Nick Espinosa said as he poured the glitter on Gingrich and his wife, Callista, during a book signing, according to ABC News. “Stop the hate. Stop antigay politics. It’s dividing our country and it’s not fixing our economy.”

Spartanburg County: No to LGBT Day

The chairman of the Spartanburg County Council refused to sign a proclamation to designate June 4 as LGBT Day in the South Carolina county.

WSPA-TV reports, “Council Chairman Jeff Horton said he was asked by the group Upstate Pride SC to make June 4 LGBT Day in the county, and Horton said 'No, thanks.'”

The mayor of the city of Spartanburg signed a proclamation for Upstate Pride SC, and the group sought the same from the county for its upcoming march and festival in Barnet Park. PK Weiss, a straight mother of four and former president of the group, said that Horton responded to her request with a curt e-mail that simply said “no,” without any salutation or closing.

Former Basketball Player Will Sheridan comes out

The Phoenix Suns president and CEO Rick Welts came out as gay -- following a number of other athletes who have recently spoken up for GLBT equality, even as other sports professionals have spoken out against it.

Now, former college basketball player Will Sheridan comes out as gay in an article on ESPN.com. In the article, he talks about how his sexual orientation was widely known among his teammates -- and how he was sometimes bullied by opposing teams.

Sheridan played for Villanova University for four years, a Division One school that was ranked number one in the nation for a time while Sheridan played.

Sheridan is also the latest high-profile African American to come out, following CNN anchor Don Lemon, who also came out this week."

Hillary Clinton Marks International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has released a statement in support of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (I.D.A.H.O.), which is being recognized around the world today.

“On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am proud to reaffirm our support for LGBT communities at home and abroad, and to call for an end to discrimination and mistreatment of LGBT persons wherever it occurs,” says Secretary Clinton. “Whether by supporting LGBT advocates marching in Belgrade, leading the effort at the United Nations to affirm the human rights of LGBT persons, or condemning a vile law under consideration in Uganda, we are committed to our friends and allies in every region of the world who are fighting for equality and justice. These are not Western concepts; these are universal human rights.”

Every Time Someone from HRC Is on TV, You Just Know We Already Lost the Fight

There are gay organizations with multi-million-dollar budgets, and none of them can seem to scrounge up an executive director who can string a few persuasive lines together and win an argument on basic cable. Why is that every time someone from the Human Rights Campaign is on TV, you just know that we already lost the fight. Whatever the argument is, whatever the question is, it’s over. Some people will say to me, “Who made you spokesperson?” You know what? Nobody. I’m a spokesperson by default.

– Sex columnist and “It Gets Better” creator, Dan Savage shares with the Good Men Project how he came to be a spokesperson for the gay movement.

Republicans Could Tip the Scales for Marriage Equality

Minnesota state Senate approves constitutional ban on same-sex marriage

The Minnesota state Senate on Wednesday voted to approve a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, advancing the measure another step closer to appearing on the 2012 ballot.

The bill would seek voter approval to amend the state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
The Senate passed the proposal 38-27. One Democrat, Sen. Leroy Stumpf (D-Plummer), joined every Republican in voting to approve the bill.



“It’s a sad and shameful day, and those who voted for this are going to be ashamed of themselves,” said Sen. Scott Dibble (D-Minneapolis). “We’re taking this to the streets, and we’re going to the ballot in 2012. Thirty-one states have passed this thing. It’s not going to be 32.”

Think Before You Speak

Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill and Jared Dudley shot a PSA for GLSEN and the Ad Council's 'Think Before You Speak' campaign along with some footage of them shooting the spot.

Coincidentally, Phoenix Suns President and CEO Rick Welts came out over the weekend.

Roland Palencia Named Executive Director of Equality California

Roland Palencia has been named executive director of Equality California, according to the organization:

Equality California and its Board of Directors announced today that Roland Palencia, a trailblazing LGBT activist with extensive experience in leading and managing multi-million dollar non-profit organizations, will serve as the new executive director for Equality California and Equality California Institute. Palencia will begin his tenure on July 5.

"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve California's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and to build upon Equality California's tremendous success," said Palencia, who currently serves as the Community Benefits Director for L.A. Care Health Plan, a $1.2 billion public health plan. "I am committed to creating a better future for all LGBT Californians and to connecting the LGBT movement to the broader movement for socio-economic justice. Although permanently ending discrimination against LGBT people can be a daunting task, I am confident that together we will prevail. I look forward to getting to know and working with our dedicated membership, legislators and coalition partners as we strive to further Equality California's mission to achieve full equality for all LGBT Californians."

Said Board Chairs Cathy Schwamberger and Clarissa Filgioun: "On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are thrilled that Roland will lead the next chapter of Equality California. Roland is an inspiring leader who has done groundbreaking work for the LGBT community and beyond. His impressive track record of advancing equality and justice makes him a perfect fit for the organization."

FOX Affiliate's Hateful Gay Clergy Poll Offers No Good Choices

WACH South Carolina offers its readers two opinions on gay clergy.

CNN Anchor Don Lemon: 'I Was Born Gay'

CNN anchor Don Lemon has come out publicly in an interview with the New York Times. Lemon, who says he has never made a secret of his homosexuality at work, talks about the fear he has about the potential reaction he might face from the black community.

“It’s quite different for an African-American male,” he said. “It’s about the worst thing you can be in black culture. You’re taught you have to be a man; you have to be masculine. In the black community they think you can pray the gay away.” He said he believed the negative reaction to male homosexuality had to do with the history of discrimination that still affects many black Americans, as well as the attitudes of some black women.

“You’re afraid that black women will say the same things they do about how black men should be dating black women.” He added, “I guess this makes me a double minority now.”

PBS to Air Documentary About Murdered Trans-Navajo

"Fred Martinez was a Navajo boy, who was also a girl. In an earlier era, he would have been revered. Instead he was murdered," from "Two Spirits."

This June Independent Lens and PBS will air the 2008 award-winning documentary "Two Spirits." The film concerns the brief life of Navajo youth Fred Martinez who was murdered in 2001, at the age of 16, due to gender and sexual identity. Martinez came out early to his family, in their Cortez, Colo., home as gay, and experimented with female dress.

"You know what they call that in Navajo," Martinez’s mother, Pauline Mitchell asked him. "They call that - if you want to be half woman, half man they call it nadleehi."

Major NBA Sports Executive Announces :: "I'm Gay"

Last month, in a Midtown office adorned with sports memorabilia, two longtime friends met for a private talk. David Stern, the commissioner of the National Basketball Association, sipped his morning coffee, expecting to be asked for career advice. Across from him sat Rick Welts, the president and chief executive of the Phoenix Suns, who had come to New York not to discuss careers, but to say, finally, I am gay.

Mom Defends Decision To Give 8-Year-Old Daughter Botox

You may have heard of Britney Campbell of San Francisco in March -- she's the eight-year-old aspiring pageant queen already dabbling in Botox and virgin waxes, courtesy of her mom, Kerry. The pair appeared on Thursday's "Good Morning America" to talk about the extreme beauty regimen with Lara Spencer.

Shell opens America's first pipelined hydrogen-fueling station in Southern California

Residents of SoCal's Torrance should consider themselves lucky, as they're now living in America's first-ever city to have a pipelined hydrogen-fueling station. You can thank Shell and Toyota for picking up this government-funded green project.

Minnesota state Senate approves constitutional ban on same-sex marriage

The Minnesota state Senate on Wednesday voted to approve a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, advancing the measure another step closer to appearing on the 2012 ballot.

The bill would seek voter approval to amend the state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

The Senate passed the proposal 38-27. One Democrat, Sen. Leroy Stumpf (D-Plummer), joined every Republican in voting to approve the bill.

“It’s a sad and shameful day, and those who voted for this are going to be ashamed of themselves,” said Sen. Scott Dibble (D-Minneapolis). “We’re taking this to the streets, and we’re going to the ballot in 2012. Thirty-one states have passed this thing. It’s not going to be 32.”

Gov. Jack Markell on Wednesday evening signed the same-sex civil union bill into law, making Delaware the eighth state to allow civil unions or domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

Gov. Jack Markell on Wednesday evening signed the same-sex civil union bill into law, making Delaware the eighth state to allow civil unions or domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012, will allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions, giving them all of the rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage under state law, but would not allow them to obtain marriage licenses.

“Tonight, with the signing of this law, we say to any Delawarean regardless of sexual orientation – if you’ve committed yourself to someone, and you’ve made that pledge to spend your life together in partnership, when life or death decisions come, we honor your right to make those decisions together,” Markell said.

The bill cleared the state legislature on April 14 when House members approved the bill on a 26-to-15 vote. The Senate approved the bill the week before.

Mom Defends Decision To Give 8-Year-Old Daughter Botox

You may have heard of Britney Campbell of San Francisco in March -- she's the eight-year-old aspiring pageant queen already dabbling in Botox and virgin waxes, courtesy of her mom, Kerry. The pair appeared on Thursday's "Good Morning America" to talk about the extreme beauty regimen with Lara Spencer.

HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE CHALLENGES MICHELE BACHMANN TO DEBATE ON THE CONSTITUTION

Amy Myers, a high school sophomore from Cherry Valley, New Jersey, has challenged Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann to a debate on the U.S. Constitution, Minneapolis' City Pages reports.

Writes Myers in a letter to the congresswoman:
Though I am not in your home district, or even your home state, you are a United States Representative of some prominence who is subject to national media coverage. News outlets and websites across this country profile your causes and viewpoints on a regular basis. As one of a handful of women in Congress, you hold a distinct privilege and responsibility to better represent your gender nationally. The statements you make help to serve an injustice to not only the position of Congresswoman, but women everywhere. Though politically expedient, incorrect comments cast a shadow on your person and by unfortunate proxy, both your supporters and detractors alike often generalize this shadow to women as a whole.

Rep. Bachmann, the frequent inability you have shown to accurately and factually present even the most basic information about the United States led me to submit the follow challenge, pitting my public education against your advanced legal education:

I, Amy Myers, do hereby challenge Representative Michele Bachmann to a Public Forum Debate and/or Fact Test on The Constitution of the United States, United States History and United States Civics.

An acceptance is not expected, as City Pages notes: "Bachmann is famously reluctant to put herself in positions where she might have to talk to someone who disagrees with her."

Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Marriage Equality For New York Video

Caroline Kennedy: "I Do" to Marriage

Caroline Kennedy has become the 100,000th signer of Freedom to Marry's open letter to President Barack Obama — part of the group’s “Say, 'I Do'” campaign urging the president to fully embrace marriage equality.

"Falling in love, getting married, and building a family is part of the American dream,” Kennedy said in a statement. “I believe that all Americans, including committed gay and lesbian couples, should have the opportunity to pursue that dream."

Freedom to Marry political director Sean Eldridge said Kennedy is part of a “growing chorus of voices … calling on the President to complete his journey and join the majority of Americans who support the freedom to marry.”

Jon Stewart Mocks 'Square' Newt Gingrich's Twitter Campaign Launch

The Daily Show
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Gov. Jack Markell on Wednesday evening signed the same-sex civil union bill into law, making Delaware the eighth state to allow civil unions or domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.

Gov. Jack Markell on Wednesday evening signed the same-sex civil union bill into law, making Delaware the eighth state to allow civil unions or domestic partnerships for same-sex couples.



The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012, will allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions, giving them all of the rights, benefits, and obligations of marriage under state law, but would not allow them to obtain marriage licenses.



“Tonight, with the signing of this law, we say to any Delawarean regardless of sexual orientation – if you’ve committed yourself to someone, and you’ve made that pledge to spend your life together in partnership, when life or death decisions come, we honor your right to make those decisions together,” Markell said.



The bill cleared the state legislature on April 14 when House members approved the bill on a 26-to-15 vote. The Senate approved the bill the week before.

Presbyterians Approve Gay Clergy

After 33 years of debate, the Presbyterian Church has voted to change its constitution and allow openly gay people in same-sex relationships to be ordained as ministers.

White Didn't Out Cary Grant

Believe Out Loud: A Million Christians for LGBT Equality

Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment Is Hurtful

Uganda debates anti-homosexuality bill; vote in parliament possible this week

A Ugandan parliament committee on Monday held a second day of hearings on an anti-homosexuality bill that attracted worldwide condemnation for its harsh penalties, which include a death penalty provision.

Lawmakers indicated the bill could be voted on this week, the Associated Press reported.

The bill’s author, David Bahati, told The Associated Press last month that the death penalty provision in the bill was “something we have moved away from.” The bill is now undergoing debate and negotiations, so a new version would likely be presented before a final vote is held.

One of the bill’s backers, an anti-gay pastor named Martin Ssempa, told the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on Monday that he does not support the death penalty provision. He said instead that gays should face up to seven years in prison.

House Approves Bill Cutting Funding To Gay-Friendly Universities

The GOP-dominated Michigan House has approved a bill penalizing state universities that offer same-sex partner benefits to members of their faculties. If the bill becomes law, any state college that offers domestic partner benefits will see their funding cut by 5%. The measure was authored by Tea Party-backed Rep. Dave Agema.

Whitney Houston in Rehab for Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Whitney Houston is seeking help. The singer, 47, who has struggled with substance abuse in the past, has recently entered an out-patient treatment program.

"Whitney Houston is currently in an out-patient rehab program for drug and alcohol treatment," her rep tells PEOPLE in a statement. "Whitney voluntarily entered the program to support her long-standing recovery process."

New Rules for Conspiracy Theorists and Republicans

Peter Vidmar Resigns As Olympic Liaison Over Anti-Gay Past

Peter Vidmar has resigned his post as chief of mission for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team amid today’s controversy over his history as an anti-gay Prop 8 supporter. In a press statement, Vidmar said, “I wish that my personal religious beliefs would not have become a distraction from the amazing things that are happening in the Olympic movement in the United States. I simply cannot have my presence become a detriment to the U.S. Olympic family. I hope that by stepping aside, the athletes and their stories will rightly take center stage.”

NOM and NY Senator Ruben Diaz Promote Their Anti-Gay Hate Rally

The National Organization for Marriage's poster in support of anti-gay New York state senator Ruben Diaz Sr's rally for how they believe marriage has been "since the creation of the world."

The Republican Presidential Debate

One mom’s simple Mother’s Day wish for her gay son

Iris Blumenthal, a mother from Syosset, Long Island, has a touching and simple wish for her son this Mother’s Day.

Here guest column appears in Sunday’s New York Daily News. Here’s an excerpt:

Jonathan and Eric are as much devoted to each other as ever.

They have a wonderful life together, complete with a lovely suburban home and an adorable dog. In 2001, they launched their own volunteer group, which, over the years, has become one of the nation’s largest service organizations for LGBT volunteers. They’re as devoted to their community as they are to their relationship, and I could not be more proud. [...]

This Mother’s Day, I don’t want another scarf. I don’t want any flowers. My dear son can’t give me the gift I want now — he’s done all he can do. Who would have thought that the best gift this mother could ever receive would come from the New York Legislature?

It’s time to pass marriage equality legislation. I’ve got a wedding to plan.

Jon Stewart Mocks Trump & Palin's Latest Political Gaffes

The Daily Show
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2012 GOP: Majority Of Americans Say They Will Never Vote For Palin, Trump

A majority of Americans say they will never vote for Sarah Palin or Donald Trump for president, according to a new Quinnipiac poll. The divisive pair both earned a thumbs down from 58% of Americans. Palin received a 15% “enthusiastic” rating, and Trump (and Gingrich) only a 9% “enthusiastic” rating. The poll also delivered bad news to Newt Gingrich, with 42% of Americans saying, “never,” and to Mike Huckabee, who earned the permanent distaste of 32% of Americans.

Of the 58% voting “never” for Palin, 24% were Republicans and 91% were Democrats. Trump earned the ire of 32% of Republicans and 81% of Democrats.

Uganda Kill The Gays Bill May Become Fast Tracked Into Law

The Uganda Kill The Gays Bill, aka the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (AHB) may be quickly on its way to becoming law, as the Uganda lame duck parliament’s session comes to a fast close, possibly on May 11 — just days from now. The bill, infamous around the world for its provision mandating the death penalty for anyone convicted of the “crime” of homosexuality, anyone convicted of same-sex rape, anyone who is classified as a “serial offender,” even anyone with HIV, may or may not include the death penalty provision, according to author of the bill, David Bahati, who claimed last week he would “concede” the provision if it would move the bill into law. Many believe that concession to be a ruse. Contrary to a published AP report, the death penalty provision has not been dropped.

Brazil Approves Civil Unions For Gay Couples

Brazilian Supreme Court justices have just reached a decision that will a grant federal civil rights to gay and lesbian couples in the Latin American country. Deliberations began after a lawsuit was filed by Rio state governor Sergio Cabral, who believed in giving state employees the same rights. He was supported by Brazilian attorney general Roberto Gurgel.

Brazil is the fourth country in Latin America to approve of same-sex unions after Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina (which also grants marriage). Same-sex civil unions have only been granted in Mexico City and the northern state of Coahuila, but not the rest of the country.

Majority of Republicans now support gay unions

A poll released this week by Public Policy Polling (PPP) shows a majority of Republicans from all across the country now support some form of legal recognition for gay couples. This latest research joins four previous polls in the past eight months showing an overall majority of Americans in favor of marriage equality. The PPP poll, drawing from opinions of over 1,000 GOP voters nationwide, was particularly revealing when broken out by age and income levels, both of which suggest a political and economic cost for attacking LGBT families.

“The PPP survey showed that 12% of Republicans polled are in favor of full marriage rights, 39% support civil unions, and only 48% believe there should be no legal rights for gay couples. To put this in context, the 51% of Republicans who support legal relationship recognition for gay couples is now higher than the number (45%) who approve of the job Republican John Boehner is doing as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.”

30% Of Republicans Remain Birthers

Even after the release of his long-form birth certificate, 30% of polled Republicans say they don't believe the president is a U.S. citizen.

Bill Seeks End to Anti-Gay Adoption Laws

California Congressman Pete Stark has re-introduced a measure that would eradicate discrimination in adoption and foster care, promising needy children loving, stable homes and offering hope to gay, lesbian, and unmarried heterosexual families wanting to welcome children into their lives.

Rep. Stark, a Democrat, is the ranking member on the Ways & Means Health Subcommittee. Stark and 33 original cosponsors reintroduced the "Every Child Deserves a Family Act" on May 3, a press release from the representative’s office said.

Bill Clinton Endorses N.Y. Marriage

President Bill Clinton endorsed marriage equality legislation in New York as it appears increasingly likely that lawmakers will vote on the measure by June.

Clinton, a popular figure in the Democratic Party, announced his support in a statement released by the Human Rights Campaign on Thursday, saying that the goal of achieving a “more perfect union” includes marriage equality.

“Our nation’s permanent mission is to form a ‘more perfect union’ — deepening the meaning of freedom, broadening the reach of opportunity, strengthening the bonds of community,” said Clinton, a New York State resident. “That mission has inspired and empowered us to extend rights to people previously denied them. Every time we have done that, it has strengthened our nation. Now we should do it again, in New York, with marriage equality. For more than a century, our Statue of Liberty has welcomed all kinds of people from all over the world yearning to be free. In the 21st century, I believe New York’s welcome must include marriage equality.”

NY's biggest Spanish-language daily comes out for gay marriage

One of New York's most read Spanish language newspapers has joined a coalition of other newspapers to endorse legalizing marriage equality in the Empire State.

The editorial board of El Diario wrote Wednesday that the state was ready for a change and should ensure equality for all New Yorkers.

"Homosexuality is a human reality," they wrote in Spanish. "The majority of New Yorkers have a friend, colleague, or relative who is gay. Now is the time to give these people the opportunity to build family and community. Our government should not be in the business of telling people who to fall in love with or who to marry."

Brazil Considers Civil Unions

Brazil's highest court will begin hearing arguments Thursday over whether the South American country should offer civil unions to its gay and lesbian citizens.

Huge Oil Company Profits Roll In: Up 42% From Last Year

The 'Big Five' oil companies -- the ones we all know and love; Exxon, Shell, BP, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron -- have all released their first quarter profit reports. And wouldn't you know it, they all did pretty well. Averaged out, their profits were up 42% from last year. Exxon lead the pack -- as it tends to do -- with a rather astonishing $10.7 billion in quarterly earnings.

By now, you've probably heard a lot of talk about the multibillion dollar oil subsidies -- annual tax breaks and government aid extended to help some of the most profitable companies on the planet. But what do they really look like? Where do those dollars actually go?

Plenty of places. CNN breaks it down in a handy article published last week, Big Oil's $4 billion tax break in doubt. For the record, the oil companies get much more in annual subsidies than that, for things like exploration costs -- these are merely the ones that Obama and some Democrats have targeted to cut budgetary spending.

Here are the breaks they're gunning for, via CNN:

Domestic manufacturing tax deduction: This is the largest single tax break, and would save over $1.7 billion a year if eliminated. The tax deduction, passed in 2004, is designed to keep factories in the United States. Companies that manufacture here can deduct 9% of their income from operations that are attributed to domestic production.

The percentage depletion allowance: This lets oil companies deduct about 15% of the money generated from a well from its taxes. Eliminating it would save about $1 billion a year ... critics say oil in the ground is not capital equipment, but a national resource that the oil companies are simply using for their own profit.

The foreign tax credit: This provision gives companies a credit for any taxes they pay to other countries. Altering this tax credit would save about $850 million a year.

Intangible drilling costs: This lets the industry write off about $780 million a year for things like wages, fuel, repairs and hauling costs. All industries get to write off the costs of doing business, but they must take it over the life of an investment. The oil industry gets to take the drilling credit in the first year.

Clearly, the oil industry is not dependent on a single one of these subsidies: they're all borderline weasel-y drains for taxpayer money -- that could certainly be better spend elsewhere.

GOP Congressman Compares Same-Sex Marriage to Incest and Polygamy in DOMA Hearing

While asking Attorney General Eric Holder about levels of scrutiny with regard to same-sex marriage in a DOMA hearing yesterday, Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) brought up polygamy and incest, asking whether they deserved heightened levels of scrutiny as well.

Writes Igor Volsky at the Wonk Room:

Unlike laws preventing people from marrying their brother, laws which discriminate against gay people meet the Supreme Court’s legal standard for heightened scrutiny because gay men and lesbians have historically been “subjected to such a history of purposeful unequal treatment, or relegated to such a position of political powerlessness as to command extraordinary protection from the majoritarian political process.”

Gowdy went on to note that two court of appeals have ruled that a rational basis test should be applied to sexual orientation laws, while just one agreed with the administration’s view that a higher level of review is applicable and asked why Obama chose to side with the one decision.

Gov. Cuomo on gay marriage: ‘It’s a new day’

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says that he hopes marriage equality will be passed in New York State by June. The key question, he said, is not when exactly a bill will come to the floor, but whether it will pass.

He says he is working for passage by bringing the case for marriage equality to the people – if it were left to happen in the hallways in Albany, it never would, he said

NYT Editorial Slams Prop. 8 Supporters

Proposition 8 proponents’ recent argument that U.S. district judge Vaughn Walker’s decision in the case should be thrown out on the grounds that he is gay is a “bogus” maneuver, according to a Tuesday editorial in TheNew York Times.

“It is well established that personal characteristics, like race, sex, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, do not by themselves invoke the rule that judges must step aside if their 'impartiality might reasonably be questioned,'” the editorial reads.

“Indeed, following the open-ended logic of Proposition 8’s lawyers, it is hard to think who, if anyone, is qualified to rule on this case,” the editorial continues. “Certainly not wedded heterosexual judges whose marriages stand to be somehow diminished, according to the antimarriage crowd, if Judge Walker’s ruling survives appeal in federal circuit court.”

Kamala Harris Argues Prop 8 Backers Can't Defend Gay Marriage Ban

California's attorney general has again come out against the state's same-sex marriage ban, this time telling the state Supreme Court the proponents of successful ballot initiatives do not have the right to defend their measures in court.

Kamala Harris, a Democrat who succeeded Gov. Jerry Brown in January as attorney general, submitted an amicus brief Monday in the ongoing legal dispute over the voter-approved ban known as Proposition 8.

In it, she argued that only public officials exercising the executive power of government have authority to represent the state when laws passed by voters or the Legislature are challenged.

"California law affords an initiative's proponents no right to defend the validity of a successful initiative measure based only on their role in launching an initiative process," Harris wrote.

The question of where the role of ballot measure backers ends is critical to the legal fight over California's ban on same-sex marriages. Both Brown and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger refused to defend the 2008 constitutional amendment on appeal after a federal judge struck it down last summer as a violation of civil rights.

Proposition 8's sponsors asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to allow them to step in, but the court punted the question to the California Supreme Court earlier this year, saying it was a matter of state law.

If the sponsors are not permitted to intervene, the lower court ruling overturning Proposition 8 will stand.

729 Religious Leaders Voice Support for Same Sex Marriage in NY

Advocates for same sex marriage kicked off the final push to convince enough state senators to legalize gay marriage this session.

Seven hundred and twenty seven priests, ministers, and rabbis signed a letter backing the legalization of same-sex marriage, and many came to the Capitol to make the case to lawmakers. Robb Smith of Interfaith Impact of New York says it’s important to show Senators that there is no one religious view of gay marriage. And he says attitudes about gay marriage have changed.

“This is a real sea change in the way we see human relations,” Smith said. “And we absolutely have a religious obligation to respond to it.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has made gay marriage one of just three or four top priorities he is seeking in the remaining two months of the session, says he’s hopeful that a law could be approved this year.

“I’m optimistic that marriage equality will pass, I think it’s long overdue,” said Cuomo. “I know it’s failed before, but this is a different day.”