Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
“There Was No Safe Haven” When I Was Growing Up
"When I was in high school, there was no safe haven, there was no outlet for you to speak your mind. So I did what any self-preserving 14-year-old would do—I signed up for the school play and also the football team to cover my tracks. When that happens, when you aren't allowed to speak about who you are, one of the most authentic parts of who you are— who you love or who you’re attracted to—feels invisible.”
—Out White Collar actor Matt Bomer, accepting the Inspiration Award at GLSEN’s Respect Awards with husband Simon Halls Friday evening in Los Angeles.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Weapons of Self Destruction
A Clip from Robin Williams new stand-up show, Weapons of Self Destruction, on the catholic churches issues with homosexuality and problems with pedophilia.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Puerto Rico Votes For Statehood
On November 6, Puerto Ricans voted to adjust the relationship between the territory and the United States and pursue statehood, advancing the quest of many on the island to become the nation's 51st state.
In a two-part referendum, voters supported abandoning the status quo and embracing statehood — the first time such an effort has received a majority.
President Barack Obama pledged in 2011 to respect “a clear decision” of the people of Puerto Rico on statehood. It is unclear if the 60 percent margin on Tuesday meets that test.
Under Article IV the Constitution, Congress would have to approve statehood for the territory — though it is not clear where congressional leaders stand on the issue.
A White House spokesperson, in addition to spokespeople for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House John Boehner, did not respond to a request for comment early Wednesday.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
One Commitment
Couples talking about the experience of meeting one another and sets out to prove that love should be the only requirement for two people who want to be married.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Catholic Priest Denies Minnesota Teen Confirmation For Supporting Marriage Equality
A Catholic teenager in Barnesville, Minn., has been denied the sacrament of confirmation after he posted a photo to Facebook opposing the state's failed effort to amend the constitution to ban same-sex marriage, reports the Star Tribune.
The Rev. Gary LaMoine at Assumption Church denied confirmation to 17-year-old Lennon Cihak, after the teenager posted a photo to his personal Facebook page showing Cihak in front of a pro-marriage amendment yard sign he had altered to read "Vote NO!" The marriage amendment was rejected by Minnesota voters in this month's election.
Cihak said that friends within his confirmation class "liked" the photo on Facebook, but they were still allowed to be confirmed.
Catholic Church Directed $2 Million to Fight Marriage Initiatives
The Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the National Organization for Marriage provided nearly 65% of the financing for the unsuccessful efforts to defeat marriage equality initiatives in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington State.
he Roman Catholic Church leadership directed $2 million toward the campaigns against marriage equality in four states this election cycle, joining its ally the National Organization for Marriage as a major financial backer in the fight against equal civil marriage rights for LGBT Americans, according to an updated report from the Human Rights Campaign.
Love Comes In Every Shade
Friday, November 16, 2012
Chris Christie Disagrees With Mitt Romney's 'Gifts' Comment
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said Friday that he agreed that former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's recent comment on a conference call with donors that President Barack Obama won reelection because of "gifts" to minority and young voters was wrong.
Christie was asked if he concurred with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), who called Romney's remark "wrong."
"Yeah, sure," he said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," and then pivoted to discuss his fellow Republican governors.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
''I'LL SEE YOU IN COURT'
Dan Savage takes apart hate group leader Tony Perkins in this new clip from Take Part TV's 'American Savage', noting that Perkins has threatened Savage with court action:
"I welcome a lawsuit. A witness stand is a lonely place to lie. And that's what you do for a living...I look forward to that day in court. I look forward to seeing you on a witness stand, something you have dodged and ducked for decades."
NIGERIA ADVANCES BILL THAT WOULD CRIMINALIZE HOMOSEXUAL PDA, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, GAY ORGANIZATIONS
"It is alien to our society and culture and it must not be imported," House majority leader Mulikat Adeola-Akande said during debate, referring to same-sex marriage. "Religion abhors it and our culture has no place for it," she added.House minority leader Femi Gbajabiamila said the bill represents "convergence of both law and morality." He said that same-sex marriage "is both illegal and immoral."
Nigeria's senate in November 2011 approved the bill that would make same-sex marriages punishable by up to 14 years for the couple and 10 for anyone abetting such unions. It also set out a 10-year sentence for "any person who ... directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationships".
Push for Marriage Equality in IIlinois
Saying “the time is right” for marriage equality, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel has thrown his considerable political weight behind getting a same-sex marriage bill passed in Illinois.
The mayor had a letter to that effect published in Tuesday’s Chicago Sun-Times, and he followed that up with a conversation with The Advocate,noting in both that the results of last week’s election make this an opportune time to continue the push for equality.
The election “continued America’s great history of expanding opportunity and equality,” Emanuel, a Democrat, wrote in the letter. “Today, we must take the next step on that journey by affording the opportunity to marry to all Americans — and we can continue that march by quickly enacting marriage equality here in Illinois.”
Speaking with The Advocate, he added, “The time is right, the time is now.” Illinois has offered civil unions to same-sex couples since June of 2011, and momentum for marriage equality is building around the nation, with the victories in Maine, Maryland, and Washington State on Election Day, the defeat of an anti-equality constitutional amendment in Minnesota, and the election or reelection of many supportive politicians, including President Obama.
In Illinois, a marriage equality bill was introduced in February by the state’s three openly gay legislators (there will be a fourth in the next term). Gov. Pat Quinn, also a Democrat, has made it clear he supports such a measure. The Democrats have a majority of seats in both the state Senate and House, and in the next term, beginning in January, will have supermajorities.
All these factors would appear to bode well for the bill, and there has been speculation that a vote on it could come before the end of this year. Emanuel, however, declined to predict when the legislature might take it up or if it would pass. He said he simply wants to ensure marriage equality won’t get lost in the shuffle amid the state’s financial and other challenges, and he thinks it will unless someone makes it a priority. He’s met with the leaders of both houses of the legislature, and he’s calling on citizens to become active. “We have to go to work,” he said.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Accuser retracts claim he had underage sex with Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash
The man who accused "Sesame Street" puppeteer Kevin Clash of having a sexual encounter with him when he was 16, has retracted his statements.
The accuser, now 24 years old, contacted Sesame Workshop last summer and claimed that, beginning at the age of 16, he had a sexual relationship with Clash.
Kevin Clash
Today, Andreozzi & Associates, a law firm that said it represented Clash's accuser, said in a statement that “he wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship.”
The statement added, “He will have no further comment on the matter.”
Petraeus Affair OK Because ‘He’s A Man’
Pat Robertson seems to be able to justify the actions of General David Petraeus — Paula Broadwell affair because the resigned-in-disgrace now-former CIA Director and retired four-star general is “a man.” Robertson, 82, a pioneer among televangelists, believes the Bible and marital vows don’t apply when you’re “off in a foreign land” and “lonely.”
Former Baptist Minister, former GOP candidate for president, and professional man of God, Pat Robertson, who spends a good portion of his time advocating against the legalization of same-sex marriage, who tells gay people they are going to hell — using the bible as his defense — ignores the Bible when it comes to heterosexual infidelity.
Hypocrisy?
The Bible demands stoning to death women adulterers, but not men who cheat on their wives.
Robertson has blamed the ACLU for the 9/11 attacks, he has blamed abortion for the Katrina devastation, and blamed a supposed pact with the Devil Haiti made for the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
Jon Stewart Goes Off On Mike Huckabee Over Gay Marriage
Jon Stewart welcomed back to the show Mike Huckabee and during the course of their two-part interview, Jon got a little heated over the politician Fox News host’s religious-based condemnation of gay marriage in a controversial political ad: (around 4:00)
“We can come on and have a conversation but when I see that, and I go, Mike Huckabee doesn’t just disagree with me, he believes that my position, that gay people are members of the species and whoever they love; that marriage strengthens traditional families because gay families are wonderful families raising wonderful kids and that the value of them is not their gayness. Marriage is about honest, trustworthy people working in a loving household, having nothing to do with what their sexuality is. How can you say that me believing that is registered in the book of fire?”
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Petraeus Affair Conspiracy Theories
On Monday, Jon Stewart took a look at Fox News and other media outlets' response to General David Petraeus' resignation, and, as is his wont, poked one or two holes in their theories.
I have to admit, I am already tired of this story after 2 days...
Kevin Clash, Elmo’s puppeteer, accused of statutory rape
“In June of this year, Sesame Workshop received a communication from a then 23-year-old man who alleged that he had a relationship beginning when he was 16 years old with Kevin Clash,” reps for the show said in a statement.
Clash, 52, who has been Elmo’s Muppeteer since 1984, adamantly maintains the accusation is false, but the show was forced to investigate. Says Clash, according to TMZ, “I had a relationship with [the accuser]. It was between two consenting adults and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to make it into something it was not.”
“We took the allegation very seriously and took immediate action,” Sesame Workshop said in the statement. “We met with the accuser twice and had repeated communications with him. We met with Kevin, who denied the accusation. We also conducted a thorough investigation and found the allegation of underage conduct to be unsubstantiated.”
“In June of this year, Sesame Workshop received a communication from a then 23-year-old man who alleged that he had a relationship beginning when he was 16 years old with Kevin Clash,” reps for the show said in a statement.Supreme Court Reschedules Prop 8, DOMA Case Announcements
It looks like we'll have to wait a little longer to find out whether or not the Supreme Court will take up the handful of marriage equality cases it faces, including challenges to Prop 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act.
According to the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the Supreme Court has moved back the conference date from November 20 to November 30. We should hear the results of the conference by Monday, December 3.
Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill may see passage before the end of the year, the AP reports:
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga told The Associated Press that the bill, which originally mandated death for some gay acts, will become law this year.
Ugandans "are demanding it," she said, reiterating a promise she made before a meeting on Friday of anti-gay activists who spoke of "the serious threat" posed by homosexuals to Uganda's children. Some Christian clerics at the meeting in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, asked the speaker to pass the law as "a Christmas gift."
"Speaker, we cannot sit back while such (a) destructive phenomenon is taking place in our nation," the activists said in a petition. "We therefore, as responsible citizens, feel duty-bound to bring this matter to your attention as the leader of Parliament ... so that lawmakers can do something to quickly address the deteriorating situation in our nation."
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga told The Associated Press that the bill, which originally mandated death for some gay acts, will become law this year.Ugandans "are demanding it," she said, reiterating a promise she made before a meeting on Friday of anti-gay activists who spoke of "the serious threat" posed by homosexuals to Uganda's children. Some Christian clerics at the meeting in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, asked the speaker to pass the law as "a Christmas gift."
"Speaker, we cannot sit back while such (a) destructive phenomenon is taking place in our nation," the activists said in a petition. "We therefore, as responsible citizens, feel duty-bound to bring this matter to your attention as the leader of Parliament ... so that lawmakers can do something to quickly address the deteriorating situation in our nation."
UPS Dumps the Boy Scouts Over its Anti-Gay Policies
The UPS Foundation, which gave $167,000 to various Boy Scouts of America entities in 2010, said today that the organization is no longer eligible for grants due to its anti-gay policies, GLAAD reports:
The UPS Foundation posted the following on its site:
The UPS Foundation seeks to support organizations that are in alignment with our focus areas, guidelines, and non-discrimination policy. UPS and The UPS Foundation do not discriminate against any person or organization with regard to categories protected by applicable law, as well as other categories protected by UPS and The UPS Foundation in our own policies. These include, but are not limited to race, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, pregnancy, age and religion.
Monday, November 12, 2012
And Then There Were Four...
Elton John and David Furnish are expecting their second child, UK tabloid The Sun reports:
A surrogate for the Rocket Man singer and hubby David is due to give birth next year, The Sun can exclusively reveal. Last night a source close to the pair said: “Elton and David love this lady like a sister and they feel indebted to her for life. Naturally she has been well rewarded. But her identity will never be revealed.” The mum — believed to have been recruited via the Center for Surrogate Parenting in Encino, California — is said to be already “several months” pregnant. Zachary will have turned two by the time his sibling arrives.
Papa John's CEO John Schnatter Says Company Will Reduce Workers' Hours In Response To Obamacare
In the wake of President Obama's reelection, one CEO is doubling down on his criticisms of Obamacare.
Papa John’s CEO John Schnatter said he plans on passing the costs of health care reform to his business onto his workers. Schnatter said he will likely reduce workers’ hours, as a result of President Obama's reelection, the Naples News reports. Schnatter made headlines over the summer when he told shareholders that the cost of a Papa John’s pizza will increase by between 11 and 14 cents due to Obamacare.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
New Archbishop Of Canterbury Justin Welby Dances Around Gay Marriage
The Bishop of Durham Justin Welby, a foe of equal marriage in the UK, has been named the next Archbishop of Canterbury, succeeding Dr. Rowan Williams in the post.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the leader of the Church of England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a 77-million-strong denomination and the third largest Christian sect worldwide.
While his predecessor has admitted the Church’s attitude toward gay relationships has been “harmful” and that it should be advocating equality, Welby is expected to take a more hardline view—even if he wants to keep the dialogue polite.
“I support the House of Bishop’s statement in the summer in answer to the government’s consultation on same-sex marriage. I know I need to listen very attentively to the LGBT communities, and examine my own thinking prayerfully and carefully.
I am always averse to the language of exclusion, when what we are called to is to love in the same way as Jesus Christ loves us. Above all in the church we need to create safe spaces for these issues to be discussed honestly and in love.”
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Rachel Maddow Talks The Election And Gays Causing Hurricanes With Stephen Colbert
The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive
MSNBC pundit Rachel Maddow visited Comedy Central fundit Stephen Colber last night where she discussed the after-gloat of Tuesday’s election and how the gays are direct causes of hurricanes.
Friday, November 9, 2012
If SCOTUS Makes Gay Marriage Legal US Will See ‘Firestorm’ Of ‘Revolution’
Tony Perkins yesterday threatened the Supreme Court (SCOTUS), saying if they strike down DOMA or legalize same-sex marriage, they will see America in a “firestorm” of “revolution.”
Claiming “the issue of abortion” is still unresolved in America, Perkins, the head of the anti-gay hate group, Family Research Council, says both abortion and same-sex marriage are “unnatural.”
Is New Jersey Next for a Marriage Referendum?
When New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoed the marriage equality bill passed by the legislature earlier this year, he said the issue should be put to voters in a referendum.
"The fact of the matter is, I think people would have been happy to have a referendum on civil rights rather than fighting and dying in the streets in the South," he said at the time.
Lawmakers and advocates expressed offense at the idea of putting civil rights to a popular vote, and the recent success of marriage equality referendums in Maine, Maryland and Washington has not changed their minds.
"I still don’t believe we should put civil rights onto a referendum," Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, a sponsor of the marriage equality legislation, told the Star-Ledger.
While some observers say New Jersey voters would pass such a referendum, Democratic legislative leaders and advocates prefer the potential routes of a veto override or a case pending in state Supreme Court. The legislature has until January 2014 to find the two-thirds majority needed to override Christie’s veto, a move that would require more support from Republican lawmakers.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
McCaskill 'Legitimately Raped' Akin
"Well it looks tonight like, in Missouri, Claire McCaskill has legitimately raped Todd Akin," Stewart quipped. "Electorally speaking, obviously."
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Marriage votes mark ‘watershed’ moment for LGBT equality
Even the most jaded political pundits were stunned by the four stunning victories for marriage equality on the ballot Tuesday.
In an unprecedented vote, Minnesota became the first state to reject a proposed state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Maine became the first state to approve a pro-active measure to allow same-sex marriage. And voters in Washington State and Maryland became the first to approve bills passed in their respective legislatures to provide for marriage equality.
And to top it off, the one Iowa justice targeted by anti-gay marriage activists hoping to unseat him during his routine retention vote, held onto his seat.
Fox News commentator Juan Williams called the four votes a “watershed moment” for the marriage equality movement in the United States. Prior to Tuesday, voters in 32 states have passed bans on same-sex marriage.
The votes add Maryland, Maine, and Washington to the list of six states and the District of Columbia that allow same-sex marriage.
Gay Marriage Victories
Minnesota has voted down Amendment 1, a constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage as being a union solely between a man and a woman. The state became the first in the country to vote against such an amendment on the ballot when results were announced early Wednesday.
In Washington, the state is all but certain to legalize same-sex marriage with the passing of Referendum 74, though due to the state's mail-in voting system, a final tally may not come for another day or two. On Election Day Tuesday, voters in Maine and Maryland chose to legalize gay marriage. This marks the first time marriage equality has been legalized via the ballot.
GAY MARRIAGE IS CONSTITUTIONAL
Spain's highest court has upheld the constitutionality of the seven-year old marriage equality law.
Spain's top court today ruled that the law passed in 2005 by the Socialist government of José Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero allowing gay couples to marry is fully constitutional, answering an appeal challenging in it by the conservative Popular Party's Mariano Rajoy.
ANTI-GAY MAYOR JANICE DANIELS GETS THE BOOT
Troy, Michigan mayor Janice Daniels, who made national headlines in 2011 over a Facebook update that read "I think I am going to throw away my I Love New York carrying bag now that queers can get married there" and months later said she wanted an expert to testify that homosexuality is a mental illness at an anti-bullying forum, has been sent packing after the elections!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Gay Morman Talks About His Marriage (and sex) to a Woman
A devout Mormon gay man opened up about his controversial, decade-long marriage to a woman on "The Ricki Lake Show" this week, revealing intimate details about the couple's love life.
Josh Weed, who came out earlier this year in a 6,000-word blog post on his website, told Lake, "I love [my wife] a lot in an intimate, personal way...communication was top-notch."
'Don't Let Mitt Turn Back Time On Women'
Before anyone goes out and votes this Tuesday, Cher and Kathy Griffin want to make sure everyone has the facts on Mitt Romney's policies regarding women. So they've teamed up with Actually.org along with Sarah Silverman, Rosie Perez and other celebrities who want to address "the truth" while they have the candidates' attention.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
RED HOOK BEER RAISES A GLASS TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY
In a new ad, Washington-based Red Hook beer weighs in on that state's Referendum 74, a ballot measure that if approved would legalize same-sex marriage, and makes it known that they whole-heartedly support equality.
As they say, "it's about time".
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Sing Their Marriage Equality Anthem 'Same Love' on Ellen
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis performed an amazing, showstopping rendition of their marriage equality anthem "Same Love" on Ellen. Ellen called them "my new heroes."
Friday, November 2, 2012
More Anti-Gay Funds
The National Organization for Marriage funneled $1.6 million into the Minnesota marriage equality ballot fight.
"All told, Minnesota for Marriage raised more than $3.7 million so far this year, much of it from the Catholic Church, affiliated groups and the National Organization for Marriage. That's still far less than the group's opponents."
"All told, Minnesota for Marriage raised more than $3.7 million so far this year, much of it from the Catholic Church, affiliated groups and the National Organization for Marriage. That's still far less than the group's opponents."
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Straight Jock with Two Moms Featured in Maine's Final Ad for Marriage Equality
Brian Arsenault, a straight jock raised by two moms, speaks out for Question 1 in Maine, in one of Mainers United for Marriage's two final ads in support of marriage equality
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