There Are Currently 29 Same-Sex Marriage Lawsuits In 21 States

There are currently 29 active pro-same-sex marriage lawsuits in 21 states across the nation. Were we to win at least one in each state, residents in thirty-four of our nation’s 50 states would enjoy marriage equality.

The Ultimate Scare Prank Freak Outs Compilation

The Ultimate Scare Prank Freak Outs Compilation by worldwideinterweb

Who Will Stand On The Wrong Side Of History The Longest?

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GOD WILL STOP BLESSING THE MILITARY BECAUSE OF GAY RIGHTS

E.W. Jackson, the current Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in Virginia, said on camera that 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' was the only thing that kept the United States military in the Almighty's good graces. Now that it has been repealed and chaplains are allowed to wed gay couples, so too will God repeal his blessings.

"How in the world can we expect our military to be blessed by the hand of almighty God if we allow our military to become the equivalent of Sodom and Gomorrah? God is not pleased."

Apostle Paul David Rodgers: “Gay Parents Are Like Five-Year-Olds Trying To Drive Cars”

FOX 13 News

Desk The Halls Ornament from Hallmark

Hallmark, the card-and-gift company for all things festive and merry, has released an image of a new ornament for the 2013 holiday season. The ornament, in the shape of a sweater, has a lyric from the classic "Deck the Halls," but one word has been clearly omitted and replaced. Rather than donning "gay apparel," the clothes are now simply "fun." 

The change in lyrics was reportedly made to promote clearer understanding of the song in a modern-day context.

HuffPost reports:

A spokeswoman for Hallmark said the line was intentionally changed to prevent misinterpretation by holiday shoppers.

"When the lyrics to 'Deck the Halls' were translated from Gaelic and published in English back in the 1800s, the word 'gay' meant festive or merry," Kristi Ernsting told The Huffington Post in an email. "Today it has multiple meanings ... the trend of wearing festively decorated Christmas sweaters to parties is all about fun, and this ornament is intended to play into that, so the planning team decided to say what we meant: 'fun.'"

She added: "That’s the spirit we intended and the spirit in which we hope ornament buyers will take it."

Westboro Baptist Church Gets Front Row Seat To Equality House Drag Show

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church were treated to a lovely evening of song and dance performed by local drag queens last Saturday.

Equality House, which is located across the street from WBC, hosted its first-ever drag show over the weekend. Titled “Drag Down Bigotry,” the was a fundraiser for the anti-bullying and human rights advocacy programs run by Planting Peace, Equality House’s parent organization.

More than 150 spectators from all over the country turned out for the event which featured colorfully dressed queens, clowns, DJs and more.

“Drag in this sense is not about aggressive or abrasive behavior to mock or bully anyone,” said Amelia Markham, the director of outreach for Planting Peace, “but rather communicates a message of celebration and the power of creativity to transcend the rigid gender structures of society that have oppressed the many who have never been able to feel honest or authentic in their existence.”

WBC, however, didn’t seem to appreciate the spectacle. They responded by waving their signature “God Hates Fags” signs from behind their massive, eight-foot high, hedge-lined, closed-circuit surveillance-protected fence.

Hawaii Senate Committee Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill

1800 people and organizations signed up to deliver testimony in person on Hawaii’s same-sex marriage bill yesterday. After more than twelve hours, the Hawaii Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor passed Senate Bill 1, by a 5-2 vote. Now, the full state Senate will vote on the legislation, where it is expected to pass also.

The Hawaii House has already scheduled hearings starting Thursday morning, and their same-sex marriage bill also looks likely to pass.

‘Yeah I Would’ Vote To Bring Back Slavery

A Tea Party Republican lawmaker says he would vote to bring back slavery if his constituents wanted it. Nevada state assemblyman Jim Wheeler made the comments in response to a reporter’s question, after he was trying to illustrate he would follow the will of the voters, regardless of the outcome.

Jelly Belly Chairman Donates $5k to Turn Back The Rights of Trans Students In California

Jelly Belly jellybeans are known for being sweet, but it turns out that for transgender people, their current chair is anything but.

Back in August, California passed landmark legislation to support their transgender students from grades K-12 in all school districts. The “School Success and Opportunity Act” (also known as bill AB1266) gives transgender students in California the right to choose programs and use facilities (i.e. sports and restrooms) based on their gender identity and not their birth gender. 

Jelly Belly Chairman Herman Rowland Sr. however, has a problem with that. He has been outed as a donor of of $5,000 to the “Privacy Of All Students” initiative campaign, which seeks to gather enough signatures to put a repeal of the School Success and Opportunity Act on the ballot for the upcoming 2014 election.

NOM Goes To Hawaii, Pretends To Be Hawaiian

As a special legislative session to debate marriage equality began today in Hawaii, NOM, the National Organization For Marriage, has invaded the Aloha State. Flooding the airwaves with anti-gay ads that make NOM sound like the frauds they are, NOM’s TV ad uses Hawaiian words like “keiki,” which means children, and “ohana,” which means family.

Last week, NOM president Brian Brown wrote that “from Hawaii comes an important reminder of something that we here at NOM have always maintained to be crucial for the fate of marriage in the United States. On this important issue, the people should decide!”

Brown calls their new video, titled, “Hawaii Our Local Culture,” “especially touching because it reflects the great cultural heritage and richness of Hawaii which some of us perhaps have experienced in visits to the beautiful state. And thus it reminds us, too, that marriage is a universal value that every heritage and every culture has treasured and honored throughout history.”

“The heritage of Hawai’i is rooted in family,” NOM’s video announcer says. “Mother and fathers united in marriage caring for each other, and their keiki.

Ted Cruz Praised As A GOP Jesus Christ

Ted Cruz is being praised as a Republican Jesus Christ willing to be crucified for the GOP’s ideology. In Iowa Friday at an annual Ronald Reagan fundraising dinner, Cruz, a Tea Party Republican freshman U.S. Senator from Texas, was hailed as a martyr willing to stand on principle rather than actually pass legislation or compromise.

“As an audience of 600 Republicans awaited the arrival of Sen. Ted Cruz Friday night at the Iowa Events Center, conservative Christian activist Steve Scheffler came to the podium to give thanks to God for the Tea Party savior — and plead for more principled conservative leaders like him willing to ‘be crucified for their belief system.’”writes Buzzfeed’s McKay Coppins.

The ballroom full of amens that followed went a long way toward explaining why Cruz — fresh off a failed crusade to dismantle Obamacare that resulted in a 16-day government shutdown and a political disaster for his party — has been greeted with such adoration by Tea Party crowds in recent days.

In Cruz, conservatives have found something better than a champion for their cause or a defender of their values. They’ve found a martyr.

“Every time one of these guys attacks him, it’s good for him,” said one Iowa Republican operative. “He’s like a superhero. The more bullets that get shot at him, the bigger and stronger he gets.”

‘Queers Do Not Share In The Wealth Of GOD’

A waiter at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Overland Park, Kansas, got more — and less — of a tip than he anticipated. After serving a Christian couple, the 20-year old waiter was left no cash, but this long note:

“Thank you for your service, it was excellent. That being said, we cannot in good conscience tip you, for your homosexual lifestyle is an affront to GOD. Queers do not share in the wealth of GOD, and you will not share in ours. We hope you will see the tip your fag choices made you lose out on, and plan accordingly. It is never too late for GOD’S love, but none shall be spared for fags. May GOD have mercy on you.”

“We embrace diversity and believe in treating everyone with respect,” a statement from Carrabba’s reads.

'Sorry You Forgot That We're Kind Of D*cks'

SAN ANTONIO HIGH SCHOOL ELECTS TWO QUEENS TO HOMECOMING COURT

In an historic moment for C.C. Winn High School in San Antonio, TX the student body defied tradition and elected two girls to the Royal Court for homecoming this year. Though Jennifer Mijares and Eileen Hernandez are not a couple, they are allies and members of the school's Gay Straight Alliance, running on the platform of promoting equality among the student body.

They received immense support from the student body, claiming that every one negative response was met with ten positive. They even had the support of the staff, with Principal Jesus Diaz-Wever stating “that it is important for all persons to be respected and treated with dignity and the students at C.C. Winn High School certainly understand that all persons are equal.”

The true test of support arguably came at halftime during the homecoming game on Friday, October 18th. When Jennifer Mijares and Eileen Hernandez were announced as homecoming queens to all in attendance, the 1,500 fans in the stands cheered.

Fox News Psychiatrist Issues Obama Diagnosis

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Explains 'Gay' To Her Son

Cory Booker Shuts Down Religious Heckler at Gay Marriage

The Newark mayor doesn't think religious-based opposition to one gay couple's marriage counts as a 'substantive, worthy objection.'

While performing one of the first same-sex marriages during a midnight ceremony on Monday in New Jersey, Newark mayor Cory Booker had an antigay Christian heckler removed from the room. 

Booker was officiating the marriage of his longtime friends Orville Belle and Joseph Panessidi, who have been waiting to marry for 15 years, inside the rotunda at Newark City Hall. 

"This is unlawful in the eyes of god!" shouted a heckler when Booker asked if anyone knew of a reason the couple should not be joined in matrimony. 

"Well, sir — please remove that person," replied the outgoing mayor of Newark and the state's newest senator-elect as the heckler continued to shout while being removed. "And not hearing any substantive, worthy objections, I now will proceed with the vows," continued Booker to an enthusiastic round of applause. 

Watch the marriage ceremony below, with Booker's concise dismissal of the right-wing bigot starting around the 2:20 mark.

Retired Roman Catholic Priest Weds Gay N.J. Couples

Follow breaking news @lgbtqnation LGBTQ YOUTH Once bullied gay teen starts anti-bullying coalition to help other bullied kids

NBC Nightly News on Sunday profiled 17-year-old Jake Stallman, a once bullied gay teen from eastern Iowa who decided he no longer could suffer in silence and now helps other kids who are bullied.

Jake, who started an anti-bullying coalition in his high school in Tipton, Iowa, was recently awarded the “Spirit of Matthew Award” from the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

New And Virulent HIV Strain Tearing Through Russia

Russia has been suffering an AIDS crisis for over a decade and it keeps getting worse. A scientific research center in Siberia announced this week that a new strain of HIV is spreading throughout the country “at a rapid rate.”

The subtype, known as 02_AG/A, was first detected in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk in 2006 and now accounts for more than 50 percent of new HIV infections in the region, the research center said in a statement.

The number of HIV-positive people living in the Novosibirsk Region has increased from about 2,000 in 2007 up to an alarming 15,000 in 2012.

Natalya Gashnikova, head of the retroviruses department at the Vektor state biotechnology research center at Koltsovo, said the virus spreads much faster than Russia’s current leading HIV strain and might be the “most virulent” the country has ever seen.

This new strain is not limited to Siberia, though. Researchers claim it has also been found in patient lab tests in Chechnya, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

According to the United Nations, Eastern Europe and Central Asia are the only regions in the world where the HIV infection is on the rise. Russia in particular has experienced one of the fastest-spreading HIV/AIDS epidemics in any nation’s history. In a country of 143 million people, roughly one million are HIV-positive. The World Bank estimates that in 2020, Russia will lose 20,000 people per month to AIDS.

Chris Christie Administration Withdrawing Appeal Of Gay Marriage Ruling In New Jersey

Gov. Chris Christie's administration is withdrawing its appeal of a judge's recent ruling in favor of gay marriage in New Jersey, according to Bloomberg.

According to Politicker NJ reporter Matthew Arco, Christie's administration said "the governor will do his constitutional duty and ensure his administration enforces the law as dictated by the N.J. Supreme Court."

British Newspaper Slammed For 'Homosexual Sinners' Headline

A British newspaper is coming under fire after making the decision to publish a letter attacking lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals, printed under the headline "Take Heed, All Homosexual Sinners."

American Missionaries Feed LGBT Hate

Bishop Christopher Senyonjo was excommunicated from the Church of Uganda for his opposition to the country's severe culture of homophobia, but that hasn't stopped him from carrying the torch for LGBT rights across the globe.

Love is Changing History

To celebrate LGBT History Month, AT&T is hoping to help change the way people think about love with their new campaign -- Love is Changing History.

LGBT Ally Cory Booker Elected To US Senate

Cory Booker, the Democratic mayor of Newark, New Jersey, has just won a special election and will become the freshman U.S. Senator for the Garden State.

Michele Bachmann Explains How Shutdown Ended: ‘Republicans Were The Adults In The Room’

Michele Bachmann‘s grasp on reality is getting weaker by the day. The Minnesota Congresswoman, who will retire at the end of her term in January, 2015, has an interesting perspective on how the GOP-created government shutdown ended.

I'D TELL MY GAY CHILD THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO MARRY

Just last week, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono took sitting governor Chris Christie to task on his same-sex marriage views. Yesterday the subject was broached again, this time in the second and final debate between the two candidates. Christie took on Buono's personalization of gay rights (her daughter is openly gay), applying it to his own family. The results were mixed.

Politico reports

Republican Gov. Chris Christie said Tuesday that if one of his four children came out as gay, he would “grab them and hug them and tell them I love them.

”He would also tell them “that Dad believes that marriage is between one man and one woman,” he said.

“My children understand that there are going to be differences of opinion in our house and in houses all across this state and across this country,” Christie said. He said he would respect voters if they approved gay marriage, but said the decision does not belong to the courts or the legislature.

Pat Robertson Tells Republicans To End Shutdown And Give Up On Obamacare Fight

GAY COUPLE OF 25 YEARS APPLY FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE

OBAMACARE 'AMERICA'S PUNISHMENT FOR SLAVERY YEARS'

he owner of Smokin Joe's Ribhouse in Rogers posts a political message that some neighbors are calling offensive. The owners says the message was against Health Care Reform not the President.

New Jersey Marriage is One Week Away

U.S. Olympic Committee Adds ‘Sexual Orientation’ To Its Code Of Conduct

The U.S. Olympic Committee has updated its nondiscrimination policy to include “sexual orientation” hoping other countries and the International Olympic Committee will follow suit.

Wendy And Tom Montgomery Lead Push To Change LDS Church Stance On Homosexuality

Wendy and Tom Montgomery went door-to-door in their California neighborhood in 2008 campaigning for the passage of an anti-gay marriage proposition. They were among thousands of faithful Mormons following the direction of a church that spent millions on the cause.

Then they learned last year that their 15-year-old son is gay — a revelation that rocked their belief system.

Now, Wendy Montgomery is leading a growing movement among Mormons to push The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to teach that homosexuality isn't a sin.

Betty White Is Changing Her Name For LGBT Youth

Betty White is changing her name to “Betty Purple” in recognition of GLAAD’s annual anti-bullying campaign Spirit Day on October 17.

Spirit Day happens every year and is a united stand against bullying and a show of support for LGBT teens and young adults everywhere.

Pat Robertson compares transgender people to his castrated horse

On the 700 Club on Wednesday, Pat Robertson reacted to a David Brody report on a new California law protecting transgender students by blasting the law as “insane.”

Chris Christie Doesn’t Think Marriage Equality Is A Human Rights Issue

During a campaign visit to a diner in Edison, NJ, Christie got into a surprisingly (for him) civil discussion with a voter who pressed him on his opposition to same-sex marriage. What was meant to be a routine event turned out to be a window into Christie’s ongoing waffling on gay issues.

It all began when Bert Bueno, a straight woman, asked Christie to explain his opposition to marriage equality. “Lots of different people have different views on this,” Christie said. “I think marriage should be between a man and a woman.” Christie also reiterated his stand that the issue be put to the voters and not “decided by politicians in Trenton.”

ueno wasn’t buying  ”How could you as the leader of the state speak and have such a point of view that really is in opposition to many, many people?” Bueno asked.

“Whenever you have an opinion that’s in opposition to many, many people … ” Christie started to reply.

“But this is different than gun control or taxes,” Bueno interjected.

“No, I don’t think it is different,” the governor said.

“It’s a human rights issue,” Bueno insisted.

“Says you,” Christie responded.

'Don't Fart And Point At The Dog'

HOMOPHOBIA IS A SIN

As part of a weekend honoring LGBT young people at the Washington National Cathedral, Rev. Gary Hall (pictured right) spoke out against homophobia and heterosexism, denouncing both as 'sin.' The Huffington Post reports:

"We must now have the courage to take the final step and call homophobia and heterosexism what they are. They are sin. Homophobia is a sin. Heterosexism is a sin. Shaming people for whom they love is a sin," said Dean Hall. He continued, "Only when all our churches say that clearly and boldly and courageously will our LGBT youth be free to grow up in a culture that totally embraces them fully as they are."

He criticized the role that some churches have in advancing oppression of LGBT youth, saying, "It's more than tragic - in fact it's shameful - that faith communities, especially Christian ones, continue to be complicit in putting out children at risk and abetting the attitudes that oppress them, thereby encouraging the aggressors who would subject our children to pain, humiliation, and violence.

Kuwait To Perform “Medical Tests” To Keep LGBTs Out Of Country

The government is planning to screen people entering the country to make sure that they are not LGBT. 

“Health centers conduct the routine medical check to assess the health of the expatriates when they come into the GCC [Gulf Cooperation] countries,” Yousouf Mindkar, director of public health at the Kuwaiti health ministry, said  ”However, we will take stricter measures that will help us detect gays who will be then barred from entering Kuwait or any of the GCC member states.”

Just what these mystical medical tests might be aren’t detailed. We can only imagine what the meeting is like when Mindkar and company brainstorm about the

Kuwait criminalizes homosexuality, with a penalty of up to ten years in prison. The country has conducted ongoing campaigns against the LGBT community, arresting LGBT teens and trans citizens. 

Get Over It

The All Saints Anglican Church in Australia has a powerful message for anti-gay Christians who believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identifying individuals don't have a place in the church.

Telling Christians that God wants them to "get over" homosexuality, church officials are certainly advocating an LGBT-inclusive philosophy for their evangelism:

Rugby Gods Strip Down Once Again For “Les Dieux Du Stade” 2014 Calendar

Teaser DIEVX DV STADE 2014 by StadeFrancaisParis

Father Comes Up with Ultimate Punishment To Stop His Son From Bullying

When efforts to curb his son’s bullying behavior proved fruitless, a Texas man doled out a bit of tough love, forcing his progeny to stand on the curb of a busy street holding a sign that read: “I am a bully. Honk if you hate bullies.”



  kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

'THE HAPPIEST I'VE SEEN IN...A LONG TIME'

Jon Stewart Apologizes To Republicans... For Being Too Easy On Them

Implementing Same-Sex Marriage Now Will Cause ‘Irreparable Harm’ To New Jersey

Chris Christie filed an appeal to last week’s NJ Superior Court decision on same-sex marriage. The Court clearly ruled that same-sex couples must be allowed to marry. The Court added that denying marriage to same-sex couples is an attack on their equality.

The Court ruled that “same-sex couples must be allowed to marry in order to obtain equal protection of the law under the New Jersey Constitution.”

Grandfather's Letter to his Daughter after she Disowns her Son for being Gay

In this incredible letter, a grandfather passionately addresses his daughter's decision to kick her gay son out of the house after he decided to come out of the closet. 

Rock Hudson Dies from Complications Related to AIDS

1985: Rock Hudson, a leading Hollywood actor, became the major first celebrity to dies of AIDS-related complications. A friend of Ronald Reagan, Hudson's death proved to be a catalyst that changed public perception surrounding the AIDS epidemic and the individuals affected by it. Until the actor's death, the mainstream media had largely ignored the AIDS crisis, with it existing in the realm of public consciousness as the "gay plague."

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN NOMINATED FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

Citing his proposal to dismantle Syria's chemical weapons arsenal, a group has nominated Russian President Vladimir Putin for the Nobel Peace Prize, the NYT reports.

CHRIS CHRISTIE APPEALS GAY MARRIAGE RULING TO HIGH COURT

As promised, NJ Governor Chris Christie appealed Judge Mary Jacobson's ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in New Jersey to the state's Supreme Court, the AP reports:

Citing “far-reaching implications,” Acting Attorney General John Hoffman made the request in a letter to the state Supreme Court, which usually does not weigh in on cases until after an appeals court has made a ruling on them.

Hoffman said he is also asking the judge who issued the decision Friday to grant a stay, delaying the implementation date from Oct. 21 until the matter can be settled.

Democrats said yesterday at a press conference they would like the high court to act swiftly on the measure.

Julia Gillard, Former Australian Prime Minister, Questioned About Gay Marriage By Young Boy

Government Shutdown: When The Giants Lost, They Didn't Shut Down The NFL

Marriage New Watch: Ted Olson and David Boies head to Virginia

Now that the victory parties in California have subsided and Prop 8 is a distant memory, it's time for the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) to turn its attention to its next case. Today the organization announced that it would redouble its efforts to attain full federal marriage equality -- this time with a lawsuit in Virginia.

Word came this morning that AFER is joining a preexisting case brought by two couples. Ted Olson and David Boies will assume the role of lead co-counsel and will put forth the same constitutional arguments that were successful in the Prop 8 case in California.