Results of BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Exodus Internationalmay be facing 'Social And Financial Oblivion'

As the Ex-Gay Watch blog is reporting, Exodus International President Alan Chambers organized a Nov. 16 meeting in an effort to keep the struggling Florida-based organization afloat. Among those who attended were Exodus officials, other prominent religious leaders (including Gabe Lyons) and many lay people, including those who once counted themselves in the so-called "ex-gay" camp but may now be fully "gay affirming," according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity to the blog's staff.

The blog had previously speculated about problems at Exodus International, noting that staff cuts, the loss of key alliances and shifting views on homosexuality among the American public had been contributing to its demise. In recent years, the organization -- whose goal is "Mobilizing the body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality," according to its mission statement -- has increased its international efforts, allegedly finding less opposition to their message abroad.

The movement as a whole suffered another blow last month, when John Smid, former director of the ex-gay Christian ministry Love in Action (a Exodus affiliate), came forward saying that not only that he is gay, but that it is impossible to change one's sexual orientation. "For me, I am married, I've been married for 22 years, I love my wife dearly, we have an amazing relationship," said Smid, who resigned as Love In Action's executive director in 2008. "But at the same time, I do experience homosexuality...it's a part of my history, it's a part of the life that I live."

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."

Bristol Palin & Levi Johnston Wedding Off: Engagement Ends

"Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston have reportedly called off their wedding, but not because Levi's ex Lanesia Garcia is pregnant, E! News reports. Even Garcia has admitted that Levi isn't the father of her baby, telling UsMagazine.com, "Point blank, it's not true at all. We haven't hung out at all since 8th or 9th grade when we broke up. I don't know where people are getting this. It's not true at all. Levi is not the father of my baby."

Instead, Bristol and Levi have ended their short engagement because Levi's other ex girlfriend, Briana Plum, said some nasty things about Bristol in an interview. A source told E!, "There was also some picture on Facebook of him and Briana and Bristol just said, 'Let's hold off on the engagement.'"

According to E! News, Bristol nixed the wedding plans about one week after it was announced that she and Levi were engaged. Sarah Palin, who wasn't told of the engagement before it was announced it on the cover of Us, hasn't commented. And no word what the reported split could do to the reality show the pair was rumored to have pitched."

The Real Damage Calculates the True Cost of a New Purchase on Your Credit Card

Webapp The Real Damage calculates the true price of adding another purchase to a credit card that's already carrying a balance.
The best way to avoid throwing away money on credit card interest is simply to not carry a balance. (A good portion of Lifehacker readers pay off their cards every month.) But if you're in the process of digging out from credit card debt, it can still be tempting to put the occasional purchase on the card, particularly if it's not that expensive. The catch, of course, is that if you take the added interest that accrues on the increased balance of your debt into account, over time that price quickly grows—and that's the dollar amount The Real Damage focuses on.

Plug in the price tag of an item you're interested in, along with the APR, balance, and your current monthly payment on your credit card, and it'll figure out the true damage. Once you've got a more accurate picture of the price, then you can decide if it's worth it.

Gay Men Slimmer, Lesbians Heavier Than Straight Counterparts

A new study led by Kerith Conron, an associate research scientist at Northeastern University and a research fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health, concluded that gay men are slimmer and lesbians heavier than their heterosexual counterparts:

"Boston researchers determined that gay women were more than twice as likely as straight women to be obese, while gay men were 50 percent less likely to be obese compared to their heterosexual counterparts, according to a report published in the American Journal of Public Health. After scrutinizing a health survey of more than 67,000 Massachusetts residents between the ages of 18 and 64, the researchers found that 14 percent of gay men were obese versus 21 percent of straight men. The opposite was true of gay women: 26 percent were found to be obese, as compared with 17 percent of the straight women. The researchers also found that both gay men and gay women were more likely to be current smokers compared to their heterosexual counterparts. And gay women were more likely to have multiple heart disease risk factors than straight women...Conron suspects that cultural differences might at least partly explain the weight divide. It may be more acceptable in the lesbian community for women to be full-sized, she said."

Sam Champion and Philippe Cousteau Jr. diving into the Oil Spill

Prop 8: Trial shows best interests of kids lies with marriage equality

Star witnesses for both sides in the recent Proposition 8 trial agreed on one thing: Children of same-sex parents benefit from having two parents who are happily married to each other. On Feb. 3, their testimony was cited in two friend-of-the-court briefs submitted by 17 organizations dedicated to the advancement of the social sciences and the promotion of mental health.
The testimony at trial was most stunning from David Blankenhorn, an expert witness for the defenders of Proposition 8.

"I believe that adopting same-sex marriage would be likely to improve the well-being of gay and lesbian households and their children," he said, during his testimony as the last person to take the stand.

Dr. Michael Lamb, head of the Department of Social and Developmental Psychology at the University of Cambridge and an expert for the legal team challenging the California same-sex marriage ban, said that, "for a significant number" of children being raised by same-sex parents, "their adjustment would be promoted were their parents able to get married."

Both men’s testimony was later cited in an amicus brief submitted by the California Division of the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy and 11 other mental-health professional organizations, representing tens of thousands of therapists. It was also cited in a separate brief from the American Anthropological Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association, the National Association of Social Workers (and its California chapter), and the American Academy of Pediatrics, California. The organizations concur with the witnesses that the stigma of marriage inequality has negative effects on the children of same-sex couples.

NOM Puts New Jersey on Hit List

The antigay National Organization for Marriage, which provides significant financial backing to stall or repeal state-level marriage equality laws, has set its sights on New Jersey.

We're Coming For You, Garden State Gays

The National Organization for Marriage confirms what we all expected: It's taking its Church-backed dollars to New Jersey.

With same-sex marriage suddenly a top priority in Jersey — with supporter Gov. Jon Corzine, seen here signing the civil unions law in 2006, leaving office in January to make room for bigot Chris Christie — NOM indicates it's going to put the state next on its hit list.

NOM president Maggie Gallagher, most recently seen sympathizing with Maine's gays, says: "New Jersey is at the very top of our list, and it's going to happen in the next few weeks if it happens at all. They're doing it in a lame duck, because it's as far away from an election as possible."

While same-sex civil unions have been legal since 2006 in New Jersey, their recognition has been found to be unequal to marriage. And while a lame duck legislative session might be enough to get marriage equality on the agenda, it's unclear what NOM's strategy in Jersey will be, aside from encouraging supporters to phone legislators and lobby them to vote against it.

Focus on the Family: New Jersey is next

The antigay group Focus on the Family was not only happy with the outcome in Maine – but with the election in New Jersey as well, where conservative Christopher Christie defeated Jon Corzine in the gubernatorial race. Corzine has promised to sign a marriage equality bill if the state Legislature gets it to his desk before Christie takes office Jan. 10, 2010. Steven Goldstein, Executive Director of Garden State Equality, says there is a new urgency to the push for marriage equality in New Jersey. Focus on the Family is lining up to stop it.

Anti-gays Eye Repeal of Marriage Equality in New Hampshire

The recent victory of bigots in Maine has cause some anti-gay lawmakers in New Hampshire to consider a repeal of that state’s marriage equality law, which was signed by Governor John Lynch in June.

Foster’s Daily Democrat reports:

“Two proposals are being drafted in the N.H. House: One would repeal the law Gov. John Lynch signed in June and re-establish civil unions; the other is a constitutional amendment that would charge voters with deciding if ‘the state shall only recognize the union of one man and one woman as marriage.’ Supporters of same-sex marriage are strategizing and gearing up for a fight, said Rep. Jim Splaine, D-Portsmouth, who sponsored the gay marriage law. He said momentum doesn’t rest with gay-marriage foes.’ The momentum is on our side and those of us who support equality and love over hate,’ he said Wednesday. Even so, ‘we have a fight cut out for us in January’ when the Legislature reconvenes, he said. ‘But I think virtually everyone in the House and Senate who voted for marriage equality will stick with us and I’m hoping we’ll pick up some others.’”

According to the paper, “Only the proposed repeal would go to the governor’s desk in order for it to become law. Constitutional amendments head straight to the voters for two-thirds support upon being passed by the same margin in the Legislature.”

Interracial Couple Denied Marriage License in Louisiana

Terence McKay and Beth Humphrey, an interracial couple from Hammond, Louisiana, were denied a marriage license by Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish. [Really, first take away same-sex marriage, then interracial... what's next?]

Said Bardwell: "I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way. I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."

Bardwell claims that Black society does not accept mixed-race offspring and his denial was for the welfare of the child: "There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage. I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it."

The couple is exploring the possibility of filing a discrimination complaint through the Justice Dept.
Interracial couple denied marriage license

La. justice of the peace cites concerns about any children couple might have

A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.

Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

Neither Bardwell nor the couple immediately returned phone calls from The Associated Press. But Bardwell told the Daily Star of Hammond that he was not a racist.

"I do ceremonies for black couples right here in my house," Bardwell said. "My main concern is for the children."

‘I feel the children will later suffer’Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

"I don't do interracial marriages because I don't want to put children in a situation they didn't bring on themselves," Bardwell said. "In my heart, I feel the children will later suffer."

If he does an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.

"I try to treat everyone equally," he said.

Thirty-year-old Beth Humphrey and 32-year-old Terence McKay, both of Hammond, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.

Humphrey told the newspaper she called Bardwell on Oct. 6 to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She says Bardwell's wife told her that Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples.

"It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009," said American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzman. "The Supreme Court ruled as far back as 1963 that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."

Bristol Palin And Levi Break Up!

Looks like Bristol Palin and her baby daddy's teenage romance is over!

Bristol has split with boyfriend Levi Johnston and according to Levi's sister, Mercede, Bristol refuses to let him see their son Tripp.

In an interview with Star magazine, Mercede says, "Levi tries to visit Tripp every single day, but Bristol makes it nearly impossible. She tells him he can't take the baby to our house because she doesn't want him around 'white trash'! Bristol won't even allow him to watch the baby for a few hours — unless he's babysitting!"

Mercede also reveals that grandmama Sarah Palin approves of Bristol's behavior!

Even the Post Office is broke

Massive deficits could force the post office to cut out one day of mail delivery, the postmaster general told Congress last week, in asking lawmakers to lift the requirement that the agency deliver mail six days a week.

If the change happens, that doesn't necessarily mean an end to Saturday mail delivery. Previous post office studies have looked at the possibility of skipping some other day when mail flow is light, such as Tuesday.

Faced with dwindling mail volume and rising costs, the post office was $2.8 billion in the red last year. "If current trends continue, we could experience a net loss of $6 billion or more this fiscal year," Postmaster General John E. Potter said in testimony for a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee.

Smart Car Leads Police On Fast Freeway Chase

With speeds often reaching 90 mph, police chased a suspect Monday evening in a Smart car through the San Fernando Valley towards Pasadena.

CHP officers, about half hour into the chase, decided to pull back in an effort to get the driver to slow down, according to authorities. They abandoned the chase altogether when they determined who the driver was and where he lived, said officials. At that point, the chase was well onto the eastbound Foothill (210) Freeway approaching Sylmar.

The super-small and very fast Smart car was pursued initially on the northbound Hollywood (170) Freeway. The CHP pulled over the driver for speeding. After giving the officer his license and registration, the driver took off -- turning a traffice infraction into a felony by fleeing from authorities.

[Oh yeah, baby!]

Rev. Ed Bacon to Oprah Viewer: Being Gay is a Gift from God

The Reverend Ed Bacon responsed to a question from a gay man on Oprah yesterday that "being gay is a gift from God".

The show, on spirituality, was broadcast as part of Oprah's "Best Life Week".

“Streaming video from the Internet and other means of direct digital delivery are going to put optical formats out of business entirely over the next few years.”

ROGER KAY, U.S consultant, predicting that the increasing availability of HD movies and TV programs online will make DVD and Blu-ray video discs obsolete

Credit Crunch Drives Increase in Backyard Flocks

According to The Guardian, the number of small scale chicken keepers has mushroomed in the UK in the past year. Kirsten Halley, of seed manufacturer Allen and Page, says the phone has been ringing off the hook:

“In the last year to 18 months we have had people on the phone every day... I think there are a few factors that have come together. The credit crunch is a driver. The cost per egg of having your own hens is a fraction of what you would pay in the supermarket. And many people remember their grandparents having allotments, the fun of doing that and the social benefits, living off your own produce. In the current climate it is a lot more economical.”

Newsweek Discovers Holy Book Not Actually Against Gay Marriage

One of the most useful side-effects of the pasage of Prop. 8 in California is that people are asking, "So why won't we let the gays get married again?" and anti-marriage advocates, unable to win their case in the civic square have retreated to religion, pulling out the "Because the Bible tells me so" defense.

Not true, says Nesweek's Lisa Miller in this morning's cover story, The Religious Case for Gay Marriage, which argues that there's a pretty compelling theological argument for gay marriage. Looking at the institution Miller asks:

Shall we look to Abraham, the great patriarch, who slept with his servant when he discovered his beloved wife Sarah was infertile? Or to Jacob, who fathered children with four different women (two sisters and their servants)? Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon and the kings of Judah and Israel—all these fathers and heroes were polygamists.

The New Testament model of marriage is hardly better. Jesus himself was single and preached an indifference to earthly attachments—especially family. The apostle Paul (also single) regarded marriage as an act of last resort for those unable to contain their animal lust. "It is better to marry than to burn with passion," says the apostle, in one of the most lukewarm endorsements of a treasured institution ever uttered. Would any contemporary heterosexual married couple—who likely woke up on their wedding day harboring some optimistic and newfangled ideas about gender equality and romantic love—turn to the Bible as a how-to script?

Miller goes on to argue that the traditional family values that religious conservatives in this country are so fond of protecting are virtually absent from the Bible and are modern inventions and interpretations of the Bible. She says:

Religious objections to gay marriage are rooted not in the Bible at all, then, but in custom and tradition (and, to talk turkey for a minute, a personal discomfort with gay sex that transcends theological argument).

Which is lately what we've been thinking too. The arguments against gay marriage are objectively pretty weak and almost every extended conversation we have with someone against gay marriage eventually devolves into a "gay sex is icky" conversation, to which I have to explain that most of us don't have plans on to invite the wedding reception up to our rooms at the end of the night.

It's an even-handed piece that will, if history is any indicator, result in Lisa Miller getting lots of nasty phone calls at the behest of the Christian Anti-Defamation League.

Rosie Live DOA

Liza Minnelli ending the opening number seated in host Rosie O’Donnell’s lap and a much talked-about striptease from 30 Rock star Jane Krakowski couldn’t help the one-off Rosie Live limp across the finish line. The out lesbian’s much-publicized variety show landed with a thud Wednesday night to dismal ratings.

Just 5 million people watched Rosie sing and interact with a slew of stars, including Clay Aiken, Ne-Yo, Gloria Estefan, and Alec Baldwin. NBC tested the show the night before Thanksgiving to see if fans of the outspoken O’Donnell were interested in the variety show format.

They weren’t. After dismal reviews and lackluster ratings, O’Donnell announced herself in a blog that there wouldn’t be a second show. She wrote: "there will be no more no ratings bad reviews yet still - a thrill 4 me."

[Don’t give money to No on 8 – I don’t care if your show makes it or not. I wasn’t going to watch it.]