An Oral History Of Disco

Vanity Fair has published a lengthy series of quotes from people who were around during the early years of disco, including Judy Weinstein, Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Ian Schrager, Gloria Gaynor, Nile Rodgers, and Fran Lebowitz. The piece by Lisa Robinson opens:

It became known, and ultimately reviled, as Disco. But the music that surged out of gay underground New York clubs such as the Loft and 12 West in the early 70s was the sound of those who wanted to dance, dance, dance—blotting out everything but their bodies and the beat. The author hears from Donna Summer, Ian Schrager, Gloria Gaynor, and others who helped create the strobe-lit, sex-driven, amyl-nitrite-fueled scene, the phenomena of Studio 54 and Saturday Night Fever, and the songs that reverberated into a new millennium.

Although NYC's gay nightclubs are widely credited as having been the birthplace of disco, few gay men are quoted in the piece. We know why that is.

Snooki Does The Weather

Gothamist reports that not only is Jersey Shore's Snooki getting $10,000 just to appear at nightclubs, last night she did the weather in NYC. Dig the cleavage tug. Tonight she judges the Fist Pumping competition at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando. SRSLY.

NOM: We Don't Expect To Win Prop 8

NOM's Brian Brown has sent out a fundraising letter admitting that he doesn't expect their side to win the Olson/Boies Prop 8 trial, which is due to start on Monday. Brown: "We do not expect to win at the trial level, but with God’s help, at least five members of the current Supreme Court will have the courage to defend our Constitution from this grave attack."

RELATED: Yesterday an appeals courted rejected a request to block the trial from being televised on YouTube.

(Via - LGBT POV)

The End Of Giuliani?

Rudy Giuliani's claim that no domestic terrorism took place during the Dubya administration may have marked the end of his political career. So says Maddow. So say we all.

I Am A Sexual Anarchist

In addition to being a terrorist, apparently I'm also a sexual anarchist, whatever that is. This, according to Liberty Counsel's Matt Barber, who is continuing his campaign of excising JMG comments whenever he thinks they suit his Christofascist means. From his column about the public's reaction to Fox News anchor Brit Hume calling on Tiger Woods to convert to Christianity:

While the mainstream media’s rage was clumsily managed (or masked), unbridled hate boiled over in the left-wing blogosphere. On the sexual anarchist site, “JoeMyGod,” poster “QScribe” suggested that Brit Hume’s deceased son had been “gay” and viciously accused Hume of being responsible for the young man’s suicide: “Brit Hume still hasn’t ‘repented’ for trashing his gay son and driving him to suicide. When I want moral guidance from a pig like that, I’ll be sure to ask. Until then, he really ought to STFU.” (Hume has publicly shared that his son’s heartbreaking suicide played a large role in his acceptance of Christ.) The next commenter went so far as to cruelly imply that Hume had sexually molested his own child and further mocked the tragic suicide, writing: “Dead victims don’t tell on their molesters.”

Seriously, what would a sexual anarchist do? I mean, it sounds kinda hot - I just wouldn't know where to start. Barber, of course, is still steaming at us for "sabotaging" his recent book of republished online columns, for which JMG readers provided Amazon with scathing reviews and about 150 hilarious keywords.

An especially delicious side effect of your reviews was that all of your Amazon histories pushed several dozen deviant and perverted homo titles into Barber's "Customers who bought this item also bought" list. If you haven't read or reviewed Matt Barber's The Right Hook, here's a link farm to every single chapter. Check that out and post your honest reviews to Amazon and maybe Band Fags and The History Of Gay Porn will again headline that buyer history list. Do it in the name of sexual anarchists everywhere! Whatever that means!

Note To Matt Barber: Do you think you'll be charged as a conspiracist to the illegal kidnapping of Isabella Jenkins? You've got no time to respond to multiple press inquiries about her whereabouts, but you've got time to read this here sexual anarchist website thingy? What are you afraid of Miss Barber?

Prop 8 Defendant Wants Out: I'm Scared Of Gay Retribution

One of the five defendants in the Olson/Boies case claims he's too scared of retribution from gay activists to continue.

A vocal gay marriage opponent who volunteered to become a defendant in the case challenging California's same-sex nuptial ban is now asking to be removed from the case. Hak-Shing William Tam was one of the five official sponsors of Proposition 8 who formally "intervened" in a federal lawsuit challenging the voter-approved ban. The lawsuit officially names the state as the defendant, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown have refused to defend the voter-approved ban. On Friday, Tam told U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker that he fears for his and his family's safety. In his court filing, Tam's lawyers say the trial will bring him unwanted publicity and expose him to retribution from gay marriage supporters. Tam also says the case has been more time-consuming and more intrusive into his personal life than expected.

Pre-trial grandstanding, plain and simple. And playing to those who don't want their hatred televised.

Jewish Group Sets Up "Urgent Fund" To Support LGBT Ugandans

The American Jewish World Service has created a fund to help grassroots LGBT groups in Uganda. Fantastic.

In response to the terrible human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Uganda, AJWS has created the URGENT LGBT UGANDA FUND to support local, grassroots organizations working to protect and advance human rights for sexual minorities.

Your donation today will enable AJWS to help LGBT people in Uganda live free, safe and dignified lives. AJWS upholds the standard that every life is of equal value. No one should live in fear, and it is our duty to respond to injustices now and always.

Via the Advocate: "AJWS's work is propelled by a very basic value: the essential dignity of every human being," AJWS president Ruth Messinger said in a release. "Through the creation of the 'Urgent LGBT Uganda Fund,' in conjunction with our broader advocacy efforts, AJWS is taking the lead in the Jewish community and in the broader faith-based community to ensure that all people — regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity — can realize their full, true selves."

GOProud: Gay Liberals Suck For Not Supporting Our CPAC Sponsorship

GOProud's chairman of the board Christopher Barron is angry that liberals haven't supported their sponsorship of the ultraconservative wingnut CPAC conference. Barron writes in a Metro Weekly editorial:

In a case of truly strange bedfellows, the gay left has joined the most radical elements of the social conservative movement in attacking GOProud's participation. You can understand the fear of extremists on the far right: They know the impact GOProud's sponsorship will have on undercutting their anti-gay message. These people rely on manipulating fear of what is unknown or different. But why is the gay left so angry about it? The answer is simple. They are far more interested in politics then they are in achieving equality of opportunity for gays and lesbians and their families. For much of the gay left the world is divided into two easily definable camps: Democrats, who by definition are infallible and should be defended at all costs; and Republicans, who regardless of their positions on LGBT issues are the enemy.

Because we should be cheering on GOProud's funding of the very people with their boots on our necks.

Jersey Shore Makeover

Michael Cera learns how to pump his fist, blowout his hair, and trowel on the bronzer. He even gets a "Guido nickname."

HomoQuotable - James Hartline

"Many years ago, the Lord ordained me to enter into a prophetic battle to destroy the demonic works of Satan in San Diego as a preparatory phase for a major move of God that would begin in this city. For ten years I have stayed that course and never abandoned my assignment. Through dreams and visions, God has granted me deep understanding of His word and how to use His eternal scriptures as weapons of warfare for the fulfilling of His commission for my life.

"As a result of applying what the Holy Spirit has taught me, I have seen an enormous number of the devil's primary strongholds in San Diego shut down. The Lord is now intensifying the dismantling of those dark places where God has instructed me over the past decade to intercede against the enemy. Over the next few days, you will see extraordinary manifestations of the hand of God in San Diego." - "Ex-gay" prophet and multiple felon James Hartline, who says he prayed God into burning down down the Deja Vu titty bar and that more Holy Arson is coming!

NJ Senate Roll Call

YES (14)

Sen. Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic)
Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex)
Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex),
Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union), co-sponsor
Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex)
Sen. Teresa M. Ruiz (D-Essex)
Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham (D-Hudson)
Sen. Brian P. Stack (D-Hudson)
Sen. Nia H. Gill (D-Essex)
Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), co-sponsor
Sen. Robert M. Gordon (D-Bergen)
Sen. Nicholas P. Scutari (D-Union)
Sen. Joseph F.Vitale (D-Middlesex)
Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer)

NO (20)
Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May)
Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D- Essex)
Sen. John A. Girgenti (D-Passaic
Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D-Hudson) .
Sen. Fred H. Madden (D-Gloucester)
Sen. Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer)
Sen. Robert W. Singer (R-Ocean)
Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R-Morris)
Sen. Christopher Bateman, (R-Somerset)
Sen. Tom Kean Jr. (R -Union)
Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth )
Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos (R-Monmouth)
Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen)
Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Hunterdon)
Sen. Kevin J. O'Toole (R-Essex)
Sen. Philip E. Haines (R-Burlington)
Sen. Christopher J. Connors (R-Ocean)
Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-Morris)
Sen. Steven V. Oroho (R-Sussex)
Sen. Sean T. Kean (R-Monmouth)

ABSTENTIONS (3)
Sen. Paul A. Sarlo (D-Bergen)
Sen. Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Gloucester)
Sen. James Beach (D-Camden)

DID NOT ATTEND SESSION (2)
Sen. Diane B. Allen (R-Burlington)
Sen. Andrew Ciesla (R-Ocean)

(Via - Good As You)

PhoboQuotable - Gary McCullough

"[Adam] Lambert's male-on-male activities garnered the majority of 2009 Idol news coverage. Rather than distance themselves from what many American's consider perverse behavior and increase the show's image as family entertainment; the producers of American Idol went the opposite direction to make the show edgier, more trendy. Like it or not, the multi-talented [Ellen] DeGeneres is more known for her same-sex sexual preference than any expertise in the music business. The most visible change in the show is one more step in making sexuality the prime topic when discussing American Idol.

"Call them ignorant, homophobic, whatever, the fact remains that fewer families will view the upcoming Idol season because young girls and their traditional families are uncomfortable with the topic of homosexuality. I am confident that the producers of American Idol will be shocked when their market share has cratered, and will in all honesty find a dozen other reasons for the drop in ratings. After all, what successful television producer could have a clue what wholesomeness is as long as they see promoting homosexuality as a virtue." - Christian Newswire director and Olan Mills patron Gary McCullough, predicting that American Idol is doomed for hiring a dirty queer.

Daily Grumble

Want proof that there's no such thing as karma? New Yorkers Richard and Mary Morrison owe the state $950,000 because of a scam committed via a string of homeless shelters they operated, reportedly giving themselves "big bonuses" and committing other "financial chicaneries" over many years. The state pulled their non-profit status and assessed years of taxes on the donations made to the shelters. But the Morrisons don't really care anymore. Last week they won the $162M Powerball. Makes you miss the days of hating the winners who refuse to quit their job because filling potholes or whatever is "so satisfying."

Noun, Verb, 9/11....Uh, Wait

Portuguese Parliament Approves Marriage

Today the Portuguese parliament approved a same-sex marriage bill.

Portugal's parliament passed a bill Friday that would make the predominantly Catholic nation the sixth in Europe to permit gay marriage. Conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva is thought unlikely to veto the Socialist government's bill, which won the support of all left-of-center parties. His ratification would allow the first gay marriage ceremonies to take place in April — a month before Pope Benedict XVI is due on an official visit to Portugal. Right-of-center parties opposed the change and sought a national referendum on the issue, but their proposal was rejected and the government's bill was passed by 125 votes to 99.

Congratulations Portugal!

Photo Of The Day - Great Brrrrritain

When was the last time the island was completely covered in snow?

(Via - Daily What)

Buju Banton Pleads Not Guilty

Yesterday anti-gay "murder music" reggae star Buju Banton plead not guilty to federal drug charges in a Tampa court. Banton is accused of conspiring to buy 11 pounds of cocaine from an undercover federal agent. His attorney says that Banton is innocent and will not be seeking a plea arrangement. Banton faces up to thirty years in prison. He will certainly not be available for the Grammy Awards ceremony on January 31st, where he is nominated for Best Reggae Album.

Saturday In NYC - Drenched Pool Party

The Drenched pool party returns to Times Square's Grace Hotel tomorrow. The last one was mobbed and I had a blast (although I was one of the few non-swimmers, preferring to hover safely in the two bars that overlook the pool.) The best part was when the upstairs coat check got full and folks had to change into their bathing suits at a make-shift coat check in the lobby as bemused, not so bothered, but certainly bewildered tourists passed outside. I've been told that situation won't recur. Pity. DJ Josh Sparber spins, event Facebook page here.

Virginia Police Issue Missing Persons Report For Lisa Miller And Daughter

"Ex-gay" Lisa Miller and her daughter Isabella remain on the lam, one week after a Vermont judge ordered Miller to surrender custody of Isabella to Miller's ex-partner, Janet Jenkins. Yesterday the Bedford County, Virginia sheriff's office issued a missing persons report for the pair, saying that while no Virginia laws have been broken, they do want proof that the pair is safe.

However on Monday the Virginia Civil Liberty Union reported that a local court order has been issued requiring that Miller surrender the child. The VCLU says they fully expect Virginian authorities to enforce the order. But on Wednesday, a Rutland Family Court judge said he wants to "hear all arguments" before issuing any arrest warrant. That hearing is scheduled for January 22nd. Miller's lawyers, the anti-gay Liberty Counsel, home to bigots Mat Staver and Matt Barber, have appealed the original Vermont ruling, but have remained silent on the Virginia court order. In fact, they have been "unavailable for comment" ever since Miller and her daughter went into hiding.

According to earlier reports, Lisa Miller specifically chose to flee to Virginia because "pro-family" lawyers had advised her that was the state least likely to abide by the Vermont ruling. With the Rutland County judge dragging his feet to order an arrest warrant, it appears that might have been good advice. Now it seems that we'll have to wait and see if Miller and her Liberty Counsel lawyers even bother to appear for the Jan. 22nd hearing, or if they'll continue to defy the Vermont court and illegally cloak the whereabouts of Miller and Isabella.

Smoking Gun Obtains Complaints To FCC About Adam Lambert

Here are three examples of complaints received by the FCC about Adam Lambert's performance on the American Music Awards, as obtained by the Smoking Gun via the Freedom Of Information Act. Embiggen to read, or see the full forms on TSG. Many of the complaints went far beyond the performance itself and launched into full-on anti-gay hatred.

Uganda President Wants To Drop Death Penalty (But Life In Prison? OK!)

Box Turtle Bulletin and Ex-Gay Watch earned headlines on Rachel Maddow's show last night for their work exposing the American evangelical "quacktivists" behind Uganda's "kill gays" bill. Well done, guys!

Avatar Already #2 All Time Grosser

Wow.

On Wednesday, "Avatar" passed the $1.12 billion tally by 2003's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" to become the second-highest worldwide grosser ever. James Cameron's sci-fi epic headed into Thursday with a domestic cume of $374.4 million and a foreign cume of $760.8 million, for wordwide boxoffice totaling $1.14 billion and counting. Cameron's "Titanic" is the all-time top worldwide grosser, ringing up $1.84 billion in 1997-1998.

I still haven't seen it, but I never saw Titanic in the theater either.

CougarGate: BBC On Iris-Kirk Scandal

CougarGate: Iris Robinson Took Thousands In Kickbacks From Her 19 Year Old Boytoy

It just gets juicier. The most famous homophobe in the UK not only cheated on her husband with then 19 year-old Kirk McCambley, now it's alleged that she took thousands in kickbacks from the boy in return for funneling government money into his new restaurant.

The Northern Ireland MP broke parliamentary rules by not declaring her interest in the business, despite sitting on the council which awarded the money to Kirk McCambley, it was claimed. According to a BBC Spotlight programme broadcast last night, Mrs Robinson, 60, also demanded a £5,000 kickback from Mr McCambley for helping arrange the transaction. Today, her husband Peter Robinson, who is Northern Ireland's first minister, denied he had done anything wrong. It was claimed he knew about the solicitation and had demanded the return of the money, but had not alerted parliamentary authorities. Mr McCambley runs the the Lock Keepers Inn, a cafe in Lagan Valley regional park in south Belfast. The building in which the cafe is situated was built by Castlereagh Borough Council, on which Mrs Robinson sits as a councilor.

Meanwhile Robinson's young lover, now christened "Kirk Diggler" in reference to Mark Wahlberg's horse-cocked character in Boogie Nights, has become an instant folk hero in the UK, becoming the subject of numerous Facebook fan pages, most of which were created to mock Robinson. British gay glossy Attitude Magazine is offering young Kirk the cover of their next issue, calling him "incredibly hot." Additionally, a campaign is underway to make the 1968 Simon & Garfunkel classic, Mrs. Robinson, the #1 song on this week's UK pop chart, aided by a radio request effort and an iTunes download promotion. Nobody beats the Brits when it comes to schadenfreude. Nobody.

New Jersey Marriage Vote Reaction

Watch the woman in red.

Broadway Friday

- Next month openly gay heartthrob and Torchwood star John Barrowman will release an album of recent Broadway hit songs, including numbers from The Boy From Oz, Dreamgirls, and Mamma Mia. This week Barrowman battled Neil Patrick Harris in an amusing Twitter war over who would be named After Elton's "Man Of The Decade." NPH won.

- Green Day's American Idiot musical begins Broadway previews on February 24th at the St. James. Casting has not been announced.

- Despite her "discernible fragility," 85 year-old Elaine Stritch is winning positive reviews for her Sondheim retrospective at the Cafe Carlyle.

- Original cast members Rosie O'Donnell and Natasha Lyone will return to the Off Broadway production of Love, Loss, And What I Wore beginning in March.

- This week the revival of Chicago becomes the sixth longest-running production in Broadway history. On Tuesday the show reaches 4562 performances, edging the now-closed Beauty And The Beast. The top five: The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Les Miserables, A Chorus Line, and Oh! Calcutta. Former Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams takes over the role of Roxie Hart in February, replacing Ashlee Simpson.

- Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz will star in Enron as disgraced company president Jeffrey Skillings. Previews begin April 8th at the Broadhurst. In July 2009, Butz' lesbian sister Teresa was raped and murdered in a Seattle home invasion. The apprehended killer faces the death penalty.

- Off Broadway's gay sex and politics drama Loaded will close a week early on January 17th. Great show, see my review.

- Jon Marans' The Temperamentals begins a new Off Broadway production February 18th at the New World Stages. The show tells the story of Harry Hay and the early gay activist group The Mattachine Society. Ugly Betty's Michael Urie returns as Rudi Gernreich. The play sold out every performance at its earlier run last spring at the Studio Theatre. Great show, see my review.

Lambda Legal To Sue In NJ Supreme Court

Lambda Legal is taking today's marriage equality loss back to the New Jersey Supreme Court. Via press release:

"The requirement to ensure equality for same-sex couples, established by the New Jersey Supreme Court in its decision in our marriage lawsuit in 2006, has not been met," said Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director at Lambda Legal. "There is enormous, heartbreaking evidence that civil unions are not equal to marriage, and we will be going back to the courts in New Jersey to fight for equality. Too many families are at risk. We cannot wait any longer." [snip]

Lambda Legal filed Lewis v. Harris in June 2002 on behalf of seven same-sex couples seeking the right to marry. The New Jersey Supreme Court issued its ruling on October 25, 2006, unanimously agreeing that it is unconstitutional to give same-sex couples lesser rights than different-sex couples, but leaving the remedy up to the legislature. In December 2008 the Civil Union Review Commission, appointed by the legislature, issued its report documenting how civil unions fall short of the court-mandated equality for same-sex couples. Just since Thanksgiving, Garden State Equality reports that nearly 4,500 people have come to Trenton to lobby legislators to vote in favor of marriage for same-sex couples.

Tweet Of The Day - NOM

Anti-Gay Irish MP Iris Robinson's Adulterous Lover Was Under 21

Iris Robinson, the "Anita Bryant of the UK" who was mocked by floats of look-a-like drag queens during last year's Belfast Pride parade, not only was cheating on her husband at the same time she was on national radio called gays "abominations," she was committing that adultery with a young man said to be under 21 at the time. That would make Robinson three times his age.

News channel UTV, which broke the story of her affair and suicide attempt yesterday, reported the claim this evening. Robinson, who is 60, said the affair and suicide attempt took place in March 2008. She said the "brief" liaison began "completely innocently" when she offered support to someone who had suffered a family death. The man has not been named. She also revealed she had helped the man by encouraging friends to give him money for a financial venture. Earlier today, The Times reported that a BBC investigation into the finances of Robinson and her husband Peter, who is Northern Ireland's first minister, was what prompted her to reveal details of her affair and attempted suicide. The "embarrassing" television documentary was to be broadcast with allegations over the first family's financial affairs.

One Irish blog named the young man as Kirk McCambley, pictured above, and alleges that Robinson may have directed public money into supporting his cafe business. The BBC was said to be at the restaurant today with a camera crew, demanding answers.

Things are as they always are. God's Gentle Elected People infest the national media to scream about perversion and abomination, all while screwing the taxpayer AND cougaring the fuck out of a young hottie.

UPDATE: The BBC has confirmed McCambley as Robinson's boytoy. Head to Facebook and join the hilarious Kirk McCambley Appreciation Society, which instantly has hundreds of members.

Equality California: It's Time For Obama To Join Prop 8 Repeal Fight

Equality California is calling on the Obama administration to pressure the Ninth District Court to overturn Proposition 8 in next week's Olson/Boies trial.

The time has come for elected leaders to empower all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Once again, we call on the Obama administration to join Equality California and others in urging the federal courts to strike down this grossly unjust law. In doing so, we will bring our nation one step closer to realizing its promise of equality for all. Our country’s bedrock principles of democracy and freedom are at stake. Sign our petition urging the Obama administration to join the federal challenge opposing Prop 8. Then, ask everyone you know to do the same.

President Obama, I urge you to immediately file a brief in the federal court challenge to Prop 8 and ask the court to rule that it is unconstitutional to allow a majority to take away the rights of a minority.

Their petition to the president is here.

Live Stream: NJ Senate Marriage Vote

Here's the link for the live stream of today's marriage equality vote in the New Jersey Senate. The session is scheduled to begin at 2pm EST. Things should get underway shortly.

UPDATE: The session appears to be delayed for at least an hour. Here's a video live-stream link. The above is audio-only. NJ residents can also watch on Comcast 262 and Verizon 476.

UPDATE II: The debate is underway now. The vote will come after.

Preshusssh: Mariah Carey (Hic) Winsh

Glenn Beck On Racism

NJ Senator Vs. Anti-Gay Hater

Good As You points us to this clip from today's morning news in which Len Deo of the NJ Family Policy Council and NJ Sen. Ray Lesniak trade jabs about this afternoon's vote. Surprise, surprise, Deo wants it put to a public vote. Lesniak says that if the vote fails as expected, they're taking their case to the Supreme Court.

2009: Fewest NYC Murders In History

In 2009, NYC saw the fewest number of murders since comparable records began being kept.

The city's police department says the 2009 year-end total was 466, down from 523 in 2008 and 496 the year before. It's the fewest since comparable records were kept in the 1960s. Overall crime is down in the city 11 percent from last year and 35 percent from 2001. The only major crime on the rise is felony assault, which was up 2 percent this year according to a city program that tracks crime statistics daily. The figures reflect a nationwide trend. Preliminary FBI crime figures for the first half of 2009 show crime falling across the country. Murder and manslaughter fell 10 percent for the first half of the year.

Several other major U.S. cities have reported similarly record-setting low numbers.

Symphony Of Science

As much as I make fun of Auto-Tune, I've really enjoyed the Symphony Of Science series, whose makers wrote yesterday to tip us that the fourth installment, The Unbroken Thread, is now up on YouTube. Free downloads at the above link.

Lawyers Explain Prop 8 TV Ruling

Sergio at Lexicon Magazine sends in this clip of Ted Olson & David Boies explaining Judge Walker's ruling on televising the Prop 8 trial, due to begin January 11th.

Bob Barker, Champion Of The Whales

Weatherproof Obama

The White House is angry at the Weatherproof clothing company for installing a Times Square billboard that implies the president is endorsing one of their jackets.

Outerwear company Weatherproof used a recent news photo of the president in front of the Great Wall in Badaling, China, for the advertisement, with the tagline "A Leader In Style." The White House said Wednesday that it will ask Weatherproof to remove the billboard because the ad misleads by suggesting it was approved by Obama or the White House, which has a long-standing policy disapproving of the use of Obama's name and likeness for commercial purposes.

The New York Times and other NYC dailies have refused the ad. Weatherproof has pulled similar publicity stunts in the past.

If Air Travel Worked Like Health Care

#teapartypickuplines

From last night's favorite trending topic on Twitter...

• Hey baby, only my government is small.
• I wanna whisper sweet anti-immigrant, homophobic, racist, xenophobic nothings into your ear.
• How about you and me go have sex - lights out, missionary position, for the sole purpose of reproduction?
• I wanna unravel your conspiracy so my revolution can erupt all over you.
• The real reason I'm against tax increases? So I can spend all my money on you, girl.
• You're hotter than the burning cross I put in my black neighbor's front lawn.
• Is that a Glenn Beck bobblehead in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
• On the border I'm a Minuteman, but in the bedroom I'm alllll night.
• Lets go back to my place and declare independence from our clothes.
• Wanna see my paintings of an eagle crying over the New York skyline on 9/11?

NYC This Weekend: Visual AIDS Benefit

Friday-Sunday this weekend in NYC the 12th annual Postcards From The Edge benefit for Visual AIDS will take place in West Chelsea.

Postcards From the Edge is a Visual AIDS benefit show and sale of original, postcard-sized works on paper by established and emerging artists. All works are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The works are signed on the back and exhibited so the artists' signatures cannot be seen. While buyers receive a list of all participating artists, they don't know who created which piece until purchased. All proceeds support the work of Visual AIDS. Visual AIDS utilizes art to fight AIDS by provoking dialogue, supporting HIV+ artists, and preserving the legacy -- because AIDS IS NOT OVER!

Check out the above link for directions, ticket information, and samples of the artwork.

Obama Administration Adds Gender Identity To Jobs Protection

The Obama administration has quietly added gender identity protection to the federal jobs website. Tony Perkins at the Family Research Council is outraged, OUTRAGED I tells ya!

On New Year's Eve, when most Americans were waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square, the Obama Administration dropped another bombshell in its agenda to radicalize America by appointing its first openly "transgender" person to a high federal post. "Transgender" is an umbrella term for anyone who "expresses" a "gender identity" contrary to their biological sex at birth-in other words, men who claim to be (and dress as) women, and vice versa. Mitchell Simpson, a man who had sex-change surgery and now calls himself a woman (named "Amanda"), was appointed as Senior Technical Advisor to the Commerce Department. Simpson announced that "as one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government, I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds." The day after Simpson began work, The New York Times reported that the main website advertising jobs with the federal government now says there will be no "discrimination" based on "gender identity"-even though Congress has never passed a law saying that.

And then Perkins goes on to rail familiarly about mental illness, men in dresses, and ENDA.

February: Sarah Palin To Headline First Tea Party Convention

The first ever Tea Party Convention will take place in Nashville next month with Sarah Palin and World Net Daily founder Joseph Farah billed as its headliners.

The event will also feature prominent speakers such as Rep Michele Bachmann, R- Minn.; Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; WND columnist Judge Roy Moore; Phil Valentine, popular radio talk-show host and author of "The Conservative Handbook"; and Fox News Political Analyst Angela McGlowan, among others. The Tea Party Express will also arrive in Nashville for the convention. Additional sponsors of the conference include American Liberty Alliance, Tea Party Emporium, the Leadership Institute, National Taxpayers Union, American Majority, Surge USA and Eagle Forum. The convention is open to citizens who have stepped up and taken leadership roles in the tea party movement, including those who would like to be more involved this year. Tea Party Nation has allocated 600 tickets for the convention and 1,100 for the banquet with Palin. Tickets are available at the National Tea Party Convention website.

Palin, Bachmann, and Farah all in the same room at once! It'll be a cavalcade of crazy! The host hotel is the Gaylord Opryland, he said with a snicker. Tickets are $550 each and do not include accommodations.

39 GOP Congress Members Join Fight Against DC Marriage Equality

This time with the support of 39 GOP Congress members, Stand For Marriage DC has once again filed a petition to force putting marriage equality to a vote in Washington.

Same-sex marriage supporters and opponents faced off in D.C. Superior Court for a hearing Wednesday on whether the city should be required to allow a ballot initiative that would define marriage as being between a man and a woman. Thirty-nine GOP legislators, including 37 members of the House and two senators, James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), have filed an amicus brief supporting a public vote on the issue. The House members include Minority Leader John A. Boehner (Ohio) and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.). The filing asserts that the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics exceeded its authority by ruling twice that a public vote would discriminate against gay men and lesbians.

Local DC GOP leaders had requested that nationally elected Republicans stay out of this fight.

Open Thread Thursday

When I was in Orlando last week, as always I was impressed with the airport. Easy access, close to town, beautiful terminal, cool monorails to the four airsides, loads of shops to kill time. For the 11th busiest airport in the country, it's quite a marvel. What's your favorite airport? What's your least? Mine is JFK, hands down.

Early Decision On Prop 8: Cameras, Yes. Live Streaming, NO.

Ninth District Court Judge Vaughn Walker has just nixed a request from two television groups to live-stream the proceedings during next week's Proposition 8 trial. But it appears that we may get to see YouTube'd clips on the following day. Via Karen Ocamb at LGBT POV:

Despite thousands of people responding to a request for comments on allowing a live TV pool camera in the courtroom for the federal Prop 8 trial starting next Monday, Judge Vaughn Walker just declined that offer by a Media Coalition and In Session TV. However, Judge Walker ordered a TV recording of the proceedings for delayed web distribution on YouTube the next day – pending approval by the 9th Circuit. Judge Walker did note in court that the public comment is still open but apparently did not indicate whether any public comment would change his decision. The deadline for public comment is Friday.

If this decision holds, I'd say this is still a win for us. Not many would be able to view the trial live during the daytime anyway and would probably look to blogs for highlight clips.

UPDATE: Maggie Gallagher is VERY unhappy.

This is no ordinary trial. This is a trial in a case where thousands of ordinary citizens have already faced a wave of hatred for participating in democracy. On Oct. 22, the Heritage Foundation released a report titled "The Price of Prop. 8," which concluded that "supporters of Proposition 8 in California have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, vandalism, racial scapegoating, blacklisting, loss of employment, economic hardships, angry protests, violence, at least one death threat, and gross expressions of anti-religious bigotry." (Read it at www.heritage.org.) To deliberately and needlessly expose these people to a new wave of publicity and attacks by televising the trial is outrageous.

Christine Quinn Holds NYC Speaker Post

Today openly lesbian NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn was re-elected by a near unanimous vote of her fellow council members.

There wasn't much doubt about the outcome, but the vote got rowdy as supporters of her only challenger, Charles Barron, who got one vote, yelled things like "sell out," after many of the votes were cast. On hand for the event right now are former speakers Peter Vallone Sr., and Gifford Miller. Quinn stood calmly as vocal Barron supporters left the balcony during her acceptance speech. One woman leaving asked loudly when Quinn would get "indicted" for "that slush fund," a financial scandal last year.

Quinn's acceptance speech can be found at the above link. And the Bloomberg juggernaut rolls on....

Backlash Begins: Gay Orgs Denounce Anti-Trans Letterman Skit

GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign have issued denouncements of last night's anti-trans skit on the David Letterman show. GLAAD is asking that notes of complaint be sent to CBS. The HRC has sent a message directly to Letterman.

GLAAD:

Depicting people reacting in horror to transgender individuals is a dangerous stereotype for popular media to perpetuate because it contributes to the societal conception of transgender people as abnormal and deceptive, which all-too-often results in anti-transgender violence and/or discrimination when played out in reality. We are reaching out to CBS “Late Show with David Letterman” with our concerns about this transphobic joke. Please send your concerns to CBS.

Human Rights Campaign:

You may not be aware that the punch line in your skit has been used as a defense in nearly every hate crime perpetrated against transgender people that has come to trial. For example, the “trans panic” defense was infamously used by Allen Ray Andrade, who was convicted in 2009 of beating 19-year-old Angie Zapata to death with a fire extinguisher after learning of her gender history. According to media reports, it has also been the main defense employed by Juan A. Martinez for the killing of Jorge Steven López Mercado, 19, in Puerto Rico last November.

Your skit affirmed and encouraged a prejudice against transgender Americans that keeps many from finding jobs, housing, and enjoying freedoms you and your writers take for granted every day. We ask that you apologize publicly to Ms. Simpson and the transgender community for this unfortunate episode.

HomoQuotable - Simon Doonan

"The irony of Tinselgate is fairly breathtaking: A person donates his time and expertise—for free!—thereby saving taxpayer money. That same person then uses his ingenuity—incorporating the creativity of kids and needy folk and reusing tchotchkes from previous administrations, thereby saving even more dosh—and ends up on the receiving end of a torrent of threats and physical abuse from his fellow Americans.

"And so to you, Mr. Breitbart. Now that the dust has settled and the homicidal emails have slowed to a trickle, I realize that I owe you a debt of gratitude. By dropping the First Elf in the poop, you have unwittingly provided me with a searing insight into the pathetic and disastrous state of our comment-obsessed culture. Thanks to you, I see now that there are two kinds of people in the world: In the first group, we have those who “do,” and in the second group, we have those who sit at their computers on their ever-widening asses blogging, platforming and commenting on the not-always-perfect efforts of the first group. Tinselgate has renewed my commitment to keep my tight ass fairly and squarely plonked in that first group." Designer Simon Doonan, responding to Andrew Breitbart over the wingnut flap regarding Doonan's holiday decorations in the White House.

Anti-Gay Irish MP Iris Robinson Committed Adultery While Calling Gays Abominations

Days after announcing that she was stepping down due to a lifelong battle with depression, anti-gay Northern Ireland MP Iris Robinson has revealed that she was committing adultery last year. She was cheating on her husband at the same time she was facing hate crimes charges for calling gays abominations on BBC Radio!

The wife of Northern Ireland's first minister, Peter Robinson, has said she tried to kill herself while suffering depression after she had an affair. Mr Robinson, leader of the DUP, said they would try to save their marriage. Iris Robinson announced in December she was stepping down from politics due to ill health. The couple were married in 1970 and have three grown-up children. Mr Robinson who has been first minister since June 2008, said he will continue in his job. In an interview on Wednesday, he said he first learned of the affair on March 1 2009, the night Mrs Robinson attempted suicide. Mr Robinson, who appeared close to tears, said he had been "deeply hurt" and that his immediate impulse had been to walk away from the marriage.

See? The UK isn't that different than America. The guilty dog barks the loudest there too.

And After This, Chuck E. Cheese

For the last decade New Yorkers have bemoaned the Disneyfication of Times Square with its mall chain restaurants, its themed nightclubs, and its now well-scrubbed and well-fed middle American patrons. And with the below news, the Disneyfication of Times Square has become complete and literal.

Disney is going theme park with its new Times Square retail store. Perhaps trying to emulate the retail magic of Apple stores, Mickey Mouse & Co. will be transforming an old retail space in New York's Times Square into an interactive store with theme park attractions and children's exhibits. Hoping to attract young consumers and their parents, the store will conjure up an interactive princess castle and a kids' theater offering animation and storytelling for the younger crowd. Also on display will be specific activities for kids, special events, and even celebrity guest appearances timed with major Disney film releases. Much of the credit for the new store design, according to an October New York Times article, can actually be given to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who joined Disney's board in 2006, after the company bought Pixar Animation Studios. Just as he pushed for a certain design for the Apple stores, Jobs reportedly convinced Disney to fashion its own stores on a grand scale.

The Disney Store will be in the former Virgin Megastore, which was supposed to become a Forever 21 before it was supposed to become an indoor mini-mall. It will be right next to the Toys R Us, across from the Olive Garden, and diagonal from the M&M's Superstore.

Sign Up Now: Petition Campaign To Televise Olson/Boies Prop 8 Trial

The Courage Campaign urges you to sign the petition urging the televising of the Olson/Boies Prop 8 trial. The presiding judge on the case is inviting public commentary prior to the decision.

The landmark federal lawsuit challenging Prop 8, Perry v. Schwarzenegger (also known as the Olson/Boies case) is about to go to trial starting Monday, January 11. The presiding judge, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker, is holding a hearing on whether the a pool television camera should be allowed to film the trial, given the unprecedented interest in the proceedings. Judge Walker is encouraging the public to submit comments on the issue, and set a deadline of Friday to receive comments. This is your one chance to urge Judge Walker to do the right thing in the name of equality, transparency and accountability. Join the Courage Campaign Institute and CREDO Action and sign this letter to Judge Walker. Optional: Please add your own personal comments. We will personally hand-deliver your comments. DEADLINE: Friday 9 AM.

Sign the petition now or write the Court directly yourself. Here's a PDF from the Court describing how the televising would work, if approved. Focus On The Family is circulating a petition of their own demanding that Prop 8 witnesses be protected from a "violent backlash" of homosexual activists. From the wingnut Washington Times:

Attorneys for Proposition 8 backers said television coverage would expose their witnesses to further harassment and intimidation. Backers of Proposition 8 were targeted for harassment in the months after the initiative's passage in November 2008. Some donors received threatening e-mails, letters and phone calls, while churches and businesses were singled out for boycotts and protests. Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, which campaigned for Proposition 8 but isn't a party to the case, said he is worried about the safety of witnesses, who could include contributors, campaign staff and volunteers. "The question is really whether Judge Walker can put people on the stand where they can be threatened," said Mr. Brown. "It's a question of people's safety."

TransQuotable - Amanda Simpson

"Being the first sucks. I'd rather not be the first but someone has to be first, or among the first. I think I'm experienced and very well qualified to deal with anything that might show up because I've broken barriers at lots of other places and I always win people over with who I am and what I can do. [There will be] questions like: 'Is this a token? Are you here to do a job or just to fill a quota or appease other people?' In that regard it makes it a bit more difficult. I'm sure I will have to do and intend to do a far superior job than any other person. But I'm sure I will always be second guessed." - Amanda Simpson, the first trans person appointed by Obama, speaking to ABC News.

RELATED: The predictable attacks on Simpson continue today over on World Net Daily, where at the moment the top post screams: "See Obama's transgender 'pick' before and after surgery." The story puts Simpson's first name in scare quotes (as if it's imaginary) and uses the male pronoun to refer to her throughout the piece.

Was The Prop 8 Vote Count Corrupted?

The Electronic Defense Alliance has published a lengthy analysis comparing exit polls and the actual Prop 8 vote count in Los Angeles County, concluding that the results discrepancy "cannot be explained away by demographics or polling factors."

Although this exit poll analysis cannot provide conclusive proof of election fraud (because such proof would require access to memory cards and computer code accorded proprietary exemption from public examination) it does provide the strongest indirect proof available that election results have almost certainly been altered by manipulation of the computerized voting systems. Deviations between exit polls and official results far outside margins of error, cannot be explained away by demographics or polling factors. The facts established in these reports cannot responsibly be dismissed or evaded. Election Defense Alliance calls on legislators, secretaries of state, attorneys general, the voting public, and especially candidates in upcoming elections, to read these reports and seriously confront their implications.

Their report is here. (PDF)

(Tipped by JMG reader Sean Chapin)

Christopher Dallman - Gimme More

Those of you who didn't care for Kevin Aviance's cover of Britney Spear's Gimme More might enjoy this downtempo take by openly gay singer Christopher Dallman, who wrote yesterday to tip us to his Sad Britney EP, now available on iTunes.

Evangelical Hate-Monger Scott Lively's "Nuclear Bomb" In Uganda

The guys at Box Turtle Bulletin are doing fantastic work exposing the American evangelicals behind Uganda's "kill gays" bill. Here's their first of three clips in a series about Scott Lively, who helped organize the conference that resulted in the bill. Lively's book, The Pink Swastika, claims that gay men orchestrated the Holocaust. Because we are all serial killers at heart. Watch the clip and head over to BTB for analysis and the rest of the series.

NY Sen. Carl Kruger: I'm Am Not Gay

Anti-gay closet case NY Sen. Carl Kruger says local activist Allen Roskoff is a "bottom feeder" for saying that he's gay. Which he's not. Totally. No, really, he's not. At all.

Brooklyn state Sen. Carl Kruger became the No. 1 target of gay activists when he voted against same-sex marriage last month. Now, his enemies are circulating photos taken of Kruger at a birthday fund-raiser last year, where cross-dressing entertainer Leonid the Magnificent performed hula-hoop tricks in a skintight cat suit. "For hating gay marriage so much, Kruger sure loves watching tight, Lycra-clad asses," snarked Queerty.com. Gay activist Corey Johnson and Allen Roskoff, the openly gay president of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, have led demonstrations at Kruger's home. Roskoff wrote on his blog, "People ask us how we know he is homosexual. My immediate response is, how does one know that Paul Lynde and Liberace were gay?" Kruger, who denies being gay, called Roskoff "a bottom feeder," and said he was unfazed by the smear campaign. "It goes with the territory," he told Page Six. "I have not changed my position."

Photo Of The Day: Lady Gaga In "McQueen Vs. Independence Day Alien"

(Via - Andy Reynolds)

Rep. Michelle Bachmann: Put The Teabaggers In Charge of The GOP

Iowa: Haters Aim For 2014 Marriage Repeal

It takes a lot of work to amend the Iowa state constitution, but anti-gay forces there have launched the first salvo in a campaign intended to result in the 2014 overturn of marriage equality. From the petition of LUV (Let Us Vote) Iowa:

Whereas: Marriage as established by God should be recognized by the civil power as legally, morally and historically between one man and one woman only; and

Whereas: A rogue Iowa Supreme Court has exceeded it proper constitutional authority, to claim legitimacy for so-called “marriages” of men with men and women with women, by usurping powers properly belonging to the legislative and executive branches of our state government; and

Whereas: A well funded, elite minority group of activists, supported by a wealthy, out-of-state homosexual instigator named Tim Gill, took advantage of an unaware public to plan and execute a judicial branch revolution to try to overthrow the settled law, and the will of the people, on marriage in Iowa; and .

There's a few more whereas-es, but you get the drift.

The New Economy

Walgreens, Second Avenue, 9pm

Woman In Scrubs: I like to keep an unscratched $5 Lotto ticket on my desk. It feels like a mystery savings account.

Female Friend: You should upgrade to a $20 ticket. Then you can pretend it's a trust fund.

Olbermann: Brit Hume Is A Holier Than Thou Cliche Come To Life

NYC To Vote Via Optical Scan Ballots

This fall NYC will become one of the last places in the country to finally update to a non-mechanical voting system.

After years of delays and missteps, the city’s Board of Elections is expected to choose new electronic voting machines on Tuesday that will be rolled out in time for the September primary. In so doing, New York City will become one of the last places in the country to get rid of its lever-operated voting machines. The change will improve the way votes are counted, providing a paper trail backup for each vote, and make lines at the polls move faster, according to the Board of Elections. But it will also end another urban ritual, as tactile intimacy gives way to modern efficiency.

“In the context of the history of voting in New York, the shift away from lever machines is a huge milestone,” said Lawrence D. Norden, director of the Voter Technology Assessment Project at the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law. “Most New Yorkers are nostalgic about lever machines. I know I am. Ask a New Yorker about those machines and they will tell you that there is something reassuring about pulling the lever and hearing the choices register on the machine.”

Count me among those who will miss the old machines, as clunky and often-broken as they were. There was something really dramatic about yanking that giant metal lever and hearing that satisfying fwuuunck as you pretended you were opening a trapdoor under the feet of the person you had just voted against. Or was that just me who did that?

The Not So Ugly American

My loyal companion Aaron tips us to a piece in the New York Times titled A Letter From London, in which an Englishman says that we're really not so bad. It's worth the entire read, but here's a short excerpt:

When I finally got to America myself, I found that not only were the natives friendly and hospitable, they were also incredibly polite. No one tells you this about Americans, but once you notice it, it becomes one of their defining characteristics, especially when they’re abroad.

This is very strange, or at least it says something strange about the way that perception routinely conforms to the preconceptions it would appear to contradict. The archetypal American abroad is perceived as loud and crass even though actually existing American tourists are distinguished by the way they address bus drivers and bartenders as “sir” and are effusive in their thanks when any small service is rendered. We look on with some confusion at these encounters because, on the one hand, the Americans seem a bit country-bumpkinish, and, on the other, good manners are a form of sophistication.

Read the entire essay.

Maddow On Birther War Between Glenn Beck And World Net Daily

I knew we could depend on Rachel to report this story with the appropriate hilariousness and glee.

Anti-Trans Letterman Skit Insults Obama Appointee Amanda Simpson

I've been a fan of David Letterman for decades and was reasonably impressed with his handling of his recent adultery scandal. But this insulting bit of anti-trans middle school assclownery is really fucking disappointing.

UPDATE: For those who don't see anything wrong about this, consider how it reinforces the age-old "tricked by a transwoman" claim that so many hate crimes defendants use, such as in the recent case of murdered teen Jorge Mercado. Aside from being sophomoric and a sitcom cliche, running off the stage as if about to vomit from the news that Amanda Simpson is trans is just not the sort of entertainment we should give a pass.