Romney Leads First GOP 2012 Straw Poll

The results of the first 2012 GOP presidential straw poll are in from New Hampshire. Gingrich, Giuliani, and Santorum all got 3% or less. Donald Trump: 1%.

GOP Congressional Group Plans To Cut Federal Funding For The Arts To ZERO

A coalition of Tea Party-backed Congress members headed by wingnut Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) plans to cut 100% of all federal funding for the arts.

A group of conservative Republicans, called the Republican Study Committee, revealed a new plan on Thursday to cut federal funding for arts down to zero. This means the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities would be left in the cold. Not to mention the potential hit at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Run by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the over 150-person group's plan, the Spending Reduction Act of 2011, would "save" $167.5 million pulled from the NEA and the Humanities endowment and $445 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. They are forecasting that this erasure of cultural funding would reduce federal spending by $2.5 trillion over the next decade.

SENTENCED: 12 Years In Prison For Queens Gay-Basher Daniel Rodriguez

Daniel Rodriguez, 22, was yesterday sentenced to twelve years in prison for the brutal October 2009 gay bashing of Queens resident Jack Price, who spent days in a medically-induced coma after suffering two collapsed lungs, multiple broken ribs, spleen and liver damage. Rodriguez and his accomplice Daniel Aleman, 27, were captured on security cameras as they beat and kicked Price while shouting anti-gay slurs. Last month Aleman was sentenced to eight years in prison. Both men were convicted on hate crimes charges.

Rachel Maddow On Olbermann

From last night's Real Time With Bill Maher...

Anderson Cooper On Olbermann

From last night's AC 360...

Keith Olbermann Resigns From MSNBC

Moments ago, Keith Olbermann announced his resignation from MSNBC. Seconds after his show ended, this terse press release hit my inbox:

MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract. The last broadcast of "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" will be this evening. MSNBC thanks Keith for his integral role in MSNBC's success and we wish him well in his future endeavors.

More to come....

UPDATE: The new MSNBC evening line-up as of Monday: 6pm Cenk Uygur, 7pm Chris Matthews, 8pm Lawrence O'Donnell, 9pm Rachel Maddow, 10pm Ed Schultz.

UPDATE II: Anderson Cooper: He was FIRED. UPDATE III: Here's Olbermann sign-off from tonight.


UPDATE IV: Anderson Cooper and crew are back-tracking from their earlier "fired" comment, saying that as of now "there is no known direct connection" between the Comcast acquisition of NBC-Universal and Olbermann's departure. Yeeeah, right.

HUD Proposes Regulations Banning Housing Discrimination Against Gays

From the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which notes that a 2007 study showed that 30% of same-sex couples in Michigan faced discrimination when attempting to rent or buy a home.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today proposed new regulations intended to ensure that its core housing programs are open to all eligible persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. View the proposed rule announced today. “This is a fundamental issue of fairness,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “We have a responsibility to make certain that public programs are open to all Americans. With this proposed rule, we will make clear that a person’s eligibility for federal housing programs is, and should be, based on their need and not on their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

HUD is seeking public comment on a number of proposed areas including: Prohibiting lenders from using sexual orientation or gender identity as a basis to determine a borrower’s eligibility for FHA-insured mortgage financing. FHA’s current regulations provide that a mortgage lender’s determination of the adequacy of a borrower’s income “shall be made in a uniform manner without regard to” specified prohibited grounds. The proposed rule would add actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity to the prohibited grounds to ensure FHA-approved lenders do not deny or otherwise alter the terms of mortgages on the basis of irrelevant criteria.

HUD is also launching the first-ever national study of housing discrimination against LGBT Americans. On Monday HUD begins accepting public comments on the proposed law. I'll post a reminder, you know the haters will be ALL over it.

(Tipped by JMG reader Anita)

Reality Show For Antoine Dodson

A reality show about Antoine Dodson's "unexpected move from Alabama to West Hollywood" is being shopped to the networks. Dodson has been riding high ever since the Gregory Brothers turned his rant against a potential rapist into last year's #1 viral video and a smash hit song on iTunes.

Tweet Of The Day - Piers Morgan

HomoQuotable - Michael Musto

"Calvin, darling, you're embarrassing yourself. What's worse, you're embarrassing the whole community. You were never really that much of a gay hero in the first place. Remember when you suddenly had a wife because, as AIDS made it uncool to be gay, you took the wussy way out and closeted yourself so you could sell more T shirts and perfume? That was a hideous approach and I screamed my lungs out about it--but it was better than now! Now you've hooked up with that almost-21-year-old ex-porn star, Nick Gruber, and you're fawning over him as if this were real love and not a massive late-life crisis being acted out for the horrified masses. It's not going to work!" - Michael Musto, dishing Calvin Klein for the invitation to Gruber's birthday party, which describes the event at "the hottest ticket for New York's gay and fashion elite!"

The Symphony Of Science

Eighth in one of my favorite YouTube series.

365 Days Of Beard

Via Towleroad we get this day-by-day clip of some dude growing his beard. And then he shaves it off. Pity.

From Protect Marriage Maryland

The NOM-affiliated Protect Marriage Maryland provides the above map to the nation's hotspots of "God-defying homosexual activists."

(Via - Good As You)

Today In Frivolous Lawsuits

A New York college student is suing a Vegas hooker for $1.8M because she only stayed for thirty minutes instead of the agreed upon full hour.

Unhappy customer Hubert Blackman said he was traumatized by the "tragic event," especially when he called cops and they threatened to bust him, the Las Vegas Sun reported Thursday. "I also would like to get my $275 payment back and a $1.8 million verdict for the tragic event that happened," Blackman said in the suit filed in Manhattan Federal Court, the paper said.

Blackman says he thought prostitution was legal in Las Vegas, hence the call to the cops.

SRSLY, Close The Window

Red Carpet Interviews At AFER Event

Clip description via Karen Ocamb at LGBT POV:

Co-founded by actor/director Rob Reiner, AFER is leading the fight for marriage equality through it’s groundbreaking federal court case to overturn California’s Proposition 8. On the red carpet, AFER’s team and celebrities alike share their feelings on gay marriage with facts, personal experience and song. In attendance, Jason Mraz, Jane Lynch, Marisa Tomei, Adam Lambert, Yeardley Smith (voice of Lisa Simpson on The Simpsons), Bruce Vilanch, Rob Reiner, Attorney Ted Olsen and Plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo.

NOM Continues To Defy Maine's Request For Campaign Donor Information

Maine is back in court again in their now years-long battle to get NOM to comply with state campaign finance law and release the names of their donors.

The National Organization for Marriage says that identifying donors would violate their First Amendment rights and deter future donors. Lawyers for each side presented arguments Wednesday in Kennebec County Superior Court to a judge who said she will provide a ruling in writing. Assistant Attorney General Phyllis Gardiner told the judge that the ethics commission wants to question donors. "What did they understand they were asked to contribute money for?" Gardiner said. The answers would help the commission determine whether the National Organization for Marriage should have registered with the state as a ballot question committee. State law says groups that raise or spend more than $5,000 to attempt to influence the outcome of any Maine election must register and disclose their donors.

NOM has offered the provide the amounts, but not the names of the donors. Why isn't Brian Brown in jail for contempt of court?

PhoboQuotable - Andrew Breitbart

"I am not endorsing gay marriage, I'm not endorsing Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I will be the harshest critic of the activist gay left, who I fear more than al-Qaida. But for these people not to exist in a two-party system, for you to tell them they're not welcome in the big tent, I have a huge problem with that and I'm going to indulge in my all '80s Depeche Mode, Cure, New Order fetish and we're going to have a big 'ol gay party at CPAC." - Wingnut commentator Andrew Breitbart, announcing that he has joined GOProud's board of directors.

That's right, folks, GOProud has hired a guy who says that gay activists are worse than the terrorists who brought down the World Trade Center. You can't make it up. Soon to join GOProud: Bryan Fischer, Tony Perkins, Peter LaBarbera.

This Is Jim

(Source)

Quote Of The Day - Frank Peasley

"I think all this is, is an outpost in culture that says, 'Listen, I feel like you're destroying everything else that I have. You've gotten involved in the raising of my children, the way I discipline them, the way I feed them, whether or not I can smoke in the car, whether or not I have them properly equipped; you've just gotten into my life so much, let's just let me define the relationship I'm in, OK?" Wyoming GOP state Rep. Frank Peasley, speaking in support of a bill banning the recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages. The bill passed easily in the Wyoming House yesterday.

DADT Cost $200M Since 2005

According to a just-released report from the federal Government Accountability Office, in the last five years almost $200M was spent on ejecting gay troops. Most of that money went to training replacements.

That means the average expulsion under DADT cost taxpayers $52,800, partly because a significant number of those discharged held a "critical occupation or important language skill," the GAO reported. At least "1,442 (39 percent) of the servicemembers separated under the policy held critical occupations, such as infantryman and security forces, while 23 (less than 1 percent) of the servicemembers held skills in an important foreign language, such as Arabic or Spanish," the report reads. "Seven separated servicemembers held both a critical occupation and an important foreign language skill."

She & Him - Don't Look Back

MASSACHUSETTS: Former Judge Roy Moore Files DOMA Amicus Brief

Former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore has filed a DOMA amicus brief with the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. In 2003 Moore was booted from office for refusing to remove a two-ton monument to the Ten Commandments from his office. A member of the Christian Nationalist movement, which seeks to overturn democracy in favor of a Christian theocracy, Moore's brief (PDF) was filed by his Foundation For Moral Law. Christian Newswire quotes Moore about his brief:

"Marriage was defined by God at creation as between a man and a woman and no rhetoric or judicial gymnastics can alter that. Congress simply recognized that immutable, self-evident truth when it passed the Defense of Marriage Act. When judges start attacking traditional marriage and the laws of nature, one wonders whether they ever learned the difference between boys and girls. Activist judges have been rewriting the Constitution for decades and now are attempting to destroy one of the most foundational principles of our society."

Moore's brief joins those already filed by NOM and the Family Research Council.

HomoQuotable - Elton John

"I think I have it all. I have a wonderful career, a wonderful life. I have my health, I have a partner of 17 years, and now I have a son. I don't have everything because I don't have the respect of people like the church or like politicians who tell me that I'm not worthy, that I'm lesser because I'm gay, well FUCK YOU!" - Elton John, speaking after performing at an AFER fundraiser in Los Angeles. The event raised $3M for the overturn of Proposition 8.

MARYLAND: Marriage Bill Introduced

Yesterday lawmakers in Maryland introduced a marriage equality bill.

Maryland's gay-marriage bill, HB 55, was introduced by Delegate Luis Simmons and 16 co-sponsors. The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act uses the same language as previous bills - establishing that a marriage between "two individuals" who are otherwise permitted to marry would be "valid in the state." The bill also states that Maryland clergy need not perform marriages that violate their religion's tenets. A companion bill is expected to be introduced in the Maryland Senate, according to state Sen. Rich Magdaleno, an openly gay representative from Montgomery County. "I have never been so optimistic about getting this [gay marriage] done," he told the Washington Blade earlier this month.

Most expect the bill to pass relatively easily. Anti-gay activists are already working on setting up a repeal referendum for the 2012 ballot.

Pink - Fuckin' Perfect

FLORIDA: GOP State Senator Introduces Bill To Allow Guns On College Campuses

Because we haven't had enough mass murders at our nation's universities, Florida GOP state Sen. Greg Evers has introduced a bill making it legal to carry firearms at college campuses.

Florida currently prohibits concealed weapons on all school campuses, one of 49 states that either bar them outright or leave the issue up to individual schools. The proposal comes in the wake of a mass shooting in Arizona and the accidental shooting death of a Florida State University student. The police chiefs of Florida's state universities, including UF Police Chief Linda Stump, have come out in unanimous opposition to the measure. "I don't think you're going to find anybody in higher education in law enforcement who is going to want guns on their campus," Stump said.

RELATED: Despite the screams of "responsible gun owners," across the nation the rate of deaths by handgun is directly tied to the percentage of people nearby who own guns. That may seem like a motherfucking obvious result, but try telling that to the gun nuts.

Born This Way

Born This Way: "A photo/essay project for gay adults (male and female) to submit pictures from their childhood (roughly ages 2 to 12) - with snapshots that capture them, innocently, showing the beginnings of their innate LGBT selves. It's OUR nature, our TRUTH!" Hit the link for adorable baby queers.

Robert Gibbs Dodges ENDA Question

The same reporter who earlier this week grilled White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs about DOMA today returned with similar questions about ENDA. With a similarly waffle-filled result.

The States By Famed Foods

(Source)

New Federal Rules On Hospital Visitation Rights Have Gone Into Effect

A Gay Prime Minister For Italy?

As anti-gay Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi faces a confidence vote due, in part, to his infamous dalliances with numerous prostitutes, his possible replacement appears to be Nichi Vendola, the openly gay governor of the southern Italian state of Apulia. Via Washington Post:

The governor of Apulia, a region in the heel of the Italian boot, wore a gray checked suit, purple paisley scarf and glittering black shoes strapped with Velcro. From his left ear hung a sparkling diamond hoop given to him by his partner, Ed. Around his left thumb he wore a gold band, the gift of a southern fisherman upon winning his first shock-the-establishment election. "Nichi!" yelled a woman who ran up to shake the graying 52-year-old's hand. "You speak the truth!" Farther down Rome's broad Via del Tritone, a class of high school students looked up stunned and squealed, "Ciao, Nichi!" A deeper voice shouted from across the street, "Get rid of them all, Nichi!" Vendola, who nonchalantly assesses himself as "beloved," smiled the drowsy-eyed grin of a man who has seen all this adoration before. But this crisp December morning was different. Inside the Montecitorio palace, the lower house of Parliament and Vendola's destination, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi faced a career-threatening confidence vote. Many of the frustrated Italians gathering in the surrounding squares hoped this gay, Catholic, ex-communist poet whom the media has dubbed - partly in jest and partly in earnest - "the white Obama" would take the premier's place. Improbably, Vendola is positioned to become the next leader of Italy.

Vendola says that in Italy, Catholicism is "more cultural than religious" and he even counts nuns among his supporters. But according to the above-linked story, Vendola is a frequent target of television comedians who mock his lisp and his meandering, metaphor-laden style of speaking. A regular feature in one newspaper is a column titled, "Nichi, What The Hell Are You Talking About?"

Tony Perkins Whines About DC Ruling

"It would be easy to spin yesterday's news about the Supreme Court as a victory for same-sex 'marriage.' (So easy, in fact, that homosexual activists are already doing it!) But there was a lot more behind this case than a simple 'yes' or 'no' on D.C.'s counterfeit marriage law. When the justices announced that they wouldn't hear Bishop Harry Jackson's appeal, it wasn't an affirmation of same-sex 'marriage' in our nation's capital. In fact, it wasn't a reflection on the merits of the case at all!

"The Supreme Court declined the suit because it's a local election issue. And even though this affects America 's capital, it has very limited federal implications. The only reason the Supremes had jurisdiction over this case is because D.C. operates under federal law. If this suit had originated in the states, the Court couldn't even consider it. With all the headlines out there, it's important to understand this. Tuesday's decision was not an endorsement of gay 'marriage' in this city or anywhere else. It was simply the court recognizing its own limitations. On matters affecting the District, Congress is the absolute authority. The justices are leaving it to them to clean up this mess, or not." - Family Research Council president Tony "Scare Quotes" Perkins.

Explaining Citizens United

(Tipped by JMG reader Miranda)

Today In Frivolous Lawsuits

That woman who fell into a mall fountain because she was texting and not watching where she was going? She's suing the mall for not rushing to help her.

FRANCE: Constitutional Council To Hear Same-Sex Marriage Case

A lesbian couple's challenge to France's marriage laws will be heard this week by the Constitutional Council, the nation's highest court. Pink News reports:

Corinne Cestino and Sophie Haßlau launched the bid in May 2010 at the Tribunal de Grande instance of Reims to question the constitutionality of France’s position on gay marriage. The couple, a paediatrician and an English teacher, have four children and live together in a village outside Reims. They entered into a PACS, a civil union, ten years ago. On 16 November, the Court of Cassation referred the case to the highest constitutional authority in France, citing an “issue of constitutionality”, on Articles 75 and 144 of the Civil Code, which exclude the civil marriage of same sex.

A decision is expected by the end of the month. France currently offers civil unions and recognizes the same-sex marriages of foreigners, but not those of French citizens gay-married in other countries.

Crazy Eyes: Health Care Reform Is The Crown Jewel Of Socialism

Non-Apology Apology

"If anyone from other religions felt disenfranchised by the language, I want to say I am sorry. I am sorry if I offended anyone in any way. I will never deny being a born-again Christian. I do have core beliefs and I will die with those core beliefs." - GOP Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on his highly-criticized statement that non-Christians "are not my brothers."

Pastor Terry Jones Banned From UK

Florida's Pastor Terry Jones has been banned from entering Britain over his unfulfilled plan to burn Korans in protest of the mosque proposed to be built near the former site of the World Trade Center.

Speaking after the UK's Home Office announced it would not allow him to enter the UK, he insisted he was not against Muslims or Islam, only the “radical element of Islam”. He told Sky News: “I have no intention of doing anything against British law. We feel this is definitely against constitutional rights to travel, freedom of speech. “We believe that our visit there could be beneficial.” He also had personal reasons for wanting to come to Britain, he added, since his daughter lives in England and his grandchildren are English and live in the country too. “I feel this ban is very unfair,” he said. A British Home Office spokesman said: “The Government opposes extremism in all its forms which is why we have excluded Pastor Terry Jones from the UK.”

Despite his complaint about now being unable to visit his daughter and grandchildren, Jones was actually planning on traveling to address the British right wing group, England Is Ours.

Charges Dropped In Dallas Bathhouse Raid

Last October eleven men were arrested at a Dallas bathhouse in a raid that police claim was spurred by an unidentified complaining citizen. Yesterday charges were dropped against seven of the men. The Dallas Voice reports:

Attorney Michael Lowe, who represents one of the defendants, told Instant Tea he expects charges to be dismissed against the remainder of the men in the next few days. Lowe said the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office is dismissing the charges because prosecutors don’t believe they can prove that the defendants are guilty. Seven of the defendants were charged with public lewdness, three were charged with indecent exposure and one was charged with interfering with police. DPD’s vice unit has said it conducted the raid, which made national news and was the first at a gay bathhouse in Dallas in recent memory, in response to a citizen complaint.

Police have yet to identify the supposed complainer.

Condoleezza Rice: No Regrets That False Reports Of WMD Led To Iraq War

This Week In Entertainment Weekly

Entertainment Weekly on this week's cover:

Gay teens are suddenly popping up in major roles all over television, with Glee’s popular pairing of Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss) leading the way. How did gay teens go from marginalized outcasts and goofy sidekicks to some of the highest profile — and most beloved — characters on the likes of 90210, Pretty Little Liars, and Skins? And more importantly, how is this affecting real-life teens still facing the daily high-school realities of bullying, discrimination, and ignorance? The new issue of Entertainment Weekly investigates the history of gay teens on TV — from the angsty Rickie on My So-Called Life to sensitive-soul Jack on Dawson’s Creek to the slew of groundbreaking characters on Degrassi. We talk to the producers who fought for such progress, the actors who held the career-defining roles, and the activists who cheer recent advances — but are still pushing for more.

Lady Bunny - Ballad Of Sarah Palin

SAN FRANCISCO: Federal Judge Signals Intent To Overturn Portion Of DOMA

A federal judge in California has ruled that state employees may sue the federal government for excluding their partners from a long-term health care program.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken of Oakland denied an Obama administration request to dismiss the suit Tuesday and signaled that she is likely to overturn provisions of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples. But Wilken said the 1996 law actually changed the status quo by "robbing states of the power to allow same-sex civil marriages that will be recognized under federal law." She also rejected arguments that the law's sponsors put forth in 1996, that the legislation was necessary to promote procreation and preserve heterosexual marriage. The couples sued in April over the California Public Employees' Retirement System's refusal to enroll the spouses in a federally approved long-term care plan. State employees can buy coverage at below-market rates, use pretax dollars to pay premiums, and deduct future benefits from their taxes. The California agency has refused to sign up same-sex spouses because the Defense of Marriage Act denies federal tax benefits to any state that covers them.

Wingnuts Attack SF's Gay History Museum

Save California's always vile Randy Thomasson has weighed in on San Francisco's new LGBT history museum.

"This is not so much a museum; this is a propaganda porch," he contends. "There [are] going to be some people who want to believe in lies while they're visiting, but anybody interested in real history is going to find so many pages ripped out of that book." Thomasson further argues that the museum fails to mention the truth about alternate lifestyles, as it omits information about the AIDS epidemic, sexual crimes, and molestation, as well as the trampling of fundamental and religious rights in the name of "equality." Nonetheless, he believes the museum will continue to receive funding. "I believe they'll have the money to keep this place open because it will become sort of a Mecca to them," the pro-family leader suggests. "And it's unfortunate -- celebrating a lie instead of acknowledging the truth."

The Story Of Suzie

Quote Of The Day - Rush Limbaugh

"These people blamed AIDS on Reagan. Sound familiar? They blamed homelessness on Reagan -- you know why they blamed AIDS on Reagan? Because he didn't care. Because he never delivered a speech about it. And because of that, AIDS was spread. They actually wanted us to believe that Reagan had the disease, was sneaking into gay people's houses at night, and impregnating them with the disease and running out. And when we left their houses he went over to Grant Park, or wherever it was, Lafayette Park and stole the pork and beans of the homeless and took them back to the White House and fixed them up and at them. That's that kind of stuff they were saying about Reagan." - Rush Limbaugh.

You Lie!

Joan Rivers: I'm Banned By Fox

Open Thread Thursday

Do you read JMG from a Mac or PC? Mobile phone? iPad?

GLAAD Announces 2011 Media Awards Noms, JMG Up For Outstanding Blog

GLAAD has announced the nominations for its 2011 Media Awards, which honor excellence in a broad range of LGBT-related media, including movies, television, theater, newspapers, magazines, and digital journalism. A first-time category this year is Outstanding Blog, for which this here website thingy is nominated! My co-nominees are Bilerico Project, Blabbeando, Pam's House Blend, and Rod 2.0. All pals of mine! Below is GLAAD's highlight reel for this year's nominees in television and film. Click over for the complete listing of nominees in all categories.

IGLHRC Issues Statement On Iran

The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission has issued a statement on yesterday's story about the possible execution by stoning of two young men in Iran for having gay sex. At IGLHRC's request, I pulled my first post on the story while they investigated. Via email:

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has received reports of the imminent execution of two men in Piranshahr, Iran. By some media accounts, Ayub and Mosleh have been sentenced to death for raping a young man, filming their actions, and inserting images of President Ahmadinejad into the film. There have been reports that the men are scheduled to be killed by stoning on January 21. IGLHRC has been unable to confirm the allegations in this case.

This case is evidence, however, of much bigger problems in Iran: widespread abuse in the justice system and censorship of information. People, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender may be arbitrarily arrested, tortured, and convicted on baseless charges. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to know the facts that lie behind convictions.

IGLHRC condemns the use of capital punishment in all instances, including this one, regardless of the alleged acts with which the individuals have been accused or convicted. Likewise, IGLHRC condemns all forms of sexual violence and rape. We call on the Government of Iran to immediately annul any execution order related to this case, to end the practice of death by stoning, and to repeal the criminalization of same-sex activity.

"Iran has an impenetrable and opaque criminal justice system that makes knowing what is really happening inside the country impossible," said Hossein Alizadeh, Regional Coordinator for IGLHRC's Middle East and North Africa Program. "What we do know is that killing is wrong in all its forms, even when committed by the State."

I will update you at once when further information is available.

Rep. Weiner: The GOP Lies So Much About Health Care It Should Be A Drinking Game

CLASSIC rant from our favorite House Democrat.

Johnny Weir Is Big In Japan

Not only does ice princess Johnny Weir have a pop single, this week it's #1 in Japan. Here's a fan-made clip set to the track, Dirty Love.

MARYLAND: GOP Leader Steps Down Over Backlash For Civil Unions Support

Maryland state Sen. Allen Kittleman has announced that he will step down as GOP minority leader over criticism he's received for sponsoring a civil unions bill.

The decision by Sen. Allan H. Kittleman (R-Howard County) came two weeks after he announced plans to sponsor legislation allowing civil unions in Maryland for both same-sex and heterosexual couples. Kittleman's position put him at odds with many Republican colleagues, who told him during a closed-door meeting last week that they were distressed by his civil-unions bill and would not be supporting the legislation, according to participants. Kittleman said he decided over the weekend that the other 11 GOP senators in the 47-member Senate should have a leader who is "more conservative than I am on social issues." "I don't want to have them worry every time I get on the floor, 'What is he going to say?' " Kittleman explained, adding that the decision gives him "the freedom to be who I am, to champion issues I really care about without worrying about stepping on anyone's toes."

Some time this year Maryland is expected to become the next state to legalize same-sex marriage and anti-gay activists are already working towards putting the issue up for repeal on the 2012 ballot, the earliest they can make such a move. Kittleman's proposed civil unions bill is probably meant as a compromise.

(Via - AmericaBlog)

More Gays Raise Kids In The South

According to a study of data released by the U.S. Census, there are more gay couples raising children in the southern states than in urban states more traditionally considered to be gay hot spots.

Child rearing among same-sex couples is more common in the South than in any other region of the country, according to Gary Gates, a demographer at the University of California, Los Angeles. Gay couples in Southern states like Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are more likely to be raising children than their counterparts on the West Coast, in New York and in New England. The pattern, identified by Mr. Gates, is also notable because the families in this region defy the stereotype of a mainstream gay America that is white, affluent, urban and living in the Northeast or on the West Coast.

One theory for the result is that southern blacks and Latinos may be more likely to have been in a heterosexual marriage with children prior to coming out.

Brian Brown: NOM Isn't Giving Up On Gay Marriage In Washington DC

"With a pro-marriage majority in the new Congress we will explore a number of avenues to force the District to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to voters. As the four Court of Appeal justices who dissented in this case made clear, the District of Columbia owes it to the voters to allow them to decide the critical issue of marriage which has existed since before there was a District of Columbia. In order to curry favor with the same-sex marriage special interest group, members of the City Council have turned their backs on their own constituents. It is ironic that these same council members champion the right of District votes to be heard in national elections but then deny those same residents the right to vote on the definition of marriage. We will press our belief with Congress that the constitution of the District requires that voters be allowed to decide this important issue." - NOM president Brian Brown.

Zeb Atlas - Love Hangover

Porn star Zeb Atlas covers Diana Ross. SRSLY.

UPDATE: The label has pulled the copy posted earlier. There is a non-embeddable version still available to watch.

Former Sen. Rick Santorum: Same-Sex Marriage Is A Violation Of Natural Law

FLORIDA: Gov. Rick Scott Appoints "Christians Only" Activist To Head State Agency On Adoptions

Florida Gov. Rick "Medicare Fraud" Scott has appointed Christian activist David Wilkins to head the state Department of Children and Families, which is in charge of adoptions. Wilkins is the former head of a Baptist adoption agency which states that only "professed Christians" are eligible for consideration as parents. Gay rights groups are concerned that Scott's move signals an intent to overturn the recent advances for gay families in Florida. The Miami Herald reports:

Some children's advocates find Wilkins' ties to fundamentalist religious groups unsettling, particularly coming only months after a Miami appeals court declared unconstitutional a Florida law -- the only one of its kind in the U.S. -- that banned adoption by gay men and lesbians. Both Sheldon and then-Attorney General Bill McCollum chose not to appeal the Third District Court of Appeal's ruling to the Florida Supreme Court, saying the decision held sway throughout the state. Sheldon ordered his leadership team to cease enforcing the ban. But Wilkins and Scott could challenge the Miami ruling by refusing to allow a gay man or woman to adopt elsewhere in the state -- which could trigger an appeal to the state's highest court. On its website, the Baptist Children's Home says that "in order to adopt through the Florida Baptist Children's Homes we require that you be a professing Christian, be active in a local Christian church, and follow a lifestyle that is consistent with the Christian faith.'' Howard Simon, head of of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, which represented Martin Gill in his successful challenge to the law banning gays and lesbians from adopting, said, ``we're certainly concerned about whether this might mean the state might try to undo our historic adoption victory."

RELATED: Today Florida parent Martin Gill and his partner were able to finally officially adopt their two foster sons. It was Gill's ACLU-backed lawsuit that overturned Florida's ban on gay adoption.

COLORADO: Catholic Diocese Launches 12-Step Program For Homosexuals

The Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs has begun offering a 12-step program for homosexuals. The program is called the Twelve Steps Of Courage.

“It’s not about therapy and not about activism,” said the Rev. Larry Brennan, diocese director of priest formation. “It’s about support.” The Catholic Church views homosexual relations as a sin, but not homosexual thoughts. It expects those with same-sex attraction to be celibate. “The exercise of sexuality is reserved for marriage, and that can only happen between a man and a woman,” Brennan said. Jim Fitzgerald, executive director of Call to Action, a national progressive Catholic group headquartered in Chicago, is skeptical of Twelve Steps of Courage because he contends homosexuality isn’t sinful. “It restricts people’s freedom to be the kind of person they were created to be,” Fitzgerald said of Courage. But Brennan says the program is not for people comfortable with their gay lifestyle.

And here are the Twelve Steps Of Courage, which ask participants to agree that they are insane and defective. Their words.

(Tipped by JMG reader Alan)

Porno Pete As Allen Ginsberg

The hilarious folks at Christwire have outdone themselves with today's entry in which they rewrite Allen Ginsberg's classic poem Howl from the perspective of Peter LaBarabera. It begins:

I saw the greatest hopes of my Christian nation destroyed by homosexuality, penetrating, violating and ejaculating, faith leaders and all-American jocks prowling Castro nights for angry leather studs, suburban hipsters sparking ganja joints as they click through the skanky dilemma of Craigslist at 3am, who Pumas and Chinese tattoos and herbal teas sat up contemplating lubricants and Lady Gaga, who bared their buttocks on webcams and saw millionaire Manhattan sugar daddies conspiring to overturn the U.S. Constitution, who passed through liberal universities with radiant allowances, hallucinating a Clintonian dynasty, who danced fiercely at afterhours clubs, tasting the heights of depraved sodomistic orgies of feces and urine for the first time, who burned away that last shred of decency without even bothering to listen as mothers cried on the other end of the phone, who consumed every word Rachel Maddow ever spoke, liberalism, or prostituted this nation’s future night after night with blog posts, with protests, with Pelosi, with waking nightmares, Veuve Clicquot and Creole crawfish dip and endless fundraising balls, incomparably blind state legislatures voting to legalize sodomy, homosexual marriage, and the utter destruction of all 6,000 years of human history.....

Somebody totally needs to perform this on YouTube. Go read the entire thing. It still kills me that so many of Christwire's readers aren't in on the joke.

RELATED: If you are unfamiliar with Howl and its unique pacing, you might want to read the original first.

Signorile Vs. Sarah Palin Supporter

CANADA: Catholic School Board Overturns Ban On Gay Student Groups

Earlier this month a Catholic school district in Canada announced that they were banning gay student groups, because, as their spokesperson (pictured left) put it, "We don't have Nazi groups either." Yesterday that ban was overturned.

The Halton Catholic District School Board has struck down a controversial ban on gay-straight clubs that some newly elected trustees say did not reflect their views. The policy, set by the former board before the election last fall, had stated gay-straight alliances “cannot be permitted” even though the Ontario government now recommends such clubs, if requested by a student, as one way to promote a feeling of belonging among students of different sexual orientations. But at a meeting Tuesday attended by dozens of opponents to the ban, including the Canadian Civil Liberties Union, the new trustees voted 6-2 to scrap the clause that had sparked outrage from human rights advocates, sparked a protest petition and drawn a thumb’s-down from celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

Catholic League's Bill Donohue: Jews Don't Report Their Pedophiles Either

Yesterday it was reported that in 1997 the Vatican ordered Ireland's bishops not to report pedophile priests to the police. In response, today Catholic League president Bill Donohue issued a typically bizarre rant about Jews, liberals, and the New York Times.

Last month, several media outlets ran a story on how a rabbinical court in Brooklyn ordered its 10,000 members not to report crimes to the police. Not among those reporting on it was the New York Times. Moreover, this same newspaper has consistently opposed a law in New York State mandating that crimes involving the sexual abuse of minors be reported to the police if the law applies equally to public, as well as private, institutions; it only backs mandatory reporting for private institutions. The reason there is no mandatory reporting about these crimes in New York State is because the New York Civil Liberties Union and Family Planning Advocates (the lobbying arm of Planned Parenthood) have successfully killed such legislation. So who wants mandatory reporting for everyone? The Catholic bishops want it—it's the liberal media and liberal activist groups who don't.

GOP Lawmakers: You Can't Have Health Care, But We're Keeping Ours

Think Progress compiled this clip of GOP House members who today will vote to repeal "Obamacare." But none of them intend to give up their own "government-sponsored health insurance."

Coachella 2011 Lineup Announced

(Via - Towleroad)

MASSACHUSETTS: Family Research Council Files DOMA Amicus Brief

Yesterday a legal arm of the Family Research Council filed a DOMA amicus brief with the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Massachusetts. Via Christian Newswire:

The brief, authored by Thomas More Society's special counsel Paul Linton, argues two points in defense of the constitutionality of DOMA:

1. There is no Federal Constitutional Right to enter into a same-sex marriages.

2. US law reasonably reserves marriage and its benefits to opposite sex couples so as to promote both responsible procreation of children and the raising of those children by their biologically-related mother and father.

"Why should Americans be forced to encourage, as well as support with their tax dollars, same-sex relationships, which obviously -- and by their very nature -- cannot produce children or provide both the mothers and fathers that evidence proves beyond peradventure that children need to fully develop and flourish?" asked Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel for the Thomas More Society in Chicago.

NOM filed an amicus brief yesterday too.

ILLINOIS: Black Pastors Honor MLK By Denouncing Civil Rights

And the SPLC-certified hate group the Illinois Family Institute was there to film it all. Former IFI head Peter LaBarbera was there too and hate-tweeted ecstatically throughout.

Quote Of The Day - James Molinaro

"Believe what our new governor, Andrew Cuomo, has been saying: that we have too many governments around the state and that we need to consolidate them and their services. No way is he going to create another county government in New York state. He is never, never, never, never, never going to sign a Staten Island secession bill into law." - Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro, responding to GOP state Sen. Andrew Lanza's renewed campaign for Staten Island to leave New York City.

In 1993 Staten Island residents approved a secession referendum, but the state legislature blocked it.

AZ Rep. Trent Franks (R) Opposes Bill Banning High-Capacity Gun Clips

"People have tried to politicize this and make everything except the killer responsible." Guns don't kill people...etc etc.

Regarding Yesterday's Post About Iran...

Many of you have noted that I have removed yesterday's post regarding the pending executions of two young gay men in Iran. Shortly after that post went up, both Andy Towle and I were contacted by Jessica Stern at the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission, who was very concerned that fragile communications being made on the men's behalf could be damaged by excessive publicity in the blogosphere.

This morning Stern sends us this update: "IGLHRC is deeply concerned about the alleged charges facing two men from Piranshahr, Iran, and we are urgently investigating them. We are also concerned that some stories circulating about these men may contain factual inaccuracies and be based on hearsay. Until more is understood, we urge journalists and advocates to act with extreme caution. The death penalty is always wrong, however the specifics of each case matter immensely. Nothing less than the lives of two young men is at stake."

I will update you on any further developments today.

AL GOP Gov. Robert Bentley: If You're Not A Christian, You Need To Convert

Newly-elected GOP Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley made it clear yesterday that non-Christians will have a tough time under his regime.

Bentley made the remarks during a speech at Dexter Street King Memorial Baptist Church, the Montgomery church once led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., saying that non-Christians were “not my brother” and he hoped they would convert to Christianity. During the speech at the church in recognition of the King holiday Monday, Bentley told a packed audience that he is color blind to race, and then talked about his religious beliefs.

“But if you have been adopted in God’s family like I have, and like you have, if you’re a Christian and if you’re saved, and the Holy Spirit lives within you just like the Holy Spirit lives within me, then you know what that makes? It makes you and me brothers. And it makes you and me brother and sister,” he said. “Now I will have to say that, if we don’t have the same daddy, we’re not brothers and sisters. So anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I’m telling you, you’re not my brother and you’re not my sister, and I want to be your brother.”

The Anti-Defamation League was quick to denounce Bentley's remarks, saying he was "dangerously close" to violating the First Amendment, which forbids government from promoting an official religion.

Catholic Group: SCOTUS Rejection Of DC Marriage Suit Is A Human Tragedy

Just in from Catholics For The Common Good:

"It is shocking that the U.S. Supreme Court did not accept the appeal of District of Columbia citizens who were deprived of their right to vote on the definition of marriage. The Court's decision effectively upheld the finding of the Washington Human Rights Commission that it would be discriminatory to even give citizens a choice to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. [snip] The consequences of changing the definition of marriage have broad ramifications for how the value of marriage to children and society is perceived and will affect decisions people make about marriage in their own lives. Already, 41% of children born today are deprived of a mother and father who have first chosen to make themselves irreplaceable to each through marriage. This is a human tragedy and a violation of the rights of the child."

Dr. Laura: CNN Is Out To Get Me

SPOKANE: Bomb Found On Martin Luther King Day Parade Route

MASSACHUSETTS: NOM Files DOMA Amicus Brief With Federal Appeals Court

Sen. Joe Lieberman To Retire In 2012

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), the frequent bane of both Democrats and Republicans and an unlikely hero in the repeal of DADT, will announce his retirement tomorrow.

Lieberman's long awaited decision means an end to a political career that took from the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate to a speaking role at the 2008 Republican National Convention in support of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Lieberman's increased alienation from the Democratic party -- primarily over his ardent support for the war in Iraq -- led to his defeat at the hands of cable television executive Ned Lamont in 2006. But, Lieberman formed his own independent party and beat Lamont in a general election to win a fourth term. His numbers among Democrats only declined since that time, however, making it next-to-impossible for Lieberman to run and win as a Democrat in 2012.

In less high-profile Senate news, North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad (D) also announced his 2012 retirement today.

What Global Recession?

For the billionaire who has everything.

British designers have produced plans for a floating replica of the principality named Streets Of Monaco which features scaled-down versions of its famous landmarks including the Monte Carlo racetrack. The 500ft-long boat - expected to cost up to £700million - also boasts miniatures of the famed Monte Carlo Casino, Hotel de Paris, Cafe de Paris, La Rascasse, the Loews Hotel as well as swimming pools and tennis courts. It even has a platform that holds smaller yachts in case prospective owners need something a little nippier to get around in. The most mind-bending feature is the Monaco Grand Prix-inspired go-kart track complete with tunnel complex which runs around the deck.

The submarine is included.

Starbucks' Trenta

I'm not getting all this hubbub about the new supersize Starbucks cup. How is this any different than a Big Gulp?

Swag Tuesday

Courtesy of the promoter, today's Swag Tuesday prize is two tickets to this Saturday's installment of Trippin' On The Moon, the reunion of the performers and patrons of NYC's legendary Saint disco. Original Saint DJs Warren Gluck and Robbie Leslie will perform. Doors open at Manhattan's Santos Party House at 9pm and the dancing continues until 4am. Advance tickets here. Discounted admission will be available at the door to those presenting an original Saint membership card.

Enter to win by commenting on this post. Only enter once and please remember to leave your email address in the text of your entry. If you cannot be in Manhattan on Saturday, your winning entry is transferable to your favorite disco lover. Entries close at midnight on Thursday, west coast time. Publicists: If you'd like to take part in Swag Tuesday on JMG, please email me.