Monday, March 07, 2011

Mike Huckabee's Bad Week

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Afternoon View - Sunrise Drawbridge

When I used to live here it would piss me off to have to wait in hot baking traffic just so some billionaire could move his yacht though one of the drawbridges. Now I just wonder what the inside of the yacht looks like.

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Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) To Retire

Scandal-plagued adulterer and defender of marriage Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) announced today that he will not seek reelection in 2012.
Nevada Sen. John Ensign, facing an ethics investigation stemming from an affair with a campaign aide, said Monday he would not seek reelection because he wanted to spare his family from an "exceptionally ugly" campaign. "At this point in my life, I have to put my family first," Ensign told reporters at a news conference in Las Vegas. Just two months into the 112th Congress, Ensign is the eighth Senate incumbent to opt out of running for a new term, out of 33 seats up in 2012. The announcement is welcome news to national Republicans who have admitted the two-term Republican would be vulnerable in the race. GOP Rep. Dean Heller, who won three statewide elections as secretary of State, is considered the party's best candidate to retain the seat.

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Tony Perkins: Christian Leaders Are Forming An "Army Of Spartans"

Right Wing Watch reports on the below clip:
Perkins explains the absolute necessity of getting Christians into all levels of government while Boykin compared Christians today to the Spartan army and quoted King Leonidas by declaring "molon labe" ["come and get them"] when he and his army were told to lay down their weapons. Likewise, Boykin declared "molon labe," stating that he will not be silenced and challenged those in Washington who are out to take his liberties, rob his grandchildren, and destroy America to just try to take them from him. Finally, Joyner announced that Christians have more than enough people to take control, but they need to bind together and, as such, would soon be unveiling coalition called "300".
The Christianists/teabaggers are quite open about their plans to somehow overturn the government and replace it with a dominionist theocracy.

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Winter Party 2011

Yesterday Father Tony and I were joined by my dear Orlando friend Thomas for the 16th annual Winter Party on South Beach. This (I think) was my 11th time attending and once again the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and their volunteer staff delivered a flawless event. Huge kudos to Task Force head Rea Carey, Winter Party event chair Chad Richter, and their army of smiley helpful volunteers. And we loved the trampoline stunt show.

I was especially pleased (of course) by the high turnout of bears this year and made it point to get some of their photos for those who complained yesterday about the smooth aesthetic of Saturday's pool party. Hit the slideshow at the bottom of this post for photos of many, many hotties of all ages, races, body types, and fur distributions. Full-screen versions here.

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PhoboQuotable - Frothy Mix Santorum

"In the heat of the American Revolution in 1777, the Continental Army was struggling to muster shoes and victory. What were two of our most heroic founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, doing? They were arguing in favor of religious liberty, giving us the precursor to what we now know as the Religion Clause of our Constitution's First Amendment - the heartbeat of our Constitution.

"Fast forward to recently when President Barack Obama claimed the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), defining marriage for federal law as one man and one woman, was 'legally indefensible.' Intellectually, morally, and constitutionally President Obama's claim is absurd. And it is a dagger aimed at the heart of a core constitutional value: the free exercise of religion. Schools, the media, and even some politicians often like to remind us of the first part of our First Amendment - that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" - but tend to omit the remainder: "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.' Last week, ignored it was." Former GOP Sen. Rick "Man On Dog" Santorum, writing for the Des Moines Register.

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Sen. Scott Brown Asks Billionaire Tea Party Kingpin David Koch For Campaign Dough

Think Progress has the full story.

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What Celery Does To Straight Dudes


(Tipped by JMG reader Jaydog)

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Quote Of The Day - Sen. Marco Rubio

"I want to thank Speaker Boehner and the House Republican leadership for taking action to defend this critical law that was enacted by a bipartisan majority in Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton. It is unfortunate that President Obama decided to no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act. While much of the debate in Washington is focused on creating jobs and growing our economy, we should not sit by while this administration makes profound and regrettable decisions based more upon the politics of the day than the words of our Founding Fathers. This law protects one of our most sacred institutions and because of the House’s actions today, it will be defended." - Tea Party-backed GOP Sen. Marco Rubio (FL), in a message posted on his official page.

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NEW YORK CITY: Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Tax Plastic Bags At 25 Cents

New York state Assemblyman Micah Kellner has introduced a bill that would impose a 25 cent tax on every plastic bag issued by New York City retailers. Every year the city sends 5.2 billion plastic bags to the landfill.
"I want to make it a faux pas to be seen on the street with a plastic bag," said Kellner, a Manhattan Democrat. "While we may use plastic bags for a couple of minutes to bring home our groceries, they stay in the environment for thousands of years." Kellner is sponsoring a bill, introduced late last month, that would impose a 25-cent tax on every plastic bag used to carry groceries or other store merchandise in New York City. The same bill would incentivize the use of reusable shopping bags -- made of canvas or thicker, sometimes recycled plastic -- by allowing grocers to give them to consumers if they leave a quarter as a deposit. After a year, the unclaimed quarters would be swept to City Hall's coffers. A tax break would be offered to cover "a majority" of the cost of reusable bags, which cost over $1 on the low end, more if you want hemp or recycled cotton.
Unsurprisingly, plastic bag manufacturers are opposed to Kellner's bill, with one industry spokesman saying, "By that math, he's taxing a family $3.75 every time they go to the grocery store -- money they could use to buy milk for their children." Kellner, the state's only openly bisexual legislator, can often be found outside of Upper East Side stores where he hands out reusable bags with his name on them. "I'm the Justin Bieber of tote bags," he says.

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MSNBC Recaps Maryland Marriage Battle

This week's expected vote by the full Maryland House is going to be a squeaker. Today openly gay Washington Post reporter Jonathan Capehart appeared on MSNBC to talk about those waffling delegates.

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Eurovision 2011: Bosnia's Dino Merlin

Cheesy even by Eurovision standards. Reminds me a bit of Brotherhood Of Man, who won for the UK in 1976.

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This Is An Ad For Lube

Copyranter notes: "That's rather ambitious. Ad is for the Try® brand of lubricating gel. Translation: 'Try intimate lubricant gel.' It ran in [France's] free gay magazine Sensitif."

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The "Ex-Gay" Demonic Drag Queen

Clip description:
After an abusive and tortured childhood, and years of drug addiction and sexual confusion, Trace found fame in the gay community as the demonic drag queen named "COMA". After years of ignoring God, Trace found himself living on the streets and dying from AIDS. Hear the inspiring story of God's relentless pursuit of a drug addicted drag queen.
Why is it that almost every "ex-gay" person we hear about is also a former drug addict and/or alcoholic and/or felon? Could it be that happy, well-adjusted, healthy people in control of their lives don't need to run to Jeebus and blame their gayness as the source of their fucked-up existence? The below story continues on YouTube for an excruciating ten segments.

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HomoQuotable - Jonathan Lovitz

"Just had an intense day at jury duty. During voir dire we were asked who would not be impartial. I raised my hand and said, 'Since I can't get married or adopt a child in the state of New York, I can't possibly be an impartial judge of a citizen when I am considered a second class one in the eyes of this justice system.' You wouldn't believe how people in the room reacted." - NYC-based actor Jonathan Lovitz, who was then excused by the judge.

New York state does allow both single and coupled gays to adopt, but Lovitz' jury duty tactic is an interesting one.

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BUFFALO: Lady Gaga Calls On State Senator To Change His Marriage Position

Lady Gaga took a moment during Friday's concert in Buffalo to call on her fans to deluge New York state Sen. Mark Grisanti with demands that he endorse marriage equality. In 2008 Grisanti declared that he was "unalterably opposed" to gay marriage. But Gaga says he's now "on the fence."
"There's a senator here in Buffalo that's on the fence about whether or not to vote for this particular bill and I would like to give you all his e-mail," Lady Gaga told the crowd in HSBC Arena. "His name is Sen. Mark Grisanti." She urged her fans to e-mail Grisanti and suggested "2,000 e-mails in his BlackBerry this evening or tomorrow" might help sway his position on marriage equality. Later, she posted this message on her Facebook page: "Buffalo, we need SEN.GRISANTI to help pass NY STATE MARRIAGE BILL e-mail grisanti@nysenate.gov #IWasBornThisWay."
Gristanti's spokesman responded to Gaga's move by announcing an upcoming meeting with a local marriage equality group. That's encouraging.

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NEW YORK: Donald Trump's Anti-Gay Comments Spawn Calls For Boycott

Days after Donald Trump announced that gay people deserve no civil rights at all, some activists are calling for a boycott of his businesses.
In New York, home to one of the largest gay and lesbian communities in the U.S., Trump's comments may end up biting him in the ass-ets. "He's an extreme bigot," says Allen Roskoff, who was the first openly gay appointed official in New York City and has served under Gov. Mario Cuomo and Mayor David Dinkins, among others." Roskoff adds: "Not only should gays be furious, we should be boycotting the products of the advertisers on his TV show" - "Celebrity Apprentice," which premiered Sunday night on NBC-TV "and certainly boycotting his casinos and hotels and apartment buildings." Noting that Trump recently switched his stance on abortion from pro-choice to pro-life, Roskoff says: "His game plan is to appeal to the extreme right." But he continues: "How he does business in New York, how he's tolerated is beyond me. I think things are going to change for him."
The above-linked article notes that Trump's daughter Ivanka has attended marriage equality fundraisers.

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Remixer & Blowoff DJ Rich Morel Scores 20th Billboard #1 Dance Hit

Blowoff DJ Rich Morel has scored his 20th number one remix on Billboard's dance chart with his latest work for 78 year-old Yoko Ono. Along with numerous hits with Ono, Morel has notched chart topping remixes for Depeche Mode, New Order, The Killers, Pet Shop Boys, Cyndi Lauper and many others. Rolling Stone reports on Yoko's streak:
Yoko Ono has overcome the likes of Rihanna, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry to score her sixth consecutive Number One on the Billboard Hot Dance Club chart with "Move On Fast." The song is her eighth Number One dance hit overall, and the latest in Ono's series of remix singles. The original version of "Move On Fast" was issued as the B-Side to her folky 1972 single "Now or Never."



JMG EXCLUSIVE:
Here's a free download of Cascade, Rich Morel's latest remix for the white-hot UK dance band Deluka. If you've been to Blowoff recently, you'll recognize this as one of the peak songs of the night. Hit the down arrow to grab it.

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Morning View - Fort Lauderdale Beach

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Matt Baume: This Week In Prop 8

Today's episode: Pelosi vs. Boehner on DOMA.

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Michael Stipe: I'm 80% Gay

"On a sliding scale of sexuality I’d place myself around 80-20, but I definitely prefer men to women. I had sex with, and enjoyed sex with, women until I met someone that I fell in love with, and who is now my boyfriend. I wasn’t troubled or confused, but I just felt there wasn’t a place for me. I hate and refuse to apply the term bisexual to myself. It doesn’t seem appropriate. It feels like just another label." - REM lead singer Michael Stipe, speaking to the Observer.

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Liberty Counsel: Obama's DOMA Move Will Backfire Against Gay Marriage Advocates

Because now the Christianists can step in to actually vigorously defend DOMA in the courts.

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Microsoft Issues IE6 Deathwatch

Microsoft wants everybody to stop using IE6 and has created a deathwatch countdown map.

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Improv Everywhere: Museum Prank

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TODAY: Maggie Gallagher On C-SPAN

Via NOM Exposed:
HRC’s Chief Legislative Counsel will be going up against the chairman of the National Organization for Marriage, Maggie Gallagher, on the issue of DOMA at 8:30am EST. Interview is scheduled to last 45 minutes. Watch the show live. NOM is encouraging their folks to send in questions to the program. You should too–especially our NOM Watchers. Calling is best. Phone lines by party affiliation: Republicans: (202) 737-0001; Democrats: (202) 737-0002; Independents: (202) 628-0205. EMAIL is journal@c-span.org.

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Hate Group Launches Secret DADT Complaint Line To Congress

Evil witch Elaine Donnelly and her Center for Military Readiness have launched a new way for soldiers to secretly complain to Congress about the repeal of DADT.
An advocate for America’s fighting men and women is encouraging members of the military to let their representatives in Congress know about the devastating consequences of the new policy which will allow homosexuals to thrust their deviant lifestyle on the military. "There is a location on the site called 'Confidential Contact.' Anyone can go there," she explains. "There is a place there to indicate military service. We never repeat names and we can convey messages on behalf of anyone on active duty service to anyone in Congress. They can also directly write their own member of Congress, but there are some issues that are bigger than individuals. What is going on right now is something that the full Congress needs to investigate.”

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Sunday, March 06, 2011

Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras Parade


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SLIDESHOW: Under One Sun

Yesterday Father Tony and I spent the afternoon at the Winter Party Festival's Under One Sun event at Miami Beach's Surfcomber Hotel. As you can see, it was quite the festive mob scene, so I spent much of the party comfortably removed in one of the poolside balcony cabanas. And I still got sunburned.
SLIDESHOW: Many hotties within. Full-screen images here.

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ARGENTINA: Cyndi Lauper Calms Airport

Due to flight delays and cancellations, things were getting quite tense at the Buenos Aires airport. Enter Cyndi Lauper, who commandeered a microphone and performed Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

(Source)

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Morning View - South Beach Loews

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Sarah Palin: Kathy Griffin Is A 50 Year Old Bully And Has-Been Comedian

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Saturday, March 05, 2011

Quote Of The Day - Rep. Jim Langevin

"As the debate about same-sex marriage continues in Rhode Island and in Washington, I have taken time to reflect carefully on my own position. Based on my own experiences and my firm belief that all Americans should be treated equally under the law, I am now convinced that affording full marriage equality rights to same-sex couples is the only fair and responsible approach for both Rhode Island and the nation. If our nation expects to provide equal protection to all, then our civic institutions must reflect that noble goal." - Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), announcing his change of heart in a Providence Journal essay titled, "Now IS the time to redefine marriage."

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Johnny "Tangerine" Boehner

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Glenn Beck Exposes Fisting

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Morning View - Fort Lauderdale Beach

High winds and rough surf have the water closed for swimming for the third day since I arrived. Otherwise, the weather is sublime.

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HomoQuotable - Christopher Doyle

"Putting 'ex-gay' in quotes suggested that such a sexual orientation is not valid, not recognized or both. But thousands of former homosexuals collectively identify themselves as such. The D.C. Superior Court ruled in 2009 that ex-gays are a protected sexual orientation class in the District. Not all persons who experience same-sex attractions choose to live gay lives. Many of us have voluntarily left a homosexual life through therapeutic work or behavioral choice. I did, and I have been happily married to a woman for nearly five years; we have two children. I no longer experience same-sex attraction and have no desire to return to the homosexual life. Please respect this choice." - Christopher Doyle, board member of Parents & Friends Of "Ex-Gays" (PFOX), in a letter to the Washington Post.

RELATED: You might recall that I had a brief encounter with Doyle in the parking lot of last year's evil NARTH convention, where he was supporting a group that spreads the most repulsive lies about gay people imaginable. But don't you dare put "ex-gay" in quotes.

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Log Cabin Head Backs Boehner On DOMA

Chris Matthews rips Log Cabin president R. Clark Cooper over his backing of House Speaker John Boehner's plan to defend DOMA.

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Friday, March 04, 2011

BRITAIN: Gay Cricket Star Steve Davies Talks To CNN About Coming Out

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That's Gay: Defense Of Marriage Act

One of Bryan's best.

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HRC Denounces Boehner's DOMA Plan

The Human Rights Campaign has issued a denouncement of House Speaker John Boehner's vow to force the defense of DOMA. Via press release:
“The decision to mount an all-out defense of DOMA is particularly hypocritical given the Speaker’s contention that the President was distracted from focusing on the economy by DOMA,” said Solmonese. In order to defend the constitutionality of Section 3 of DOMA in court, Congress would likely have to make arguments that could include:

· That gays and lesbians have not faced a history of discrimination
· That one’s sexual orientation is in fact relevant to a person’s ability to contribute to society
· That, contrary to the opinion of experts, sexual orientation is something that can be changed
· That, despite widespread laws such as marriage amendments disadvantaging gays and lesbians, they are politically powerful.
· That the federal government is justified in violating the federalist tradition of leaving marriage and family law to the states

“A far right fringe may be calling for a defense of DOMA, but doing so is sure to turn off independent voters,” said Solmonese. “John Boehner should realize that the world has changed since 1996 and fair-minded Americans won’t like what House Republican leaders have to say when trying to justify federal discrimination against some of a state’s lawful marriages.”
Joe Solmonese adds: "House Republican leadership has now shown they’re more interested in scoring cheap political points on the backs of same-sex couples than tackling real problems."

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Afternoon View - Lauderdale Intracoastal

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BREAKING: Maryland House Judiciary Advances Marriage Equality Bill 12-10

After fighting off a myriad of poison pill amendments put forward by the GOP, the Maryland House Judiciary Committee has just advanced its marriage equality bill to the full chamber. Equality Maryland sends this press release:
“Marriage provides a critical safety net for families. With this favorable vote from the committee on SB 116, we're one step closer to providing not only the same benefits, but also the respect and dignity to the thousands of gay and lesbian couples in Maryland. From every corner of the state, Marylanders have made it clear that a majority favor marriage equality. We remain cautiously optimistic about the upcoming vote on the House floor. Equality Maryland is counting on every person who supports ending the exclusion of loving same sex couples from marriage to contact their delegates and be counted in this fight to bring equality to the Free State."
JMG reader and openly gay House Delegate Luke Clippinger: "This is another important step on the road to marriage equality. I'm proud to be on the Judiciary Committee so as to be able to cast this vote - I'm pleased to be part of passing this important piece of legislation."

Among the failed GOP ploys were amendments allowing polygamous and incestuous marriages. The full Maryland House vote should take place next week.

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Concerned Women Are Concernstipated About 80s Pop Stars Getting Married

Or so it would seem from their bizarre image accompanying this message:
So, just like any other despot, Obama decided unilaterally to make the decision for all of us ignorant Americans who support DOMA, and we should be grateful. Shame on him. And shame on us if we just stand by silently and take it. We should not! We must speak out. Truthfully, we have been too silent for far too long. President Obama and Mr. Holder have been actively working against DOMA and, therefore, against all Americans ever since they took office. Even on the cases where they decided to “defend” DOMA, they were actually undermining its reasoning by abandoning the most effective arguments.

DOJ’s mission statement says it is “...to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.” But President Obama and the attorney general have made a mockery of impartiality. They have chosen to side with an extreme, liberal minority and chose to suppress the rights of the majority of Americans. Simply put, if you support DOMA, this president and his administration view you as the enemy who does not deserve the same protections other Americans enjoy. We are on our own.

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Teabagger Rep. Vicky Harzler (R-MO) Plans Bill Mandating Enforcement Of DOMA

Even though there's no current plan to stop enforcing DOMA, the lying teabaggers are acting like there is. Right Wing Watch tips us to this announcement on the Eagle Forum blog by Tea Party-backed freshman GOP Rep. Vicky Hartzler:
Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) is the lead sponsor of legislation calling on President Obama and his Department of Justice to respect the law and enforce the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). “President Obama’s decision to order his Justice Department to stop defending DOMA is not a surprise but it is disappointing,” Hartzler said. “Once we start going down the road of selectively enforcing our laws we are headed for chaos. President Obama took an oath to uphold the laws of the United States and he is breaking his word to the American people.” “The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act was enacted through large majority votes in both the House and Senate and was signed into law by President Clinton,” added Hartzler. “President Obama is subverting the will of the representatives of the people. The good citizens of the 4th Congressional District are expected to follow the law and President Obama should not put himself above the law."
Hartzler is the former spokesbigot for the Missouri Coalition to Defend Marriage.

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Anthony Weiner: Justice Clarence Thomas Must Recuse Himself On Health Care Fight

Watch our hero hand the Fox anchor her head.

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MARYLAND: House Judiciary Committee Set To Vote On Marriage Bill

Openly gay Maryland House Delegate Luke Clippinger emails us that the Judiciary Committee is now discussing potential amendments to the marriage equality bill and should vote on it this afternoon. Stand by...

Trump: Gays Deserve No Rights At All

We already knew Donald Trump opposes same-sex marriage, but now we learn just how far his animus towards gay people extends.
After indicating to the Des Moines Register that he will compete in next year's Iowa caucus should he decide to seek office, Trump was questioned on his stance concerning same sex marriages. "They should not be able to marry," the Celebrity Apprentice star asserted. Trump also admitted that he hasn't developed a "fully formed" opinion on extending medical and civil benefits to gay couples, but he added: "As of this moment, I would say no and no." The TV personality has suggested that he will announce his final decision on whether to launch a presidential bid in the coming months.
GOProud will be so pleased.

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Kylie's Mardi Gras Wish: No Homophobia


(Via - Advocate)

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OHIO: Drunk Driving Catholic Priest Offers Blowjobs To Arresting Officers

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CALIFORNIA: Teabaggers Heckle And Protest Muslim Charity Event

The UK Guardian reports:
As the video shows, the rhetoric of the protesters became increasingly venomous toward the families and children who came to attend the ICNA Relief fundraising dinner. Protesters shouted invective statements such as "Go home terrorist," "Muhammad is a pervert, Muhammad is a child molester," "Go home and beat your wife, she needs a good beating," at the event-goers.
A local city councilwoman spoke to the protesters: "I know quite a few Marines who would be very happy to help these terrorists to an early meeting in paradise."

(Tipped by JMG reader Russ)

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Alzheimer's Patient Wants To Marry While He Still Recognizes His Partner

Californians Ed Watson and Derence Kernik have been together for 40 years, but Ed has been been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the couple is desperately hoping to marry while he can still recognize Derence. In a totally fucking related development, today the American Family Association denounced attempts to have the stay on Prop 8 lifted, using the headline, "Patience Is Not A Homosexual Virtue."

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OHIO: Anti-Union Bill Has Hidden Anti-Gay Provision Against Partner Benefits

On Wednesday the Ohio state Senate narrowly voted to strip state employee unions of most of their collective bargaining rights. And buried in that bill is a clearly unrelated provision that prevents the state from for offering any benefits to the partners of gay employees. Think Progress has the text:
Sec. 3101.01 of S.B. 5: … A marriage may only be entered into by one man and one woman. Any marriage between persons of the same sex is against the strong public policy of this state. Any marriage between persons of the same sex shall have no legal force or effect in this state and, if attempted to be entered into in this state, is void ab initio and shall not be recognized by this state. The recognition or extension by the state of the specific statutory benefits of a legal marriage to non-marital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes is against the strong public policy of this state. Any public act, record or judicial proceeding of this state, as defined in section 9.82 of the Revised Code, that extends the specific statutory benefits of legal marriage to non-marital relationships between persons of the same sex or different sexes is void.
Same-sex marriage has been banned in Ohio since 2004, so it's unclear exactly what the aim of the above provision may be.

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Father Of Slain Soldier Predicts Gunfire At Future Westboro Baptist Pickets

Bereaved father Albert Snyder, who lost his Supreme Court battle with Westboro Baptist Church earlier this week, says that somebody is inevitably going to open fire on the Phelps family.
"Something is going to happen," Albert Snyder told CNN Thursday. "Somebody is going to get hurt." "You have too many soldiers and Marines coming back with post-traumatic stress syndrome, and they (the Westboro protesters) are going to go to the wrong funeral and the guns are going to go off." "And when it does," Snyder said. "I just hope it doesn't hit the mother that's burying her child or the little girl that's burying her father or mother. It's inevitable." Albert Snyder again slammed the high court justices for not having "the common sense that God gave a goat." "I just can't believe that there was no common sense used in this decision," Snyder said.
Snyder must now pay $116K in court costs to the Phelps.

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America's Bedrock

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MARYLAND: House Marriage Waffler Sam Arora Now Says He'll Vote Yes

Maryland House Delegate Sam Arora, who yesterday caused quite the furor over indications that he was going to vote against the marriage bill he cosponsored, now says he's back on board.
I have heard from constituents, friends, and advocates from across the spectrum of views and have thought about the issue of same-sex marriage extensively. I understand their concern—this is a very serious issue, and one that many people feel passionately about. As the vote drew nearer, I wrestled with this issue in a way I never had before, which led me to realize that I had some concerns about the bill. While I personally believe that Maryland should extend civil rights to same-sex couples through civil unions, I have come to the conclusion that this issue has such impact on the people of Maryland that they should have a direct say. I will vote to send the bill to the floor because it deserves an up-or-down vote. On the floor, I will vote to send the bill to the governor so that Marylanders can ultimately decide this issue at the polls. I think that is appropriate.
Yesterday Arora was accused of deleting a January 25th pro-marriage tweet from his Twitter history as sites like AmericaBlog went ballistic. Looks like the pressure worked.

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Tony Perkins: Gay Rights Cost Christians Their Freedom To Be Bigots

"In perhaps the greatest irony, this couple was trying to give children what homosexuals cannot--a loving mother and father. But Europe is so enslaved to 'tolerance' that it's willing to leave children homeless to make a point. Meanwhile, believers across the U.K. are stunned. 'Christianity isn't dying,' wrote one. 'It's being eradicated.' And if Americans think the same thing can't happen here, they're mistaken. Every special 'right' or concession we make to the homosexual community, Christians pay for in freedom. That's a major reason why Catholic Charities had to end its adoption program in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C. They never wanted to be in the position of choosing between their faith and their freedom." - Family Research Council spokesbigot Tony Perkins, who says that last week's British court ruling against anti-gay foster parents is a harbinger of what's to come for America.

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Crazy Eyes: I Found $105B In Secret Obamacare Funding

"This is legislative fraud that's been perpetrated by the president, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid."

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Quote Of The Day - Timothy Dolan

"The Administration’s current position is not only a grave threat to marriage, but to religious liberty and the integrity of our democracy as well. Our nation and government have the duty to recognize and protect marriage, not tamper with and redefine it, nor to caricature the deeply held beliefs of so many citizens as 'discrimination.' On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I express my deep disappointment over the Administration’s recent decision. I have written of these concerns to the President in separate correspondence, and I pray that he and the Department of Justice may yet make the right choice to carry out their constitutional responsibility, defending the irreplaceable institution of marriage, and in so doing protect the future generations of our children." - Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan.

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Harding University President: Gay Student Website Is Offensive & Degrading

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Morning View - Fort Lauderdale Beach

The "no swimming" red flags are out due to the high winds. I'm told the other flag means "dangerous marine life." Jellyfish, I presume, because the sharks are always there.

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Thursday, March 03, 2011

Wingnut GOP Rep. Steve King Plans To Cut DOJ Budget Over DOMA

Virulent homophobe Rep. Steve King (R-IA) says he will introduce a budget amendment that will cut the Department of Justice's funding by the amount it would have spent to defend DOMA.
"What I intend to do, and there are other solutions that are offered, and I believe that the Speaker is focused on this, as well ... is to offer an amendment on an appropriations bill that would cut the funding to the Department of Justice in an amount yet to be determined that would be equivalent to that amount that they would otherwise use to defend the Defense of Marriage Act," King said Tuesday.
Completely ridiculous grandstanding, of course.

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MARYLAND: Former Marriage Backer Now Wants Bill Changed To Civil Unions

Maryland Delegate Tiffany Alston, one of the key needed votes on the House judiciary committee, is backing away from her promise to support marriage equality. Now Alston says civil unions are the way to go.
Delegate Tiffany Alston, D-Prince George's, delayed a vote on the bill Tuesday morning by skipping the session in protest. On Thursday, she said she is researching an amendment that would better reflect a separation between church and state by changing the bill to be about civil unions. "I have a decision that I have to make that's going to satisfy my constituency as well as my conscience," Alston says. Alston says the change she is considering would allow Maryland residents to get civil union licenses if they wished to be married, whether they are heterosexual or homosexual. She says she believes the change would be "a good balance," but does not know if it would receive support from other committee members.
Meanwhile over on AmericaBlog, John Aravosis is eviscerating Delegate Sam Arora, one of the marriage bill's sponsors who is also now walking back his support. Aravosis is calling on donors to Arora's campaign to demand their money back.

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Thrice-Married Serial Adulterer Arranged $200K To Protect Sanctity Of Marriage

According to the Los Angeles Times, Newt Gingrich served as middleman for an anonymous donor who gave $200,000 in "seed money" to fund the successful campaign to oust three Iowa state Supreme Court justices.
This year, several potential presidential candidates are vying for attention among religious conservatives. But only Gingrich was instrumental in the most heralded event of recent Christian political activism: The effort last fall to remove the Iowa judges. "It wouldn't have happened without Newt," said David Lane, executive director of Iowa for Freedom, the organization that led the campaign. "Newt provided strategic advice and arranged the initial seed money, about $200,000, which is what got everything started." The money came from an anonymous donor whose contribution was arranged by Gingrich, Lane said. Robert L. Vander Plaats, chief spokesman for the judicial campaign, said the former speaker provided key strategic advice. He said Gingrich had won over pastors in the state with his "open and transparent" approach.
Newt Gingrich would like to remind everybody that that marriage is between one man and one woman whom you abandon riddled with cancer on her hospital bed while you fuck the shit out of your mistress whom you later marry and cheat on with a third woman while screaming with Godly moral outrage about the infidelities of the president.

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TRAILER: Black Party 2011

The 32nd annual Black Party (NSFW) rolls into Manhattan's Roseland Ballroom on March 19th. Here's the trailer (NSFW) for this year's party, where the theme appears to be human cloning. Sexy human cloning.

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Quote Of The Day - Maggie Gallagher

"The fringe cult calling itself Westboro Baptist (a small congregation consisting of close, and possibly incestuous, relatives of Fred Phelps, who calls himself a pastor) first became famous by protesting gay rights events with revolting signs suggesting that God hates gay people. (They used another offensive terms as well). These ugly signs proved irresistible to reporters from the New York Times etc., who like to pretend this sentiment captures religious conservatives' views generally. [snip]

"Only Justice Sam Alito had the common sense to recognize that somewhere in our great Constitution, there has to be a way to let people bury their dead, without becoming the objects of other people's monomaniacal desire to disrupt their grieving for publicity purposes." - Maggie Gallagher, whose supporters never use offensive terms or signs like Westboro.

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Atomic Tom - Don't You Want Me

When did Topher Grace get so hawt? By the way, the original Don't You Want Me came out thirty freakin' years ago. Now help Paw-Paw to his rocker.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE: House Committee Tables Marriage Repeal Bill For 2011

We won't have to worry about marriage repeal in New Hampshire for the rest of the year.
A House committee voted today to take repeal of the state’s same-sex marriage off the table this year. The 15-0 vote of the House Judiciary Committee effectively means two bills repealing the 2009 law won’t return to the full House of Representatives until early next year.There was no debate in committee about the move. House Majority Leader D. J. Bettencourt, R-Salem, had decided that this divisive issue would distract from GOP priorities to adopt a balanced budget, change the education funding constitutional amendment and alter pension programs. The committee decided to retain the bills (HB 343 and HB 437), which keeps them in its custody until early in 2012 without a further vote of the Legislature. The panel unanimously recommended killing a third bill (HB 569) that would have replaced marriage with domestic unions for all adult partners, be they heterosexual or homosexual couples.
The haters are gonna be furious! Hah.

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It's A Tablet World

"Just another 'solution' in search of a need."

(Via - Andrew Sullivan)

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Morning View - Fort Lauderdale Beach

I'll be in Fort Lauderdale for the next five days to hang with Father Tony and do some oceanside blogging from his high-rise balcony in between trips to South Beach for Winter Party events. Tough life.

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INXS - Don't Change

Yup, same song.

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Another Classic Rant From Sen. Sanders

It's a pity no one was there to hear him.

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HomoQuotable - Jim Burroway

"This [Westboro] ruling is important for many reasons. First and foremost, it preserves the primacy of free speech in America, which benefits us all. But from a parochial pro-LGBT narrative, it’s equally important to note that it proves the lie to the multiple instances when anti-gay activists falsely claimed that advances in LGBT equality and protections — whether they come in the form of marriage equality or hate crimes protections — will result in the infringement of religious and speech rights. They never have and, if this ruling is any indication, it reaffirms the fact that they never will. So the next time someone claims that marriage equality will result in pastors being prosecuted for hate speech, make a note of it: Snyder v Phelps." - Jim Burroway, writing for Box Turtle Bulletin.

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New Book: Germans Invented Gay Rights

According to a coming book by historian Robert Beachy, the genesis of the modern gay rights movement came in 19th century Germany.
Modern conceptions of homosexuality began, ironically, with an anti-sodomy law. When the German empire was unified in 1871, the Imperial Criminal Code included a law prohibiting sexual penetration of one man by another. Questions about what types of activity should fall under the law spurred a sustained public inquiry into the nature of same-sex eroticism and sexuality in general. [snip] This new view of same-sex love was pioneered by German doctors who published early case studies of homosexuals in the 1850s. German psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing released the first edition of his hugely influential Psychopathia Sexualis in 1886, which included multiple case studies of homosexuals that supported this new position. Through his work, Krafft-Ebing became a vocal opponent of the German anti-sodomy law, stating that homosexuality "should not be viewed as a psychic depravity or even sickness."
Beachy claims the world's first gay rights group, the Wissenschaftlich-humanitäres Komitee (Scientific-Humanitarian Committee) came into being at that time to gather petition signatures to repeal the anti-sodomy law. His book, The German Invention Of Homosexuality, is due out next year.

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Canadians Are In Better Shape

Researchers at the CDC say obesity is far less prevalent in Canada than in the United States. And they don't really know why.
About 24 percent of Canadians are obese compared to more than 34 percent of Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released Wednesday. Researchers looked at height and weight data taken in surveys in both countries during 2007-09. The two countries have different racial demographics. The United States has more black and Hispanic people, and both have higher rates of obesity. But even looking solely at white people, there was still a big difference — a 26 percent obesity rate in Canada compared to 33 percent in the United States. It's not clear why that is, said study-co-author Cynthia Ogden, an epidemiologist with the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. "We share this border and many other things. It's a question we need to investigate more," said Ogden, whose co-authors included a researcher at Statistics Canada.
Interestingly, the difference in childhood obesity rates in the two nations is "statistically insignificant."

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Eurovision 2011: Ireland's Jedward

Hair inspired by the late John Sex? They're identical twins.

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ARKANSAS: Christian College Kids Launch Gay Zine, School Blocks Its Website

Yesterday a group of students at Harding University in Arkansas launched an online zine meant to "give voice to the experiences of gay and lesbians" on campus, but the school immediately blocked the site from campus by listing it on its porn filter. Read the students' stirring manifesto, The State Of The Gay.

RELATED: Harding alum and JMG reader Brett blogs his reaction.

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Facebook Owners

This list is mostly notable to us for the presence of whackadoodle billionaire Peter Thiel, the GOProud money man who hosted Ann Coulter in his NYC home for their Homocon 2010 fundraiser. Thiel wants to create floating oceanic city-states which are exempt to annoying trifles like taxes and international banking rules. A libertarian's paradise! At sea! Forever!

(Source)

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Sydney Mardi Gras: Lifeguard Rehearsal

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Now Back To Your Diversions...

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