Weekend Mix - DJ Michael Fierman

Get your weekend jumping with this hot happy vocal house mix from legendary Saint DJ Michael Fierman. Website. Facebook. Event Page.

UPCOMING GIGS: This Sunday, February 19th join DJ Michael Fierman, DJ Susan Morabito, and DJ John Ceglia at Evolution Of A Dancer, an epic 10-hour journey through the history of gay club music. Doors open at Le Poisson Rouge in the West Village at 6pm. Advance tickets.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: DJ Sin Morera. DJ Herbie James. DJ Paul Ferrer. DJ Dave Huge.

NOTE: This is the fifth in the revived JMG Weekend Mix series in which we highlight major national and up-and-coming DJ talent. This series ran for 28 installments in 2010 with entries from such well-known names as Susan Morabito, Corey Craig, David Knapp, Paul Goodyear, Ted Eiel, and many others. Lots of great names coming in 2012!

Headline Of The Day

Details.

ARIZONA: Anti-Immigrant Sheriff Accused Of Threatening To Deport His Boyfriend

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu is considered Arizona's second-most virulently anti-immigrant law enforcement officer after Maricopa County's infamous Sheriff Joe Arpaio. That's why jaws are dropping over a claim that not only is Babeu gay, but that he once threatened to deport his Mexican boyfriend. That's probably gonna cause a wee bit of trouble for Babeu's run for Congress.

The Phoenix New Times reports:

The 34-year-old from central Mexico charges that the sheriff's lawyer warned against mentioning the affair with Babeu. DeRose said gossip about Babeu would focus attention on Jose, attention that could result in his deportation, Jose says. Melissa Weiss-Riner, Jose's attorney, confirms her client's account. She says she spoke directly to the sheriff's lawyer, DeRose, about the Babeu camp's threats that Jose could be deported if he "revealed the relationship." She says DeRose falsely claimed that Jose's visa had expired. "Jose came to our firm because he felt he was being intimidated, and he was in fear for his life," Weiss-Riner says. "He wanted his legal rights protected."

It's a long story complicated with confidentiality agreements, internet tomfoolery, and Babue's alleged Adam4Adam profile. Read the entire article. You may recognize Paul Babue from his occasional appearances on Fox News and from his role in John McCain's "Complete The Danged Fence" commercial.

(Tipped by JMG reader Homer)

UPDATE: Babeu has come out.

Arizona GOP congressional candidate Paul Babeu acknowledged Saturday he is gay but forcefully denied charges he threatened an ex-lover with deportation after their relationship soured. "All of the allegations are false except one, I am gay," Babeu said. The nationally renown Pinal County Sheriff called a news conference to address the explosive story by The Phoenix New Times that he pressured a man only identified as "Jose" into signing an agreement to conceal their relationship or face deportation. The piece, posted late Friday, also includes text messages Babeu exchanged with the man and pictures he posted on online gay websites. Babeu repeatedly sidestepped questions about his personal life but acknowledged a relationship with the man in question. "What I do in my personal life and private life is my business," he said.

After coming out, Babeu stepped down as Arizon co-chair of the Romney campaign, but says he will still pursue a seat in Congress. Have we had an open homocon in Congress yet?

Skrillex - Bangarang

I still don't get dubstep nor can I even define it, but this kid just won an armload of Grammys so here's his new single.

Recreating Madonna's Super Bowl Gig

Boy Culture tips us to this Brazilian drag recreation of Madonna's Super Bowl performance. Cast: Alexia Twister e Tribo Cia de Dança.

Obama Thinks He's Better Than The Pope

"I think that it's very clear that this is an administration which believes that secular government - they believe that the President is superior to the Pope in the ability to define what the church is allowed to do. Obama's position, which is truly dishonest - this new compromise is, I mentioned Orwell's '1984.' This is Orwellian . We have been through a fifty year period, starting in the 1960s, in which the courts, and the bureaucracies, and now the politicians have waged war on religious freedom in America. And I think we need to understand this is just one more phase in an ongoing assault on Christianity and on Judaism and on organized religion by secularists who believe that they have the right to get between man and God." - Newt Gingrich. (Via Right Wing Watch)

Cardinal Timothy Dolan

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan was elevated to Cardinal at the Vatican this morning, joining the other 125 Cardinals under the age of 80 who will vote on the next Pope when Emperor Palpatine finally keels over. Dolan's American entourage in Rome includes a reported throng of over 1000 fans, friends, and family, plus news crews from most of New York City's major media outlets.

Meanwhile, back in Dolan's former Milwaukee diocese, the investigation continues into the alleged 8000 incidents of child molestation that were hidden from the authorities. Dolan is suspected by some to have moved over $130M in diocese assets in order to protect them from being seized by court settlements in other molestation cases. The Milwaukee diocese is now claiming bankruptcy. Right.

Saint Etienne - Tonight

I posted an advance of this track a couple of weeks ago and now they've released the video. You can still grab a free download of this, the first single from their upcoming album.

FRC: The Gays Fired Pat Buchanan

NJ Dems Respond To Veto

Maryland House PASSES Marriage Bill

The Maryland House of Delegates has passed its marriage equality bill by a vote of 71-67. The bill now goes to the state Senate. Gov. Martin O'Malley has pledged to sign the bill should it reach his desk.

EARLIER: The chamber has reconvened and the feed is live now.

EARLIER: Here we go again. Listen live here. Things are supposed to start up at 12:30pm Eastern and you'll have to refresh the page to get the "play" button once they turn the feed on.

Christie Vetoes Marriage Bill

Lambda Legal

"We are disappointed that Governor Christie did not do what is right for New Jersey families, but we are not discouraged," said Hayley Gorenberg, Lambda Legal Deputy Legal Director. "There are many roads to justice, and Governor Christie's veto is an unfortunate detour to marriage equality for New Jersey's same-sex couples and their families. We'll continue to make our case for equality with our plaintiffs in court. We also stand by our colleagues at Garden State Equality, working to gain support for a veto override in the legislature."

GLAAD

“Today, Governor Christie abandoned a majority of New Jersey voters, as well as the officials elected to represent them, who believe that every committed couple should be able to marry the person they love,” said Mike Thompson, Acting President of GLAAD. “As public support for marriage equality continues to grow, however, we are hopeful that the state legislature will continue its work to provide loving gay and lesbian couples with the vital protections that only marriage can afford.”

Freedom To Marry

By vetoing the bill that would ensure that all loving, committed New Jersey couples and their families can share in the freedom to marry, with all its protections and meaning, Governor Christie planted his feet firmly on the wrong side of history. Fortunately, his ‘no’ will not be America’s – or New Jersey’s – last word. It is simply an obstacle we overcome as we continue on the road to liberty and justice for all. Freedom to Marry will work steadily over the next months – and throughout the entire remainder of the legislative session, as necessary – supporting local families, leaders, and advocates as they make the case to their lawmakers and win the extra handful of votes needed to override the veto and do right by all families.

BREAKING: DOJ Won't Defend Laws That Block Benefits For Gay Military Couples

Talking Points Memo has a major scoop from the DOJ.

The Obama Justice Department has concluded that legislation banning same-sex couples from receiving military and veterans benefits violates the equal protection component of the Fifth Amendment and will no longer defend the statute in court, Attorney General Eric Holder wrote in a letter to Congressional leaders on Friday.

“The legislative record of these provisions contains no rationale for providing veterans’ benefits to opposite-sex couples of veterans but not to legally married same-sex spouses of veterans,” Holder wrote. “Neither the Department of Defense nor the Department of Veterans Affairs identified any justifications for that distinction that would warrant treating these provisions differently from Section 3 of DOMA.”

Obviously this latest move will cause an immediate firestorm of condemnation and wailing from the enemies of civil equality. HURRAY!

EL PASO: Hate Group Loses Bid To Recall Mayor Over Domestic Partners Law

A coalition of anti-gay Christian groups headed by Pastor Tom Brown (above) has lost their bid to recall El Paso Mayor John Cook over the domestic partners insurance provision he ordered reinstated. The reason that the haters lost? They cheated.

The Eighth Court of Appeals on Friday unanimously ruled that the recall group had violated the law in its petition drive. The court ordered Municipal Clerk Richarda Momsen to decertify the recall petitions and ruled that no recall election using them can be held. The order states, "Having instructed the City Clerk to decertify the petitions, no election thereon may be called or held." The court also ruled that County Court 3 Judge Javier Alvarez abused his discretion in denying Cook's request for an injunction. "The trial court was required to apply the law to the facts. We find the trial court failed to do so here," the order states. Pastor Tom Brown, Word of Life Church and others are trying to recall Cook and City Reps. Susie Byrd and Steve Ortega because all three officials voted to restore health benefits for gay and unmarried partners of city employees after voters passed a ballot initiative in November 2010 repealing them.

The 2010 ballot initiative was so badly worded that it not only rescinded domestic partners provisions, it ended such benefits for retired police and fire department employees.

Nuke Your Nabe

Via NPR here's a handily terrifying interactive map where you can test-bomb nukes on your neighborhood.

The explosion creates a series of concentric circles, color-coded to show the zone where everything is incinerated, the space where most things get emulsified or crushed, the space where radiation is lethal, the space where people are poisoned by radiation, the space where they are badly burned — concentric circles of destruction. The effects are chilling and fascinating. When I tried out some of the more powerful bombs, I was stunned by their destructive power. I had no idea.

When it comes down to it, I've always been in the "the living will envy the dead" camp. I'd rather be instantaneously vaporized than live without expanded cable. So to speak.

#1 Twenty Years Ago Today

Neil Young probably never envisioned having a #1 dance chart hit, but two years after its initial 1990 UK release, America met a pre-Sarah Cracknell Saint Etienne via their cover.

Birds Of A Feather

The evil mayor of Troy, Michigan loves Frothy.

NEW YORK CITY: Churches Win Temporary Stay On Public School Evictions

The 160 churches that operate virtually free in New York City's public schools have been granted a temporary reprieve from the eviction ordered by a federal court of appeals.

Alliance Defense Fund says the temporary restraining order is in effect for 10 days while the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York more fully considers constitutional arguments about the city’s unique-in-the-nation prohibition on worship services in vacant public school buildings on weekends. As ADF senior counsel Jordan Lorence puts it, “Churches help communities; evicting churches hurts communities. Empty buildings offer nothing to communities that need hope.”

Andy Humm reports at Gay City News that anti-gay Christian groups are operating a "church planting" network intended to indoctrinate children attending public schools.

The congregation’s legal argument relied on the Supreme Court’s Good News v. Milford Central School ruling that allowed religious meetings in schools. In “The Good News Club: The Christian Right’s Stealth Assault on America’s Children,” published last month, Katherine Stewart argues that the “real mission” of Good News Clubs in schools is to “convert children to fundamentalist Christianity and encourage them to proselytize to their ‘unchurched’ peers, all the while promoting the false but unavoidable impression among the children that its activities are endorsed by the school.” She also documents how leaders “of the church-planting movement have declared their ambition to turn all 1,200 of New York City’s schools into churches.”

As an example of the type of churches granted the above-cited reprieve, here's what the Village Church, which operates out of PS 3 on Hudson Street, has on its website.You read that right. An "ex-gay" ministry affiliated with Exodus is operating in New York City public schools. And YOU are paying for it. Why not just charge us for the rope used to hang us?

Miami TV Reports On Rise In LGBT Youth Homelessness

THIS you can lay squarely on the doorsteps of the Family Research Council, the American Family Association, the Catholic Church, etc. Igor Volsky has more at Think Progress.

Freep This FRC Poll

I suggest "other." And do have some fun entering your totally real personal information.

Blacklisted By Liberals And Homos!

Pat Buchanan says that liberals and homosexuals have hounded him off of MSNBC and that he is now blacklisted in the media.

My days as a political analyst at MSNBC have come to an end. After 10 enjoyable years, I am departing, after an incessant clamor from the left that to permit me continued access to the microphones of MSNBC would be an outrage against decency, and dangerous. [snip] A Human Rights Campaign that bills itself as America’s leading voice for lesbians, bisexuals, gays, and transgendered people said that Buchanan’s “extremist ideas are incredibly harmful to millions of LBGT people around the world.”

Their rage was triggered by a remark to NPR’s Diane Rehm—that I believe homosexual acts to be “unnatural and immoral.” That homosexual acts are unnatural and immoral has been doctrine in the Catholic Church for 2,000 years. Is it now hate speech to restate traditional Catholic beliefs? [snip] Defy them, and they will go after the network where you work, the newspapers that carry your column, the conventions that invite you to speak. If all else fails, they go after the advertisers. I know these blacklisters. They operate behind closed doors, with phone calls, mailed threats, and off-the-record meetings. They work in the dark because, as Al Smith said, nothing un-American can live in the sunlight.

Muttley laugh.

Anti-Gay Douchebags: UNITE

The eight hate group leaders behind their new hero have all been the subject of multiple JMG posts. Vomit.

Garden State Equality On Chris Christie

Garden State Equality chair Steven Goldstein has issued a statement about Gov. Chris Christie and his impending veto of the marriage equality bill. An excerpt:

As I have said before, where we agree with them on the issues, Governor Christie and his Administration have treated us with warmth and responsiveness. Yes is yes, no is no, and we’ll get back to you means they get back to you faster than you thought, usually with invaluable help.

And that’s precisely why Governor Christie’s veto of the marriage equality bill will hurt so badly. We’re not naïve – we’ve always known he would veto the bill, and frankly, I was always a bit puzzled by the silly tea-leaf reading and phantasmagoric hopes that perhaps the Governor would look deep inside his heart and let the bill become law. Ridiculous. I know this Governor, and when he says he’ll do something, take him at his word, for better and here for worse.

It’s why I chose not to waste a breath in pleading with the Governor not to veto – and have put Garden State Equality immediately to work to achieve an override. The great news is, we have until the end of the legislative session, in January 2014, to do it.

That doesn’t obviate the pain of the Governor’s veto. Because I do know him, I also know he is not some anti-LGBT nut. He is no Rick Santorum. Frankly, I don’t think Chris Christie has an anti-gay bone in his body, however much I cannot say the same about his impending veto. His veto will be a brutally anti-gay act, pure and simple.

Read the full statement.

Quote Of The Day - Bishop William Lori

"When in a state they’re proposing a same-sex marriage law, they always say to religious people ‘you don’t have to solemnize these marriages so we’re protecting your freedom,’ but they want to force us out of foster care and adoption, they want to force us to provide benefits for same-sex couples. The other thing we should not miss is that when we send our kids off to public schools and a lot of places its being drilled into them that the sexual mores taught by the churches are bad, repressive, that same-sex marriage is OK, that homosexuality is all right.

"Of course if you look at a Western Civ. course the role of Christianity is always portrayed in a negative light, as an impediment to progress. As I say, there is an established religion, it’s really an un-religion, an aggressive secularity, that’s a system of belief and that’s becoming the established ‘religion’ in our country today." - Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, Connecticut, who yesterday testified before Congress about the president's alleged trampling of religious liberties.

HomoQuotable - Greg Quinlan

"The political rhetoric was disgusting. It was bigoted, it was anti-Christian, and it was all Democrats. We had three Democrats who voted with us, and we had no Republicans who voted wrong. We were pleased at least with that. The next thing is that we're demanding a referendum; we're demanding it be put on the ballot. But as long as the Democrats are in control, that's not going to happen." - "Ex-gay" leader Greg Quinlan, head of the New Jersey Family Policy Council.

VIDEO: Hate Groups Rally In Trenton

From this brief glimpse, yesterday's hate rally in Trenton appears to have drawn all the same douchebags that attended the Ruben Diaz hatespew in the Bronx.

Brian Brownshirt On New Jersey

"Democrats in the New Jersey Assembly today walked off a cliff when they decided to redefine marriage to accommodate the political demands of same-sex couples. They have ensured themselves of the united opposition of people of faith when they next face voters. We are grateful to have a principled Governor in Chris Christie who has pledged to veto this legislation. Redefining marriage is not going to happen in New Jersey. NOM will join with the community of faith and all conservatives to ensure that every legislator who voted to kick God's definition of marriage to the curb pays the ultimate political price when they face voters. We will not forget this betrayal of marriage." - Brian Brownshirt.

WASHINTON: Referendum 71 Names Now Online In Searchable Database

Dominic Holden reports at Slog:

After years in federal courts and months of transcription, WhoSigned.Org went live this afternoon with a searchable database that includes the names and addresses of people who signed Referendum 71 in 2009. The referendum petition, circulated by anti-gay activists with the group Protect Marriage Washington, was an attempt to overturn Washington State's domestic partnership law that granted same-sex couples the same state rights as marriage.

Longtime JMG readers may recall that anti-gay hate groups fought this disclosure all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

ATLANTA: SPLC And Truth Wins Out To Protest "Ex-Gay" Conference

The Southern Poverty Law Center and Truth Wins Out are in Atlanta today to protest the Exodus International convention. Via SPLC press release:

Conversion therapy — sometimes known as reparative or “sexual reorientation” therapy — is a dangerous practice based on the premise that people can change their sexual orientation, literally “converting” from gay to straight. It has been discredited or highly criticized by virtually all major American medical, psychiatric, psychological and professional counseling organizations. In addition to the press conference, the groups will host a community meeting for survivors of conversion therapy and individuals contemplating the therapy. The meeting will also be attended by individuals planning to participate in a protest of Exodus International’s Ex-Gay conference outside of Atlanta Saturday.

RELATED: You might enjoy my Douchebags Of NARTH slideshow from a similar event I attended with Truth Wins Out in November 2010.

Turn In Your Francs

The ten-year window to exchange Francs for Euros ends today.

HOUSTON: Wingnut Radio Host Michael Berry Found On Gay Bar Security Videos

Conservative Houston radio host Michael Berry has been identified on the security videos of a local drag bar shortly before he fled a hit-and-run incident in the club's parking lot. As I reported yesterday, Berry is known for fiery condemnations of minorities, with "crackheads and welfare queens" his most commonly-used expression to describe Houston's poor. Berry claims that his employers won't let him discuss the incident. Some say he fled the scene in order to avoid a DUI arrest, others say he left because he'd been in a gay nightclub.

On his radio broadcast Thursday, which was posted online as a podcast, Berry alluded to the controversy. "I've always said when you do what I do, the way I do it, you make enemies. When you poke your finger in as many people's eye as I do every day, you make enemies," said Berry. He said that his detractors "will accuse you of most anything" and he added, "You have to trust that in the end, the system works itself out, that there are checks and balances, there are people who will verify. But you also recognize that there are some people who want you to be crushed. There's some people who hate you. There are some people who privately would benefit from you not being on the air." He said he does not respond to reporters who question him "on their turf" because it is subject to editing. However, at no point in his broadcast did he deny being behind the wheel and at no point did he address his presence in the club. "You simply cannot go out there and chase down every nasty thing that is said about you. Just because someone says something nasty about you doesn't make it true," he said.

Local activists have demanded that the Houston police charge Berry after public outcry that his fame had allowed him to evade investigation.

UPDATE: Berry has deleted his Facebook and Twitter accounts, the latter of which he reportedly used to make homophobic comments about some Grammy performers.

RELATED: In 2008, the then Houston City Councilman Berry claimed to have been carjacked by a band of knife-wielding Mexicans as he departed another nightclub.

ALSO RELATED: Berry's name is the latest entry on Gay Homophobes.

It's Your Fault God Didn't Heal You

Gingrich Bus Gets A Flat In WeHo

Details.

Christie Blasted Over Whitney Tribute

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has ordered the state's flags lowered to mark the death of Whitney Houston, who was born and raised in Newark. Cue the wingnuts.

Heather Clause, a Richmond, Va.-based blogger who writes about teen moms and was tweeting critical comments, said in a telephone interview that she was appalled by the planned flag-lowering. "It's just such a bad example for people," she said. Clause, 23, said the decision was like saying if someone sings well, drug use doesn't matter and "you can still be an idol." Rebecca Eppelmann, a newspaper copy editor in upstate New York, also tweeted her disgust at the Houston honor, then discussed her views. "It should be for major events," she said. "It's horrible that she passed away. It's not something that should warrant this."

Christie: "I am disturbed by people who believe that because her ultimate demise – and we don't know what is the cause of her death yet – but because of her history of substance abuse that somehow she's forfeited the good things that she did in her life. I just reject that on a human level."

RELATED: New York state legislators were also criticized for a resolution honoring Houston. Objections faded when it was pointed out that Houston donated her national anthem sales to 9/11's first responders.

Santorum Vs Rombo: The Remix

By voiceover artist DC Douglas.

IOWA: Life Sentence For Abortion Docs?

As the nation is deluged in an avalanche of bills restricting abortion access, Tea Party freshman state Rep. Kim Pearson has introduced an Iowa bill that some are calling the most radical of them all.

Among other things, the bill makes it so a doctor that performs and abortion commits “feticide” — a Class A felony, which is punishable by life imprisonment without the chance for parole. The bill makes “attempted feticide,” where the fetus does not die, a Class B felony, punishable by 25 years in prison. Iowans can even be punished for helping someone else perform an abortion, as, “joint criminal conduct shall apply to persons knowingly participating or concerned in the commission of feticide or attempted feticide under this section.”

Civil Unions Introduced In West Virginia

It likely won't get anywhere, but a brave rep in West Virginia introduced a civil unions bill yesterday.

Delegate John Doyle says he introduced the bill Thursday to start a conversation about family equality. The Jefferson County Democrat says that gay and lesbian couples should have the same safety net to deal with the death of a parent or the loss of a job as married couples. Fairness WV, which advocates on behalf of the gay, lesbian and transgender community, says this is the first time a civil union bill has been introduced in the West Virginia Legislature.

First Lady Surprises WH Tour Visitors

Headline Of The Day

LIVE: Maryland House Marriage Vote

UPDATE: Well, bother. The chair gaveled in the proceedings just long enough to delay the vote until tomorrow morning. False alarm, everybody. Now we get to worry about what evil amendments will be pitched during tomorrow morning's committee meetings.

EARLIER: It's a busy day for equality. At any moment from this writing the Maryland House of Delgates is set to vote on its marriage equality bill. Listen live here. Click "current House proceedings."

New Jersey Marriage Reactions

Lambda Legal

Today New Jersey's General Assembly rose above the political fray and did right by New Jersey's families. Governor Christie should follow their lead - but if he doesn't, legislators should continue to stand for equality and override his veto. Marriage equality in New Jersey is a matter of when - not if. New Jersey should choose to join the right side of history soon, because loving same-sex couples and their families should not have to wait any longer. We believe there are many paths to justice, and Lambda Legal continues to fight for marriage equality in the courts on behalf of seven same-sex couples, Garden State Equality, and all families in New Jersey.

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force

This victory is a victory for New Jersey families. It affirms what millions of people across the country already know — loving, committed same-sex couples and their families should be able to join in the celebration and responsibilities of marriage. This marks an important step in the Garden State’s march toward marriage equality. It has been a long journey of changing hearts and minds, of breaking down walls, and of shining a spotlight on our common humanity. Gov. Chris Christie should take a stand for families by signing this bill.

Freedom To Marry

Sadly, Governor Chris Christie has planted his feet on the wrong side of history, and the wrong side of the majority for marriage in New Jersey and nationwide. If the governor sticks with his threat of a veto, Freedom to Marry will work throughout the entire remainder of the legislative session, supporting local families, leaders, and advocates as they make the case and win the extra handful of votes needed to override the veto and do right by these families.

Human Rights Campaign

Today, the New Jersey State Legislature sent a powerful message that all its citizens should be treated equally under the law, and that all families deserve the same protections,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Governor Christie may veto this legislation, but he is out of step with the majority of voters on this issue. We will not give up until marriage equality becomes a reality in New Jersey. HRC has been proud to partner with Garden State Equality (GSE) in achieving this historic legislative victory.

NJ Assembly PASSES Marriage Bill

UPDATE: By a vote of 41-33 the New Jersey Assembly has approved its marriage equality bill. That's far below the necessary 54 votes for an override of Gov. Christie's promised veto. Nevertheless, we WON and New Jersey can now be added to the lengthening list of states with legislatively approved marriage equality.

UPDATE II: The New York Times says the final vote tally was 42-33 and not 41-33 as displayed by the final tote board in the chamber. That figure matches the 75 reps who responded to the initial quorum call I heard the speaker make.

NOTE: New Jersey has 80 Assembly districts which means that six legislators did not vote. A tipster tells me that one of the missing reps is a Republican who would have been a "yes" vote. As for the other five missing votes, I have no idea. There were no abstentions.

EARLIER: The voting should commence sometime around 1pm Eastern. We need 41 votes to win, 54 to override. Even with Monday's win in the Senate, all this may seem symbolic in the face of Christie's promised veto. But let's not forget the enduring power of the positive press today's vote will get around the nation. Plus we get almost two full years to get those extra votes.

Planned Parenthood Loves The Cock!

And the vajayjay. Which is evil. EEEEEVILLLLL! They are nothing more than pimps who want to get kids hooked on masturbation! Which is also evil. EEEEVILLLLL!

(Tipped by JMG reader Cuberly)

Victoria Jackson At CPAC

"I’m here to save America from communism. The people of California voted that they did not believe that gay marriage -- no gay marriage. They voted that. A judge, probably gay, activist judge, overturned that. That’s what I’m talking about -- communism. [snip] That’s not marriage. It's in the Bible. God created it. He did not create gay marriage. He created man and woman marriage -- duh!" - Victoria Jackson, speaking to HuffPo Gay Voices at CPAC. Hit the link for audio of the full interview.

Pet Shop Boys Launch SmartPhone App

Allure Of Sound reports:

Pet Shop Boys have released their very first official app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. According to the press release, the new app — titled Singbox — gives you the chance to experience, sing to and compete with music on your devices in the same way that has only previously been possible on console games. Singbox includes the songs ‘West End Girls’, ‘Suburbia’ and ‘New York City Boy’ and includes to option to buy additional songs. With the app, you can sing along to your favorite Pet Shop Boys tunes while watching the classic original videos. Thanks to the unique live studio feedback feature, everyone can sound like a star. Singbox Pet Shop Boys, developed by Swedish company Singbox, is available to buy ($2.99) in the iTunes app store.

But does the tuner give one that unique Neil Tennant nasality?

Bill Maher Rips On Rick Santorum

"He think life begins at erection."

Fox News Host To Rep. Maxine Waters: "Step Away From The Crack Pipe"

"Because you saw what happened to Whitney Houston."

SUNDAY: The Simpsons 500th Episode

The television show that many (including myself*) consider to be the greatest in the history of the medium will air its 500th episode this Sunday. Special guest star: Julian Assange.

The man at the centre of the Wikileaks scandal will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming 500th episode of The Simpsons. According to a Reuters report, the episode, scheduled to be aired on Sunday (February 19, 2012), will feature the voice of Julian Assange, which was recorded down the phone after the show's producers' tracked him down in Britain. Assange is currently under house arrest in Britain, fighting extradition to Sweden where he would be questioned for allegations of sex crimes. The executive producer of The Simpsons, Al Jean said of their decision to include Assange "Obviously he's a controversial figure and that was discussed before we agreed to let him do it. But it's a funny cameo and it makes no judgments about the larger case about him."

*Second place: All In The Family.

#1 Twenty Years Ago Today

A one-hit wonder here, Right Said Fred scored four Top Five singles in the UK, including the #1 Deeply Dippy, which I liked much better.

Tweet Of The Day

Reasons To Hate PETA, Part 90

After her boyfriend went vegan, he became so sexually virile that he "knocked the bottom out of her." Hence the neck brace and bruises. Yay for vegan-fueled sexual and domestic violence! These people are deranged.

Please Please Please

Colbert Report Suspended

Twitter is buzzing with curiosity over the abrupt and as yet unexplained suspension of the Stephen Colbert Report by Comedy Central.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the show will air repeat episodes on Wednesday, February 15 and Thursday, February 16,” Comedy Central Senior VP for Communications Steve Albani told POLITICO. Albani would not comment on the specific reasons for the suspension, saying Comedy Central was “not providing any additional details at this time.” According to Third Beat Magazine, which covers comedy, the Colbert Report’s audience received a notification email announcing the cancellation of live taping.

Seems like if this was a health issue, they'd say so.

UPDATE: The Wall Street Journal has the story.

Stephen Colbert has suspended production of his satirical comedy show temporarily because of an emergency in Mr. Colbert's family, according to people familiar with the show. "The Colbert Report" is expected to resume production soon, perhaps as early as next week, the people added. Comedy Central, the Viacom Inc. network that airs the show, had stoked speculation about the fate of "The Colbert Report" when it issued a cryptic statement canceling the tapings of the show scheduled for the remainder of this week.

Catholic Vote Endorses Frothy Mix

Catholic Vote, the website whose blog is written by NOM Cultural Director (and blogger) Thomas Peters, has endorsed Rick Santorum. Peters, who tweets under the handle American Papist, is the son of the Vatican's top American authority on Catholic legal dogma. While NOM co-founders Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown are both Catholic, that Vatican front group has yet to make an official endorsement. Last year Brown was exposed for secretly attending a high-ticket fundraiser for Catholicism convert Newt Gingrich.

MISSOURI: Alliance Defense Fund Sues To Force Anti-Abortion Posters Into Schools

The Alliance Defense Fund has filed suit in Missouri to force public schools to allow students to place anti-abortion posters on school walls. According to the ADF, if the school allows "political" speech like posters supporting the anti-bullying Day Of Silence, they must also allow anti-abortion posters.

A lawsuit that has been filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, southern division, by the Alliance Defense Fund that alleges violations of the First and 14th Amendments as well as the Missouri Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The claim in federal court, brought on behalf of J.A., “by and through her next friend, Jodie Anderson,” pinpoints the district’s “censorship of plaintiff’s religious, pro-life flyers and plaintiff’s public announcement over the intercom inviting students to participate in the annual Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity.” “The district previously has allowed the posting of materials, including: posters for the Day of Silence in support of students who feel bullied based upon their sexual orientation.

"Don't Say Gay" Bill Advances In TN

Tennessee's infamous "Don't Say Gay" bill advanced yesterday after a hearing before a state House committee.

The House Education subcommittee approved the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill on a voice vote Wednesday, renewing a debate that roiled the legislature last spring over whether elementary and middle schools should be allowed to initiate discussions about homosexuality. The panel accepted the version of the bill that passed the state Senate late in last year's session. The vote kept the bill on a path to be voted on by the full House before the legislature adjourns in the spring. Opponents say it will not curb talk about homosexuality among grade school kids but will send the signal that it should be stigmatized. But several lawmakers argued that it would protect parents' right to educate their children about their beliefs on their own terms.

Morning View - Borscht, Matzo, Gefilte

Food Emporium is stocked wall-to-wall and ready for Pesach.

Crazy Eyes Turns Down DWTS

Michele Bachmann has declined the offer to appear on the next season of Dancing With The Stars.

The former Republican presidential candidate blasted out a release to dispel any lingering rumors: "In full disclosure, I did win a polka dancing competition when I was in the tenth grade at my alma mater, Anoka High School in Anoka, Minn.," Bachmann said in a statement. "But, despite my tenth grade polka success and my lifelong love of ballroom dancing, the recent rumors are false. I will not be joining 'Dancing with the Stars.'"

Herman Cain turned them down too.

INDIA: Supreme Court Hears Challenge To Decriminalization Of Homosexuality

In 2009 the Delhi High Court struck down laws that criminalized gay sex, a move that was celebrated by LGBT activists around the world. Anti-gay and religious groups immediately appealed that decision. This week the Indian Supreme Court began hearings.

Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri, president of the hardline Indian Islamic group Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said in 2009: “The time has come for all religious leaders to unite on this issue and jointly protest the government’s proposed move to legalise gay rights. A consensus should be evolved for challenging the Delhi High Court order in the Supreme Court.” The case has now been brought and debate began at the Supreme Court yesterday with a petition by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Justices GS Singhvi and SJ Mukhopadhyaya asked petitioners who had the authority to decide the “order of nature” that gay acts supposedly violate. They asked: “Test-tube babies, surrogate mothers – are they in the order of nature?”

RELATED: Anti-sodomy laws were imposed upon India over 150 years ago when the British took control. Prior to that no such ban existed.

TEXAS: Anti-Gay Radio Host Accused Of Hit & Run After Leaving Houston Drag Show

Conservative talk radio host Michael Berry has been accused of leaving the scene of a fender bender after departing a drag show he attended at a popular Houston gay bar. Berry is known for ranting against same-sex marriage and related LGBT issues.

Local 2 Investigates e-mailed Berry for his response to the hit-and-run allegations and the videotape showing him inside the club during that drag show, and Berry replied, "I don't respond to such things." Houston police said the hit-and-run was still under investigation, adding that Berry was not listed as being charged with a crime at this point. If additional witnesses are found, or if prosecutors change their minds about the video and the witness account, Berry could be charged with a misdemeanor crime of Failure to Stop and Give Information (FSGI).

The victim told Local 2 Investigates he believes the conservative activist is trying to avoid the issue entirely because of his public stances involving gay people. "If you're going to stand up and say anti-gay things and be conservative and be Mr. Good Guy, and then when something happens that points you out and puts you in a place with the exact business that you aim to shut down, it kind of makes it seem like I need this to go away and I need it to go away quickly," said Bennett.

How about this story, Houston? Will this be a big deal? (Tipped by JMG reader Sai)

Today In New Jersey

We need 54 Assembly votes to override Christie's veto. The New Jersey Senate vote to approve the bill on Monday with a 24 votes, three short of an override. After Christie's veto, the legislature has until January 2014 to get the needed override votes.

NOTE: NY Sen. Ruben Diaz, NOM, and other anti-gay groups plan to descend on Trenton today for a massive rally similar to the ones seen in Manhattan. Those events took place on the weekend so hopefully today's turnout will be small.

Romney Super PAC Vs Frothy Mix

ILLINOIS: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Vows To Promote Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel yesterday vowed to help campaign for the same-sex marriage bill proposed for Illinois.

“I’ll push for it because it is consistent with the values base, and the practical values base, that I think is right as a city, as a state and as a country,” said Emanuel, who supported gay marriage during the campaign. Just Tuesday, Washington became the seventh state to legalize gay marriage, but in Illinois, the effort is seen as an uphill battle, even with Emanuel’s support. It took decades to pass civil rights protects for gays and lesbians and years to pass civil unions, which became the law last June. This year, a bill has been introduced at the Capitol to approve same sex marriages.

Stonewall Democrats To Log Cabin: Don't Endorse Anti-Gay Candidates

The National Stonewall Democrats have launched a petition campaign asking the Log Cabin Republicans to refrain from endorsing anti-LGBT candidates this year. Stonewall's executive director Jerame Davis writes:

In 2004, Log Cabin Republicans took a principled stand and refused to endorse George W. Bush for his support of a federal marriage amendment alone. These candidates have pledged to go farther than President Bush ever considered. Will Log Cabin Republicans follow its own precedent and refuse to endorse anti-equality politicians? Recent stories in the media suggest they may actually be willing to overlook the anti-LGBT pledges GOP candidates have taken against our community. Sign the petition and tell Log Cabin Republicans they should never endorse anti-LGBT candidates who pledge to deny us equality.

RELATED: The other allegedly gay Republican group, GOProud, has already issued a statement declaring that any of the four remaining GOP candidates would make a better president that Obama. GOProud staffers have been photographed brandishing a Romney banner.

ANCHORAGE: Christian Hate Groups To Battle Against Proposed LGBT Rights Bill

For 35 years, LGBT residents of Anchorage, Alaska have battled for employment and housing protections. Time after time Christian groups have beaten them back. Last week activists successfully placed a referendum on the November ballot which adds the words "sexual orientation and gender identity" to this long list: "race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, physical disability, and mental disability." The result? Outrage, websites, and a vow to defeat LGBT rights yet again.

Clergy Protests MSNBC For Hosting Hate Group Leader Tony Perkins

FRC Promotes "Ex-Gay" Event

Open Thread Thursday

Kids. Who's got 'em? Who wants them?

COLORADO: Civil Unions Bill Advances

Colorado's civil unions bill today cleared its first legislative hurdle as it passed 5-2 before the state Senate Judiciary Committee. A similar bill failed last year.

Hundreds of people packed a hearing room at the Capitol to plead with lawmakers to give them legal protections traditional couples enjoy. The issue has gained traction as more states have recently passed either civil union or gay marriage laws. Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper urged lawmakers to pass civil unions during his State of the State speech last month, and more Republicans have expressed public support for the measure. The bill, passed on a 5-2 vote with one Republican senator joining Democrats, is expected to easily clear the full Senate. The real challenge will be in the Republican-controlled House.

One Colorado reacts via press release.

“We applaud today’s vote to ensure that all committed couples have the tools they need to provide for the ones they love. Especially in these difficult economic times, gay and lesbian couples need civil unions to take care of their families. “Today’s testimony reflects the widespread support for this legislation. Business executives and faith leaders, Republicans and Democrats, gay parents and straight allies all realize that passing civil unions is the right thing to do. “With their approval, the Senators on the Judiciary Committee affirmed that all families are worthy of dignity and respect.”

Daily Kos To Dems: Vote Santorum!

Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas has launched a campaign asking Democrats to vote for Rick Santorum in open primaries. He's calling it Operation Hilarity. Here's why:

The longer this GOP primary drags on, the better the numbers for Team Blue. Not only is President Barack Obama rising in comparison to the clowns in the GOP field, but GOP intensity is down—which would have repercussions all the way down the ballot.

The longer this thing drags out, the more unpopular the Republican presidential pretenders become. Just look at Mitt Romney's trajectory, which followed Herman Cain's trajectory, and Newt Gingrich's trajectory, and Michelle Bachmann's trajectory, and so on.

Rick Santorum will inevitably follow the same path once he gets properly vetted. Mitt Romney has been unable to stem the bleeding despite his tens of millions. Just imagine Santorum, with the far more radical record and a continued inability to raise real money.

Read the full project launch.

Wingnut Marriage Map

I guess the eagle is crying a giant gay Iowa tear. Source. (Tipped by JMG reader Dan)

Gregoire's Letter To Christie

Igor Volsky reports that Christie has not bothered to respond. What a classy guy.

Christian Group Plans Rally To Force Government Mandated Prayer In Schools

Right Wing Watch has a quote from the organizer:

This is a movement that is not about a denomination or a church, but a DEMONSTRATION of the Kingdom of God. Signs, wonders, and miracles have broken out amongst students and teachers alike. Teachers have been healed of incurable diseases, and students no longer turn to the counselors for advice, but the Christian Club for prayer and support. A movement that doesn’t care if a student is a Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Wiccan, Atheist, or anything in between, all are invited to encounter the Love of Jesus and what He has to offer.

CHINA: Survey Shows Huge Majority Of Young People Are Not Homophobic

The official news agency of the Chinese government reports that over 80% of young Chinese say they have no problem with gay people. Via Xinhau:

More than 80 percent of Chinese people born after the 1980s hold no discriminatory beliefs regarding homosexuality, according to a survey on marriage perspectives conducted by jiayuan.com, a major Chinese dating website. The survey results, which were published in the Monday edition of the Beijing News, indicate that 83 percent of respondents born between 1980 and 1989, as well as 82 percent of those born after 1990, do not disapprove of homosexuality. The online survey of 85,439 people, most of whom were between the ages of 20 and 50, also revealed that about 15 percent of female respondents would not marry a man who does not own an apartment and a car.

As we well know from our own freeping expeditions, online surveys can often mean bupkis. What's most interesting here, I think, is the fact that the news was reported on by the Chinese government itself.

Eurovision 2012: Denmark's Soluna Samay

The national contests for 2012 representation are underway across the Eurovision map. Here's Denmark's entry. Likeable. Forgettable.

Gay Death Penalty For Liberia?

Warren Throckmorton reports that a death penalty for homosexuality has been proposed in the Liberian legislature.

Former Liberian first lady Jewel Howard Taylor has introduced a bill making homosexuality liable to a death sentence, amid a raging debate over gay rights in the country, a lawmaker said Wednesday. The bill submitted by former president Charles Taylor’s ex-wife, now a senator, also seeks to amend laws to prohibit gay marriage. “No two persons of the same sex shall have sexual relations. A violation of this prohibition will be considered a first degree felony,” reads the proposed amendment to marriage laws. First degree punishment can range from 10 years to life imprisonment to the death sentence, on the discretion of the judge. Voluntary sodomy is already a criminal offence in the west African country and can result in up to three years imprisonment.

Jewel Howard Taylor's ex-husband, the former president of Liberia, is presently incarcerated in The Hague, where he awaits trial for crimes against humanity. Among the charges is an accusation that Taylor forced his soldiers to cannibalize his enemies. The United Nations has ordered Jewel Howard Taylor banned from traveling outside of Liberia.

Megadeth Endorses Santorum

Santorum has locked up the highly-coveted death metal demographic.

NOM Mocks Google's Doodle

The Purity Bear, Part Two

After the first installment of The Purity Bear became one of the most widely mocked clips on the net, the Liberty Counsel issued a press release which blithely bragged about its "many many thousands of views!" Almost all of those views came from trolls and mockers, of course, but that hasn't stopped the Liberty Counsel from proudly barreling out with a sequel.

WASHINGTON: Activists Launch "Decline To Sign Referendum 74" Campaign

Within minutes of Gov. Gregoire's signing of Washington's marriage equality bill, hate groups filed the paperwork to begin collecting petitions to repeal the law. They haven't yet cleared the procedural hurdles to start accepting signatures, but gay activists have already launched their own decline to sign campaign.

IMPORTANT: Should our enemies gather enough signatures by the cutoff date of June 6th, the next step will be to educate the public that they should vote YES on Referendum 74, which asks if marriage equality should be KEPT. And NOT whether it should be repealed. This sort of counter-intuitive wording often appears on ballot measures, dammit.