World History In Two Minutes

JMG reader Ray notes that this is the project of a high school student and that he includes LGBT rights in his pictorial history.

Billboard Of The Day

Details.

NYC's Con Ed Union Threatens Strike

As the temperature in New York City again teases the triple-digit mark, the local Con Ed union says it may go on strike at midnight tonight.

Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers Union of America vows to strike if it can’t reach a deal by midnight, when its current four-year contract expires. Both sides were far apart yesterday on pay, pension and health-insurance issues, said union spokesman John Melia. Con Ed said in a statement that it was confident it could reach a deal “that is fair and equitable for our employees and customers." Yesterday, the mercury hit 97 degrees at La Guardia Airport at 4 p.m. — but with the humidity’s punch, it felt like 103, said AccuWeather.com meteorologist John Dlugoenski.

The NYFD has warned residents against opening fire hydrants and is offering hydrant spray-caps at the city's fire stations. Con Ed union officials warn that a strike may result in power outages.

"If [Chief Executive] Kevin Burke persists in failing to engage in meaningful discussions and forces a work disruption, the system shows every indication that it will not be able to hold up in another heat wave," said Harry Farrell, president of Local 1-2. "There will be outages, and Con Ed will not be able repair the damage." But the company has about 5,000 managers who could step in to keep power on in the event of a labor stoppage. To prepare for a strike, Con Ed has put contingency plans in place and has retrained its managerial force. It has also increasingly relied on outside contractors and can depend on some of them to step in. Work on major construction projects could be limited if a strike occurs.

Manhunt Wants Tom

LAOS: US Embassy Supports Nation's First-Ever LGBT Pride Celebration

Laos has held its first-ever LGBT Pride event with the support of the U.S. Embassy.

More than 100 people attended the event, which took place on the sports field of the U.S. Embassy. The guests of honor were U.S. Ambassador Karen Stewart and Dr. Bounpheng Philavong, Director of the Center for HIV/AIDS/STI (CHAS) at the Lao Ministry of Health. During their remarks, both Dr. Bounpheng and Ambassador Stewart congratulated the event organizers for taking an important first step to achieving full acceptance of LGBT people in Lao society.

"The message we want to send is that no matter what you look like or where you come from or what your sexual orientation is, every single one of you is a person with value and should be treated with dignity and respect," Ambassador Stewart told the crowd to loud applause. The event drew performers and participation from a number of organizatons that provide outreach and services to Laos' LGBT community, including the Purple Sky Network, Lao Positive Health Association (Lao PHA), Population Services International (PSI), the Burnet Institute, Family Health International (FHI), the Vientiane Youth Center for Health and Development, and UNFPA.

The theme was "Proud To Be Us."

Bus Monitor Bullies Get Suspension

The four seventh grade boys who brutally bullied New York bus monitor Karen Klein have been suspended from school.

The school system in the Rochester suburb of Greece says it will suspend the middle school students from their school and from using regular bus transportation for a year for bullying Karen Klein. The students will be transferred to a special alternative education program because the district is legally required to give them an education. Each student also will be required to complete 50 hours of community service with senior citizens. They will be able to reapply to middle school after they complete the discipline. In a statement, the school system said each of the students involved admitted wrongdoing, accepted the consequences and agreed to let the district publicly release the terms of their disciplinary action. The cellphone video posted online by a fellow student drew millions of viewers. The video shows Klein trying her best to ignore a stream of profanity, insults and outright threats. One student taunted: "You don't have a family because they all killed themselves because they don't want to be near you." Klein's oldest son killed himself 10 years ago.

As of yesterday Klein's internet "vacation fund" had over $667,000 in it.

RNC Fires Back

Obamacare & The End Times

They're related, of course.

Supreme Court Gets First DOMA Request

Earlier this month I reported that the House GOP was planning to ask the Supreme Court to rule on the First Circuit Court of Appeal's overturn of DOMA's Section 3. Today they did just that. Chris Geidner reports:

In a filing obtained by Metro Weekly, BLAG asks the Supreme Court, which must agree to consider the case, to take the appeal for three reasons: (1) the constitutionality of DOMA Section 3 is "an issue of great national importance" and raises separation-of-powers questions; (2) the First Circuit decision conflicts with the Supreme Court's 1972 decision in Baker v. Nelson and other appellate decisions; and (3) the First Circuit "invented a new standard of equal protection review." In the course of the filing, called a petition for a writ of certiorari, BLAG states that "[t]he executive branch has ... abdicated its traditional role of defending the constitutionality of duly-enacted statutes." BLAG, which voted 3-2 to defend DOMA in court challenges, is made up of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). Pelosi and Hoyer have objected to the filings.

Should the Court agree to take the case, it would be heard in their new term which begins October 1st.

Obama Campaign Goes Risque

I'd say we can call this "spiking the ball." And Joe Biden's hot mic gaffe lives on. T-shirts on sale here.

Beauty And The Beat

Even though it's by miles the most wildly popular viral video of the week, I've resisted posting this "hood take" on Disney produced by openly gay American Idol contestant Todrick Hall. It's funny, clever, inventive, and musically brilliant. But it takes its humor at the expense of the stereotyped, impoverished black community and that makes me uncomfortable behind the laughs. A black reader just told me to let go of my "white man guilt" and just enjoy it. I hate it when I get all "too PC to be cool," so I'm posting to generate some discussion. Yeah, I'm probably over-thinking this....

UPDATE: Hall has posted a "behind the scenes" look.

GALLUP: Public Split On SCOTUS Ruling

Right down the middle and along party lines. Source.

Quote Of The Day - Fred Karger

"After 2 ½ years of campaigning as a candidate for President of the United States I am officially ending my historic campaign today June 29, 2012. It’s been one hell of a ride, and I want to thank the thousands of people across this country who volunteered, contributed, opened their homes, came to our events and cheered me on. Special thanks to the thousands more who shared their stories with me in person, via email, facebook, twitter, etc.

"Every one of you kept me going. It’s been the experience of a lifetime. I’ve made many new friends and undoubtedly picked up a few more detractors. I hope and trust that my discussion of the key issues helped to open dialog on fixing the economy, balancing the federal budget, creating jobs, education reform, the environment, immigration reform, ending the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and fighting for full equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans." - Gay GOP presidential candidate Fred Karger, calling it quits via press release.

NEW YORK CITY: Christian Churches Win Right To Hold Services In Public Schools

This battle has been going on for a long time and it appears that the virulently anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund has finally won the right for churches to hold weekend services in New York City's public schools.

The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) won on Friday a permanent injunction in the 17-year legal battle involving the Bronx Household of Faith and the NYC Board of Education. Religious groups will now be allowed to meet freely for worship services in public school facilities. "Churches that have been helping communities for years can continue to offer the hope that empty buildings can't," expressed ADF Senior Counsel Jordan Lorence in a statement. "The court's order allows churches and other religious groups to meet for worship services in empty school buildings on weekends on the same terms as other groups. ADF will continue to defend this constitutionally protected right if the city chooses to continue using taxpayer money to evict the very groups that are selflessly helping the city's communities, including the public schools themselves."

As an example of what goes on at some of these churches, here's what the Village Church, which operates out of PS 3 on Hudson Street, has on its website.

GAME (Gender Affirming Ministry Endeavor) is a ministry of the Village Church, a member of the Exodus International Church Network. The Village Church is committed to celebrating gender, the deeply Biblical reality of our identities. We believe that it is dehumanizing to compel anyone to found his or her identity on sexual desires. So we resist efforts to coerce people into labeling themselves as “gay” or “lesbian” just because they have same-sex attractions. We harm people when we make the nature of their sexual attraction their identifying characteristic. Rather, all of us can find healing and direction through more deeply understanding and affirming our genders as women and men. Check out our Statement on Homosexuality for more details. We have a group that meets weekly and a church that is ready to walk with you. If you’d like to know more, email us or leave a voicemail at 646-863-6020. One of our GAME team members will contact you.

We're supposed to believe that these "pop-up" churches pack up all their propaganda and hate materials every Sunday night and leave nothing behind for the kiddies to "accidentally find." One of the involved litigant churches has openly expressed their goal to get a foothold in every public school in the city.

2006 Flashback: Romneycare Is Not A Tax, It's A Fee Or Assessment

Matt Alber's Going To Bear Week

Four shows at the Crown & Anchor. Cute bit in the clip.

One Million Moms Vs Gay Oreos

What took them so long?

Oreo (Kraft Foods) is joining others in supporting Gay Pride. This month is LBGT Pride month and only time will tell if Oreo's support will continue. The company announced its support for same sex marriage on the Oreo Cookie Facebook page with a picture of a rainbow version of their famous cookie. Oreo’s Facebook thread read, "Proudly Support Love!" with a graphic that read "June 25| Pride". The cookie maker is quick to point out that the picture is simply an ad, and doesn't depict a true product. But it announced to American consumers where it stands on the controversial "gay" marriage issue nonetheless. Homosexuals are weighing in, hoping Oreo makes the fake cookie real. But JCP's freefall should serve as a warning to other companies before they decide to cater to homosexuals and their sinful lifestyle choices. There are plenty of cookies on the market for moms to buy for their families that do not support liberal causes. We have a choice. Kraft's brands include Oreo, Cadbury, Maxwell House, and Nabisco. One Million Moms will continue to support companies in the future with full understanding where they stand on principles and morality. We will choose to stay away from those who do not support moral decency.

Feel free to freep their editable letter to Kraft. Never mind, they're hijacking the edited letters and replacing the text.

The LAPD's Website Banner

This is real and it's up right now. (Via Karen Ocamb)

You May Commence Gossiping

Details.

France Sets Marriage Timetable

As I mentioned two weeks ago, upon the election of President Francois Hollande and the following landslide of Socialists into the national legislature, same-sex marriage was all but guaranteed for France. Today the French government officially set the timetable.

"Within a year, people of the same sex will be able to marry and adopt children together," Dominique Bertinotti, junior minister for families, told the daily Le Parisien. "They will have the same rights and duties as any married couple." A law granting full marriage status to gay couples would bring France, which currently provides only for same-sex civil unions, into line with fellow EU members Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden. It would also mark a profound change in French society, where more than two-thirds of people still describe themselves as Roman Catholic, according to a 2010 survey by pollster Ifop. However, fewer and fewer of them adhere to strict Roman Catholic teachings on sexual issues or back the Vatican’s condemnation of homosexuality. Church attendance has collapsed.

(Via Zack Ford)

Pawdele - Rolling In The Deep

I'm pretty sure this is an ad for something, but it's worthwhile for its production values and shot-for-shot takes on the original.

Glenn Beck Is Selling These

A mere $30 each. Source.

Photo Of The Day - Toronto Sears Pride

That wingnut boycott list is getting longer and longer and longer. Soon it'll be nothing but Wal-Mart and the local dollar store. (Via JMG reader Drew)

Headline Of The day

Source. (Via JMG reader Dave)

DC Republicans Back LGBT Rights

Via press release from Log Cabin Republicans:

Yesterday, the DC Republican Committee (DCRC), the DC equivalent of a state party, became the first Republican state party to insert inclusive language into its party platform leading up to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida. Under the heading of 'Family and Marriage,' the DCRC added, "We, the Republicans of the District of Columbia support the belief that all individuals, without regard to sexual orientation, are entitled to full and equal protection under the laws and the Constitution and that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect."

Color me shocked. SRSLY.

Critics Rave Over Google's Tablet

Geek sites are slavering over Google's coming Nexus 7, their smaller than an iPad, bigger than an iPhone tablet. Engadget raves:

The Nexus 7 is an amazing package for something that costs a penny less than $200. It feels like something that could sell for much more. It has a great screen, solid performance and a clean, clear, uncluttered version of Google's latest operating system, Jelly Bean. From a pure hardware standpoint it beats the Kindle in every way possible -- except for content. Amazon's selection almost always trumps that of Google's, both in terms of variety and cost, but that's one wonderful problem to have, because almost all of that content is just as available on the Nexus 7 as it is on the Fire. So, while we tend to prefer larger tablets that better differentiate themselves from phones, if you've been toying with the idea of getting a real Android slate but didn't want to spend big bucks for a big device, this is what you've been waiting for. This is the best Android tablet for less than $200 and the best budget 7-inch tablet on the market.

The device doesn't ship until next month, but somehow you can find it already on eBay for prices as high as more than twice its retail cost.

TONIGHT: Massachusetts Democrats Rally To Thank Late Senator Ted Kennedy

The Wall Street Journal reports:

The Massachusetts Democratic Party has invited supporters to gather at 8 tonight at the historic Boston Common to say, “Thank you, Teddy and celebrate today’s Supreme Court ruling!” “Teddy,” of course, refers to the late Edward Kennedy, a longtime Democratic Massachusetts senator who called providing health care for all, the nation’s great “unfinished business.” “Today, Teddy Kennedy’s vision of health care reform for all Americans survived its toughest challenge,” John Walsh, chairman of the state’s Democratic Party wrote in an email, summoning supporters to the event at Boston’s famous public park. “He’s not with us today to celebrate, but I hope he is smiling down on us.”

A Twitter-swarm is also taking place today with the hashtag #ThankYouTeddy.

Web Series: Where The Bears Are

Here's the website and below is the trailer.

(Via Queerty)

Just Out From The Koch Brothers

ARIZONA: Ex-Wall Street Banker Kills Himself With Poison After Arson Verdict

As news cameras rolled, a former Wall Street banker appeared to swallow poison moments after he was convicted of burning down his Arizona mansion. Paramedics pronounced him dead minutes after he went into convulsions on the court room floor.

All eyes were on the court clerk as she read the verdict on a single count. Then the jury left the room so that Cohen and the attorneys could set the ground rules for the ensuing hearing about whether there were aggravating factors that could result in a harsher sentence for Marin. What video later revealed is that seconds after the verdict was read, Marin rubbed his cupped hands across his face with an expression of dismay. His mouth seemed to open beneath the hands and it appeared as if he swallowed something. Then he took a sports-drink bottle from a briefcase and drank from it.

Investigators say they will make no conclusions until they get the toxicology report.

Gear Shift

Check out how the nation's editorial cartoonists reacted to yesterday's Supreme Court ruling.

Obamacare Meme Watch, CTD

(Tipped by JMG reader Derek)

Rape Claim At West Village Gay Bar

Details are scant so far.

Investigators are set to review security video from the popular gay piano bar Duplex after a woman told police she was raped there hours after the gay pride parade passed through the Village, according to sources. The woman told authorities she was attacked by a man in the bathroom of the bar on Christopher Street and Seventh Avenue South at approximately 12:30 a.m. Monday following the annual NYC Pride March.

The linked report says the woman did not report the incident to bar employees. The Duplex is next door to the historic Stonewall Inn.

Romney: Obama Is Lying About Me

Debby "You Light Up My Life" Boone's Husband Performs Gay Marriages

In early 1978 schlock-popper Debby Boone infuriated Grammy watchers when she won Best New Artist on the heels of the treacly You Light Up My Life, which had spent an insane ten weeks atop the Billboard singles chart the previous summer. Especially galling to the rockers who'd expected Foreigner to take Best New Artist was Boone's revelation that her song was actually about God and not a boy.

Boone went on to a successful career as a Christian artist, children's book author, and informercial pitchwoman. Today Boy Culture tips us to the upcoming issue of the National Enquirer, which reveals that Boone's husband has been performing gay marriages, something the paper claims her ardently anti-gay dad Pat Boone, who writes a column for World Net Daily, doesn't know about. We'll have to see if Debby Boone gets the Carrie Underwood treatment from WND editor Joseph Farah. I'm betting, she won't.

White House To Honor Carl Siciliano

The White House will honor Ali Forney Center founder and president Carl Siciliano as one of their 2012 Champions Of Change. Via press release:

At the Champions of Change Fight Against Youth Homelessness event, to be held on Thursday, July 12th, agency representatives and various White House officials will participate in a discussion with Siciliano and fellow Champions to hear about their efforts to serve homeless youth, and about policies and best practices to aid this vulnerable population. In conjunction with the White House event, Siciliano’s story will also be featured on the White House website. Said Siciliano: "It is thrilling that as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ali Forney Center, we are also being recognized by the White House for our pioneering work on behalf of homeless LGBT youth. When we opened the Ali Forney Center, the challenges we faced were daunting; there was very little awareness of the plight of homeless LGBT youth, especially on the federal level, and it was difficult to obtain support for our work. I am very grateful to President Obama for recognizing the needs of homeless LGBT youth and incorporating their care into his vision of ending youth homelessness. I am also grateful to the White House for recognizing the quality, innovation, and importance of the Ali Forney Center, which is a testament to all of the individuals who have served on the board, staff and as volunteers."

Congratulations, Carl!

UPDATE: I failed to link the Ali Forney Center's donation page. In addition to cash, they can always use household items for their residences: toiletries, cleaning supplies, school supplies, new clothing items, etc.

Poland Rejects Civil Partnerships

Via press release from a local LGBT rights group:

43 years after the Stonewall riot, Polish deputies decided that same sex couples are citizens of a second class. Yesterday, on 28 June, in the Polish Sejm - the Lower House of the Parliament - deputies rejected the Civil Partnership Bill for same and different sex couples. The Commission of Legislation, which was asked to evaluate bills, outvoted it 15-3. It means that the Polish Parliament is not going to work on the Bill. Now everything is up to one person – speaker of the Sejm, Ewa Kopacz, who said in 2002 that openly gay person should not hold public office and should not be able to stand for the elections.

Visit their Facebook page.

Electoral College Update

When I first posted the HuffPo's electoral map in late May, the president was guessed to have 284 electoral votes. It will be interesting to see how yesterday's decision may affect the coming week's state polls.

Breitbart Is Here

From the editor-at-large of Breitbart.com.

COLORADO: Eugene Delguadio Steals Wedding Photo For Anti-Gay Flyer

Eugene Delgaudio, head of Public Advocate, the SPLC-certified hate group, ripped off the wedding photo of a NYC gay couple for an anti-gay flyer sent to voters in Colorado. One of them writes on his wedding blog:

I want to share what this picture means to me. It represents my first home away from home, my beloved NYC, which at the time this image was taken (2 years ago) did not allow same sex couples to marry. It represents my longterm relationship with my best friend, my partner, and now husband – the love we share and obstacles we have overcome. It is a reminder of the happiness I felt the day he proposed to me and of the excitement I had all throughout our engagement. It represents hope and it represents love. Or at least it did… Now I see it faded and brown with a big red, blood-emulating slash across our bodies. It cuts us in half just below our hearts. How do I feel? I’m in shock and I’m angry and I’m hurt and I’m flabbergasted and I’m livid.

The photo is copyrighted and the men have hired a lawyer. They warn: "This is not the end of the story."

Mad Dogs And Englishmen, CTD

Exodus Gives Up On "Ex-Gay" Therapy

"As the president of Exodus International and, even more than that, as a Christian leader who is out in front of people all the time, it is my responsibility to lead honestly and transparently and to share with people that, just because you become a Christian,...your struggles don't always go away. You don't get to a place where you're never going to be tempted again." - Alan Chambers, speaking at the group's annual convention.

Chambers says that those who believe in reparative therapy will no longer be "allowed to minister" with Exodus. According to Chambers, since changing your sexual orientation is not actually possible, gay people unhappy with their sexuality should settle for a lifetime for untouched lonely celibacy and solitude.

RNC: It's A Tax!

The GOP now has their 2012 theme.

Tyler Clementi's Parents Speak Out

Tyler Clementi's parents appeared on NBC to speak about their son and their new foundation.

(Via Andrew Belonsky)

Elaine Donnelly: Still Pissed

"In the presence of President Obama, gay activists were dancing, literally dancing together as same-sex couples to the Marine Corps band. You had some of them taking pictures of themselves making an obscene gesture to the portrait of President Ronald Reagan. They are using the culture of obedience in the military to advance the LGBT agenda. The next president of the United States must put an end to these kinds of demonstrations. They certainly should not be extended to military bases around the world." - Elaine Donnelly, desperately in need of a new gig.

Wingnuts Explain Justice Roberts

Unbelievable. Almost.

TRAILER: Total Recall

Jesus Sighting Of The Day

On the crumbling wall of a Chinese take-out joint. "It was Jesus looking right at us, we were shocked and couldn't believe it. It's a miracle!" Source.

Crazy Eyes Is Extremely Disappointed

Just Out From The Romney Campaign

Obamacare Meme Watch

Buzzfeed is collecting all those images which have been pouring into your Facebook feed since 10am. Click and grin.

Today And Yesterday

Minnesota's Marriage Ban Gets A Name

The Pioneer Press reports:

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has selected a title for the state’s proposed marriage amendment. Ritchie wants the ballot measure, which will define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, to be titled: “Limiting the Status of Marriage to Opposite Sex Couples.” He sent his recommendation to Attorney General Lori Swanson on June 15. State law requires the secretary of state to provide “an appropriate title” for each ballot question.

Ritchie rejected the title proposed by local LGBT activists and the one demanded by the GOP, which was "Recognition of Marriage Solely Between One Man and One Woman." At the moment, I can't find what our side wanted to call it, but I do (so far) like that the official version contains the negative word "limiting." Ritchie, probably not incidentally, is a lifelong Democrat.

Remember Yesterday's Subway Video?

Apparently it takes some internet mocking to get the MTA off their asses. That and the word "lawsuits."

Today's Silly Lie From NOM

Jeremy Hooper points out that the truth is far more sinister.

Rep. Adam Smith Introduces House Bill To Change Military's Definition Of "Spouse"

Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) has introduced a House bill that would change the definition of military spouses. The bill would open military benefits to the husbands and wives of married gay service members. SLDN cheers via press release:

Army Veteran and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis today applauded the introduction of HR 6046, the Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act of 2012 (MSET) that would change the definition of "spouse" in four areas of U.S. Code related to recognition, support, and benefits for married service members and veterans. The changes - including Titles 10, 32, and 38 that are challenged in SLDN's landmark litigation, McLaughlin v. U.S., filed in October 2011 - would ensure that spouses of the same gender are eligible for key military benefits. "Our nation's senior military leaders and commanders on the ground are increasingly uncomfortable with administering two classes of recognition, support and benefits for our nation's service members - one for straight service members and a different one for their gay and lesbian peers. There cannot be two classes of service members, and this legislation addresses that effectively," said Sarvis.

Read the bill here.

Gay Marriage Leads To Dog Fucking

NYC's Other Adam Sandler

On the streets of midtown Manhattan, particularly around Times Square, one often finds men in children's television character costumes, soliciting tips from tourists in return for posing for pictures. Annoying perhaps, but harmless enough. However one week ago a cell phone video went viral when shocked Central Park tourists (and their kids) were accosted by one such Elmo who was screaming anti-Semitic slurs. The NYPD were summoned and Elmo was promptly hauled off to the nearest mental ward for evaluation.

But as the New York Times learned, this was not just another "weirdos of the city" story, as local blogs had snickered in their coverage of the video.

Mr. Sandler said he has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon, which the university confirmed. He later traveled to Cambodia and started a pornographic Web site called “Welcome to the Rape Camp.” “I had a sex scandal,” he said. An online search yielded news accounts of the site, like a 1999 article by The Associated Press that identified Mr. Sandler by his original name. The Cambodian police arrested Mr. Sandler that year and quickly deported him, according to news media accounts and Mr. Sandler. He insisted the women on the site were not harmed and were paid $20 per performance. On Tuesday, he said the notoriety from the Rape Camp case led him to change his first name to Adam, and he asked that the original name not be included in this article. “I did run a porn site in Cambodia,” he said.

The Times reports that immediately after his release from the mental ward, where doctors told him he is "a little paranoid," he was back at his post in Central Park, where he sometimes sleeps. I'm searching for the right handle on how this relates to universal health care, but I think there's a connection here.

The Onion: GOP To Team Up With Fatal Diseases To Repeal Obamacare

Nailed it.

Romney: I Will Repeal Obamacare

The Romney campaign has issued a press release claiming they received over $1 million dollars in donations in the first hour after the ruling was issued.

Kraft Issues Statement On Rainbow Oreo

"We are excited to illustrate what is making history today in a fun and playful way. Kraft Foods has a proud history of celebrating diversity and inclusiveness. We feel the OREO ad is a fun reflection of our values. There has been a lot of buzz about the image, and it shows how relevant OREO is to people even after 100 years." - Basil Maglaris, Kraft director of corporate affairs.

President Obama Speaks On Ruling

CNN Mocked For Getting It Wrong

Both CNN and Fox News jumped the gun and wrongly posted reports that Obamacare had been struck down. But it's CNN that is bearing the brunt of the mocking on Twitter.

Homocons Denounce SCOTUS Ruling

Log Cabin Republicans

Today's ruling by the United States Supreme Court upholding Obamacare is a license for Washington to continue its expansion into the lives of American citizens and businesses. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice Roberts wrote, "Simply put, Congress may tax and spend." "By upholding even the most intrusive provision of Obamacare, the individual mandate, the court has enabled Washington's addiction to big government and coercive taxes," said Christian Berle, Log Cabin Republicans Deputy Executive Director. "The individual mandate forced through Congress was an unprecedented expansion of federal power in blatant disregard of the will of the American people. Log Cabin looks forward to working with our Republican allies in Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare with real, market-driven reforms that will lower costs while preserving the standard of care Americans deserve.

GOProud

Today, the Supreme Court has ignored the Constitution and given the federal government unfettered and unchecked power. Today is a good day for big government and a bad day for individual liberty. This decision reminds us of how important it is to elect conservatives to the House, Senate and the White House that will protect our individual liberties, because it is clear that the Supreme Court is unwilling to do so. Free market healthcare reform would expand access to domestic partner benefits and put gay people in charge of their healthcare decisions. By upholding Obamacare, the Supreme Court has upheld legislation that hurts all Americans, but especially hurts gay and lesbian families.

LGBT Groups React To SCOTUS Ruling

Human Rights Campaign

The Supreme Court’s decision means millions of Americans – including many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families – will be better served by our nation’s healthcare system. The Affordable Care Act addresses a number of the barriers LGBT people face in obtaining health insurance, from financial barriers to obtaining affordable coverage to discrimination by insurance carriers and healthcare providers. While there is a great deal more that must be done to ensure that the health needs of all LGBT people are fully met throughout the healthcare system, today’s decision is an important victory in the fight for healthcare equality.

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force

This ruling is fair and humane, but it also reminds us of the work that remains to be done. People of color and economically impoverished people are disproportionately affected by health inequities. We have also long known that LGBT people — particularly LGBT people of color — suffer from higher rates of health disparities, and we continue to press for reform that addresses the stark realities that many of us face every day. This advocacy includes urging the Department of Health and Human Services to use its authority to make inroads in areas such as data collection and research on LGBT health disparities. We celebrate today, but also pledge to keep pressing forward.

Lambda Legal

This is a victory for all Americans,but in particular, the Court's decision today will save the lives of many people living with HIV - as long as states do the right thing. The Affordable Care Act will finally allow people living with HIV to access medical advancements made years ago but that have so far remained out of reach of many. With continuing prevention education, early detection, and quality care for everyone living with HIV, we have the power to stem the HIV/AIDS epidemic. But this is not a complete victory,because today's decision allows states to opt out of the Medicaid expansion that would provide insurance coverage for many low-income people who cannot otherwise afford it. Our continuing challenge will be to make sure that states opt to expand Medicaid so that more low-income people, and particularly those with HIV, can get the health care they urgently need.

National Coalition For LGBT Health Issues

The law for the first time prohibits gender-based discrimination by most health care providers – a ban that extends to discrimination based on gender identity and gender stereotypes, and thus provides critical protection for LGBT people. The law will also prohibit insurers from denying or canceling insurance because a person is transgender or has HIV or another medical condition. It will provide premium credits and expanded Medicaid eligibility to enable many individuals and families to obtain insurance for the first time. The law requires plans to cover a range of key services, and prohibits co-pays for many routine tests and other preventive care.

National Center For Lesbian Rights

Today’s decision will have an enormous impact on access to high quality care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their families. The ACA represents the largest reform to the healthcare system in over 40 years, and the most significant effort ever undertaken to address health disparities for LGBT patients seeking care. The law makes a number of changes designed to increase access to care. These changes, such as covering preventative care and setting a new national threshold for Medicaid eligibility, make it substantially easier for low-income people and people with pre-existing conditions to access care, issues that are crucially important for the LGBT community.

They're Moving To Canada

Buzzfeed has posted a collection of tweets from people who clearly don't know anything about Canada. (Tipped by JMG reader bstewart23)

Yesterday's Tweet From NOM