Photo Of The Day

Tonight Charlotte's airport was full of law enforcement teams returning to their home cities with their dogs. This cop was quietly reading out loud to his dog, who pretended to be fascinated by the Navy SEAL alleged Bin Laden raid tell-all, No Easy Day, whose author may be headed to federal prison for revealing classified information. All five of the customers who preceded me at the airport newsstand also bought this book.

Linda Harvey On CA's "Ex-Gay" Bill

"Similar bills may soon be introduced in New Jersey and a few other states. It’s the latest strategy of those who oppose biblical morality to portray high sexual standards as being mean and hateful. Good luck with that because most of America is starting to see how false and harmful the gay agenda is and it’s our youth who are particularly at risk. There are no words to describe how seriously evil this is. It can affect certain children in a make it or break it way.

"Imagine you are the parent of a thirteen year old son who announces that he think he might be gay and wants to start daring other guys! You as a well-informed Christian know this is not the way he was born and that he could easily start down the road of spiritual, emotional and physical tragedy. But no counselor in California can now share this information with your son if they choose to follow this law." - Hate group leader Linda Harvey, speaking on her radio show.

Nicaraguan Pastors: We Will Die Or Go To Prison Before Giving Up Kidnapped Child

The Nicaraguan pastors shielding Isabella Miller from her lesbian mom say they will gladly go to prison or be put to death before surrendering the child to authorities. Last month a jury convicted one of their American conspirators on the same day that the girl's mother filed a RICO lawsuit against numerous U.S.-based Christian groups.

The Brotherhood says that they forgive their persecutors, but will stand firm in the defense of Isabella, now 10 years old, who “has become an innocent victim of an ungodly agenda.” “Her wellbeing has not been given much or any consideration. According to the Bible we believe that God has given Lisa sole responsibility to care and protect her own daughter since she has no known father. According to the Bible it is a war between good and evil, a battle between God and Satan. As congregations we stand united in this spiritual warfare against evil.”

The Brotherhood add that they are willing to suffer imprisonment or death in the cause of protecting Isabella. “The fact is that suddenly we find ourselves having to choose between obeying God and man made laws,” they write. “We have chosen to obey God. We are willing to give up our rights, go to jail, or even die, for the cause of helping anyone become free from a sinful life and helping that person to live in obedience to God’s Word.”

The Liberty Counsel, who was named in Janet Jenkins' lawsuit, say they plan to sue her for defamation.

Brian Brownshirt In Iowa:We Must Fire Pro-Gay Judges

Judging by the applause, the audience is in the tens.

Multiple Groups File Friend-Of-Court Briefs In Support Of DOMA Overturn

Via press release from the NYCLU:

More than fifteen parties – including New York City, three states, members of Congress, civil rights and religious organizations ––plan to file briefs today in support of Edith “Edie” Windsor’s constitutional challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

In June, a federal district judge in New York ruled in Windsor’s favor that section three of DOMA does “not pass constitutional muster.” Today’s briefs were filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which will hear arguments in the case on September 27, 2012.

“The number and scope of the parties supporting Edie’s case illustrate the breadth of the harms that DOMA inflicts on married same-sex couples,” said James Esseks, director of the ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Project. “It is time for the courts to bring an end to this discriminatory law once and for all.” Some of the groups filing briefs in support of Windsor include:

Local governments including the city of New York; and the states of New York, Connecticut and Vermont; The Partnership for New York City, a group of CEOs from New York City’s leading businesses; 145 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, spearheaded by House Judiciary Members Jerrold Nadler and John Conyers, Jr., along with Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin, Jared Polis, David N. Cicilline and Democratic Leaders Nancy Pelosi, Steny H. Hoyer and James E. Clyburn; The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund; Bar associations and civil rights, religious, cultural and LGBT organizations; Social workers and national mental health and medical organizations; Labor unions; and professors of U.S. history, family law, and family and child welfare law.

Fantastic!

GOProud On Obama's DNC Speech

Posted today to GOProud's website:

No amount of happy talk or soaring rhetoric can paper over this President’s horrific record on jobs and the economy. The number one issue for gay Americans – like their straight counterparts – is jobs and the economy.

For those voters, tonight’s speech – as with the rest of the speeches at the DNC – offered next to nothing. Gay Americans, like all Americans, need to ask themselves, ‘are you better off than you were four years ago?’ Sadly, for most, the answer is no.

For many gay Americans this election is about survival. It’s about finding a job, about putting food on the table, about putting gas in their car – it’s about the basics. The Democrat’s had three days to talk about these issues and instead they decided to focus on divisive social issues.

GOProud is incredibly proud to be the only national gay group to have endorsed Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan’s White House bid. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan understand that average gay Americans are struggling in this economy and will work tirelessly to turn this country around and create millions on new jobs.

Unemployment Figures For August

Gallup reports:

U.S. unemployment, as measured by Gallup without seasonal adjustment, is 8.1% for the month of August, down slightly from 8.3% measured in mid-August and 8.2% for the month of July. Gallup's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August is also 8.1%, a slight uptick from 8.0% at the end of July.

The number of jobs increased for the 30th month in a row.

Wingnut Gary Bauer: God Wouldn't WANT To Be In the Democratic Platform

Bauer is probably still stinging from the hoots of derisive laughter in response to his anti-gay marriage commercial.

Google Celebrates Star Trek

The Google Doodle celebrating the 46th anniversary of Star Trek is interactive. Go play. (Tipped by JMG reader Bstewart23)

LGBT Rights At The DNC

The Human Rights Campaign sends us a compilation of the many mentions of LGBT equality from the podium of the Democratic National Convention. I was there every day and this clip still blows me away.

Detritus Of The Democratic Convention

Just a few of the items that made it back to my hotel room.

Live-Streaming Helmet Cam At The DNC

I ran into this young lady several times and she told me that it was difficult to train herself to move her entire head and not just her eyes when she found something interesting. The camera is GoPro and the wireless transmitter is on the back. Somebody wore a similar setup during NYC Pride this year.

Quote Of The Day - Jerame Davis

"Barney Frank is a distinguished and honorable public servant. He has faced nearly 40 years of unspeakable hatred and persecution for being the most prominent and outspoken openly gay elected official in the country. Regardless of what he has to say about Log Cabin Republicans, the notion that they would suggest a man as brave and upstanding as Congressman Frank is either cowardly or a bully is both deluded and absurd.

"The true bullies are the hate-mongers in the GOP who want to strip us of our rights and shove us back into the closet. And 'cowardly'? Cowardly is making pathetic excuses for the backward and misguided anti-LGBT policies of your Party. The Log Cabin Republicans are the most weak-kneed, sycophantic apologists I've ever encountered. After their dismal performance at the RNC convention driving the GOP platform even farther to the right, they should give back all the money they've fleeced from their donors and close the doors." - Jerame Davis, National Stonewall Democrats executive director, via press release.

MARYLAND: Lawmaker Calls For Sanctions Against NFL Player Over Marriage Support

"I find it inconceivable that one of your players, Mr. Brendon Ayanbadejo would publicly endorse Same-Sex marriage, specifically as a Raven Football player. Many of my constituents and your football supporters are appalled and aghast that a member of the Ravens Football Team would step into this controversial divide and try to sway public opinion one way or the other. I am requesting that you take the necessary action, as a National Football League Owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employees and that he be ordered to cease and desist such injurious actions. I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing." - Maryland Rep. Emmett Burns, in a letter to the Ravens' owner.

Holy Bullies also has Ayanbadejo's clip.

(Tipped by JMG reader Becca)

Romney Launches Swing State Ads

Here's the one targeted at Iowa.

Scissor Sisters At The DNC

After the conclusion of the convention last night, NYC council candidate Corey Johnson and I cabbed to Charlotte's boisterous club district for an unadvertised private concert by the Scissor Sisters, who opened by advising the mostly straight audience: "If you've never heard of us, it's because you aren't British or gay."

Track list from their abbreviated set: Shady Love, Let's Have A Kiki, Take Your Mama Out, I Don't Feel Like Dancing, and Comfortably Numb. The Sisters were the first act on the bill and we took off as the place got jammed and rap/dance artist Pitbull took the stage.

Outside the club, I overheard some attendees puzzling over what they'd just seen. One girl said, "I don't know what a kiki is, but now I totally want to have one." (Big thanks to Zach Wahls for tipping me about the show.)

Electoral Forecast Update

Source.

Log Cabin Hits Back At Barney Frank

"As far as Log Cabin Republicans are concerned, it's a badge of honor to be attacked by a partisan hack like Barney Frank. We understand that Barney has earned his protected place within the Democrat Party by being their attack dog on gay rights issues, demonizing Republicans and undermining efforts at bipartisanship that would actually improve LGBT Americans lives. We expect this kind of bile from Barney, especially when it plays into the Obama campaign's efforts to divide, distract and deceive the American people." - Log Cabin Republicans head R. Clark Cooper, responding to this statement by Rep. Barney Frank.

Exodus Now!

Bishop E.W. Jackson says all Christians should leave the "Democrat" Party.

The Democrat Party has now declared that you must choose them over Jesus, over God, over your Bible and over your church. They're demanding that Christians and Jews bow to them instead of God, to their leaders instead of Jesus. The black Pastors who are urging their members to remain shackled to the Democrat Party are betraying the Master. They will answer to Him for it. Any Christian who has a Pastor wedded to a Party that supports same-sex marriage and abortion should leave that Party and find another church.

Goodbye! We'll miss you a lot! Then a little! Then not too much!

Morning View - Devilish Homosex

Madonna At Yankee Stadium

At last nights concert, via Boy Culture.

CHARLOTTE: Cardinal Tim Dolan Slams Abortion Rights During DNC Prayer

"We beseech you, almighty God to shed your grace on this noble experiment in ordered liberty, which began with the confident assertion of inalienable rights bestowed upon us by you: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thus do we praise you for the gift of life. Grant us the courage to defend it, life, without which no other rights are secure. We ask your benediction on those waiting to be born, that they may be welcomed and protected." - Archbishop Timothy Dolan, closing out the Democratic National Convention.

Do you suppose the DNC is still happy to have invited Dolan? My very loud booing when he was announced caused a couple of dozen cameras in Section 107 to spin towards my direction. Good. My name is Joe Jervis and I motherfucking endorse my message.

President Obama At The DNC

Vice President Joe Biden At The DNC

Special Open Thread

President Obama's speech. Your reactions?

Sen. Dick Durbin Introduces Obama

Charlie Crist: The GOP Left Me

Email Of The Day - Barack Obama

This just in:

Joe --

Before I go on stage to accept the nomination, there's one thing I need to say: Thank you. It's because you've got my back that I'm here. And if we win this, it will be because of you, too. Can you pitch in $25 or more right now?

https://donate.barackobama.com/Tonight

I can't tell you how grateful I am.

Barack

P.S. -- This is my last campaign, and knowing you're with me means everything. I can't do this without you.

More DNC Minutia

ABOVE: That's one of the cell phone instant charging stations I mentioned yesterday. Just lay your phone on the pad and it fully charges by induction (or something) in about three minutes (allegedly). The owners of the above phones stepped back for the photo.ABOVE: The massive lighting rig above the stage appears to be counter-weighted by about a dozen very shiny beer kegs.ABOVE: The merchandise booth nearest the front door is sold out of all t-shirts except the lavender "LGBT For Obama" item I purchased earlier this week. (I was told the other shirts on the right are defectives from another style.)

Gabby Giffords Recites Pledge At DNC

You might want to grab a tissue first.

HISTORY: DNC Videos Document President Obama's Support For LGBT Community

In a historic first in LGBT and American history, these videos played to the audience in the DNC arena and was seen by untold millions worldwide. Remember this moment.

Zach Wahls Speaks At The DNC

Rep. Tammy Baldwin Speaks At DNC

Christine Quinn At The DNC Arena

Met her a hundred times. Never remembers me. She's looking quite fit these days.

DNC Press Room Speech Sheets

Every day of the convention the text of the speeches made from the podium are emailed to us in advance and printed copies from each speaker are placed in the DNC arena press room in the late afternoon. Speakers rarely deviate much from their prepared remarks and when they do, reporters take more notice. No advance copy of the president's speech tonight was made available, as is tradition. Am I over-sharing the minutia of this event? Everything here is interesting to me, at least.

Openly Gay Pennsylvania House Member Brian Sims At The DNC Arena

Sims, 33, has an interesting footnote on Wikipedia:

In 2000, Sims was the co-captain of the Bloomsburg University football team, and was recognized as a scholar athlete. Following the longest season in the Division II schools history, Sims came out as gay. In doing so, the regional All-American and team captain became the only openly gay college football captain in NCAA history.

He's also a JMG reader. You may commence with shallowness.

Barney Frank & His Husband Jim At DNC

I just collared Rep. Barney Frank and his husband Jim on the DNC arena mezzanine. And I thanked Mr. Frank for his comments about Log Cabin, of course.

Today's Lie From The Christianist Right

"'You may kiss the bride,' says the pastor as two people of the same sex lean over to kiss each other inside a Bible-believing church. Why? Because Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage would pass laws that would threaten to jail and/or fine pastors who didn't perform these unions among a group that accounts for less than 2% of the American population. He believes pastors to be homophobic and is committed to punishing such thoughts by law. It is a fact that most Americans, regardless of their religious beliefs, view marriage as being between ONE man and ONE woman. This is how he has purposed to destroy the family -- by doing away with it." - Pastor Alex Rosenwald of We Celebrate Marriage.

Barney Frank Slams Log Cabin

"Frankly I’ve been appalled to see the Log Cabin club, in the face of this worse and worse record on public policy by Republicans on our issues. Mr. Cooper said, ‘Well at least they’re not saying bad things about us.' That’s just extraordinary. Again, 30 years ago when we were emerging from the vice of prejudice, I understood that. But no, we shouldn’t be accepting a kind of second class citizenship, [and saying], ‘You can treat us badly as long you don’t yell at us.’

"They’re accepted on [the GOP's] terms. They’re willing to be accepted with no rights -- no right to marry, no right to serve in the military, no right to be protected against hate crimes, no right to be protected in employment. I’ll be honest: For 20 years now I’ve heard how the Log Cabins are going to make Republicans better, but they’ve only gotten worse. I now understand why they call themselves Log Cabin: their role model is Uncle Tom." -Rep. Barney Frank, speaking today on Michelangelo Signorile's show at the DNC.

Michael Dukakis In The DNC Press Room

Former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis just walked into the press room under the DNC arena. I would have sailed right past him without noticing if not for the reporters running over for sound bites. He looks pretty good for almost 79 years old.

Tennessee LGBT Delegates At The DNC

Tennessee LGBT delegates and JMG readers R.G. Cravens (left) and his partner Darren Crawford are here in Charlotte working on your behalf.

Afternoon View - DNC Arena

Five hours before the president takes the stage and the DNC arena is jammed to the literal rafters. Yesterday at this time it was less than a quarter full. The energy is through the roof!

CHARLOTTE: Teabaggers Dismayed When Thunderstorm Prediction Holds True

I'm still soaked an hour later after running from the convention center to the arena in the torrential thunderstorm that took place exactly on schedule, much to the dismay of teabaggers everywhere who had claimed that Obama actually cancelled his speech because he couldn't fill the stadium. Stadium ticket holders had been expected to arrive up to ten hours early for the president's 10PM acceptance speech due to the four-to-five hour security delay endured at Denver's stadium in 2008. The DNC made the right call and now we hear crickets from Teabagistan. Heh.

BREAKING: Homofascist Blogger Gets Homogay Cooties On Crazy Woman

CHARLOTTE: Top Politicos Address Second LGBT Caucus At Democratic Convention

A galaxy of the Democratic Party's top stars literally waited in line outside the jammed LGBT Caucus ballroom today for a turn to address the overflow audience of activists, journalists, and delegates. Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who entered to chants of COR-REE COR-REE, sent reporters flying to their Twitter accounts when he broadly hinted that he'd be the one to approve marriage equality in New Jersey when he becomes governor. Similarly, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell vowed that his state too would soon advance from civil unions to full marriage rights.

Sen. Al Franken demanded support for his federal anti-bullying bill, the Student Non-Discrimination Act, and Democratic National Committee Treasurer Andrew Tobias rallied the troops to get out the vote. Second Lady Jill Biden, who was received like a rock star, spoke briefly in LGBT-supportive generalities then was whisked out of a side door. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis followed but I'd stepped out for a better photo of Mrs. Biden and missed much of her speech. Obama campaign manager Jim Messina followed and pointed out the openly gay White House social secretary in the audience.

The star power in the room was not limited to the dais as recently hired HRC president Chad Griffin and NLGTF head Rea Carey looked on from the front rows. Most would agree, I think, that we have truly entered a new era when virtually every top official from the nation's in-power political party vies for face time in front of LGBT activists. Speaking directly to us this week we've had cabinet members, top-ranking members of the Senate and House, state governors, rising stars, and the First and Second ladies. A new era.

Tea Party Rep. Allen West Attacks Dems Over "God Vote" In Party Platform

And the teabaggers rush in to cash in. In the name of Jeebus! "Allen West is leading the fight against the radical left's attack on God and Israel. Join the fight by contributing $1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50 or $25."

CHARLOTTE: Rep. Barney Frank Speaks At Second DNC LGBT Caucus

(Video by Gordon D. Smith)

This Is An Ad For Something

Afternoon View - Umbrella Graveyard

Umbrellas are strictly forbidden inside the arena and convention center. Huge piles of abandoned bumbershoots lie at all entrances. Pick out something nice and I'll bring it home for you.

Friday: Blowoff NYC @ Highline Ballroom

Blowoff lumbers its furry sweaty beer-soaked self into Chelsea's Highline Ballroom tomorrow. Doors open at 11:30pm and advance tickets are suggested as this party often sells out. I'll be there if my plane lands on time and I haven't collapsed from fatigue. Don't forget Bob Mould's free concert in Brooklyn earlier tomorrow night!

At The DNC Women's Caucus

Attendees at the DNC Women's Caucus this morning had to go through metal detectors at the convention center, something none of the other caucuses (labor, veterans, LBGT, etc) have had to do. I asked a press officer if the added precaution was because abortion rights would be on the agenda, but she didn't want to discuss that.

NOTE: Everybody must go through airport-style security in order to get into the arena where the major politicos make their speeches.

Tweet Of The Day - Jane Lynch

Now YOU do the same. Tweet him @JerryBrownGov.

How To Defend Traditional Marriage

Instructions from NOM's branch in Minnesota.

Prop 8 To Be On SCOTUS Docket?

Scottie Thomaston reports an interesting development at Prop 8 Trial Tracker:

The Supreme Court docket page for Hollingsworth v. Perry, the Prop 8 case, has a new notice that the case has been “DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 24, 2012.” The September 24 conference is the first time this term that the Justices will meet privately and look at petitions for certiorari to decide which cases they will accept for review.

Usually, the Court announces its orders from conferences on the Monday following the conferences, however if they do take up the Prop 8 case on September 24, they could announce as early as the next day whether the full Court will review the case. It takes four votes to grant review.

If the Court denies the petition, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision stands, and Proposition 8 will be invalidated, though the case won’t set a nationwide precedent. If they decide to review the case, they’ll reach a final decision on the merits at the end of June 2013.

The Court could also potentially ‘relist’ the case for a later conference. This would mean instead of making a decision at the September 24 conference, the case would be held and listed for a subsequent one.

Charlotte EMT At The DNC Arena

This Charlotte EMT confided in me last night: "The highlight of the convention for me so far has been thanking Anderson Cooper for coming out!" Sorry ladies, I didn't catch her name.

Black LGBT Press At The DNC

Huffington Post Slams Democrats For "Caving In" Over God In Platform

Details.

Morning View - Green DNC

The Democrats tout this thing as the "greenest convention ever." To that end the usual garbage cans have been removed and replaced with the above, much to the confusion of many attendees who often stand frozen, trash in hand, while considering the disposal options. (This seems to greatly amuse the arena staff in particular.) Many of the trash stations are manned by stern volunteers who are quick to correct those that choose the wrong bin.

Bill Clinton At The DNC

Wednesday At The DNC Arena, Part Two

I watched Bill Clinton's fantastic speech standing on the arena floor and looking between Wolf Blitzer and his co-anchor, who were seated (oddly, I thought) right in the center. (Trivia: Blitzer spends his off-camera time wolf-ing down pretzel sticks.) When Clinton finished and the state roll call began there was a hubbub behind me and I whirled around to find Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren glad-handing the Massachusetts delegation.After that the press area on the arena floor thinned out slightly and I had a chance to escape the penned-in area jammed against the CNN set. Then I wandered around the delegations a bit. I really wanted to stay for the big roar when the delegate count confirmed Obama's nomination, but by the time they got to (very gay-friendly) Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (below) my feet reminded me that I'd been standing for most of the day. I fought my way out of the arena and hiked back to the convention center to share a cab back to South Carolina with the Americablog team. What a thrilling and totally exhausting day!

Florida LGBT Delegates At DNC Arena

In the green shirt is Dolphin Democrats president Tim Ross. To his left is Michael Rajner, legislative director of the Florida LGBT Democratic Caucus. I didn't get the names of the fellows on the left. Florida had great seats!

Open Thread Thursday

RNC vs DNC. Compare and contrast. Be specific. Cite examples. Show your work.

Photo Of The Day - Presidential Hug

Openly Gay California Assembly Speaker John Perez Addresses The DNC

Democrats Put "God" Back In Platform

Well, that was a fun day of religious freedom.

LGBT Delegates At The DNC Arena

Far left: Liz Bennett of One Iowa. Far right: Jen Rowray of Iowa's LGBT delegation. The gentleman in the middle is from Mississippi's LGBT delegation and I failed to get the details about the gal to his left. Fun group!

Tomorrow: Stephanie Miller At 10:30am

I'll be on the Stephanie Miller Show tomorrow at 10:30 to discuss LGBT issues at the DNC. Tune in at SiriusXM Talk Left 127 or Current TV on cable.