Saturday, October 13, 2012

Evening View - Halloween Tree

Seen in the Castro, of course.

Labels: , ,


November 3rd: Million Muppet March

Reuters has the story:
Plans to save Big Bird, the fuzzy yellow character on U.S. public television's "Sesame Street," from possible extinction are taking shape in the form of a puppet-based protest next month dubbed the "Million Muppet March." The demonstration is planned for November 3 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., three days before the general election. Before the presidential debate between Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney had concluded on October 3, two men who had never met each floated the Million Muppet March idea on social media. They immediately united to defend public broadcasting.

Labels: , , , , , , ,


Afternoon View - Ocean Beach

Labels: , ,


Grim

Source.

Labels: , ,


Slideshow: JMG Meetup In The Castro

We had some great fun last night at the JMG meetup at the Edge last night. I only hope I got to properly thank everybody for riding along with us on this here website thingy. Extra thanks go out to Dan Savage for enduring the Edge's apparent transformation into a mini-disco, completely with go-go boys and a DJ. Gawd, that moon is bright.

Labels: , ,


Liberty Counsel: If Obama Wins It Will Be The End Of Western Civilization

Labels: , , ,


Photo Of The Day

(Via JMG reader Aaron)

Labels: , , ,


Morning View - - Powell Street Cable Car


Labels: , ,


The Census Wants Advice About Gays

Chris Geidner reports on an unprecedented move by the U.S. Census.
The U.S. Census Bureau announced Friday that it is seeking advice on how to address lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations in implementing the once-a-decade census. The census, which has never counted LGBT people directly, has indirectly referenced gay people through its count of same-sex married couples and "unmarried partner" households in the past. With the formation of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations, however, the Census Bureau today stated that it will be seeking advice from the 31-member committee "on topics such as housing, children, youth, poverty, privacy, race and ethnicity, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other populations." Specifically, the Bureau noted, the committee will provide advice on "a wide range of variables that affect the cost, accuracy and implementation of the Census Bureau's programs and surveys, including the once-a-decade census."
Geidner speculates that the Census Bureau may be seeking a method to more accurately count (or at least estimate) the number of LGBT Americans.

Labels: , ,


Only A Fruitcake Doesn't Like Hate Chikin

(Via Towleroad)

Labels: , ,


The VP Debate: Songified

Another winner from Brooklyn's Gregory Brothers.

(Via Randy Report)

Labels: , ,


Concerned Women Are Concernstipated About Joe Biden's Malarkey

"The major sticking point for women in this debate had more to do with style than actual substance. Vice President Biden’s unprecedented strategy called for 82 interruptions, eye-rolling, and laughing during serious discussion of the War Against Terror. Not the type of behavior voters found flattering to America’s second in command. Overall, many believe Ryan could have aggressively tackled Biden’s points with potency, but his restrained attitude showed a humility and respect not normally seen in politicians. Ryan’s strategy was simple. Knowing his off-the-cuff attitude, Ryan let the truth shine through facts and statistics and sit back and allowed Biden to self-destruct. American women and undecided voters needed to see steady, consistent leadership." - Penny Nance, head of the Concerned Women For America.

Labels: , ,


Friday, October 12, 2012

Pomplamoose - Hey It's Pomplamoose

I can't get enough of these guys. They are live-streaming a concert today beginning at 9PM Eastern time. That's one hour from this writing.

Labels: , ,


Afterview View - Embarcadero Fountain

The fountain's actual name is Québec libre! and its Canadian creator, Armand Vaillancourt, meant it as a tribute to Quebec's secessionist movement. OK! Just about all the locals I've mentioned the fountain to consider it quite ugly.  U2's Bono once scrawled graffiti on the fountain during a free concert on its plaza, winning the admiration of the artist who was then invited onstage at the band's Oakland show the next day.

Labels: , ,


Perkins: Biden Was Completely Obnoxious

"If there's one thing this debate didn't lack, it was teeth. Vice President Joe Biden showed his so often that some people joked his dentist was the night's real winner. For 90 straight minutes, the former senator was a one-man laugh track--chuckling his way through the debate's most sobering topics. To most Americans, the prospect of nuclear war isn't exactly side-splitting. Yet Biden snickered his way through foreign policy questions as if Libyan terrorists were the punch line to a hilarious joke. As far as most viewers (including the liberal media) were concerned, Biden's constant amusement was off-putting, if not completely obnoxious." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

Labels: , , ,


The Gay Kid Has An American Dream

This is from the Liberty Hill Foundation, which was created in 1976 by baking heiress Sarah Pillsbury. More about this campaign is here.

(Tipped by JMG reader Carmen)

Labels: , ,


BUSTED: WND's Lie About Obama's Ring

Urban Legends has posted a debunking of World Net Daily's claim that the president's wedding ring bears the Arabic inscription, "There is no god but Allah." From their "Hoaxes & Legends" page: "Contrary to what has been claimed in various online sources, President Obama's gold wedding ring does not feature the Muslim saying 'No God but Allah' in Arabic script. It bears no visible inscription at all, only an abstract design."  Today World Net Daily again posted their claim, this time with the complaint that the mainstream media is ignoring this "obvious evidence" that the president is secretly Muslim.

Labels: , , ,


Paul Ryan & His Sippy Cup

Labels: , ,


NEW YORK: Former Sen. Pedro Espada Pleads Guilty To Tax Fraud

All that rosary-waving and Catholic voodoo failed former New York state Sen. Pedro Espada today when he finally pleaded guilty to multiple felony counts of tax fraud related to the government-funded health clinics his family operated. He faces over seven years in prison and is free until sentencing is finalized.
Espada was at the center of the two most tumultuous years in the history of the state Senate and had described the 2010 indictment by the U.S. attorney's office and then-state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo as a political "witch hunt." The scandal cost him his Senate seat. Espada started Soundview in 1978 in the South Bronx, which is located in one of the poorest counties in the U.S. In the past three decades, the clinic grew to include four centers that provide health care and social services. "Instead of buying an MRI machine, he was going to Puerto Rico and raiding the mini-bar," U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch, Eastern District NY, said Friday.
(Tipped by JMG reader Mick)

RELATED: Espada is the third former New York Senator to be sentenced to prison this year. All three are Democrats. And all three played a role in the 2008 debacle that, for the time, had blocked same-sex marriage for New York state. (The remaining douchebag of that infamous quartet is Ruben Diaz.)  Still awaiting trial is another Democrat from the New York Senate, Shirley Huntley, who was arrested last month on corruption charges.  Huntley also originally voted against same-sex marriage and lost her Democratic primary in September.

Labels: , , ,


Frothy Mix: Same-Sex Marriage Will Totally Destroy The Family And The Church

Yesterday Rick Santorum spoke to Washington state's Family Policy Institute where he blamed Will & Grace for launching a movement that will destroy the family and the church.
"This is a turning point in American history and, yes, the state of Washington,” Santorum argued. “The movement you are fighting is the most important movement to win,” Santorum added. He said it is even more important that the movement to block abortion in America. He warned that marriage will “disintegrate” along with the American family if same-sex marriage becomes legal. “This issue will destroy and undermine the church in American more than any other movement,” said Santorum. Washington, Maryland and Maine are voting on marriage equality in November. No state has ever approved same-sex marriage at the polls, but opinion polls in all three states have shown marriage equality in the lead. Joseph Backholm, head of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, is the chief spokesman against Referendum 74, the measure which would make Washington the seventh state to adopt marriage equality. Opponents are “on the side of truth,” Santorum told his audience, “You folks are in the front line. You folks are in the foxhole.”
Start the clip at 19:00.

(Tipped by JMG reader Matthew)

Labels: , , ,


TheFour: Moneybomb For Equality

TheFour has launched a moneybomb for marriage equality:
It’s 25 days until the election. Give $25 today to support marriage equality in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington. It’s #25out25in. This is crunch time for any campaign. Just a few weeks out, and our opponents are giving it everything they’ve got. Their lies are already showing up on television in Washington State. Every dollar we raise will go directly to fighting their harmful anti-gay message in all four states.
Donate today.

Labels: , , ,


HomoQuotable - George Takei

"Matthew [Shepard's] death brought about calls for stricter hate crime legislation. Under Wyoming and Federal law at the time, LGBT persons were not included within existing hate crime definitions. The battle to bring about this change was not easy. It took nearly 20 years of lobbying, votes, threats of vetoes, and partisan bickering before a Federal law included LGBT persons within the definition. On October 28, 2009, President Obama finally signed the Matthew Shepard Act into law.

"I came out publicly in 2005, though I had been out privately for many decades with friends and family. My decision stemmed from a desire to stand up and be counted, so that I could help people see the human side of how bigotry, hatred and intolerance affects others. Coming out is never easy, and often never ending. If you have gay, lesbian or bisexual friends who have come out to you, take the time to thank them today for their courage, and for helping to make a difference in the lives of others, especially of young people like Matthew Shepard who bear so much of the burden of homophobia, bullying and violence against LGBT people. Thank you. And Matthew, I promise you, we will remember." - George Takei, writing in observance of today's 14th anniversary of the murder of Matthew Shepard.

Labels: , , , , ,


It's Nat'l Coming Out Day, Charlie Brown

From last night's Jimmy Kimmel Show. Watch as Linus ticks off the many members of the LGBT community.

Labels: ,


EU Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

As parts of Europe endure austerity-related riots, the Nobel committee has awarded the European Union its coveted Peace Prize. Reporters in the room "gasped in surprise" when the announcement was made in Oslo. Bill Gates was considered to have been the front runner for this year's award.

Labels: , ,


Bloomberg Gives $250K To MD Marriage

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has donated $250,000 to Maryland's marriage equality campaign.
Mr. Bloomberg, a billionaire who attended college in Maryland at Johns Hopkins, dipped into his personal fortune to help persuade New York lawmakers to approve same-sex marriage in 2011, and he has supported a similar effort in New Hampshire. His contribution came after discussions with Maryland’s governor, Martin O’Malley, a Democrat who has spearheaded the effort to pass the referendum, known as Question 6. “The fact that someone of Mayor Bloomberg’s national stature and recognition would care about our referendum campaign for civil marriage equality, I think, tells people all over our country that this is a serious and real campaign,” Mr. O’Malley said in an interview on Thursday evening from Kentucky, where he was attending the vice-presidential debate.
Bloomberg's gift is the largest individual donation ever given to the Maryland campaign.

Labels: , ,


Closeted Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch Reviews How To Survive A Plague

Poz.com blogger and renowned activist Peter Staley tips us that closeted former NYC Mayor Ed Koch has reviewed the AIDS documentary, How To Survive A Plague. Staley notes that Koch fails to mention his own detestable role in thwarting the early response to what would become a global pandemic. From Koch's review:
While demonstrations were necessary to keep the issue on the front burner, Act Up protesters occasionally went too far, e.g., when they entered St. Patrick's Cathedral, took communion hosts from the priest's hands, and threw the wafers to the ground insulting many Catholics. Those wafers are, for Catholics, the Body of Christ.  The person who makes the greatest impact in the film because of his superb speaking ability is Peter Staley. In his New York Times review of this movie, Stephen Holden describes Staley as: "A former closeted Wall Street bond trader with H.I.V. who left his job and helped found the Treatment Action Group, an offshoot of Act Up. Self-taught in the science of AIDS, the group collaborated with pharmaceutical companies like Merck in the development of new drugs."

Others named in the Times' review as major leaders of Act Up, which began its activities in 1987, are Larry Kramer, Robert Rafsky and Ann Northrop, all of whom appear in the film. I don't know if these individuals were ever honored by the White House for what they did in fighting government and powerful corporations. If not, I urge President Obama to do so by presenting them and other leaders recognized by Act Up with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This superb documentary directed by David France should not be missed. Regrettably, when I saw it on a Sunday at 2:00 p.m., there were only about ten other people in the theater. I urge our Chancellor of Education to show the documentary in our public schools. It would teach children a lot of lessons, the chief one being the community can, working together, speak truth to power and win.
Larry Kramer himself has commented on the above-linked review in the manner for which he is best known:
What is this evil man up to as he approaches his death? Is he trying to make up to us? National Medals of Freedom from the White House! Would these provide a big enough enema to clean out his rotten insides? We must never forget that this man was an active participant in helping us to die, in murdering us. Call it what you will, that is what Edward Koch was, a murderer of his very own people. There is no way to avoid knowing that now. The facts have long since been there staring us in the face. If we don't see them, then we are as complicit as he.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,


Haters React To VP Debate

Labels: , , , , , , ,


NEW YORK CITY: Jewish Groups Sue Over New Circumcision Disclaimer Law

Last month the New York City Department of Health issued a new ordinance requiring parents to sign a disclaimer avowing that they are aware of the risks regarding the "snip-n-suck" circumcisions performed by some Orthodox rabbis. Yesterday Jewish groups filed suit to block the new law.
In the procedure, common among ultra-Orthodox Jews, the person performing the circumcision uses his mouth to remove blood from the incision. The oral contact, known in Hebrew as metzitzah b’peh, is considered dangerous by public health officials, because of the possibility of spreading diseases, specifically herpes. Failure to comply with the regulation could result in warnings and fines. From 2000 to 2011, 11 babies contracted herpes, most likely as a result of the practice, and two of them died, according to the city’s health department. This spring, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also declared that the procedure created a risk for transmission of herpes and other pathogens, and was “not safe.” In the lawsuit, filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan, several rabbis and Jewish organizations — including Agudath Israel of America and the International Bris Association — argue that the practice has been used safely for thousands of years among Jews and that the regulations are unconstitutional.
The city says the new law is a matter of public safety.

Labels: , , ,


Ricky Wilson Was A Pisces And He Liked Computers And Hot Tamales



Labels: , ,


HRC Adds $1M To Marriage Push

The Human Rights Campaign has committed another $1 million to the marriage equality campaigns in the four contested states.
There is no doubt 2012 is the year of marriage and HRC is committed to making marriage equality the law of the land in Maine, Maryland, and Washington state, and to defeating the discriminatory anti-marriage amendment in Minnesota. Today we are investing an additional $1 million to state marriage ballot measures. This brings HRC’s total contributions to the four ballot measures to $4.4 million and $7.3 million overall during this election cycle.

Labels: , , , , , ,


GOProud Announces Senate Endorsements

GOProud has named their 2012 Senate endorsements.

Scott Brown (R-MA) (incumbent)
Connie Mack (R-FL)
Tom Smith (R-PA)
Elizabeth Emken (R-CA)
Barry Hinckley (R-RI)
Dean Heller (R-NV) (incumbent)
Orrin Hatch (R-UT) (incumbent)
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Linda McMahon (R-CT)
Tommy Thompson (R-WI)

Jimmy LaSalvia: "These 10 candidates represent some of the best and brightest candidates in the country. All of these candidates share GOProud’s core values of limited government, free markets and individual liberty and all 10 of them will make excellent Senators."

Labels: , , ,


Babs Comes Home To Brooklyn


Labels: , , ,


China To Hold First AIDS Walk

Via press release from the LGBT Center in Los Angeles:
The Center is offering on-the-ground support for the pioneering event organizers. A staff member from our AIDS/LifeCycle fundraiser ( seven-day bike ride from SF to L.A.) is in China, helping event organizers navigate dozens of logistical details. And Brian Newkirk, the spouse of one of our board members, has raised thousands of dollars and will participate in the walk" This Saturday, Oct. 13, graduates of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Emerging Leaders Program—an international leadership program that brings some of China’s best and brightest LGBT activists to L.A. for intensive internships—are taking on their most ambitious initiative yet. These activists, who are on the vanguard of the LGBT movement in China, are organizing the country’s first AIDS Walk, which will take place on the iconic Great Wall! About 100 people will come together to take part in the walk, which is the highest-profile in a series of events designed to fight HIV/AIDS. The Center is offering on-the-ground support for the pioneering event organizers. A staff member from our AIDS/LifeCycle fundraiser ( seven-day bike ride from SF to L.A.) is in China, helping event organizers navigate dozens of logistical details. And Brian Newkirk, the spouse of one of our board members, has raised thousands of dollars and will participate in the walk.
More info is here (if you read Chinese.)

Labels: , ,


Morning View - From My Back Porch

Labels: , ,


Outside The VP Debate

Chris Matthews tangled briefly with a woman who calls the president a communist. "Just study it out, you'll know!"

Labels: , ,


God Said: Don't Vote For Obama

Alveda King is behind this. Via On Top Mag:
A group of African-American religious leaders are calling on black voters to turn their backs on President Barack Obama over his endorsement of gay marriage. Obama announced his support in May. The group God Said has pledged $1 million for an ad campaign opposing the president's stance and calling on black voters to vote against politicians who support marriage equality. “The black community is among the most religious in America,” Apostle Claver Kamau-Imani, the group's founder, said in a statement. “ [snip] The executive board of God Said includes former Miss America contestant Day Gardner and Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Labels: , , ,


Man Kills Child: The Bible Said To Beat Him

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
A DeKalb County father says the Bible made him do it. Benjamin Edetanlen was sentenced to 18 years in prison Wednesday for beating his 5-month-old son to death. Edetanlen’s defense is that he adhered to Proverbs: 13, which taught him “Spare the rod. Spoil the child.” But prosecutors said he went too far and his discipline killed his 5-month-old child in his home in 2004. Assistant District Attorney Dalia Racine said Edetanlen beat his 5-month-old, his 2-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son, and used the Bible to justify it. “The defendant stated that he disciplined the children, according to the book of Proverbs in the Bible,” Racine argued in court. Prosecutors said the boy died from blunt force trauma. He suffered brain injuries and a broken leg.
(Tipped by JMG reader Todd)

Labels: , , ,


Tonight: JMG Meetup At The Edge

Tonight we'll be holding a JMG readers meetup at the Edge bar in the Castro at 8PM. We had a great crowd last time!

Labels: , ,


Discovery Channel Runs Reality Show Starring Wackjob Ted Nugent

On Wednesday night the Discovery Channel ran a one-hour special titled Ted Nugent's Gun Country. With the headline Threaten To Kill Obama, Get A Show On Discovery, Josh Glasstetter reacts at Right Wing Watch:
Last night, the Discovery Channel ran a one-hour special on guns that stars a fanatic who threatened to kill President Obama and other officials and was investigated by the Secret Service in April. In 2007, the Discovery Channel’s new star wielded two machine guns while yelling, “Obama, he's a piece of shit. I told him to suck on my machine gun.” Then, raising up one the guns, he said, “Hey Hillary, you might want to ride one of these into the sunset, you worthless bitch.” Discovery’s new star is "Motor City Madman" Ted Nugent, who ominously warned in April that he would “either be dead or in jail by this time next year” if the president wins re-election. He then compared Obama and Clinton to a coyote that needs to be shot and called on his supporters to chop off Democrats’ heads in November. After those remarks were publicized by this blog, he was investigated by the Secret Service and commanders at Fort Knox cancelled his scheduled show there, citing his “public comments about the president of the United States.”
Hit the link to read on as Glasstetter eviscerates the Discovery Channel.

Labels: , , ,


Fischer: There Can Be No Dialog Or Compromise With Homosexuals

Labels: , , ,


CANADA: Go Away, Pastor Terry Jones

Canada yesterday blocked Florida-based Pastor Terry Jones from crossing the border to deliver a planned speech in Toronto.
Jones told CBC News he may appeal. But for the time being, he said he would head back to Florida. The Canada Border Services Agency made Jones go through a secondary inspection when he arrived at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., around noon. Secondary inspection involves a search of a person's vehicle and more extensive questioning. He was held there for several hours before being told he would not be allowed into Canada. Jones said the CBSA cited a previous peace bond infraction in the U.S. as well as an incident relating to a disputed honorary doctorate in Germany to keep him out. "The reasons are pretty bogus in our opinion," he said.
A spokesperson for Canada Border Services would not comment specifically on why Jones was turned back, but said, "Several factors are used in determining admissibility into Canada, including involvement in human rights violations, in organized crime, in criminal activity, security, health or financial reasons." (Tipped by JMG reader David)

Labels: , , ,


Nate Silver's Electoral Update

Source.

Labels: , ,


New TV Ad From Washington's Haters

Labels: , ,


Gambia's President: My "Cure" For AIDS Makes Me Like The Prophet Mohammed

"Who am I to expect that everybody would praise me?  Just as the Prophet Mohammed prevailed and established Islam, I also prevailed to cure HIV/AIDS to the point that 68 are being discharged today." - Gambia president Yanya Jammeh, responding to criticism from AIDS activists who say Jammeh's ridiculous "herb cure" is prompting HIV patients to cease taking their medications, leaving them open to infections and death.

RELATED: In April this year Jammeh said Gambia didn't need foreign aid if that money was contingent on him ending the persecution of LGBT Gambians. In 2008 Jammeh announced that he would "cut the head off" any homosexual found in Gambia. He then ordered all gay people to leave the country because his anti-gay laws would be "stricter than in Iran." Jammeh has multiple wives but the exact number is not known.

Labels: , , ,


Thursday, October 11, 2012

Biden Reaction GIFs

More here.

Labels: , , ,


VP Debate Open Thread

Reactions, please!

Labels: , ,


Bill Maher On The VP Debate


Labels: , , ,


FLORIDA: Log Cabin Republicans Run Ad Exploiting Death Of US Ambassador

The Broward County chapter of the Log Cabin Republicans ran the above Pam Geller-esque ad this week in the Florida Agenda, drawing the fury of National Stonewall Democrats head Jerame Davis, who fired off the below press release.
"The Broward Log Cabin Republican Club of Florida has cravenly disrespected the life and legacy of a United States civil servant with this ad. Put bluntly, they have crossed the line of civil discourse and good taste by including an image of the corpse of slain US Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens being carried through the streets of Benghazi, Libya. "Their shameless and callous use of the image of Ambassador Stevens' body aside, the confused hatchet men at Log Cabin are conflating a number of unrelated issues in order to attack Democrats and President Obama. First, they latch onto right-wing rumors that Ambassador Stevens was gay and then they insinuate that President Obama is responsible for the attack because he did not protect the Ambassador from 'Sharia Law'.

Then, in a very bizarre turn, they state their support for Israel as a 'beacon of hope' in the Middle East and urge voters to, 'support Israel in this hour of darkness: vote Republican!' It is simply unimaginable to me how any political message, let alone the muddy and ludicrous message of this ad, in any way justifies disgracing the memory of a man who gave his life in service to his country. This level of depravity and moral indifference must not be allowed to enter our political discourse. "We call upon the Broward Log Cabin Republican Club of Florida to retract this ad and apologize to Floridians for subjecting them to this sort of degenerate messaging. We also call upon Log Cabin Republicans national office to repudiate this ad for the partisan detritus that it is.
"
I'd expect something like this from GOProud, not Log Cabin.

UPDATE: Bilerico has the response from Log Cabin head R. Clark Cooper, who has forcefully denounced the action of the Florida chapter: "This ad does not represent the position of Log Cabin Republicans, and we reject it completely.  The 9-11 attack on Americans posted in Libya was a straight up act of terrorism. There are plenty of reasons to vote Republican on protecting US interests abroad, but such an ad is fallacious, simple minded and irresponsible."

UPDATE II: Cooper has emailed me a longer response: "This ad does not represent the position of Log Cabin Republicans, and we reject it completely. The 9-11 attack on Americans posted in Libya was a straight up act of terrorism.  To suggest the AQIM attack on our consular mission in Benghazi was connected to homophobia is just as ridiculous as USUN Ambassador Susan Rice claiming the attack in Benghazi was prompted by a film critical of Mohammed. There are plenty of reasons to vote Republican on protecting US interests abroad, but such an obscene ad is fallacious, simple minded and irresponsible.  I am deeply embarrassed to have to explain to strong pro-gay conservative ally, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, that an official chapter of LCR ran such an offensive and moronic ad." [Note from JMG: Ros-Lehtinen represents South Florida.]

Labels: , , , , ,


National Coming Out For Washington State's Referendum 74 Day

Make sure you watch until the very last second.

(Tipped by JMG reader Randy)

Labels: , ,


Yenta: The Grindr For Jews

What's your schtick?

Labels: , ,


NOM: The Catholic Church Demands That Homosexuals Remain Celibate

"One group of people that I particularly want to call your attention to is the group of people who experience same-sex attraction as a permanent part of their personalities. Some of those people choose to describe themselves as 'gay' and identify with that attraction, but what I want to say is that that is a decision, to identify with the attraction. In effect, it’s a very momentous decision, but I am sure in a room this size there are people who know people who are struggling with same-sex attraction.

"What the Catholic Church teaches is very simple, that they can be saved, but they have to live a life of chastity — and that God does want them to be saved. In fact, their same-sex attraction can be their personal path to holiness. That can be the thing that gets them to Heaven: dealing with that, dealing with it in a good, and decent, and wholesome way." - Jennifer Roback Morse, head of the Vatican front group NOM's Ruth Institute.  (Via Zack Ford at Think Progress)

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , ,


Ace Hardware Names San Diego's Gay-Owned Store "Coolest On The Planet"

Labels: , ,


Afternoon View - From Dolores Park

Cool and foggy today.

Labels: , ,


Tweet Of The Day - Brandon Spikes

New England Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes is already feeling the heat for the above tweet.
The tweet earned much attention from the local news stations last night as well as talk on sports radio this morning. The NFL doesn’t typically step in on Twitter matters. The league didn’t fine Packers guard T.J. Lang for blasting the replacement officials for costing them a game against the Seahawks, and it didn’t fine Spikes for similar comments after the Pats’ loss to the Ravens. The Patriots could discipline Spikes under a personal conduct policy, but they usually keep such matters in-house.
In 2010 Spikes was suspended for the season when he tested positive for banned substances.

Labels: , , ,


Iowa Hate Group Posts "Highlights Reel" Of Fight To Unseat Pro-Gay Judge

Labels: , , ,


RUSSIA: National Retailer Declares That They Are "Banning Gays From Our Future"

The Russian national retailer Expedition, which sells outdoor and sporting equipment, has declared that it is "banning gay people from our future" and will not accept applications from homosexuals.
Outdoor goods retailer Expedition drew angry criticism after it stated on its Russian website that gay people are not allowed to apply for a place on its Academy for Entrepreneurship. Activist Nikolai Alexeyev says it's not the first time they have tried to block LGBT people from working or studying there and called for tougher anti-discrimination laws. "It once again highlights the need to have some changes in the legislation which directly contributes to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity," he told Gay Star News. "This is what we have been fighting for in the last year and this paves the way for commercial organizations to discriminate against people at work or in their studies." The Moscow Pride founder is offering help to anyone who wants to sue the company.

Labels: , ,


Tony Perkins: We've Left Marriage Defenseless To Homosexual Activists

Labels: , , , , , ,


FRC Denounces Gallaudet University

"Until a few years ago, a decision punishing an employee for engaging in the democratic process would have been jaw-dropping. However, Gallaudet University's discriminatory action reflects a troubling nationwide trend of voter intimidation and bullying tactics against those who uphold marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Over the summer, we saw two mayors attempt to block Chick-fil-A location permits simply because the mayors disagreed with the marriage views of Chick-fil-A's CEO. A person should no more be punished for signing a petition than they should be for voting.

"A citizen's right to participate in our democratic process is at the core of our system of representative self-government. The University's punishment of Dr. McCaskill will no doubt have a chilling effect. Please join me in signing a petition of our own--a petition to Gallaudet's president to fully reinstate Dr. McCaskill. If this action is allowed to stand, others like it will follow. We have seen that wherever marriage is redefined, we can only expect more of these civil rights violations. As my friend, Derek McCoy, executive director of the Maryland Marriage Alliance, told the Baltimore Sun, 'If such attacks can be made before same-sex marriage is law, how can homosexual activists in good faith say that religious liberties will not be attacked if Question 6 passes?'" - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

Labels: , , ,


Nordstrom Comes Out For WA Marriage

Seattle-based Nordstrom came out in support of same-sex marriage today with an email sent to its 56,000 employees nationwide. Via press release:
An internal email signed by Blake Nordstrom, President of Nordstrom, Inc, Pete Nordstrom, President of Merchandising and Erik Nordstrom, President of Stores said that the company has "long had a philosophical approach to our business to be inclusive," noting that the company was an early adopter of adding sexual orientation to its anti-discrimination policy and has offered life partner benefits to employees since 1998. The email continued: "We feel the next step in this journey is to now support freedom to marry, also called marriage equality. We gave this thoughtful consideration and felt the time was right to come out in support of this civil rights issue. It is our belief that our gay and lesbian employees are entitled to the same rights and protections marriage provides under the law as our other employees. We also believe supporting freedom to marry will help us create a more attractive and inclusive workplace for our current and prospective employees. Again -- this decision is consistent with our long-time philosophy of inclusivity and equality for our customers and employees."
And the dominoes continue to fall.

Labels: , ,


The Rolling Stones - Doom & Gloom

The band is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Labels: , ,


Homeless Advocates Occupy Castro Storefront, Dozens Of SF Police Respond

Last night my pal Matt Foreman and I were walking to dinner when we came across quite the scene on Castro Street as dozens of homelessness activists occupied a vacant storefront. A massive and helmeted SFPD riot contingent responded and gathered in several different huddles before rushing the storefront from all directions, with one squad blazing up from a side street on bikes. I'd estimate that somewhere around 75 officers responded, prompting one young man with a megaphone to taunt them: "Is THIS what you what think is a proper use of your parking meter money?"

The San Francisco Chronicle reports:
About 50 protesters gathered at Dolores Park at 5 p.m. and listened to music for an hour before marching down 18th Street, chanting "Homes not jails." Shortly after 6 p.m., protesters wearing black masks broke into an empty building at 535 Castro St. and hung a sign reading, "Gentrification Equals Assimilation." About half of the crowd stayed outside the two-story building while about as many police officers gathered across the street. Police stormed the building at about 6:50 p.m. Nearly an hour later, they arrested 20 people inside the building and marched them into a waiting police van. One woman sprained her ankle while trying to run from police as they stormed the building. Earlier, housing activist Tommy Avicolli Mecca, who was carrying a sign that read, "Stop the war on the poor," said the city needs to do more to make use of its vacant spaces. "In San Francisco we have anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 homeless people, yet we have all these empty buildings," he said. "Do the math. Why are we not using them? We're the city that thinks outside the box."
More of my photos are here.

Labels: , , ,


Morning View - Castro Obama HQ

I think this storefront used to be Tower Records.

Labels: , ,


Maryland Marriage Equality Calls For Gallaudet To Reinstate Diversity Officer

Marylanders for Marriage Equality has denounced Gallaudet University's suspension of its diversity officer for signing the petition to repeal same-sex marriage. Via Washington Blade:
Josh Levin, campaign manager for Marylanders for Marriage Equality, released a statement Wednesday evening expressing opposition to Gallaudet’s decision to place Dr. Angela McCaskill, a Maryland resident and the school’s Associate Provost of Diversity and Inclusion, on paid administrative leave. “We strongly disagree with the decision to put the chief diversity officer on leave and hope she is reinstated immediately,” Levin said in his statement. “Everyone is entitled to free speech and to their own opinion about Question 6, which is about treating everyone fairly and equally under the law.”
Maryland's anti-gay coalition has said the same thing.  McCaskill's name was found on the petition due to the database published by the Blade.  You may recall the screams of outrage from our enemies when that list went public.

Labels: , ,


Paul Ryan's Beefcake Photo Shoot

Buzzfeed's Jessica Testa reports: "TIME magazine released the photos Thursday morning— hours before Ryan's debate with Joe Biden in Danville, Kentucky. The photo shoot happened last year, when Ryan was a runner-up for the magazine's Person of the Year. The macho poses are, of course, a reference to Ryan's affinity for P90X."

UPDATE: And the photoshopping has begun!

Labels: , ,


Rachel Talks Politics With Ellen

We don't often get to the see the nation's two most popular lesbians on the same set. Discussion topics: same-sex marriage and the vice presidential debate.

Labels: , ,


Quote Of The Day - Boris Johnson

"The key thing about faith – at least in this country – is that you can choose whether to believe or not, and you can pretty much choose how to observe your faith. But you can’t (really) choose where you are born, or the laws under which you grow up whether you are gay or straight. And marriage is an ancient human institution that is far older than any of the religions that are practised today. It may well be beloved by God, but no religion has ever had a monopoly on marriage. [snip] Marriage is an institution that can bring great happiness. It is a formal acknowledgment, by society, of the love and bond that can exist between human beings. It provides stability and comfort. Far from dying out, marriage is on the increase – especially in London. Why on earth would we deny it to anyone?" - London Mayor Boris Johnson, writing for the Independent.

Labels: , , ,


Westboro Baptist Church: Homosexuals Should Be Put To Death

David Pakman interviewed Westboro member Jonathan Phelps, who says that all homosexuals should be put to death as called for in the bible. Familiar stuff from him, but he also says that gay marriage nationwide is a done deal.

Labels: , ,


PETA Issues NOT Terrible Ad

Spay or neuter your cat. And for some reason: Jersey Shore. Compared to what we've seen in recent years, we'll take this. (Via Gothamist)

Labels: , ,


Open Thread Thursday

Halloween approaches. Scariest movies roll call.

Labels: , ,


Lesbian NC Senate Candidate Displays Trans-Vaginal Probe In Ad

And now you know what one looks like.

Labels: , ,


Family Research Institute: Astronaut Sally Ride Died Of Being Lesbian

Right Wing Watch tips us to the latest batshittery from the Family Research Institute, which is an SPLC-certified hate group.
Sally Ride, the first U.S. female astronaut, died this year at 61 of pancreatic cancer. Most women live until their 80s. Something strange afoot?  Ride was married to a fellow astronaut from 1982 to 1987. But it was just revealed she had a ‘long time lesbian relationship’ of 27 years. Do the math: her 27 year relationship with a professor of school psychology (and co-founder of Sally Ride’s company) means that she got into that relationship in 1985, smack in the middle of her marriage. It would appear that her childhood friend broke up her marriage. And Sally may have paid with some of her lifespan.

Our latest research into recent homosexual obituaries from San Francisco indicates that lesbians are dying on average around 60ish. Ride fits the pattern of lesbian deaths, but not that of married women’s deaths, which usually extend into the early-to-mid 80s. Is this proof that homosexual activity leads to an early death? No, of course not. Had she stayed married, Sally Ride might have died at the same age and of the same malady. But, on average, her death fits a consistent pattern suggesting that homosexuality is associated with an early demise.

Labels: , , ,


Billboard Of The Day

Via press release from Equality Virginia:
“Include all families in America’s future” is the message you’ll see when driving through Richmond’s I-95/I-64 interchange through Oct. 20. Equality Virginia and the Gay Community Center of Richmond placed a billboard reminding passersby that America is made up of many families. “This election, we are very fortunate to have candidates speaking loudly in support of inclusive rights for all Americans,” Bill Harrison, interim president of the Gay Community Center of Richmond said. “For our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied communities, this is a welcome change.” The ad features three different families – a couple, couple with child and single parent. In Virginia, the 2006 Marshall-Newman Amendment banned any recognition of gay couples by the state. The Commonwealth’s adoption and family laws also place challenges on gays and lesbians for single and two parent adoption and second parent recognition.

Labels: , ,


Bill Clinton Mocks "Moderate" Mitt

I predict you will enjoy this. A lot.

Labels: , ,


France Sets The Date: October 31st

The French government has named October 31st as the day when the first draft of its marriage equality law will be approved.
Despite widespread political and religious opposition, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault insisted there would be no backtracking on a manifesto promise by President Francois Hollande in an interview with AFP. More than 1,200 French mayors and deputy mayors have signed a petition opposing the government’s plans, with many of them warning they will not preside over same-sex ceremonies. However, this represents less than one percent of the total number of mayors and deputy mayors in France.
The Socialist Party holds a strong majority and President Francois Hollande has vowed that same-sex marriages will commence nationwide by summer.

Labels: , ,


WND Lies About Big Bird

Using this graphic for a story that actually cites a 2009 chat show comedy skit that overdubbed Big Bird's words? That's for the course at World Net Daily, where it's likely that many readers will think this actually happened.

Labels: , ,


Magic Johnson Backs Home HIV Test

Labels: , ,


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

GLAAD's Spirit Day: October 19th

Details.

Labels: , ,