BULGARIA: Jammed Gun Foils Would-Be Assassination Of Political Leader

Reuters reports:

A man jumped on stage and pointed a gun at the leader of Bulgaria's ethnic Turkish party before security guards wrestled him to the ground during a televised conference on Saturday. Ahmed Dogan, the long-time leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) escaped unscathed, and it was not immediately clear why the attacker had targeted him at the party congress in downtown Sofia. Television footage showed the man jumping out of the audience and interrupting a speech by 58-year-old Dogan, who has led the party for almost a quarter of a century. Security guards were seen beating and kicking the attacker. "Ahmed Dogan is in good health. Everything is under control," MRF official Ceyhan Ibryamov told journalists.

Some reports say the gun was a "gas pistol" which is not considered lethal is most situations. But it probably could be at point-blank range.

NEW YORK CITY: Leading GOP Mayoral Candidate Joe Lhota Backs Marriage

Former MTA head Joe Lhota, who is thus far the leading GOP candidate for New York City mayor, says he backs marriage equality. Lhota officially launched his campaign yesterday at a press conference.

Lhota is a Republican in a heavily Democratic city. He’s fiscally conservative, but he is pro-choice and favors marriage equality. He said he would perform a same-sex marriage if asked. Pundits say his late entry into the race has already changed the multi-candidate Republican primary. “I think at this point he is the Republican primary,” Baruch College’s Micheline Blum said. And his candidacy has also shaken up the Democrats at a time when the party thought it would finally have a chance of taking City Hall after 20 years of GOP victories.

Lhota yesterday added that he strongly supports the NYPD's controversial  "stop-and-frisk" policy, which was ruled unconstitutional (in some cases) earlier this month. 

President Obama Explains Gun Plan

Posted today to the official White House channel.

Chris Kluwe Has A Book Coming

This summer Minnesota Vikings punter and outspoken LGBT rights ally Chris Kluwe will publish a book of essays.

"Beautifully Unique Sparkleponies" is scheduled for publication by Little, Brown and Company on June 25, 2013. A collection of uncensored personal essays, the book will delve into issues ranging from faith and government to human rights and professional sports. "Chris Kluwe's book is just like Chris Kluwe," Editor John Parsley said in a release. "Sharp-tongued, forthright and committed to exposing and eviscerating our society's density as quickly and completely as possible." Kluwe rose to national prominence with his scathing public letter to a Maryland state politician that immediately went viral. He actively campaigned against the Minnesota constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and has since appeared on the Colbert Report and The Ellen DeGeneres Show

You can pre-order the book on Amazon. (Tipped by JMG reader AB)

NEW MEXICO: Democratic State Rep Proposes Ballot Measure On Marriage

New Mexico state Rep. Brian Egolf yesterday introduced a bill that would place a constitutional amendment to legalize same-sex marriage on an upcoming public ballot.

“It’s time to recognize all the families in New Mexico who are headed by same-sex couples,” Egolf said Thursday. The proposal probably won’t have an easy time in the Legislature. Lawmakers in recent years haven’t even been able to pass legislation calling for state-recognized domestic partnership agreements. Egolf’s House Joint Resolution 3 says, “The issuance of a marriage license shall not be denied on the basis that the sex of both applicants is the same. No church or religious institution shall be required to perform a marriage ceremony or recognize a marriage for religious purposes that conflicts with the church’s or religious institution’s beliefs.” The measure, whose co-sponsors include Rep. Stephen Easley, D-Santa Fe, will first be heard in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee.

Tired Old Queen At The Movies #110

Clip description:

The legendary Greta Garbo gives the romantic performance of her cinematic career in George Cukor's visually lush production of Camille (1936). With handsome Robert Taylor as her lover Armand and with able support from Henry Daniel, Jesse Ralph and the irrepressible Laura Hope Crews, it is an unforgettably sensitive, romantic and ultimately tragic love story that will live in your memory forever.

PBS Interviews The Inauguration Poet

GOProud Haz The Fake Outrage

Shortly after Buzzfeed's Chris Geidner reported this morning on GOProud's feeble half-change of heart on same-sex marriage, another Buzzfeed staffer fired out the above tweets, which he almost immediately deleted. But that wasn't good enough for Chris Barron and Jimmy LaSalvia, who spent the day angrily forwarding screenshots to everybody in Teabagistan.  The "story" has already been picked up by Daily Caller, Instapundit, Pajamas Media, and Michelle Malkin's Twitchy.  What a terrible, horrible outrage that somebody said something nasty to GOProud on the Twitters!11!!

Come with me into the time machine:

There are dozens of more examples, of course.

Email Of The Day - Eugene Delgaudio

"Dear Joe, I've just come from a meeting with top Washington leaders, and I had to contact you right away. Most conservative leaders feel beaten and run over by the Homosexual Lobby's recent gains. Many are in shock. But I am resolved to climb back from defeat. Even though the first term of Barack Obama's reign gave the Homosexual Lobby both Thought Control AND the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, it just isn't enough for the Homosexual Lobby. The Homosexual Lobby will always lust for more power. Now the Homosexual Lobby is executing a full-scale covert operation designed to tighten their grip on Washington, D.C. and lock down America's submission.

"And while my warnings regarding the Homosexual Lobby's unquenchable thirst for power have been proven right, the news media focuses their attacks on me instead. Even the Weather Channel has attacked Public Advocate. And while the media turns a blind-eye, the Homosexual Lobby has devised a new secretive program to take over both national political parties. Only you and I can shine a spotlight on their dastardly plans, but I need your help today to succeed. Will you please contribute right now to fund the mail, telephone operations and internet campaigns needed to expose their covert operation?" - Eugene Delgaudio, in his latest money beg, which goes on and on and on.  Also, the Weather Channel?

COLORADO: Civil Unions Bill To Be Heard By Senate Committee Next Week

On Wednesday the Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee will begin hearings on a proposed civil unions bill.

Senate Bill 11 would "authorize any 2 unmarried adults, regardless of gender, to enter into a civil union." Last year, the Colorado House failed to vote on a civil union bill before the end of a special session of the legislature. This legislative session, democrats control the majority in the House and Senate. House Speaker Mark Ferrandino (D - Denver) says he would like to have a civil unions bill on Governor Hickenlooper's desk by Valentine's Day but has acknowledge it may take more time to get the bill through both chambers.

Catholic Charities is already screaming about changes to this year's version of the bill. Via Catholic News Agency:

If the legislation passes this year, civil unions for two people of any sex would be legally equivalent to marriage under state law. The 2012 Colorado Senate bill proposing to create the unions had stated that the bill “shall not be interpreted to require a child placement agency to place a child for adoption” with a couple in a civil union. That language, however, is absent from the 2013 bill, S.B. 11.

Kraska said this change means the legislation has the potential for “serious conflict with religious liberty” regarding religious institutions involved in charitable services as well as adoption and foster care. Mark Rohlena, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, said if the bill passes it could threaten the religious liberty of agencies like his that decline to place children with same-sex couples or unmarried opposite-sex couples.

“We feel it would be a very sad commentary if Colorado forced religious institutions or those who believe in a different framework to do something against their conscience,” he told CNA Jan. 16. If Colorado law forces the Colorado Springs-based agency to violate Catholic teaching, he said, “we probably would cease the operation of our adoption programs.”

TRAILER: Kink

Also from James Franco and also debuting this weekend at Sundance. Via press release:

Director Christina Voros and producer James Franco pull back the curtain on the fetish empire of Kink.com, the Internet’s largest producer of BDSM content. In a particularly obscure corner of an industry that operates largely out of public view, Kink.com’s directors and models strive for authenticity. In an enterprise often known for exploitative practices, Kink.com upholds an ironclad set of values to foster an environment that is safe, sane, and consensual. They aim to demystify the BDSM lifestyle, and to serve as an example and an educational resource for the BDSM community. In kink, we discover not only a fascinating and often misunderstood subculture, but also, in a career far from the mainstream, a group of intelligent, charismatic, and driven people who really, truly love what they do.

Possibly not work-friendly.

TRAILER: Interior. Leather Bar.

Clip description:

The 1980 film Cruising, starring Al Pacino as an undercover cop investigating a murder in the New York City gay, leather, bar scene, was plagued with controversy, and its director was forced by the Motion Picture Association of America to cut 40 minutes of sexually explicit material. Those 40 minutes have never been screened publicly. Filmmakers James Franco and Travis Mathews set out to reimagine what might have transpired in those lost scenes in this intriguing film about the making of a film.

The film opens at Sundance this weekend.

TRAILER: God Loves Uganda

Opening at Sundance this weekend. Clip description:

God Loves Uganda, a documentary by Academy Award winning director and producer Roger Ross Williams, is a powerful exploration of the evangelical campaign to change African culture with values imported from America's Christian Right. The film follows American and Ugandan religious leaders fighting "sexual immorality" and missionaries trying to convince Ugandans to follow Biblical law. God Loves Uganda is selected for the Documentary competition at the Sundance Film Festival, where it will premiere on January 18th 2013.

Visit the film's website.

From The Texas Attorney General

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is placing the above ads on websites based in Albany and New York City. He's running for re-election, of course.

BROOKLYN: Gay Man Accuses NYPD Of Beating Him During Party Arrest

The New York Times reports that a Brooklyn gay man has accused the NYPD of shouting anti-gay epithets while beating him during an arrest following their attempt to shut down an allegedly loud party at his home.

The man, Jabbar Campbell, 32, held a news conference on Thursday at which he showed videotaped images captured by security cameras that he had installed inside his apartment and in front of his building as a deterrent to thieves. The videos did not show any beating. But one camera, aimed at the building’s front stoop, showed a police sergeant reaching up and turning it around, toward a wall. A second set of images, recorded several minutes later, showed several police officers walking through Mr. Campbell’s apartment, on the second floor of the building; Mr. Campbell and his lawyer, Herbert S. Subin, accused the officers of conducting an illegal search without a warrant. Mr. Subin said that he thought the police had “targeted” Mr. Campbell because he was hosting a party whose guests included transsexuals and transvestites, and contended that the presence of the officers at Mr. Campbell’s home was very likely a result of “homophobic concerns and not for any legitimate police purposes.”

The NYPD says their internal affairs division is investigating the incident. Campbell told the NYT about the scene at his door.

When Mr. Campbell opened the door, one officer pushed the door all the way open and several others poured into the entryway, with one officer shouting “get him,” he said. “I didn’t have a chance to say anything, do anything,” Mr. Campbell said. “I got bum rushed.” For up to a couple of minutes, Mr. Campbell said, several officers pummeled him in the hallway, adding that he “blacked out” briefly and was “leaking blood.” As they punched him, Mr. Campbell said, officers repeatedly yelled “stop resisting,” although he said he was not struggling against them. Mr. Campbell said that the officers also shouted antigay epithets as they struck him. Mr. Campbell’s roommate, Dante Singleton, 21, said that he looked into the entryway from the top of a staircase and saw several officers pinning Mr. Campbell against a wall. “A few of the officers started whaling on him,” Mr. Singleton said.

The Vatican Wants Tim Tebow

Benchwarmer-for-Jeebus Tim Tebow has been invited to join a just-launched Vatican crusade for "ethical values" in professional sports. Via Catholic News Service:

The Pontifical Council for Culture is planning to host an international conference on re-instilling values in sports this spring, inviting representatives from top world governing bodies like FIFA (the International Federation of Association Football), the International Cycling Union and the Italian National Olympic Committee. Msgr. Melchor Sanchez de Toca Alameda, head of the council's "Culture and Sport" section, told Catholic News Service Jan. 16 that pro sports "have become a commodity that is subordinate to the free market and, therefore, to profit." He said the council hoped its participant line-up would include two high-profile Christian U.S. sports stars: NFL quarterback Tim Tebow of the New York Jets, and NBA basketball player Jeremy Lin of the Houston Rockets. Instead of sports being an activity that builds important values, respects human dignity and helps shape the whole human person, "it has reduced people to merchandise," he said.

Tebow has not yet responded to the invitation as he's busy hawking his $300 celebrity merchandise.

Quote Of The Day - Paul Ferguson

"I commend each of you that is coming forward today for your courage. I think you do realize that by law, the Commonwealth of Virginia does not allow me to issue those marriage licenses to you. I hope that if laws do change in the future, that you will choose to return one day to Arlington County to receive a marriage license.  Unfortunately, I am not able to grant that license by law." - Arlington County Clerk of the Circuit Court Paul Ferguson, speaking yesterday to the same-sex couples who appeared at his office to demand marriage licenses.  After Ferguson's pained refusal, the group marched across the Potomac to the Jefferson Memorial. (Tipped by JMG reader Blair)

The Case For Mammy/Daddy Marriage

Another winner found by Jeremy Hooper.

GOProud: We Now Support Marriage

Buzzfeed reporter Chris Geidner has a "major" announcement from GOProud.

After declining to take a position on the issue for years, GOProud, the group for gay conservatives, told BuzzFeed Friday it is coming out in support of same-sex marriage equality. "We support same-sex marriage, civil marriage," GOProud executive director Jimmy LaSalvia said. The move follows a decision by the GOProud board earlier this month to expand the group's mission to include state-level work. It also comes after, LaSalvia noted, the re-election of a president who supports same-sex couples' marriage rights, while some in the Republican Party are urging their party to reassess their position on the issue.

But when marriage equality comes at the hands of "judicial activists" - GOProud is against that.

At the same time, the group is pushing strongly for a state-level, political efforts — not judicial decisions — and LaSalvia warned that "a sweeping decision" in the Supreme Court case challenging California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex couples' marriages "will create a backlash" — including the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment being "brought to the forefront again."

Here's a bit of GOProud's official position.

GOProud believes that stable, loving, committed relationships are the cornerstone of our society and should be protected and encouraged for all couples — including gay and lesbian couples. We believe that the decision about how to best do this is one that should be made at the state level and that these decisions are best made by the people directly or through their elected representatives — not by unelected judges.

Read GOProud's full press release.

RELATED: At the above-mentioned GOProud board meeting, openly heterosexual right-wing columnist Lisa De Pasquale was elected chairperson.

ALSO RELATED:  No word yet on whether GOProud will continue their practice of faking anti-gay hate crimes.

Media Matters: Gun Appreciation Day Is Sponsored By White Supremacists

Media Matters has the scoop:

Gun Appreciation Day, a prominent effort backed by conservative media outlets and activists to oppose new gun laws, has accepted the sponsorship of a white nationalist organization to promote and mobilize supporters for its January 19 event. Gun Appreciation Day (GAD) is partnering with American Third Position (A3P), a political group that describes itself as representing "the unique political interests of white Americans." According to a party official, the organization is composed of "white nationalists." GAD's organizers ask supporters to visit "gun stores, gun counters, gun shows, and gun ranges to protest the Obama administration's post Sandy Hook assault on gun rights." The event has received significant media coverage and promotion in recent days.

The flyer for Gun Appreciation Day encourages "patriotic Americans" to come out and support the movement "Chick-Fil-A style!"  Congrats, Chick-Fil-A, you're now in bed with the Klan.

Deadspin FTW

(Via Wonkette)

SF Nudists Go To Federal Court

Activists are trying to block San Francisco Supervisor Scott Weiner's bill to outlaw public nudity and yesterday their case began in federal court.

The 90-minute-long hearing was a low-decibel and mostly cordial affair punctuated by numerous case citations and cavalcades of legal jargon. If not for eccentrically dressed members of the gallery and the frequent recitation of the ordinance's text -- "A person may not expose his or her genitals, perineum, or anal region..." -- one could be forgiven for thinking he'd wandered into the wrong room. Then the judge started talking about naked dancing.

Prior Supreme Court cases, noted [Judge Edward] Chen, have made allowances for nude dancing exhibitions or other artistic acts of nudism as distinguished from the simple state of being naked. Quoting former Justice David Souter, Chen noted that "performance dancing is inherently expressive. Nudity, per se, is not." Merely being unclothed at "parks, beaches, and hot dog stands" is not worthy of First Amendment protection. Chen further expressed that the scope of Wiener's ordinance, as compared to prior attempts to ban public nudity elsewhere, was "fairly narrowly drawn."

The ban, should it stand, goes into effect at the end of the month.

Brian Brown Reports From France

(Via Good As You)

Petition Of The Day

Embiggen and enjoy.

Lance Bass Confesses

That was fast.

(Tipped by Larry Flick)

Emeli Sande At Webster Hall

Last night a group of friends and I squeezed into the jammed-to-the-rafters Webster Hall for a concert by Scottish sensation Emeli Sande, who has scored five UK smash singles from her debut release, Our Version Of Events, which was Britain's #1 selling album of 2012. Sande has yet to achieve any real American success, despite her recent Brit Award, the UK's version of a Grammy.  Nevertheless, the audience knew every lyric and the evening was at times more of a group sing-along than a solo concert.  Prior to last night I'd only been vaguely aware of Sande, whom my friends favorably compared to Pink and Robyn.

Endangered Species

Here's a curious report from Bloomberg News:

“Pubic grooming has led to a severe depletion of crab louse populations,” said Ian F. Burgess, a medical entomologist with Insect Research & Development Ltd. in Cambridge, England. “Add to that other aspects of body hair depilation, and you can see an environmental disaster in the making for this species.” Janet Wilson, a consultant in sexual health and HIV, linked the trend with the growing popularity of pubic hair removal she and colleagues observed among patients attending the genitourinary medicine department at the General Infirmary in Leeds, northern England.

In a letter to a medical journal in 2006, they noted patients began getting a procedure known as the “Brazilian,” in which all but a small strip of hair is removed. Women and men who have sex with men took up the practice initially. Now, heterosexual men are doing so also, Wilson said. She and colleagues are analyzing patient records to see if it’s lowered rates of pubic lice further, and will present their latest findings at a medical meeting in May, she said. “We put the flag out, so to speak, if we see a case of pubic lice nowadays,” Wilson said in an e-mailed response to questions. “The ‘habitat destruction’ of the pubic lice is increasing and they are becoming an endangered species.”

(Tipped by JMG reader Homer)

Much More About The Meth Priest

Yesterday we learned that Father Kevin Wallin, formerly with the Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, was arrested by federal drug agents in Connecticut for his alleged role in a national crystal meth ring. Today we learn much, much more about the story.

The Catholic priest busted for allegedly dealing crystal meth was suspended after church officials discovered he was a cross-dresser who was having sex in the rectory at Bridgeport's St. Augustine Cathedral.  Monsignor Kevin Wallin was relieved of his duties in May, but the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport had continued to pay him a stipend until his Jan. 3 arrest -- a day he was planning to fly to London on vacation. Now dubbed "Msgr. Meth" by some, Wallin seemed to live a life that easily could have been ripped from the script of "Breaking Bad," the popular AMC series about a high school chemistry teacher turned crystal methamphetamine producer.

At one point, Wallin was selling upwards of $9,000 of meth a week, according to his indictment. In his post-priesthood, Wallin, 61, bought an adult specialty and video store in North Haven called Land of Oz that sells sex toys and X-rated DVDs. Investigators believe the shop helped him launder thousands of dollars in weekly profits. Wallin's arrest sent shock waves through the Bridgeport and Danbury communities where he was known as a charismatic speaker who was involved in many charitable activities, and who enjoyed Broadway musicals and show tunes. He often attended musicals with his mentor, former N.Y. Cardinal Edward Egan and parishioners.

Bolding is mine. And there's still more.

While pastor of St. Augustine's, sources said he often disappeared for days at a time; and rectory personnel became concerned and notified diocese officials when Wallin, sometimes dressed as a woman, would entertain odd-looking men, some who were also dressed in women's clothing and engaging in sex acts. In addition, diocese officials found bizarre sex toys in Wallin's residence, the sources said. Diocese officials consulted lawyers about the situation and were assured none of Wallin's behavior appeared illegal.

Campaign Against Jamaican Homophobia

Andres Duque tips us to a great new video series from the Jamaica Forum For Lesbian, All-Sexuals, and Gays (J-FLAG). Hit the link for more clips.

Gov. Chris Christie Denounces NRA

"To talk about the president’s children or any public officer’s children who have, not by their own choice, but by requirement to have protection and to use that somehow to try to make a poetical point I think is reprehensible. They’ve got real issues to debate on this topic. Get to the real issues.  Don’t be dragging people’s children into this. It’s wrong and I think it demeans them [the NRA] and it makes them less of a valid, trusted source of information on the real issues that confront this debate." - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, responding to yesterday's ad by the NRA. 

Lance Armstrong Confesses

Tweet Of The Day - FLOTUS

The First Lady celebrated her birthday today with a new Twitter account, a new hairdo, and a meeting with OutServe-SLDN staffer David Hall, the Air Force veteran discharged under DADT who was today named as Citizen Co-Chair of the Second Inauguration.  For more the new 'do, click over to Vanity Fair.

NLGJA President Dies At 48

Michael Triplett, president of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, has died of cancer at the age of 48.  The NLGJA writes:

Michael was the assistant managing editor at Bloomberg-BNA, where he used his legal background to develop and lead reports on tax and labor policy, as well as grooming journalists around the world. NLGJA members often called on Michael to provide a legal perspective to policy issues and governance, and he frequently sat on panels covering legal issues at NLGJA conventions.  Michael played an enormous role in our joining UNITY: Journalists for Diversity in 2011 and was one of our first representatives to the UNITY board. There, he worked with members of our partner groups to fully incorporate sexual orientation and gender identity into UNITY’s mission. He also helped our organization connect with members as a principle contributor to the NLGJA RE:ACT blog. Michael was truly a joy for all of us to work with, and his loss will be felt among our organization for years to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with his partner, Jack and his family in Alabama.

Such horrible news. I first met Michael in 2008 when he invited me to DC to sit on the NLGJA's panel discussion on ENDA, where I tangled with then-Log Cabin president Patrick Sammon who ended up calling me a "Stalinist." Michael, well aware of my opinion of homocons, had wisely seated us at opposite ends of the dais.

Last April, Michael wrote movingly about his battle with HPV-related oral cancer.

In the past year, I’ve had: three surgeries, 42 days of traditional radiation treatment, five rounds of chemotherapy, and five days of advanced radiation treatment. My medical bills have surpassed the $600,000 mark—thank God for my employer’s great insurance plan. I’ve lost over 50 pounds and all my facial hair, had almost half of my tongue removed, undergone two high-tech robotic procedures, used up over 70 percent of my accumulated sick leave, and had my 76-year old mother living with me for about 12 weeks to assist in my care. From this birthday forward, my gifts better be pretty damn spectacular.

In particular, and rather selfishly, I'll miss Michael's keen eye on the evolution of gay journalism and what it means today to be a news blogger in the ever-shrinking world of print media.  I've quoted his words on that subject regularly over the years and you can read some of those posts here.

Read Michael Triplett's full 2012 essay, The Anniversary Of My Cancer.

HRC: Stick A Fork In NOM

The Human Rights Campaign today issued a press release roundly mocking NOM for their failures to make good on their threats.  An excerpt:

Opponents’ financing is drying up. They were outspent almost three to one last year, $12 million to $34 million in the ballot campaigns. More broadly, tax documents obtained by HRC last fall show that NOM’s funding declined by one-third for 2011 – and that a whopping 75 percent of the anti-gay organization’s funding came from just two donors. It’s not surprising then that NOM is unable to follow through on the threats the group makes to Republicans supportive of marriage equality.

NOM promised, for instance, that it would spend $2 million to defeat the four Republican State Senators in New York who backed the legislature’s same-sex marriage bill in 2011. NOM then backpedalled, saying it would spend $250,000 in the primary fights. According to NOM PAC NY’s campaign finance reports, it only raised $45,000 and only spent $40,000 in 2012 – nowhere near what it claimed it would spend.

Beyond funding, NOM’s pressure campaigns – which the group insists have been successful - have produced little return on investment. A new HRC fact check piece makes clear the effort to oust the four Republicans strictly because of their votes on marriage did not work. “NOM’s threats to kick Republicans out of office – whether in New York two years ago or in Illinois earlier this month - are empty,” said Nix. “It’s nothing but bluster aimed to instill fear in lawmakers. NOM’s become nothing but a paper tiger.”

Read HRC's debunking of NOM's claims about the 2012 NY Senate elections.

Television F-Bomb Supercut

NYC stations seem to be over-represented here.

CONNECTICUT: Feds Bust Catholic Priest In National Crystal Meth Ring

Father Kevin Wallin, formerly of the Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, has been busted by federal drug agents in Connecticut for his alleged role in a national crystal meth distribution ring.

He went from pastor to pusher. A Connecticut priest was part of a cross-country drug ring that smuggled crystal meth from California into the well-heeled hamlets of Fairfield County, federal prosecutors said. Monsignor Kevin Wallin, a former pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Bridgeport, sold meth to undercover narcs six times since September 2012, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Wednesday. The 61-year-old former church leader and four others were indicted by a grand jury on six counts of possession with intent to distribute. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $2 million fine. Federal investigators arrested the group on Jan. 3. The Diocese of Bridgeport expressed "shock" at the news, saying many in Fairfield County regarded him as "a gifted, accomplished and compassionate priest," according to a statement.

According to the diocese, Wallin has been on sabbatical for the last eighteen months and they had been unable to reach him during that time.  They add that they "stand ready to help him through the difficult days ahead." (Tipped by JMG reader Todd)

NOM Publishes Full-Page Lie-Filled Ad In Rhode Island Newspaper

Rhode Islanders United For Marriage ticks off the lies:

Claim: Faith organizations, such as the Knights of Columbus, will be forced to host same-sex weddings in their facilities against their will.

Fact: A Vermont inn refused to host a same-sex wedding and was penalized. However, the legal repercussions were not due to Vermont’s marriage equality law, but rather a state anti-discrimination law. The inn owners cited “personal feelings” to justify their decision not to host the wedding of a lesbian couple. But Vermont’s Fair Housing and Public Accommodations Act prohibits public accommodations, such as inns, restaurants and schools that serve the public, “from denying goods and services based on customers’ sexual orientation.” Rhode Island law currently prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and HB5015 will not
change affect that protection.

Claim: Small businesses that oppose marriage equality will face lawsuits.

Fact: A Seattle Times investigation “failed to turn up any evidence that same-sex marriage had produced a rash of suits involving businesspeople.” The Times “also checked with human rights commissions in four of the six states where marriage is legal; the commissions said there was not an increase in discrimination findings or suits involving same sex marriage.”

Claim: People have been fired from their job for opposing marriage equality.

Fact: NOM claims Canadian sportscaster Damian Goddard was fired from his position with Rogers Sportnet after tweeting his opposition to marriage equality. Sportsnet denied that assertion, noting “well documented” reasons for his termination, saying it ”had already made the decision to terminate Mr. Goddard for cause.”

The debunking goes on for several more paragraphs, but really, none of this is news to us here. NOM is a lying group of compulsive lying liars for whom no lie is too petty or even too outrageous if they believe it furthers the goals of the Vatican.

Dear Abby Dies At 94

Dear Abby advice columnist Pauline Phillips has died at the age of 94. Phillips was known for being one of earliest and most widely-read supporters of gay people.

Phillips’ column competed for decades with the advice column of Ann Landers, written by her twin sister, Esther Friedman Lederer. Their relationship was stormy in their early adult years, but later they regained the close relationship they had growing up in Sioux City, Iowa. The two columns differed in style. Ann Landers responded to questioners with homey, detailed advice. Abby’s replies were often flippant one-liners. She willingly expressed views that she realized would bring protests. In a 1998 interview she remarked: “Whenever I say a kind word about gays, I hear from people, and some of them are damn mad. People throw Leviticus, Deuteronomy and other parts of the Bible to me. It doesn’t bother me. I’ve always been compassionate toward gay people.”

Ann Landers died in 2002. Dear Abby is written today Phillips' daughter, Jeanne.

Ty Segall - Thank God For Sinners

Rocky Horror meets the Stooges.

64% Of Republicans Are Birthers

From a new national survey conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson:

Sixty-three percent of registered voters in the U.S. buy into at least one political conspiracy theory, according to results from a recent Fairleigh Dickinson University Public Mind Poll. The nationwide survey of registered voters asked Americans to evaluate four different political conspiracy theories: 56 percent of Democrats and 75 percent of Republicans say that at least one is likely true. This includes 36 percent who think that President Obama is hiding information about his background and early life, 25 percent who think that the government knew about 9/11 in advance, and 19 percent who think the 2012 Presidential election was stolen.

Generally, the more people know about current events, the less likely they are to believe in conspiracy theories – but not among Republicans, where more knowledge leads to greater belief in political conspiracies.The most popular of these conspiracy theories is the belief that President Obama is hiding important information about his background and early life, which would include what’s often referred to “birtherism.” Thirty-six percent of Americans think this is probably true, including 64 percent of Republicans and 14 percent of Democrats.

(Via Salon)

NOM's Thomas Peters: Most Young Republicans Still Hate Same-Sex Marriage

"We need to remember that the same pundits who are currently lauding the victory of same-sex marriage in liberal states like Maine and Washington last November conveniently chose to ignore that in North Carolina earlier that same year, marriage won among under-40s by about eight points. The recent elections, in other words, did not necessarily show age-related demographic shifts as much as they highlighted the already-existing ethnic and geographical realities of the voting electorate. With a few of these facts and statistics in mind, one can now see how misguided Republican elites such the Illinois state GOP chairman are when they claim the GOP needs to abandon its stance on marriage to attract young voters. Instead, the GOP must continue to strengthen marriage if it wants to be appealing to Millenials in the long run." - NOM blogger Thomas Peters, writing for the National Review.

Homocon Tweet Of The Day

Breitbart Headline Of The Day

Story by Ben "Liberals Are Bullies" Shapiro, of course.

RHODE ISLAND: House Committee To Consider Marriage Bill On Tuesday

Zack Ford tips us:

The first General Assembly vote on gay marriage this year is scheduled for Tuesday. The announcement comes the day after the House Judiciary Committee held a six hour hearing on a bill -- H-5015 -- sponsored by Rep. Arthur Handy, D-Cranston. The proposal would allow same-sex marriage and recognize unions previously made under the state's existing civil unions law as marriages. The hearing is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Room 205 of the State House.

Zoom, zoom, zoom!

American Family Association: Obama Is Coming For the Guns Of Anti-Gays

"What if the Attorney General, and listen the reason I say this might happen is because if you remember the first report put out by the Director of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, when the President became President of the United States, she put out a paper talking about the people who are the categories of people who might be homegrown terrorists. In that list she put people who believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ, people who believe in pro-life issues, people who don’t believe in having illegal aliens here, they put a lot of good, decent categories of people in that paper. Well here’s what number four says, the Attorney General can put who he wants to on the list of people who are too dangerous to get guns. What if he decides radio talk show hosts who don’t believe in gay marriage, they’re dangerous, so they shouldn’t get guns? What about pastors who preach against abortion and homosexuality? They’re too dangerous to get guns? That could happen." - American Family Association radio host Buster Wilson.  Hit the link for a debunking of Wilson's claims by Right Wing Watch.

Air Force Veteran Fired Under DADT Named As Inauguration Citizen Co-Chair

Former Air Force SSgt. David Hall, who was discharged under DADT, has been named a Citizen Co-Chair of President Obama's second inauguration celebration.  Via press release from OutServe-SLDN, where Hall is now a staffer:

“This is certainly the honor of a lifetime, and I am grateful to President Obama for his leadership in repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ so that no qualified American who wants to serve this country in uniform will ever again be denied that right simply because they are gay or lesbian,” said Hall. Hall will join the seven others named today in the National Day of Service on Saturday that kicks off the inaugural events over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. He will attend the swearing-in ceremony Monday and along with the other co-chairs will ride on an inaugural parade float highlighting the inaugural theme of “Our People: Our Future.” Monday evening, he will attend the official inaugural balls.

Hall served in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait before his discharge.

125 Hottest Gay Porn Stars

Over at Boy Culture, Matt Rettenmund has compiled another one of his exhaustive rankings, this time cataloging his 125 hottest men of gay porn.  The list runs from the 70s until today and Matt eagerly awaits your howls of outrage over omissions and ranking positions.  My own choice for the top ranking would be Al Parker.  And yours?

Sen. Rand Paul Plans Bill To "Nullify" Obama's Gun Control Measures

Yesterday Sen. Rand Paul announced a bill that he claims will "nullify" President Obama's executive orders on gun control.

The news was first reported during the Fox News show “The Five” on Wednesday by anchor Eric Bolling. “I’m told Sen. Rand Paul will introduce language within hours, within hours, to call for the nullification and prohibition of funding for the president’s executive actions announced today and possibly even using the federal courts to nullify and defund some of the things that he plans on doing,” Bolling said. The Capitol Hill source told TheDC that Paul’s legislation is expected to do three things: nullify Obama’s executive orders, defund them and ask the Senate to file a court challenge to them.

Paul says: "Our founding fathers were very concerned about us having separation of powers. They didn't want to let the president become a king."

Britain's Kalley Yanta

Using the same title for their series, Britain's Coalition For Marriage has launched a video series much like the one we endured out of Minnesota. Jeremy Hooper writes at Good As You:

The whole thing makes me wonder if the National Organization For Marriage and/or Frank Schubert might be directly involved with this UK effort. As you likely know, NOM and Schubert were the forces behind the failed MN For Marriage effort. Plus NOM has been promoting this Coalition for Marriage on its own properties Might NOM be meddling in this UK effort just like the organization and its affiliates are aggressively meddling in French affairs?

FRC Prays Against Everything

From yesterday's Family Research Council "prayer targets."

First, the gays: May God's people arise to pray and effectively withstand government persecution over Biblical beliefs about homosexuality! (Mt 5:11-12; Rom 1:32; 2 Tim 3:12-14; 2 Peter 2:1-19; Jude 7)

Then the Obama cabinet: May God bring every relevant fact to light in the Senate confirmation hearings. May His will be done in the Senate votes for Hagel, John Kerry (Secretary of State), John Brennan (CIA Director) and Jack Lew (Treasury Secretary) (Gen 12:1-3; Pr 18:17; 28:4; 29:6-7; Zech 12:1-3, 9; Eph 5:11-13). 

And, of course, Obamacare: May Obamacare be overturned and may our government be required to respect religious liberty and all other God-given, constitutionally guaranteed liberties! (Lev 25:10; Dt 26:6-9; Pr 28:4; Is 10:1; Dan 3:14-18; 6:10; Acts 5:29) 

(Via Right Wing Watch)

Empire State Pride Agenda Endorses Christine Quinn For NYC Mayor

Via press release from Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Nathan Schaefer:

I could not be more enthusiastic about sharing the following announcement with you: the Empire State Pride Agenda’s Political Action Committee has just announced our endorsement of New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn for Mayor of New York City. This is an amazing moment for us and our movement. We have the opportunity to seat an out lesbian at the helm of the biggest city in the nation. The Pride Agenda endorsement recognizes Christine Quinn’s unmatched record on LGBT rights over the last two decades. As Director of the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project she fought bias crimes citywide and insisted that law enforcement pay greater attention to anti-gay violence. During her years as Chair of the New York City Council Health Committee, she successfully protected funding for HIV and AIDS services. As Speaker of New York City Council, she spearheaded the effort to pass laws ensuring dignity and protections against bullying for all students and was a leader in the historic, successful campaign for marriage equality for all New Yorkers.

To my knowledge, ESPA is the first major LGBT group to endorse Quinn, who has not yet officially announced her candidacy.

Dan Savage On Being Different

Clip description: "Dan Savage discusses Merle Miller's 40 year old essay 'On Being Different: What it Means to Be a Homosexual,' the impetus of the LGBT activist movement, and what 'being different' means today."

Westboro To Protest At Inauguration

Via Huffington Post:

The Huffington Post confirmed with the National Park Service that the Westboro Baptist Church has secured a permit to picket along Pennsylvania Avenue at the north sidewalk, southeast corner of John Marshall Park, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 21. In the past, the Westboro Baptist Church -- known for its vehement anti-gay positions -- has made empty threats. The group threatened to protest the funerals of Reddit co-founder and programmer Aaron Swartz as well as the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, but did not show up to either. The group also did not appear at the funerals for the victims of the Aurora, Colo., and Tucson, Ariz., shootings. Westboro Baptist Church has, however, followed through with protesting Obama before.

They're surely hoping for a reason to sue the federal government.

What Does HIV Look Like?

Open Thread Thursday

The president's second inauguration is almost here. What would you say is the most momentous public event you've attended in person?

Other Names Floated For SFO

Yesterday we learned about a proposal to rename San Francisco International for Harvey Milk.  The Bay Area Reporter notes that some folks have other ideas.

While many LGBT leaders and community members, unsurprisingly, have expressed support, others have floated the names of a variety of people as alternative choices. The suggestions include the late lesbian astronaut Sally Ride, the late gay black civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, lesbian pioneers Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, murdered transgender teenager Gwen Araujo, or the late disco star Sylvester.

Backers of any number of the city's political leaders, such as former Mayor Willie Brown, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein , would likely love to rename SFO on their behalf and could work to squash the Milk naming proposal. It also remains to be seen if the Milk idea will fly with the city's Asian community, whose voting bloc is significant and increasingly a force citywide. SFO bills itself as "the gateway to the Pacific," and the names of several Chinese leaders have already been put forward as naming choices.

Those in favor of renaming SFO on behalf of Milk acknowledge the proposal will likely encounter strong head winds against it. "I am supportive of the idea, but people need to understand this isn't necessarily a slam dunk," said Cleve Jones , who was an aide and close confidante of Milk. "Powerful forces, I suspect, will attempt to derail this."

Ladies and gentleman, we are about to begin our descent to Sylvester International Airport. Please turn off your electronics and prepare to feel mighty real.

Perkins: Only Dads Can Stop Guns

"Instead of focusing on the environment of violence, liberals are focusing on the instrument. As the Sandy Hook community can attest, limiting or banning assault weapons--as some states like Connecticut do--will not deter criminals intent on ignoring the law. Encouraging strong families with a vibrant faith can. As I've said before, what America needs is not a cop in every school, but a dad in every home. Although mental illness can be a factor, most delinquents, FRC's Dr. Pat Fagan explains, are children who have been abandoned by their fathers. The cause of violent crime isn't gun policy--it's family policy. And until Americans step back and examine the real problem, the President will continue exploiting these tragedies to accomplish his ultimate goal: expanding government at the expense of personal freedom." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

SPOILER: American Horror Story

Stay out of the comments if you've not yet seen last night's episode. Otherwise dive in and dish.

FRANCE: Gay Paris Mayor Fines Anti-Gay Marriage Group For Repairs

Openly gay Paris Mayor Betrand Delanoe has a levied a €100,000 repair fine against the organizers of Sunday's massive anti-gay marriage rally.  Gay Star News reports:

The money is to cover damages by the protestors to the grass on the Champs-de-Mars where they congregated at the end of their "March For All." But it has been criticized, with some accusing Delanöe of being unfair because he is gay and supports marriage equality. "It is absolutely ridiculous," Xavier Bongibault told The Local. "He would never do that if it was a pro-gay marriage demonstration. He has taken a militant position towards us. He himself gave his agreement that the march could go ahead," said Bongibault, who is also gay but opposes marriage equality. Others involved have said they won’t pay up but Delanoë has reportedly sent the invoice to France’s interior ministry who he says should pass it on to the organizers.

Xavier's name rang a bell for me and yup, he's one of the homocon tools featured in NOM's "gays against gay marriage" video series.

Santigold - Girls

From the soundtrack of the HBO show by the same name.

Petition Of The Day

Now being promoted across Teabagistan.

Texas Teabagger: We're Going To Outlaw Obama's Federal Gun Control Law

Because gun rights come from GOD.

Uh, Wut?

Andrew Sullivan Up For GLAAD Award

GLAAD today announced the nominations for its 2013 Media Awards, which covers television, movies, print, and digital journalism.  Among the nominees, perhaps surprisingly, is Andrew Sullivan for his Newsweek cover article on President Obama, The First Gay President.

GLAAD ticks off some other notables via press release:

Among the nominees: The Perks of Being a Wallflower, starring Ezra Miller, Logan Lerman and Emma Watson; The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, starring Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and Tom Wilkinson; Cloud Atlas, starring Ben Whishaw and James D'Arcy; NBC's new hit shows The New Normal and Smash; Glee, Modern Family; the documentary How to Survive a Plague; The Amazing Race with the Fabulous Beekman Boys; an interview with Bishop Gene Robinson on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart; Oprah's hour-long visit with Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka; CNN's Anderson Cooper 360; MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry; and Frank Ocean for his Channel Orange album. The list also includes GLAAD's first nomination for a PG-rated animated film, ParaNorman, which also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature Film. Spanish-language nominees include Titulares Telemundo for their interview with openly gay boxer Orlando Cruz, news programs Primer Impacto and Encuentro, and People en Español "Images and stories from the LGBT community continue to push support for equality to historic levels," said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. "This year's nominees enlighten and entertain, but also reflect a new American landscape where a growing majority accept and value their LGBT family, colleagues and friends. Now more than ever, viewers not only accept gay and transgender characters and plot lines, they expect them — just as they both accept and expect LGBT people to be a valuable part of their everyday lives."

Closer to home, the five nominees for Outstanding Blog are The New Civil Rights Movement, Autostraddle, Towleroad, Rod 2.0., and Blac(K)ademic.  Congrats to all!

See the full list of nominees in all categories.

Rick Perry Is Disgusted

"The Vice President's committee was appointed in response to the tragedy at Newtown, but very few of his recommendations have anything to do with what happened there. Guns require a finger to pull the trigger. The sad young man who did that in Newtown was clearly haunted by demons and no gun law could have saved the children in Sandy Hook Elementary from his terror. There is evil prowling in the world - it shows up in our movies, video games and online fascinations, and finds its way into vulnerable hearts and minds. As a free people, let us choose what kind of people we will be. Laws, the only redoubt of secularism, will not suffice. Let us all return to our places of worship and pray for help. Above all, let us pray for our children. In fact, the piling on by the political left, and their cohorts in the media, to use the massacre of little children to advance a pre-existing political agenda that would not have saved those children, disgusts me, personally." - Texas Gov. Rick "Oops" Perry, writing on his official state website.

One Million Moms: Victory Over Oxygen

One Million Moms is claiming another win.

Dear Joe, VICTORY! After tens of thousands of One Million Moms members contacted NBCUniversal on Monday concerning their new reality show, the network announced yesterday that they have halted any plans to continue the "Babies' Mamas" project. The network contemplated airing a controversial reality special titled "All My Babies' Mamas," but Oxygen, owned by NBCUniversal, has given it the axe after hearing from you. In a statement issued Tuesday, Oxygen said, "As part of our development process, we have reviewed casting and decided not to move forward with the special." The cast included a man who fathered eleven children by ten different mothers, but the show has now been dropped before the first episode aired. Praise the Lord!

What One Million Shrews conveniently fails to mention is that the show was also the subject of a massive complaint campaign launched by the civil rights group Colors Of Change, which is headed by former GLAAD executive Rashad Robinson.  Today the Washington Post credited Colors Of Change for the programming decision made by Oxygen Media.

The overwhelming response from more than 40,000 ColorOfChange.org members, combined with widespread outrage from the African American community, sent a clear message that exploitative television shows like “All My Babies’ Mamas” are unacceptable. The national petition claimed that images like that of the show’s main character, Atlanta-based rapper Shawty Lo, present black men and women as hyper-sexual and unfit parents, and can result in real-world consequences for our families — less attention from doctors, harsher sentencing by judges, lower likelihood of being hired or admitted to school, lower odds of getting loans and a higher likelihood of getting shot by police.

VIRGINIA: Workplace Protections For LGBT State Employees Proposed

Equality Virginia has issued a press release announcing that state lawmakers on Thursday will be introduced to legislation providing workplace protections for LGBT state employees.

Currently there are no workplace protections at the state or federal level for sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Consistent polling shows that 90% of Virginians believe that LGBT people should have the right to work for the government without discrimination.  In Virginia, most top private employers already extend these protections leaving state government at a competitive disadvantage. Eighty percent of Virginia’s top 25 largest private employers have policies including at least sexual orientation which helps in recruiting and retaining top talent.

Bill Description:

“Nondiscrimination in state employment. Prohibits discrimination in state employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or status as a special disabled veteran or other veteran covered by the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended. The bill defines “sexual orientation” as a person’s actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression.”

RELATED: In 2010 GOP Gov. Bob McConnell refused to renew an annual executive order protecting LGBT state employees from discrimination, claiming that there was no evidence that such discrimination even existed. Shortly afterward he also ordered state universities to rescind any such protection policies, saying that they had no authority to enforce them.  One month later he did issue an executive order recognizing Confederate History Month.

NOTE: All of McConnell's above actions were aggressively enforced by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who is now running for governor himself.

Liberty Counsel: Banning Machine Guns Will Just Mean More Fertilizer Bombs

Obama Announces Control Plan

Politico has the breakdown of today's speech:

President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced what he called a “common sense measures” plan to reduce gun violence, including legislation for a universal background check and new bans on assault weapons and high capacity magazines. He also initiated 23 executive actions aimed at improving background checks, school security and mental health care, in an effort to go around Congress wherever possible. “I intend to use whatever weight this office holds to make them a reality,” Obama said in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, joined by survivors of gun violence and several children who had written to him after the December shooting in Newtown, Conn. “If there’s even one thing that we can do to reduce this violence, if there’s even one life that can be saved, then we have an obligation to try. And I’m going to do my part.” Obama’s actions and proposals are the first sweeping gun control ideas to come from the White House in a generation, but he said there was no more time to waste. “This is our first task as a society: keeping our children safe. This is how we will be judged,” Obama said. “We can’t put this off any longer.”

Tweet Of The Day - Rupert Murdoch

Because the lady was black, you see.

Today In Christian Love™

"If we embrace homosexuality, we'll destroy society, we'll destroy families, we'll destroy everything. It's not just that God hates homosexuals, there's a reason why he hates it. If you break natural laws-- you say you don't believe in gravity, you jump off a building, you're gonna die. Homosexuality has consequences and God designed those consequences. The word of god is quite clear. He's destroyed every culture that has embraced homosexuality. The sin is similar to that of cannibalism and child molestation in the sense that it's a sin against society. I'm calling for discrimination against adulterers, rapists, murderers, homosexuals. Yes, we must discriminate as a society. God's law to the civil magistrate in terms of homosexuality says you should remove the abomination from the land." - Colorado Pastor David Beuhner, speaking to a local television station. (Tipped by JMG reader Dennis)