Depeche Mode - Heaven

The first single from their coming album, Delta Machine.

Ed Koch's Tombstone

Saying that he couldn't bear the idea of spending eternity in New Jersey, in 2009 Ed Koch purchased a plot in the Washington Heights cemetery which was the last in Manhattan still doing burials.  The tombstone, which Koch designed himself, has been waiting at the site since then. The inscription bears the final words of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl and notes that Pearl was "beheaded by a Muslim terrorist."  Before settling on the Washington Heights location, Koch had conferred with rabbis for permission to be buried in a "non-Jewish" cemetery.

Today In NOM Chutzpah

Jeremy Hooper writes: "Important reminder: March 26 is not only the first day of SCOTUS hearings and the day that NOM plans to march against us—it's also the one year anniversary of us all learning their stated intent to 'drive a wedge between gays and blacks' in order to 'provoke the gay base.' The coincidence sure makes those March on Washington parallels all the more ignoble, huh?"

RELATED: Join the Facebook March 4 Marriage page to keep up with all the developments coming next month.

Perkins Cheers Wyoming Defeat

"Unlike other bills, this one would have extended special benefits to just about any two people--including platonic relationships--stripping marriage of all meaning or incentive. Once again, Rep. [Mark] Baker pointed out the ridiculously high costs to taxpayers, especially as it pertains to homosexuals. Though we've not researched his source, Baker insisted that only 1% of homosexuals die of old age, a reference to the expensive health conditions associated with same-sex behavior. He insisted that would only burden the state's budget more. The majority of lawmakers agreed, stopping the bill by a 34-25 vote on the statehouse floor. Both victories were a shot in the arm for the marriage movement, which could use a few more fearless leaders like Wyoming's!" - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, cheering Wyoming's rejection of a domestic partnership bill.

Harry Jackson Files Prop 8 Brief

"Bishop" Harry Jackson has filed a Supreme Court brief against the overturn of Proposition 8. Jackson is being represented by Brian Brown's ActRight Legal Foundation, which is headed by Tea Party lawyer Cleta Mitchell, who in 2011 argued NOM's battle to evade financial disclosure in Minnesota. You may recall that Mitchell told Minnesota's election board that rabid homofascists will physically attack innocent Christians should their anti-gay donations be made public.   Jackson's SCOTUS brief mostly treads his tired "don't compare your sin to my skin" tropes.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Harry Jackson speaks in tongues against gay perversion.  Harry Jackson puts a gay newspaper out of business by the power of his prayers. Harry Jackson blames the bad economy on lack of love for Jesus.  Harry Jackson says God has been against gay marriage since the creation of the universe.  Click on his name in the labels for much much more crazy.

No Shadow For Punxsutawney Phil

Staten Island Chuck made the same prediction today.

FRANCE: National Assembly Approves Article One Of Marriage Equality Bill

This morning the French National Assembly approved Article One of it marriage equality bill by a vote of 249-97! BBC News reports:

The French National Assembly has approved the most important article of a bill to legalise same-sex marriage. Deputies voted 249-97 in favour of redefining marriage as being an agreement between two people - not just between a man and a woman. President Francois Hollande's Socialists and their left-wing supporters backed it, opposed by many opposition UMP and centrist MPs.

The proposals have generated protests and counter-protests for months. Opinion polls suggest that around 55-60% of French people support gay marriage, though only about 50% approve of gay adoption. Correspondents say the ease with which the article passed suggests the bill as a whole will pass. Debates are expected to go on for more than a week, as MPs discuss hundreds of amendments, most of them filed by the centre-right opposition.

Liberté, égalité, fraternité! Also: Suck it, Brian Brown!

Gay Star News has more on what's next.

In addition deputies also scrapped an amendment proposed by the right wing that could have mayors who object to gay marriage an option to opt out. All French mayors will thus be obliged, by law, to conduct same-sex marriage. The various articles of the bill have to debated article by article in a voting process that is expected to last for several days. Then the bill will be put to the vote in the French Senate and signed by the French president. With luck, France may legalize gay marriage before Valentine’s Day.

Upside Downton Abbey

I Will Hold You Ten Times

As longtime readers know, there are four or five JMG entries that I repost every year. This is one of them. My dear friend Daniel Johnson, who threw the most kickass Groundhog Day birthday parties for himself, would have been 56 years old today. His was a life that burned brightly and I am illuminated still. Daniel Johnson, 1957-1997.

I Will Hold You Ten Times

1. I will hold you, Daniel.

2. The lesions don't bother me, I will hold you.

3. I will pretend nothing is wrong when you want me to pretend and when you want me to hold you, I will hold you.

4. I will make plans with you to go to your favorite places that we both know you can no longer go and I will sit with you and look at your pictures of these places and I will hold you.

5. I will ride with you on the train to your doctor's office and when you get sick in the station, I will hold you.

6. I will see the Post-It notes you put all over the house reminding yourself to do everyday things like "Turn off stove" and "Lock front door" and I'll pretend the disease isn't robbing your mind and when you tell me something for the third time in ten minutes, I won't let you know, I will hold you.

7. I will go to Safeway with you because you need to get out into the world and when the diarrhea overwhelms you and you shit your pants in the middle of the store, I will call us a cab and in the cab, I will hold you.

8. I will make you mix-tapes of our favorite songs from last summer, just like you asked me to, and when the memories make you sad instead of happy and you throw the tapes in the trash, I won't get angry, I will hold you.

9. I will sit up all night with you because the fevers and night sweats won't let you sleep. In the morning, I will change your drenched sheets and help you out of the shower and when you weep from the sight of your withered body in the mirror on the bathroom door, I will hold you.

10. I will hold you, Daniel.

Evening View - Grand Central

I hopped off the subway at 42nd Street tonight to go upstairs and see the goings-on for Grand Central Terminal's 100th birthday. If you embiggen the photo, you might be able to tell there's a stage on the far side of the clock, but it was really too crowded to hang around.  Notice the big 1-0-0 in the windows.  That's the Apple Store on the far balcony, by the way.

The Best Days Of My Flerm

Newsday, 1989

While Ed Koch may spent the last two decades of his life refusing to discuss his sexuality, he did say something about it in 1989. (Tipped by JMG reader Bill)

Brian Brown: Emergency In Hawaii!!!

"Dear Marriage Supporter, We urgently need your help to stop same-sex marriage in Hawaii. Twenty years ago, an out-of-control judge first tried to force same-sex marriage on Hawaii, launching our nation's ongoing debate about marriage. But thanks to a dedicated band of pro-family heroes, his ruling was not the final word! It's a story we've seen play out time and time again in state after state...activist judges and politicians influenced by same-sex marriage lobbyist money try to force same-sex marriage on the people — only to run into a grassroots revolt from voters who know that marriage means a husband and wife joined together for the benefit of not only their own children, but all of society.

"Today the need is perhaps even greater. Fresh off electoral victories in November, gay marriage activists are pressing hard to pass a same-sex marriage bill in Hawaii this year — even though Hawaii's civil unions law went into effect just a year ago. It is critical that we step up today. Polling has shown that the people of Hawaii don't want same-sex marriage. But the pressure on politicians — from out-of-state activists and lobbyists flown in by the Human Rights Campaign all the way to President Obama himself — is growing intense. Your legislators need to hear from hundreds or even thousands of their constituents right away!" - Hate group leader Brian Brown, who has been "flown in" to numerous states and even France.

Clinton Says Goodbye To State Department

Cindy Jacobs: My Prayer Warriors And I Totally Ended The Global Recession

Pam Geller Copies Atheism Ad

The top billboard went up recently on San Diego's bus system. Wingnut Atlas Shrugs blogger Pam Geller, who has posted inflammatory anti-Islam ads on the NYC subway and elsewhere, wants to post her own version of the ad on the bus system in Detroit, which has a substantial Muslim population.  But her ad has been rejected by CBS Outdoors.

“The proposed advertisement submitted by Pamela Geller has been reviewed under [Detroit bus system] SMART’s content policy. SMART, consistent with its review process, also reviewed the referred-to website: thetruthaboutmuhammed.com,” read [Howard] Marcus’ e-mail. “Consistent with its policy, with the Sixth Circuit opinion in AFDI v SMART, and consistent with other law, SMART declines to post the advertisement.”

According to comments at Friendly Atheist, the San Diego group is considering legal action against Geller for copying their ad.

NEBRASKA: Christianists Fail To Repeal Omaha's LGBT Anti-Discrimination Law

In March of last year, the Omaha City Council narrowly approved a bill granting employment protections to LGBT residents of the city.  Anti-gay Christianist groups immediately launched a campaign to repeal the bill.  Supporting the repeal attempt was Omaha Archbishop George Lucas, who issued a letter demanding that local Catholics sign the repeal petition.

Yesterday the backers of the petition conceded failure.

The Omaha Liberty Project, sponsor of the petition effort, needed to submit roughly 11,400 valid resident signatures to the city today to potentially force a vote in May's general election. The group's volunteer petition circulators led months of signature gathering and community-organizing efforts, its leader said, but didn't collect enough signatures to account for potentially ineligible entries. The group has already missed a deadline to place the issue on the primary ballot. “We've got to be pretty darn close to the number we need,” said Patrick Bonnett, the group's executive director and a member of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District board. Bonnett said the Liberty Project's campaign got a late start and had to spend much of the holidays bringing voters up to speed on the ordinance. “We were very, very shocked at how few people were in tune with the issue,” he said.

Former Sen. Scott Brown: I'm Not Running For John Kerry's Senate Seat

Twitter is amused that Brown sent the word via text.

HomoQuotable - Michael Musto

"It's a shame the ex-NYC mayor never came out. It's tragic that he hid behind excuses like the fact that he was old and wasn't sexual at all anymore. Old people are still sexual--and if you're gay, you're still gay--and besides, he could have commented on his past. But Ed was so paranoid on the subject that when I interviewed him in the '90s, he propped up a tape recorder to tape me as I recorded him. It was a creepy double game of 'gotcha!' that led nowhere (though he was otherwise gruffly charming). [snip] The world is now an emptier place, but so is the celebrity closet." - Michael Musto, writing for the Village Voice.

HAWAII: GOP State Senator Concedes That Marriage Bill Will Probably Pass

Hawaii GOP state Sen. Sam Slom, who opposes marriage equality, today conceded that it's probably a waste of time to fight the pending bill.

"Same sex marriage probably will pass this year. You've got a preponderance of Democrats who support it in both Houses, you've got the Congressional delegation, you've got our Governor!" said Senator Slom. And you've got women like Renea Stewart and Lisa Veneri who've been together for 19 years, and want just one thing. "The same rights that everyone else is afforded," said Veneri. "I mean we go to work, we pay our taxes, we have a mortgage." "Yeah, we're just your normal everyday couple. We just happen to be born gay," said Stewart. Senator Slom says he's voting against the bill because he questions whether it will truly protect the rights of religious organizations who do not want to perform or recognize same-sex marriages. "To me, I don't care if gay people want to get married but to force other people to do things or to subsidize certain activities-- that I oppose," said Senator Slom. "Whether you're for it or against it, if you live in this country you're afforded life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and you should have your rights-- and marriage being one of them," said Stewart.

The bill is due to be heard by the state Senate Judiciary Committee, but no date for its consideration has yet been scheduled.

"Ex-Gays" File DOMA Brief

Parents & Friends Of Ex-Gays (PFOX) have filed a Supreme Court brief against the overturn of DOMA. The group is headed by lifelong homosexual Greg Quinlan, who also chairs the anti-gay New Jersey Family Policy Council. In the brief PFOX cites the 2009 DC Superior Court ruling that "ex-gays" are to be afforded anti- discrimination protection as a distinct sexual orientation. The brief goes on to declare that nobody is born gay, that homosexuality is "chosen," and that all the members of PFOX can be found trolling the glory holes at dirty bookstores and truck stops with Eugene Delgaudio on any given night.*

PFOX goes on to cite NARTH, whose co-founder was busted for hiring lithe young Latino prostitutes, and JONAH, who is being sued for asking male clients to expose their genitals and grope themselves in order to "get in touch with their masculinity." Also cited is "ex-gay counselor" Richard Cohen, who asks clients to beat a pillow with a tennis racket while screaming, "Why, Mommy? Why did you make me gay?"  Hit the first link and read all the delusions. (Tipped by JMG reader Str8Grandmother)

*Not really, but probably true anyway.

Ayanbadejo Reacts To 49ers Flap

"I've preached since day one to my teammates that there's certain words you can't say. And when they're around me they know -- if B.A.'s around, you can't say 'gay' in a derogatory manner, you can't say the three-letter 'f' word. And I tell them, I go, you can't say those things. And if people hear you say those things, regardless if you mean them or not, they're going to fry you. And if it's in a public arena your whole reputation's going to be roasted for it. So we've kind of seen it happen this time. So we just have to all learn from what happened, from this mistake. He apologized and hopefully he'll learn. And he's in the Bay Area, and it's really important there, it's pertinent there. So I think he's going to learn and he's going to grow to be a better person for it." - Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, responding to the flap about 49ers player Chris Culliver.

HRC Endorses Christine Quinn

She has yet to formally announce her candidacy, but today the Human Rights Campaign endorsed Christine Quinn for New York City mayor.  Via press release:

As Speaker of the New York City Council, Quinn has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all New Yorkers. HRC pointed to Quinn’s unrivaled record and experience leading the City and specifically highlighted her leadership in negotiating on-time and balanced budgets, reducing wasteful government spending, and preventing teacher layoffs and firehouse closings.

“New York needs Christine Quinn because she approaches every issue she cares about with passion and drive,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Whether it’s equality for all New Yorkers, great public schools or twenty-first century infrastructure, Chris is ready to fight for the city New Yorkers deserve.”

“Whether its keeping neighborhood firehouses open or teachers in the classroom, balancing budgets or protecting our taxpayers, or ensuring that all New Yorkers, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation are treated equally, my number one priority has been –and always will be –the people of New York,” said Quinn. “I am so very honored that the Human Rights Campaign is backing my candidacy and I look forward to their partnership over the coming months.

Last week the Empire State Pride Agenda was the first major LGBT organization to endorse Quinn.

Quote Of The Day: MP Helen Grant

"I am a God-fearing woman. My faith is very fundamental to everything I do and think. I am a member of the Church of England, a Christian, and my faith is very, very important to me. I think [same-sex marriage] is absolutely consistent with my beliefs. For me, as a Christian, I see it as about justice, equality, fairness, ending discrimination and opening up marriage to more people on the basis that marriage is a very special institution." - Conservative MP Helen Grant, speaking in advance of Tuesday's second reading of Britain's marriage equality bill.

CALIFORNIA: Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahony Fired Over Molestation Cover-Ups

The Catholic Church has terminated Cardinal Roger Mahony for his role in cloaking pedophile priests from law enforcement.

Just hours after a court-ordered massive release of priest personnel files revealed the extent of Mahony's role in covering up for known sexual predators, Archbishop José Gómez announced Thursday night that he has relieved Mahony of his remaining duties. A former top aide to Mahony also stepped down from his current post. This is the first time since the massive abuse scandal exploded in 2002 hen there were direct repercussions for top church officials. In December 2002, Cardinal Bernard Law resigned his post as archbishop of Boston when protesters and priests called for him to step aside. "I find these files to be brutal and painful reading," Gómez said in a statement, referring to the newly released files made public by the church Thursday night just hours after a judge's order. "The behavior described in these files is terribly sad and evil. There is no excuse, no explaining away what happened to these children."

The above-linked article notes that so far Mahony has only been "relieved of his duties as Cardinal" and that he may continue to perform services in his Los Angeles parish.  According to a spokesman for the Archdiocese, Mahony remains a "priest in good standing." In fact, as he is still technically a Cardinal, albeit one without a job, Mahony is still eligible to vote for the next pope.

ILLINOIS: State Senate To Vote On Marriage Equality On Valentine's Day

In a move that has surely delighted local activists, the president of the Illinois state Senate has selected Valentine's Day for the vote on marriage equality. However, the bill must first pass out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) wants Feb. 14 to be the day his legislative chamber votes to legalize gay marriages in Illinois. I’d like to pass it out of committee next week and pass it on Valentine’s Day,” Cullerton told the Chicago Sun-Times in a meeting Thursday with the newspaper’s Editorial Board. Cullerton said he believes the legislation, Senate Bill 10, has the necessary 30 votes to pass and move to the House, clearing a major hurdle in making Illinois the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriages. Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), the bill’s Senate chief sponsor, and Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), the bill’s chief House sponsor, have been working to tweak legislation that surfaced and stalled in January.

According to one writer for the Chicago Sun-Times, many members of the Illinois GOP, well aware that the bill will pass, are hoping to see it approved as soon as possible so that it will be far in the past when re-election time comes. Zoom, zoom, zoom.

NEW MEXICO: Marriage Bill Advances

By a 5-4 vote, yesterday the New Mexico House Public Affairs Committee narrowly approved a bill to place marriage equality to a public vote.

The bill would let voters decide the issue of same-sex marriage, but it also states churches would not be required to recognize the same-sex marriage bill. After hearing very different opinions and personal experiences, lawmakers decided along party lines to pass the bill, which moves it to the next committee. "We should not discriminate. The state should be doing everything possible to encourage people to enter into committed, long-term relationships, especially when there's children involved," Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, said. "What happens to those kids? Those kids were not created in that relationship," same-sex marriage opponent Jose Vasquez said. Egolf said he's been contacted by hundreds of people who thanked him for sponsoring the bill.

The bill must pass out of another committee before moving to the full House.  If approved by both state chambers and signed by the governor, marriage equality would appear on the November 2014 ballot.  (Tipped by JMG reader Elise)

Blowhard Bill Donohue: Why Is There No Mercy For Heterosexual Dogs?

"This week in Tennessee a dog was rescued from being euthanized (one news outlet said he was being spared 'the Gas Chamber') because the condition driving the dog’s death was his alleged homosexuality (the owner was ticked when he saw his Fido hunch another male dog). For reasons that appear entirely reasonable, the gal who rescued the dog named him Elton. The place where Elton was dropped encourages dog adoption, but it also promotes dog euthanasia. Not, however, in Elton’s case: the shelter has no stomach for putting dogs down on the basis of sexual orientation. It must be said, though, that the shelter is not exactly inclusive in its policies. To wit: Had poor Elton not been identified as a homosexual, his heterosexuality would not have been enough to save his hide. The moral of the story is: Being gay is not only a bonus for humans these days, it is a definite plus for dogs as well. As for straights, the lonely and the disabled, that’s another story altogether." - Catholic League blowhard Bill Donohue, commenting on this story.

Outed Homophobes: The Supercut

Via Towleroad, here's a compilation of some of the most notorious homophobes who have been outed in recent years.

Geraldo Rivera For Senate?

Fox News host Geraldo Rivera says he may run for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey.  

"Buckle your seat belts!" said Rivera before announcing, on his radio show on WABC-AM in New York, that he is "truly contemplating" a Senate bid. He said he has spoken to some people in the New Jersey GOP about a run, but he didn't say what they told him. Rivera got a mixed response when he asked his 30,000 Twitter followers how they feel about him challenging either Sen. Frank Lautenberg or Newark Mayor Cory Booker. At 89, Lautenberg is the oldest sitting U.S. senator. The Democrat hasn't said if he will seek re-election. Booker, also a Democrat, has announced he is exploring a run but hasn't made clear if he would challenge Lautenberg in a primary, should he seek another term. No Republican has formally announced an interest in running. Rivera, who is 69, said he has commitments to Fox and the radio show, but "I figure at my age if I'm going to do it, I gotta do it."

Rivera would be considered quite moderate by current GOP standards, as he supports both marriage equality and broad immigration reforms.

NEW YORK: Former Sen. Shirley Huntley Pleads Guilty To Embezzlement

Former NY Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Queens) yesterday pleaded guilty to embezzling almost $90K in public money for the sham non-profit group she had established.

The Queens Democrat said that she used government grants for her charitable non-profit education organization, the Parents Information Network, to buy personal items and benefit family members. Huntley admitted that she utilized "straw recipients" to help disguise her embezzlement scheme from the charity, which was founded to help parents understand issues related to the New York City school system. Several large withdrawals of the money intended for the non-profit organization instead were slipped to some of Huntley's relatives, officials said. "And did you know that was criminal conduct?" Brooklyn federal Judge Jack Weinstein asked at today's hearing. "Yes, your honor, I did," the ex-lawmaker answered. Huntley, who served in the state legislature from 2007 to 2012, admitted that she had committed felony mail fraud in furtherance of her embezzlement scheme. "I'm guilty. I plead guilty," Huntley said.

Huntley faces two years in prison. If she serves time, she will become the fourth New York Senate Democrat sentenced to prison in the last eight months. While still in office, Huntley gained notoriety for declaring that she would never vote for marriage equality, "not even if you gave me a million dollars tax-free."  Huntley later flip-flopped and did vote in favor of the marriage bill that ultimately passed in 2011.  Despite the fact that she had been arrested for corruption, NOM claimed to have defeated Huntley over her marriage vote when she lost her September 2012 primary.

Adam Lambert & Sam Sparro - Shady

At last night's We Are Family Foundation concert in New York City, Adam Lambert and Sam Sparro debuted a new song they wrote together.

(Tipped by JMG reader Bert)

49ers Anti-Gay Flap Widens

Yesterday Dan Savage removed the It Gets Better anti-bullying clip recorded by the San Francisco 49ers after two of the players that appeared in the clip denied having taken part.

Though Culliver has since apologized for the controversial statements, the backlash seems unlikely to dissipate now that a new wrinkle has emerged. The 49ers' linebacker Ahmad Brooks and nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga, both of whom participated in the team's widely-praised "It Gets Better" video last summer, have denied ever producing the clip.  The players told USA Today Sports that they didn't realize the video's aim was to specifically combat bullying experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teens.  "This is America and if someone wants to be gay, they can be gay," Brooks told the publication. "But I didn't make any video." Later, after he was reportedly shown the video on an iPhone, the player clarified, "Oh, that. It was an anti-bullying video, not a gay [rights] video."  Even more curiously, Sopoaga similarly denied taking part in the clip, even as a teammate reportedly tried to jog his memory. "I never went," he declared. "And now someone is using my name."

ALABAMA: Teacher Tells Students "Queers Are An Abomination Against God"

A teacher is being investigated in northern Alabama after a student recorded him making slurs against gay people and Michelle Obama.

School district officials are investigating allegations that a Lauderdale County High School teacher made slurs in the presence of students regarding first lady Michelle Obama and gays. Superintendent Jennifer Gray confirmed the investigation concerns the school’s head football coach, Bob Grisham, who also teaches driver’s education and psychology. The investigation includes a 1-minute, 24-second audiotape of Grisham asking who knows who is behind the 600-calorie school lunch. “Fat butt Michelle Obama,” he said. “Look at her. She looks like she weighs 185 or 190. She’s overweight.” Male voices interject comments during the discussion, at one point referring to Michelle Obama as a “fat gorilla.”  Later in the tape, Grisham referred to the U.S. as going in the “wrong direction” and tells the students they can “get pissed off at me or not. You can go tell the principal, call the superintendent and tell her. I don’t believe in queers. I don’t like queers, I don’t hate them as a person, but what they do is wrong and an abomination against God.” The tape was reportedly recorded by a student Monday and took place on school campus during the school day.

Ed Koch Dies At Age 88

Former New York City mayor Ed Koch died this morning at the age of 88.

As mayor from 1978 to 1989, the forceful, quick-witted Koch, with his trademark phrase "How'm I Doing?," was a polarizing figure and the city's constant promoter. Koch died at about 2 a.m. (0700 GMT) at New York-Presbyterian hospital, the spokesman for Koch said. Koch was credited with lifting New York from crushing economic crises to a level of prosperity that was the envy of other U.S. cities. Under his leadership, the city regained its fiscal footing and undertook a building renaissance. But his three terms in office were also marked by racial tensions, corruption among many of his political cronies, the rise in AIDS and HIV, homelessness and a high crime rate. In 1989, he lost the Democratic nomination for what would have been a record fourth term as mayor.

Throughout his life Koch refused to acknowledge his gayness.  Four years ago he spoke to the New York Times about being asked.

“I do not want to add to the acceptability of asking every candidate, ‘Are you straight or gay or lesbian?’ and make it a legitimate question, so I don’t submit to that question. I don’t care if people think I’m gay because I don’t answer it. I’m flattered that at 84 people are interested in my sex life — and, it’s quite limited.”

During his tenure as mayor, Koch was especially despised by AIDS activists, who accused him of slowing the reaction to the epidemic out of fear of being outed himself. None were more disdainful of Koch than Larry Kramer.

A few years after he left Gracie Mansion, Ed Koch ran into gay-rights activist and playwright Larry Kramer in the lobby of their apartment building on Washington Square. Mr. Kramer had famously been a harsh critic of what he believed was Mr. Koch’s slow response to the AIDS crisis, satirizing him as closeted and craven in his 1985 play The Normal Heart, about the syndrome then baffling doctors, and confronting the indifference of public health officials like those in Mr. Koch’s administration. Hundreds of New Yorkers dead or dying from a terrifying new disease and the mayor couldn’t give less than a damn, according to Mr. Kramer. For Mr. Koch, though, it was bygones.  “He was trying to pet my dog Molly and he started to tell me how beautiful it was,” Mr. Kramer once told The New Yorker of the incident, recounted in N.Y.U. Polytechnic historian Jonathan Soffer’s Ed Koch and the Rebuilding of New York City. “I yanked her away so hard she yelped, and I said, ‘Molly, you can’t talk to him. That is the man who killed all of Daddy’s friends.’”

Koch was a regular target of ACT UP.

Koch, a documentary about his life, debuted this week.

NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the favorite to win this year's mayoral campaign, this morning issued a statement on Koch's death.  Via press release:

"All of New York City is in mourning today as we say goodbye to a great mayor, a great man, and a great friend.  Ed Koch dedicated his life to the five boroughs. He loved this city fiercely and it loved him back. He saved us from the brink of bankruptcy, raised our spirits, and restored our city’s reputation in the world. He rebuilt our crumbling infrastructure, adding more than 150,000 units of affordable housing. And after leaving office he continued to make New York a better place, inspiring us through his writing, his activism, and his commitment to change. But he was more than just the sum total of his accomplishments. Mayor Koch was larger than life. He stood taller than the bridge that bears his name. His sense of humor and tenacious spirit personified this town. Ed Koch was New York."

Another Loss In Wyoming

Today the Wyoming Senate rejected a bill extending anti-discrimination protections to LGBT residents. Today's loss follows the rejections of domestic partnerships and same-sex marriage, both of which failed earlier this week.

The Wyoming Senate rejected a bill today that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The standing vote was 13 for the bill and 15 opposed. Opponents claimed Senate File 131 would create a protected class of employees and would result in lawsuits against employers. The sponsor, Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, said the purpose of the bill was to recognize and prevent discrimination. Twenty-one states have adopted similar legislation. Gay activists have been pushing the bill, saying it's essential to give Wyoming gays and lesbians protections in the workplace and elsewhere. Opponents expressed concern that the bill could impinge on religious freedoms.

Bolding is motherfucking mine.

Aaron Schock On Marriage: I...Um...Wut?

Allegedly heterosexual Rep. Aaron Schock, who is reportedly planning a run for governor of Illinois, today delivered a mumbling word salad when asked about same-sex marriage.

(Tipped by JMG reader Andy)

Brian Brown Denies Salary Report

The lyingest liar from Lie City wants you to believe him.

Headline Of The Day

The pastor raised a stink about being outed. Applebee's issued a statement.

Our Guests’ personal information – including their meal check – is private, and neither Applebee’s nor its franchisees have a right to share this information publicly. We value our Guests’ trust above all else. Our franchisee has apologized to the Guest and has taken disciplinary action with the Team Member for violating their Guest’s right to privacy. This individual is no longer employed by the franchisee.

(Tipped by JMG readers Damon and Osman)

UPDATE: The pastor has issued an apology.

A Christian Lesson On Gay History

"Just remember about 100 years ago, you had three homosexuals in the world as far as anybody really knew. There was a Canadian named Robert Ross, an Englishman named Oscar Wilde, an American named Walt Whitman. They led the charge in the early 1900’s and wound up in and out of the prison system and in court and so forth for a period of time. And again, there was only about three that anybody knew of and it was hardly anything that was mentioned among the established world at that time, that is in Europe, Canada and America. But you did have those three men, as far as history bears out, Robert Ross, Oscar Wilde and Walt Whitman were well-known for some level of homosexual activity, although they could not call themselves homosexuals at that time.

"Well now, of course, it’s the most out of the closet and the encouragement to the homosexual lifestyle is everywhere and we have a problem that’s probably about 10,000 times if not 100,000 times worse than it was 100 years ago. I don’t know how far this one’s gonna go my friends. I’m not sure the world has ever gone to homosexual marriage. I think Nero tried it, it was very, very odd, very weird, very, very decadent for the Roman Empire. It’s about the worst the Roman Empire ever, ever got, under Nero. And of course the persecutions that came with Nero were intense for the Church of Christ in Rome at that time. Today, it might be a little different because you have a lot of quote-unquote apostate Christian churches that have adopted homosexuality and they will do their best to burn Christians at the stake or do what Nero did, I’m sure, in the years to come, because that’s sort of the history of homosexuals and what they have done ever since they were banging on the doors outside of Lot’s house." - Pastor Kevin Swanson, teaching Christian radio listeners about gay history.  (Via Right Wing Watch)

Chuck Hagel Grilled On Gay Rights

Clips are via AmericaBLOG where John Aravosis writes:

Former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel was asked twice today about gays in the military, and gave answers that sounded somewhat rambling and confused. Which is odd, since he was obviously prepared for these kind of questions after the controversy over the past month regarding his past anti-gay statements while serving in the Senate. Though many are telling me that this is Hagel – rambling, no matter what the question.

Eugene Delgaudio Files Prop 8 Brief

Today Eugene Delgaudio joined a large coalition of anti-gay, Christianist, and gun groups in filing a Supreme Court brief against the overturn of Proposition 8. Sadly, the brief does not open with "It was a dark and stormy night." It does, however, cite that bit in the Bible that calls for homosexuals to be put to death. And there's this:

Gay men and lesbian women have not been treated to a history of discrimination based on a “trait.” There is no evidence that such people have been discriminated against on the basis of a characteristic or a propensity. For example, in the enforcement of the criminal law prohibiting sodomy,there must be proof of an actus reus. Likewise, in the enforcement of the law of marriage, a homosexual pair is being denied a marriage license on the ground of sexual behavior, not sexual orientation. In short, Respondents have cited not law prohibiting homosexuality, that is, being sexually attracted to a person of the same sex. Homosexuals are discriminated against not because of who they are, but only for what some may choose to do.

Get it? You're not discriminated against for being gay, just for living as a gay person. There's a difference, people! The brief also delves into Loving at some length. Hit the link and give us your thoughts.

UPDATE: Via a commenter, I'm reminded to point out that the above-listed Western Center for Journalism is the parent company of World Net Daily.

SCOTUS Demonstration Site Launched

Details.

Chris Culliver Faces Media Over Gay Flap

(Via Towleroad)

COLORADO: Civil Unions Bill Advances

Sean Chapin Reacts To 49ers Flap

Poll Of The Day

Details.

Openly Gay PA State Rep. Brian Sims Pushes Anti-Bullying Bill "With Teeth"

Openly gay Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims was only sworn in a couple of weeks ago and he's hit the ground running by helping to build a large bipartisan coalition behind an anti-bullying bill that he promises will be stronger than "toothless bills" in other states. There are now 67 co-sponsors of the bill, including several Republicans. Philly Now reports on the details.

The PASS Act, already endorsed by Equality PA and the SEIU, would amend the Public School Code of 1949, by “further providing for program of continuing professional education; and, in safe schools, further providing for definitions, for reporting and for policy relating to bullying and providing for powers and duties of Department of Education.” Among those amendments would be the definition of bullying to be “any written, verbal or physical conduct,” related to a characteristic like race, color, religion, “sexual orientation,” and “gender identity,” among other things. The bill also includes a definition of “cyberbullying,” school-sponsored events, and electronic communication.

The bill itself would attempt to train educators on preventing bullying in a school setting, as well as creating new guidelines for reporting such bullying in schools. “Especially following Matthew Shepard, we saw a whole bunch of states pass anti-bullying legislation, which I call ‘toothless bills,’” says Sims. “They didn’t specifically enumerate the classes of people that need to be protected. They didn’t have reporting requirements, they didn’t have time frames on reports, they didn’t say what needed to be included in reports and I think this is very different. This bill protects those people from bullying and it will actually curb bullying—not just lend it lip service.”

The PASS Act is awaiting action before the state House Education Committee. We'll watch this closely.

Syron - Here

I heard this in a shop last night and had to Shazam it. Kind of a Massive Attack feel, yes? She's only 19! The single goes on sale in March and I expect there will be some great remixes.

Quote Of The Day - Jim Robinson

"Obama and his socialist-fascist regime now wants to take our guns. Like hell you say. America answers by buying guns in record numbers. Americans will never allow themselves to be disarmed. The founding fathers intended American citizens to be armed to defend themselves from just such runaway tyrannical government. America's response to Obama's attempted gun grab: FUBO!! You want my gun? Come and take it!! Never surrender!! Never retreat!! Never give up your guns!! Free Republic stands for God and country!! We defend Life, Family, Constitution, Liberty!! And we defend our God-given, constitutionally guaranteed right to keep and bear arms!! TO THE HILT!! FR is funded solely by contributions made by liberty loving people who enjoy and use it. We are beholden to no political party. No outsiders, no sugar daddies, no advertisers, no corporate string pullers. And we're going to need FR now more than ever to combat the current crop of Marxists, fascists and progressives who have infested our government and public institutions and who are dead set on destroying the final remnants of our cherished constitution and our precious God-given liberty!!" - Jim Robinson, founder of Free Republic, writing from his Medicare-provided wheelchair.

Tweet Of The Day - Matt Drudge

More than anything else, this is about ridiculing the Tea Party's current arch-enemy. (Tipped by JMG reader Wayne)

Anne Hathaway, For Your Consideration

PhoboQuotable - Pastor Mark Creech

"Why aren't the President and the LGBT community also vigorously fighting for marriage rights for the polygamist who claims his love for more than one woman is equal to all other loves? Why aren't they fighting for the incestuous woman who claims her love is misunderstood and that her romance with her brother is a love worthy of marriage? What about the man who loves someone underage – a child? If we should believe that all love is equal, then why can't we accept his contentions or even that of the child's that their love is consensual - just as real and deserving of equal respect to that of any other? No one who is thoughtful can possibly believe that something as unnatural as the act of a man placing that part of his body which was designed to project life into that part of another man's body meant to expel death could possibly be a healthy lifestyle under any circumstances." - Pastor Mark Creech, writing for the Christian Post.

Nielsen: Gays Shop & Spend More

Nielsen has come to the shocking conclusion that gay men go shopping a lot.

American same-sex partnered households have significant spending power. In fact, same-sex partnered households make 16 percent more shopping trips than the average U.S. household each year (173 average shopping trips vs. 149 average shopping trips for total U.S. households), according to a recent Nielsen report measuring the shopping habits of U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) households. The additional shopping trips translate into a marked difference in total spending on consumer packaged goods (CPG). Same-sex partnered households spend an average of $8,651 each year on CPG, compared with $6,898 for the average U.S. household. Within the LGBT community, male same-sex partnered households shop more frequently than female same-sex households (182 trips vs. 163 trips), raising male same-sex household annual CPG spending to $8,943—nearly 30 percent higher than the average U.S. household.

But the below chart that compares where gay men and lesbians exceed the national purchasing average is more interesting, yes?  The linked article doesn't make it clear, but one presumes the overall average for each of the below categories is 100.

(Tipped by JMG reader Thomas)

PENNSYLVANIA: Catholic Priest Convicted Of Molesting Altar Boy

Yesterday Father Charles Englehart was found guilty of molesting an altar boy in the 1990s.  The case is tied to the same cover-up scandal for which a Catholic official was sent to prison last year. Via National Catholic Reporter:

The jury of eight men and four women found Fr. Charles Engelhardt guilty of indecent assault of a minor, corruption of a minor and conspiracy, but could not come to agreement on a count of indecent sexual assault, according to the Associated Press. In addition, Bernard Shero, a former Catholic school teacher at St. Jerome parish school, was found guilty of rape and indecent sexual assault, among other charges.

Engelhardt's conspiracy charge was tied to former priest Edward Avery — accused as well by the same boy, who was 10 years old at the time of the abuse — who pleaded guilty in March 2012 to charges of conspiracy and sexual assault. Avery appeared during the trial, taking the stand and testifying that he issued a false guilty plea, denying he abused the boy, and only said he did in order to avoid a longer sentence. He is currently serving two-and-a-half to five years in sentence.

Another priest whose crimes were allegedly cloaked by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is scheduled to go to trial in the next few months.

Barney Frank: I'm Disappointed

"There was one thing that sort of troubled me in the discussion about it — nobody was particularly quoted; they attributed something to governor’s office and others — was that the governor would want to appoint someone who’s either a minority or a woman. And what troubled me is the question of LGBT people was just kind of swept out. I’ve never asked for any appointment based on me being gay, but when they begin talk about the importance of diversity and leave us out, that troubles me. It’s almost as if some people didn’t listen to the president when he said, ‘Seneca, Stonewall and Selma,’ and didn’t hear the Stonewall part. Just as it was in the House, I think being a same-sex married couple in the Senate could have took an important lesson home to some of them." - Former Rep. Barney Frank, speaking to the Washington Blade about being passed over for the interim Senate post.

ILLINOIS: "Ex-Gay" Crackpot Tells Hate Group That Most Gays Are Drug Addicts

The Illinois Family Institute, an SPLC-certified hate group and the former home of Peter LaBarbera, hosted 100 local pastors last week for a stop-the-gays brainstorming session. Among the speakers was "ex-gay" nutter Linda Jernigan, who told the audience that most gays are alcoholics and drug addicts. Because otherwise how could we stomach all that repulsive gay sex?

Open Thread Thursday

What are your plans for Sportsball Sunday?

Tony Perkins: Military Suicides Are Rising Because Of DADT Repeal

"The volume of these decisions coming out of this administration is unbelievable, unbelievable. The stress in our military, when you look how they have used the military for their social experimentation: driving Christianity out, putting homosexuality in, suicide rate going through the ceiling. I think it was last year if I recall the numbers there were 349 suicides in 2012 and I believe that’s more than were killed in combat, that’s the highest number since the Pentagon began tracking suicides back in 2001. And what are they doing? Adding additional stress by this social engineering. Unbelievable." - Hate group leader and white supremacist Tony Perkins, speaking on Christian radio.

Sen. Rand Paul Waffles On DOMA

To Bryan Fischer of all people.

REPORT: "Gay Dog" Sent To The Pound

According to a claim that went viral on Facebook yesterday, the above forlorn puppy was abandoned at a Jackson, Tennessee animal shelter because his owner believed him to be gay.  The only mention of this story that I can find (outside of thousands of Facebook shares) is from a blog post on Examiner.com.

According to the prior owner, the dog was seen "hunched over," another male dog, therefore, in this owner's mind, the dog must be gay. The former owner apparently does not know that "hunched over, aka humping behavior" is typically a sign of dominance in dogs, rather than something to signify a dog's sexual orientation. But, on the other hand, even if it did indicate sexual orientation, does it warrant turning one's dog over to an extremely crowded, sadly "high kill," animal control facility? Should it matter? No.

According to the original post on Facebook, the dog was scheduled to be euthanized today, but it appears that there are multiple offers of adoption.   Even if this story proves to be a hoax, the reaction to it is interesting.

UPDATE: The UK tabloid Daily Mail has picked up the story

Mixner & Jones: LGBT Community Should Also Demonstrate At Supreme Court

As we learned on Saturday, the National Organization for Marriage is planning a "march on the Supreme Court" on the day the Justices begin hearing arguments on their two same-sex marriage cases. Legendary gay activists David Mixner and Cleve Jones are suggesting a demonstration for the LGBT community too. The pair has co-authored a column for The Advocate.

We have discussed this with some of the smartest and most dedicated activists we know, and, based on those conversations, we offer the following recommendations for action as the court considers our aspirations for equality.  We do not believe it makes sense to attempt a mass march on Washington at this moment, given the short amount of time remaining, the cost, as well as the uncertainty of weather in Washington, D.C., in March. We do believe it makes sense to push hard on many fronts in the weeks and months ahead.

As we are on the verge of victory, our tone and actions are critical.

President Obama himself set the tone for this effort in his inaugural address when he spoke so movingly of Seneca Falls, Selma, and Stonewall, linking forever the struggles for women’s rights, civil rights, and LGBT rights. We encourage all LGBT advocates and all fair-minded Americans who believe in equality and justice to take part in public actions during the last week of March.

- If you can be in Washington, D.C., there will be peaceful and civil demonstrations of support for the cases at the Supreme Court on March 26 and 27. While there, you can also visit your members of Congress to lobby for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and Uniting American Families Act as well as marriage equality. Our opponents will be marching — ignore them.

- For those who cannot travel, there will be local organizing opportunities and plans under way in all 50 states that will mirror the events before the Supreme Court. Stay tuned. Visit your representatives' local district offices. Hold teach-ins, campus rallies and town halls. Involve our allies in women’s organizations, the labor movement, racial and ethnic minorities and immigrant communities.

Read the full article.

WY House Rejects Domestic Partners

The Wyoming House has rejected the domestic partners bill that passed out of its committee on Monday.  

The House voted 35-to-24 against the bill. It marked the first time that pro-gay legislation reached a full floor debate in the state Legislature.  Proponents of the bill said that it would grant same-sex couples as well as other citizens a way to share their property and make health care decisions for each other. Opponents warned that the bill threatened to open the state to legal action seeking to force it to approve same-sex marriage. A separate bill cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that would outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. That bill now heads to the full Senate.

Some activists had been hopeful regarding today's vote since the Republican-heavy committee vote had been 7-2.  That same committee had rejected a marriage equality bill by a 5-4 vote minutes earlier.

49ers Star: Not Down With Gays

"I don't do the gay guys man. I don't do that. No, we don't got no gay people on the team, they gotta get up out of here if they do. Can't be with that sweet stuff. Nah…can't be…in the locker room man. Nah." - San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver, who adds that players should only come out ten years after they leave the sport.  Culliver followed up yesterday's Super Bowl Media Day interview with a charming tweet about menstruating women.

UPDATE: 49ers management has issued an apology. "The San Francisco 49ers reject the comments that were made yesterday, and have addressed the matter with Chris. There is no place for discrimination within our organization at any level. We have and always will proudly support the LGBT community."

UPDATE II: Culliver has apologized too. "The derogatory comments I made yesterday were a reflection of thoughts in my head, but they are not how I feel. It has taken me seeing them in print to realize that they are hurtful and ugly. Those discriminating feelings are truly not in my heart. Further, I apologize to those who I have hurt and offended, and I pledge to learn and grow from this experience."

UPDATE III: Hudson Taylor's Athlete Ally has issued a statement.

"Chris Culliver’s comments are disrespectful, discriminatory and dangerous, particularly for the young people who look up to him. His words underscore the importance of the Athlete Ally movement and the key role that professional athletes play in shaping an athletic climate that affirms and includes gay and lesbian players. Culliver’s views are as marginal as they are misguided. We’re seeing more and more NFL players take a stand against homophobia in sports through our organization and we know that support at this level is only going to grow. Athlete Ally’s NFL Ambassadors Brendon Ayanbadejo of the AFC Champion Baltimore Ravens, Chris Kluwe of the Minnesota Vikings and Scott Fujita of the Cleveland Browns connect our organization and the NFL, help promote the mission to end homophobia in sports by speaking out to their teams, leagues and fan bases, and encourage their colleagues to join in the effort. It’s clear by their involvement and the incredible support they are receiving from NFL fans across the country that discrimination is on the fringe and has absolutely no place in sports.”

There'll Be No Sen. Barney Frank

Massachusetts Gov. Duval Patrick today picked his former chief of staff to temporarily replace Sen. John Kerry in the Senate.

“He has been a valued ally to me and our work on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth,” Patrick said at a news conference. “In every step, he has brought preparation, perspective, wisdom, sound judgment, and clarity of purpose.” Cowan said he was “honored and humbled” to get the temporary post, which will make him the first African-American to represent Massachusetts in the Senate since Edward Brooke held the seat as a Republican from 1966 to 1978. He said he would “go to work every day with the needs and aspirations” of Massachusetts residents on his mind and would push for jobs, education, and affordable, high-quality health care.

New Hate Clip From NOM

Just in from Brian Brown:

Dear Joe, Last week, I sent you a note about NOM's newly redesigned website. Today I want to share with you a video reminding us how important it is that we remain active and engaged to demonstrate America's support for marriage leading up to the Supreme Court's consideration of this pivotal case. This new Marriage Anti-Defamation Alliance video interview shows what the consequences of losing this battle could be. When marriage is redefined, people like you and me who believe that it takes a man and a woman to make a marriage are treated under the law as the functional equivalent of racists and bigots. Joe, these are the stakes of the battle that has now made its way to the Supreme Court.

Apparently Canada is using math lessons to teach homosexuality. Or something!

Gone Viral On Reddit

Here's the story according to a Christian blog, whose author disapproves:

The pastor was part of a party of 20 who ate at this server’s restaurant. Like many American restaurants, this particular one has a policy of adding an automatic 18% tip for large parties. It’s something the computer does automatically, not something the server has any control over. According to the server, the pastor and his party tried to get around the automatic 18% tip by asking for separate checks, even though the same man was paying for the whole table. The server says that everyone was happy with the service; they just didn’t like the idea of a compulsory tip. The result? The pastor scribbled out the tip, leaving none at all, and adding the note, “I give God 10%. Why do you get 18?”

Original Reddit post.  Interesting comments at the blog link.