Saturday, March 09, 2013

Afternoon View - Jerry's Deli

Jerry's Deli, as I may have mentioned here one hundred times in the past, operates in the building that once was the Warsaw Ballroom, the single greatest gay nightclub in the history of the world. And I am unanimous in that.

Labels: , , , , , , , ,


The Knife - A Tooth For An Eye

Another interesting clip from Swedish pop weirdster Fever Ray and her brother.

Labels: , , ,


Hasselbeck Canned From The View?

One day after the announcement that Joy Behar is leaving The View comes rumors that Elisabeth Hasselbeck has been fired from the show due to audience displeasure with her conservative opinions.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck is being fired from "The View," according to Us Weekly.  Quoting anonymous sources, the magazine reported Friday that the conservative co-host is following Joy Behar out the door after market researchers found that her political views were clashing with the audience. "People did not watch the show because of Elisabeth. So they told her yesterday her contract would not be renewed," a source told Us Weekly. That report followed a Deadline piece which said that her future on the ABC show was "unclear."
Hasselbeck joined the show ten years ago. If the rumors are true, watch for her to pop up on Fox News.

Labels: , ,


HomoQuotable - Doug Mainwaring

"I am opposed to same-sex marriage. Because activists have made marriage, rather than civil unions, their goal, I am viewed by many as a self-loathing, traitorous gay. So be it. I prefer to think of myself as a reasoning, intellectually honest human being.  The notion of same-sex marriage is implausible, yet political correctness has made stating the obvious a risky business. Genderless marriage is not marriage at all. It is something else entirely. [snip]

"I find that men I know who have left their wives as they’ve come out of the closet often lead diminished, and in some cases nearly bankrupt, lives—socially, familially, emotionally, and intellectually. They adjust their entire view of the world and their role within it in order to accommodate what has become the dominant aspect of their lives: their homosexuality. In doing so, they trade rich lives for one-dimensional lives." - Homocon activist Doug Mainwaring, in an essay reprinted today by NOM. Last month Mainwaring and two other homocons filed a SCOTUS brief against same-sex marriage. 

Labels: , , , , , , ,


More On The MS "Gay Panic" Murder

Friends of the accused killer of openly gay Mississippi mayoral candidate Marco McMillian are claiming that McMillian attempted to rape the suspect, who may be planning a "gay panic" defense.
The sisters say Reed told them everything. Just after midnight on February 26, their youngest sister received a panicked call from Reed. One sister says, "He called at 12:11am and he told her that the dude (McMillian) was trying to rape him. He was exposing himself to him, playing with himself, telling him to do things and then he'll take him home."

He told the girl he was on a back road and couldn't get away. A few minutes later a bruised, bloody and broken Reed showed up at their back porch. "He just looked like he had been through war..." one sister describes, "He was standing in the back, back here, telling God to forgive him. He didn't mean to do it, and he was saying that he just wanted to die."

She says when Reed couldn't get away from McMillian, he used the chain on his wallet to choke the 200 pound politician. "He was shaking real hard, he was crying real hard, he was circling, begging for somebody to talk to him." The sisters say Reed was inconsolable and, they believe, suicidal. "When he left out, he just drove out, sped up and hit a white truck head on."
McMillian's body was found burned and beaten and police believe he had been dragged. Earlier this week the FBI joined the investigation as Mississippi offers no hate crimes protections based on sexual orientation.  McMillian is thought to have been the first openly gay political candidate in state history.

Labels: , , ,


Fox News Slams SPLC

Labels: , , ,


Friday, March 08, 2013

Homocon Tweet Of The Day

Jimmy LaSalvia five months ago:  "GOProud is the first and only organization representing gay Americans to endorse Governor Romney’s Presidential bid. We need a president with the experience and expertise to turn the economy around. Someone who knows how free markets work. Mitt Romney is that candidate." (Tipped by JMG reader TeeJay)

Labels: , , ,


Signorile On Bill Clinton & DOMA

"Clinton has at various points engaged in revisionist history in offering the reasons why he signed DOMA after the GOP pushed the law through Congress. The most disingenuous attempt was in 2009 when he, following on claims a year earlier by Hillary Clinton's campaign, stated that Democrats were trying to stop a constitutional amendment from being passed. In fact, gay activists cannot recall any mention of a constitutional amendment until years later. [snip]

"The reason Bill Clinton signed DOMA is, quite simply, because he refused to be leader on a civil rights issue, irrationally fearful of the ramifications of vetoing the bill and rationalizing the damage caused by signing it. That refusal to take leadership really goes back to day one of his presidency. That was when he signaled to the GOP, like a frightened person on the street signals fear to a barking dog, that he was deathly afraid of the gay issue and would not be a leader on it." - Michelangelo Signorile, writing for the Huffington Post.

Labels: , , ,


Kazaky - Crazy Law

Dan Avery wonders if Ukraine's famed stiletto-wearing hotties aren't dissing Russia's "gay propaganda" laws with this track.

Labels: , , ,


Afternoon View

This is one of the many entrances to the sprawling 1500-acre, 7200 unit condo complex west of Fort Lauderdale where I'm staying with my ex and his partner. The place is so huge that there are eleven separate condo associations.  The units are positively gigantic by NYC standards and they almost laughably inexpensive, also by NYC standards. A large percentage of the residents are snowbirds, many of them from Quebec, and the word is that this place sort of empties out when spring arrives up north.  There are tons of gay guys living here, many of them retired couples, and my hosts tell me that about 100 guys show up for the monthly pot-luck that's just for the residents of the buildings in their association.  I've never been one for this sort of serene, lush, laid-back living, but everybody here seems to love it. I did crack up this morning when a resident eldergay invited me to a "fabulous shuffleboard tournament." What makes it fabulous? "Bloody Marys, mimosas, and gossip, of course!"

Labels: , ,


NOM: Military Chaplains Under Attack!

Via today's money beg from Brian Brown:
Dear Joe,  As you know, President Obama is doing everything in his power to undermine the Defense of Marriage Act by pushing an aggressive, pro-gay marriage agenda in the military.  It should therefore come as no surprise that the individuals most directly and severely affected by the President's actions are heroic military chaplains. Again we clearly see how redefining marriage puts the First Amendment rights of pro-marriage individuals and institutions in jeopardy. And please, if you are able, make a donation today of $35, $50, $100, or even $500 to help the National Organization for Marriage bring to light the real-life consequences of redefining marriage for everyday, faithful Americans like you and me.

Labels: , , , , , , , ,


REPORT: 267K Undocumented Gays

According to a new report:
A new study estimates that there are approximately 267,000 LGBT-identified individuals among the adult undocumented immigrant population and an estimated 637,000 LGBT-identified individuals among the adult documented immigrant population. The report finds that approximately 71 percent of undocumented LGBT adults are Hispanic and 15 percent of undocumented LGBT adults are Asian or Pacific Islander.

“An estimated 900,000 adults in this country are LGBT immigrants, among whom more than 48,000 are in a same-sex couple in which one or both spouses or partners are not US citizens. Under current immigration policies, many of these couples, along with the 24,000 children they are raising, may face separation if same-sex spouses or partners are not able to sponsor each other for a work visa,” said study author Gary J. Gates, Williams Distinguished Scholar.

The report suggests that 3.1 percent of undocumented immigrant men identify as LGBT compared to 2 percent of comparable women. LGBT undocumented immigrants are younger than the broader undocumented population. Nearly half (49 percent) of LGBT undocumented immigrants are estimated to be under age 30 compared to 30 percent of all undocumented immigrants.
The report adds: "There are an estimated 113,300 foreign born individuals (naturalized citizens and non-citizens) who are part of a same-sex couple. An estimated 54,600 of these individuals are not US citizens."

Labels: , , ,


For Grindr Emergencies

At a Wilton Manors gay club last night I noticed this machine, which for $2 will charge your cell phone a whopping "25% faster than a wall charger."  I'm betting we'll start seeing these in airports and train stations right away. Unless they're already out there and I just haven't seen one.

Labels: , , ,


Mariah Carey - Almost Home

From Oz, The Great And Powerful, which opens today.

Labels: , ,


Headline Of The Day

James O'Keefe has agreed to pay a $100,000 settlement to the victim of his famed ACORN scam. Juan Vera was fired from ACORN after O'Keefe edited a secret video to make it appear that he'd agreed to help underage prostitutes sneak into the country.  In fact, Vera called the police moments after O'Keefe left the ACORN office. The above-linked Atlantic piece notes that not only has Breitbart never retracted their claim, the original stories remain on the site "with no correction, no clarification, no editor's note -- nothing." Think Progress has posted a great rundown of other famously false stories continuing to circulate on Breitbart, Daily Caller, and Drudge Report.

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,


Porno Pete On Gay Wedding Nights



Labels: , , ,


Gay Rights Will Bring Nuclear War

"Let me remind the gay rights fanatics, North Korea plans to send a nuclear warhead our way.  There's a terrible price to pay for outright rebellion against the Holy God of Israel and your sins are going to get us all killed. When the full communist revolution gets underway [in America], why do you think Homeland Security is stockpiling billions of rounds of hollow point ammo? It's not to protect you and me.  They're setting up ammo depots for Obama's commie army." - Pastor Rick Wiles, who has also said that God has sent the locusts for President Obama and that IRS SWAT teams are going start shooting at people going to church.

Labels: , , ,


Thomas Jefferson Visits Fox & Friends

Host: "You were budget-cutter, weren't you?" Actor: "Well, I was. I believe that government needs to be simple and frugal." Fake Jefferson goes on to talk about "stealing from posterity" and other teabagger talking points.  It turns out the Fake Jefferson is the founder of the Providence Foundation.  Here's their mission statement:
The Providence Foundation is a Christian educational organization whose mission is to train and network leaders to transform their culture for Christ, and to teach all citizens how to disciple nations. We have been working since our inception in 1983 to fulfill Christ’s commission to “make disciples of all nations.” Such nations will have transformed people, but also transformed institutions — family, church, and state. The Foundation has focused on training and networking leaders in a principled, Biblical education that has historically produced liberty, justice, prosperity, virtue, and knowledge in people and nations.

Labels: , , ,


CO Civil Unions Heads To Full House

The bill has now passed all three committees and will be considered by the full House, but a date for the vote hasn't yet been announced. The bill has already passed in the state Senate and the governor has promised to sign it.

Labels: , ,


At The 1996 AIDS March In DC

I was going through my ex's photo albums here in Fort Lauderdale last night and found this shot I took at the 1996 National AIDS Candlelight March in Washington DC.  That's NAMES Project founder Cleve Jones near the center, with Judith Light to his left.  Further to the right in the grey jacket is Betty Buckley.  On the far left is current DC House Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton and to her left in the leopard jacket is Valerie Harper. The gentleman in the white suit is Jim Graham, who is now on the Washington DC City Council.  

Elizabeth Taylor was ill that weekend and participated in the march from a golf cart, but I couldn't get near her due to a mob of press and only got a blurry photo of the back of her head as she went by.  It was an unspeakably moving night and the next day President Clinton and the First Lady walked with Cleve to view the Quilt, which spanned the Mall from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument.  Today the Quilt is headquartered in Atlanta, where JMG reader Gert McMullin oversees its safety and makes laborious daily repairs as panels return from displays around the world.

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


Schlafly Slams Pro-Marriage Republicans

Eagle Forum crone Phyllis Schlafly is slamming the Republicans who signed that SCOTUS brief and calling on the GOP to formally reaffirm its opposition to same-sex marriage at its next meeting.
"We expect all Republican officials to uphold the Platform,” she wrote in a letter to RNC Chairman Reince Preibus. “The endorsement of same-sex marriage is not acceptable.” Schlafly confirmed to The Daily Caller News Foundation that her letter was motivated in part by the pro-gay marriage amicus brief filed by Republicans she described as “has-beens and people I’ve never heard of.” Schlafly also told The DCNF that GOP campaign committees should not fund pro-gay marriage candidates. “Absolutely not,” she said. “This should be a litmus test issue."
Schlafly said that Priebus sent her a "courteous" acknowledgement of her letter, but did not commit to obeying her demands.

Labels: , , ,


TRAILER: Long & Short Of Body Hair

With an appearance by Ben Cohen.

(Via Towleroad)

Labels: , ,


Bee Venom Kills HIV

Interesting research out of Washington University.
Nanoparticles carrying a toxin found in bee venom can destroy human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) while leaving surrounding cells unharmed, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown. The finding is an important step toward developing a vaginal gel that may prevent the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. “Our hope is that in places where HIV is running rampant, people could use this gel as a preventive measure to stop the initial infection,” says Joshua L. Hood, MD, PhD, a research instructor in medicine.
(Tipped by JMG reader Nicholas)

Labels: , , ,


Unemployment Drops To 7.7%

The February jobs report has been released.
U.S. employers added 236,000 jobs to non-farm payrolls in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday, up from 119,000 in January. That was the best payroll growth since 247,000 jobs last November and the second-best month for job growth of the past 12 months. The unemployment rate dropped to 7.7 percent from 7.9 percent in January, with 12 million people looking for work. That is the lowest unemployment rate since December 2008, when the rate was 7.3 percent.
There are numerous caveats at the link.

Labels: , ,


Soda Vs Pop

Buzzfeed today posts a number of maps that note where some terms are more widely-used than others. 

Labels: , ,


MS Gov To Sign School Prayer Bill

Labels: , ,


Brian Brown: Help Us Bus In Haters

"Great news: The preparations for the March for Marriage are going incredibly well! In fact, the requests we've received from spiritual leaders has been overwhelming. We have received requests from churches for 100 buses that we don't have the funds to assist. That's thousands — many of them from Latino and African-American communities — who want to attend the march but are having trouble pulling together the necessary funds.  I know that some of you reading this email can give a lot more than that. Please realize that for every $1,000 you donate today, you will be responsible for bringing an entire bus full of marriage supporters and activists to the march at the Supreme Court on March 26th so they can make their voices heard loud and clear at the exact time the most important court case of our generation is under consideration." - Hate group leader Brian Brown, whose hate march is shaping up so "incredibly well" that NOM has now re-branded the event as also an anti-abortion march in order to get more participants.

RELATED: We presume that the above-referenced "African-American communities" are unaware of NOM's secret internal memo that outlined their plan to inflame hostility against black people.

Labels: , , , , , , ,


Best & Worst Places To Be Gay

The Spartacus Travel Guide has issued its annual ranking of the best and worst places in the world to be gay. The title uses 14 criteria in its rankings, including relationship recognition, adoption rights, HIV laws, and whether the local population is "hostile" to gay people, the last of which seems rather impossible to quantify. Sweden tops the list and Iran is at the very bottom. The United States ranks #38. Embiggen the above excerpts and go here for the full list. (Tipped by JMG reader Paulo)

Labels: , ,


Seen At The Minnesota Capitol

The above was seen yesterday at an anti-gay demonstration inside the Minnesota Capitol Building.  Jeremy Hooper notes that another banner read: "The legalization of homosexuality induce [SIC] children to homosexuality."

Labels: , , ,


Chicago Clergy Group: Pro-Gay Pols Will Be Banned From Our Churches

A coalition of Chicago-area Catholic and African-American clergy says they will ban pro-marriage legislators from their churches.
About two dozen priests and pastors joined the Catholic Conference of Illinois to form a new religious coalition yesterday. “We want to make sure that we a send a message to our elected officials that as a collective community and a collaborative, we will not allow you to speak in our churches, you will not be invited to our church when you’re running for office because we as a community are incensed," said Bishop Lance Davis, senior pastor at a church in Dolton, who's part of the group.
The group plans to advertise their decision via billboards and television ads. (Tipped by JMG reader Jake)

Labels: , , ,


TRAILER: Naked War

From a coming documentary about France's topless FEMEN.

Labels: , , ,


Bill Clinton: Overturn DOMA Now

"On March 27, DOMA will come before the Supreme Court, and the justices must decide whether it is consistent with the principles of a nation that honors freedom, equality and justice above all, and is therefore constitutional. As the president who signed the act into law, I have come to believe that DOMA is contrary to those principles and, in fact, incompatible with our Constitution. [snip]

"When I signed the bill, I included a statement with the admonition that 'enactment of this legislation should not, despite the fierce and at times divisive rhetoric surrounding it, be understood to provide an excuse for discrimination.' Reading those words today, I know now that, even worse than providing an excuse for discrimination, the law is itself discriminatory. It should be overturned." - Bill Clinton, writing for the Washington Post.

Read the full essay.

Labels: , , ,


Eurovision: Britain's Bonnie Tyler

Well, this is an interesting choice.

Labels: , ,


Thursday, March 07, 2013

Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) To Retire

Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that he will not seek reelection in 2014.
"These issues will have an enormous impact on the people of Michigan and the nation for years to come and we need ot confront them," he wrote. "I can think of no better way to spend the next two years than to devote all of my energy and attention to taking on these challenges." Levin's departure could come at a bad time for Democrats as they look for a strong candidate to take on Republican Gov. Rick Snyder but Michigan has had few Republicans succeed at winning U.S. Senate seats in recent elections – the most recent being Spencer Abraham in 1994, who served one term before being beaten by the state's junior senator, Democrat Debbie Stabenow.
Levin voted for DOMA in 1996, but voted against a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in 2006. He supported ENDA, the Hate Crimes Act, and voted for the repeal of DADT. In 2010 the Human Rights Campaign gave Levin a 96% rating.

Labels: , , ,


One Million Moms Vs Jack In The Box

Just in via email:
Dear Joe, Jack in the Box restaurants will likely drive customers away if they continue advertising in a manner that offends parents. Their newest commercial has Jack telling his son how he met his mother at a rock concert. In a flashback, just as she is about to lift her shirt exposing herself to Jack, the ad ends but leaves nothing to the imagination. Even though Jack in the Box is not located nationwide, One Million Moms has received numerous complaints from concerned parents and could not ignore this issue. It is important to let people know how they market their restaurant so they do not patronize the fast food chain while on vacation. Jack in the Box needs to know we do not approve! 
Here's the commercial.

Labels: , , ,


KY Bill To Grant Religious Exemptions For LGBT Rights Laws Advances

The Kentucky Religious Freedom Act, which activists claim would allow citizens to disobey LGBT anti-discrimination laws, was passed 9-2 yesterday by the state Senate Judiciary Committee.
Opponents say it could let business owners and other individuals defy state and local civil-rights laws, including those in four Kentucky cities that prohibit anti-gay discrimination. Without those civil-rights protections, we fear the worst,” Derek Selznick of the ACLU said earlier this week. He said the bill could invite legal challenges to local gay-rights laws and statewide civil-rights protections for such groups as racial minorities and women. 

ACLU attorney William Sharp testified Wednesday that the bill creates an impermissible risk. “For example, there are those in in Kentucky who oppose homosexuality on religious grounds,” he said. And Chris Hartman, director of the Fairness Campaign, said Wednesday that he has serious concerns about the bill, particularly because it appears to be on a fast track.
The bill forbids governmental bodies from assessing "penalties or fines" when laws are broken on the basis of "religious convictions."  The Catholic Conference of Kentucky is one of the bill's supporters.

Labels: , , ,


President Obama Signs VAWA

Today President Obama signed the Violence Against Women Act, which includes lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women among its protections. Another group now protected under the bill is Native American women, who previously had no legal recourse when assaulted on tribal lands by men who are not Native American. Obama: "When I sign this bill, that ENDS." In the below clip the president also gives a shout-out to Sharon Stapel, head of the New York City Lesbian & Gay Anti-Violence Project.

Labels: , , ,


Ready Set Download

If you'd like to help organize a SCOTUS rally in your hometown, advice and materials can be found here.  On the same topic, is anybody here planning on being in DC that day?

Labels: , , ,


Headline Of The Day

The mother claims she should not have been arrested even though the "beating caused bleeding and left marks on the boy’s thighs, forearms, hands, torso and back." She adds that the first police officer on the scene told her, "Parent to parent, I probably would have shot him. I probably would have shot both of them."

Labels: , , ,


Beach House - Wishes

Beach House is from Baltimore and it shows. The clip is delightfully weird and quite appropriately it features Twin Peaks cast member Ray Wise.

Labels: , ,


Native American Tribe OK's Marriage

The tribal council of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in Michigan has legalized same-sex marriage. Think Progress notes: "Under consideration by the tribal council since last March, the new statute will allow the tribe to both recognize and perform same-sex marriage. A similar measure failed last July by one vote." Two other Native American tribes previously approved same-sex marriage; the Suquamish Indian tribe in Washington state and the Coquille Indian tribe in Oregon.

Labels: , , ,


MISSISSIPPI: Feds To Investigate Murder Of Mayoral Candidate Marco McMillian

The FBI announced yesterday that it will investigate the murder of openly gay small town mayoral candidate Marco McMillian, whose burned and beaten body was found in Mississippi last week. Local police have declined to characterize the murder as a hate crime and lawyers for the man charged in the case are reportedly considering a "gay panic" defense.
The agency "will assess evidence to determine whether federal prosecution is appropriate," Deborah Madden, an FBI public affairs specialist, said Wednesday. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and the National Black Justice Coalition, both separately urged the federal government Tuesday to seek potential hate crime charges in a case that has grabbed national attention. Mississippi has a hate-crime law that covers race, religion and gender but doesn't extend to sexual orientation. However, local and state agencies can seek assistance to pursue a federal hate crime under the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which does cover homosexuality. Or the FBI can come in to investigate at the request of an outside source, as in the McMillian case.
McMillian was thought to be the first openly gay political candidate in the history of Mississippi. (Via Towleroad)

Labels: , , , , , ,


Bear Jesus Appears On Tortilla

Looks like Bluto to me. Source. (Via JMG reader Andrew)

Labels: , , ,


Gay Marriage = Child Sacrifice

"What is conservative about advocating for same-sex marriage? I can’t think of an issue that more clearly defines what a conservative is than this one. This is not the Libertarian Political Action Conference. It’s not the Liberal Political Action Conference. It’s the Conservative Political Action Conference. What’s wrong with limiting the speakers and the sponsors to conservatives? Why is S.E. Cupp even invited to speak? I don’t get it. The Conservative Political Action Conference is for conservatives – not for people who seek to undermine the Judeo-Christian basis of Western civilization with one of the most radical ideas considered since child sacrifice." - World Net Daily founder and three-time Just For Men Olympics gold medalist Joseph Farah, slamming CPAC for inviting S.E. Cupp, who has declined the invite until GOProud is welcomed back.

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,


ITALY: Anti-Gay Former PM Silvio Berlusconi Sentenced To Prison

Labels: , , ,


MICHIGAN: Judge Postpones Marriage Equality Ruling Until After SCOTUS Decides

Well, it was fun to dream for a day. Via Detroit News:
A lesbian couple's desire to adopt each other's children in a potential challenge to Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage will have to wait a bit longer. Federal Judge Bernard Friedman stayed his decision in the matter Thursday so he can wait until the U.S. Supreme Court decides two other federal cases, which will likely be in June. "I'll be watching those cases close," Friedman said. "Hopefully, the Supreme Court will give us some direction."
(Tipped by JMG reader Todd)

Labels: , , ,


Today's Gaelic Lesson

Via email from Marriage Equality Ireland: "Hi Joe, It’s Irish Language Week here in Ireland (aka 'Seachtain na Gaeilge') and I thought your readers might enjoy learning how to say 'I support marriage equality… do you?' in Irish."  Can we get a phonetic pronunciation, Irish readers?

Labels: , , ,


NEW YORK CITY: Meningitis Vaccinations Suggested For All Gay & Bisexual Men

New York City's continuing meningitis outbreak, which has now seen seven fatalities, has prompted the Department of Health to suggest vaccinations for all gay and bisexual men who hook up via social media or at bars, etc. Previously vaccinations had been suggested primarily for HIV+ men in some areas of Brooklyn.  Via press release:
The Health Department issued new recommendations today for vaccinating against invasive meningococcal disease – commonly known as meningitis – after an increase in cases. Vaccinations are now advised for men, regardless of HIV status, who regularly have intimate contact with other men met through a website, digital application (“App”), or at a bar or party.

Four new cases of meningitis among men who have sex with men have been reported since the beginning of January, bringing the total to 17 cases since 2012. There have been 22 reported cases – including seven fatal cases – since 2010.

“Meningitis symptoms usually come on quickly, and the disease can be fatal if not treated right away,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley. “Vaccination is the best defense. I urge all men who meet these criteria – regardless of whether they identify as gay – to get vaccinated now and protect themselves from this disease before it is too late.”
Five members of the City Council and Speaker Christine Quinn yesterday urged the constituents of their districts to take heed.

Labels: , , ,


Alert: This Is A Test. Bryan Is Gay.

Labels: , ,


Petition Of The Day

The petition is from the global rights group All Out.

Labels: , , ,


NEBRASKA: FRC May Sue To Force Referendum On LGBT Rights Law

A Nebraska affiliate of the Family Research Council is apparently planning to sue the city of Lincoln in order force a public referendum on overturning that town's LGBT rights law.  Via Aksarbent:
David Bydalek (left) of Family First, Nebraska, an affiliate of the Family Research Council, and Al Riskowki, of the Nebraska Family Council, want the issue on the ballot and are considering seeking a writ of mandamus that would force city officials to perform what they consider the city's statutory duty, although city statutes don’t say how soon a referendum election must be held after signatures are verified.
The Lincoln City Council unanimously approved its LGBT anti-discrimination bill last May.

Labels: , , ,


SF SCOTUS Rally: March 25th

Facebook event page. (Tipped by JMG reader Alan)

Labels: , ,


CPAC Invites Lawrence O'Donnell

They want him to debate Ann Coulter. Watch his response.

Labels: , , ,


CANADA: Government Funds Efforts To Thwart Uganda's Anti-Gay Bill

Excellent news from the north:
Canada is quietly financing a concerted grassroots effort to aid gay Ugandans’ fight against their country’s proposed anti-homosexuality bill — and preparing them in case it passes, says a senior Department of Foreign Affairs source. Since November, when the Ugandan Parliament renewed its effort to pass the legislation, which Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has called “abhorrent,” Canada has spent $200,000 to kick-start several gay rights initiatives in the region. The source confirmed that the Canadian involvement was specifically focused on fighting the Ugandan bill.
(Tipped by JMG reader David)

Labels: , , ,


Quote Of The Day - Kristin Chenoweth

"I think it is very anti-Christian [to hate gay people]. It is the antithesis of what I believe. It is the antithesis of what you should believe if you believe in Jesus. It’s not what he taught, it’s the opposite of what he taught. If Jesus was to walk the Earth today, or Buddha or anybody, they would be horrified. Those people saying they’re doing it in the name of God? No no no no no. I speak as a Christian person, and as a woman and as an artist. I would love nothing more for my friends who love each other to get married. I don’t think it’s a sin, I think we’re born how we’re born. Look at me, I’m 4’11’’, and so if it was a sin to be short, what would I do? Well I’d just be, you know, it’s how God made me." - Actress Kristin Chenoweth, in an interview with Gay Star News.

Labels: , , ,


Mexican Supreme Court: Homophobic Language Is Offensive & Discriminatory

By a 3-2 vote, the Mexican Supreme Court has ruled that homophobic language and words such as "maricones" (faggots) are offensive and not covered by freedom of expression laws.  Andres Duque has a translation at Blabbeando:
The First Chamber determined that homophobic expressions or - in other words the frequent allegations that homosexuality is not a valid option but an inferior condition - constitute discriminatory statements even if they are expressed jokingly, since they can be used to encourage, promote and justify intolerance against gays.

For this reason, the Chamber determined that the terms used in this specific case - made up of the words "maricones" and "puñal" - were offensive. These are expressions which are certainly deeply rooted in the language of Mexican society but the truth is that the practices of a majority of participants of a society cannot trump violations of basic rights.
Like with the Whatcott case in Canada, we'll likely never see such a ruling in the United States. Hit the link for more.

Al Jazeera On Sydney Brutality Case

Labels: , ,


Tony Perkins Endorses The Kidnapping Of Children From Their Gay Parents

"Faced with losing her seven-year-old daughter to her former lesbian partner, Lisa Miller made the only choice a new Christian could: she sought her minister's help. After two courts ordered Lisa to transfer custody of her biological daughter to a woman with no adoptive rights, she felt she had no choice but to flee the country. Kenneth Miller, a Mennonite pastor from Vermont, helped her escape--and will now be paying for it with a 27-month prison sentence.

"Last summer, a jury found him guilty of helping Lisa and her daughter, Isabella, travel from Virginia to the Canadian border and then to Central America via the Toronto airport. During the two-hour sentencing, Miller told the judge he 'couldn't promise' that he would never again help a parent smuggle a son or daughter out of the country. He saw, as so many of us do, a vulnerable child--and a government bent on redefining family law to the exclusion of the actual parents. 'I give myself unto you to do with me as you see fit,' an emotional Miller told the court. To many of us, the pastor's predicament seems extreme--but a day may come when we all have to make a similar choice.

"Obviously, there are things we can do between now and then to protect ourselves, like electing strong conservative leaders and resisting the ever-growing reach of the federal government. But under an administration as hostile to faith as this one is, Christians may soon find themselves in the same position of breaking an unjust law. Will you have the courage to do what Kenneth Miller did? Don't wait until the moment is upon you before contemplating this. Are you willing to accept the penalty instead of compromising your principles?" - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, endorsing the kidnapping of children from their gay parents.

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


Open Thread Thursday

Tell us about the last time you went to church.

Labels:


Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Colorado Civil Unions Bill Advances

Labels: , ,


AUSTRALIA: Sydney Mardi Gras Police Brutality Victim Speaks To Press

It turns out that it didn't start with jaywalking.

Labels: , ,


MICHIGAN: Coming Ruling By Court Could Legalize Marriage Immediately

Holy cow! This one was NOT on our radar. Via ABC News:
Two Detroit-area nurses filed a lawsuit to try to overturn restrictions on adoption by same-sex partners. But at the judge's invitation, the case took an extraordinary turn and now will test the legality of a 2004 constitutional amendment that stipulates Michigan only recognizes marriages between a man and a woman. U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman will hear arguments in the case Thursday at a Detroit law school. If he concludes the amendment violates the U.S. Constitution, gay-marriage supporters say same-sex couples would immediately be allowed to wed and adopt children. State officials, however, predict "potential legal chaos" if the judge throws out the gay marriage ban.
Michigan's GOP Attorney General has filed a brief against the couple.

Labels: , ,


WA Florist Refuses Gay Wedding

A Washington state florist has refused to provide a gay couple with flowers for their wedding after nine years of selling to them.
It was a very exciting moment, probably one of the happiest days of my life," said Rob Ingersoll of his engagement to his partner of nine years, Curt. So when it was time to make preparations for their September 19th, Rob wanted to go with the florist he and Curt have been using for years, Barronelle Stuzman, the owner of Arelene's Flowers in Richland. However, when he asked her, Stuzman politely declined. "And I just took his hands and I said I'm sorry I can't do your wedding because of my relationship with Jesus Christ," said Stuzman who believes marriage should be between one man and one woman.
Since long before the legalization of same-sex marriage, it has been against the law in Washington state to refuse business on the basis of sexual orientation. The florist claims she is now the target of death threats. And another martyr is born. (Tipped by JMG reader Nick)

Labels: , , ,


Today On TMZ

You probably don't want to read the comments.

Labels: , ,


Samwell - Just Be Free

Here's something new from one of YouTube's first breakout viral stars, Samwell, whose What What In The Butt now has over 50 million views.

Labels: , ,


No Apology From NOM's Jennifer Morse

"The media and activists groups are mischaracterizing my remarks, in which I urged students to befriend gay students, and also urged them all to adhere to the traditional standards of sexual morality. I believe that engaging in uncommitted sex hurts people of both genders and all sexual orientations. I would be happy to meet with Tyler Clementi's mom and dad to try to move forward and go beyond the highly charged rhetoric that doesn't help anyone. I don't think the Clementis know me or what I believe or think or said. Reaching out across lines of moral difference in a spirit of love is my mission. In the meantime, I would invite anyone to come to the Ruth Institute website and listen to the entire podcast for themselves." - NOM spokesman Jennifer Roback Morse, refusing to apologize.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Morse says that gay people themselves know they are an abomination. Morse says that gay people want to outlaw Christianity.  Morse says that people who "choose" to be gay will go to hell.

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,


Glenn Beck Gives CPR To Liberty

"Don't die! Open your eyes! STAY WITH ME!"

Labels: , , ,


MARYLAND: Archdiocese Of Baltimore Deacon Busted For Child Pornography

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has issued a statement.
Dear Parishioners, Earlier today, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned that Deacon William Albaugh, 66, was arrested this morning on a charge of possession of child pornography by the Baltimore County Police Department. Albaugh, a permanent deacon assigned to St. Joseph Church in Fullerton, was ordained in 1996 and has spent his entire ministry at St. Joseph. The Archdiocese immediately suspended Mr. Albaugh’s diaconal faculties prohibiting him from all public ministry. The Archdiocese is working with St. Joseph Parish to inform the parish community. Neither the parish nor the Archdiocese has received any prior allegations against Mr. Albaugh, who successfully fulfilled all of the child & youth protection requirements of the Archdiocese, including a criminal history screening.
The deacon was busted thanks to Verizon, who found the porn loaded onto their cloud storage service. So he's a pervert AND really, really stupid.

Labels: , , , , , ,


Superman Artist Pulls Out Over NOM

The artist scheduled to draw the upcoming issue of Superman has withdrawn from the project after widespread complaints due to the hiring of NOM board member Orson Scott Card to write the text.
"It took a lot of thought to come to this conclusion, but I've decided to step back as the artist on this story," Chris Sprouse said in a statement released Tuesday. "The media surrounding this story reached the point where it took away from the actual work, and that's something I wasn't comfortable with. My relationship with DC Comics remains as strong as ever and I look forward to my next project with them." Due to the creative change, the Card story will not appear in the first collected issue out May 29. Instead, it will feature a story by writer Jeff Parker and artist Chris Samnee, as well as a tale by Jeff Lemire and one by writer Justin Jordan and artist Riley Rossmo. DC is also looking for a replacement illustrator for Card's story.
DC Comics says they "support, understand, and respect" the decision by Sprouse.

Labels: , , ,


Bloomberg's New Campaign: Loud Earbuds

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is launching a new public health campaign:
Bloomberg — who has already cracked down on smoking, junk food, trans fats, salt and super-sized drinks — is embarking on a new crusade: preventing New Yorkers from going deaf. Hizzoner’s health officials are planning a social-media campaign to warn young people about the risk of losing their hearing from listening to music at high volume on personal MP3 players, The Post has learned. “With public and private support, a public-education campaign is being developed to raise awareness about safe use of personal music players . . . and risks of loud and long listening,” said Nancy Clark, the city Health Department’s assistant commissioner of environmental-disease prevention.
The campaign is kicking off with a $250,000 grant from the Department of Health.

Labels: , , ,


Two Minutes Of British Hate #8

Dr. Sharon "Kalley Yanta" James is back to declare that she's totally not a bigot just because she opposes civil equality for gay people. Her proof: There are four homosexuals who agree with her!

Labels: , , ,


Valerie Harper Has Terminal Brain Cancer

Horrible news. People Magazine reports:
A battery of tests revealed she has leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, a rare condition that occurs when cancer cells spread into the fluid-filled membrane surrounding the brain. Her doctors say she has as little as three months left to live. Resolved to face her last days with courage and humor, "I don't think of dying," says the actress, 73, who previously battled lung cancer in 2009. "I think of being here now."

Labels: , ,


How DOMA "Defends" Marriage

Visit the pro-gay March 4 Marriage page on Facebook.

Labels: , ,


Morning View - Eighth Fairway

I'll be spending the rest of the week blogging from the Fort Lauderdale lanai of my ex and his partner, who live in a golf course condo complex just west of Wilton Manors.  Usually I stay with Father Tony over on the beach, but he's busy with the papal conclave.  The weather is gorgeous, so suck it, snowquester.

Labels: , ,


HomoQuotable - Christopher Doyle

"When I was a young man, I lived a gay life. But my dream was to marry a woman and have a family, so I sought to change my homosexual attractions. Today, I'm living my dream! I am married to a beautiful woman, and together we have three wonderful children. As a psychotherapist, I am passionate about helping other persons who struggle with their homosexual feeling. Some want to change, while others just want to be heard, understood, and loved. I believe in equality and respect for all views of sexuality, and that's why I defend everyone's right to live their lives according to their own values. Although the gay life wasn't for me, I sincerely love the entire Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community." - "Ex-gay" crackpot Christopher Doyle, who loves our people so fucking much, he earns a living advocating against our civil rights, working to ensure that our youth are bullied and beaten in schools, and torturing and brainwashing our most troubled people.

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


New App: Gay Haiku

Joel Derfner's hit book is now an iPhone app.

Labels: , , ,


97% Of Marriage Backers Got Re-Elected

Here's a nifty little stat that NOM will surely ignore.
Based on election results in the two states that passed freedom to marry laws in the 2011-2012 legislative cycle and whose members stood for reelection — New York and Washington — the analysis, “Pro-Marriage Legislators Win Elections,” finds that pro-marriage legislators who ran for reelection won 97% of the time. This is significantly higher than the national incumbent re-election average of 90% in 2012.

Labels: , , ,


Bicyclists Pollute The Air

"You claim that it is environmentally friendly to ride a bike. But if I am not mistaken, a cyclists has an increased heart rate and respiration. That means that the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of ;carbon dioxide from the rider. Since CO2 is deemed to be a greenhouse gas and a pollutant, bicyclists are actually polluting when they ride. I know, you own a car and drive so are paying gas tax — but not while you are riding your bike." - Washington GOP state Rep. Ed Horcutt, explaining his support for a proposed bicycle tax to a bike shop owner. 

Labels: , , ,


Headline Of The Day

Delicious.

Labels: , , , , , , ,


Bill O'Reilly Screams At Alan Colmes

Mediaite has a recap:
Bill O’Reilly brought on Alan Colmes and Monica Crowley to talk about President Obama‘s seeming reticence to offer any meaningful spending cuts, but most of the segment involved O’Reilly getting into a shouting match with Colmes over Colmes not being able, as O’Reilly viewed it, to provide concrete examples of what Obama wants to cut. O’Reilly repeatedly shouted at Colmes, called him a liar, and declared his claims to be “bull-blank.”

Labels: , , ,


Clementi's Parents Want NOM Apology

The parents of Tyler Clementi want NOM to apologize after their repulsive spokesperson Jennifer Roback Morse referenced their son in a speech to Catholic students at Iowa State.  Morse said:
Sometimes you hear about these things and, you know, you don’t hear the whole story in the media. That kid Tyler Clementi who killed himself — who threw himself off the George Washington Bridge — do you know this story? Okay, then I'm not going to tell it. I mean, there was a much older man in the picture. In other words, there's usually more to the story, right? And so I think friendship is what you have to offer. There are a lot of situations where people are doing something sexual that’s probably not the best thing for them.
Clementi's parents wrote to NOM:
"To exploit our late son's name to advance an anti-equality agenda is offensive and wrong By doing so, National Organization for Marriage prove that not only is there no low they will not sink to, to advance their cruel agenda — but that neither they nor Ms. Morse have any grip on reality. The very idea that Tyler's tragedy happened because of too much support — instead of not enough — is ludicrous. Shame on them."
Roback, you may recall, has testified against LGBT rights before numerous state legislatures. Don't hold your breath for an apology.

Labels: , , , , , , , ,


God Sent The Locusts For Obama

"Is it by coincidence that a swarm of locust from Egypt have [sic] moved across the border into Israel today just weeks before Mr. Obama’s arrival in the Holy Land? Tens of millions of locust have attacked Egypt in recent days. A plague of locust was one of the ten plagues that God used to punish Egypt for refusing to allow the Hebrew people to depart, the story is recounted in Jewish homes and synagogues each year at Passover. Passover begins at March 25th; Mr. Obama is scheduled to arrive in Jerusalem on March 20th.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Israel is covered with locusts when he arrives in Jerusalem in three weeks. How many biblical signs do we need to see to know that this man is evil?" - Pastor Rick Wiles, right on schedule. (Via Right Wing Watch)

Labels: , , ,


Quote Of The Day - Robert Jeffress

"Any day we are being attacked by the American Atheists, we consider it to be a good day. It only proves that we are doing our job." - Pastor Robert Jeffress, responding to the above billboard.

Labels: , ,


Census Issues Commuting Study

From a newly released study by the US Census, which categorizes a "long commute" as longer than 60 minutes:
Among U.S. workers who did not work at home, 8.1 percent had commutes of 60 minutes or longer in 2011. An estimated 61.1 percent of workers with “long commutes” drove to work alone, compared with 79.9 percent for all workers who did not work at home. New York shows the highest rate of “long commutes” at 16.2 percent, followed by Maryland and New Jersey at 14.8 and 14.6 percent, respectively. The District of Columbia has the highest rate of out-of-state commuters among its resident workers at 25.2 percent, followed by Maryland at 18.3 percent. Among all people who work in the District of Columbia, 72.4 percent live outside the District of Columbia.
(Via Gothamist)

Labels: , ,


Tuesday, March 05, 2013

AFA: We're Still Boycotting Home Depot

Today's press release from the American Family Association:
The Home Depot just gave $8,500 to the Atlanta chapter of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) as a "Silver" sponsor of the Atlanta Gala Dinner and Auction in May.  HRC is the nation's largest and most aggressive gay marriage advocacy group, leading the charge to the Supreme Court against California's constitutional amendment protecting marriage as between one man and one woman.  Customers who shop at Home Depot should know that a portion of their purchase will be used to help push the legalization and promotion of homosexual marriage in America. AFA is promoting a boycott of Home Depot until it agrees to remain neutral in the homosexual culture war.
The boycott launched a couple of years ago and since then Home Depot's stock value has just about tripled.  No wonder the company won't return calls from the AFA!

Labels: , , ,