Tweet Of The Day - Scott Wooledge

As my pal Scott notes above, Skyy Vodka is sponsoring the Twitter hashtag #DumpRussianVodka. Skyy was founded in the US twenty years ago, but is now owned by Italy's Gruppo Campari and is sold here through Campari America.

LITHUANIA: Hundreds Of Anti-Gay Protesters Disrupt Baltic Pride Parade

Twenty-eight anti-gay protesters were arrested today at Lithuania's second-ever Baltic Pride parade in Vilnius, where attendees were pelted with eggs and verbal abuse.

Several hundred gay rights activists took to the grand main street of Vilnius to show their pride, waving Lithuanian and rainbow-colored flags, with some standing on top of buses decked out in colorful balloons. They were met by hundreds of unruly protesters, 28 of whom were detained, police said. Among them was Petras Grazulis, an anti-gay lawmaker who rallied protesters with a bullhorn. He was thrown face-down on the ground and carried off in handcuffs by police, though the lawmaker soon reappeared at the protest after being released from police custody.

About 50 protesters tried to storm a concert stage where activists were to speak, but police forced them off. Protesters also threw eggs, hitting Lithuanian lawmaker Giedre Purvaneckiene and Sweden's European Union Affairs Minister Birgitta Ohlsson, who were standing at the front of the parade along with other dignitaries. "It shows that we need to march until eggs aren't thrown anymore and people can march freely and without fear," said Purvaneckiene, who was not injured.

VIDEO: The second clip below shows the arrest of Grazulis, whom you will notice had donned a plastic jacket and booties, presumably to protect his clothes from the eggs that his side was hurling.

Sen. Ted Cruz: Christians Must Mobilize And Pray Against Same-Sex Marriage

NBC Responds To IOC Statement

Yesterday the International Olympic Committee released a statement declaring that it had "received assurances from the highest levels" of the Russian government that athletes and fans would be exempt from arrest under the "homosexual propaganda" law during the Sochi Olympics. Buzzfeed's Chris Geidner reached out to NBC for a statement:

“NBCUniversal strongly supports equal rights and the fair treatment for all people. The spirit of the Olympic Games is about unifying people and countries through the celebration of sport and it is our hope that spirit will prevail,” NBCUniversal senior vice president of corporate communications Cameron Blanchard told BuzzFeed Friday evening. Human Rights Campaign had raised questions about the coverage plans in a letter to NBC officials earlier this week, with HRC president Chad Griffin writing, “NBCUniversal … has a unique opportunity — and a responsibility — to expose this inhumane and unjust law to the millions of American viewers who will tune in to watch the Games.”

Geidner reports that NBC noted that the Olympics are still seven months away and that "specific coverage plans are yet to be finalized." Let's hope that coverage includes much more than the above blanket statement of support.

Quote Of The Day - Desmond Tutu

Yesterday I reported that the United Nation's had launched a global campaign for the LGBT rights during a meeting in South Africa.  At the launch announcement was Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

South Africa's Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu says he will never worship a "homophobic God" and will rather go to hell. The retired archbishop was speaking at the launch of a UN-backed campaign in South Africa to promote gay rights. Archbishop Tutu said the campaign against homophobia was similar to the campaign waged against racism in South Africa. "I am as passionate about this campaign as I ever was about apartheid. For me, it is at the same level," he added.

(Image via Memeographs)

NYC Bars Join Stoli Boycott

From the Facebook page of the NYC Eagle:

Beginning immediately, the Eagle NYC will discontinue the sale of STOLI and any alcoholic product produced in Russia in protest of Russia's anti-gay bill banning the "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations". This archaic bill effectively strips every LGBTQ member in Russia of basic human rights and puts gays in danger of being harmed or even killed because of the anti-gay fervor created by the bill. The bill even applies to tourists. The Russian government is pandering to its constituents basest characteristics in an attempt to elevate it's own image. The Eagle NYC denounces the bill and will continue to support gay rights at home and abroad.

Other NYC venues reportedly joining the boycott: Industry, Elmo, Barracuda. (All three have the same owner.)

Thirty Years Ago Today

Madonna's first album was released by Sire Records thirty years ago today. Rolling Stone noticed the release two months later:

Madonna, who crashed onto the dance charts last year with "Everybody," has a voice that takes some getting used to. At first, it doesn't sound like much at all. Then you notice its one distinguishing feature, a girlish hiccup that the singer uses over and over until it's irritating as hell. Finally, you get hooked, and you start looking forward to that silly little catch in her voice. It helps that she writes good tunes — catchy and bare to the bone. It helps even more that her album is pristinely produced by Reggie Lucas. Electric keyboards have the clarity of finger chimes. The bass slaps the backbeat like shoes on pavement. Mind you, it's simple stuff: "I'm burnin' up/Burnin' up for your love," or "Holiday/Celebrate." But it's clever at times, too. "Physical Attraction" is practically a capsule history of high-school proms, with its sly references to the Association's "Cherish" and Olivia Newton-John's "Physical." There are lots of blue-eyed soul belters with more generous voices and more intricate songs — Teena Marie comes quickly to mind. Still, without overstepping the modest ambitions of minimal funk, Madonna issues an irresistible invitation to the dance.

The album has sold more than ten million copies worldwide.

Tired Old Queen at the Movies #118

Today's movie:

James Wilby, Hugh Grant and Rupert Graves turn in subtle and brilliant performances in Merchant Ivory's adaptation of E. M. Forester's romantic, gay love story; "Maurice" (1987). Published after Forester's death and hidden for decades, it concerns the romance of a two young men at Cambridge at the turn of the century, what their love affair costs them and how they manage to find peace and happiness in a society which forbids, admonishes and punishes them for their inclinations. Gloriously photographed, meticulously directed and exceptionally cast, it is one of the greatest and most honest love stories ever filmed.

HRC: The IOC Shouldn't Trust Russia

Via press release from the Human Rights Campaign:

Mere verbal assurances from the Russian government that foreigners will be exempt from their repressive laws are not enough,” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Chad Griffin. “The IOC must obtain ironclad written assurance from President Putin. But more importantly, they should be advocating for the safety of all LGBT people in Russia, not simply those visiting for the Olympics. Rescinding this heinous law must be our collective goal.”

In June, a law banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" was passed by Russia’s Federal Assembly and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin. Under the guise of protecting children from "homosexual propaganda," the law imposes fines or jail time to citizens who disseminate information that may cause a "distorted understanding" that LGBT and heterosexual relationships are "socially equivalent." The fines are significantly higher if such information is distributed through the media or Internet.

The HRC is responding to this story.

Gurl

Random silliness for your weekend.

More JMG Readers Get Marriage License From Pennsylvania's Montgomery County

More exciting news from JMG readers in Pennsylvania. Via email: "Hi Joe, I have been a reader of your blog since a couple of months after you started it. Me and my partner got a civil union in NJ in 2007 and we just got a marriage license in Montgomery County, PA. We walked out of the court house just as a group of protesters were gathered in the sidewalk. They entered the building as we walked away.  We plan on celebrating the 7th anniversary of our civil union on September 5th with a marriage ceremony.  I am so glad to be one step closer to full equality and thank the workers in the court house for standing up for out rights. Thank you for all of your work as well. Best Regards, Brian Stafford & Mark Diehl."

Congrats, guys! We'll presume the above-mentioned protesters were from the Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania, who yesterday announced a "pray-in" for today. Brian took a photo for us.

YESTERDAY:  JMG readers Jeffrey and Kevin got their marriage license in Montgomery County.

Putin Airlines Safety Video

Hilarious!

(Via AmericaBlog)

The Next Issue Of New Yorker

Barney Frank Joins Twitter

One tweet so far, but 1200+ followers in the first hour.

KENTUCKY: First Marriage Lawsuit Filed

A Kentucky gay couple has become the first to file a federal lawsuit against that state's ban on same-sex marriage. Louisville's WLKY has a brief item:

Louisville attorneys Shannon Fauver and Dawn Elliot filed a 19-page federal lawsuit Friday morning, challenging Kentucky’s constitutional ban on same sex marriage. The plaintiffs in the suit are Gregory Bourke and Michael Deleon who have been married 31 years. They've adopted children together and live in Louisville. The suit claims their exclusion of marriage undermines the couple's ability to achieve their life goals and dreams and it deprives them of numerous legal protections that are available to opposite-sex couples in Kentucky.

Read the full filing. (Tipped by JMG reader Matthew)

Today's New York City Tabloids

BREAKING: IOC Claims Russian Assurance That Sochi Athletes & Fans Are Exempt From Anti-Gay "Propaganda" Laws

According to Russia's state-owned news agency RIA Novosti, the International Olympic Committee today declared that it has received "assurances from the highest level" of the Russian government that athletes and fans that attend the Sochi Games will not be subject to the national ban on "promoting homosexuality."

“As a sporting organization, what we can do is to continue to work to ensure that the Games can take place without discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators and the media,” the IOC said in an emailed statement.  “To that end, the IOC has received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games.”

The IOC added that “this legislation has just been passed into law, and it remains to be seen whether and how it will be implemented, particularly as regards the Games in Sochi.” While the law’s proponents argue that it is aimed at protecting children from harmful influences, critics allege that the move is part of a broader crackdown on Russia’s gay community. Russia has come under international criticism, including from the European Court of Human Rights, for its treatment of gay people.

That's quite a remarkable report, considering the source. But also considering the source, I'm looking for confirmation elsewhere.

UPDATE: The Moscow Times has just published the same story.

UPDATE II: USA Today has just confirmed the statement from the International Olympic Committee.

RELATED: The television network Russia Today (RT) is a subsidiary of Ria Novosti.

Head Of Russian Orthodox Church: Gay Marriage Is A Symbol Of The Apocalypse

Posted to Pravda's official YouTube channel.

(Tipped by JMG reader Kevin)

Quote Of The Day - Scott Shackford

"What’s sad about this effort is that if Russia succeeds in getting its hands back on Stoli, then a boycott actually makes sense. But the consequence will be that a powerful businessman who does support the gay community will lose his company. Boycotting Stoli now is a very bad idea. [Stoli owner Yuri] Scheffler is an ally who the gay and lesbian community needs to work with, not alienate. From a Western perspective it may be hard to realize that an incredibly rich person like Scheffler has the potential to be a victim of Russia’s authoritarian regime like its gay citizens or members of Pussy Riot, but it’s extremely important not to look at the nature of power and influence there the way we do here." - Scott Shackford, writing for Reason.  The entire essay is worth your time.

Stoli Vs JMG Reader Str8Grandmother

Stoli Updates Its Facebook Page

Comments are open there.

Canada Updates Russia Travel Advice

From Canada's just updated travel advisory for Russia:

Although homosexual activity is not illegal in Russia, a federal law has been passed that prohibits public actions that are described as promoting homosexuality and “non-traditional sexual relations”. This law could render any homosexual and pro-homosexual statements punishable. Public actions (including dissemination of information, statements, displays or conspicuous behaviour) that contravene or appear to contravene this law may lead to arrest, the imposition of a fine and deportation. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender travellers, as well as their friends and families, have been targets of harassment and violence.

RELATED: The US State Department's advisory for Russia contains warnings about "harassment, threats, and acts of violence" against LGBT people, but does not yet note the recent passage of the national ban on "homosexual propaganda." It does note the passage of the earlier regional bans.

British Gay Clubs Dump Stoli

Pink News reports:

G-A-Y group has become the latest to vow to boycott Russian vodkas in solidarity with LGBT people living in Russia, where gay “propaganda”, and the adoption of children by foreign gay couples were recently made illegal. G-A-Y which owns the brand, its bars, and Heaven nightclub, will not be serving Russian vodka from now on, confirmed its founder and owner.

RELATED: In addition to Chicago's famed Sidetrack, yesterday the San Francisco clubs Moby Dick and Hi Tops both joined the Stoli boycott. I've not yet heard reports from any NYC clubs.

UPDATE: Vancouver's Fountainhead and Celebrities have joined in.

UPDATE II: Add San Diego's Pecs to the list.

New Order On Jimmy Fallon

It's always going to be strange to see them without Peter Hook, but they sounded great last night.

Harvey Fierstein On Orson Scott Card

"Look at that asshole [Orson Scott Card] that wrote this new Harrison Ford movie [Ender's Game]. I think that you can have any opinion you want, but at least be willing to take the consequences of your opinion. It’s like, 'Well, I hope that people will be more understanding,' or what did he say? 'More tolerant of my views.' The quotes that got me about him weren’t against gay marriage -- he wanted homosexuality criminalized in the United States. That's what he called for. You want me to be tolerant of you wanting to criminalize homosexuality? Fuck you on your grave, you piece of shit." - Harvey Fierstein, telling it like it is to the Hollywood Reporter. 

Google Launches Web Streaming Device

Google today began selling Chromecast, a dongle for streaming web videos directly to your television.  Forbes reports:

Practically giving away the device (it’s only $35 and comes with $24 worth of Netflix, even for current Netflix customers) could turn out to be a brilliant move for Google if it results in a massive uptake in customers turning to the search giant as their delivery source for TV entertainment and news. If you add in Google’s existing Android phone franchise as the largest smartphone operating vendor and its growth in tablet market share (the company announced it’s activated 70 million Android tablets), then what you’re looking at is a giant media distribution company that reaches, literally into both your pocket and your home.

In a separate "hands-on review," Forbes notes that Chromecast faces some initial challenges in terms of content.

Right now, Chromecast only has apps for YouTube and Netflix while Roku and Apple TV have many more viewing options. Of course, Google will reach out to developers and expand the offerings and there is a way to play other video through a PC but that’s still a bit too complex a solution for watching TV. Even tech savvy people sometimes want to kick back and watch TV without having to fuss with their phones, PCs or tablets.

RELATED: The latest version of Google's Nexus 7 tablet is also out and winning raves.

New Christine Quinn Campaign Ad

This was posted to her YouTube channel last week, but I just started seeing it on NY1 this morning.

Sochi Olympics Protest Shirts

According to the website, this is a crowd-sourcing campaign and 200 shirts need to be ordered before they'll print.

UN Unveils LGBT Rights Campaign

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today unveiled a global LGBT rights campaign at a meeting in South Africa.  The campaign is called Free & Equal.

The multi-pronged campaign — announced at a news conference in Cape Town, South Africa — will include videos and public-service announcements distributed through social media, a new website, a series of fact sheets, and engagement by celebrities well-known in different regions of the world. ‘‘Changing attitudes is never easy... It begins with often difficult conversations,’’ said Navi Pillay, the high commissioner for human rights. ‘‘And that is what we want to do with this campaign. Free & Equal will inspire millions of conversations among people around the world and across the ideological spectrum.’’ There were multiple reasons for choosing South Africa as the news conference venue. It is Pillay’s home country, and is a leading nation on a continent where discrimination and violence against LGBT people is widespread.

The above-linked article notes that the campaign is being funded by "outside contributors" and should therefore "skirt objections" from UN member states opposed to LGBT rights.

UPDATE: A press release from the UN adds more details.

The campaign will focus on the need for both legal reforms and public education to counter homophobia and transphobia.  A number of celebrities with a commitment to equality have pledged their support for Free & Equal by becoming UN equality champions and helping to spread campaign messages and materials via social media. These include the pop star Ricky Martin, South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly, and Brazilian singer Daniela Mercury. Additional equality champions will be announced as the campaign unfolds.

Headline Of The Day

Merriam-Webster updated their definition back in 2003. Source. 

Seen Outside The Former St. Vincent's

As if the closure of St. Vincent's Hospital wasn't enough of a stab to the heart of the West Village, the developers of the "individually crafted, high-end, state-of-the-art, luxury living" condos on that site have decided to jump up and down on the corpse. (Via my pal Mark)

Peter Sarsgaard On Conan

A breathless press release from Conan's show: "Peter's famous for showing it all on screen, but he spills the beans on which well-hung stars have the most to show."  I think these beans have already been spilled, but whatever.

HomoQuotable - Johnny Weir

"The fact that Russia is arresting my people, and openly hating a minority and violating human rights all over the place is heartbreaking and a travesty of international proportions. I respect the LGBT community full heartedly, but I implore the world not to boycott the Olympic Games because of Russia’s stance on LGBT rights or lack thereof. I beg the gay athletes not to forget their missions and fight for a chance to dazzle the world.

"Olympics are history, and they do not represent their host, they represent the world entire. People make their own futures, and should a government or sponsor steal that future, whether it be a Russian government or American government, it is, as an athlete, the death and total demolition of a lifetime of work. Support the athletes. There isn’t a police officer or a government that, should I qualify, could keep me from competing at the Olympics." - Johnny Weir, speaking to the Falls Church News-Press.

HRC Head Chad Griffin Calls On NBC To Expose Russia's Anti-Gay Abuses During Telecasts Of The Sochi Olympics

Embiggen the embedded text or read it full-screen here.

Queer Nation Responds To Stoli CEO

Via press release:

A Statement From Queer Nation; Marketing Is Not Enough

Val Mendeleev, the chief executive officer of SPI Group, the owner of the Stolichnaya brand, confirmed in an open letter on July 25 that SPI produces this vodka in Russia and that SPI has offices and operations in Russia. Stolichnaya is a Russian vodka that is owned by a company that was founded in Russia in 1991.

On the same day that SPI released its open letter to the Advocate, we learned that Russian thugs, emboldened by Russia’s anti-gay law, have taken to gay web sites to lure gay people to supposed encounters where they are viciously beaten. This is just the latest in a series of violent attacks against LGBT Russians and foreign LGBT nationals in Russia.

This violence follows news reports of Russian police and prosecutors targeting LGBT people and groups in Russia for arrests and trials. At least two Russian LGBT groups have gone underground as a result.

In the open letter, Mr. Mendeleev cited a few LGBT events where SPI promoted its Stolichnaya brand as evidence of the company’s support for our community. Mr. Mendeleev, marketing will not save LGBT lives.

A single open letter that was discreetly placed with a single gay publication in the US will not help LGBT Russians nor will it have an impact on the Russian government’s anti-gay campaign. This and your refusal made in an earlier statement to confront the Russian government’s anti-gay bigotry make clear that you are not the fervent supporter and friend to the LGBT community you claim to be.

By its own admission, SPI Group operates in Russia and pays taxes to the Russian government. That money funds these continuing attacks on LGBT people and organizations in Russia. Queer Nation will continue its boycott of Stolichnaya and other Russian vodkas until this anti-gay law is repealed and the Russian government guarantees the safety of its LGBT citizens and foreign LGBT nationals in Russia.

We will not help you fund the Russian war on LGBT people.

Queer Nation

Reactions, please.

TEXAS: Police Capture Suspect Wanted In Hook-Up Murder Of Austin Gay Man

The man suspected of murdering an Austin gay man after meeting him at a local nightclub has been found already in custody in Louisiana on separate charges.

Matthew Bacon, 26, was arrested close to midnight on July 16 after the West Monroe police received a report that he was trying to sell narcotics at a truck stop in the city, more than 250 miles northwest of New Orleans, according to an arrest affidavit. When Austin police discovered Bacon was booked in jail in Louisiana, a detective traveled there and interviewed him, the affidavit says. Bacon said that he had met Villarreal at Rain, a bar in downtown Austin, and went home with him. Once upstairs in Villarreal’s condo, Bacon said he noticed all of the belongings and while Villarreal was in the bathroom, found a hammer under the kitchen sink and hid it under the couch, the affidavit says. Bacon said he later used the tool to strike Villarreal in the back of the head several times. Afterward, Bacon said he used a knife from the kitchen to cut Villarreal’s throat to “finish him off,” the affidavit says.

Bacon has been charged with murder.

Target Donates $50K To Group Supporting Anti-Gay Virginia AG Ken Cuccinelli

Miranda Blue writes for Right Wing Watch:

Target reports that in the first half of this year, it contributed $50,000 to the Republican Governors Association, which so far this year has spent nearly $3 million on behalf of Cuccinelli’s gubernatorial campaign. Target, like many large corporations, is an equal opportunity influence-buyer – it also gave $50,000 this year to the Democratic Governors Association, which is supporting Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe. But its indirect funding of Cuccinelli’s campaign raises additional questions.

In apologizing to his employees for the company’s contributions to Emmer’s campaign, Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel promised to launch “a strategic review and analysis of our decision-making process for financial contributions in the public policy arena” and to start “a dialogue focused on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, including GLBT issues.” How did that “dialogue” lead to support for an organization that is dedicating itself to supporting Ken Cuccinelli?

Larry Kramer Marries

The New York Times has the story:

Larry Kramer, the award-winning playwright of “The Normal Heart” and longtime gay rights advocate, married his partner, David Webster, on Wednesday in the intensive care unit of NYU Langone Medical Center, where Mr. Kramer has been recovering from surgery for a bowel obstruction. Mr. Webster, in a telephone interview on Thursday, said the couple had set the wedding date a few weeks earlier, before Mr. Kramer’s health flare-up. The original plan – to be married on the terrace of their Greenwich Village apartment with two witnesses and the officiant, Judge Eve Preminger – was scrapped in favor of the intensive care unit, where two dozen friends and relatives attended the noontime ceremony led by Judge Preminger.

Ohio AG Mike DeWine To Appeal Marriage Ruling For Dying Gay Man NOTE: IMPORTANT UPDATE ADDED

On Monday a federal judge ordered the state of Ohio to recognize the Maryland marriage of a Cincinnati gay couple, one of whom is dying of ALS. The Ohio Attorney General intends to stop that.

"The case in Cincinnati is a real tragedy. We have two individuals, two men, and one of them is dying so it is very, very sad," said Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. "But Ohio voters made it very, very clear what they wanted to do in regard to same sex marriage. My job as attorney general is to support the law and defend the law if it's attacked in court." DeWine says he'll lead the fight against Federal Judge Timothy Black who ordered Ohio to recognize the marriage of a terminally ill gay man on his state death certificate. After a 20 year relationship, Jim Obergefell and John Arthur were married in Maryland onboard a special medical jet earlier this month. Arthur suffers from Lou Gerhig's Disease and cannot travel without medical support.

Despicable.

UPDATE: Ian Millhiser weighs in at Think Progress:

There is a common refrain among marriage equality’s opponents that discrimination is necessary to remove some kind of “threat” equality poses to straight couples’ marriages. This case is a put up or shut up moment for these voices. Who, exactly, will divorce because Ohio will acknowledge one gay couple’s marriage? What strife will result when Obergefell someday is laid to rest next to Arthur? Where is the wife that will leave her husband because Arthur died alongside his? Who does DeWine think he is serving by filing this appeal?

Someday very soon, Obergefell will go home, lie in an empty bed, and confront for the first time the prospect of a life without his husband. In that moment of loss, he believes he will find some comfort if the State of Ohio acknowledges that he feels the same pain that he would have felt if he were married to a woman. That’s what DeWine wants to take away. And it will gain the people of Ohio nothing.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Buzzfeed's Chris Geidner says that all of the above-linked sources have the story wrong.

The temporary restraining order issued Monday requiring that Ohio officials recognize a gay couple’s marriage will stand, despite reports that an appeal is in the works. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s communications director, Lisa Hackley, confirmed to BuzzFeed that, despite a report claiming that Attorney General Mike DeWine would be appealing the Monday order from Judge Timothy Black, no such appeal is planned.

DeWine will continue to defend Ohio’s constitutional amendment and law banning same-sex couples from marrying and banning the state from recognizing such marriages, she said, but he will do so only as the case proceeds. DeWine’s office is not planning to appeal the temporary restraining order issued in James Obergefell and John Arthur’s case because, Hackley noted, such temporary orders are not generally appealable.

She also affirmed that the attorney general’s position is as he stated in a Tuesday news report from WKRC Cincinnati, when he said, “This is not the end of the game here. It’s one decision and the Judge issued his decision, which we certainly respect.”

Read Geidner's full story. If you remain confused, join the club.

Liberty Counsel Asks Followers To "Like" Death Penalty For Homosexuals

Right Wing Watch reports that earlier today the viciously anti-gay Liberty Counsel asked its Facebook followers to "like" the above banner which cites the biblical call for homosexuals to be put to death.  Since RWW made their own post, Liberty Council has removed the banner from its page and the image from its photo albums.

Brian Tashman writes: "We are eagerly awaiting Liberty Counsel’s other Facebook images on stoning women who had sex before marriage; adulterers; kids who curse their parents; blasphemers; sorcerers; Sabbath-breakers and false prophets."  The banner now features the same image, but with the biblical notation of Matthew 19:4-6, which mumbles something about "at the beginning the Creator made them male and female."  

Consuela, Consuela bo bayla, banana fanna fo fayla. - Suzanne Sugarbaker 19:86

Pay With Your Face

Minority Report. It's here. In Finland, at least.

Finland-based company Uniqul is preparing to release a payment system that uses facial recognition software to link a customer with his or her bank account. Instead of swiping a credit card to purchase goods (which is so painfully last-century), now you can just gaze into a camera.  A Uniqul tablet at check-out stations would take the customer’s photo as they approach. Within seconds the tablet processes biometrical data to locate the individual’s account within the database, which can be registered with any major credit card, Uniqul says. All the customer needs to do is confirm the payment by pressing the “OK” button. The system is supposed to reduce payment transaction time from an average of 30 seconds to less than 5 seconds.

Stoli CEO Issues Open Letter To Gays

The CEO of Stolichnaya Vodka has written an open letter to the LGBT community in order to stave off the nascent boycott campaign. The letter opens:

The recent dreadful actions taken by the Russian Government limiting the rights of the LGBT community and the passionate reaction of the community have prompted me to write this letter to you. I want to stress that Stoli firmly opposes such attitude and actions. Indeed, as a company that encourages transparency and fairness, we are upset and angry. Stolichnaya Vodka has always been, and continues to be a fervent supporter and friend to the LGBT community. We also thank the community for having adopted Stoli as their vodka of preference.

In the US, the brand’s commitment to the LGBT community has been ongoing for years. Among the best examples, I can cite the series produced by Stoli in 2006 called “Be Real: Stories from Queer America” which featured short documentaries on real life stories depicting the challenges and accomplishments of the LGBT community in the United States Stoli is very proud of its current exclusive national partnership with Gaycities.com and Queerty.com in search of the Most Original Stoli Guy. This is a fantastic program that started as a local initiative in Colorado and became a national platform. Previous national initiatives included serving as the official vodka of the Miami Gay Pride Week as well as ongoing events with focus on Pride month.

Click on the image in this post and read the message in full. Then give us your reaction.

SCOTLAND: Marriage Bill Published

The Guardian reports:

The bill to legalise same sex marriages in Scotland has now been published, and while it has arrived later than hoped and expected, Holyrood will introduce a more open, flexible regime than the new equal marriage laws in England and Wales. The Scottish Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) bill, released on Thursday morning, will not introduce the stringent "quadruple lock" that English and Welsh religious bodies have won.

The Westminster legislation explicitly bans the Anglican Church of England and Church in Wales from offering same sex ceremonies; the Scottish legislation has no such measure. It asks religious bodies and faiths to "opt in" to the new legislation, effectively making it the default position that religious bodies are not required to offer gay and lesbian ceremonies.

The Holyrood and Westminster measures offer very similar protections, however, for individual celebrants and ministers who are in churches and faith groups which have accepted same sex marriages but, on individual faith grounds, do not wish to officiate at them.

According to the Equality Network, of the 128 members of the Scottish Parliament, 89 have endorsed same-sex marriage and only 11 have explicitly stated their opposition.  The Guardian notes that while equal marriage is expected to go into effect for England and Wales by mid-2014, it will likely not come to Scotland until 2015.  As for Northern Ireland, the Guardian observes, "hopes of same sex marriages are now dead."

Anti-Abortion Group To Hold Marriage Pray-In At Montgomery County Offices

Via press release from the Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania:

Pro-Marriage Pray-In to Occur at the Montgomery County Register of Wills Office on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 12 Noon: We urge the Register of Wills, Bruce Hanes, to stop issuing marriage licenses to homosexual couples. We urge Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman to charge Bruce Hanes for his violation of state law by issuing marriage licenses to homosexual couples. We urge Governor Corbett to cease his timid public responses and zealously defend PA's marriage law. The drive for homosexual marriage is a continuation of the war on children. This war began by preventing the conception of children by contraception and sterilization, killing children conceived but not yet born by abortion and now intentionally denying born children a mother and a father through "same sex marriage."

JMG Readers Get Marriage License From Pennsylvania's Montgomery County

JMG reader Jeffrey writes us: "I've attached my marriage license from Montgomery County PA. We were the first couple through this morning. Followed by an older gay couple who'd been together 15 years and a very photogenic gay couple with their toddler. The forms still say bride & groom; Kevin got the bride slot because he spent the morning making sure his hair was perfect. The clerk who issued us our license, Helene Crawley, was incredibly happy to be doing it even though we asked for the unusual self-uniting paperwork. Everyone cheered when she told us to go get married. Hopefully this really is for real."

Congrats, guys! We're all hoping along with you.

BRITAIN: PM David Cameron Wants To "Export" Gay Marriage To The World

Speaking to a group of LGBT supporters, yesterday British Prime Minister declared that he wants to "export" his success with same-sex marriage to the world.

Thanking the ministers and civil servants who helped to pass the legislation into law despite objections from the Tory Right, he said: It’s been a real pleasure to work with you and to deliver this landmark social change for our country, which to me still comes back to the simple word of commitment.” He said that he wanted to "export" same sex marriage around the world so other countries could follow suit. He said: “I’ve told the Bill team I’m now going to reassign them because, of course, all over the world people would have been watching this piece of legislation and we’ve set something, I think, of an example of how to pass good legislation in good time. “Many other countries are going to want to copy this. And, as you know, I talk about the global race, about how we’ve got to export more and sell more so I’m going to export the bill team. I think they can be part of this global race and take it around the world.”

(Tipped by JMG reader Huntington)

REPORT: Russian Skinheads Use Social Media To Lure And Torture LGBT Teens

From the Spectrum Human Rights Alliance, which advocates for LGBT rights in Eastern Europe, comes a horrifying report:

Infamous Russian ultranationalist and former skin head, Maxim Martsinkevich, known under the nickname "Cleaver" (or "Tesak" in Russian) spearheaded a country wide campaign against LGBT teens using a popular social network VK.com to lure unsuspected victims through personal ads. Mr. Martsinkevich's numerous and enthusiastic followers started two projects: "Occupy Pedophilyaj" and "Occupy Gerontilyaj". Allegedly they are trying to identify and report pedophiles using these "movements".

In reality, over 500 online groups have been created inside VK.com social network in order to organize illegal militant groups in every Russian city. Oddly enough their idea of fighting pedophiles targets exclusively male teenagers who respond to the same-sex personal ads and show up for a date. Captured victims are bullied and often tortured while being recorded on video. These self-proclaimed "crime fighters" perform their actions under the broad day light, often outside and clearly visible to general public that indifferently passes by or even commend them.

Spectrum notes that videos of the victims are widely circulated in order to out the teens to their parents and classmates.  Some suicides have reportedly resulted.  The owner of VK.com, Pavel Durov, lives in the United States.

VIDEO: Spectrum has posted the below video of a gay Moscow teen being "bullied, tortured, and sprayed with urine in broad daylight." You may not want to watch this.

(Via Instinct Magazine)

Tim Gunn Endorses Christine Quinn

Anthony Weiner Slides In First Mayoral Poll Taken Since Carlos Danger Scandal

Talking Points Memo has a recap of the first poll taken since the Carlos Danger flap:

Weiner's standing in the race has clearly slipped due to the scandal, though he's not entirely out of contention. The poll showed him in second place in the Democratic primary with 16 percent compared to 25 percent for City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and 14 percent for both Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and former Comptroller Bill Thompson. Prior to the scandal, Weiner had been leading his rivals in multiple polls. The last Marist poll, which was released June 26, had Weiner with 25 percent, Quinn with 20 percent for Quinn, and Thompson with 13 percent. Weiner has dropped nine points since then.

By city election law if no candidate gets 40% in the primary, the top two finishers go into a runoff.

DOMA: One Month Later

Tomorrow it will have been one month since the repeal of DOMA's Section Three. At the Washington Blade, Chris Johnson looks at the rapid moves taken since then:

Almost like a domino effect, public officials and judges in Ohio, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Missouri this week alone have acted to advance marriage equality by drawing on the decision in Windsor v. United States as part of their reasoning. Doug NeJaime, a gay law professor at the University of California, Davis, said this movement so soon after the Windsor ruling “was anticipated” given the language that Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy used in his opinion.

“Given the flurry of activity, and the quick decisions coming out of places like Ohio, this may mean that the Supreme Court may not be able to avoid the question regarding the constitutionality of state marriage bans as long as some of the justices may hope,” NeJaime said. “Clearly in Perry they were able to push the issue off for a bit, but it doesn’t seem they will be able to avoid the question for more than a few years at most.”

Key quote: "The pace has been quick and it's only getting quicker."

TRAILERS: Ender's Game

Man, this thing looks terrible.

President Obama Nominates Caroline Kennedy To Be Ambassador To Japan

Yesterday afternoon President Obama formally nominated Caroline Kennedy to be the US ambassador to Japan.

In naming Ms. Kennedy, whose nomination has been rumored for months, Mr. Obama is keeping with a well-established tradition of rewarding important campaign supporters with plum embassies. He recently put forward big-dollar fund-raisers to be envoys in London, Berlin, Copenhagen and Madrid. But Ms. Kennedy’s value to Mr. Obama has been less about money than mystique. As the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, her imprimatur on his candidacy in 2008 — along with that of her uncle, Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts — elevated Mr. Obama at a crucial moment against his better-known rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

RELATED: In late 2008 Kennedy was considered to be a top prospect to be appointed by then-New York Gov. David Paterson to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate when Obama named Clinton as Secretary of State. Kennedy withdrew from consideration in early 2009, citing the failing health of her uncle, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.

NEW YORK CITY: Madison Square Garden Told To Find New Location In 10 Years

Yesterday the New York City Council voted 47-1 to renew the lease for Madison Square Garden for a mere ten years, rather than an "in perpetuity" lease as the venue had wanted.

Ten years should be enough time, officials said, for the Garden to find a new location and for the city to devise plans for an expanded Pennsylvania Station, which currently sits below the Garden, and the redevelopment of the surrounding neighborhood. “This is the first step in finding a new home for Madison Square Garden and building a new Penn Station that is as great as New York and suitable for the 21st century,” said Christine C. Quinn, the City Council speaker. “This is an opportunity to reimagine and redevelop Penn Station as a world-class transportation destination.”

Ms. Quinn renewed her call for the creation of a commission to devise the plans. Civic leaders and some developers have long sought to rebuild Penn Station, a cramped and crowded maze for the more than 500,000 people a day who traverse it. But doing so would be an enormously complicated, multibillion-dollar undertaking that has foiled officials in the past. And anything can happen in the next 10 years, including several elections for mayor and governor.

Yesterday MSG also got the news that Brooklyn's brand new Barclays Center is already the nation's top-grossing concert venue.

The numbers were a remarkable showing for the rust-colored arena on Atlantic Avenue, which opened in late September last year with a string of concerts by Jay Z. Overall, Barclays ranked No. 2 worldwide in ticket sales with $46.9 million, second to the O2 Arena in London, with $119 million, Billboard reported. Madison Square Garden was fourth with $39 million. Pollstar, a trade magazine for the live music industry, said Barclays was third worldwide in number of tickets sold, with 657,000, well ahead of Madison Square Garden, which sold 194,000.

Whatever happened to the grand plan to turn the Main Post Office into a new Penn Station? A website in support of that project hasn't been updated in over a year.

NEW JERSEY: Coalition Launches New Push To Overturn Christie's Marriage Veto

Yesterday New Jersey United For Marriage, a coalition of major local and national LGBT rights groups, held a press conference in Asbury Park to launch the latest bid to overturn Gov. Chris Christie's veto of same-sex marriage.  From their website:

New Jersey United for Marriage is the campaign to secure the freedom to marry for all loving and committed couples in New Jersey. Founding members Garden State Equality and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, have formed a close partnership with the American Unity Fund, Freedom to Marry, Gill Action, and the Human Rights Campaign, to facilitate conversations between the majority of New Jerseyans who support the freedom to marry and their lawmakers.

Follow them on Twitter.

Loudoun County GOP Backs Delgaudio

"Be It Resolved: We the Loudoun County Republican Committee respectfully request the board of Supervisors to reconsider censuring Delgaudio, We respectfully request the board to reconsider removing Delgaudio from all committees, We respectfully request the board to reconsider removing the district staff of Supervisor Delgaudio. Finally, we respectfully request the board to give Delgaudio specific charges and Supervisor Delgaudio and his lawyer Charles King be given an opportunity to present his defense." Source. (Tipped by JMG reader Blair)

Nadler: Weiner Needs Psychiatric Help

"I think he should withdraw, I think he needs serious psychiatric help. He should take care of his own problems and let New York figure its policies and its mayor. I mean, to have done it again after what we went through in the resignation, he has shown himself to be a serial liar. You can't believe him, and he's also shown monumentally bad judgment. How can you trust his judgment as a mayor? I think that the problems that Anthony Weiner — like Eliot Spitzer — exhibited while in office, and after, pose fundamental problems to the serious governance of New York. They both exhibit a fundamental dishonesty, they both lied repeatedly, and show monumental errors of judgment." - Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), speaking yesterday at a press conference.

COLOMBIA: First Civil Union Performed

Colombia saw its first legal civil union yesterday. Or maybe it was a marriage. Nobody is sure.

The newly legalized couple cheered the ceremony as a marriage, although experts cautioned that a high court ruling that deemed the union legal did not make it the equivalent of marriage. "We are civilly married," Gonzalo Ruiz, 44, told The Associated Press just after ceremony with his partner, Carlos Hernando Rivera, 57.  The ceremony follows Congress' failure in April to pass a law setting up a legal framework for civil unions. A 2011 order from the Constitutional Court had ordered legislators to pass a law granting marriage equality to gay couples by June 20, 2013, or else such couple would be allowed to join in civil unions before judges. A previous ruling by the high court had allowed same-sex couples in Colombia to enjoy since 2007 many of the benefits of marriage, including inheritance, pensions and health and death benefits.

Today's New York Daily News

Marriage Bill Fails In South Australia

A same-sex marriage bill has failed in the state legislature of South Australia.

Labor backbencher Susan Close's Same Sex Marriage Bill 2013 was defeated on the strength of voices in the Lower House and no division was called. Some MPs were missing from the chamber. However, the issue will remain on Parliament's agenda as Greens MLC Tammy Franks introduced an identical Bill to the Upper House last night. During debate in the Lower House today, Premier Jay Weatherill told Parliament gay marriage should be legalised to ensure the institution of marriage remains relevant to contemporary society. Opposition Leader Steven Marshall confirmed his party would not allow Liberal MPs a conscience vote on the issue today because the party believed it was unconstitutional, virtually guaranteeing the Bill will not garner the numbers to proceed. Labor MPs will be allowed a conscience vote.