Friday, February 07, 2014

RUSSIA: Arrested Activists Say Cops Beat Them, Threatened Sexual Assault

Earlier today ten LGBT activists were arrested for waving rainbow flags in Moscow's Red Square. According to text messages from the arrested Russians to a Swedish activist who was also arrested but was released first, the police beat two of the activists still in custody and threatened them with sexual assault.

A text message transcript via Buzzfeed:
Me:: "We didn’t sign anything. Are you all still there?"
Them: "Yes, in cage. They beated [sic] two of us"
Me: "Oh no, who? What can we do? Can you keep reporting? Are all of you in the same cage?"
Them: "Two queers [were beaten]. Before that they took us upstairs and said that we have to suck their cocks' and that we have to be burned. When we said that we gonna complain. So they bring us back to cage. So we dont let them close it without paper, pen and their names. So they beat two of us and then used cuffs."
Them: "Yes we are together. Now we are singing."
Them: "They beated [sic] our people again - cause we asked to let our public defender come to us. They didnt give us any docs."
All ten have now been released.
The eight Russians were released at around 12:30 Moscow time, protest organizers Elena Kostyuchenko, told BuzzFeed by phone after her release. None were seriously injured, though she reported they police officers almost broke two of the protestors’ arms by closing the door of the cage, some were kicked by police officers while handcuffed to the cage, and one protestor was momentarily choked by a police officer placing his arm across his throat. She was not formally charged, she said, because she insisted on complaining about the officers’ conduct before signing a charge sheet.
The activists say they believe police learned of the protest in advance by tapping their phones.

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St. Panti's Day Parade

After her moving and eloquent speech about homophobia went viral, a campaign was launched to name Irish drag queen Panti Bliss as the grand marshal of Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Parade. But the chance of that happening appears to be slim.
Organisers have said that the process to select who leads the parade “is well underway and this year’s Grand Marshal will be unveiled closer to the festival”. A spokesperson for St. Patrick’s Festival said that “at this point it is unlikely” that Panti Bliss will follow Nicky Byrne, Katie Taylor, Johnny Giles, Ronnie Drew as the Grand Marshal of the Dublin parade. The orgainsers say that although the process of choosing the Grand Marshal doesn’t take long, the board is required to meet on the matter.
At least the parade committee didn't diss the idea.
UPDATE: Channel 4 interviewed Panti today.

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New Chevy Ad Shows Gay Families, Will
Be Aired Tonight During Sochi Opening

GLAAD cheers via press release:
Earlier this week we saw the first gay families included in a Super Bowl ad, and tonight we see the first gay families included in an Olympics Opening Ceremony. "Chevrolet has nailed it with ads that truly reflect the fabric of our nation, which today includes gay and lesbian families," said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. "Recent LGBT-inclusive ads like these not only raise the bar for the advertising industry, but also reflect the growing support and acceptance of LGBT people. It's about time my children were able to turn on the television and see families like their own represented in mainstream advertising." This first spot focuses on genuine moments between real families to show, per the ad's own narration that "while what it means to be a family hasn't changed, what a family looks like has." The second sixty-second spot takes a wider look at society through the lens of social media and includes both a gay couple and a nod to gay teen science prodigy, Jack Andraka.
Just fantastic. The sadz will be deafening!

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Russian Snowboarder Cheers Pussy Riot

Details.

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RUSSIA: Website Of Canadian Bobsledder Blocked For Extreme Furry Hotness

Via Huffington Post:
Canadian bobsledder Justin Kripps says his personal website has been censored in Russia. Kripps tweeted Friday that he could not access his site from Krasnaya Polayna, where some of the Sochi Olympic events are being held. Others who tried to access the site from Russia got the same message, which says it has been blocked because of a breach of legislation. The apparent censorship could be result of a photo of Kripps standing in his underwear with his teammates that went viral ahead of the Games.
You remember the photo, right?

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Swedish Paper Rebrands In Solidarity

Perhaps having noted the action of Britain's Channel 4, one of Sweden's most-read dailies has rebranded its logo in rainbow colors in solidarity with Russia's LGBT people. From the editor:
"Inauguration ceremonies for the Winter Olympics have begun in Sochi. We will be watching the competition, but we also want to show that we do not like that the organizers have brutally exploited the workers who built Sochi's facilities. Additionally, we want to protest against the Russian authorities and their persecution of homosexuals. We do this by using the LGBTQ movement's rainbow flag. As long as the Sochi Olympics are in progress, the VF logo will be seen in the rainbow's beautiful and tolerant colors. We stand for human rights and equality of all people."
The paper is owned by Sweden's oldest and largest political party, the Social Democratic Workers' Party, which presently holds one-third of the seats in the national legislature. (Tipped by JMG reader Paulo)

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BRITAIN: Ben Cohen Supports Channel 4's Pro-LGBT Sochi Olympics Campaign

As part of Channel 4's Project Rainbow campaign during the Sochi Olympics, Ben Cohen has recorded a new message about bullying. Note Channel 4's logo.

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Annie - Russian Kiss

Pop star Annie, who I once described here as Norway's answer to Kylie Minogue, has released a new single in support of Russia's LGBT people. Via Pitchfork:
The Sochi Olympics kick off today. Norwegian singer Annie and Norwegian visual artist Bjarne Melgaard have shared "Russian Kiss", their protest song and short film aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime and its anti-gay laws. Watch the film, directed by Richard Kern, below. (It's not safe for work if your work environment is unaccepting of same-sex makeouts.) Part of the proceeds from the song—which was made with the support of Norwegian free-speech foundation Fritt Ord—will go to the gay rights advocacy non-profit All Out.
Annie's Back Together made my 2013 best-of list.

(Tipped by JMG reader Terry)

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Quote Of The Day - Chris Kluwe

"What is the true price of fame? The price of fame is what you risk when you have the platform. As an athlete, a role model for society, people listen to you. As an athlete, when you make a statement, that statement is heard, no matter what that statement is. Speak up for LBGTQ rights, for human rights, for empathy? The world will pay attention, and take notice. Stay silent, keep your head down, count the money and endorsements? The world will pay attention, and take notice. Either way, you're the one who has to live with what you did or didn't do. I hope that athletes speak out at Sochi on LBGTQ issues, even knowing the possible risks that await them.

"I know that it could cost them their livelihoods, their careers, everything they've worked towards. I know that it can lead to recriminations, harsh words from a public who just wants their entertainment, no matter how much blood it's packaged in. I know that it's one of the hardest steps a person can take, and that there is no guarantee of a reward at the end, other than knowing you did the right thing at the right time with nothing to show for it but angry tweets and emails tempered by the messages of support and affection from those in whose lives you made a difference, those currently being abused by the oppressive and ignorant." - Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe, writing for the Guardian.

RELATED: In the above-linked piece, Kluwe opens by slamming Sochi's corporate sponsors. Among his suggested replacement marketing slogans: "Today's refreshing anti-gay beating brought to you by Coca-Cola!"

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TORONTO: Crackhead Mayor Rob Ford Wants City Hall Rainbow Flag Removed

Toronto's crackhead Mayor Rob Ford is furious that his town's city hall today raised a rainbow flag in solidarity with Russia's LGBT people.
“It’s not about someone’s sexual preference,” he told reporters as he left his office to go outside and inspect the Canadian flag he had just put up in his office window. “No, I do not agree with putting up the rainbow flag. We should put our Canadian flag up.” After going out onto the square to look at his office window at lunchtime, Mr. Ford rushed back to his office surrounded by reporters. “This is the Olympics. This is about being patriotic to your country. This is not about sexual preference.” Mr. Ford said he has asked the city manager to take the flag down. The Mayor’s outburst came after the rainbow flag was raised in place of the City of Toronto flag on the ceremonial flagpole on City Hall’s green roof. The pole is often used to recognize special days and the rainbow flag flies there each year during Pride Week. Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly said the raising of the flag, along with other municipalities, is a sign of solidarity. “This is an expression of Canadianism,” he said.
Earlier this week Ford declared that he would once again boycott this year's Toronto Pride events.

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Blondie Rejects Sochi Gig

It's not clear when the offer was made, but today Blondie published its response to an offer to perform next week at the Red Rocks Festival in Sochi. In 2012, prior to the passage of Russia's "gay propaganda" law, the headliners at the festival were Scissor Sisters. Thank you, Blondie!

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Freep This AFA Poll

From the American Family Association:
A well-known insurance company is donating large amounts of money from customer premiums to political lobbying efforts to pass a national gay marriage law and to repeal state marriage protection laws. AFA has quietly asked them to simply remain neutral and stop funding gay marriage efforts. We'd like your help in showing them that policy holders are willing to take their business elsewhere. Take our poll! The results will be shared with the company.
The correct answer is "NO." 

UPDATE: Well done, flying monkeys. The AFA is now scrambling to cloak the poll's results after resetting the vote totals to zero. This is at least the third or fourth AFA poll that you have destroyed.

(Tipped by JMG reader Maggie NOH8)

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Hate Group Leader Peter Sprigg Pens Op-Ed Published By Salt Lake Tribune

"The last few weeks have been a roller coaster for marriage law in Utah. On Dec. 13, U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups vindicated years of slippery slope arguments by opponents of marriage redefinition by declaring the state’s law criminalizing polygamous cohabitation to be unconstitutional. One week later, on Dec. 20, another U.S. District Court judge, Robert J. Shelby, declared that Utah’s state constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman violates the U.S. Constitution. Officials in Utah began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples immediately. [snip]

"That problem is solved by the State Marriage Defense Act, which provides that a marriage will not be recognized by the federal government if it is not recognized by the state in which a person lives. Every American’s marital status in the eyes of the federal government would be the same as in the eyes of the state where he or she lives. This is consistent with both the Windsor ruling and what it called the States’ 'historic and essential authority to define the marital relation.' It would also mitigate the confusion and chaos created in Utah by one federal judge and Attorney General Holder." - FRC vice president and hate group leader Peter Sprigg, in an op-ed published today by the Salt Lake Tribune.

RELATED: Sprigg has appeared on national television to declare that "there should be criminal sanctions for homosexuality" and that LGBT Americans should be "exported" out of the country. I encourage you to hit the link and leave some educational comments. And don't forget Sprigg's KKK-affiliated boss, Tony Perkins.

ALSO RELATED: 52 Republicans and one (retiring this year) Democrat have now cosponsored Rep. Randy Weber's so-called State Marriage Defense Act, which Weber openly admits was written by the Family Research Council. Among the latest cosponsors is Rep. Paul "Evolution Is A Lie From Satan" Broun (R-GA.) That brings the total of cosponsors to a pathetic 12% of the US House, almost one month after the bill's introduction.

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RUSSIA: Moscow Police Arrest 10 LGBT Activists During Sochi Opening Ceremonies

The Russian online news site Grani reports that ten LGBT activists were arrested by Moscow police at Red Square today as they waved rainbow flags and sang the Russian national anthem. The protest was timed to coincide with the opening ceremonies at Sochi. Brave, brave people.

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Headline Of The Day

Police are investigating. Doubtlessly a follower of One Million Moms, who claimed victory over Good Luck Charlie and the Disney Channel last week. (Tipped by JMG reader Richard)

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Ukrainian Tries To Hijack Plane To Sochi

Via Al Jazeera:
A Turkish official says security forces are searching a passenger plane that landed at an Istanbul airport after a passenger claimed there was a bomb on board. Sources told Al Jazeera that the plane, which had 110 people onboard, took off from Kharhiv in Ukraine and landed in Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport. The plane sent a hijack alert as it was about to land after a passenger claimed to have a bomb, they said. The official told the AP news agency the plane landed safely on Friday and was parked in a "safe area" at the airport where it is being searched. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of government rules that bar civil servants from speaking to journalists without prior authorisation.

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Embarassing Fail During Sochi Opening

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INDIANA: NOM To Rally On Monday

Via NOM's blog:
Calling all Indiana Marriage Champions. The Indiana Marriage Amendment (HJR 3) will be considered by the Senate Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee on Monday, February 10th. We need as many people as possible to come to the State House on Monday to support the people's right to vote on the Marriage Amendment. Senators have been clear in their request - "get as many people out as you can." Marriage Champions need to show the Senate that HJR 3 must be passed in its original form, including restoring the 'second sentence' removed by the House in January. If the Senate fails to restore the 'second sentence' and pass HJR 3 as it was written in 2011, the people's right to vote on the Amendment in 2014 will be seriously in jeopardy.
Let's hope LGBT Hoosiers and our allies also turn out in big numbers.

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HUNTED: British Documentary Follows Russian Gay Bashers "Going On Safari"

Britain's Channel 4, which yesterday rebranded itself in protest of Russia's anti-gay crackdown, has aired a chilling documentary titled Dispatches: Hunted in which journalists travel with gangs of Russian gay bashers to record their vicious actions.

Lucy Mangan reviews the show for the Guardian:
The gangs call it "going on safari". It is apt, given how comprehensively the church, state, legislature and their own brutal instincts have combined to dehumanise gay men and women. "I just consider them spiritually and morally ill. Even cattle don't engage in this," pronounces one representative priest. The terms "paedophile" and "homosexual" are used interchangeably in public and private discourse. Not content with effectively criminalising anything but negative portrayals of, references to or teachings about homosexuality, influential members of the Russian parliament are currently trying to strengthen the new legislation so that the children of gay couples can be taken away from them and put into care. As one gay woman – a mother of three, who did not want to be identified – said, it would be a law to make Hitler proud.

In the meantime, things are horrific. Footage is shown of some of the thousands of attacks that have taken place across Russia since the anti-"gay propaganda" law was passed: a man kicked in the face and falling back unconscious; a man forced naked into a bath being handed a dildo and having a bottle of piss poured over him; and a man with a gun to his head being forced to rape himself with a bottle. The Dispatches team itself is there when the gang they are filming – which seems to be a loose coalition of two groups calling themselves Parents for Russia and Occupy Paedophilia – manages to lure a victim back to a flat. Their taunting ("How do you all become gay? Do you just sit at home and decide to take it up the arse?") and mental torture (which, on account of the director's camera does not become physical this time) lasts an hour. "We followed him out," says the voiceover, "to offer assistance and support." His suffering, of course, will continue once the film of his "interview", as the gang calls it, is posted.
The show has been posted in full to YouTube, but not by the network so it will likely be yanked quickly. Watch this right now if you have the time.

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Dilbert Mocks Indian Anti-Gay Law

Today's Dilbert comic strip mocks India's recent recriminalization of homosexuality via the strip's Indian intern character Asok, who first appeared in 1996 and is now, apparently, openly gay. (Tipped by JMG reader Mike)

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Children Deserve A Mom & A Dad

Details. (Tipped by JMG reader Daniel)

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Tony Mono - Sochi

German pop artist and comedian Tony Mono, who regularly appears on the Cologne-based 1 Live radio network, has created a take on Pharrell Williams' Oscar-nominated Happy, the theme song to Despicable Me 2. From the clip description:
Let's show Russia, how we love our love. Free from oppression and fear! International superstar producer Tony Mono reaches out to fans across the world to tell them what is happening in Russia is not right. When people are forbidden from expressing their love, something is definitely going wrong. Let your voices be heard against hate and let love be free. Love for whoever you want. Fighting for this unalienable right is not just an issue for gay people but for us all.
I love the original and this is just as good.

(Via Towleroad)

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TENNESSEE: State GOP Senator Intro's Bill To Legalize Anti-Gay Discrimination

Tennessee GOP state Sen. Brian Kelsey has introduced a bill that would legalize anti-gay discrimination on the basis of "sincere religious beliefs." Similar bills have recently been filed in several other states. From the text of Kelsey's bill:
Religion and Religious Organizations - As introduced, permits persons and religious or denominational organizations, based on sincere religious belief, to refuse to provide services or goods in furtherance of a civil union, domestic partnership, or marriage not recognized by the Tennessee Constitution. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 36.
A companion bill has been introduced in the Tennessee House with the same wording. Kelsey is a member of ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Committee), a far right group with writes legislation to be presented by its puppets in state legislatures. (Tipped by JMG reader Mike)

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Cleveland Gay Games 2014 Commercial To Air Tonight In Six Television Markets

Via Outlook Columbus:
Organizers of the 2014 Gay Games will give viewers of tonight’s Winter Olympics opening ceremonies a subtle reminder of the anti-LGBT atmosphere in Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Thirty-second commercials for the Gay Games are set to air during NBC’s telecast in Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, Buffalo and the host cities of Cleveland and Akron. The Gay Games, an international event that takes place every four years, are scheduled for Aug. 9-16 in Cleveland and Akron. About 10,000 competitors and another 20,000 spectators are expected from around the world. “These are great times we live in – exciting, complicated, extraordinary times,” a narrator says as the commercial begins with scenes of Gay Games medals, athletes, welcoming residents of northeastern Ohio and Cleveland’s annual Pride festival.

(Tipped by JMG reader Brian)

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His Emineminence - The Putin Rap

Straight outta Compton Dublin, crazy motherfucker named His Emineminence. Language not office safe. This is really great.

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TV's First Lesbian Zombie Kiss

Really dumb.

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Obama On Sochi Delegation: Of Course
We Sent Open Gays There On Purpose

"There is no doubt we wanted to make it very clear that we do not abide by discrimination in anything, including discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. One of the wonderful things about the Olympics is that you are judged by your merit, how good you are regardless of where you come from, what you look like, who you love and that I think is consistent with the spirit of the Olympics," - President Obama, speaking to NBC last night.

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Chicago Gay Bar Ends Stoli Boycott After Donation To Russian LGBT Group

From the Facebook page of Chicago's popular Sidetrack bar:
Stoli will again be available at Sidetrack. As Russia prepares to launch these Olympic games, TODAY Stoli has allied itself on the side of LGBT Freedom and will once again be on the shelves at Sidetrack. Stoli has pledged $150,000 as their first donation to the Russia Freedom Fund (the same fund Sidetrack & gay bars across America are supporting in tomorrow's Uprising of Love event). This, combined with Stoli's $300,000 donation to support the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Leadership LAB program have demonstrated to us that we have an ally in Stoli.

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Coca-Cola And Chevrolet To Run Gay-Inclusive Ads During The Olympics

From the New York Times:
Some marketers are seeking to respond to the protesters without agreeing to their demand to condemn the Russian law. During the opening ceremony coverage, Coca-Cola plans to run a 90-second version of “America Is Beautiful,” its 60-second Super Bowl commercial by Wieden & Kennedy that salutes diversity, and generated complaints from some viewers who expressed outrage that “America the Beautiful” was sung in multiple languages along with English. Also during that coverage, Chevrolet plans a commercial for its Traverse minivan with diverse families — including two same-sex couples — to illustrate a theme, “The New Us.” The spot was created by the Commonwealth unit of the McCann Worldgroup.
You likely are already familiar with the now-famous Coke ad. I haven't found the Chevy ad yet.

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Putin's "Look Back" Video On Facebook

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Activists To Launch Sochi "War Room"

Via the #CheersToSochi Facebook page:
LGBT activists, allies, social media experts, and journalists are invited to participate in the #CheersToSochi War Room in New York City at Boxers Bar HK during the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games this Friday. The purpose of the #CheersToSochi War Room is for participants to monitor the Opening Ceremony and other Olympic-related broadcasts and to: provide alternative commentary using Twitter, Facebook and social media networks; expose Russia’s continuing human rights violations and the oppression faced by LGBT Russians, political dissidents and artists in Russia; and, challenge the pro-Russia, pro-International Olympic Committee (IOC) and sponsor-driven messages broadcast by NBC. The #CheersToSochi War Room will use social media to tell the truth about the Russian government's oppression of LGBT Russians, artists, political dissidents, and others.
More from the New York Times:
Activists angry about a law in Russia against “homosexual propaganda” are intensifying efforts to mock and minimize the Winter Games. Some intend to operate what they call a #CheersToSochi War Room on Friday, during the NBC coverage of the opening ceremony, in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan. The name refers to a hashtag in social media promoted by McDonald’s that was co-opted by protesters to the point where McDonald’s stopped using it. The war room initiative will give participants a chance to “provide alternative commentary, using Twitter, Facebook and social media networks,” an invitation on Facebook reads, and “challenge the pro-Russia, pro-International Olympic Committee and sponsor-driven messages broadcast by NBC.” Scott Wooledge, a leader in the appropriation of the #CheersToSochi hashtag and member of Queer Nation NY, introduced a parody site, cheerstosochi.org, attacking the major sponsors because, its home page declares, “they’ve all betrayed the ideals in Olympic charter.”
I'll be there in Hell's Kitchen tonight.

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Rabbis Stand With LGBT Ugandans

From a petition launched by the American Jewish World Service:
Dear President Museveni, I am writing to implore you, respectfully, to veto Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill that was recently passed by the Ugandan Parliament. As a rabbi, I honor the inherent dignity of each and every person. Jewish theology, tradition and history compel me to uphold the values of kavod habriyot, respect for all of creation, and btzelem elohim, the notion that all people--including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people--are created in the Divine image. Tragically, I know from our history that the stripping away of human rights from specific minorities is often a precursor to targeted destruction. If this bill is signed into law, it would be a grave violation of human rights and would be one of the most abhorrent manifestations of discrimination against LGBT people worldwide.
Read the full petition. (Tipped by JMG reader David)

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Jay Leno Says Goodbye

The Tea Party won't like this part: “People say to me, ‘Why didn’t you go to ABC, to Fox?’ I don’t know anybody over there. These are the only people I have ever known. I’m also proud to say, this is a union show. And I have never worked with a more professional group of people in my life. They get paid good money and they do a good job.”

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Thursday, February 06, 2014

Google Doodle Slams Russia

Via the Guardian:
Google has nailed its colours to the mast over Russia's gay rights record in a new Google doodle, which is dedicated to the Olympic charter. The internet company's logo was presented in the colours of the rainbow flag and also featured images of Winter Games events. The build-up to the Sochi Games, the opening ceremony of which takes place on Friday, has been disrupted by a debate over the apparent conflict between the central principles of the Games and anti-gay laws in Russia. The doodle linked to search results for "Olympic charter" and quoted from it: "The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play."
The message is currently appearing worldwide. Thank you, Google! (Tipped by many JMG readers)

UPDATE: The Human Rights Campaign applauds.
"Google has once again proven itself to be a true corporate leader for equality,” said Griffin. “Alongside Olympic sponsors like AT&T, Google has made a clear and unequivocal statement that Russia’s anti-LGBT discrimination is indefensible. Now it’s time for each and every remaining Olympic sponsor to follow their lead. The clock is ticking, and the world is watching.”

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Andrew WK & Lil Bub - Star Party Animal

He has quite the fascination with Lil Bub - I think this is his third or fourth clip with her.

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Quote Of The Day - VA Del. Bob Marshall

"If he [Virginia AG Mark Herring] can't tell the difference between gender and race, he has a deficient intellect. And if the state and federal judiciary - as such - if they can't tell the front of the human body from the back, nor distinguish male from female, but claim to have clairvoyant powers that anybody that disagrees with them is animated by hate - these people shouldn't be judging a spelling bee, much less sitting in judgment over the must fundamental institution of humankind. This is not simply something religious, although I'll tell you what - nothing is wrong about religious people having a say in the public policies of this United States. Who is out there working to defend civil rights? Ministers of all denominations! Were they acting unconstitutionally or acting immoral? No, I don't think so. You can't tell me sodomy is some of a predicate for marriage." - Virginia Del. Bob Marshall, speaking to local talk radio. (Tipped by JMG reader Blair)

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG:  Last week Marshall filed an amendment that would grant Virginia state legislators the right to claiming standing in marriage lawsuits. In September 2013, Marshall petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia's legalization of sodomy. In May 2012, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband." In 2011 Del. Bob Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard. 

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Gay Bashing As An Olympic Sport

Via press release:
The video is the newest fundraising tactic by the Russia Freedom Fund, which aims to raise a million dollars by the end of the Olympics to support LGBT Russian activists. The video was produced by the Fair Games Project, an Indiegogo campaign launched by filmmaker Michael Rohrbaugh. The Fair Games Project also produced a powerful gun violence PSA that received significant attention last year. Athlete Ally is one of the producing partners on the video as well. Other fundraising tactics for the Russia Freedom Fund include a new national initiative called Uprising of Love: Pride House 2014, where restaurants, bars, and clubs will donate $1 of every drink sold from 9 p.m. to midnight to the fund. It takes place during tomorrow's Opening Ceremonies. In addition, Melissa Etheridge released a new single last week and will donate 100% of the profits to the fund. The significance of the Russia Freedom Fund is that it's the only way Americans can directly support LGBT Russian activists.
Wow.

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Satan: Your Gay Wedding Planner

"This is a full-scale assault against Christianity and the followers of Christ. When prayer is banned from the public square, when our President fails to defend biblically defined marriage, and he openly and zealously advocates for gay rights; when legislators rush to overrule existing laws to promote gay marriage; when schools and courts consistently suppress religious freedoms; we know we are locked in a war against the Christian faith, not culture. The architect behind this offensive is none other than Satan himself. The Scripture says that the devil, our archenemy, is bent on as much destruction as possible. Satan knows that one day very soon, he will be cast into the lake of fire and sulfur in hell (Revelation 20:10). As that day draws near, his malicious, hellish activity is intensifying." - Franklin Graham, writing on his daddy's website. (Via Good As You)

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Queer Nation Protests Against Putin Outside New York City's Russian Consulate

This afternoon Queer Nation staged a protest against Vladimir Putin outside the Russian consulate on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

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Britain's Channel 4 Rebrands Logo During Olympics In Support Of Russian Gays

This is fantastic. Via the Guardian:
Channel 4 is to rebrand its on-screen logo with rainbow colours of the gay pride flag – and launch a TV ad campaign called "Gay Mountain" – joining the rising wave of protests about Russia's anti-gay laws on the eve of the opening of the Sochi Winter Olympics. Channel 4, which has the TV broadcast rights to the Winter Paralympics, joins the growing ranks showing their support for gay athletes and protest against Russia's anti-gay laws. The broadcaster's distinctive logo will be rebranded on Friday, the day of the opening ceremony, and the "what's on next" screens that air between shows will be similarly rainbow-emblazoned for the day.
Here's Channel 4's clip in support of the campaign.

(Tipped by JMG reader Ggreg)

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Eurovision 2014: Finland's Entry

Anybody else hearing The Killers?

(Tipped by JMG reader Jari)

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GOP Uses URLs With Names Of Dems To Phish For Campaign Donations

NBC News reports:
Republicans are defending a series of websites they established that appear to support Democratic candidates for Congress, but instead direct contributions to the GOP. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) said its websites were not confusing, and accused Democrats of crying foul because their candidates were struggling. The sites, like this one for Arizona Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, feature a "Kyrsten Sinema for Congress" banner, and a picture of the first-term congresswoman from a competitive Maricopa County district. The sites also display a clear, but smaller secondary banner, urging contributions to "help defeat" (in this case) Sinema. At the bottom of the page, it features an NRCC disclaimer."Democrats are clearly pitching stories on these effective websites because they are worried about voters learning the truth about their candidates' disastrous records," said NRCC spokeswoman Andrea Bozek. "Anyone who reads the website understand these are negative attacks. Also as required our disclaimer is at the bottom."
According to the GOP, if you complain about this you are a stupid crybaby. Can you imagine the screaming if the Democrats had pulled this?

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Public Schools That Teach Creationism

Slate reports:
A large, publicly funded charter school system in Texas is teaching creationism to its students, Zack Kopplin recently reported in Slate. Creationist teachers don’t even need to be sneaky about it—the Texas state science education standards, as well as recent laws in Louisiana and Tennessee, permit public school teachers to teach “alternatives” to evolution. Meanwhile, in Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Arizona, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, taxpayer money is funding creationist private schools through state tuition voucher or scholarship programs.
Hit the link for the state-by-state breakdown.

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HAWAII: Crackpot GOP Lawmaker Works To Stop Gay-Inclusive Sex Education

Losing all those attempts to stop gay marriage wasn't the last we were going to hear from crackpot GOP Hawaii state Rep. Bob McDermott, who is now trying to get the state to yank a sex education program. Because it mentions homosexuality.
“The program normalizes a homosexual lifestyle and anal sex, while failing to warn students of the extreme dangers of anal sex; it references multiple sex partners, while failing to inform students about the health benefits of monogamy; it fails to warn students about the ineffectiveness of condoms against HPV, herpes, and anal sex; and fails to educate students on the stages of human reproduction,” McDermott said, providing Hawaii Reporter with an early copy of his report. “Any talk of anal sex — which the curriculum does frequently — is instinctively repulsive for pre-pubescent children. Additionally, calling the anus a genital — as Pono Choices does — is just plain medically wrong,” McDermott said.
Parents are currently allowed to opt their children out the program.

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Pat Robertson Slams Ken Ham

Brian Tashman writes at Right Wing Watch:
Back in 2012, televangelist Pat Robertson provoked the ire of Young Earth Creationists when he rejected their claim that the earth is approximately 6,000 years old. Today on the 700 Club, Robertson responded to the debate between Bill Nye and Young Earth Creationist leader Ken Ham — who criticized Robertson’s remarks on creationism as a “destructive teaching” that “gives more fodder to the secularists” — by once again rebuking Young Earth Creationism and the chronology system designed by James Ussher.

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Openly Gay MEP Cuts Up Visa Card In Protest Against Sochi Olympics

Pink News reports:
Labour MEP for the West Midlands, Michael Cashman stunned the European Parliament today by publicly cutting up his Visa card in protest at the company’s sponsorship of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Mr Cashman, who was a co-founder of Stonewall and a star of British soap opera EastEnders, has previously said that “hate speech” from Russian President Putin and others has resulted in the “barbaric killing of gay men”.

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Florida Headline Of The Day

Sigh. Details.

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MICHIGAN: Plaintiffs In Marriage Equality Suit File Motion To Exclude Testimony Of "Expert Witness" Mark Regnerus

The plaintiffs in a marriage equality lawsuit against the state of Michigan have filed a motion requesting that so-called "expert witness" be barred from testifying. Because all his debunked bullshit is about children. An excerpt:
In addition to being relevant, an expert’s testimony must also be reliable. Reliability of an expert’s conclusions is based on the expert’s knowledge or experience in his or her discipline, rather than on subjective belief or unsupported speculation. On its face, Regnerus’s expected testimony fails to address defendants’ three other asserted justifications for the Michigan Marriage Amendment (“MMA”) because he does not discuss (1) the effects of redefining marriage, (2) the tradition or morality of marriage, or (3) transitioning “naturally procreative relationships into stable unions.”
Suh-NAP! (Via Equality Case Files)

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Google Glass Gets Creepier

A Google Glass app titled NameTag will allow the user to access online information about a stranger merely by looking at them.
NameTag uses facial recognition technology that will allow you to take a snapshot of the person you forgot or the cute person at the bar and send the picture to NameTag’s servers, where it will be compared to pictures available on social media sites. If a match is found, then the picture is sent back with the person’s name, as well as other significant personal details, including hobbies, interests, and even their current relationship status. If a criminal record is also found in the public record, it will flash in nice big red letters.
Google says that facial recognition apps are against their developer policies and will not be available through them. Nevertheless, Sen. Al Franken is concerned and has written the creators of NameTag to ask that they not release it.
“According to promotional materials, NameTag lets strangers get a broad range of personal information—including a person’s name, photos, and dating website profiles—simply by looking at that person’s face with the Glass camera,” writes Franken. “This is apparently done without that person’s knowledge or consent, which crosses a bright line for privacy and personal safety.” We may well be heading toward a world in which facial recognition is as ubiquitous (and maybe as welcome) as caller i.d., but Franken wants Tussey to hold off until the law catches up with what technology is capable of.
NameTag's developers posted a demo in December.

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REPORT: Budweiser Won't Be At Sochi Over Company's Fears About Terrorism

TMZ last night published a claim that Budweiser has "bailed" on its usual party zone at the Olympics.  The company is not one of the official Sochi sponsors.
TMZ Sports has learned Budweiser has decided to NOT throw its traditional Winter Olympics party this year and it's all because the company is not comfortable with the situation in Russia. In the past, Budweiser was known for hosting huge parties -- like the Club Bud bashes during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and at the 2006 Olympics in Turin. But we've learned ... the King of Beers has decided it won't be throwing a similar party at the '14 Games ... at least, that's the plan for now. In fact, we've seen an email from a Budweiser rep which says the company does not want its U.S.-based representatives in Sochi ... and the message is clear -- the terrorist threat is simply looming too large.
Image via Queer Nation.

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Headline Of The Day

Details.

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The Case Against Scott Lively

Above are just two panels from a graphic novel-style telling of the case brought against hate group leader Scott Lively by the Center For Constitutional Rights. Read the full thing. If you've not yet considered kicking in to help their legal costs, you can read their plea here.

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Olympic Torch Arrives In Sochi

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Dan Savage On Ireland's Panti Bliss

"Consider this post a thank you note to shitty bigot [Irish Times columnist] John Waters and shitty bigot Breda O’Brien and all the shitty bigots at the Iona Institute. Thank you for bringing Panti Bliss to our attention. Thanks to your stupidity and Rory 'Panti Bliss' O'Neill's eloquence, Panti has gained an international following. And if you shitty motherfuckers are dumb enough to sue Panti, know this: she not only has thousands of supporters in Ireland, she has thousands of new supporters all over the world. Myself included. And we will spread the word and we will raise money and we will call you shitty fucking homophobes without a moment's hesitation. Because you're a bunch of shitty fucking homophobes. So congrats, you dumb fucking haters. You made that Irish drag queen an international superstar—and if you are stupid enough to come after her, you've made her an international cause célèbre." - Dan Savage.  Read my first post about the controversy here. And as Dan suggests, watch Panti's video if you missed it the first time. And even if you didn't miss it, watch it again.

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NOM Launches Indiana Marriage Ad

From NOM: "The new radio ad is currently running in the Ft. Wayne and Muncie radio markets, but NOM and CitizenLink are both prepared to expand into other markets and cut new ads to cover other legislators who fail to support marriage in the present deliberations over Indiana's proposed marriage amendment, HJR3." You might recognize the announcer's voice, it's Stuart Shephard from Focus On The Family. CitizenLink is one of their divisions.

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INDIANA: Senate Committee To Consider Same-Sex Marriage Ban On Monday

On Monday the Indiana Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee will meet in the afternoon to consider the same-sex marriage ban that passed in the House last week.
The Senate’s session is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. EST. The committee hearing will be held immediately after session in the Senate Chambers. Senate President Pro Tem David Long announced last week he would assign the proposed ban — known as House Joint Resolution 3 — to the committee. Long, a Fort Wayne Republican, chairs the 12-member committee, which is one of the Senate’s largest and includes the leadership of both parties. The Senate committee will review an amended version of the measure, after the Indiana House moved to strip out the civil unions ban contained in the proposed constitutional amendment’s second sentence. Long has said he prefers the Senate committee not to amend the measure, so any possible changes can be weighed on the full Senate floor.
Since the version of the bill that was approved by the House differs from the one passed by both chambers in the last legislative session, if the Senate approved the amended bill it could not appear on the ballot until 2016.  Hate groups are pressuring members of the Senate to approve the original version (which bans all forms of same-sex unions) and send it back to the House.

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Open Thread Thursday

Do you plan on watching the Olympics?

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POSTED: Initial Charges Against Seattle Gay Nightclub Arson Suspect

Below is the charging document in the case of Musab Marsmari, who is suspected in the New Year's Eve arson at the packed Seattle gay nightclub Neighbours.  Details of Masmari's actions and words in the days between the crime and his Saturday arrest are within. The FBI is investigating the fire as a possible hate crime. You'll likely need to make the document full-screen to read the small text.

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Wednesday, February 05, 2014

ARIZONA: House Committee Advances Bill To Legalize Anti-Gay Discrimination

Two weeks ago Arizona GOP state Rep. Steve Yarborough introduced a bill that would legalize discrimination against LGBT people on the grounds of religious beliefs. Today that bill was approved by an Arizona House committee.
Critics told the committee that the bill's primary purpose is to allow discrimination against gays. "It most decisively takes away reasonable protections people have from the imposition of the religious beliefs of other upon them,'' Erica Keppler, a transgendered woman, said in an interview. Republican Rep. Eddie Farnsworth called the concerns false, saying the changes were needed to protect Arizonans from judges across the country who have allowed lawsuits against people who say their religious beliefs led them to refuse service to someone. He pointed to a New Mexico case where a gay couple was allowed to sue a photographer who refused to document their wedding. "Trust me. It's coming. This isn't one isolated case,'' Farnsworth said. Josh Kredit, legal counsel for the Center for Arizona Policy, said the proposal is simply an effort to clarify protections already in state law, and it is not discriminatory. That is fear-mongering and a distraction from what this bill is really intended to be, and that it's about religious liberty, ensuring that in America, people are free to live and work according to their faith,'' he said.
The bill is being supported by Alliance Defending Freedom and the Arizona Catholic Conference. (Tipped by JMG reader Wayne)

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Feds Issue New Russian Travel Warning

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