TEXAS: Author Of State GOP's "Ex-Gay" Plank Says He Is Misunderstood

TEXAS: Police Arrest Suspect In 2012 Murder Of Teenage Lesbian

Nearly two years ago a young lesbian was shot and killed and her girlfriend was severely wounded as they visited a south Texas park. Vigils for the pair were held that weekend in several major cities. Yesterday police finally arrested a suspect.

David Malcolm Strickland, 27, was arrested Friday by U.S. Marshals and Texas Rangers in the San Antonio suburb of Helotes, local media reported. He is facing charges of capital murder, aggravated assault with a weapon and aggravated sexual assault in the June 23, 2012, attack on Mollie Olgin, 19, who died in the shooting. Olgin's girlfriend, Kristene Chapa, then 18, survived. “He’s a stone cold killer who thought he got away with murder, but will finally pay for his crime,” Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. “My sympathies and condolences go to the victims and their families who had to endure this wicked act of violence.”

Police has not yet publicly speculated as to a motive. The surviving victim continues to undergo rehabilitation for her brain injuries.

(Tipped by JMG reader Rebecca)

Tonight: Furball In New York City

The LGBT Center is undergoing renovations so Furball tonight is at BPM near Times Square. Advance tickets here.

Pennsylvania Marriage Is Final

Yesterday was the final day to file an appeal of the May 20th ruling that overturned Pennsylvania's ban on same-sex marriage. Just for laughs, here's the last ditch press release from Diane Gramley, the head of the state affiliate of the American Family Association:

Pennsylvanians who understand what real marriage is are outraged that an unelected, activist judge has twisted the Constitution into something unrecognizable. They know Governor Corbett still has time to do the right thing and appeal this decision. It is critical that he act to protect the families -- the children -- of Pennsylvania from this decision. Their fate is in his hands and the people elected him to make wise decisions. Judge Jones has twisted history and says the facts don't matter, but the facts point to the need for children to have a mom and a dad. The Pennsylvanians who signed petitions asking Governor Corbett to appeal Jones' decision understand history; they understand the need to provide children with the role models provided by a mom and a dad. They also understand the detrimental effect so-called same-sex marriage will have upon the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and are asking Governor Corbett to do the right thing for their children and grandchildren.

Frothy Mix: Sorry About That Judge

Former Sen. Rick Santorum has finally weighed in on having endorsed the judge that overturned Pennsylvania's ban on same-sex marriage.

When asked about Jones Friday by The Huffington Post, Santorum said, "We're all entitled to a mistake." His comments came after his speech at the Road to Majority Conference, a gathering of social conservatives sponsored by the Faith and Freedom Coalition. In March 2002, Santorum called Jones "highly qualified to assume the important role of Judge and the duty of protecting the Constitution and ensuring the effective operation of our judicial system." Santorum was significantly less generous toward the judiciary Friday. "The court has to stop being the judge and jury for the consciousness of America," he said. "That's not what the court's supposed to be. The court's supposed to uphold the Constitution, not change the Constitution based on what they think is the current mood of the day." Santorum didn't seem to have many more ideas Friday on how same-sex marriage opponents might stop the trend toward legalization, simply saying people should "go out there in the popular culture and go out there in the political system and continue to work."

RELATED: Santorum's speech at NOM's hate march was translated into Spanish by the same New York pastor who translated the call for executing homosexuals during NOM's 2011 hate march in the Bronx.

Sam Smith - How Will I Know

Recently out British crooner Sam Smith covered Whitney Houston during his performance at SiriusXM yesterday.

NEW YORK: State Senate Blocks Trans Rights And "Ex-Gay" Therapy Ban Bills

As expected, the GOP leadership of the New York state Senate has blocked the passage of both GENDA and a bill that would ban the "ex-gay" torture of minors. Openly gay state Sen. Brad Hoylman reacts via press release:

“It's bitterly disappointing that the State Senate bowed to partisan politics and failed to protect our kids in New York from so-called “conversion therapy," which considers homosexuality a sickness that needs to be cured. This bill had the votes to pass the Senate, virtually unanimous support from mental health professionals, and was modeled after legislation passed with bi-partisan support in California and New Jersey, where it was signed by Republican Governor Chris Christie. The bottom line is until we change the leadership of the State Senate, New Yorkers can continue to expect forward-thinking bills to stall. Add conversion therapy to the pile of failed progressive initiatives in the Senate, which includes a decent minimum wage, codifying a woman's right to choose, the DREAM Act, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, and others. I want to thank Governor Cuomo, my co-sponsors Assembly Member Deborah Glick and Senator Mike Gianaris, my supportive Senate colleagues from both parties, the Empire State Pride Agenda, and the scores of individuals who shared their deeply personal stories about their experiences with sexual orientation change efforts. I will continue to work with all of them to outlaw this practice.”

From the Empire State Pride Agenda:

The bill to protect LGBT youth from conversion efforts passed with strong bipartisan support in the Assembly. We had the votes lined up from both sides of the aisle in the Senate. We had widespread backing from every medical association and the general public. GENDA passed for the seventh time in the Assembly and has already been signed into law in 18 other states. Yet Senate leaders refused to bring both to the floor for a vote. Clearly something is broken in Albany. There is no good reason why two bills critically important to the lives of LGBT New Yorkers did not pass in the Senate this session. The Senate Leadership failed us today by not bringing these life-saving bills to the floor for a vote. Without GENDA New York remains behind more than one third of the country that already provides protections for transgender individuals. By not passing the bill to protect LGBT youth from conversion efforts, our youth remain vulnerable to harm at the hands of quack therapists. The failure of the Senate Leadership to bring these bills to the floor for a vote leaves thousands of transgender New Yorkers vulnerable to discrimination where we work and where we live. And children are left susceptible to dangerous and discredited conversion efforts in the offices of so-called therapists licensed by the State of New York. We will not give up. We will hold our elected officials accountable for their failure yet again to protect LGBT New Yorkers.

The New York state Senate has a slim GOP majority and pro-LGBT bills are regularly thwarted with the aid of Democratic anti-gay crackpot Sen. Ruben Diaz.

WorldPride Kicks Off In Toronto

Gun Stores Vs Museums & Libraries

Details. I bet the color choices weren't by chance.

Erick Erickson Defends Rick Perry

"I already know the sh-tstorm this post will cause online. The gay mafia keeps my twitter feed on file somewhere ready to summon the forces of Mordor to drown out the usefulness of my twitter feed every time I dare say anything they disagree with. In fact, that is an intentional and organized pattern and practice. They wish to wear us out and shut us up. So, again, fewer and fewer voices are willing to speak up. Those of us who can, should speak up. So I will say it – I largely agree with Governor Rick Perry and appreciate him speaking up.  Whether one is born gay or not does not mean God made a person gay. And whether it is the unrepentant alcoholic, homosexual, adulterer, liar, or any of the others the Duck Commander listed, none are going to be saved on the last day without repenting. When those who are willing to speak Truth back to the sound and fury of the age get attacked, silenced, and ridiculed, those of us who agree and are able should speak up and say we agree. So thank you Governor Perry for being a voice in the wilderness of the present madness that has enveloped society." - Former CNN commentator and RedState blogger Erick Erickson.

Sec. John Kerry Celebrates LGBT Pride, Tells Embattled Foreign Gays That "You Have A Partner In The United States"

Via press release from the White House.

The Department of State joins the world in celebrating LGBT Pride Month and reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights of LGBT persons around the globe. In the United States, we have made marked progress in tearing down the unjust and unfair barriers that have prevented the full realization of the human rights of LGBT persons. We know there is more to do, but here, the arc of history is bending towards justice.

I was proud to join my colleagues at our Embassy in London last August to announce that, going forward, same-sex spouses who applied for visas would have their applications considered in the same manner as those of opposite-sex spouses. And just this week, President Obama announced his intention to sign an Executive Order banning federal contractors from discriminating against employees on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

In many places around the world, however, trends are running in the opposite direction. LGBT individuals and their allies are harassed, arrested, and even killed because of who they are and the work they do. Governments are enacting laws that discriminate against LGBT individuals and their allies and restrict their fundamental human rights. The United States strongly condemns these discriminatory acts and legislation and is working every day, both here in Washington and at our embassies and consulates around the world, to ensure that all persons can exercise their human rights, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

We raise the human rights of LGBT persons both publicly and privately, and we support civil society organizations who are working on the frontlines to ensure equality and dignity for all. Through the Global Equality Fund – a partnership supported by 14 like-minded governments, foundations, corporations and non-profit organizations – the Department of State has allocated more than $9 million for both emergency and long term LGBT-related programming in more than 50 countries worldwide.

This important work, done in conjunction with allies from civil society, faith communities, the private sector and other governments, is central to our foreign policy. So, to the activists, allies, and LGBT individuals on the front lines combating discrimination, you have a partner in the United States. I stand with you and I wish you safe and happy 2014 Pride celebrations.

This would have been unimaginable not so long ago.

One Million Moms Vs The Fosters

Just in via email:

Joe, ABC Family Channel is anything but family friendly, but because "family" is in the network's name, we thought a warning should be sent out to anyone who continues to watch the network. New episodes of "The Fosters" are airing on Monday evenings at 9:00pm ET/8:00pm CT. In addition, frequent promos are airing for this new series. Families should avoid the network completely; otherwise, they run the risk of viewing a commercial for this offensive program. ABC Family's show "The Fosters" is about two women raising foster and biological kids. While foster care and adoption is a wonderful thing and the Bible does teach us to help orphans, this program is attempting to redefine marriage and family by having two moms raise these children together. Take Action: Please send an email letter to the sponsors of this week's program "The Fosters." This week's sponsors were: T-Mobile, Dove (Unilever), Maybelline (L'Oreal), TJ Maxx and Marshalls (TJX Company). Urge advertisers to place it on their "do not advertise" list in protest of the attempt to desensitize America and our children by promoting inappropriate behavior on a family channel.

Here's the trailer for the coming episode.

This Is An Ad For Something

6.8M views in 48 hours.

(Tipped by JMG reader JP)

Gary Bauer: "Obsessed" Obama Will Destroy America Over Gay Rights

At the Faith & Freedom Coalition convention.

Seen At The Faith & Freedom Convention

Ralph Reed's Faith & Freedom Coalition is having its "Road To Majority" convention in DC this weekend and they've apparently placed Obama urinal cakes in the men's restrooms. Praise! Glory! Speakers include Crazy Eyes, Herman Cain, and the usual cast of crazies. Some had speculated that NOM scheduled their hate march for yesterday in order to draw attendance and speakers from Reed's event. We all know how THAT turned out. (Tipped by JMG reader David)

Brian Brown: We Had Several Thousand

"Dear Joe, Did you see yesterday's March for Marriage? What a day it was! Several thousand Americans — people from across the spectrum of America — Men and Women, African Americans and Latinos, Orthodox Jews, Evangelicals and Catholics, young and old — stood together in defense of marriage between one man and one woman. There were people from all over the country, and we even got congratulations from the states of Texas and Indiana as they watched the rally online. Texas Values president Jonathan Saenz wrote, 'Marriage is a Texas value, and we stand in unison with the thousands in D.C. today standing for marriage between one man and one woman.' Besides those gathered at the Capitol for the exciting rally, there were thousands more who tuned in to watch the live stream from their own hometowns, making this a truly national event. If you missed it, you can still enjoy all the great speakers and read the news by checking out our exclusive media partner, The Washington Times, and their special March for Marriage section." - Hate group leader Brian Brown, in an email that ignores that his "exclusive media partner" only put the attendance at "hundreds."

FACT CHECK: I monitored the above-cited live stream from beginning to end. Here's where the viewership topped out.

Duggar Spawn Wedding Gift Registry: Shotgun, Rifle, Ammunition, Froot Loops

One of the 19 Duggar kids is getting married and here's some of her wedding registry gift list:

Cereal (specifically Raisin Bran, Cookies and Cream, Froot Loops, Malt-O-Meal Berry Colossal Crunch, and Malt-O-Meal Fruity Dyno-Bites), tape measure, gift cards (specifically Starbucks, Burger King, Qdoba, Olive Garden, Taco Bell, Buffalo Wild Wings, Papa John's and Subway to name a few), lint remover, neon duct tape, a basketball, a shotgun, a rifle, and ammunition.

E Online notes that they are also asking for "regular" household items like silverware and towels. The eldest Duggar child is the vice president of the Family Research Council.

KICKSTARTER: Documentary On LGBT Youth Homelessness For Ali Forney Center

From the Kickstarter page:

Road to Home will follow a half dozen young LGBT people who turned to the streets after being rejected by their families. Having been in production for the last year, we have met a number of people who have allowed us into their lives and have agreed to be filmed. Through the use of observational footage, we will intimately trace their journeys as they traverse the street life—from the blistering heat of summer to the frigid nights of winter—moving from shelter to shelter and fighting just to survive.

However, our goal is not to simply wring our hands at a social problem. Throughout production, we worked closely with the Ali Forney Center, a NYC organization tasked with helping LGBT homeless youth. By using the Ali Forney Center as a springboard into this complex world, we have been able to work with people dedicated to making a difference. It is our goal not only to tell a powerful dramatic story, but also to create a film that will motivate people to do something about a critical social problem.

Donate at the link.

OHIO: Same-Sex Marriage Ban Repeal Fails To Make November Ballot

Via the Associated Press:

A key organizer in the ballot effort to overturn Ohio's gay marriage ban says a revised proposal lacks the required signatures to go before voters this fall. FreedomOhio's executive director Ian James also said Thursday the campaign would not have had enough money to run an effective statewide campaign this year. The group hinted in April when it updated the wording for its constitutional amendment that it might hold off this November. With a July 2 signature deadline approaching, James confirmed the issue won't meet the requirements to appear on 2014 ballots.

RELATED: The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear Ohio's marriage recognition suit on August 6th, the same day it hears arguments on cases filed in Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

NOM's Exercise In Photo-Cropping

Frothy Mix At NOM's Hate March: Gay Marriage Is Bad For The Economy

Check out his vigilant bodyguard.

(Tipped by JMG reader John)

Quote Of The Day - NOM Marcher Morton

"They’re not born with it, you know. If anybody opens the back door unnaturally from outside, you end up having open-door syndrome. You can’t close the door. Anal sex harms [gays]. It reduces their life by, on average, 25 years—anal or oral sex. Uh, it also has an impact—a strong impact [on women]. I’m not certain the exact statistics there.” - NOM hate march attendee Morton, in a Yahoo/Daily Beast story that is drawing outrage from Christian commenters. Also interviewed in the above-linked story is an attendee named Gwendolyn, who told the reporter that "she saw angels fly down into the Supreme Court. Gwendolyn wore an angel pin on her breast, which she explained was an actual angel and sent to her directly from God."

NOM: 10,000 Attended Our Hate March

From the Christian title WORLD Magazine:

This year marks the second annual marriage march, held to ask Congress to define marriage according to traditional, biblical standards. The marchers this year included people of different ages, races, religions, and cultures, all united under the belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. They gathered Thursday on the Capitol lawn to let politicians know the fight for marriage is not over. With gay marriage continuing to gain momentum and acceptance in the nation’s culture, Joe Grabowski, director of communications for the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), said standing for the biblical definition of marriage “can feel like a very lonely position.” NOM organized the march to bring people together. Last year, roughly 7,000 attended. This year, organizers estimated as many as 10,000 joined the procession.

We're still waiting on Brian Brown to comment on the attendance. Let's see if he tries to walk this back.

RELATED: WORLD Magazine is a radio partner with Salem Communications, the owners of Twitchy, Hot Air, and Townhall. In 2011 World named former Exodus International head Alan Chambers its "Daniel Of The Year" for his now-collapsed "ex-gay" bullshit.

NYC Pride Wins Injunction Against Club Promoters For Using Their Trademark

Via press release from NYC Pride:

Judge Colleen McMahon of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has issued a preliminary injunction against Matinee NYC, Voss NYC and their proprietors Brandon Voss and Jake Resnicow, barring them from using Heritage of Pride/NYC Pride’s “NYC Pride” trademarks, trade name and logo in connection with, among other things, concerts that are scheduled to take place during New York’s Pride Week, which takes place from June 22 to 29, 2014. Heritage of Pride, which owns the rights to several NYC PRIDE trademarks, had filed suit against the defendants on June 10, 2014, alleging that their use of “NYC Pride” in connection with concerts and events that they were promoting for Pride Week infringed its trademarks and related rights. “Although NYC Pride had hoped to resolve this matter without having to resort to legal action, we are grateful to the Court for its decision and pleased that we have been able to protect the NYC Pride trademarks during the key Pride Week period,” said Chris Frederick, Managing Director of NYC Pride. Since 1984, Heritage of Pride has organized New York City’s official slate of events commemorating the Stonewall Riots of 1969, which are often cited as the start of the modern gay rights movement. This year marks the 45th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

Good for NYC Pride. It has long been a pet peeve of mine when outside promoters glom onto successful non-profit events, draining away attendance and revenue by using terms like "main event" and "official" and even more maddeningly, the actual name of the founding organization. Many years ago such crass tactics destroyed the Hotlanta River Expo and very nearly sank the Winter Party. If promoters want a piece of the business and tourism traffic that the founding organization has worked (sometimes for decades) to create, the very least they can do is respect their actual name.

PBS: The Tide Is Turning On Marriage

Opening with a brief look at NOM's hate march, yesterday PBS aired the below recap of the coming wave of rulings on same-sex marriage.

(Tipped by JMG reader Richard)

HomoQuotable - John Paulk

"There was a time in my life when I used to sound a lot like Rick Perry. In fact, for more than ten years I was one of the nation’s leading spokesmen for the 'ex-gay' movement. I traveled the country telling audiences that being gay was a preventable condition, and it could be treated if only you followed a simple plan, obeyed God and sought repentance for your sins. 'Ladies and gentlemen, homosexuality is not a genetic, inborn condition,' I would say. 'It is the result of traceable causes that, once unraveled, can bring about understanding and transformation in the life of one who is motivated and submitted to God.' [snip]But I was in denial. It wasn’t in fact true, any of it. Worse than being wrong, it was harmful to many people—and caused me years of pain in my own life. Which is why I have this to say to the Rick Perrys of the world: You don’t understand this issue. At all." - Former "ex-gay" poster boy John Paulk, writing for Politico Magazine.

Read the full essay.

Holly Johnson - Follow Your Heart

Former Frankie Goes To Hollywood frontman Holly Johnson releases his first solo album in 14 years in September. From the press materials about the first single:

The digital EP, featuring one of the final remixes by Frankie Knuckles (and Eric Kupper), is out July 27 alongside a limited-edition coloured vinyl the week before. Surrounding the launch of ‘Europa’, the Frankie Goes to Hollywood front-man will also embark on his first solo tour – the last being with FGTH in 1987 – featuring a London show at Indigo2 on October 28. Further single and live plans will be unveiled shortly. Click here to pre-order the album in its various formats, including a couple of limited editions. More information on the track listing, packaging, etc will come soon. You’ll be able to pre-order the album from iTunes at the start of August. Click here to pre-order the 12” single, where you’ll also see there’s a VERY limited signed and hand numbered test pressing. Get them while you can!

Headline Of The Day

Even NOM's media partner, the Washington Times, had to concede yesterday's shitty turnout.

UPDATE: And here's how the Mormon Church-owned Deseret News titled their report.

Coldplay - A Sky Full Of Stars

ALABAMA: Attorney General Wants Court To Reconsider Overturn Of Sodomy Ban

Last Friday an Alabama appeals court struck down the state's ban on consensual oral and anal sex. Yesterday Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange indicated that he will seek an appeal of that ruling.

In a statement, the attorney general said the office believed the law was unconstitutional as applied to consensual acts. However, he said he was concerned with the impact the decision may have on prosecutions involving non-consensual sex. The case involved Dewayne Williams who was accused of sexually assaulting a hotel clerk in 2010. Williams, who said the sex was consensual, was charged with first-degree sodomy, which carries a sentence of no less than 10 years in prison. However, a Dallas County jury convicted Williams of the lesser charge of sexual misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. As defined in state law, sexual misconduct included bans on oral and anal sex, as well as a line saying consent was not a defense. However, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Lawrence v. Texas in 2003 that such laws banning consensual sex were unconstitutional. Strange said in the statement the case "was not about consensual sex." In the appeal, the attorney general agreed and conceded that the state ban was unconstitutional as it applied to consensual acts. However, the office asked the court to preserve language it believed would continue to criminalize non-consensual sex and send Williams' case back for a new trial.

Tony Perkins Celebrates "Triumphant" NOM Hate March Attended By "Thousands"

"Whoever said the marriage debate was over must not have been anywhere near the U.S. Capitol yesterday morning. After months of hearing the courts’ opinion on marriage, today America heard from the voters those courts trampled. Thousands of people from states all across the country descended on Washington, D.C. to show the nation that we care about protecting marriage and will do anything to stand up and fight for it. Pro-family groups like FRC, churches, state activists, and cultural leaders gathered on the lawn of the most powerful Congress in the world and sent one resounding message: the fight for marriage is not over. More than 150 buses, filled with the marriage supporters the media insists do not exist, cheered through the passionate speeches of Republicans and Democrats, blacks and Hispanics, and the young and old -- all united in the belief that marriage is our very nature. Even after a series of courtroom setbacks, one thing was clear: there is no quit in our movement." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via email.

NPR's StoryCorps Animates A Man's Tale Of Parents' Rejection For Being Gay

It's a cartoon but you still might want a tissue.

(Tipped by JMG reader Chris)

Presbyterian Church USA Votes To Allow Pastors To Perform Same-Sex Marriages

Via the Associated Press:

The top legislative body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has taken major steps toward recognizing gay marriage. The General Assembly voted Thursday in favor of redefining Christian marriage in the church constitution as the union of "two people" instead of "a man and a woman." The redefinition will take effect only if most of the 172 regional Presbyteries approve it in voting over the next year. The Presbyterian delegates in Detroit also voted to immediately allow pastors to preside at gay weddings in states that recognize same-sex marriage.

More from GLAAD.

“The Church affirmed all its faithful members today. This vote is an answer to many prayers for the Church to recognize love between committed same-sex couples,” said Alex McNeill, Executive Director of More Light Presbyterians, a national network of Presbyterians working for the full inclusion of the LGBT community within the church. “We will keep praying that the majority of our 172 presbyteries will confirm that all loving couples can turn to their churches when they are ready to be married.” The General Assembly of PC (USA) is taking place this week from June 14 – 21 in Detroit, Michigan. At the last General Assembly two years ago, marriage equality was not upheld, though a policy had been amended around that time to allow gay and lesbian Presbyterians to be ordained as clergy.

UPDATE: The Human Rights Campaign reacts.

"This is a giant step forward for the PCUSA Church and for people of faith everywhere. Presbyterian LGBT couples are now one step closer to being able to get married in the church of their choice,” said Sharon Groves, Director of HRC's Religion and Faith Program. “Perhaps even more significantly, young people and their families can go into a Presbyterian church and know that their denomination has not turned a blind eye to them but has instead taken a giant step toward becoming a more loving and more welcoming place for all people to worship. We at HRC congratulate the Presbyterian Church (USA) on a job well done and thank the good people at More Light Presbyterian, The Covenant Network, So We May Freely Serve and Presbyterian Welcome for their years of dedication that got us to this point.”

UPDATE II: The anti-gay Institute On Religion & Democracy is ever so pissed about this.

By overturning natural marriage the PCUSA is only accelerating its already fast-paced demise. It will become even smaller, whiter and older. Only declining denominations reject historic Christian standards and in nearly every case that rejection reinforces the decline. Who respects a church that only echoes the secular world? Many faithful have already quit the PCUSA and many more now will. But some faithful will remain. May the Holy Spirit bless their witness and lay the groundwork for the PCUSA's return some day to the teachings of the global church.

Straight Owner Of Hell's Kitchen Gay Bar Performs Westboro Baptist Blues

The dancers are the bartenders at Flaming Saddles.

(Tipped by JMG reader Robert)

Texas Gov. Rick Perry: I Stepped In It

"I got asked about an issue, and instead of saying, ‘You know what, we need to be a really respectful and tolerant country, and get back to talking about, whether you’re gay or straight you need to be having a job, and those are the focuses I want to be involved with,’ instead of getting — which I did, I readily admit, I stepped right in it." - Texas Gov. Rick Perry, expressing regret for comparing homosexuality to alcoholism.

Huckabee: God Will Punish America If We Don't Stop Same-Sex Marriage

Leader Of Neo-Nazi Backed French Hate Group Joins NOM's March On SCOTUS

Second from the left holding the banner is Ludovine Rochere, the head of France's anti-gay Manif Pour Tous, which is supported at home by the neo-Nazi National Front Party, whose Holocaust-denying founder has been repeatedly convicted of inciting racial and religious hatred. Last week Pope Francis invited Rochere to a private mass where she presented him with a Manif Pour Tous sweatshirt. To the immediate left of Brian Brown is New York state Sen. Ruben Diaz and convicted drunk driver Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone.

State Department Cuts Funding To Uganda, Bans Officials From Entering US

Via White House press release:

As President Obama has stated, the Government of Uganda’s enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) runs counter to universal human rights and complicates our bilateral relationship. We announced in April a series of initial responses, and we have since considered how further to reinforce our support for human rights of all Ugandans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Today, we are announcing several additional steps. Specifically, the Department of State is taking measures to prevent entry into the United States by certain Ugandan officials involved in serious human rights abuses, including against LGBT individuals. In addition, the United States will take steps, consistent with current authorities, to prevent entry into the United States by Ugandans who are found responsible for significant public corruption. We are also discontinuing or redirecting funds for certain additional programs involving the Ugandan Police Force, Ministry of Health, and National Public Health Institute, and cancelling plans to hold a U.S. military-sponsored aviation exercise in Uganda.

None of these steps diminishes our commitment to providing development and humanitarian support for the Ugandan people, or our partnership with the Ugandan government to counter the murderous Lord’s Resistance Army and improve security in Africa. We will seek to advance these interests even as we continue—in Uganda and around the world—to oppose discriminatory practices and champion human rights for all.

Some LGBT activists have opposed cutting US aid to Ugandan health programs.

UPDATE: The Human Rights Campaign applauds.

“This announcement sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate foreign governments engaging in state-sponsored acts of homophobia and transphobia against their own people,” said Ty Cobb, HRC’s Director of Global Engagement. “We must put all world leaders on notice that such efforts have no place in the 21st century, and there will be severe consequences for engaging in them. This creates an important precedent for leaders and governments considering implementing similar laws. It is important that the Administration continues to review our diplomatic relationship with Uganda, as well as with other nations such as Nigeria and Brunei, which have also taken disturbing steps backwards.”

UPDATE II: Some clarification from the State Department.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the health needs of the Ugandan people, but we seek to invest in partners and programs that share our commitment to equal access and our evidence-based approach to medicine and science. We are accordingly shifting a portion of our financial support for MOH salaries, travel expenses, and other items to health-related activities being undertaken by non-governmental partners in Uganda. These modifications will focus on MOH central headquarters staff in order to avoid negatively affecting health care workers and direct service providers in Uganda. For similar reasons, we are relocating to another African country the planned establishment of a National Public Health Institute, for which we would have provided approximately $3 million in funding. We have also relocated a National Institutes of Health genomics meeting from Uganda to South Africa.

President Obama: US Armed Forces Will Not Be Returning To Combat In Iraq

Via USA Today:

President Obama said Thursday he is planning to send up to 300 military advisers to Iraq to help retrain Iraqi security forces as they battle an insurgent invasion. "Armed forces will not be returning to combat in Iraq," Obama said in a White House announcement. After a meeting with national security advisers, Obama also announced a series of steps designed to improve intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance of the insurgent army that has taken several Iraqi cities and is threatening the capital in Baghdad. Some of these moves would require approval from Iraq's government. Obama also announced that he will dispatch Secretary of State John Kerry to the region for diplomatic efforts that include demands for a more inclusive government in Iraq. While some allies have called for removal of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Obama told reporters that "it's not our job to choose Iraq's leaders."

Teabagistan is already wailing.

Photo Of The Day

Source.

Ruben Diaz: Satan Runs Public Schools

She's Got A New Hat!

NOM's Hate March Attendance Flops

Judging by the crowd's reaction during the Spanish portions, the majority of attendees are there because of New York Sen. Ruben Diaz.

UPDATE: Here's another attendance fail pic by JMG reader Bob. Embiggen for added sparsity.

Rep. Tim Hueslkamp At NOM's Hate March: Real Men Oppose LGBT Rights

LIVE VIDEO: NOM's Hate March

UPDATE: The live stream has concluded. You can watch the full two hours of hysterical ranting here.

Hashtag Hijackers Upset Thomas Peters

Just Tweeted By A WaPo Reporter

Washington Post reporter Carolyn Lockhead: "Crowds are sparse but it's still early."

BROOKLYN: Gay-Bashing Victim Sues Ultra-Orthodox Street Patrol Members

The Brooklyn gay man who was brutally beaten by a gang of Hasidic thugs has filed a civil lawsuit against his attackers.

Taj Patterson, 22, suffered a fractured eye socket, torn retina and multiple contusions from the Dec. 1 beatdown in Williamsburg by as many as a dozen ultra-Orthodox vigilantes who were looking for a suspect who had vandalized cars in the area. Patterson, a fashion student at New York City College of Technology, is suing the five men indicted on gang assault charges. “The family wants justice for Taj both criminally and civilly,” said his lawyer, Sanford Rubenstein. The suit, filed in Brooklyn Supreme Court, seeks unspecified damages for Patterson’s injuries and accuses the volunteer safety patrol of negligence. “There’s more to this than meets the eye,” said George Farkas, the lawyer for defendant Abraham Winkler, whom sources have identified as a Shomrim member.

The attackers were arrested in April.

RELATED: The Shomrim and a splinter group, the Shmira, are "public safety" groups that aggressively patrol the Hasidic neighborhoods of Brooklyn with a fleet of official looking vehicles, some of which resemble NYPD patrol cars. Members of both groups, who reportedly hate each other, have been charged with assaulting black residents of Brooklyn. One of the Shomrim members arrested in April was also arrested in 2012 for taking courtroom photographs of a child molestation victim in order to intimidate her as she testified against a Hasidic leader. Her attacker, who was later sentenced to 103 years in prison, sat on his sect's "modesty committee," which enforces strict rules of dress and behavior for female members.

Quote Of The Day - Brian Schweitzer

"Don't hold this against me, but I'm going to blurt it out. How do I say this? Men in the South, they are a little effeminate. They just have effeminate mannerisms. If you were just a regular person, you turned on the TV, and you saw Eric Cantor talking, I would say, and I'm fine with gay people, that's all right, but my gaydar is 60-70 percent. But he's not, I think, so I don't know. Again, I couldn't care less. I'm accepting." - Democratic former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, in a lengthy profile published by the National Journal.

Conservatives Are Literary

The Bible Predicted That The Rainbow Flag Would Fly Over Israel's US Embassy

So says the Third Eagle of the Apocalypse.

(Tipped by JMG reader John)

Washington Times Publishes Multi-Page Supplement Promoting NOM's Hate March

Among the other images in the supplement is a rainbow-colored gavel smashing down on the Jesus fish. Jeremy Hooper has posted the full thing.

Hijack This Hashtag: #March4Marriage

Activists are hijacking the hashtag for NOM's hate march today. Tweet your own messages and images using #March4Marriage. Some of the haters are using other hashtags, so if you have room also use #Marching4Marriage and #1M1W.

Martha Wash - I'm Not Coming Down

(Tipped by JMG reader Wayne)

Perkins Slams Obama's LGBT Speech

"President Obama can probably fit the people satisfied with his leadership in one ballroom -- and Tuesday night in New York City, he tried. With the world literally crumbling around him, Obama sought solace from one of the few groups still wholeheartedly embracing him: the gay and lesbian movement. At New York City's Gotham Hall, the President got a hero's welcome for a six-year legacy of forcing his radical sexual agenda on the rest of the nation. President Obama, who can't find a few minutes to call for Meriam Ibrahim's release from a Sudanese prison, had plenty of time to fly to New York and fundraise for homosexual activists. 'I'm here tonight to say thank you for helping to make America more just and more compassionate.' Of course, 'just' and 'compassionate' aren't words bakers like Jack Phillips would probably use to describe the country's evolution. Or sportscasters like Craig James. Or educators like Dr. Angela McCaskill. Their businesses, careers, and reputations were destroyed on the backs of this 'compassionate' new America whose one-sided equality is hardly the progress Obama thinks it is." - KKK-affiliated hate group leader Tony Perkins, via email.

The Alliance For A Scared America

CANADA: Porno Pete And Bill Whatcott Plead Not Guilty To Douchbaggery

From the Regina Leader-Post:

Two anti-gay advocates entered not guilty pleas on Monday regarding an incident on the University of Regina campus in April. The not guilty pleas for mischief for Bill Whatcott and Peter LaBarbera were entered by Weyburn lawyer Michael Weger. The matter is scheduled to be back in Regina Provincial Court on June 23 to set a trial date. Whatcott and LaBarbera were arrested on April 14 after refusing to leave the U of R campus when ordered to do so by security and the Regina Police Service. Whatcott and LaBarbera set up an anti-abortion display on campus and handed out anti-LGBT literature, deemed by university officials as potentially harmful to members of the university community.

They could have pleaded guilty and paid a fine that would surely be the equivalent of a traffic ticket. But since they staged their arrest in the first place, that wouldn't have worked with the whole grand Martyr For Jesus™ scheme. (Tipped by JMG reader Lynda)

Linda Harvey: Satan Loves Trans Rights

Headline Of The Day

Details.