Headline Of The Day

Details. (Tipped by JMG reader TJ)

UPDATE: Vice has posted a not work-safe clip.

NYC Artist Wins Privacy Suit Over Photos Taken Through His Neighbors' Windows

Two years ago I reported that residents of a luxury Tribeca building were furious about an art gallery's exhibition of photos taken through their windows from an apartment across the street. A lawsuit shortly followed, of course, and this week a panel of  judges made their decision:

Want privacy? Buy shades. That was the message sent by a panel of Appellate Division judges Thursday when they tossed a lawsuit by a Tribeca family who said a photographer invaded their privacy by secretly taking their pictures for a year and then putting them in an exhibit. Lensman Arne Svenson acknowledged that he snapped the unguarded shots of Martha and Matthew Foster and their young children through the floor to ceiling windows of their loft, which is across the street from his apartment. The judges said Svenson’s protracted lurking in the shadows of his darkened apartment was “disturbing” but neither a violation of criminal stalking laws nor a violation of the family’s civil rights as state law is now written because Svenson’s photos were works of art. In an interview with photography blog PetaPixel, Svenson said he “shot for the tiny nuances of gesture and posture that define who we are, collectively. The subjects are to be seen as representations of humankind, not identifiable as the actual people photographed.”

The judges declared that their hands were tied by the lack of an applicable law and suggested that the family take their privacy concerns to the state legislature. The photographer's lawyer expressed concern over that advice, saying that expectations of privacy in a "dense urban environment" are not absolute.

Mamma Mia To Close After 14 Years

Playbill reports:

The long-running Broadway production of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' international hit musical Mamma Mia!, which currently plays the Broadhurst Theatre, will close September 5, producers announced April 9. Mamma Mia! will have played 5,765 performances on Broadway, making it the eighth longest running show in Broadway history. It premiered Oct. 18, 2001, at the Winter Garden Theatre, where it continued through Oct. 19, 2013. The production then transferred to its current home, the Broadhurst Theatre, on Nov. 2, 2013. In its various productions the show has grossed a reported $2 billion worldwide. The hit musical had its London premiere April 6, 1999. It is now in its 16th year in the West End. It was adapted as a film in 2008 and grossed more than $144 million in the US alone, and currently holding the title of top-grossing musical film ever.

The makers of the movie are considering a sequel.

RELATED: Three of the five longest-running Broadway shows in history are still playing: Phantom Of The Opera at 27 years, Chicago at 19 years, and The Lion King at 18 years. (Cats and Les Miserables ran for 18 and 16 years respectively.) Also still playing: Wicked will hit 12 years in October and Jersey Boys hits the decade mark a week later.

Bill Maher On Religous Fundamentalism

Raw Story has a recap:

“On the one hand, clearly God has spelled it out — He hates f*gs,” Maher said. “But you like your gay neighbors Rob and Larry. But the Bible tells you to kill them. Yes, it literally says kill them. What to do?” He then chided California attorney Matt McLaughlin and his “Sodomite Suppression Act,” calling it the latest in a long tradition of anti-LGBT rhetoric equating homosexuality with a Biblical apocalypse. “Take fundamentalists at their word. They fundamentally believe this stuff,” Maher explained. “And if you believe that God wiped out Sodom and Gomorrah for being too gay, then yeah, He must be itching to hit West Hollywood.” He then veered into another criticism of Islam, asking his audience to imagine a country full of people like McLaughlin. “Well there is, it’s called Saudi Arabia. It’s called Iran. It’s called Pakistan,” Maher said. “I could go on. But suffice it to say that in many Muslim countries, you wouldn’t have to work hard at all to get signatures on your ‘Kill All The Gays’ ballot initiative. In 10 such countries, it’s already the law.”

Pat Buchanan: Gays Are Like Fidel Castro

"Soon, same-sex marriages will likely be declared a right hidden in the Constitution and entitled to all the privileges and benefits accorded traditional marriages. Next, those who refuse to provide services to same-sex weddings will become the criminals. Thus does biblical truth become bigotry in Obama's America. And the process has been steadily proceeding for generations. First comes a call for tolerance for those who believe and behave differently. Then comes a plea for acceptance. Next comes a demand for codifying in law a right to engage in actions formerly regarded as debased or criminal. Finally comes a demand to punish any and all who persist in their public conduct or their private business in defying the new moral order. And so it goes with revolutions. On the assumption of power, revolutionaries become more intolerant than those they dispossessed. The French Revolution was many times more terrible than the Bourbon monarchy. The Russian Revolution made the Romanovs look benign. Fidel Castro's criminality exceeded anything dreamt of by Fulgencio Batista." - Pat Buchanan, writing for Townhall.

NRA Speaker: Let's Add A Semi-Automatic Rifle To The Seal Of United States

Today's FRC Marriage Fasting Prayer

As part of their 21-day fast against same-sex marriage, today the Family Research Council asks its followers to pray that the Supreme Court realizes that they are probably going to hell. Also, something about a donkey.

May the Fear of God be upon each member’s staff: their clerks, their assistants, their friends, their families and all who influence them. May they collectively sense the very power and presence of God hovering over them, warning them of his righteousness and justice; warning them that they must give an account to the Supreme Judge of the World for their actions. May they receive visions and dreams like Abimelech, Pharaoh, Pilate’s wife, Belshazzar; Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, warning them of what will come to pass if they rule wrongly in this important case. May they be shown the consequences of their decision. And finally, may they, like Balaam, who was warned by God’s voice not to take an assignment from Balak, to curse the Jews, be rebuked supernaturally as Balaam was, by a dumb donkey speaking, and an angel of the Lord, his sword drawn, ready to kill Balaam. When he met Balak to fulfil his contract, he could only speak the words God commanded him – to “bless and not curse” the Jews. May that power fall upon the entire court, in such a way that those who now lack the fear of God will be moved by the fear of God to vote in a way they would not otherwise have voted.

I'll stop posting these when they stop being funny.

Ted Cruz At The NRA Convention

Via USA Today:

Sen. Ted Cruz, one of two declared Republican candidates for president, told National Rifle Association members in Nashville that he's fought the conservative battles, unlike his opponents. "In a Republican primary, every candidate's going to stand up and say, 'I oppose Obamacare,'" Cruz said at the NRA's annual meeting Friday. "The question we ought to ask is, 'Great, when have you stood up and fought Obamacare?' "Every candidate is going to say they don't support amnesty. Alright, great. When have you stood up and fought to stop the president's illegal and unconstitutional executive action?" Cruz, a first-term senator and a Tea Party favorite, boasted about the Senate's defeat of several gun restrictions in recent years. He also recalled the recent letter that he and 46 other Republican senators signed and sent to leaders of Iran, which critics said jeopardized a nuclear deal between the nations.

Concernstipated Women: GLSEN's Day Of Silence Stifles Our Right To Bully

"On the Day of Silence, GLSEN encourages students to go to school and remain silent all day. Their website says the day seeks to 'call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.' And therein lies the irony, doesn’t it? In light of all we know today, how the pro-LGBT radicals are bullying Christians into silence, it is almost comical to hear this propaganda still being peddled to our children. If we want to talk about a silencing effect, we can talk about the recent Indiana brouhaha and the ensuing hysteria over Memories Pizza owner Crystal O’Connor telling a viciously deceptive reporter they could not cater a same-sex 'wedding' because it would conflict with their religious beliefs. How about the silencing of Mozilla’s former CEO, Brendan Eich? Or the bullying of Barronelle Stutzman, the florist who is at risk of losing everything she has, including her home, her family business, and her life savings, because of her religious beliefs on marriage? We are at the point where they are ready to put Christians in jail if they don’t abide by the pro-LGBT mantra." - Concernstipated Women head Penny Nance, writing for Breitbart.

Mormon Church To SCOTUS: Say No To Same-Sex Marriage Because It Will Deprive Us Of "Citizenship Rights"

A coalition of religious denominations including the Mormon Church has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in which they argue that the legalization of same-sex marriage will, among other things, deprive them of "citizenship rights." An excerpt:

A right to same-sex marriage also would supplant the States’ “historic and essential authority to define the marital relation” with an exertion of federal ju­dicial power beyond the democratic process. Representative democracy matters to religious organizations and people of faith. Their capacity to build communities where their values are respected and their ways of life protected depends on the plu­ralism that our democratic institutions foster and secure. The fundamental liberty of religious believers to participate with other free citizens in deliberating about and shaping the character of their common destiny has been protected by this Court’s determina­tion to read the Constitution as a charter for “people of fundamentally differing views.” To de­clare an unprecedented constitutional right to same-sex marriage would deny people of faith who support traditional marriage the liberty to participate as equal citizens in deciding which values and policies will govern their communities. We urge the Court to trust the people and their democratic institutions to resolve the marriage issue, as it has on other divisive issues so many times.

The brief is also signed by Assemblies Of God, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Wesleyan Church, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Church Of God, the National Association of Evangelicals, and a dozen others. (Tipped by JMG reader Corey)

Quote Of The Day - Vivek Murthy

"Being gay is not a disorder. Being transgender is not a malady that requires a cure. Had I been Leelah Alcorn's physician, I would have told her exactly that. And that's the message I want other doctors, nurses, health professionals, and public health leaders to help get out to parents and children who may be confronting these issues." - Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, speaking today on a conference call about White House support for bans on "ex-gay" torture.

Episode One: It Takeis Two

IOWA: Man Charged With Sending Fake Anthrax Letter To Des Moines Gay Bar

Via the Des Moines Register:

Police charged a man Thursday with sending hate mail containing suspicious powder to the Blazing Saddle, a gay bar in Des Moines, in late March. Eric Reece Wiethorn, 49, of Ames was arrested for first-degree harassment and booked in the Polk County Jail, the Des Moines Police Department announced in a news release Thursday. The arrest stemmed from an incident reported at Blazing Saddle, 416 E. Fifth St., on March 27. Police and the Des Moines Fire Department's hazardous materials team responded to a report of a letter containing an unknown white powder and slurs directed at members of the LGBT community. Officials later determined the powder was harmless. They confiscated the letter and initiated a criminal investigation.

Police and a hazmat crew responded to the bar when the letter was first received. The man remains in jail on $2000 bond. (Via Towleroad)

UPDATE: Here's the full letter.

Sen. Ted Cruz: Liberals Are "Waging Jihad" Against Christians In Indiana & Arkansas

"Look at the jihad that is being waged right now in Indiana and Arkansas, going after people of faith who respect the Biblical teaching that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. We need to bring people together to the religious liberty values that built this country. It wasn't long ago when this was an area of bipartisan agreement. When it came to the First Amendment we all stood together and said, 'Of course! Every one of us has God-given right to seek out and worship God.' This election needs to be about bringing together that consensus again, and that’s got to come from the people." - Ted Cruz, speaking yesterday at a presidential candidate forum in Iowa.

White House Posts YouTube Clip In Support Of "Ex-Gay" Torture Bans

Posted minutes ago to the official YouTube channel.

FLORIDA: Liberty Counsel Continues Attempts To Stop Same-Sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Florida for months, but not in the bizarre parallel universe inhabited by the Liberty Counsel. Via press release:

Liberty Counsel filed three briefs to stop Florida clerks in Osceola County, Orange County, and Manatee County from ignoring the rule of law and providing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. “The Clerk’s present policy of issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples violates the public ministerial duty not to issue such licenses under the Florida Constitution and Statutes. The Clerk has no discretion to violate the Constitution of Florida, the laws of Florida, and the clearly expressed will of the People of Florida,” Liberty Counsel told the courts. “Florida’s marriage laws could not be more clear: The Clerk has a duty not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples,” the briefs pointed out. “It is equally clear that neither the Brenner Injunction nor any other authority compels or authorizes the Clerk to disregard Florida’s marriage laws. The Florida public and the rule of law are being injured by the Clerk’s open disregard of her public duties.” As a result of the purposeful misinterpretation of Judge Hinkle’s now infamous “clarification” in the federal case Brenner v. Scott, the clerks of court in Osceola, Orange, and Manatee counties began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples early this year, disregarding their oaths to uphold the Florida Constitution.

According to the three briefs, the federal ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in Florida only applies to the plaintiffs in that case. The Liberty Counsel is based in Orlando, which makes this extra fun.

Broadway Bares Unveils 2015 Theme

The 25th anniversary theme of this year's Broadway Bares will be "Top Bottoms Of Burlesque." Lots of beefcake ahead, possibly not work-safe. Get tickets here.  At the end of the clip is Charlie Williams, who won the Ali Forney Center's Broadway Beauty Pageant in 2010.

LIVE VIDEO: Nevada Lawmakers Hear Debate On Anti-Trans "Bathroom" Bill

Watch it here. (Tipped by JMG reader Christopher)

"Ex-Gay" Crackpots: Obama Is Promoting Suicide And Enabling Pedophiles

Via Christian Newswire:

Under the guise of liberating young people, President Obama reduced their freedom by condemning all therapeutic efforts to alter one's sexual identity. His administration went on record Wednesday night to ensure that all gay people in the USA have no clinical option but to embrace their homosexuality. "It is tragic that children who have been exposed to unwanted sexual advances or abuse by same-sex adults can no longer seek therapeutic help for resolving their sexual confusion," says Anne Paulk. "By withholding therapy to those in confusion we provoke suicidal ideation." Paulk is the director for The Restored Hope Network a coalition of Christian ministries that offer hope for those hurting from sexual or relational brokenness, especially those impacted by homosexuality. "There is a growing intolerance of Christian sexual ethics. This may soon lead to a moratorium on giving therapeutic licenses to people with a biblical worldview," explains Paulk.

In 1998 Anne Paulk appeared on the now-infamous "ex-gay" cover of Newsweek with her then-husband John Paulk, who was later caught in a DC gay bar. John Paulk denounced the "ex-gay" movement in 2013 and now lives as an openly gay man. But Anne is still clinging desperately to a flailing crusade whose major group, Exodus International, dissolved two years ago. 

Kadie Elder - First Time He Kissed A Boy

This wonderful track from Danish pop trio Kadie Elder first hit YouTube back in October but has popped up in my social media feeds several times in the last few days. The song and its clip are far too good not to post even though it's "old" by blogging standards. There's a definite 80s feel here, but I can't put my finger on any specific band.

Today's FRC Marriage Fasting Prayer

As part of their 21-day fast against same-sex marriage, yesterday the Family Research Council announced that angels in heaven are supporting this whole not-eating-gays-are-icky thingy. Today the FRC declares that if everybody prays for more praying then more people will totally pray.

Pray for our pastors today: that they will rise to the occasion of this critical hour: 1) That they will pray themselves, as they have never prayed before in their lives. That they will cry out to God for this covenantal, organic institution that God implanted into the fabric of mankind in the Garden. 2) Pray that they will call their churches to prayer during these final weeks and lead them into aggressive but solemn prayer. 3) Pray that they will preach on prayer and marriage and lead their congregations into crying out to God for His mercy that our Supreme Court will not dare to touch that which God created and anointed. That the fear of God will come upon each Justice.

4) Pray that churches all over America would call their people to pray in groups, conduct round the clock vigils, fasts, solemn assemblies, and telephone conference calls– all kinds of prayer. 5) Pray that they will not stand idly by but take action to make their elected leaders know that they expect them to take action if this ruling goes the wrong way. Remember the Religious Freedom Reformation Act that was passed by Congress in 1993, was to correct a wrongful Supreme Court decision that had led to the government abuse of citizen religious conscience. This is far bigger and if the Supreme Court does not rule aright men of God must lead the way to resist it.

What's for lunch?

Headline Of The Day

Details. (Tipped by JMG reader Scott)

GOP: Stop Hillary Clinton

ARKANSAS: Governor Vows To Replace Supreme Court Justices Who Recused Themselves From Same-Sex Marriage Case

Via the Arkansas News:

Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Thursday he plans to move quickly to appoint special justices to replace members of the state Supreme Court who recused themselves from a new case spun off from a challenge to Arkansas’ ban on gay marriage. On Wednesday, Chief Justice Jim Hannah and Justice Paul Danielson recused themselves from a new case that a majority of the justices recently created to resolve procedural issues in the gay marriage case. Hannah and Danielson both said they saw no need for the new case, and Hannah accused the majority members of seeking to delay ruling on gay marriage. Also, Justice Rhonda Wood recused herself from the new case last week. The new case was created to determine whether the court should hear new oral arguments, with new members who joined the court in January participating, or should rule based on the record, written arguments already submitted and oral arguments that were presented Nov. 20.

The Eighth Circuit Court will hear oral arguments in a separate Arkansas marriage case on May 12th.

CANADA: Toronto Cop Dyes Hair Pink In Support Of Anti-Bullying Campaign

Via Yahoo:

The Toronto Police force is taking a stand against bullying, but it’s not in the way you might expect. Their unconventional approach involves hot pink hair and Twitter—and kids are paying attention. It all started when Toronto police officers Ryan Willmer and Luke Watson were trying to raise awareness for the Day of Pink on April 8 in Canada, a celebration of diversity and anti-bullying. Two straight students in Nova Scotia started the Day of Pink when they saw a gay student wearing a pink shirt being bullied. They intervened and then rallied the entire school to wear pink in solidarity. To garner more attention for the event, Officer Willmer went on Twitter and promised that his beefy, tattooed colleague would dye his hair pink if the post got 500 retweets with the hashtag #stopbullyingnow and #dayofpink. “He did it without my knowing,” Watson tells Yahoo Beauty. By the time Watson got into the station there were 560 retweets. Thankfully, he was down for the cause.

Follow Office Wilmer on Twitter.

JAMAICA: Obama Champions LGBT Rights At Town Hall With Youth Leaders

The Human Rights Campaign applauds in a press release posted last night:

Earlier today, President Obama met with LGBT advocates in Jamaica, a country that still criminalizes same-sex relationships. Following the meeting, US National Security Advisor Susan Rice tweeted, “Anti-LGBT discrimination and violence is unacceptable everywhere. This is US policy globally, as we discussed here in Jamaica today.”

President Obama was in Jamaica to meet with Caribbean government leaders. As part of the trip, the President participated in a town hall meeting with “young leaders.” During his opening remarks, he acknowledged Angeline Jackson, the executive director of Quality of Citizenship Jamaica, the only organization in Jamaica dedicated to the needs of lesbian and bisexual women, for her bravery and advocacy. Dane Lewis, the executive director of J-FLAG, a Jamaican LGBT organization, was also in attendance.

“We commend the President for including LGBT advocates in his meetings in Jamaica,” said Ty Cobb, director of HRC Global. “By including them in his visit to Jamaica, he honored their brave work and demonstrated our country’s commitment to standing up for the human rights of all people.”

AFA: Boycotts Are Economic Terrorism

As we all know, the American Family Association is the most boycott-crazy of all anti-gay groups, having launched or supported boycotts against Ford, Macy's, Home Depot, Disney, Honey Maid, General Mills, Starbucks, and many others. Just last week they launched their boycott of Angie's List and of course their One Million Moms arm has boycotted or threatened to boycott dozens of companies in just the last couple of years. But listen to AFA radio crackpot Sandy Rios agree with a listener who calls boycotts "economic terrorism."

NICARAGUA: Laws Banning Gay Adoption And Same-Sex Marriage Go Into Effect

Via Agence France-Presse:

A new legal definition of what constitutes a family took effect in Nicaragua on Wednesday, drawing ire from gay groups who say it massively impacts their rights. The so-called Family Code, which was first agreed in June 2014, establishes marriage as only being "between a man and a woman." Aside from barring gay marriage, the definition precludes gays from adopting and diminishes other rights. "We feel we have been excluded from these laws," said Marvin Mayorga, leader of the Movement for Sexual Diversity. The rule explicitly states that only man-woman couples, foreign or Nicaraguan, can adopt. Additionally, Mayorga said gay couples would not be allowed to use fertility treatments to get pregnant. Nor would they be entitled to social security protection or inheritance in the case of loss of a spouse.

LGBT groups plan to challenge the laws in court.

Madonna Makes Her Stand-Up Debut

Via The Week:

"Will you laugh if my jokes suck?" Madonna asked Thursday's Tonight Show audience, after Jimmy Fallon invited her to try her hand at stand-up comedy. The response suggested that Madonna could bomb and still feel good about herself, but she wasn't half bad, at least for a newbie. The setup was that Madonna said she wanted to try something simpler than the extravagant stage shows she carts around the world. Some people may have suggested an intimate acoustic tour; Fallon gave her a shot at stand-up. Watch a star being reborn (or not) below, especially if you like jokes about younger men and fine art.

Hillary Clinton To Announce This Weekend

Via Business Insider:

A source with knowledge of Hillary Clinton's plans has confirmed that she will officially announce her 2016 presidential bid on Saturday or Sunday. This will be imminently followed by campaign travel. A spokesperson for Clinton's campaign team did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Clinton has long been expected to enter the 2016 race. Polls show her well ahead of all her likely Democratic and Republican rivals. Two Democratic challengers to Clinton, former Virginia Senator Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee have also officially launched 2016 presidential exploratory committees. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is also considering entering the race.

The tweet is from a "fan" account.

Frothy Mix: I'll Make A Great President Because I Fought To Keep Sodomy Illegal

Rick Santorum announced today that he's moving closer towards a formal 2016 announcement. Yesterday he told Iowa legislators that he'll be a great president because he fought so hard to keep homosexuality illegal.

“I’ve been through that firestorm,” he explained. “I go back 13 years to when I was in the Senate and stood up and said, ‘If the Supreme Court decides a case this way, then all these bad things are going to start happening.’ And I said we would have same-sex marriage in this country in ten years. I was wrong: it was five years. And I was put through a national wringer like no one had been put through and I have been put through over and over and over again because I am not going to back down from what I believe is the right course for our country.” Although Santorum likes to claim that all of his dire predictions about the aftermath of Lawrence v. Texas came true, that isn’t exactly accurate. He told CNN at the time: "If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual (gay) sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything."

Super PACs Raise $31M For Ted Cruz

$31M in the first week. So they claim.

The groups, four super PACs sharing variations of the name Keep the Promise, were established and secured commitments with virtually no warning over the course of several days beginning Monday. Dathan Voelter, an Austin, Tex., lawyer and friend of Mr. Cruz who is serving as treasurer for three of the super PACs, said the four organizations would operate in tandem, all seeking to help elect the Texas senator as president. Most of the contributions have already arrived, he said, and the remainder will be collected by the four groups by the end of the week. The dollar figures could not be independently verified, and none of the groups will need to file campaign disclosures with the Federal Election Commission until July. But an outside spending campaign of that size, combined with Mr. Cruz’s demonstrated ability to pull in dollars from small donors, would substantially offset Mr. Cruz’s difficulties in building a traditional network of regular large donors and volunteer fund-raisers, known as bundlers.

Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee Announces 2016 Exploratory Committee

Via Rhode Island NPR:

Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has announced that he is considering a campaign for the 2016 Democratic nomination for president. The 62-year old former U.S. Senator and governor said in an interview that he wants to give Democratic voters a choice for president. "The Republicans have lots of choices, I feel that Democratic voters deserve choices too." Chafee said the launch of his exploratory committee will be made via videos posted on his website, Chafee2016.com. "Throughout my career, I exercised good judgment on a wide range of high-pressure decisions, decisions that require level-headedness and careful foresight," said Chafee. "Often these decisions came in the face of political adversity. During the next weeks and months I look forward to sharing with you my thoughts about the future of our great country."

Lambda Legal: #LoveRules

Lambda Legal has launched a social media campaign in advance of the oral arguments at the Supreme Court. Hit the link for images to use on your Twitter and Facebook profiles.

LIVE VIDEO: Florida Lawmakers Debate Anti-Gay Adoption Amendment

Watch it live.

UPDATE: From the Human Rights Campaign.

Proponents of this troubling legislation were unsuccessful yesterday in making the language an amendment to a broader adoption overhaul bill in the Senate (SB 320), but members of the Florida House of Representatives could vote for passage of their discriminatory adoption bill (HB 7111) as early as today. HB 7111 passed through the House Judiciary Committee with a vote of 11-4 on April 2nd. The bill strips otherwise eligible, prospective parents of legal recourse if they’ve been discriminated against and prohibits the state from withholding taxpayer money from agencies discriminating against qualified families. One of the cruelest consequences of the bill is that it would allow agencies to refuse to place foster children with members of their extended families - a practice often considered to be in the best interest of the child - based on the relative’s marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, or religion. A loving, unmarried grandparent, for example, or a stable, welcoming relative of a different faith could be deemed unsuitable under the proposed law.

UPDATE II: The bill passed overwhelmingly and entirely along party lines.

Family Research Council: Angels In Heaven Are Supporting Our Marriage Fast

The Family Research Council's 21-day fast against same-sex marriage began this week and this is today's message:

Recognize that we are not alone – 1) There is a host of believers on the ground, among them thousands of dedicated intercessors and prayer warriors throughout the U.S. and around the world are praying together for our cause: the preservation of natural, Biblical marriage in our land, and for continued liberty among Christians and others both to believe and practice their faith under God as we are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. 2) Behind this host on the ground, there is an innumerable host in heaven, eager and ready to respond to our need and our cries.

God has called us to wrestle knowing we have heavenly assistance. We wrestle in His strength. Our enemies are not flesh and blood, but “principalities and powers” in the spiritual realm (Eph 3:10 and 6:12). These are powerful spirits that influence and drive men to do evil (“doctrines of devils”); and where the very idea of same-sex marriage emerged (see Jude 1:3-25). God is our Strength and our Refuge! He has a stake in the emblem of Christ and His church on earth, the holy institution of marriage that He created. He will fight for Christ’s sake and ours, just as he did for Jehoshaphat, Elisha and millions more (see Rev 12:11). May we emulate the “Heroes of Faith” in Heb 11! All of them kept their eyes on God and believed his promises against all the hosts of hell arrayed against them.

Yes, that's really their logo. Seems like THAT guy is eating.

TRAILER: Grace And Frankie

OMG: "From the co-creator of Friends, Netflix original comedy Grace And Frankie stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two women who form an unlikely bond after their husbands reveal they are gay and leave them for each other."

(Tipped by JMG reader Scott)

Pastor Eat Da Poo Poo Subpoenaed In Scott Lively Crimes Against Humanity Suit

The Center For Constitutional Rights writes today with the surprising news that notorious anti-gay Ugandan Pastor Martin "Eat Da Poo Poo" Ssempa is actually a US citizen and is therefore subject to their subpoena which demands he appear at Scott Lively's trial for crimes against humanity. From the motion filed in Massachusetts by CCR's client, Sexual Minorities Uganda:

Mr. Ssempa is an anti-gay activist and longtime associate of Defendant. Mr. Ssempa is known for employing forced outings, and “homosexual exorcisms,” and showing graphic pornography to his church congregations, as well as for making threatening statements and taking other actions, in order to deny the humanity of LGBTI individuals. Mr. Ssempa has long conspired with Defendant and three others to deprive lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (“LGBTI”) people of their fundamental rights. Indeed, from at least 2002, Mr. Ssempa has known and worked closely with Defendant and others to develop anti-gay strategies and tactics. For example, as early as 2003, Mr. Ssempa was involved in an attempt to exclude LGBTI persons from governmental HIV/AIDS prevention programs and policies. In 2007, Ssempa began to publicize the names, photos, and address information of LGBTI advocates in an attempt to intimidate those persons. Mr. Ssempa also facilitated Defendant’s communications with the Ugandan Parliament about the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which, among other things, criminalized advocacy of LGBTI rights and provision of various services to LGBTI persons, and provided that the death penalty be imposed for a second conviction for consensual sex between adults of the same gender.

Ssempa is very prolific on Twitter but so far it doesn't appear that he's yet mentioned the subpoena.

One Million Moms Vs Disney-ABC

Just in via press release:

Dear Joe, If you didn't know who Dan Savage is until today, it's probably a good thing. But right now we need you to familiarize yourselves with one of the cruelest, most vile political activists in America. Why? Because ABC and Disney announced their plans to air a sitcom Dan Savage developed loosely based on his life. A perusal of Dan Savage's work reveals a career built on advocating violence — even murder — and spewing hatred against people of faith. Savage has spared no one with whom he disagrees from his vitriolic hate speech. Despite his extremism, vulgarity, and unabashed encouragement of dangerous sexual practices, Disney-ABC is moving forward with this show, disgustingly titled "Family of the Year." TAKE ACTION: Sign our Petition to Disney-ABC, urging them to immediately cancel plans to air "Family of the Year." Then call Disney-ABC President Ben Sherwood at 877-660-5301. Urge him to cancel their pilot sitcom based on the life of hateful anti-Christian bigot Dan Savage.

RELATED: Emmy-winner Martha Plimpton has been cast to play the mother.

Married Today, Fired Tomorrow

Greg Stohr writes for Bloomberg:

Same-sex couples across the U.S. may soon have the legal right to marry. In 28 states, their employer will still have the legal right to fire them. Even as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares for arguments this month on legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, gays in much of the country lack the anti-discrimination protections that apply to racial minorities and women. It’s a legal anomaly that could become a new flashpoint this summer if the Supreme Court backs marriage rights. Gay-rights advocates are vowing to push for changes to anti-discrimination laws and try to overcome longstanding resistance from Republican-controlled legislatures. “Otherwise, these couples are going to hold public weddings and get fired from their jobs,” said David Codell, constitutional litigation director at the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

RELATED: The above map from the Movement Advancement Project shows the 22 states that currently include sexual orientation in employment protections. Of those 22 states only New Hampshire, New York, and Wisconsin do not also include gender identity in those protections.

Crackpot E.W. Jackson Appears On Fox To Slam Obama's Remarks On Christians

In 2013 Jackson ran unsuccessfully as the GOP nominee for Virgina lieutenant governor.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG:  E.W. Jackson says Christianity is the world's only real religion. E.W. Jackson says using his own words against him violates the Constitution. E.W. Jackson launches petition to legalize anti-gay discrimination nationwide. E.W. Jackson says Satan supports the separation of church and state. E.W. Jackson joins international coalition to criminalize homosexuality. E.W. Jackson joins hate group rally against Virginia marriage. E.W. Jackson says women who commit sins give birth to deformed babies. E.W. Jackson says God invented the Tea Party because Obama got elected.

Editorial Of The Day

From the editorial board of the Boston Globe:

As the trial now moves into its sentencing phase — the jury must unanimously vote to execute Tsarnaev, or else he will receive a life sentence — the defense team may also raise legal mitigating factors. Tsarnaev was 19 at the time of the bombing; he was apparently a heavy drug user; he had no prior criminal record. By themselves, none of these would seem like a particularly good reason to spare him, but taken as a whole, and alongside evidence of his brother’s dominant role, they should plant seeds of doubt. In sorting through such life-and-death considerations, jurors face an unenviable task — and mixed precedent. The Oklahoma City bomber, Timothy McVeigh, was put to death. The Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, wasn’t. Tsarnaev obviously should spend the rest of his life in prison. His defense has already made a good case that he does not meet the exceptionally high standards for a federal execution.

Reuters Poll: Majority Say They Oppose RFRA Laws, Support Same-Sex Marriage

Via Reuters:

A majority of Americans believe businesses should not be allowed to refuse services based on their religious beliefs in the wake of controversies in Indiana and Arkansas over gay rights and religious freedom, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found on Thursday. The poll, conducted April 6 to 8, also found that 52 percent of Americans support allowing same-sex couples to marry, far more than the 32 percent who oppose it. The poll found solid opposition to allowing businesses to refuse services or refuse to hire people or groups based on religious beliefs.

Fifty-four percent said it was wrong for businesses to refuse services, while 28 percent said they should have that right. And 55 percent said businesses should not have the right to refuse to hire certain people or groups based on the employer's religious beliefs, while 27 percent said businesses should have the right. The Reuters-Ipsos poll found divisions among Americans on where same-sex marriage laws should be made. The largest grouping, 34 percent, believes same-sex marriage laws should be made by the U.S. Supreme Court declaring a nationwide constitutional right.

Another 22 percent said same-sex marriage laws should be made at the state level by voter referendum. Eleven percent said laws should be made by state legislators and 8 percent would leave it up to Congress. The poll found 24 percent did not know how best to handle it. The poll said 55 percent want to see all states - even those that do not permit same-sex marriages - recognize such unions from states where same-sex marriage is legal.

Earlier this week the Family Research Council trumpeted very different results from a poll they had commissioned.

IRELAND: Print Shop Makes Confetti From "100% Recycled" Anti-Gay Lies

Watch this.

(Tipped by JMG reader Gerard)

Email Of The Day - Eugene Delgaudio

"Dear Joe, It’s hard to write you this. My office is in trouble. And I need your help. I have been working overtime fighting against the radical Homosexual Lobby. Today, I’m worried. Despite the rising tide of homosexual 'marriage,' and the Obama Administration’s war on Christianity, the radical Homosexual Lobby is drooling for more. I see well-known agents of the radical Homosexual Lobby everywhere. They are huddled in dark corners scheming and plotting. It is our duty as decent God-believing adults to fight against the tyranny and immorality of the radical Homosexual Lobby. These people admit that they want to molest our children. They admit that they want special rights that no American has. They admit that they want to infiltrate and weaken our military’s moral fiber. They admit that they want complete control over the national law enforcement apparatus. They admit that they’re deviants. But now, my friend, I need to count on you. I absolutely must raise $73,175.61 in the next 25 days to pay past bills and keep programs going. I need to be able to count on you for a special gift. Can I count on you? If I am not able to raise the money, I don’t know what I will do. I don’t know how I can keep fighting." - Eugene Delguadio, in a 3000-word money beg.

IRELAND: #RingYourGranny Follow-Up

After last month's #RingYourGranny clip went locally viral to the tune of 144K views, marriage equality activist James Mitchell called his grandmother back to tell her about it. The referendum is on May 22nd.

COLORADO: State Senate Committee Rejects "Ex-Gay" Torture Ban Bill

Via the Associated Press:

A bill to ban gay-conversion therapy for kids has been rejected by Republicans that control the state Senate. The bill would have banned therapists from trying to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of children. It was rejected 3-2 on a party-line vote in a Senate committee Wednesday. The bill earlier passed in the House, which is controlled by Democrats. The measure would have forbidden therapists from trying to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person under 18. Therapists who do not follow the rule would face disciplinary action from their licensing board. A Republican who voted against the ban said it would have limited choice by people who want gay conversion therapy.

The vote in the House last month was 35-29.

LOUISIANA: New Orleans Tourism Bureau Comes Out Against RFRA Bill

The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau has issued a statement denouncing the pending RFRA bill in Louisiana. Via the Times-Picayune:

"The adoption of certain types of overreaching, problematic and divisive legislation in Louisiana has the possibility of threatening our state's third largest industry and creating economic losses pushing past a billion dollars a year and costing us tens of thousands of jobs," said Stephen Perry, president of the organization in a written statement. The bill's author, state Rep. Mike Johnson, has already made some adjustments to his legislation, but Perry is asking that Johnson scrap the bill entirely -- or risk doing damage to New Orleans's reputation as a friendly travel destination. "We urge that further debate and new legislation be tabled for now because of the huge and needless damage this could inflict on our brand and to an industry and destination city that each have a world-wide reputation as being welcoming, diverse, inclusive and exceptionally tolerant," wrote Perry in a statement.

Rep. Johnson appeared on the radio show of Tony Perkins earlier this week to promote the bill. (Tipped by JMG reader Michael)

UPDATE: Also "on edge" is the state's film industry.

To the state’s nascent motion picture industry, an enterprise that emerged in the early 2000s and has put Louisiana on the map as one of the country’s premier filming destinations, there’s no silver lining to the bill that could alienate out-of-staters in the same way a controversial religious freedom law recently led to a national boycott against Indiana. “For those of us in the creative industries … this bill creates a significant challenge,” said Lampton Enochs, CEO of Moonbot Studios, a film animation company in the northern city of Shreveport, one of Louisiana’s three main movie industry hubs. “We’re competing with companies in L.A., San Francisco and New York. I think a bill like this would make it difficult to recruit out-of-state talent.”

Buzzfeed Profiles Lawyer To Argue Before SCOTUS On Marriage Recognition Issue

Buzzfeed reporter Chris Geidner has profiled Doug Hallward-Driemeier, who will argue the issue of marriage recognition before the Supreme Court. An excerpt:

As to his plan for April 28, he said he hopes to “be able to go to where the justices’ concerns or questions or comments suggest” — a chance he will have since he will take to the podium 90 minutes into the two-and-a-half hours of arguments. While he said that the recognition question presents “a distinctive harm” to his clients because it amounts to Tennessee “destroy[ing], as a legal matter, families and marriages that have already been created,” he also said he does not expect the court to reach different answers on the two issues because “the arguments that the states have made are the same on both” questions. “One of the things that I hope the justices appreciate is that this is not an issue that only affects — we are very clear in our brief that this is not about ‘gay marriage’ … it’s not a different kind of marriage, it’s about marriage and about allowing people who love each other to join in that institution,” he said. “It’s about my family members, my friends, my children. It affects me as it affects others.”

Hit the link for much more.

ARKANSAS: Two State Supreme Court Justices Recuse From Marriage Case

Via Arkansas News:

Two Arkansas Supreme Court justices on Wednesday recused themselves from a newly created case to determine how the court should proceed in a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. Both of the justices said they see no need for the new case, and one accused the court’s majority of creating the new case as a way to delay ruling on gay marriage. Chief Justice Jim Hannah and Justice Paul Danielson wrote letters explaining their decisions not to participate in the new case, which the court created April 2 to resolve a dispute over which justices should hear the gay marriage case.

The state is appealing a Pulaski County circuit judge’s ruling last May that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. The court heard oral arguments in the case Nov. 20, but it had not ruled by the time two new justices, Rhonda Wood and Robin Wynne, joined the court in January. Wood was elected to replace Justice Cliff Hoofman, who did not take part in the Nov. 20 oral arguments because he had recused himself. Former Gov. Mike Beebe appointed Robert McCorkindale as a special justice to hear the case in place of Hoofman. Wynne was elected to replace Justice Donald Corbin, who retired.

The case is separate from the one to be heard next month by the Eighth Circuit Court, which will also hear the cases out of Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

LGBT Groups Applaud Obama's Support For Laws That Ban "Ex-Gay" Torture

GLSEN

Studies conducted by major mental health organizations and personal testimony from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth have shown that conversion therapy can create dangerous and even life-threatening effects, including depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse and suicidal behavior. We are thrilled that President Obama will call for an end to the use of conversion therapy on minors. It is a harmful and discredited practice that uses rejection, shame and psychological abuse aimed at changing one’s sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Fifteen years ago, major medical, psychiatric and counseling associations rallied to GLSEN’s side to beat back attempts to force this insidious practice into our schools. We salute them for their pioneering stance and thank the President for his leadership in protecting youth from these damaging and misguided practices.

Truth Wins Out

"We are ecstatic that President Barack Obama spoke out against this harmful practice that psychologically terrorizes too many perfectly healthy LGBT youth and stigmatizes them as mentally ill,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “The President’s wise words gave momentum to efforts to prohibit fringe practitioners from traumatizing vulnerable LGBT adolescents and calling it therapy.” “President Obama’s expression of support shows that he really ‘gets it’ at a fundamental level,” said TWO’s Wayne Besen. “We are very fortunate to have a president who is dedicated to equality and ending the destructive practice of conversion therapy.”

Lambda Legal

In both California and New Jersey, Lambda Legal joined with regional and national organizations working with LGBT young people to advocate on behalf of the ultimately successful efforts in both states to enact legislation preventing licensed mental health providers from using therapies with minors that are demonstrably ineffective and can be deeply harmful, and we were part of the correspondingly successful efforts to defend these bans in court. We will continue to advocate on behalf of LGBT young people as other states likewise move to protect them from this preventable harm. These dangerous and damaging efforts to change sexual orientation and gender identity have wrecked lives. Tonight the President lent the full weight of his leadership to the work our community has been doing for years to protect young people and their families. He joins not only Lambda Legal and our sister organizations, but every leading medical and therapeutic organization, as they have unanimously and unequivocally recognized that LGBT people's identities should not be targeted for change.

NORTH CAROLINA: AG Roy Cooper Says He Would Veto RFRA Bill If Governor

Via the Associated Press: 

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper says he rejects a proposal allowing public officials to cite religion for declining to serve same-sex couples. Cooper is preparing a run for governor in 2016 and spoke Wednesday to The Associated Press. He says if he was governor he’d veto two Republican legislative proposals related to same-sex marriage. One would allow magistrates and court officials to refuse to carry out civil same-sex marriages due to religious beliefs. Supporters say the other measure protects businesses from government interference, which is similar Indiana’s religious freedom law that sparked furor.

Cooper is a Democrat and is considered next year's front-runner.

Everyone's Upstairs Neighbors

600K views in one day.

(Tipped by JMG reader Daddy Ray)

FLORIDA: State Senate Rejects Bid To Allow Anti-Gay Adoption Discrimination

Via Equality Florida:

In a stunning turnaround late this afternoon, the Florida Senate blocked efforts to allow Indiana-style discrimination in adoption. In doing so they derailed an effort that originated in the House of Representatives to reintroduce an anti-gay adoption law in Florida. Former Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Destin, was an eloquent opponent, stating “We don’t need to turn back the social clock in this state to 1977,” the year Florida banned gay and lesbian people from adopting children. “We applaud Senator Gaetz for rallying his colleagues to stop this disastrous effort to put discrimination back into Florida law.” said Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida. “Now is not the time for Florida to look back to its ugly past. It is time to secure full equality and chart a fair and inclusive path for our state.”

The bill has one more reading in the state Senate before it heads to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott.

BREAKING: White House Supports Bans On "Ex-Gay" Torture Of LGBT Youth

In December 2014 transgender teen Leelah Alcorn threw herself into traffic after writing a suicide note describing how her parents forced her to undergo "ex-gay" torture. Leelah's death brought national attention to "ex-gay" torture therapy and spawned a petition to the White House which demands a federal ban on such abuses. After receiving more than 120,000 signatures, tonight White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett responded on the petition site. An excerpt:

Conversion therapy generally refers to any practices by mental health providers that seek to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.[1] Often, this practice is used on minors, who lack the legal authority to make their own medical and mental health decisions. We share your concern about its potentially devastating effects on the lives of transgender as well as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer youth.

When assessing the validity of conversion therapy, or other practices that seek to change an individual’s gender identity or sexual orientation, it is as imperative to seek guidance from certified medical experts. The overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that conversion therapy, especially when it is practiced on young people, is neither medically nor ethically appropriate and can cause substantial harm. As part of our dedication to protecting America’s youth, this Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors.

Jarrett's message goes on to note that while a federal ban on "ex-gay" torture would require passage by Congress, the Obama administration would support such a bill.

Jarrett's response opens with this 2009 quote from President Obama:

“Tonight, somewhere in America, a young person, let's say a young man, will struggle to fall to sleep, wrestling alone with a secret he's held as long as he can remember. Soon, perhaps, he will decide it's time to let that secret out. What happens next depends on him, his family, as well as his friends and his teachers and his community. But it also depends on us -- on the kind of society we engender, the kind of future we build."

More from the New York Times:

In an interview on Wednesday, Ms. Jarrett said Mr. Obama was moved by the story of Ms. Alcorn’s suicide. But she said the problem went far beyond her. “It was tragic, but I will tell you, unfortunately she has a lot of company,” Ms. Jarrett said. “It’s not the story of one young person. It is the story of countless young people who have been subjected to this.” Mr. Obama will not explicitly call for a federal law banning therapists from using such therapies on their patients, but he is open to conversations with lawmakers in both parties, White House officials said on Wednesday. Instead, he will throw his support behind the efforts to ban the practice at the state level.

Eighth Circuit Court Sets May 12th Details For Marriage Cases Out Of Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, & South Dakota

It seems unlikely that we'd get a decision before the Supreme Court. But we've been surprised many times.

New Best Buy Wedding Registry Ad

JMG reader Brian tips us that the above ad is appearing on Facebook today. In 2010 Best Buy and Target drew the ire of LGBT activists for donating to anti-gay GOP Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who ended up losing to current Gov. Mark Dayton by merely 0.4% of the vote.

Barry Manilow Got Married

People Magazine reports:

Looks like they made it. Barry Manilow and his longtime manager Garry Kief tied the knot last year in a private ceremony, multiple sources confirm to PEOPLE. "It was a surprise," a friend of the couple says of the wedding, which was held at Manilow's Palm Springs home and attended by "20 to 30 guests" who had been told they were attending a "lunch." Though the couple chose to keep the wedding completely private and did not sign any official paperwork, Manilow and Kief both wear wedding bands and "are committed to one another and have been for a very long time," a Manilow source says. "They have a great relationship. Garry has always been there for Barry."

Manilow has never formally come out but has supported several national and local HIV/AIDS charities. Note the use of scare quotes in the Radar Online story.

RELATED: In September 2011 Manilow endorsed Ron Paul for president and contributed to his campaign.

INDIANA: Pizza Parlor Will Give Some Of Windfall To Florist In Washington State

Via the Daily Mail:

In an exclusive first interview inside Memories Pizza restaurant since it closed down last week, owner Kevin O’Connor and daughter Crystal emerged from hiding and told Daily Mail Online they had been heartened by the support of 29,000 people who donated and many more who wrote to them. They revealed they are set to share their new fortune with disabled children, a women’s help group, fire fighters, police trusts, Christian churches and Washington florist Barronelle Stutzman, 70, who was fined after declaring she would not serve a gay wedding.

The O’Connors are being advised by financial guru Ed Butowsky, an expert in the investment wealth management industry. He said: "Mr O’Connor and Crystal are genuine people. He is devastated that he has given Walkerton a bad name and people around the US might view it as a gay hating town. It is not that. But the O'Connors believe what they believe and that is their right. They want to share the money they have received and we are discussing how best that should happen. Nothing has been decided 100 per cent, but some charities will receive money as will Barronelle Stutzman who they wish to support."