BALTIMORE: Woman Gets Angry Note About Her "Relentlessly Gay" Yard

So this happened in Maryland:

A woman in Baltimore recently found herself in the middle of a pretty bizarre crossfire when she reportedly received a note from some of her neighbors (or, probably just one who is bluffing), stating that her yard is too flamboyant for the innocent eyes of children. The horrific offense that prompted this note? A line of rainbow-colored mason jars holding the words “LOVE” and “OHANA.” Ohana, for those of you who haven’t seen Lilo & Stitch or are not versed in Hawaiian, means “family.” Dire times, indeed. Julie Baker, the woman who owns the house and yard, was flabbergasted by the note. Baker is a widow and mother of four (the youngest of whom is already in high school), and thankfully, has a thick skin. She found some humor in it (as we all should), and soon enough, her friend Maeve Brigid posted the note and a picture of the yard to Facebook.

Baker has launched a GoFundMe to make her home even more relentlessly gay. At this writing she's raised nearly $2300.

Needless to say... I need more rainbows... Many, many more rainbows. So, I am starting this fundraiser so I can work to make my Home even More "relentlessly gay" If we go high enough, I will see if I can get a Rainbow Roof! Because my invisible relentlessly gay rainbow dragon should live up there in style! Put simply, I am a widow and the mother of four children, my youngest in high school and I WILL NOT Relent to Hatred. Instead, I will battle it with whimsy and beauty and laughter and love, wrapped around my home, yard and family!!! Thanks for your relentlessly gay support! Relentlessly!!!

(Via Christian Nightmares)

MARYLAND: DJ Company Refuses To Work Birthday Party For Gay Man

Via the Washington Post:

First there was the New Mexico wedding photographer. Then there was the Indiana pizza maker. Now there is the Maryland disc jockey. The national debate about how to balance religious conscience protections and gay equality flared in the large, mostly liberal Washington, D.C., suburb of Montgomery County Friday, when Dani Tsakounis tried to help her brother hire Ultrasound Deejays for a party. An owner of the business told Tsakounis he would not provide the DJ because Tsakounis’s brother, a Silver Spring therapist, is married to another man and the birthday party they are hosting is for their 60-year-old roommate, who is also gay. “I just said, ‘We won’t be able to do it, we’re a Christian organization and it would go against our faith, I’m sorry,’” Michael Lampiris, co-owner of Ultrasound Deejays, said Friday. Tom Tsakounis, 46, was so upset when his sister told him that he posted the news on his neighborhood listserv, prompting calls of sympathy from neighbors. He also registered a complaint with the Montgomery County Human Rights Commission, which hears cases of alleged discrimination.

From the company's website:

We will not play music that contains profanity or vulgarity. We will not support a new teen dance style called "freaking." We will not tolerate provocative dancing or actions. We will not participate with strippers or be involved in any event with strippers. We will not be involved in any event with fortune tellers, psychics, or magicians. We will not be involved in any event that celebrates Halloween. We will not be involved in any event involving homosexual celebration or activity. We follow biblical morality. We do not work on Sundays.

Ultrasound reportedly contracts with about 40 DJs and admits to having rejected other events where gays would be in attendance. Its owner claims to have never heard of Maryland's public accommodations law and appears unconcerned about legal action.

BALTIMORE: Governor Declares State Of Emergency, Calls Out National Guard

Via ABC News:

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency today following a violent gathering in Baltimore, where people threw objects at police, set cars on fire and looted businesses. Hogan also activated the National Guard. The standoff began near the Mondawmin Mall in the northwest part of the city, the Baltimore Police Department said, as the group threw bricks, rocks and other objects at officers. Protesters were seen climbing on a police cruiser and damaging several others. Police tweeted that people were also looting businesses and setting cars on fire. One of the looted businesses was a CVS Pharmacy, but a spokesman for CVS said the store was closed earlier in the day out of an abundance of caution so no customers or employees were there at the time. Tonight's baseball game in Baltimore between the Orioles and the White Sox has been postponed in the wake of the violence, the team said.

In the past hour CNN cameras were rolling when rioters slashed water hoses as firefighters worked to extinguish blazing businesses.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) To Retire

NBC News reports:

The longest serving woman in Congress in U.S. history is ready to retire. Maryland Democrat Barbara Mikulski will not seek a sixth term in the Senate in 2016. Mikulski made the announcement at a news conference in the Fells Point neighborhood in Baltimore Monday morning. "I am here today ... to announce I will not be seeking a sixth term in the United States Senate," Mikulski said. "This is a hard decision to make." "Do I spend my time raising money or spend my time raising hell?" the Maryland Democrat said is a question that factored into her decision. Mikulski, whose direct and feisty character paved the way for women who joined the male-dominated Senate, joined the upper chamber in 1987 after ten years in the U.S. House. The 78-year old intends to serve out the remainder of her current term until January 2017. Mikulski is currently the top Democrat on the powerful Appropriations Committee. She was the first woman to chair the committee responsible for determining and allocating government funding when she took the gavel in December of 2012.

Mikulski is a longtime and ardent LGBT ally and has a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign.

MARYLAND: Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan Officiates Same-Sex Wedding

Via the Associated Press:

Kagan presided on Sunday over the wedding of former clerk Mitchell Reich and Patrick Pearsall in the Washington suburb of Chevy Chase, Maryland. Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said Monday that the same-sex ceremony was the first at which Kagan officiated. Retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg have previously officiated at the wedding of gay and lesbian couples, including at the Supreme Court. Ginsburg most recently performed the wedding of Washington theater director Molly Smith.

When Ginsburg officiated last year, a chorus of outraged sadz erupted from Brian Brown and Matt Barber. The wingnut Charisma News denounced Ginsburg as a "tool of Satan." Stand by, Justice Kagan!

MARYLAND: Archdiocese Of Baltimore Church Holds Gay Pride Celebration

Set your faces to stunned. From the website of the Archdiocese Of Baltimore:

Celebrate Pride Month with the St. Ignatius community! Embracing God’s Gifts, St. Ignatius’ Gay & Lesbian ministry, is inviting you to join us on Friday, June 13th at 7 PM in the Chapel of Grace, where we will give thanks to God for the gift of family. Through music, readings, prayer and a spirit of gratitude, we will gather to celebrate being members of God’s family. Please contact Gordon Creamer at 410.236.8225 if you are interested in participating in the planning process. All are welcome and please bring a friend! A light Reception will follow in Ignatian Hall.

From the St. Ignatius flyer promoting the ministry:

As members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church, we are called to celebrate and share the gifts of diversity of sexuality in our church today. Our organization, Embracing God's Gifts, has been formed as an instrument for recognizing these gifts and incorporating their goodness and use into the life of our parish. Our mission is to create opportunities for the spiritual enrichment, support and inclusion of all diverse individuals, while being informed by church teaching, and to promote awareness and community building among them. We will accomplish this through a variety of endeavors that foster support, communication and social activities. We invite all to participate in this group with open-mindedness and compassion.

There's no mention of celibacy or "ex-gay" therapy at either of the two links above, but it's entirely possible that either or both are part of the ministry at St. Ignatius. Whatever the story is, the Freepers are losing their shit over this.

MARYLAND: Anti-Trans Petition Drive Fails To Submit Signatures By Deadline

Maryland's haters had until midnight last night to submit enough petition signatures to force a transgender rights bill onto the November ballot. They failed.

Equality Maryland, the state’s largest organization lobbying for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, announced the outcome on their Facebook page just after the clock struck midnight Sunday morning. State Del. Neil Parrott (R-Hagerstown) began a petition drive in an attempt to block the Fairness for All Marylanders Act from taking effect. Parrott needed to collect a total of 55,737 signatures by June 30 in order for the measure to appear on the ballot in November. Opponents needed at least 18,579 signatures by May 31 for their campaign to continue. Instead of using the formal name for the bill, Parrott chose to play to the fears of transphobic people by calling it “the Bathroom Bill.”

The bill becomes law on October 1st. (Tipped by JMG reader Maryland state Del. Luke Clippinger.)

Maryland Gov Busks With Banjo

Via the Washington Post:

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), who is weighing a 2016 presidential bid, spent part of his Memorial Day doubling as a street musician in downtown Annapolis. As captured by photos on Twitter, O’Malley played a six-string banjo at City Dock on Monday night, wearing a Baltimore Ravens t-shirt, cargo shorts and flip flops. He appeared to accept tips in his open banjo case. Aides confirmed the authenticity of the photos — including one captured by Eye on Annapolis — but offered nothing on the record as to what possessed the governor to play.

Baltimore Landslide

There's some screaming, so you might want to turn it down.

Freep This Maryland Survey

Maryland haters are assessing support for a petition drive to place a repeal of that state's transgender rights bill on the 2014 ballot. The bill awaits Gov. Martin O'Malley's signature after passing its final hurdle in the state legislature on Friday. This freep won't be as fun as those in which you see a changing tally of the vote totals. Submitting your responses to questions about what they call the "bathroom bill" (how original) will need an email address. (Tipped by JMG reader Andrea)

MARYLAND: House Approves Transgender Rights Bill, Gov Has Promised To Sign

This afternoon a transgender rights bill was approved by the full Maryland House despite the usual hysterical screaming by Christian and anti-gay hate groups who employed the now-familiar specter of hairy men in dresses invading the public bathrooms. Via press release from TransMaryland:

In a big win for transgender equality in Maryland, today the Maryland House of Delegates passed SB 212: Fairness for All Marylanders Act with a vote of XX-XX. The bill, previously passed by the Senate in an overwhelming 32-15 vote, updates Maryland’s anti-discrimination law to include transgender people. This ensures that everyone is free to work for a living, secure housing, and get served lunch at a restaurant regardless of gender identity. The Maryland Coalition for Transgender Equality, a coalition of more than 50 organizations and individuals working to advance civil rights for transgender Marylanders, hailed the victory as the culmination of many years of work by the transgender community and allies. The Coalition praised bill sponsors Senator Rich Madaleno and Delegate Luke Clippinger for their hard work and thanked them for their leadership.

The bill now goes to the desk of Gov. O'Malley, who has promised to sign it. As noted above, one of the bill's major backers in the House was openly gay Del. Luke Clippinger who is a devoted JMG reader. And now we wait for the delicious, delicious sadz.

FRC's Prayer Of The Day

From the Family Research Council prayer team:

The Maryland Senate has already passed and it is predicted that the Maryland House will pass what has come to be called the "Maryland Bathroom Bill," HB1265. The bill, like many around the country, is supposedly intended to prevent discrimination against people who identify as transgendered and transvestite, but would extend a "right" to some biological males to appear nude before females (and vice versa) in bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers -- invading privacy rights and unnecessarily exposing businesses to lawsuits.

Intervene, Lord, for your Law is being broken! We have defied your created order replacing your laws with confusion. Cause, we pray, legislators in Maryland and other states, and the Obama administration not to add confusion to confusion as they could do. Cause your people, led by their pastors, to say, "Enough is enough!" and to exercise their voices and authority as citizens and voters to stop these and similar lawless actions (Ex 23:2; 2Ki 17:17; Ezra 9:6-7; Ps 119:126; Jer 23:4; Jas 4:7; Jude 7).

Again

MARYLAND: Two Children Stabbed To Death During Exorcism Ritual

CNN reports:

A second Maryland woman has been charged with murder in connection with the Friday stabbing deaths of two children during an exorcism attempt, authorities said. Two children died of multiple stab wounds and two others are hospitalized with undisclosed injuries, police said. Monifa Denise Sanford, 21, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder, Montgomery County Police said. Earlier, authorities announced that the children's mother, Zakieya L. Avery, 28, also faces the same charges. Police said Saturday that Avery stabbed two of her children to death and wounded two others while attempting an exorcism. Sanford was briefly hospitalized after the incident and was charged after she was released. Police believe she is not related to the family, but lived at the same residence in Germantown. Norell Harris, 1, and his sister, Zyana Harris, 2, suffered fatal stab wounds while their siblings, who are 5 and 8, were hospitalized, authorities said.

(Tipped by JMG reader Matthew)

MARYLAND: Bill Introduced To Ban "Ex-Gay" Torture Of LGBT Youth

Maryland Del. Jon Cardin has introduced a bill to ban the "ex-gay" torture and brainwashing of minors. Via Washington Blade:

“There are numerous gay conversion therapy providers as well as organizations like the infamous International Healing Foundation located right here in Maryland advocating for what I consider very harmful conversion therapies,” said Cardin, noting Prince George’s County Public Schools last year stopped using an anti-bullying curriculum that included references to the Bowie-based organization and other “ex-gay” groups. “To me it is incredibly repulsive.” International Healing Foundation Director Christopher Doyle criticized Cardin and others who seek to ban conversion therapy to minors in Maryland. “This is not being fueled by mental health advocates,” Doyle told the Blade on Tuesday. “This is being done by political organizations that are more interested in promoting a political ideology as opposed to clients’ rights.”

Similar bills have been approved in New Jersey and California. In November the anti-gay Liberty Counsel lost a court battle to overturn New Jersey's ban.

Truth Wins Out reacts via press release:

If Delegate Cardin's bill passes, it will render a blow to the "ex-gay" industry nationwide, as one of the worst organizations advocating for such "therapy," the International Healing Foundation, is based in Maryland. IHF Executive Director Richard Cohen was banned from the American Counseling Association for life in 2002 after multiple ethics violations, and advocates "therapeutic practices" which involve beating pillows with tennis rackets in order to heal anger toward one's mother, followed by sessions where he cuddles his male patients in order to recreate a father's love. IHF Director Christopher Doyle admitted that he tried to molest little girls in his mother's daycare when he was ten, a disturbing fact considering IHF's focus on youth and Doyle's status as an ill-credentialed counselor. Another "ex-gay" activist, Greg Quinlan of the Maryland-based PFOX, claims to heal LGBT people, but when he's around like-minded people, is more inclined to practice verbal gay-bashing than healing, telling an anti-gay conference in 2010 that he was never a "limp-wristed, flaming faggot," a statement revelatory of his true feelings about the LGBT community.

"Ex-Gays" File Discrimination Complaint With Department Of Justice

The "ex-gay" crackpots at PFOX have filed a federal discrimination complaint with the Department of Justice and the Department of Education because the Montgomery County, Maryland school board won't let them advocate for the torture and brainwashing of LGBT students. Via press release:

PFOX requests the federal agencies initiate an investigation into the discriminatory practices of Superintendent Starr and the Montgomery County school board and to oversee a remedial program to ensure diversity and non-discrimination against ex-gays. "Starr misused his official position as school superintendent to gain access to students and indoctrinate them with his prejudicial bias against the ex-gay community," said Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX. "The Department of Justice has investigated complaints against schools for discriminating against transgenders -- those who have changed their gender identity. The ex-gay community -- those who have changed their sexual orientation -- asks for equal treatment from our federal government."

After PFOX distributed ex-gay flyers to high school students as part of the schools' flyer distribution program for non-profit organizations, Starr publicly denigrated PFOX and former homosexuals by calling the actions of PFOX "reprehensible and deplorable" and labeling the flyer's sexual orientation freedom stance as "a really, really disgusting message." "PFOX's flyers provided information on unwanted same-sex attractions, discouraged student name calling, and urged tolerance for former homosexuals," Griggs said. "Starr does not respect real diversity. As school superintendent, Starr's actions make it impossible for Montgomery County public schools to provide an atmosphere where everyone is treated fairly and with respect, and free from discrimination and abuse, as mandated by its sexual orientation nondiscrimination policy.

Griggs: "Their actions are reminiscent of the 1950s Jim Crow South, when public pools were closed rather than allow the participation of African-Americans."

MARYLAND: Anti-Gay State Rep Gets Light Sentence For Two DUI Convictions

You may recall that last year, after he drunkenly crashed his boat, injuring six people (including children), Maryland state Rep. Don Dwyer blamed his alcoholism on being upset about the passage of gay marriage. And he went out and got yet another DUI, this time in his car. You'd think that the sentence for two DUIs would be more than 60 days, but you'd be wrong.

Del. Don Dwyer Jr. of Anne Arundel County was sentenced Friday to 60 days in jail — to be served on weekends — on charges of drinking and boating and drunken driving in separate incidents. In issuing the sentence Judge Emory Plitt, a retired Harford County judge who was brought in to hear Dwyer's cases in Anne Arundel Circuit Court, admonished the delegate, saying public servants must be held to a high standard for their actions. "We hold ourselves out to the public as their representatives," Plitt said. The judge said he had no doubt about Dwyer's guilt in both cases. "He was driving both times. He was drinking both times. Let's just face the facts," Plitt said. Plitt sentenced Dwyer, 55, to one year in jail, with all but 30 days suspended, for operating a boat under the influence. He also sentenced him to another 30 days for a charge of driving a vehicle while impaired, a charge Dwyer pleaded guilty to Friday morning.

Sixty days is a "higher standard"?

RELATED: In 2011 Dwyer sat next to Maggie Gallagher during Maryland's marriage equality hearings, telling the committee that any state delegate that testified in favor of the bill should be "arrested for perjury" because saying that gay people deserve equality "is a lie and they know it." During the hearings Dwyer presented documents from the SPLC-certified hate group, MassResistance, claiming that gay activists want to introduce sadomasochism to grade school children. Dwyer also recorded an anti-gay robocall for NOM.

MARYLAND: Anti-Gay State Rep. Don Dwyer Busted Again For Drunk Driving

Last year Maryland state GOP Rep. Don Dwyer was arrested for drunk boating after an accident that seriously injured six people, including four children. Dwyer later declared that he'd become a drunk because gay marriage had been legalized in Maryland. He then vowed to join Alcoholics Anonymous after pleading guilty in that case. Yesterday, he was busted once again for DUI.

A police officer who was driving a prisoner said he saw a vehicle "commit numerous traffic violations in a short period of time that posed an immediate safety risk for all other drivers" on Route 100 eastbound at Edwin Raynor Boulevard in Pasadena, according to a police report. The officer pulled over the car, a 2001 Cadillac DeVille. A second officer found Dwyer inside, with "a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath," according to the police report. Dwyer, 55, told the second officer he had had two beers earlier in the evening and was coming home from a tavern in Baltimore, according to the police report. The officer wrote in the report that Dwyer had red, glossy eyes and a flushed face and his speech was slow and slurred. When Dwyer go out of the car, he was unstable and trouble keeping his balance, according to the police report.

Dwyer remains a member of the Maryland House Of Delegates and today even some GOP officials are demanding his resignation. (Tipped by JMG reader Chris)

RELATED: In 2011 Dwyer sat next to Maggie Gallagher during Maryland's marriage equality hearings, telling the committee that any state delegate that testified in favor of the bill should be "arrested for perjury" because saying that gay people deserve equality "is a lie and they know it." During the hearings Dwyer presented documents from the SPLC-certified hate group, MassResistance, claiming that gay activists want to introduce sadomasochism to grade school children. Dwyer also recorded an anti-gay robocall for NOM.

OHIO: Judge Extends Order Protecting Marriage Of Dying Gay Man

Yesterday an Ohio judge extended his order that prevents local authorities from undoing the marriage of a dying gay man who traveled with his partner to marry in Maryland.

Judge Timothy Black extended his previous order, set to expire in less than a week, until Dec. 31, which will protect John Arthur and James Obergefell's marriage as their lawsuit against state and local authorities proceeds. The order prevents authorities from recording Arthur, who's dying of Lou Gehrig's disease, as "single" on his death certificate and not listing Obergefell as his spouse. The couple, who married in Maryland last month, sued to have their marriage recognized in their home state before Arthur's death so they can be listed as spouses on his death certificate and be buried next to each other on a family plot, located at a cemetery that only allows descendants and spouses.

Oral arguments in the case as scheduled for December 18th, after which the judge may make his order permanent. (Tipped by JMG reader Guy)

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley Speaks On His Potential 2016 Bid For President

While other top Democrats continue to hold their breath while they wait for word from Hillary Clinton, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley this weekend spoke about his own potential 2016 run for president.  Politico reports:

“By the end of this year, we’re on course to have a body of work that lays the framework of the candidacy for 2016,” he told a handful of reporters over a beer in the Hilton bar here. The term-limited governor, at his final National Governors Association meeting, noted that he has delivered a series of high-profile talks recently to flesh out the big issues he would build a run for the Democratic nomination around: a commencement at St. Mary’s College in Maryland, an address on climate change, a Center for American Progress speech about growing the middle class and a speech in Ireland. O’Malley is cutting checks to “like-minded candidates” in Iowa and New Hampshire through his political action committee, which has also begun to ramp up its investment in online and social media.