USDA To Host Rural Pride

The US Department Of Agriculture and the National Center for Lesbian Rights will hold a Rural Pride event in Jackson, Mississippi on August 14th. 

 #RuralPride is a series of summits across the country to elevate the voices of LGBT people and families in rural communities, explore how these communities are particularly vulnerable, and discuss proposed and enacted federal policy changes that can increase equality and access for rural LGBT people and their families. The #RuralPride summits center on LGBT experiences in rural America, including increased rates of economic insecurity, lack of family and nondiscrimination protections, the relationship between LGBT and faith communities, and the heightened challenges facing rural LGBT youth and rural LGBT people of color. The #RuralPride summit series is a partnership between NCLR and USDA that challenges the stereotype that LGBT people only live in metropolitan areas by raising awareness of the particular issues faced by LGBT rural communities.

The event will be co-hosted by Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Fund. More details.

Franklin Graham Celebrates Clerk Who Quit Rather Than Issue Marriage Licenses

"'I choose to obey God rather than man.' These were the words in Linda Barnette’s resignation letter last week. After 24 years serving as a Clerk of Court in Mississippi, Linda had to choose between her job and her faith as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling to allow same-sex marriage in all 50 states. I have known Linda for many years—her husband, Sherman, worked on the team that sets up my Festivals with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for 30 years before retiring just a short time ago, and she has helped with many Festivals herself. I appreciate her boldness to stand firm for her sincerely held religious beliefs. More and more Americans will be facing decisions like this as our nation continues to go against God’s laws and standards." - Franklin Graham, posting today to his Facebook page.

VIDEO: Barnette takes her martyr tour to Fox News.

Fifth Circuit Court: Obergefell Is Now The Law Of The Land, Don't Take It Lightly

The Fifth Circuit Court has finally issued its long-postponed ruling on the cases out of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Will this drag the still-resisting counties into the light? Don't count on it.

MISSISSIPPI: County Clerk Resigns Rather Than Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

"I choose to obey God rather than man. I am a follower of Christ and I believe strongly that the Bible is my final authority. The Bible teaches that a marriage is to be between a man and a woman. Therefore, because of the recent ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court, I can no longer fulfill my duties as Circuit Clerk and issue marriage licenses to same sex couples." - Linda Barnette, in a letter to the board of supervisors for Grenada County, Mississippi.

Todd Starnes interviewed her pastor:

"I applaud her as a brother in Christ,” he said. “Her testimony to the Lord is more important to her than serving man.” The Mississippi pastor suspects she will be the first of many to lose their jobs because of their Christian faith. “Political propagandists want to force Christians who do not agree with the liberal mindset out of office,” he said. I asked Pastor Robertson if he was concerned about LGBT activists coming after Christian ministers. His response was rather interesting. “I pray that I am targeted,” he said. “I will use the statement Joshua made many years ago. As for me and my house – we will serve the Lord.” Amen, pastor. Amen!

(Tipped by JMG reader Aaron)

BREAKING: Mississippi AG Gives Clerks OK To Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

Via the Clarion-Ledger:

The Attorney General's Office has issued a letter giving the OK for circuit clerks to move forward with same-sex marriage licenses after stating on Friday the Supreme Court decision was not yet effective in Mississippi. Many circuit clerks in Mississippi did not issue same-sex marriage licenses on Friday morning following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision because the Attorney General sent a letter saying the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals must lift the stay on U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves' order before the Supreme Court's decision became valid.

On Monday, the Attorney General sent an e-mail to clerks that his directive on Friday "seems to have been misinterpreted as prohibiting Circuit Clerks from issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. The statement was merely meant to explain that an order of the Fifth Circuit would be necessary to lift the stay."

Despite the fact the stay has not yet been lifted, the letter continued, "Obergefell is the law of the land. If a clerk has issued or decides to issue a marriage license to a same sex couple, there will be no adverse action taken by the Attorney General against that circuit clerk on behalf of the State … On the other hand, a clerk who refuses to issue a marriage license to a same sex couple could be sued by the denied couple and may face liability."

RELATED: Yesterday Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal announced that his state will comply with the Supreme Court's ruling. No licenses have yet been issued there.

Marriage Holdouts: Louisiana & Mississippi

Reuters reports:

Same-sex marriage remained on hold in Louisiana and Mississippi, even as a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Friday legalizing it nationwide led to gay couples joyously tying the knot in other states that banned such weddings before the decision. In Louisiana, Republican Attorney General Buddy Caldwell's office issued a statement saying that it had "found nothing in today’s decision that makes the Court’s order effective immediately."

The Louisiana Clerks of Court Association advised clerks not to issue licenses for 25 days, the period in which the Supreme Court could be petitioned for a rehearing, said New Orleans lawyer Brandon Robb, who works with the gay community. Mississippi was waiting until a lower court lifted a stay to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, said state Attorney General Jim Hood, a Democrat, adding that his office would not stand in the way of the ruling.

DOMA attorney Roberta Kaplan and the Campaign For Southern Equality have already petitioned the Fifth Circuit Court for the immediate lifting of the stay in Mississippi.

TEXAS: AG Sues Feds To Stop Medical Leave For Married Same-Sex Couples

The Dallas Morning News reports:

Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the U.S. Department of Labor on Wednesday over a proposal to extend family leave benefits to same-sex married couples. Under the proposed federal rule to take effect March 27, the definition of “spouse” would be revised to include gay partners who were married in a state that recognizes same-sex unions. The new rule would direct state agencies to grant family and medical leave benefits to all such couples. Paxton said the Texas constitution holds that such unions cannot be recognized and therefore he is advising state agencies to follow state law and not the federal rule. “This lawsuit is about defending the sovereignty of our state, and we will continue to protect Texas from the unlawful overreach of the federal government,” Paxton said. The issue involves the Family Medical and Leave Act, which provides employers must allow unpaid time off for workers to tend to certain qualified family emergencies. “Texans have clearly defined the institution of marriage in our state, and attempts by the Obama Administration to disregard the will of our citizens through the use of new federal rules is unconstitutional and an affront to the foundations of federalism,” Paxton said.

We're still waiting for the Fifth Circuit Court to rule on the marriage cases out of Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Oral arguments were heard back in January and most observers have predicted a 2-1 split in favor of the good guys.

MISSISSIPPI: State Supreme Court Says Marriage Should Not Wait For SCOTUS

From the Associated Press:

Two Mississippi Supreme Court justices say the court should find the state's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional and not wait for a gay marriage ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. Thursday's 26-page statement, written by Justice Leslie D. King and joined by Justice James Kitchens, was attached to an order by a six-member court majority. The order seeks more briefs on the question of whether a same-sex couple legally married in another jurisdiction can get a divorce in Mississippi. Justice David Chandler objected to more briefs, saying there is no need to delay a ruling that the divorce cannot be granted under Mississippi's constitution. King agreed there should be no delay, but he and Kitchens said the same-sex marriage ban should be struck down and the divorce should proceed.

(Tipped by JMG reader Lulu)

Ku Klux Klan Supports Judge Roy Moore

From the website of the United Dixie White Knights:

The Mississippi Klan salutes Alabama's chief justice Roy Moore, for refusing to bow to the yoke of Federal tyranny. The Feds have no authority over individual States marriage laws. The fudgepackers from Hollywood and all major news networks are in shock that the good people from the heart of Dixie are resisting their Imperialist, Communist Homosexual agenda!

Alabama has a Constitutional amendment, that clearly says marriage is defined as being between a man and a woman. But much as they have since the 2nd war for independence was lost in 1865, the Federal Government by way of it's foreign masters seems set to push this abomination, on the God fearing people of Alabama. Will they send Jack Booted thugs to enforce it? Remains to be seen, but a simple study of history will show they once burned, destroyed and looted the state of Alabama. Georgia was burned almost to the ground, and in our state, Meridian Mississippi was destroyed by blue bellied sledgehammers in one day.

We call upon all Klansman and White Southern Nationalist to help in the massive protest's coming, Not by wearing your colors, but by joining in with the Christian community's protests that are surly coming against tyranical Federal judges. We have made the decision that we don't want to distract attention away from the issue, as anytime the Klan rides, we are made the issue by the zionist controlled media. Members are encouraged to lend a hand, make signs, recruit etc., but leave any insignia, colors, shirts etc at the house. We want to infiltrate these protests and make sure they are kept running in military fashion and not bullied by the outside agitators.

Let today be the day, that the outside forces that have ruled this nation since the end of the War of Northern Aggression be given notice, "The God fearing White man will no longer stand for your immorality, your Illegal unjust judges and laws. Your attempts to turn us into a third world cesspool must be defeated. Unlike the 1950's and 60's we see you clearly for the enemy you are. Until we drive the spear of God and truth through your lying cold black hearts, the Klan will leave the light on for you.

I didn't link the article at the top of this post in case you don't care to have that kind of web history on your office machine. To see the KKK posting go here. The same text has been reposted at Stormfront, where a member claims that the SPLC has requested an interview. (Tipped by JMG reader Fred)

UPDATE: The SPLC has posted their article.

Julian Bond For Mississippi Marriage

"Mississippians know sexual orientation or gender identity shouldn’t matter when it comes to working hard and taking care of your neighbor. Mississippians know all children are valued, no matter who they are. And Mississippians know that above all, treating one another with dignity and respect is what counts.

"The fight for basic civil rights is not a quest for superiority or an unvoiced desire for power. It is, at its root, a battle to raise us all up. We all deserve the right to try and fail, move forward and fall back, and ultimately succeed on our own merits and individual gifts. But for many of us, our ability to dream of a greater and more brilliant future is limited by the color of our skin, the texts of our religious tomes, and the gender of whom we love and who we are.

"The push for full equality for all Americans has always come with hurdles and setbacks. But we are not dissuaded from our path. LGBT Mississippians and their families yearn for a better day, one that we can work together to create. Let’s begin right now." - NAACP chairman emeritus Julian Bond, writing for the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. Hit the link and read the full op-ed.

VIDEO: Mississippi Supreme Court Hears Arguments In Gay Divorce Case

Almost right off the bat one of the justices wonders if the coming SCOTUS ruling won't render the case "futile." A the 16:00 mark, the plaintiff's attorney introduces his client, noting that she's an Ole Miss graduate with a son "who is headed off to boot camp to serve his country."  The lawyer adds, "That's who we're talking about here. That's who is trapped in a marriage she doesn't want to be in."  We don't often get video of these state-level cases, so you may find this interesting.

(Tipped by JMG reader Lulu)

MISSISSIPPI: Small Town Overrides Mayor's Veto, Repeals LGBT Protections

Via the Jackson Clarion-Ledger:

Aldermen in Starkville have overridden a mayor's veto of their decision to rescind a resolution passed in 2014 that made it clear that the city is intolerant of discrimination against the LGBT community. The resolution implemented a plus-one insurance option, which allowed Starkville city employees to add a domestic partner to their city-provided insurance regardless of gender or relationship status. After initially passing the resolution in 2014, the board of aldermen voted to rescind the resolution in a closed-door executive session Jan. 6. Mayor Parker Wiseman, who previously supported the resolution, vetoed the Jan. 6 vote. The override required five votes from the board Tuesday, but the effort fell one vote short after the 4-2 vote.

The Human Rights Campaign reacts:

“Though upsetting and disappointing, the board’s vote tells us that we must do more community engagement to show the leaders of Starkville that equality is important to move the city forward. Fairness and inclusion is critical to attracting new business to Starkville, diverse students to Mississippi State and quality workers to join the city’s workforce. Mayor Parker Wiseman showed tremendous leadership, courage and confidence to represent all residents of Starkville, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBT people are our friends, neighbors, coworkers and family members, and we must ensure all people are welcomed within their communities."

Starkville was the first Mississippi town to approve LGBT protections. Since then several other municipalities have done so, including Jackson, the state capital.

Marriage Cases In Flux Due To SCOTUS

Marriage equality cases in several states have seen some action since Friday's decision by the Supreme Court to hear the cases out of the Sixth Circuit Court.

North Dakota: Yesterday a federal judge put that case on indefinite hold pending the final ruling from SCOTUS. There had been no action on that case since September.

Georgia: Also yesterday the state asked that its case be suspended until SCOTUS rules. The plaintiffs have not yet filed a response to that demand.

Missouri: The state today asked the Eighth Circuit Court to put their appeal on hold until SCOTUS rules. The ACLU has already filed its opposition to that request unless the Eighth Circuit lifts its stay first. Same-sex marriage remains legal in St. Louis and is recognized statewide.

Ten days ago the Fifth Circuit Court heard oral arguments in the cases out of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Some believe that the Fifth Circuit will wait until SCOTUS rules, others say that a decision could still come at any time.

RELATED: The Mississippi Supreme Court is hearing arguments today in a gay divorce case. It's not known if that ruling could come before SCOTUS decides on its cases.

MISSISSIPPI: Small Town Mayor Vetoes Repeal Of State's First LGBT Rights Law

Via Tupelo's ABC affiliate:

Starkville's mayor vetoed the Board of Alderman's decision to rescind a resolution that made it clear that the city is intolerant of discrimination against anyone and in any form. One year ago, the city was the first in Mississippi to adopt a resolution against discrimination of anyone, including LGBT people. Other cities, including Hattiesburg, Oxford and Jackson, followed suit throughout the year. Tuesday, the board repealed that resolution and also voted to remove wording in the city's insurance policy that allowed for the inclusion of domestic partnerships. Mayor Parker Wiseman says this decision was made behind close doors. He vetoed the board's action to repeal the resolution on Thursday.

Starkville has a population of 23K, most of whom are Mississippi State University students and faculty.

Texas Hater Predicts Win At Fifth Circuit

"The tradition, until recently, had been adopted by all governments and major religions of the world. That's how settled the issue of marriage has been in our country and in our world. And in Texas we dealt with this issue before and settled it at the polls the way it should, when voters voted 76 percent in 2005. It's really a shame that all of that legitimate work could be undone by the stroke of a pen of a few federal court judges, but I think that a lot of people and a lot of legal experts believe and agree that the federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will rule in favor of state marriage laws. That will be for Texas, that will be for Louisiana and Mississippi, and that will be a significant turning point in the debate and the discussion on this issue."  - Texas Values head Jonathan Saenz, speaking to OneNewsNow.

Chris Geidner On Fifth Circuit Court

Buzzfeed reporter Chris Geidner recaps today's action:

After three hours of arguments, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals appeared poised to strike down bans on same-sex couples’ marriages in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas — joining all but one of the other appellate courts to consider that matter. More than halfway through the morning’s arguments, an exasperated Justin Matheny, the assistant attorney general in Mississippi charged with defending the state’s ban, tried to change his tune during his rebuttal arguments.

It being clear that the three-judge panel was leaning against upholding the bans, Matheny told the judges that although the “trajectory” on marriage rights for same-sex couples is “undeniable,” he argued that “it’s not there yet.” Judge Patrick Higginbotham, born in Alabama almost eight decades ago and appointed to the appeals court by President Reagan more than three decades ago, spoke up. And though the older judge was hard to hear at times, he spoke up and spoke clearly when he responded to Matheny: “Those words, ‘Will Mississippi change its mind?’ have resonated in these halls before.”

Hit the link and read the rest.

LISTEN: Oral Arguments At Fifth Circuit

Today's oral arguments in the marriage equality case out of Louisiana have been posted. Listen and give us your analysis. Recordings of the arguments in the cases out of Mississippi and Texas should be posted here soon. NOTE: That site is getting hit with heavy traffic.

First Reactions From Fifth Circuit Court: Judges Appear Poised For Pro-Gay Ruling

MAP: Federal Aid By State

Via the Washington Post:

Nearly $1 in $3 in state revenue comes from the federal government, according to a new analysis. While taxes are responsible for most state general revenues, the federal government is responsible for about 31.5 percent of the total, according to the nonprofit Tax Foundation. Mississippi is most reliant on the federal government, with 45.3 percent of general revenue in the most recently available fiscal year coming from the feds. Oil-rich Alaska‚ whose revenue is highly volatile, is least reliant on the federal government. The Tax Foundation’s analysis is based on a simple calculation of Census state revenue data published last month. The Census data offer a detailed breakdown of revenue sources for each state, so the Tax Foundation simply divided the “intergovernmental revenue” each state received from the federal government by the state’s “general revenue” total.

Plaintiffs Arrive At Fifth Circuit Court

Follow the action on Twitter at #5thCircuit. Oral arguments begin at 10AM eastern time.