Open Thread Thursday

Do you have any Valentine's Day traditions?

Linda Harvey: Christians Should Be Extra Anti-Gay For Valentine's Day

"The leftists love Valentine’s Day. This year, they will exhibit a bizarre preoccupation with the movie Fifty Shades of Grey, as America’s notion of 'love' is stretched to unrecognizable limits. So what can Christians do in 2015 to promote true love? Don’t be afraid to say, 'Not true!' when some maintain that sodomy and abortion are the high ground, as is same-sex 'marriage,' that children should be encouraged to change genders, that Americans are all racists and that Christianity is hateful. Get ready to say NO and shine the light of reality back at them. So, how do we do this? Start with fervent and persistent prayer. Then, commit to at least one 'push back' activity each week. Make one phone call to a corporate supporter of  'LGBT'  deviance. Make an online comment challenging notions of homosexuality as 'marriage' or anti-Christian bigotry. Be sure to call your child’s school and object to anti-American, pro-Marxist lessons." - Linda Harvey, writing for World Net Daily.

NEWARK: City Stresses That Real Estate Sale Is Open To Same-Sex Couples

A curious press release from the city of Newark:

Newark, NJ – Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the Newark Municipal Council, and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Baye Adofo-Wilson announced today that the City of Newark will sell municipally-owned vacant lots city-wide for $1,000 each to couples seeking to construct homes on them, in a “Valentine’s Land Sale Day.” The sale will take place at Newark City Hall on Saturday, February 14 from 9 a.m. through 12 p.m.

WHAT: Newark Valentine’s Day Land Sale, in which municipally-owned vacant lots will be sold to couples—straight or LGBT—for $1,000 each as part of the City’s “Live Newark” program.

As part of the City’s “Live Newark” program, the lots will be sold for $1,000 each, with buyers required to make a $500 down payment and pay the additional $500 at closing. They are responsible for all closing costs, and must submit a City Planning Board approved site plan to close on the property, have a commitment letter from a financial institution and/or proof of cash to cover the cost of the infill new construction to close on the property, and complete that construction within 18 months of closing.

The lots are available for purchase for any couple, straight or LGBT, from anywhere. The couple must live in the property for five years after issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. All sales must be approved by the Municipal Council.

I'm not aware of same-sex couples having been denied the right to buy property in Newark, so this seems like an odd way to promote urban redevelopment. Is there a backstory here that I'm missing?

SPAIN: Department Store Chain Features Gay Cupid In Valentine's Day Web Short

Madrid-based El Corte Ingles (colloquially: The Tailor's Cut) is Europe's largest department chain and has 93,000 employees. In their Cupid In Love Valentine's Day web short, a cologne-spritzer dressed as Cupid runs into an old flame and sparks reignite. You don't need to speak Spanish to read what's going on, but maybe some of you folks can provide the dialogue. The clip has gone viral and already has 130K views.

(Tipped by JMG reader Bryan)

Hallmark Valentine's Ad Stars Gay Couple

(Via Good As You)

Gun N Roses

 "Need an last-ditch idea for a Valentine’s Day present? Why not head over to the Utah-based online firearm store Impact Guns and enter their 'Gun and Roses' contest. All you have to do is give them all of your personal information and you will automatically be entered to win a Smith & Wesson 9 and two dozen roses." Source.

VIRGINIA: Hate Group Blames Valentine's Day For Timing Of "Rushed" Decision

Just Because

JMG reader Bobby sends us the cover shot from the latest issue of France's Character Magazine. Less office-friendly images are at the link.

20 Members Of Congress Pose For NOH8 Campaign In Solidarity With Russian Gays

In an event tagged #NOH8OnTheHill, twenty members of Congress have posed for the famed NOH8 campaign in a Valentine's Day message of solidarity to the LGBT people of Russia. The sole Republican participant was Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who has a transgender son.

"For our LGBT friends in Russia and in other countries around the world who feel oppressed by their government, we dedicate this Valentine's post to you. Today we show our gratitude for those in government who use their platform to speak out for the rights of all people," said NOH8 Co-Founders Adam Bouska & Jeff Parshley.

The fourth NOH8 On The Hill session was jointly hosted by Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) & Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) on the House side, and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) hosted on the Senate side. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen is the first and only Republican Congressman to pose for NOH8, while Senator Blumenthal was the first Senator to pose alongside Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

The newest #NOH8onTheHill session saw five additional Senators pose, including Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii. Coincidentally, this session was held on November 13th, 2013 -- the same day Hawaii's Governor signed marriage equality into law! Previous supporters Rep. Ros-Lehtinen and Rep. Al Green of Texas underscored their support by stopping in to pose for a photo once again, joined by Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) and Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA).

Hit the link for all of the photos and messages of support from each participant.

Google's Valentine Tells Gay Love Story

Today's Google Doodle celebrates Valentine's Day. Click on the 4EVER YOURS heart for an audio telling of a gay love story. (Tipped by JMG reader Mark)

Queer Nation Sends Valentine's Day Love Out To The World's LGBT People

Open Thread Thursday

Valentine's Day. For or against?

Get Into Rugger Trouble

Details.

Happy Lube-N-Tines's Day

You wouldn't think a lube ad could be sweet.

(Tipped by JMG reader WNYRAY)

Hate Group Leader Randy Thomasson: Valentine's Day Is For Straights Only

(Via Good As You)

Beyonce: Underwear For Gay Valentines

Well, not exclusively for gay Valentines. From her publicists:

Beyoncé is helping all couples celebrate love this season! The superstar has launched an exclusive collection of underwear, inspired by the Drake collaboration on her self-titled album, “Mine.” Best of all, the Yours + Mine box set, $40, is customizable for every couple, regardless of gender. It’s available now on Beyoncé.com, at just the right time for Valentine’s Day gifting and is a perfect present for your lover, year-round.

Bolding is theirs. Here's the link.

Dems Fire Back At GOP Valentines

Late yesterday the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fired back at the Valentine's Day messages sent out by the GOP. Michelle Malkin's Twitchy is super-upset!

It's Liberty Counsel Purity Day

Details.

Valentine's Cards From The GOP

The Republican National Committee goes for the full snark today. More examples here.

Love Is In Their Blood

Gay Star News reports on a Valentine's Day campaign from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Elton John and a host of singers, artists, writers and sportspeople including Jessie J, Florence Welch, Ben Drew, Ai Weiwei, Elizabeth Hurley, Paulo Coelho, George Takei, Kelly Osborne, Lara Stone, Stephen Fry, David Walliams, Jamie Oliver and Shane Warne are showing their love by pricking their fingers, creating a spot of blood and tweeting the image accompanied by the words "Love Is In My Blood". The worldwide campagin aims to 'show solidarity with over 30m people living with HIV. "Our aim is NOT to make everyone prick their finger but to get the world talking about the problem by retweeting and sharing our messages."