Porno Pete: Walmart Is Incentivizing Its Employees To Become Gay & Transgender

Porno Pete is ever so pissed that Walmart gave some dough to the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. From a press release published by Christian Newswire:

Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH) is alerting the nation to Walmart's increasing capitulation to the homosexual-bisexual-transgender agenda-and is calling on Americans to urge Walmart to stop promoting homosexuality and gender confusion (transgenderism) with its corporate dollars. TAKE ACTION: Call Walmart's headquarters at 479-273-4000 or use their Contact Page to politely express your concerns about Walmart "going gay" and turning its back on godly morality and traditional marriage. "During the Christmas season, we should focus on honoring God and His Son, Jesus, who came to earth to die for our sins," said AFTAH President Peter LaBarbera. "Walmart has done much good in the world - but celebrating politically correct sins - homosexuality and transsexuality -only dishonors God and incentivizes Walmart's own workers to embrace immoral and confused behavior patterns in their lives. Walmart needs to get out of the sin promotion business and at least return to neutrality on the homosexual/transgender issue," LaBarbera said.

Walmart has a 90% rating from the Human Rights Campaign.

VIRGINIA: Anti-Gay Clerk Signs Marriage License For Plaintiffs In Bostic Case

Norfolk County Clerk George Schaefer, who was backed by the virulently anti-gay Alliance Defending Freedom all the way to the Supreme Court, today had to suck it and sign the marriage license of AFER plaintiffs Timothy Bostic and Tony London. More photos and coverage are at the Twitter feed of Virginian-Pilot reporter Patrick Wilson.

Victory Fund Head Chuck Wolfe: We Need Gay Republicans In Congress

"This year at least three gay Republicans are seeking seats in Congress, and the Victory Fund has endorsed two of them along with seven Democratic congressional candidates and hundreds more from both parties at the state and local level. As a nonpartisan organization with a clear mission to increase the number of LGBT voices in government, we strongly believe out lawmakers are vital on both sides of the aisle. The need is especially great now for at least one openly gay Republican inside the GOP caucus in Congress — someone who can speak authentically on behalf of all of us, including the 25 to 30 percent of LGBT Americans who consistently vote Republican in presidential elections.

"Richard Tisei, a married, openly gay Republican running for Congress in Massachusetts, is exactly the type of leader whose voice is desperately needed in the House. Richard is a respected, experienced champion for equality who garnered high praise from LGBT activists when he served in the state senate. In his last race for Congress in 2012, Richard earned the endorsement of every single major newspaper in his district, and he came extremely close to beating a Democratic incumbent who was battling an ethics scandal. He easily qualified for Victory’s endorsement then, and we are proud to stand with him again this year." - Victory Fund president Chuck Wolfe, writing for the Advocate.

Quote Of The Day - Carl DeMaio

"I've found more tolerance, acceptance and inclusion from social conservative groups who have to reconcile that I'm a Republican who happens to be gay versus the intolerance the LGBT leaders see me as a gay man who happens to be a Republican. Despite claims that they insist on tolerance, diversity and acceptance on all political issues, I suspect that they really want to keep intact their alliance with unions so that they don't upset their funding sources and coalition. The Democratic groups need the GOP to remain the bogeyman because if the Republicans are no longer a threat, who needs to donate to these LGBT political groups?”- Former San Diego City Council member and 2014 US House candidate Carl DeMaio, speaking to Fox News reporter Dana Perino.

Perino rants:

Many black Republicans find the same lack of support -- just ask Allen West, Tim Scott or Mia Love. As we’ve seen, nobody does lockstep like the Left. But to me, DeMaio’s story is different to because it crosses the line from opposition to outright sabotage. For instance, The Victory Fund, which is a group that says it supports any openly gay candidate, first told him that he couldn’t win when he was considering running for mayor in 2008 against the now disgraced former winner of that contest, Bob Filner. The Victory Fund not only declined to endorse DeMaio, it’s common knowledge in San Diego that it then gave his confidential campaign information to the Democrats and bragged about it. The Human Rights Campaign also has declined to endorse DeMaio in either his mayoral or congressional race. And so while DeMaio does the hard work of taking the heat in front of social conservative crowds and slowly winning them over, the LGBT community continues to pat itself on the back and give one another awards and accolades. Remind me, who’s working hardest for equality?

RELATED:  Last month I was told that DeMaio may not have even filed the required application to request a Victory Fund endorsement evaluation. The Victory Fund did endorse two gay GOP candidates for the US House: Former Massachusetts state Sen. Richard Tisei, who is running against Rep. John Tierney (D-MA), and University of New Hampshire Dean Of Economics Dan Innis, who is challenging Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH). Tisei narrowly lost his bid for Tierney's seat in 2012.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Last year DeMaio angrily denied a claim that he'd been seen masturbating in the men's room of the San Diego City Council. Another news story alleges that DeMaio was secretly behind the drive to recall disgraced former Mayor Bob Filner, presumably with the intent to position DeMaio to replace him. Filner resigned before the recall campaign officially launched. Last July the Log Cabin Republicans endorsed DeMaio's bid for the US House. In 2012 local LGBT activists organized a campaign to boo DeMaio during this year's pride parade, noting that he'd been reluctant to endorse marriage equality and had accepted donations from backers of Proposition 8. DeMaio, a wealthy political consultant, is vehemently anti-union and has vowed that LGBT rights will never affect his political decisions.

Victory Fund Declines To Endorse GOP Homocon House Candidate Carl DeMaio

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which endorses and backs many LGBT candidates, has declined to give their thumbs-up to homocon GOP candidate for the US House, Carl DeMaio.

DeMaio this month became the first congressional candidate from either major party to include a same-sex partner in campaign advertising. He is trying to unseat first-term Democratic Rep. Scott Peters. DeMaio spokesman Dave McCulloch said the group’s decision not to endorse the former San Diego City Councilman wasn’t a shock. “This liberal group did not endorse Carl in 2012 and we’re not surprised they’re not endorsing him in what national observers call the most likely seat to switch parties in the country,” McCulloch said. “When it matters, this group is about a liberal agenda.” Victory Fund spokesman Steven Thai declined to comment on why DeMaio, who has been criticized by some for not being more vocal about LGBT issues, was passed over. “It is our policy not to comment on races where we haven’t endorsed,” Thai said from the group’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The Victory Fund's refusal probably comes from DeMaio having been backed by major supporters of Prop 8 (including San Diego hotel magnate Doug Manchester) and from his declaration that "social issues" will never affect his political decisions. On Monday, San Diego's PBS station published an article examining DeMaio's lack of support in the local LGBT community.

IMPORTANT UPDATE:  Although the above-linked story from the conservative U-T San Diego characterizes the Victory Fund as "passing" on giving DeMaio an endorsement, I'm being told that DeMaio may not have even filed the required application to request their evaluation. I'm also told that contrary to the excerpted passage above, both US Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney and US Rep. Mark Pocan featured their partners in their 2012 campaign materials.

RELATED: The Victory Fund did endorse two gay GOP candidates for the US House: Former Massachusetts state Sen. Richard Tisei, who is running against Rep. John Tierney (D-MA), and University of New Hampshire Dean Of Economics Dan Innis, who is challenging Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH). Tisei narrowly lost his bid for Tierney's seat in 2012.

NYC Woman Tells Anthony Weiner That She Won't Be Voting For "The Dyke"

The Washington Post reports on an exchange between Anthony Weiner and a woman voter at a shopping center:

“You a registered Democrat?” he asked an elderly woman wheeling a shopping cart by him. “I am,” she said. “And I’m not voting for uh, what’s her name? The dyke.” “Okay. I just need you to sign the petition to get me on the ballot,” said Weiner, who then noticed the incredulous reaction of a reporter and added, “and you really shouldn’t talk that way about people.” “Oh, I’m sorry,” the woman said. “It’s okay,” Weiner responded. “It’s not your fault.”

Victory Fund head Chuck Wolfe is quite unhappy with Weiner's response.

"No, Anthony, it’s not okay. If he can’t stand up to these repugnant views as a candidate, he certainly won’t do it as mayor. LGBT New Yorkers should demand that Weiner categorically reject these views no matter what audience he’s in front of, especially when people use slurs to refer to the only openly gay candidate in the race.”

RELATED: The Victory Fund notes that both Weiner and former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson failed to call out NOM endorsee Erick Salgado for anti-gay comments he made in their presence at a June 4th forum.

NOTE: The Victory Fund has endorsed Christine Quinn.

Gay Republican Runs For Congress

Former Massachusetts state Sen. Richard Tisei wants to be the first (*non-incumbent) openly gay Republican elected to Congress. Tisei, whose campaign issues page makes no mention of LGBT causes [Updated correction below], has been endorsed by the Victory Fund.

But this is Massachusetts, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 3 to 1. Few places in the state are as Democratic as Lynn, the most populated city in the 6th district. Democrats outnumber Republicans in Lynn by nearly 10 to 1. But Tisei is finding support even there. On a recent morning, he was at the Capitol Diner, and many of Lynn’s small band of Republicans had gotten word that he was there. Insurance company owner John Olson was frustrated by the fact that so many people in Lynn rely on government support.

“All the social services are dumped in Lynn, and the inherent costs go with them, too, and I think that’s an area where we need some change,” Olson said. “When families took care of their own, we didn’t have the issues that we have these days.” Rob Snook was just glad to find in Tisei a fellow Republican. “You’re Republican, so you’re on the right side, I think, so far,” Snook told Tisei. “There’s a few of us around. Not many, but a few of us around.”

Tisei faces eight-term incumbent Democrat Rep. John Tierney, who narrowly trailed Tisei in a May poll that Tierney claimed was skewed towards Republican voters. Tisei came out in late 2009 shortly before his failed bid for Massachusetts lieutenant governor.

RELATED: There have been two other gay Republicans in Congress. In 1994 eight-term Rep. Steve Gunderson (WI) was outed on the House floor by then Rep. Bob Dornan. Gunderson went on to be the only Republican member of Congress to vote against DOMA and did not seek reelection after that. In 1996 Rep. Jim Kolbe (AZ) was outed by activists after his vote in support of DOMA.

*Kolbe was reelected in 2000.

UPDATE: A reader points out the Tisei does indeed express support for marriage equality on his campaign site, although the message is not on his "issues" page, which is where most politicians tend to address such items.

Dan Savage And It Gets Better Team To Produce Film On Openly LGBT Politicians

Denis Dison has the details at the Victory Fund's Gay Politics blog:

Dan Savage and the producing team behind the “It Gets Better” documentary specials for MTV and Logo have announced a new project that will examine openly LGBT political candidates and how they prepare to run for office. Filmmakers have been granted unprecedented access to the LGBT Candidate and Campaign Training offered by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute. “This is uncharted territory,” said Savage. ”We’re seeing progress on LGBT issues, but in order to effect real change, representation in government is essential. Aspiring LGBT candidates face a unique set of hurdles on the way to political office. The goal of this project is to follow a number of LGBT political candidates, and highlight Victory’s groundbreaking approach to helping them win.”

GOProud's Jimmy LaSalvia has his frosted bangs in a tizzy over this.

"How can the Victory Fund claim to work to elect openly gay Republicans while at the same time partnering with a man who called gay Republicans ‘house faggots’ and compared us to meth addicts? What kind of message does this partnership send to the openly LGBT Republican candidates across the country? What kind of message does it send to Republicans in general about the type of organization that the Victory Fund actually is? If the Victory Fund truly is committed to a bipartisan mission, than they should immediate end any relationship with Dan Savage."

As I've pointed out before, it's apparently super-OK for GOProud to use "faggot" whenever it suits their purpose. Chris Barron is having a full meltdown on Twitter.

NOTE: The above image of Savage is from a photo essay created by LaRae Lobdell, who also quizzes Savage on several amusing topics.

Houston's Mayor Speaks To Gay Journos

As I mentioned yesterday, openly gay Houston Mayor Annise Parker provided the welcoming speech for this weekend's convention of LGBT journalists. Miami Herald reporter Steve Rothaus recorded the speech. His clip description:

Houston Mayor Annise Parker speaks at the 2012 National LGBT Editor/Blogger Convening about being elected to a second term; her longtime life partner Kathy Hubbard and being co-chair of Mayors for the Freedom to Marry; and the Trayvon Martin shooting in Florida. Parker is introduced by Denis Dison of Victory Fund and the panel is moderated by Bil Browning of Bilerico Project. The event was sponsored by the Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Fund and the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA).

Two States With No Open Gays In Office

The Victory Fund's Denis Dison notes:

Last week’s news that Southhaven, Miss., Mayor Greg Davis informed a local newspaper that he is gay means just two U.S. states remain on the list of those with no openly LGBT elected officials–Alaska and South Dakota. That doesn’t mean these states aren’t served by LGBT elected officials, just that none have self-identified publicly either in speeches or in the media.

Read the full article.

MSNBC On Prepping LGBT Candidates

SAN FRANCISCO: Victory Fund Endorses Supervisor Bevan Dufty For Mayor

Openly gay San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty has picked up the endorsement of the Victory Fund in his bid to become mayor. That's a critical development for Dufty, who faces a mayoral field cluttered with almost two dozen declared candidates. SF Weekly reports:

The Victory Fund's endorsement signals a huge shift for Dufty's campaign, political consultants said. The group is known for its fund-raising prowess and it has a strong national donor network that helped Annise Parker get elected as the first openly gay mayor in Houston, Texas. And if it can help Houston elect a gay mayor, than San Francisco should be a no-brainer. "He can raise significant money from that community," said Jim Ross, a local campaign consultant. "This is really good." Ross pointed out that Dufty remains one of the most popular politicians, and comes from the largest voting district, which puts him in a strong position. More importantly, he can now access money from LGBT communities across the nation, which will help him make a comeback in this race.

San Francisco's mayor will be chosen by a ranked-choice method: "Under ranked-choice voting, voters list their first, second and third choices. If no candidate wins more than half the vote, last-place candidates are eliminated and second- and third-place votes from those ballots are redistributed until someone wins a majority." Confusing!

RELATED: Longtime SF Mayor Gavin Newsom resigned in January to take office as California Lt. Governor. City Administrator Edwin Lee was then appointed as Newsom's interim replacement. Lee is not running to keep the job.

UNRELATED: In 2008 I was seated next to Bevan Dufty for the San Francisco premiere screening of Milk. And all I could think was how strange it was to be watching a movie about a murdered gay politician while sitting next to the gay politician who now held that same office.

PODCAST: Same Sex Sunday

Same Sex Sunday is a weekly LGBT news and activism podcast hosted by Phil Reese and Joe Mirabella. This week's guests:

Christian Berle: Deputy Director, Log Cabin Republicans
Christopher Massicotte: Treasurer, Stonewall Democrats
Shawn Werner: Director of Campaign Services, Victory Fund
Michael J Wilson: Director, Americans for Democratic Action

Today's topics: "After Tuesday's election, the political landscape clearly changed for the gay, lesbian, bi, and transgender communities. But how did it change? What does a Republican majority mean? What role do Log Cabin Republicans play in moving us forward? How did state races move us closer to marriage equality? Will Obama face a Democratic primary challenge?"

Lexington KY Elects Openly Gay Mayor

The Victory Fund reports that Lexington, Kentucky, the state's second-largest city, has elected openly gay candidate Jim Gray as mayor.

Vice-Mayor Jim Gray was victorious tonight in his second campaign for the city’s top job, beating incumbent Mayor Jim Newberry. This is a tremendous victory for Lexington, for Kentucky’s LGBT community and for fairness. We are proud of Jim Gray and his fantastic campaign staff who fought hard for this win,” said Chuck Wolfe, Victory Fund’s president and CEO.

Kentucky! SRSLY!

Victory Fund Asks: What Will You Lose?

A new campaign from the Victory Fund: "Anti-gay extremists are pumping millions of dollars into campaigns across the country. Their goal: to silence fair-minded American voters by electing candidates who won't stand up to their hate and bigotry. But what's really at stake? If anti-gay extremists win, what will you lose?" The Victory Fund invites your own video submissions.

(Via - Towleroad)

Mehlman Reactions

Log Cabin Republicans

"Log Cabin Republicans is very supportive and appreciative of Ken's coming out. Being gay and being conservative are not mutually exclusive,” said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director R. Clarke Cooper. “As a fellow Bush alumnus, I also look forward to Ken helping me and our colleagues build a stronger and more inclusive Republican Party. Nothing presents a better argument for the equality of gay and lesbian citizens than the reality of our lives as responsible members of society. I am happy that Ken has come to a place where he can take a stand with integrity, and I welcome him as yet another conservative, common-sense voice to join with Log Cabin Republicans and all Americans in this important dialogue."

Victory Fund

“Coming out is a personal decision, and it can have a profound impact on families, friends, colleagues and constituents. We hope the fact that Ken Mehlman has reached this level of honesty will now encourage other political leaders to reject divisive anti-gay campaign tactics which, as Mr. Mehlman now admits, are purely cynical attempts to manipulate the American public,” Wolfe said. ”We look forward to the day when all political leaders, regardless of party, are able to be honest about themselves and their families, and still rise to positions where they can lead by example.”

Geoffrey Kors (Equality California)

"I'm glad he finally came out and glad he's raising money and working to undo the tremendous damage he did to LGBT people. He needs to acknowledge the damage he caused and apologize for the lives he's ruined, raise millions of dollars to overturn every one of the state constitutional amendments (banning same-sex marriage that) he helped pass, and spend the rest of his life working to achieve equality and justice for the community he is part of that he used for selfish political purposes."

Stonewall Democrats

“The coming out process is a very personal and sacred one, regardless of one’s party, class or position of power and we’re glad that Mehlman has taken the opportunity to live his life openly and authentically. It is a stark illustration, however, of how damaging the closet can be when one puts ideology over personal integrity. Mehlman presided over the Republican Party at a time when the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans were used to ill ends – marriage amendments in dozens of states, vitriolic attacks on our families, our soldiers, our very lives – all for political expediency, votes at the ballot box, and power.

"Imagine what a different America it would be if Mehlman had drawn a line in the sand and said, 'No. The lives of fellow Americans – an American like me – should not be used in this bigoted way.' Ultimately, Mehlman’s story is a cautionary tale of the damage that can be visited on literally millions of people at the intersection of power and the closet. We recognize that this might have been a difficult decision for Mehlman. It’s ironic that he had to make this decision in an environment that is even more difficult and painful because of the policies and politics overseen and sanctioned by him. The next chapter of Mehlman’s life could be about the good that someone can accomplish when authenticity and integrity wins out. We look forward to working with Mr. Mehlman now on issues that many of us have been working on for decades.”

More reactions will be added to this post as they arrive.

Netroots Nation: Friday Recap

I started the day early at a breakfast with openly gay Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, who is running for Congress against Rep. Mary Bono-Mack. (I'll post my Q&A with Pougnet a bit later.) Then it was off to the grand hall to catch the tail-end of Van Jones' brilliant morning keynote. After that was the "Organizing For Equality in the Obama Era" panel, featuring moderators Pam Spaulding, Evan Wolfson (Freedom To Marry), and Rick Jacobs (Courage Campaign.) Best panel event so far.

Back to the convention hall for lunch, where speakers included Kate Kendall (National Center for Lesbian Rights), Mike Lux (co-founder of Open Left), anti-racism activist Tim Wise, and Lennox Yearwood (Hip Hop Nation). And then all us homogays gathered for the LGBT Caucus, where Mike Rogers, Kerry Eleveld (The Advocate), and Denis Dison (Victory Fund) broke us into four groups to brainstorm how digital activists and LGBT orgs might better collaborate. (Among other topics.) Whew! Full day. Time for cocktails. Many cocktails.

UNRELATED: It looks like some of us will be hitting Fun Hogs tonight. Come hang with us!

The Strange Case Of Matthew Vanderpool

Yesterday Matthew Vanderpool, an openly gay candidate for the Kentucky state legislature, issued a press release declaring that he had rejected campaign donations from the Victory Fund because he didn't want to be in their "back pocket." Vanderpool said that while he is gay, he "has no gay agenda" and that being gay "does not define my entire life or the things I stand for." He then gave InterstateQ this quote: “Excuse me for putting it this way, but if I prance around my district saying ‘gay this’ or ‘gay that,’ it will destroy me. The guy I’m running against is so conservative and anti-gay he will make it look like that is the only reason I’m running.”

I happened to be sitting next to the Victory Fund's Denis Dison yesterday so I asked him about Vanderpool. Dison offers this response:

"This is a fairly clever stunt, but look closer and you realize how silly and disingenuous the whole thing is. The Victory Fund doesn't offer its endorsement to anyone who doesn't ask for it, and it was certainly never offered to Mr. Vanderpool. Our endorsement comes after a thorough examination of a candidate's viability in a given race. Given the behavior it has exhibited so far, I think I understand why this campaign probably didn't want to face the scrutiny. Ask any of our endorsed candidates who've won elective office whether they consider themselves in the "back pocket" of the Victory Fund. The truth is we do not lobby our own candidates or anyone else on any issue. Period. Mr. Vanderpool is getting some terrible campaign advice."

More about Vanderpool and his apparently wacko campaign manager here.

Number Of Openly Gay Elected Officials Nearly Doubled In The Last Decade

The New York Times says that instead of same-sex marriage, a better barometer of public opinion on homosexuality is the decade's avalanche of openly gay elected officials. Currently there are at least 445 gays and lesbians holding office, an increase of almost 200 in the last eight years.

Some political scientists say the rise in openly gay candidates’ winning public office is a better barometer of societal attitudes than are the high-profile fights over same-sex marriage. “Gay marriage ballot measures are not the best measure,” said Patrick J. Egan, a political scientist at New York University who studies issues surrounding gay politicians. “They happen to be about the one issue the public is most uncomfortable with. In a sense, they don’t give us a real good picture of the opinion trend over the last 30 years.”

For instance, the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago has been polling people since 1973 about whether homosexual behavior is morally wrong. In 1973, 73 percent of the people polled described it as always wrong and only 11 percent as “not wrong.” By 2006, those saying homosexuality was “always wrong” had dropped to 56 percent, and 32 percent said it was not wrong. One reason for the shift in attitudes, some political scientists contend, is a rising number of gays acknowledging their sexual preference openly in various walks of life, from workers on factory floors to Hollywood stars.

JMG Makes Advocate's Top Political Blogs

This here website thingy made the Advocate's Top Political Blogs list.

From Joe.My.God to The Daily Beast, Advocate.com spotlights a few of the best blogs that cover politics, inside and way outside the Beltway.

Joe.My.God: The name sounds salacious, but the content is anything but. Not to say Joe Jervis's six-year-old blog is boring -- it just gets to the point when it comes to gay politics and news. Reporting from New York, Jervis also has his ear to Washington. He seamlessly blends big-picture posts (on the White House, GLAAD, "don't ask, don't tell" protests) with more local stories, covering gay bashings that often go unreported.

Here's the complete list in the order of the story.

The Bilerico Project
Gay Patriot
Immigration Equality Blog
BlogActive
David Mixner
Politico
Joe.My.God.
HRC Backstory
Chris Crain
Daily Beast
Drudge Report
Andrew Sullivan
FiveThirtyEight
Gay Politics/Victory Fund

I think I'd have rather been on their Top 15 Gay(ish) Blogs list, but whatevs, go me,