Through Thick and Thin: Immigration and Gay Couples

Bil Browning: GM's 2010 Queer, Bible beaters, and Top 10 lists

To members of The Bilerico Project

Bil Browning

The new year brought lots of "Best of" looks at the last year and decade, but we also broke a huge news story this week when Father Tony brought us news that GM has unveiled their new 2010 Queer. (Link in the bonus section!) What else did we bring you this week? Great posts like these:

Sunday
Why Americans think Hoosiers are a bunch of ignorant Bible beaters
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/why_americans_think_hoosiers_are_ignorant_bible_beaters.php

Suddenly Hunky: Shirtless Lance Bass
Filed by: Prince Gomolvilas
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/suddenly_hunky_half_naked_lance_bass.php

Monday
Illinois GOP Senate primaries hit a homophobic low-note
Filed by: Phil Reese
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/illinois_gop_senate_primaries_hit_a_homophobic_low.php

Non-conformity and Bias
Filed by: Guest Blogger Rachel Dunn
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/non-conformity_and_bias.php

Tuesday
Fly No More
Filed by: Sara Whitman
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/fly_no_more.php

The forest and the trees of the trans community
Filed by: Austen Crowder
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/the_forest_and_the_trees_of_the_trans_community.php

Wednesday
Top 10 LGBT Stories of 2009
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/top_10_lgbt_stories_of_2009.php

Gays and lesbians left at the border in immigration reform bill
Filed by: Joe Mirabella
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/gays_and_lesbians_left_at_the_border_in_immigrati.php

Thursday
The defining decade of my youth
Filed by: Matt Comer
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/the_defining_decade_of_my_youth.php

The top 15 queer newsmakers of 2009
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/the_top_15_queer_newsmakers_of_2009.php

Friday
Trans News Timeline: 2009
Filed by: Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
http://www.bilerico.com/2010/01/trans_news_timeline_2009.php

Eyes - A Poem For The New Year
Filed by: D Gregory Smith
http://www.bilerico.com/2010/01/eyes-_a_poem_for_the_new_year.php

BONUS:
GM Unveils The New 2010 Queer
Filed by: Father Tony
http://www.bilerico.com/2009/12/gm_unveils_the_new_2010_queer.php

Don't forget:

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Wishing you all a great 2010 from Brasil

ey insisted on a picture of me with these bugigangas.... Have a happy and healthy 2010!

to see fotos from lastnite jump here and here.

Gay Rights @ Change.org

http://gayrights.change.org/

From JMG: Top Ten Wingnut Lies Of 2009

The wingnuts came up with some doozies this year. Huffington Post counts down the ten biggest lies.

1. The census will result in internment camps.
2. Health care reform = death panels.
3. Obama was born in Kenya.
4. Obama cedes U.S. sovereignty by bowing.
5. Obama indoctrinates school kids with speech.
6. Bill Ayers really wrote Obama's autobiography.
7. Dems are turning the country to socialism.
8. Obama is a Muslim.
9. Terrorist plan electromagnetic pulse attack.
10. The 9/11 planner will be set free in NYC.

lifted from JMG

2010 MARRIAGE PROTECTION ACT Signature Drive

JMG's Chart Of The Day

(Via - New York Times)

I saw this first on JMG

The Gay State Of The World

(Via - World Focus, tipped by JMG reader Alex)

I read it first on JMG

From JMG: BREAKING: Rush Limbaugh Rushed To Hospital With Possible Heart Attack

Rush Limbaugh was rushed to a Honolulu hospital tonight after complaining of chest pains.

A Honolulu television station is reporting that conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has been taken to a hospital with chest pains. KITV reported Wednesday that paramedics responded to a call at 2:41 p.m. from the Kahala Hotel and Resort where Limbaugh is vacationing. The station, citing unnamed sources, said paramedics treated Limbaugh and took him to The Queen's Medical Center in serious condition. Queen's spokeswoman N. Makana Shook says the hospital is unable to comment on the report.

I read it first on JMG

Courage Campaign: Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Dear Daniel --

"You're out of your freakin' mind."

That's what Julia Louis-Dreyfus said to me point-blank in the second Courageous Conversations video we filmed on the set of "The New Adventures of Old Christine" a few weeks ago.

Julia was trying to make a point about what NOT to say to someone who may disagree with you about the importance of marriage equality, but she may have gotten a little carried away.

Judge for yourself. Click here to watch the sequel to our first Courageous Conversations video. And help support our friends at the Courage Campaign Institute by making a last-minute tax-deductible contribution before January 1. They need just 103 more donors to reach their critical year-end goal:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/JuliaAndEric

I taped this video with Julia for a reason. We both wholeheartedly support full LGBT rights and think that the Courage Campaign Institute is a uniquely creative, effective and inspiring organization that can help get the job done.

From the remarkable Camp Courage training program to Courageous Conversations, this amazing team is working every day to bring full equality to America.

That's why Julia and I taped this sequel video to spread the word about Courageous Conversations. And it's why we hope you will make a last-minute tax-deductible contribution to support the Courage Campaign Institute. Courage needs just 103 more donors before January 1:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/JuliaAndEric

Thanks for supporting Courage in these last few hours before the New Year.

Eric McCormack

The Courage Campaign Institute is part of the Courage Campaign's online organizing network that empowers more than 700,000 grassroots and netroots supporters to push for progressive change and full equality in California and across the country.

To power our Courageous Conversations program, please chip in what you can today:

This email was sent to:

A sad update on the story...

"Malawi nationals arrested for getting married"

http://www.facebook.com/l/b20b2;www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/120/article_6340.asp"

Men wed in Malawi's first gay ceremony, risk arrest

LILONGWE (Reuters) - Two Malawian men became the first gay couple to publicly tie the knot, the Nation newspaper reported on Monday, risking arrest in the conservative southern African state where homosexuality is illegal.

Jump here to read the article

Matthew Shepard Foundation Selected for Grant in Chase Community Giving Contest

Matthew Shepard Foundation Selected for Grant in Chase Community Giving Contest

The Matthew Shepard Foundation will receive a $25,000 grant from the JP Morgan Chase Foundation in the new year to further our educational and outreach programs against hatred and bias, thanks to votes cast by Facebook users in the bank’s “Chase Community Giving” program.

Fans of the Matthew Shepard Foundation on the leading online social network cast enough votes to place us in the top 100 community charities nationwide in first-round balloting earlier in December. A second round of voting begins January 15, in which the top vote-getting nonprofit organization will qualify for $1 million, and five runners-up will win $100,000 grants.

“The overwhelming show of support for the Matthew Shepard Foundation is deeply gratifying and will provide us a huge boost as we seek to double our outreach to schools and community groups in 2010,” said Executive Director Jason Marsden.

“We hugely appreciate the thousands of supporters who voted for us on Facebook to give us this unique opportunity and additional exposure,” Marsden added.

The unexpected new grant will also help expedite our ongoing Web development work already under way for 2010, in which our youth-oriented Web resource, MatthewsPlace.com, will be expanded to include more user-generated content and on-demand educational program modules.

While the Foundation personally reached 18 high schools, 23 colleges and 22 community organizations with its seminars and speaking programs in 2009, developing similar programs delivered via the Internet will allow us to reach a vastly larger audience with our message of replacing hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance.

Facebook users can register to participate in the next round of voting by visiting the Chase Community Giving page at http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/ and following the instructions provided.

From JMG: First Gay Marriage For Latin America

After being temporarily thwarted by a judge's stay of a Buenos Aires court ruling in their favor, two men in Argentina have become the first gays to marry legally in Latin America.

An official in Argentina's southern Tierra del Fuego province says two Argentine men have wed there in Latin America's first gay marriage. Provincial spokesman Eduardo Porter says the wedding between Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre took place at the civil registry in Ushuaia. Their marriage plans in Buenos Aires earlier this month were thwarted when city officials refused to marry them because of conflicting rulings. An official representing the federal government's antidiscrimination agency attended the wedding. Claudio Morgado called Monday's marriage "historic." Argentina's Constitution is silent on whether marriage must be between a man and a woman, effectively leaving the matter to state and city officials.

The court ruling allowing their marriage was specifically for this couple only. It remains to be seen if a precedent has been set.

RELATED: Last week Mexico City legalized same-sex marriage, but that law has not yet gone into effect. Civil unions are available to gay couples in several Brazilian and Mexican states, and in the entire nation of Uruguay.courtesy of JMG

FROM JMG: Quote Of The Day - Rep. Pete Sessions

"I love you and believe in you. If you want my ear/voice — e-mail." - Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) to billionaire Ponzi swindler Allen Stanford, hours after Stanford was arrested by the feds. After the arrest, Sessions denied that he knew Stanford at all, despite having been photographed with him many times and accepting $44,000 from Stanford for his re-election campaign.

Sessions has a 0% rating from the Human Rights Campaign, having voted against every single bit of pro-LGBT legislation ever put before him. He voted for the failed Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and for banning gay adoptions in DC. But he loves and "believes in" a man who stole $8B. What's going on there? What's with the trips to Antigua?Courtesy of JMG

This from Fred

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Fred Karger

December 28, 2009 619-592-2008

Check out this excellent editorial calling out NOM for violating Maine's election laws. NOM did not report any of its contributor's names, and it gave $1.9 million (64% of all money raised) to defeat same-sex marriage in last month's election. Then NOM sued Maine election officials to invalidate all campaign reporting:

BANGOR DAILY NEWS

12/26/09

Editorial

Campaign Clarity Needed

By BDN Staff
BDN Staff

A lawsuit involving a national group opposed to gay marriage has far-reaching implications for the state’s campaign reporting and financing laws, especially since the National Organization for Marriage said it plans to advocate for supporters of “traditional marriage” in next year’s election.

In October, NOM filed suit in federal court claiming Maine’s referendum campaign finance reporting requirements were overly burdensome and, therefore, unconstitutional. Earlier this month, the group amended its complaint to U.S. District Court to include candidate elections. If its challenge is upheld, it would leave a big hole in the state’s reporting requirements and its Clean Election financing program, which relies on candidates’ reporting of donations to determine whether matching funds are warranted.

The group, based in New Jersey, contributed nearly $2 million to Stand for Marriage Maine, which successfully advocated a repeal of the state law allowing same-sex couples to marry. NOM has refused to disclose to state election officials where its money came from. State law requires groups or individuals that raise more than $5,000 to support or oppose a ballot question to register as a ballot question committee. Anyone who donates more than $100 to the committee must be identified in campaign finance reports.

The Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices is investigating whether NOM violated state campaign finance laws by refusing to name its donors in connection with Question 1 on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Attorneys for the group have argued that listing donors would discourage contributions because people would be afraid of retaliation.

Gay marriage is an emotional issue, but citing fear as a reason to flout the law is an unpersuasive argument, especially when thousands of donors are named — complete with their home or businesses addresses and occupations — on campaign finance reporting forms filed by groups on both sides of Question 1. National groups have been involved in many contentious campaigns since Maine’s reporting requirements have been in place. None has refused to comply with the law.

At the same time, there are varying levels of compliance. Some groups simply list “fund transfer” as a source of funding.

NOM’s argument that it raises money nationally to be used in many different states, rather than for a campaign in a specific state, is more complex. A close look at the group’s fundraising literature will clarify whether it was raising money for the Yes on 1 campaign in Maine. If it was, reporting is necessary, as it should also be for other national groups that contribute to Maine campaigns.

It may be that lawmakers need to reconsider Maine’s ballot committee law to clarify how such national fundraising should be handled, especially since it could influence Clean Election funding next year.

The bottom line is that Maine voters should be able to know who is trying to influence their vote.

HELP US FIGHT BACK.

www.FiveforFred.com

Thanks JMG: DJ Earworm - United State of Pop 2009 (Blame It on the Pop) - Mashup of Top 25 Billboard Hits

Best wishes from Brasil where it is almost party time! Crank it up!

The Fabulous Guest Conductor

Bil Browning sent a message to the members of The Bilerico Project.

Subject: Weekly Reader: The Salvation Army, Katy Perry, & Lance Bass

It might have been a holiday week, but we kept plugging away to bring you the best content we could - including tons of holiday-themed posts! Check out some of these great posts from last week:

Sunday
Disturbing: Pelosi & Reid burnt in effigy by schoolchildren
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/a327f;www.bilerico.com/2009/12/disturbing_pelosi_reid_burnt_in_effigy_schoolchildren.php

The Last Minute Gay Geeks Gift Guide
Filed by: Nathan Strang
http://www.facebook.com/l/a327f;www.bilerico.com/2009/12/the_last_minute_gay_geeks_gift_guide.php

Monday
The year Lance Bass saved Christmas
Filed by: Joe Mirabella
http://www.facebook.com/l/a327f;www.bilerico.com/2009/12/gay_christmas.php

Surprise -- Roses at Christmas
Filed by: Patricia Nell Warren
http://www.facebook.com/l/a327f;www.bilerico.com/2009/12/roses_at_christmas.php

Tuesday
Katy Perry offends LGBT people in a bout of twitterrhea
Filed by: Jerame Davis
http://www.facebook.com/l/a327f;www.bilerico.com/2009/12/katy_perry_offends_lgbt_people_in_a_bout_of_twitter.php

8 Tips for LGBT People to Lower Holiday Stress
Filed by: D Gregory Smith
http://www.facebook.com/l/a327f;www.bilerico.com/2009/12/tis_the_season_for_depression.php

Wednesday
How Newsweek Got It Wrong On Gay Rights
Filed by: Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
http://www.facebook.com/l/a327f;www.bilerico.com/2009/12/how_newsweek_got_it_wrong_on_gay_rights.php

Just say no to the Salvation Army's red bucket
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.facebook.com/l/a327f;www.bilerico.com/2009/12/just_say_no_to_the_salvation_armys_red_bucket.php

Thursday
My Marriage is a Stone
Filed by: Father Tony
http://www.facebook.com/l/a327f;www.bilerico.com/2009/12/my_marriage_is_a_stone.php

Christmas Eve in the Tenderloin
Filed by: Guest Blogger Jerry Weiss
http://www.facebook.com/l/a327f;www.bilerico.com/2009/12/christmas_eve_in_the_tenderloin.php

Friday
Merry Christmas!
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/a327f;www.bilerico.com/2009/12/merry_christmas_1.php

Don't forget:

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