VIA Belirico: Queer music Friday - Gregory Douglass

Not entirely unrelated to this video, Phil Reese and I joked around via email a few months ago about how a certain genre of rock/pop has subtlety become the domain of the gay musician. Here's Gregory Douglass's "Hang Around."

More music by Douglass after the jump.

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Via JMG: Lt. Dan Choi: The Closet Is A Poison

Lt. Dan Choi discusses his formal discharge from the military under DADT, which was revealed earlier this week.

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: GLAAD Issues Annual Network Rankings

GLAAD has released their fourth annual Network Responsibility Index, which reports on how television's big guns handle LGBT programming. MTV earned its first-ever "excellent" rating, while CBS earned a "fail." Embiggen the below image for a breakdown of this year's rankings or hit the link for more.

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Via JMG: HomoQuotable - Steve Hildebrand

"I’m very perplexed on the administration’s continued defense of DOMA in the courts. The Justice Department is not required to defend laws passed by Congress -- they have a history of doing it but it’s not a requirement. Their ultimate duty is to defend the Constitution of the United States and if Congress passes a law that is discriminatory and doesn’t pass muster of constitutionality, the Justice Department in my opinion should not defend those laws. In fact, they should find ways to make sure that those laws are stricken down by the courts.

"I’d like to see the president and Attorney General Holder announce that they will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act and to agree with the judge’s findings in the Massachusetts’ court case.

"The other thing I would say related to DOMA is that holding out hope that Congress will repeal DOMA is a crazy idea – I don’t foresee in my lifetime Congress having the guts to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We can’t even get workplace protections passed – how do we expect them to take on religious institutions in this country who hold marriage [as an institution] only allowed between a man and a woman." - Former Obama deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand, speaking to the Advocate's Kerry Eleveld. During yesterday LGBT precon here at Netroots Nation, we were told to add three words after introducing ourselves. Hildebrand's three words: "Don't hate Obama." reposted from joe

Via Alternet.org: GOP Thinks Gays Should Have Fewer Rights

Like the world's children, gays and lesbians have way too many rights. Republicans in several states would like to remedy this problem. The Texas GOP, which actually has the gall to say that homosexuality "tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases," opposes same-sex marriage, child custody rights for gays, and insurance and retirement benefits for same-sex couples.

Texas Republicans also think it's unfair that gays have the right to be gay, but that straight people don't have the right to stop them from being gay, so the platform has this ominous plank: "We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values."

Meanwhile, Texas Republicans think civil officials who perform the perverse act of wedding people who love each other should be arrested and charged with a felony. Yes, the Texas GOP wants to jail anyone who performs a ceremony or issues a marriage license to a same-sex couple.

Montana Republicans would like for gay sex to be against the law, promoting legislation "to keep homosexual acts illegal."

jump to read the full article

Via Belirico: Teaser Uganda : Killing in the name...

Quote of the Day via Belirico / Kate:

It's unbearably hot because Mother Earth is tired of getting deep drilled, but is that the top news? Oh, no. Levi Johnson and Bristol Palin are getting married. - Kate Clinton

Via Soular Energy Daily

About renowned spirituality author Deepak Chopra

ENERGIZE YOURSELF What is Normal? Flexibility is not limited to psychological states. more »

Via JMG: HomoQuotable - Roy Ashburn

"I should begin with an apology. I am sincerely sorry for the votes I cast and the actions I took that harmed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Just as important to me, I am sorry for not stepping forward and speaking up as an elected official on behalf of equal treatment for all people. For nearly 26 years, the voters in my area of California trusted me as their elected representative. I look back now knowing there is so much more I could have done to inform the public about LGBT people and to fight for equal rights under the law. Regrettably and selfishly, I took another path in my life and political career—I chose to conceal who I truly am and to then actually vote against the best interests of people like me. All this was done because I was afraid–terrified, really–that somehow I would be revealed as gay.

"My past actions harmed gay people. In fact, all people are harmed when there is unequal treatment of anyone under the constitution and laws of our country. I do not believe in discrimination, and yet my votes advanced unequal of treatment of gay people and promoted the suspicion and fear that limits people from being forthright and accepted in society.

"Now, from what I have lived and learned, I want to do the best that I can to advance equality and freedom for all people. Given the shame and confusion that many feel over their sexual orientation, perhaps my situation can serve as an example of both the harm that can come from denial and fear, and the opportunity to try to make things right." - Recently outed CA Sen. Roy Ashburn, continuing his campaign of apologies with a lengthy essay for Gay Politics.

reposted by Joe

Breakfast Silliness via JMG

Via JMG: Let's Take The DADT Survey

Another amusing entry from JMG reader Sean Chapin.

reposted from Joe

Via SacBee:

Dan Walters: Proposition 8 still perplexes Californians

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By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com The Sacramento Bee

Published: Tuesday, Jul. 20, 2010 - 12:00 am | Page 3A

Last Modified: Tuesday, Jul. 20, 2010 - 8:07 am

Advocates of same-sex marriage rights were, to put it mildly, stunned when California voters passed Proposition 8 nearly two years ago, placing a ban on such marriages in the state constitution.

Californians' acceptance of same-sex unions had been steadily growing, the state Supreme Court had overturned a statutory ban on gay marriage, and the 2008 presidential election had a big turnout of young and nonwhite voters presumed to support "marriage equality," as advocates call it.

It later became apparent from exit polling, however, that Proposition 8 enjoyed strong support among black and Latino voters, which may have been decisive.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/07/20/2901093/dan-walters-proposition-8-still.html#ixzz0uFK1zT9d

Via SacBee: Narrow majority of California voters favor gay marriage in poll

Narrow majority of California voters favor gay marriage in poll

By Susan Ferriss - Updated: 8:07 am

Despite the narrow passage of Proposition 8 in 2008, a slim majority of California registered voters favors allowing same-sex marriage, according to a Field Poll released today.

• Dan Walters: Proposition 8 still perplexes Californians
• Have your views changed?
• Field Poll tabulations

make the jump ere to read the full article

Via JMG: BRITAIN: Top Government Deputy Promises Full Marriage Equality

Simon Hughes, a top official with the Liberal Democrats party, has promised that Britain's new coalition government will grant full marriage equality before the next general election.

Mr Hughes said a consultation would take place in the coalition government on taking civil partnership to the next level. Speaking in a video interview, he said: "It would be appropriate in Britain in 2010, 2011, for there to be the ability for civil marriage for straight people and gay people equally. "That's different of course from faith ceremonies which are matters for the faith communities… they have to decide what recognition to give. “The state ought to give equality. We’re halfway there. I think we ought to be able to get there in this parliament.”

The UK legalized civil partnerships in 2004.

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Via JMG: BRAZIL: Male Tango Couple A Hit On National Talent Show

Boy Culture tips us to these hawt tango dancers from Brazil's What Is Your Talent? Nice moment at 2:45.

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Quote Of The Day - Rep. Barney Frank

“I think it’s possible to have fun, and even to poke fun at people in my businesses, without this kind of completely unfair attack. And while I don’t usually feel compelled to comment on what various entertainers do, since you did include me in that show I wanted to make it very clear that I thought what you did was wholly unfair and inappropriate. It’s the kind of thing that makes it less likely that I or others can cooperate with you in the future.” - Rep. Barney Frank, writing to Kathy Griffin over last week's episode of her show in which she referred to Sen. Scott Brown's daughters as "prostitutes." reposted from Joe

Via JMG: IRELAND: President Signs Civil Unions Bill Into National Law

Today President Mary McAleese signed Ireland's civil partnerships bill into national law.

It extends marriage-like benefits to gay and lesbian couples in the areas of property, social welfare, succession, maintenance, pensions and tax. The act also offers additional rights and protections for other cohabiting couples including a redress scheme for financially dependent long-term cohabitants on the end of a relationship. Announcing the signing of the Bill today, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern described it as "one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation to be enacted since independence." "This Act provides enhanced rights and protections for many thousands of Irish men and women. Ireland will be a better place for its enactment," he said. "It is of tremendous social significance, for the couples who can now register as partners, for their friends and families - ultimately, for all of us," Mr Ahern added.

Earlier this month the bill passed nearly unanimously in both of Ireland's legislative chambers. The first civil partnerships will take place early in 2011. reposted from Joe

Via JMG: IGLHRC Wins UN Recognition

Over the foaming-mouthed objections of American evangelicals and some members of the GOP, today the United Nations granted official consulting status the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

"Today's decision is an affirmation that the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have a place at the United Nations as part of a vital civil society community," said Cary Alan Johnson, IGLHRC Executive Director. "The clear message here is that these voices should not be silenced and that human rights cannot be denied on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity." The resolution passed with 23 in favor, 13 against, and 13 abstentions and 5 absences. This victory is particularly significant, coming as it does after a prolonged 3-year application process in the sub-committee that makes initial recommendations on status. Despite full compliance with all procedures IGLHRC faced deferrals, homophobic questioning, and procedural roadblocks in the ECOSOC NGO Committee.

Voting yes was much of the EU and South America, as well as Japan and South Korea. Voting no: Bangladesh, China, Comoros, Egypt, Malaysia, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Zambia. reposted from Joe

Kate on Mamma Bear