reposted from Joe
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Via JMG: Dan Savage Lands MTV Pilot
Entertainment Weekly reports: Savage Love may be coming to MTV. Columnist Dan Savage is working on an advice show for the network. MTV has ordered a pilot that follows Savage as he tours college campuses giving his brand of brutally honest (and sometimes graphic) sex and relationship advice. In the format, Savage takes questions from an auditorium audience (similar to his recently completed college tour).No start date for the show has been revealed.
Via JMG: Robert Gibbs Nearly Ends Press Conference Over Obama's Position On Marriage
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs today nearly cut his press conference short after Washington Blade reporter Chris Johnson pressed him about the president's 1996 support of same-sex marriage, a position Obama later reversed. Gibbs resumed taking questions after other reporters complained. Johnson has been relentless on LGBT issues with Gibbs for the last couple of weeks.
reposted from Joe
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Via JMG: HomoQuotable- Dan Savage
"I’m not an idiot: Now that the Republicans hold the House, only wishful thinkers and the deeply delusional expect to see any movement on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legislative agenda this year or next. Nevertheless, President Obama should address gay rights in his State of the Union speech this week, and he should tackle the biggest, most meaningful right of them all: the right to marry. [snip]"He can assure the lawmakers that, yes, there’s something in it for Americans who disapprove of homosexuality too. Social conservatives long to raise their children in a country where they don’t have to hear about homosexuality every time they turn on the news. I’d like raise my son in a country like that too. And guess what? In countries like Canada — where the fight over gay rights is essentially over, where there is gay marriage, open military service and employment protections — homosexuality hardly ever makes the front pages of newspapers. There’s nothing much to report. Conservatives can’t get rid of us, but they can hear less from and about us. They just have to bend toward justice." - Dan Savage, in an editorial in today's New York Times.
Dan Savage NYT op ed calls on Obama to endorse marriage in the SOTU
A snippet:
I’m not an idiot: Now that the Republicans hold the House, only wishful thinkers and the deeply delusional expect to see any movement on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legislative agenda this year or next. Nevertheless, President Obama should address gay rights in his State of the Union speech this week, and he should tackle the biggest, most meaningful right of them all: the right to marry.The community is quickly propelling towards marriage, while politicians keep convincing themselves that if they just move forward on enough of everything else short of marriage, the community will be mollified. It clearly won't. Whether the Democrats like it or not, the gay community has its eyes set on marriage, and Democrats had better too.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Vua JMG: HomoQuotable - Elton John
"I think I have it all. I have a wonderful career, a wonderful life. I have my health, I have a partner of 17 years, and now I have a son. I don't have everything because I don't have the respect of people like the church or like politicians who tell me that I'm not worthy, that I'm lesser because I'm gay, well FUCK YOU!" - Elton John, speaking after performing at an AFER fundraiser in Los Angeles. The event raised $3M for the overturn of Proposition 8.Via JMG: DADT Cost $200M Since 2005
According to a just-released report from the federal Government Accountability Office, in the last five years almost $200M was spent on ejecting gay troops. Most of that money went to training replacements.
That means the average expulsion under DADT cost taxpayers $52,800, partly because a significant number of those discharged held a "critical occupation or important language skill," the GAO reported. At least "1,442 (39 percent) of the servicemembers separated under the policy held critical occupations, such as infantryman and security forces, while 23 (less than 1 percent) of the servicemembers held skills in an important foreign language, such as Arabic or Spanish," the report reads. "Seven separated servicemembers held both a critical occupation and an important foreign language skill."
PhoboQuotable - Andrew Breitbart
"I am not endorsing gay marriage, I'm not endorsing Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I will be the harshest critic of the activist gay left, who I fear more than al-Qaida. But for these people not to exist in a two-party system, for you to tell them they're not welcome in the big tent, I have a huge problem with that and I'm going to indulge in my all '80s Depeche Mode, Cure, New Order fetish and we're going to have a big 'ol gay party at CPAC." - Wingnut commentator Andrew Breitbart, announcing that he has joined GOProud's board of directors.That's right, folks, GOProud has hired a guy who says that gay activists are worse than the terrorists who brought down the World Trade Center. You can't make it up. Soon to join GOProud: Bryan Fischer, Tony Perkins, Peter LaBarbera.
Via JMG: HomoQuotable - Michael Musto
"Calvin, darling, you're embarrassing yourself. What's worse, you're embarrassing the whole community. You were never really that much of a gay hero in the first place. Remember when you suddenly had a wife because, as AIDS made it uncool to be gay, you took the wussy way out and closeted yourself so you could sell more T shirts and perfume? That was a hideous approach and I screamed my lungs out about it--but it was better than now! Now you've hooked up with that almost-21-year-old ex-porn star, Nick Gruber, and you're fawning over him as if this were real love and not a massive late-life crisis being acted out for the horrified masses. It's not going to work!" - Michael Musto, dishing Calvin Klein for the invitation to Gruber's birthday party, which describes the event at "the hottest ticket for New York's gay and fashion elite!"Via JMG: HUD Proposes Regulations Banning Housing Discrimination Against Gays
From the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which notes that a 2007 study showed that 30% of same-sex couples in Michigan faced discrimination when attempting to rent or buy a home.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today proposed new regulations intended to ensure that its core housing programs are open to all eligible persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. View the proposed rule announced today. “This is a fundamental issue of fairness,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “We have a responsibility to make certain that public programs are open to all Americans. With this proposed rule, we will make clear that a person’s eligibility for federal housing programs is, and should be, based on their need and not on their sexual orientation or gender identity.”HUD is also launching the first-ever national study of housing discrimination against LGBT Americans. On Monday HUD begins accepting public comments on the proposed law. I'll post a reminder, you know the haters will be ALL over it.
HUD is seeking public comment on a number of proposed areas including: Prohibiting lenders from using sexual orientation or gender identity as a basis to determine a borrower’s eligibility for FHA-insured mortgage financing. FHA’s current regulations provide that a mortgage lender’s determination of the adequacy of a borrower’s income “shall be made in a uniform manner without regard to” specified prohibited grounds. The proposed rule would add actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity to the prohibited grounds to ensure FHA-approved lenders do not deny or otherwise alter the terms of mortgages on the basis of irrelevant criteria.
(Tipped by JMG reader Anita)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
ViaJMG: IGLHRC Issues Statement On Iran
The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission has issued a statement on yesterday's story about the possible execution by stoning of two young men in Iran for having gay sex. At IGLHRC's request, I pulled my first post on the story while they investigated. Via email:The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has received reports of the imminent execution of two men in Piranshahr, Iran. By some media accounts, Ayub and Mosleh have been sentenced to death for raping a young man, filming their actions, and inserting images of President Ahmadinejad into the film. There have been reports that the men are scheduled to be killed by stoning on January 21. IGLHRC has been unable to confirm the allegations in this case.I will update you at once when further information is available.
This case is evidence, however, of much bigger problems in Iran: widespread abuse in the justice system and censorship of information. People, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender may be arbitrarily arrested, tortured, and convicted on baseless charges. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to know the facts that lie behind convictions.
IGLHRC condemns the use of capital punishment in all instances, including this one, regardless of the alleged acts with which the individuals have been accused or convicted. Likewise, IGLHRC condemns all forms of sexual violence and rape. We call on the Government of Iran to immediately annul any execution order related to this case, to end the practice of death by stoning, and to repeal the criminalization of same-sex activity.
"Iran has an impenetrable and opaque criminal justice system that makes knowing what is really happening inside the country impossible," said Hossein Alizadeh, Regional Coordinator for IGLHRC's Middle East and North Africa Program. "What we do know is that killing is wrong in all its forms, even when committed by the State."
Via JMG: SAN FRANCISCO: Federal Judge Signals Intent To Overturn Portion Of DOMA
A federal judge in California has ruled that state employees may sue the federal government for excluding their partners from a long-term health care program.
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken of Oakland denied an Obama administration request to dismiss the suit Tuesday and signaled that she is likely to overturn provisions of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples. But Wilken said the 1996 law actually changed the status quo by "robbing states of the power to allow same-sex civil marriages that will be recognized under federal law." She also rejected arguments that the law's sponsors put forth in 1996, that the legislation was necessary to promote procreation and preserve heterosexual marriage. The couples sued in April over the California Public Employees' Retirement System's refusal to enroll the spouses in a federally approved long-term care plan. State employees can buy coverage at below-market rates, use pretax dollars to pay premiums, and deduct future benefits from their taxes. The California agency has refused to sign up same-sex spouses because the Defense of Marriage Act denies federal tax benefits to any state that covers them.
Via JMG: This Week In Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly on this week's cover: Gay teens are suddenly popping up in major roles all over television, with Glee’s popular pairing of Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss) leading the way. How did gay teens go from marginalized outcasts and goofy sidekicks to some of the highest profile — and most beloved — characters on the likes of 90210, Pretty Little Liars, and Skins? And more importantly, how is this affecting real-life teens still facing the daily high-school realities of bullying, discrimination, and ignorance? The new issue of Entertainment Weekly investigates the history of gay teens on TV — from the angsty Rickie on My So-Called Life to sensitive-soul Jack on Dawson’s Creek to the slew of groundbreaking characters on Degrassi. We talk to the producers who fought for such progress, the actors who held the career-defining roles, and the activists who cheer recent advances — but are still pushing for more.
Via Andrei: Será que dessa vez vai?
quarta-feira, 19 de janeiro de 2011
O relator do processo é o ministro Carlos Ayres Britto. Ele está finalizando seu parecer, que terá 32 páginas, sobre o assunto, em suas férias. Na real, o Ministro Carlos está usando o silêncio de suas férias para cuidar especificamente deste processo, porque, claro, é favorável a ele. Seu parecer será apresentado aos outros ministros do Supremo em fevereiro próximo, assim que as férias da Corte terminar. O parecer do Ministro será FAVORÁVEL ao casamento gay. É esta informação que corre nos corredores do Supremo. Se essa informação se confirmar, no texto que o ministro redige atualmente ele expõe os motivos pelos quais acredita que o casamento gay deve ser permitido no Brasil. O texto também norteia o votos de outros ministros. É como se Carlos Ayres Britto fosse defensor do SIM, um advogado de defesa do casamento gay na mais alta corte do país.
É o voto dos outros ministros que decidirá se o casamento passará a ser permitido ou não no país _o voto do Ministro Carlos vale tanto quanto cada um dos outros votantes. Ok, mas vários dos outros dez ministros do Supremo já se posicionaram a favor da matérias em outras ocasiões, como a Minsitra Ellen Grace. Além disso, o próprio Ministro Carlos Ayres Britto, conhecido por sua discrição, deixou sub-entendido que o casamento tem grandes chances de ser aprovado no Supremo, já que em decisões recentes e isoladas, o Tribunal sinalizou ser favorável à causa. "É um caso em que não tenho prognóstico. Quem sabe teremos uma bela surpresa?”, disse Carlos dias atrás.
É práxis entre os Ministros não darem entrevistas sobre assuntos ainda não votados, como é o caso. O que Carlos diz com essa frase faz alusão a dezenas de Tribunais regionais de primeira e segunda instância espalhados pelo país que já permitiram que homossexuais se casassem. Há decisões do tipo em praticamente todos os estados do Brasil, em especial nos estados do Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo e Mato Grosso do Sul. Essas decisões todas são levadas em conta na decisão dos Ministros do Supremo.
Carlos Ayres Britto disse ainda que “se a tese _do casamento gay_ for consagrada, pega todo mundo”, isso significa que caso o STF julgue procedente o pedido do governador do Rio de Janeiro, eu, você e todos nós poderemos nos casar.
Nos bastidores do Supremo a aposta é que a maioria dos ministros siga esse entendimento. E tem mais: o Planalto da Presidenta Dilma deu um jeitinho de mostrar-se favorável ao tema: a Advocacia Geral da União, que é montada pela presidenta, encaminhou parecer ao STF defendendo a posição do governo FAVORÁVEL ao reconhecimento da união entre pessoas do mesmo sexo. O texto oficial enviado pelo Planalto do governo Dilma aos Ministros lembra que a Constituição protege a dignidade da pessoa humana, a privacidade, a intimidade, e proíbe qualquer forma de discriminação.
Isso significa que o governo Dilma é a favor do SIM do Ministro Carlos Ayres e dos demais Ministros? Sim, significa. Essa opinião é levada em conta na decisão final? Sim, claro. Quem nomeia os Ministros do Supremo é o Presidente da República, afinal.
Vale lembrar, ainda, que o Supremo Tribunal Federal não cede à pressão de nenhuma corrente pública _nem de evangélicos, nem de católicos, nem de grupos gays. As decisões da Corte são técnicas e constitucionais. Mas é claro que se o Supremo tivesse maioria conservadora o voto pelo SIM ao casamento gay estaria ameaçado. A melhor notícia é que o Supremo ganhou maioria esmagadora progressista durante o governo Lula.
Então, querido, pode ir comprando suas alianças.
Se tudo isso se confirmar, e é claro que estamos na torcida, teremos três "heróis" do casamento gay: Sergio Cabral, Dilma e Carlos Ayres Britto.
Casamento gay será aprovado em fevereiro. E é no Brasil. Dilma apóia. Entenda o caso e compre sua aliança
19/01/2011 - 12h24
Por : Marcelo Cia
Mix Brasil
Casamento entre pessoas do mesmo sexo tem tudo para ser arpovado no Brasil em fevereiro.
De forma discreta, quase silenciosa, tramita no Supremo Tribunal Federal, o órgão máximo do poder judiciário brasileiro, um processo movido pelo governador do Rio de Janeiro Sergio Cabral que pede mudanças na lei do casamento para que homossexuais também possam se casar judicialmente. O pedido do governador foi feito em 2008 e é simples: ele pede que os funcionários homossexuais do Estado do Rio possam se casar para que se equipare direitos dados a casais heterossexuais (pensão, previdência, auxílio moradia, financiamentos especiais...). Ao propor tal processo, Sergio Cabral sabia que caso o Supremo aprovasse seu pedido, automaticamente TODOS os brasileiros gozariam da decisão, já que decisões do Supremo são válidas para todo território nacional sem possibilidade de recurso. O pedido está em fase final de conclusão e será votado em plenário no mês de fevereiro. E, melhor de tudo, a chance de ele ser aprovado é praticamente certa.
Tudo muito bem explicadinho
O relator do processo é o ministro Carlos Ayres Britto. Ele está finalizando seu parecer, que terá 32 páginas, sobre o assunto, em suas férias. Na real, o Ministro Carlos está usando o silêncio de suas férias para cuidar especificamente deste processo, porque, claro, é favorável a ele. Seu parecer será apresentado aos outros ministros do Supremo em fevereiro próximo, assim que as férias da Corte terminar. O parecer do Ministro será FAVORÁVEL ao casamento gay. É esta informação que corre nos corredores do Supremo. Se essa informação se confirmar, no texto que o ministro redige atualmente ele expõe os motivos pelos quais acredita que o casamento gay deve ser permitido no Brasil. O texto também norteia o votos de outros ministros. É como se Carlos Ayres Britto fosse defensor do SIM, um advogado de defesa do casamento gay na mais alta corte do país.
É o voto dos outros ministros que decidirá se o casamento passará a ser permitido ou não no país _o voto do Ministro Carlos vale tanto quanto cada um dos outros votantes. Ok, mas vários dos outros dez ministros do Supremo já se posicionaram a favor da matérias em outras ocasiões, como a Minsitra Ellen Grace. Além disso, o próprio Ministro Carlos Ayres Britto, conhecido por sua discrição, deixou sub-entendido que o casamento tem grandes chances de ser aprovado no Supremo, já que em decisões recentes e isoladas, o Tribunal sinalizou ser favorável à causa. "É um caso em que não tenho prognóstico. Quem sabe teremos uma bela surpresa?”, disse Carlos dias atrás.
É práxis entre os Ministros não darem entrevistas sobre assuntos ainda não votados, como é o caso. O que Carlos diz com essa frase faz alusão a dezenas de Tribunais regionais de primeira e segunda instância espalhados pelo país que já permitiram que homossexuais se casassem. Há decisões do tipo em praticamente todos os estados do Brasil, em especial nos estados do Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo e Mato Grosso do Sul. Essas decisões todas são levadas em conta na decisão dos Ministros do Supremo.
Carlos Ayres Britto disse ainda que “se a tese _do casamento gay_ for consagrada, pega todo mundo”, isso significa que caso o STF julgue procedente o pedido do governador do Rio de Janeiro, eu, você e todos nós poderemos nos casar.
Dilma a favor
Nos bastidores do Supremo a aposta é que a maioria dos ministros siga esse entendimento. E tem mais: o Planalto da Presidenta Dilma deu um jeitinho de mostrar-se favorável ao tema: a Advocacia Geral da União, que é montada pela presidenta, encaminhou parecer ao STF defendendo a posição do governo FAVORÁVEL ao reconhecimento da união entre pessoas do mesmo sexo. O texto oficial enviado pelo Planalto do governo Dilma aos Ministros lembra que a Constituição protege a dignidade da pessoa humana, a privacidade, a intimidade, e proíbe qualquer forma de discriminação.
Isso significa que o governo Dilma é a favor do SIM do Ministro Carlos Ayres e dos demais Ministros? Sim, significa. Essa opinião é levada em conta na decisão final? Sim, claro. Quem nomeia os Ministros do Supremo é o Presidente da República, afinal.
Vale lembrar, ainda, que o Supremo Tribunal Federal não cede à pressão de nenhuma corrente pública _nem de evangélicos, nem de católicos, nem de grupos gays. As decisões da Corte são técnicas e constitucionais. Mas é claro que se o Supremo tivesse maioria conservadora o voto pelo SIM ao casamento gay estaria ameaçado. A melhor notícia é que o Supremo ganhou maioria esmagadora progressista durante o governo Lula.
Então, querido, pode ir comprando suas alianças.
Se tudo isso se confirmar, e é claro que estamos na torcida, teremos três "heróis" do casamento gay: Sergio Cabral, Dilma e Carlos Ayres Britto.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Via JMG: More Gays Raise Kids In The South
According to a study of data released by the U.S. Census, there are more gay couples raising children in the southern states than in urban states more traditionally considered to be gay hot spots.
Child rearing among same-sex couples is more common in the South than in any other region of the country, according to Gary Gates, a demographer at the University of California, Los Angeles. Gay couples in Southern states like Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are more likely to be raising children than their counterparts on the West Coast, in New York and in New England. The pattern, identified by Mr. Gates, is also notable because the families in this region defy the stereotype of a mainstream gay America that is white, affluent, urban and living in the Northeast or on the West Coast.One theory for the result is that southern blacks and Latinos may be more likely to have been in a heterosexual marriage with children prior to coming out.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Via JMG: SCOTUS Rejects DC Marriage Suit
The Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal of Bishop Harry Jackson, whose lawsuit demanded that Washington DC residents be allowed to vote on same-sex marriage. The court did not comment Tuesday in turning away a challenge from a Maryland pastor and others who are trying to get a measure on the ballot to allow Washingtonians to vote on a measure that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Bishop Harry Jackson led a lawsuit against the district's Board of Elections and Ethics after it refused to put that initiative on the ballot. The board ruled that the ballot question would in effect authorize discrimination.It's unclear what, if anything, today's news may mean regarding the Supreme Court's position on same-sex marriage in general.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Via JMG: Pope Ratzi: Same-Sex Marriage Perverts The Meaning And Goals Of Families
Emperor Palpatine yesterday issued yet another attack on same-sex marriage, saying that the effort to legalize gay unions "perverts" the meaning of the word "family." Addressing officials from the city of Rome and the Italian region of Lazio, Pope Benedict said that legislation and policies that promote same-sex unions end up “penalizing” heterosexual couples, “who, not without effort, seek to maintain stable emotional ties which are juridically guaranteed and publicly recognized.” “To this end,” he stressed, “the various components of society must agree on the objectives of education, in order for human love not to be reduced to an article of consumption, but to be seen and lived as a fundamental experience which gives existence meaning and a goal.”Ill Papa made his comments in a traditional exchange of New Year messages with the mayor of Rome.
Via JMG: Larry Kramer: AIDS Is A Plague That Was And Is Allowed To Happen
As the world approaches the 30th anniversary of the first noted cases of AIDS, famed activist Larry Kramer publishes a typically blistering editorial for CNN International in which he shouts that AIDS is a plague that was allowed to happen. And still is. An excerpt: Governments and bureaucrats and presidents and politicians and the people who run this world lie to people. They tell us HIV is under control. They tell us case numbers are decreasing. They tell us that all is being done that can be done. They tell us HIV is too complicated to eradicate. They tell us gay people and people of color have made more progress than ever before. These are all lies. [snip]Please read Kramer's full piece, especially his "ten realities about AIDS." And read the comments, where AIDS denialists and anti-gay Christians are rushing to attack.
For some 30-plus years, I have been trying to tell the world where this plague came from and why, and I will continue to do so until I die, too. You see, I simply can't get the memories and the ghosts of just about every friend I had out of my life. And since there is no doubt in my mind that this plague of HIV/AIDS that took them from me was and continues to be allowed to happen, I am duty bound to tell this hideous history as best and as fully as I can. It's the least I can do. That is correct: This plague of HIV/AIDS was intentionally allowed to happen. It still is. Nothing has changed in the intentionality department. Hate has a way of hanging around forever and too often winning out in the end.
Via JMG: Reince Priebus Elected RNC Chairman
Reince Priebus, former head of the Wisconsin GOP, has been elected as chairman of the Republican National Committee. A general foe of LGBT rights, last month Priebus promised NOM's Maggie Gallagher that he would oppose marriage equality as head of the RNC. Known for chasing pork barrel projects for Wisconsin, his last gig was as part of his legal firm's "Stimulus Legislation Team," which sought to "identify opportunities, prepare appropriate proposals and make targeted contacts to secure federal funds."Friday, January 14, 2011
Via Truthout: Poll: Obama Rebounding, Would Beat GOP Rivals, Crush Palin
Steven Thomma, McClatchy Newspapers: "President Barack Obama has bounced back from his low point after November's elections and enjoys stronger support heading into the 2012 election cycle, particularly against Sarah Palin, according to a McClatchy-Marist poll released Thursday. Obama's fortunes appear to be rising along with the country's. The poll found a jump in the number of people who think the country's heading in the right direction. Also, the president probably benefited from the productive post-election session of Congress."
Read the Article
Read the Article
Via JMG: HomoQuotable - Jane Lynch
"I don’t know when or if that will ever happen. I think because since most of the world is straight — and maybe we'll get to a place where this will happen — most of the world is straight and we want the audience to project their hopes and dreams for love and romance onto those actors. And if it’s not in some way possible, maybe never probably, in their mind that it could never happen, then they're not going to do it. You know, most people are straight, and I think that’s probably why."- Glee star Jane Lynch, telling After Elton why she thinks openly gay actors are rarely cast in leading roles.Via JMG: Press Release Of The Day
From the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, in its ruling that radio stations may no longer play Dire Straits' 1985 smash, Money For Nothing:
Like other racially driven words in the English language, “faggot” is one that, even if entirely or marginally acceptable in earlier days, is no longer so. The Panel finds that it has fallen into the category of unacceptable designations on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or physical or mental disability. In addition to the terms already so categorized by previous CBSC Panels, there are undoubtedly other racial epithets (not yet the subject of CBSC Panel decisions) that would likely fall into the category of words that are inherently problematic. In any event, the Atlantic Regional Panel concludes that the use of the word “faggot” in the song “Money for Nothing” was unacceptable for broadcast and that, by broadcasting an unedited version of the song, CHOZ-FM breached Clause 2 of the CAB Code of Ethics, and Clauses 2, 7 and 9 of the Equitable Portrayal Code. The Panel notes parenthetically that the song would not otherwise fall afoul of any of the foregoing broadcast standards if suitably edited.(Tipped by JMG reader Tone)
Via JMG: DOJ Files DOMA Defense
The Department of Justice yesterday filed its defense of the overturn of Section Three of the Defense of Marriage Act, which was ruled unconstitutional last July in Gill v. Office of Personnel Management and Massachusetts v. United States.
A quote from the government's brief comes via Chris Geidner at Metro Weekly:
DOMA is supported by rationales that constitute a sufficient rational basis for the law. For example, as explained below, it is supported by an interest in maintaining the status quo and uniformity on the federal level, and preserving room for the development of policy in the states. When DOMA was enacted, the institution of marriage had long been understood as a formal relationship between a man and a woman, and state and federal law had been built on that understanding. But our society is evolving, and as is well-established, the “science of government . . . is the science of experiment.” Over the years, the prevailing concept of marriage has been challenged as unfair to a significant element of the population. Recently there has been a growing recognition that the prevailing regime is harmful to gay and lesbian members of our society.Rather tepid, eh? Richard Socarides of the newly-formed Equality Matters responds.
"There are some improvements in tone in the brief, but the bottom line is the government continues to oppose full equality for its gay citizens. And that is unacceptable. The administration claims that it has a duty to defend the laws that are on the books. We simply do not agree. At the very least, the Justice Department can and should acknowledge that the law is unconstitutional."And from GLAD, who won the case, we get this response via press release.
The government’s appeal follows a decision issued on July 8, 2010 by federal District Court Judge Joseph L. Tauro in favor of GLAD’s plaintiffs, seven married couples and three widowers, who have been denied access to federal programs because of DOMA. In that decision, Judge Tauro concluded that DOMA is unconstitutional. “We see nothing really new in this brief, which reiterates many of the same arguments the government made in the District Court,” said Mary L. Bonauto, who is leading the DOMA team for GLAD. “We’re prepared to meet these arguments head-on, and bring to an end the discrimination that is suffered by married same-sex couples like our plaintiffs and that DOJ has admitted is caused by DOMA.”
Via JMG: Canada Celebrates 10 Years Of Marriage
Same-sex marriage became legal across Canada in July 2005. But that road to national equality began in ten years ago today in Toronto, when Joe Varnell and Kevin Bourassa were married in the Metropolitan Community Church, a ceremony that was later ruled legal when it was performed. Starting in 2003, with Ontario leading the way, province after province legalized same-sex marriage, ultimately resulting in the landmark Civil Marriage Act in 2005. Congratulations, Canada!(Tipped by JMG reader Neil)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Via JMG: GLAAD Angry About Westboro Radio Deal
The Westboro Baptist Church has agreed not to picket the funeral of the federal judge murdered in Saturday's massacre in Arizona. In return, a nationally syndicated radio show will give Westboro airtime to broadcast their repulsive message. GLAAD wants the deal called off.This week Westboro has reacted to the tragedy in Tucson with messages like "God Sent the Shooter." Giving airtime to this malicious group is like negotiating with terrorists. Except in this case, Westboro is being incentivized by being provided with an outlet to broadcast their hate to thousands of others. While countless radio stations and media outlets around the country are properly paying tribute to the fallen and taking a serious look at the tragedy in Tucson, KXXT-AM and CFNY-FM have decided to renege on their responsibility as broadcasters by rewarding one of the most anti-American groups in the country. Make your voice heard. Tell KXXT-AM and CFNY-FM that rewarding hateful behavior doesn’t work and demand that they immediately rescind their offer of airtime to the Westboro Baptist Church.Here's GLAAD's petition.
Via JMG: Captain America Fights Teen Suicide
Marvel Comics has responded to the national discussion about teen suicide by issuing a free episode of Captain America in which a boy decides not to kill himself after watching the superhero fight villains. John Draper, director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a network of crisis centers across the country, told The Associated Press that Marvel approached the organization about using its logo in the book "which we happily granted them." The 11-page story "Captain America: A Little Help" is written by psychologist Tim Ursiny and illustrated by Nick Dragotta. In it, a despondent youth is poised to jump off a building when he spies Captain America facing a bevy of villains on a nearby roof. The fracas keeps him from going over the edge, literally and figuratively. There is no dialogue, save for the end, which ends with the boy saving both the hero and, in the process, himself. "Super heroes fight a lot of battles, but there are few more important than combating suicide," said Tom Brevoort, Marvel Entertainment's senior vice president of publishing.The issue is available today on the Marvel Comics website.
(Tipped by JMG reader Michael)
Via JMG: OREGON: Four Year Prison Sentence For Brutal Attack Over "Gay Hairstyle"
Brandon Sanchez, 21, has been sentenced to four years in an Oregon prison after attacking another man for having a supposedly "gay hairstyle." Sanchez apparently targeted Mark Bryant, 20, because he showed up at an Aug. 11 party with his hair gelled into a faux hawk, or fake mohawk. Bryant was in a coma for 22 days, had part of his skull temporarily removed to relieve pressure on his brain from swelling and now -- five months after the attack -- wears a patch over his right eye because he can't see clearly out of it. In recent weeks, he's started to walk again. "I'd never wish this upon anyone," Sanchez said. "I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused in your family. ...I've been praying for you." Bryant then asked something he's always wondered about the attack: "Your honor, I have a question he never answered before: Why?" "I was stupid," Sanchez responded. "I wish I could tell you an answer."(Tipped by JMG reader John)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Via JMG: Straight Wrestler Hudson Taylor Launches Site Against Homophobia In Sports
Champion collegiate wrestler Hudson Taylor, who is straight, has launched Athlete Ally, a website where players, coaches, fans, and parents can take a pledge to end homophobia in sports. Taylor generated controversy at the University of Maryland when he competed with a Human Rights Campaign sticker on his wrestling headgear. Today he is a coach at Columbia University.Tuesday, January 11, 2011
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