HOAX The Gay Thing: President Obama Calls for June 26 to be "National Equality Day"

THIS STORY HAS BEEN REPORTED AS A HOAX.  So, good one, pranksters. I guess. It wasn't particularly funny, but you got me as well as several legit news outfits, so score one for you.  

June 26th was a day of great importance, and has featured three major civil rights victories at the Supreme Court for gay rights. Though I'm doubtful that the current Congress will vote for a national holiday, it would be nice to get Representatives and Senators on record. And it would also be interesting to see if a future Republican president would have the temerity to revoke Obama's Executive Order.

Of course, even with gay rights at the root of Equality Day, the notion of civil rights equality wouldn't be confined to that specific issue alone. This is a tremendous idea.

Image from source, USAToday

[Excerpt]

President Obama to Declare 6/26/16 National Equality Day

President Obama called the Supreme Court decision requiring states to recognize same-sex marriage “a victory for America.” Now the Commander in Chief is set to honor those who fought for marriage equality by issuing an executive order declaring 6/26/16 National Equality Day. . .

Read more at: USA Today

Gay Boy Scouts Now Allowed to be Honest (and Stay in Scouts)

All right gays! Time to get cracking, and fix up that
uniform! Image from source, USAToday.

This story is good news for any Boy Scout who is a) gay and b) unable or unwilling to hide that fact. It is of less help to devoted scouts who happen to be gay, and were hoping to move from membership to leadership. Gay scout leaders are still verboten. Or rather, they can't be open, which means they have to lie, which pretty much wrecks the scout oath.

The funny part is, there have always been and will always be both gay scouts and leaders. I was a Cub Scout and a Webelo and though I may not quite have put a name to it, I was most certainly a gay kid. I first started trying to "cover" for that when I was maybe 4 or 5, though I identified it as "don't let them know you're a sissy." A lot of us seem to have that inborn. It might be why I was in scouts in the first place, to toughen up.  Anyway, there was never any hanky panky, none involving me anyway. But we did have a raging alcoholic den leader who had to let his wife take over, so there's that.

[Excerpt]

Boy Scouts vote to allow gay members

The Boy Scouts of America voted Thursday to allow gay youth to participate in scouting. The historic vote, with 61% in favor, signals another shift in American public opinion about homosexuality but still leaves the organization with many future hurdles.. .

Read more at: USAToday

New Mexico Governor Vetos Military Bill, Passes One Minus "The Gay"

She's just a joy. Image from Salon.

Have you heard? Social issues as a wedge issue are passé. Yep, the Republicans have decided they're not going to be the "stupid party" any more, and dial it way back on all that stuff. Except they're not. At least at the state level, they've got the far-right social stuff cranked up to eleven baby! Have you paid attention to the news the last few weeks (let alone the past two years)? You've got North Carolina wanting to institute their own state religion. There was Virginia trying to reinstate sodomy laws. In Kansas, they're shoving through blatantly unconstitutional anti-abortion laws, including "personhood" for fertilized eggs. And assorted and sundry similar bills all over the country.

Somehow, the GOP has the beltway press looking at the shiny "we've changed" national image, while the dirty work--often the flat-out mean-spirited work--is happening in the states. The most recent one is out of New Mexico, and it just defies even my low expectations for Republican legislation.

Governor Susana Martinez vetoed a bill that would help all military families with employment. Then, she passed an identical bill, except that it doesn't include spouses of gay servicepeople. Ain't that nice? In 2013. So, next time you hear someone say that gay people get all the rights and benefits that straight people do, remember this story. Next time you hear that the GOP has changed its stripes, think of this story. And chalk up one more stupid example of outright meanness from the Grand Old Party.

One more thing. My Republican mother--who is very distressed by my liberalness--assures me that Republicans aren't really anti-gay, by and large. It's a tiny but loud minority, and they're dying off she says. I'm not seeing it.

[Excerpt]

New Mexico governor vetoes bill to help families of gay soldiers

Republican governor and gay marriage opponent Susana Martinez has vetoed a Senate bill to help the families of gay service members obtain professional licenses in New Mexico. After issuing the pocket veto, Martinez signed an identical version of the measure that would only streamline the process for straight spouses. . .

Read more at: Salon

Homophobes RELAX! Gay Charachters on TV Down This Year

Gay folk. Image from AOLTV.

It seems like you can't get into an online discussion about "the gay", without somebody making the argument that the "lamestream media" is pushing the "homosexual agenda" down our throats!  Well, I'm here to say to the homophobic bigots to just freakin' relax already. Even though the real percentage of the public that is gay is surely higher than the 1-2% the FReepers like to cite, we aren't being represented in prime time television in anywhere near our real numbers. So, please, STFU.

[Excerpt]

Number of Gay Characters on TV Declines


ABC's percentage is down to 3.4 percent of characters being LGBT compared to 2010's 7.2 percent.

NBC continues to decline. Only 3 out of their 154 characters are LGBT.

The CW features one LGBT series regular characters out of 67.

CBS also only has one LGBT character out 134 total series regulars

Read more at: AOLTV

Welcome to FAAAAABULOOOUUSSSSSS Las Vegas

 Las Vegas finally decided to capitalize (read: cash in) on the "Fabulous" portion of their welcome sign.

It would appear the cash strapped, & oddly conservative, Las Vegas has decided that "Teh Gay" ain't so bad. At least "Teh Gay" money that is.
Finally, it looks like the number crunchers are going to the top with the facts.
"Them crazy homos is out there & they've got money to spend."

And in all honesty with $5-6 billion dollars of disposable income floating around the LGBT community, they would be stupid not to capitalize on it.

Hotels, like the MGM, are now offering 'Gay Getaways'. Not like those in the '40s that the Germans ran... But more like the ones that Ricardo Montalban might run. Friendly, fantastic, a guaranteed lei followed by the chance that there would be more than one 'straight' dude (or dudette) that would leave there in love. 

I could just see Tattoo yelling to Mr. Roarke... "De gays... de gays!!!"... 

Caesars could have a "Go Greek Week"... 

Excalibur... I guess speaks for itself... I digress.

The great thing about this type of courting by the hotels is that it sort of makes the general public get used to the idea of openly LGBT monkeys interacting amongst them. People from all walks of life essentially have to 'deal with it'. I think with that, the idea of gays actually existing in the same paradoxical world becomes more acceptable to the public at large. Almost like the subliminal messages pasted into the reel to reel movies of old.

Especially in Vegas which caters to the ADD, AADD, AA, GA, depressed, drunk & heavily medicated society at large. Really there is no better way to influence someone than when they are vulnerable & loose.

Imagine you get John & Marsha walking down 'The Strip' saying, "Wow, Did you see those two dudes were kissing?!?!?..."

Followed by John exclaiming... "There was naked chicks in that glass truck!!!" (banned for now...)

Marsha then notices 100 illegal aliens handing out call girl flyers, followed by a dog act, magic act, some guy stuffed into a small glass box & a lemonade stand.

But maybe with all of that it opens the doors to more of a "Meh" attitude towards gays... Seriously, we're all just "Meh" monkeys after all... No one more special than the other... Some of us are just better dressers.

Maybe it is just wishful thinking, but I think it would be just Faaabuuuulooouusssssss!!!


See more below... Here is a link to video below if your system or browser does not display.

Video from Channel 8 News Las Vegas - www.8newsnow.com

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Ends in 60 Days

You can put your arms down now, dude! (He must be tired)
Image from SFGate

Why 60 days? I dunno, there are things about politics that are just stupid. Whether or not gays and lesbians can be in the military is a rather binary option: yes or no. There are no necessary changes to make, no special accommodations needed. Gay people co-exist in every other societal realm with no special needs, no particular differences (even showers, if you've ever been to camp or belonged to a gym. . .go ahead and freak out). So the 60 days is dumb. But the even dumber "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy is over after that. It's about time.


[Excerpt]

Pentagon certifies military readiness for DADT repeal

President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen certified Friday that the U.S. military is prepared to accept openly gay and lesbian service members, and that doing so will not harm military readiness, according to the White House. ..

Source: CNN

Colbert Report: Legalized Gay Marriage and Dolphin Love!

Yes, I know, I just posted a Daily Show with Jon Stewart's marriage equality in New York piece, but this one is too good to pass up. And guess what? I'm still a little feverish, and I've got some Michele Bachmann guano to spread around in a few minutes too! So the "broadening the subject matter" goal line I set for myself might have to be moved to tomorrow. We'll see!

The Colbert Report
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Daily Show: Happy Gays!

The Daily Show - Happy Gays
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Breaking News: New York State Legalizes Same-sex Marriage

Coincidentally, Gay Pride is in New York for the weekend. Party!
And that guy looks disturbingly like my brother. Photo from HuffPo

We now have a sixth state (in addition to Washington DC) that has passed marriage equality for same-sex couples. And for that, I and many other people in the country are very, very excited. I'll be happier when the Prop 8 case is finally finished, and other same-sex couples can join The Other Half and myself as legally wed in California. And I'll be even happier if we overturn DOMA, and my hedonistic state of Nevada has to drop its very ironic "protection of marriage" constitutional amendment. For once it seems more likely.

But then, how long until one of those misnamed "Family" organizations tries for repeal, or a New York constitutional amendment?

[Excerpt]

NY Senate passes gay-marriage bill

New York state senators Friday night voted 33-29 to legalize gay marriage, a breakthrough victory for the gay-rights movement in the state where it got its start.


The vote came after a veteran Republican senator earlier told The Associated Press he would vote yes, apparently giving the measure the support it needs to become law. . .

Read more at: MSNBC

Keith Olbermann's Special Comment on Same Sex Marriage

I'll try to take a breather on the Countdown with Keith Olbermann posts for a little while after this one (give me a break, he was off the air for five months!). But this one was too good to pass up. By the way, "same-sex marriage" or "gay marriage," aren't probably the best terms for what is essentially just marriage. And while I personally dislike the phrases, I continue to use them because those are the most common phrases people would search for when Googling the subject. But FYI, "marriage equality" is probably the phrase that fits best. Take it away, Keith. . . (please click the link at the bottom of this post)

Ron Reagan Jr. & John Aravosis on Hardball: Obama and Gay Marriage

All day Thursday, there has been buzz that the New York State Senate may pass (or fail to pass) legalized same-sex marriage. At almost the same time, President Obama held a fundraiser with GLBT folks. Awkward! Why? Because for good or ill, Obama and his administration--while openly supportive of gay rights--has been dancing up to the line in regards to marriage equality. Apparently they just can't go all the way to "yes, I support same sex marriage." He has to fall all over himself, (rightfully) touting the things that have been accomplished toward gay rights during his term, and reaffirm his belief that gays and lesbians should have equal rights. As far as full equality regarding marriage (which conveys rights), they're hedging: Obama is "evolving" on that issue.

Many people, myself included, think that Obama actually does support marriage equality, he just can't say so unless he gets reelected. And I kind of get that. Except that I'm irritated that we acknowledge and accept that our political leaders--all of them--lie to us as a matter of course, for political expediency. Yes, politicians have always had the reputation for lying, but here is lying that we wink-wink, nudge-nudge, tolerate.  Anyway, commenting on all of this is Ron Reagan, Jr. (a personal favorite) filling in for Chris Matthews on Hardball, and my "blogfather" John Aravosis, my main inspiration for starting this blog.

Captain Obvious: Marriage Rights Can't Be Gained With Lawyers

One of the chief arguments against same-sex or "gay marriage" is that all of the rights obtained through marriage can also be obtained through contracts. Supposedly, all that is conferred by the government can also be granted by hiring an attorney, and drawing up  a series of expensive documents (for things that are basically instantaneous and free to opposite-sex marrieds).

I'm here to tell you first hand, that isn't true. I'll give you the most prominent and obvious example. I'm lucky enough to have a (legal in five states) husband whose employer offers domestic partner benefits. That means I get health insurance through his benefits. But to the federal government, those benefits count as income. We pay income tax on the benefits. But if I were an opposite sex spouse, there would be zero taxes on the benefit. Simply put, if The Other Half had "married" a female friend--just for benefits, and nothing more--she'd be legally receiving health care gratis, with no responsibility to the federal government. But me, after 13 years with him, after 12 years of co-habitation, after three years of marriage. . .I don't qualify. So we pay hundreds of dollars in taxes.

So don't tell me that everything can be evened out with lawyers. And since when do conservatives like lawyers?

Captain Obvious: Gay Marriage Does Not Threaten "Traditional" Marriage

It should go without saying, but it does not, thus the need for Captain Obvious. Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, also known as. . .marriage. . .in no way threatens "traditional" opposite-sex marriage. It does not weaken or change them. It does not rebrand or alter the name of them. It does not outlaw or banish them. Marriage equality doesn't change or influence 1 man + 1 woman marriage in any way.

"Protecting" marriage is code. It is a euphemism worthy of Frank Luntz, and was invented to win state referendums and other anti-gay measures. They usually throw in "what about the children" too, for good measure. But same-sex marriage does not hurt children. In fact, it may help children who have same-sex parents feel like they fit in. It may help kids who don't have same-sex parents get an easier handle on what "gay" is, without parents having to get into icky sex stuff. "Protecting marriage" only makes literal sense if you are worried about dictionary definitions, which is an odd cause to take up. And the dictionary definition has already been corrupted, with terms like "corporate marriage" and "marriage of convenience." So, if they are trying to protect the word, I hate to tell them, but that ship has sailed.

Still, there is a vocal--and thankfully shrinking--segment of society hell bent on preventing marriage equality (and even "separate but equal" civil unions measures, but that's a whole other disingenuous part of this). They're probably very insecure people--and it isn't unlikely that some of them are secretly gay themselves--who need some sort of therapy. But the root of their obsession isn't important. They must be mocked, and beaten (by which I mean defeated, but take that as you will).  Here is their latest battleground: Rhode Island.



Found at: Joe.My.God.

Support for Gay Marriage Rises Past 50%

Wow, neat. And while I'm growing to dislike the term "gay marriage" and even "same-sex marriage"--it's just marriage, the truth is, more people can find the post this way. Truthfully, if the marriage equality movement is successful, categories of marriage will disappear, and just marriage it will be. I mean, do you still talk about interracial marriage? Didn't think so.

[Excerpt]

A Big Frackin' Deal: For The First Time, More Americans Support Marriage Equality Than Oppose It.



Last week, the General Social Survey (GSS) released data for 2010. According to Sociologist Darren Sherkat of Southern Illinois University, who's taken a close look at the dataset, for the first time, more Americans support than oppose same-sex marriage. . .
 
Read more at: Pam's House Blend

Monkeys of Color Terrify GOP Presidential Primates...

Yet again the Republicans prove they just don't get the "colored folks". One lone GOP primate showed up to the NAACP sponsored debate. He must have felt like a white guy about to tell a bad racist joke at the Apollo Theatre.
I can't help but imagine this type of GOP thinking must go something like... "You're not slaves anymore... we freed ya... We share the bus... It's illegal to hang ya from a tree or jam a plunger up your sphincter... The railroads are all built... And sometimes we even let you out of your 'cage' to vote... Ain't that enough? Sheesh! These guys act like they got hit by Hurricane Sambo or something."
Lonely GOP Monkey
NAACP's Bond blasts GOP leaders on equality