Your Morning LGBT News Roundup

Warning! Lots of marriage ahead... with some other stuff sprinkled in.

• The ACLU is threatening to sue Tennessee school districts if they do not restore access to LGBT educational websites. Tennssee has a statewide blanket blocking software that individual districts can click in or out for certain topics. A recent check indicates that upwards of 80% of school districts have blocked non-sexual, gay-themed websites.
• Rudy Giuliani is against gay marriage -- although we're not quite sure if he's making waves for a 2010 run for NY Governor, or a 2012 run for President. Regardless: Giuliani is a loser who could only win an election for NY Mayor. Seriously, folks. His best gay friends, with whom he lived with for six months, thinks that the opinion is ok -- it comes from political and religious views, not personal ones. *raises hand* I have questions!
• The Maine legislators is set to hear arguments from both sides on equal marriage. A poll released yesterday indicates 43.3-49.5-3.3 pro-con-maybe split in the state. Actually, that's not bad.
• Headline-grabbing Republicans endorse gay marriage to the (what we thought was) defunct Log Cabin Republicans (LCR)! Steve Schmidt, former NJ Governor Whitman, and Meghan McCain all said gay is OK this week.
• The NY Assembly has passed the Gender Equality Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA -- clever, folks) that would extend protections to cover gender identity and expression, and expand the current hate crimes statutes the same. Considering the recent announcement by the LCR that the state Republicans would allow representatives to "vote their conscience," people are wondering whether this once defeated bill will cause problems for marriage in the Empire State. (Take them both, I say!)
• Louisiana begins the fight: couples in New Orleans are suing for the right to marry after being denied licenses at their local county clerk's office.
• And Tango Makes Three, a children's book about gay penguins that adopted a pup, remains at the top of the "Challenged" book list by the American Library Association. Really? Really?
• Nevada's Senate passed a partnership bill giving most of the rights of marriage to same-sex couples, and it is expected to pass the Assembly. However, Gov. Jim Gibbons may veto it and the 12-9 vote is not enough to overturn the veto.
• The Church of Scotland has published an opinion asking parishioners to come to terms with gay relationships, noting conservatives' "selective" use of Biblical verses.
• Miss California says that her opinion on equal marriage cost her her crown. Yadda, yadda, yadda. Apparently, God was testing her faith. God does that for people a lot when it comes to two people loving each other, doesn't he?
• In the murder trial of Angie Zapata, which is the first under Colorado's gender-inclusive hate crimes statute, alleged killed Allen Andrade heard his own voice on a voicemail saying, "It's gay. Gay things need to die." It's in reference to a cellphone, btw. Also fun is that they found a vibrator... with Andrade's DNA on it, and not Zapata's. Strange, yes?
• John A. Farrell at US News and World Reports thinks that Reagan would not have spent as much time on social issues as the Republicans who are championing his name, these days, are. Yea, too bad he spent so little time on it that he completely ignored this thing we call "AIDS."
• Another pre-teen -- 11 year old Jaheem Harrera -- has killed himself over school bullying, some of which was focused on his supposed sexual orientation. But, you're right, Day of Silence was completely unnecessary. *rolls eyes* Nobody needs to hear more about bullying in school.
• The Florida Supreme Court hears arguments for and against same-sex partner adoption today. You can hear the arguments online here.
• Despite the US government promising to change the law, HIV+ individuals are still being denied access into this country. No word yet from the Obama administration -- which is something that I'm writing a lot these days.

And now you're all caught up! Don't you feel better?

Butler County Adoption Law -- ILLEGAL

Thanks to Rusty (@thebigvb) via the CinciEnquirer Twitter (@Cincienquirer) for the heads up that the aforementioned Butler County law giving preference in adoptions to married straight couples is illegal.

From the story:

A controversial adoption policy in Butler County that gives preference to married couples violates state rules, according to a review done by the county prosecutor’s office.

Local children service agencies do not have the authority to alter the preference outlined unless the law is changed or a rule change is adopted by the director of the state agency that oversees adoption placements, according to the review.

Honestly? I don't understand the legal stuff in the story, all I know is that it's a good thing (praise be to Martha!).

The rule, btw, was suspended in March pending legal review.

Butler County Situation Goes Mainstream

And so the country is going to start focusing on the Butler County situation, now. Two news stories have appeared in the last few days -- one on 365gay.com, and the other on MSNBC -- about the situation.

I think they were hoping that it would go gently into that good night.

No hope of that.

ZOMG, I think I'm one of those crazy "homosexual activists"

Hmm... I choose hotels by whether or not they have pay-per-view, hardcore pornography.
From the CCV website in regards to the Butler County Children's Services controvery:

What’s best for the children clearly is not the concern of the ACLU and homosexual activists. They accused Fox of violating the “rights” of same-sex couples and single parents. Such lack of concern for the children is true to character for the ACLU and the activists whom they represent.

What I didn't know, but the CCV has more than willingly informed me, was that we have the support of two of the three members of the Butler County Commission who also feel the law is a tad egregious. So, thanks to Commissioner Charles Furmon:

“It’s [this policy's]not proper and, obviously, we don’t agree with it.”

And also thanks to Commissioner Greg Jolivette for their support of LGBT couples.

(Link to their action alert)
--

Also from CCV, apparently the Equal Housing and Employment Act, a law designed to protect LGBT folks in Ohio from discrimination in housing and employment, is about quotas. This is what CCV is telling people about EHEA:

· Employers will be coerced into establishing quotas for those who identify themselves as homosexual, bisexual or transgendered.
· In their hiring practices, churches will be required to prove that they do not discriminate against persons whose lifestyles are contrary to church beliefs.
· Students who believe that homosexual behaviors are contrary to Biblical teaching would be forced to remain silent or risk being criticized, ostracized and penalized.

I actually don't think those are in the law, but thanks for stretching the truth, Burress/et al.

As of right now, I think only the gay bloggers have talked about it, along with an action alert from Equality Ohio. So...

...I'm totally taking credit for being a homosexual activist this morning.

Butler County Children's Services Director Resigns!!!

Thanks to Stuff Queer People Need to Know for the heads up on this...

Michael Fox, the Director of Butler County Children's Services, who passed a rule in the agency to give preference to married straight couples (over unmarried and gay couples) in December. The Cincinnati Enquirer posted his entire letter which has absolutely nothing juicy and nothing of import to say about the issue, but it's fun to laugh in consideration:

During my tenure I did my best to improve the child welfare system in our county and I know that we were able to make many important improvements. To those of you who were so helpful and committed to the changes I worked to bring to our agency I thank you so much. To those of you who resisted the reforms I championed I can only say that all theories and philosophies must stand the test of reality and time. I believe “reality and time” will eventually clearly demonstrate the value of the ideas I have aggressively promoted.

As I leave I know with certainty that I made a positive difference for our children and families. I could not have done any of these things without the hard work of our dedicated staff. I have tremendous respect for those who work in child welfare. Your jobs are among the most difficult of any in public service.

Together, we made many positive changes that are important to children and families we serve. I hope that you will resist efforts to go back to the "old" ways of doing business. The temptation to do so will begin immediately. I encourage you to continue to move down the path we have begun to travel--- having an agency that is more open, accountable, and effective in meeting the needs of children.

I was going to do this whole thing where I made fun of him the whole time, except, if you do some research, Mr. Fox did a pretty decent job, even if he embedded discrimination into the rules of the organization (and he is the target of an FBI investigation).

It is unclear why he is resigning; I like to think that the growing media issue over the rule had a part of it. But we can never be sure.

Anyways, so I think the path is clear now: we need to put some pressure on the Butler County Commissioners to appoint someone who will repeal the awful, awful rule and bring greater equality, yes? Let's get something moving on this, yes?

Kentucky Anti-Gay Senate Bill is DEAD

YEA!!!! From 365gay.com:

Legislation that would bar unmarried couples in Kentucky from adopting or fostering children was declared officially dead Wednesday after the state Senate’s GOP leadership declined to schedule a vote.

The measure passed a key committee last week and was sent for a vote on the floor of the Senate. But with the current session set to end on Friday, the bill was not placed on the agenda.

Even if the bill won Senate approval, it would have to be sent to the House and passed there before the end of the week.

The sponsor of the legislation, Sen. Gary Tapp (R) said he hopes to bring back the measure in the next session. But even then its future is uncertain.

The measure said that anyone “cohabitating with a sexual partner outside of marriage” cannot be considered as a foster or adoptive parent.

Although the bill would affect all unmarried couples living together it was seen as specifically targeting same-sex couples.

I wonder what did it?

More on Butler County

Can I just make a confession? I'm usually very critical of Equality Ohio and the ilk, but, after my meeting with her, I have to say that I have a mini-lesbian crush on Lynne Bowman. Seriously. 

And so, as my very own moment of standing outside her window with a radio over my head (not in the creepy sort of way, but in the cool 80s romantic comedy way), let me repost her action alert regarding the Butler County Children's Services awfulness going on:

Did you know?

A ballot measure in Arkansas restricting adoption or foster parenting to opposite-sex married couples passed last November.

A bill restricting adoption or foster parenting to opposite-sex married couples recently passed in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

A bill restricting adoption or foster parenting to opposite-sex married couples recently passed in the Kentucky Senate.

Last week, media outlets in Southwest Ohio announced that Butler County Children Services has adopted an official policy which gives preference to "traditional couples" over single people or same-sex couples in the county's foster care and adoption cases.

This is the informal policy in a number of other Ohio counties, but Butler County is the first to make their policy public.

Could other counties follow Butler County's lead? Is it a coincidence that Butler County is the home of Ohio's leading anti-equality organization (Citizens for Community Values)?

Could Ohio be the next state targeted for an adoption and foster parenting ban?

In Ohio it is unlikely such a legislative ban would succeed. However, as we learned in 2004, fighting a ballot initiative would be costly. And regardless of how far we like to think Ohio has come in 5 years, winning on this issue would be a challenge.

You might be asking:

What Can I Do? How Can I Speak Out?

Share your story, whether you are lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual or transgender, about either being an adoptive or foster parent or being the child of adoption or foster parenting. Ohioans need to know that creating unnecessary barriers to placing children is not in the best interest of Ohio's children. Click here to share your story;

Send a letter to the editor to the Cincinnati Enquirer speaking factually about the damage restricting the pool of qualified potential parents does to Ohio's children.

Use their online form to send a letter to the editor of The Cincinnati Enquirer.
Or mail to:
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Letters to the Editor
312 Elm Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Please include your name, address (including community) and day phone;

Send a letter to the Butler County Commissioners, the governing body for Butler County Children Services, speaking factually about the damage restricting the pool of qualified potential parents does to Ohio's children and ask them to reverse their position;

Butler County Commissioners (Donald L. Dixon, Gregory V. Jolivette, Charles R. "Chuck" Furmon)
315 High St., 6th Floor
Hamilton, OH 45011;

Send this email to at least 10 people that you know and ask them to do the same;

Invest in equality in Ohio. These are tough times economically, and every dollar helps;

We are moving forward on pro-equality legislation and need you to make it happen.
Register today for Lobby Day scheduled on May 13, 2009;

Contact us if you want to help us sign up people to support our mission;

Visit your legislator and be sure that as a constituent you are represented.
Anti-equality measures will only end when we can demonstrate that our pro-equality values and vision are shared by the people of Ohio. We are not there yet. There are many hearts and minds to be reached - Reached and changed. Changed by our reality, our humanity, and our truth.

Sincerely,

Lynne Bowman

Additional information about Butler County:

Policies such as the one adopted in Butler County do nothing but create additional barriers to finding loving, safe homes for the children who need them. Leading experts in the field of child welfare including the Child Welfare League of America and the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute agree that the placement of children in foster or adoptive homes should always be made with the child's best interest in mind.

Children's Services Director Michael Fox has said that the Butler County policy's purpose is not to discriminate but to give children the best chance at succeeding. National experts in the field of child welfare overwhelmingly agree that there are no data to support the idea that a parent's sexual orientation has any bearing on the future success of a child.

The reality in Ohio is that many children are currently being raised by same-sex parents. Butler County Children Services is the first children services agency in Ohio to publicly share their policy. If we don't speak up now, other counties will inevitably do the same and this is not in the best interest of Ohio's children. Our pro-equality voices need to be heard.

Just last year, Butler County Children's Services reported that of the more than 350 Butler County children living in foster homes or a similar settings, 70% were placed outside the county. At the time, an active campaign to increase the number of foster parents was undertaken. Now, rather than worry about the best interest of the children they are sworn to care for, Butler County Children's Services is further limiting the pool of foster and adoptive parents by creating an unnecessary policy that wastes precious time and resources.

Ohio's children deserve better than this.

What is to be done, folks? Where do we go from here? And I'm totally taking credit for helping get the word out on this one -- with a huge nod to Jay. Not for any particular reason, but just because I can. :-)

Catholics Hate Gay Connecticut

The Catholics have lost their freaking minds, out of Connecticut:

The Connecticut Catholic Conference is asking lawmakers to expand the category of those who don't have to comply with the state's new same-sex marriage law if their religion holds that such unions are wrong.

People such as florists, wedding photographers and justices of the peace.

"Same-sex couples have their liberties protected fully. Religious people are wondering, 'How is this going to affect me?'" said David Reynolds, lobbyist for the Catholic Church.

Reynolds raised his concerns Friday as the legislature's judiciary committee considered a bill to ensure that existing statutes comport with the landmark state Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.

"A situation has been created ... where state policy seriously conflicts with the religious beliefs of a large number of the citizens of the state," Reynolds said. He cited examples in other states where businesspeople have faced legal action because they declined, on religious grounds, to provide goods or services to same-sex couples.

Don't the Catholics have some souls to save? Some counseling to do? Some sermons to preach? Something else to do besides encourage discrimination against LGBT people in the state?

I mean really. It's been a weird week for gay people.

Don't forget the shady shit done by the Kentucky Senate in advancing the anti-gay adoption bill. Apparently, when you're losing, just play dirty politics and everything will be OK.

Butler County Prefers Straight Couples

Unbelievable. Thanks to Jay.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer:

Butler County Children Services has quietly adopted a controversial policy to give “traditional” married couples preference over single parents and same-sex couples looking to adopt children through the foster care system.

The new rule, which took effect in December, would not exclude these groups from adopting, but it clearly states that when all other things are equal, married couples would be given the advantage.

Children Services Director Mike Fox says he knows the policy touches on a thorny issue that many people don’t like to talk about. But in reality, he says, his agency is putting in writing one of many characteristics workers consider when placing children.

“When you strip away all the political correctness, just ask the simple question: If you had a choice for children to grow up in single families or a non-traditional family, what would you choose?” Fox asked. “The data overwhelmingly says that kids who grow up in traditional families have a better chance of success in life.”

The policy is not absolute. “The trump card in all decisions is the best interest of the child,” he said.

So for example, if a baby girl has been placed in a home with a same-sex couple for two years and is doing well, the agency won’t remove the infant because a traditional family wants to adopt her.

Even so, the policy, which appears to be the first of its kind in the state, is raising questions about its legality and whether it discriminates against certain groups.

Sue Gregory was one of several parents shocked Wednesday to learn about a policy they called both “unfair” and “discriminatory.”

Even though she’s a stay-at-home mom and wouldn’t be affected by the change, she said she’s still disturbed by it.

“I love staying at home with my kids, but that doesn’t say the foster mom who is single and has to work is any less of a parent,” said Gregory, past president of a local support group for foster parents.

“This seems wrong on so many levels that I can’t wrap my head around it. I don’t understand it. Whether they are gay, lesbian or single, these people are still awesome parents to their children, and it’s wrong.”

We've been talking about everyone else's fight... seems like there's one here.

Kentucky Rally Pictures Posted!

Thanks to QueerLouisville for the heads up on their picture from the rally this week in Frankfort against the hideous adoption ban! Looks like a fabulous turnout!

Check 'em out, and join the GLBTQQA in Louisville Facebook Group!

Kentucky Protest

Word on the street is that it went well. Congratulations, Kentucky Fairness -- today, you are filled with awesomeness. I'm sure QueerLouisville will give us the rundown soon enough :-). Please? Who went? I wanna hear!

For more information about the proposed anti-gay adoption law in the state house, here's a brief bit from WKYT.

Oh, and Hawaii's civil union bill is stalled in committee -- grrrrr....

Out of Michigan (& Sean Penn)

An interesting story is developing in Michigan...

A Michigan Court of Appeals decision will allow a Berrien County lesbian couple to take their custody battle to court. Union Pier's Diane Giancaspro sued Union Pier's Lisa Congleton for custody of their three children in 2007, but Berrien County Circuit Judge Mabel Mayfield ruled for Congleton saying the state's 2004 gay marriage ban kept her from enforcing the women's parental rights. Friday the state Court of Appeals reversed that decision. Staff Attorney for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Project of the ACLU of Michigan Jay Kaplan says the decision should have been a no-brainer.

Interesting legal bits here and there, isn't it? The crux, of course, being hate. And stupidity. And DOMA's. 

I think Sean Penn had something to say about that the other night:

I think of anyone at that ceremony, I would have thought he would be wearing a WhiteKnot. But seriously. It's a pretty good speech. Or, at least, a good comment or two. I can't find Felicity Huffman's from her win for TransAmerica, but that one is equally fabulous and should be heralded.

And he sort of thanked me. Well, not really. But I still am holding out that the "Barry" was me :-).

Call to Action in Kentucky!

From, of all place, the HRC:

On February 5, a terrible bill was filed in the State Senate that would prohibit adoption or foster parenting by any individual "cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of a marriage that is legally valid in Kentucky." This mean-spirited bill (SB 68) is aimed directly at the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and must be stopped.

This bill works against the best interest of children who deserve loving homes. The state of Kentucky should not deny qualified applicants when there are over 7,000 children in need of permanent homes.

We talked about this last night -- the whole gay adoption thing and the sinfully ugly man known as State Senator Gary Tapp. The Fairness Alliance is organizing a rally and lobby day on the 25th:

****Fairness Rally and Lobby Day in Frankfort***

Wednesday, February 25

8:30 a.m: Meeting and Lobby Training in Capitol Annex 111

9 a.m.- noon: Meet with your legislators

12:30 - 1:30 p.m: Fairness Rally

Capitol Building
700 Capitol Ave.
Frankfort, KY 40601

We cannot let unequal protections for our families perpetuate any further, especially when this inequality hits so close to home.

For more information, please contact fairness@fairness.org.

(Thanks to IMPACT Cincinnati for the information.)

Kentucky Trying to Ban Gay Adoption

I am so over the anti-gay adoption thing. Outside of Florida, has this worked anywhere? (Right, well, Arkansas... but I'm still blaming Huckabee on that.) Even the Florida thing is going away, I think, shortly.

From Pink News:

A state Senator in Kentucky has introduced a bill that will ban unmarried couples from adoption.

Human rights group The Fairness Campaign called Senator Gary Tapp’s bill "deceptively-worded."

"It is identical to a measure recently passed in Arkansas that prohibits adoption or foster care by an applicant 'cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of a marriage that is legally valid in Kentucky'," the group said.

"The language of the bill renders not just same-gender couples unfit to parent, but countless heterosexual couples that could serve as "next of kin" placement for children in need.

"The state would be forced to provide millions in additional foster care, an irresponsible burden to add to the Commonwealth's economic crisis."

And, yes, kids, that is a picture of State Senator Gary Tapp above. Sad, isn't it?

Jeez. Let's just kill this one soon. Go to the Fairness Campaign to find out how.

Trans-Tennessee

Looks like Tennessee might be moving very slowly into the 21st century -- YEA. This week, two separate bills were introduced in the state legislature to increase protections based on gender identity and expression:

• HB0335 -- Introduced by Rep. Richardson (and the similar bill, SB 0253 introduced by Sen. Marrero) which adds gender identity and expression to hate crimes statutes. 
• HB0334 -- Also introduced by Rep. Richardson (and the similar bill SB 0252 introduced by Sen. Marrero) which allows people to change the gender on their birth certificates if sworn to in affidavit by a medical doctor.

Is there a chance in hell these are going to pass? The local paper -- Out & About (really, can we come up with more creative names for gay papers, folks?) -- doesn't really have more information on likelihood of passage. I'm going to guess the possibility is low. 

In similar news, SB0078 in Tennessee seeks to disallow adoption by unmarried cohabitating individuals.  This, also, seems unlikely to pass.

And so we are in Tennessee much as we are in the rest of the world...

...at a statlemate.

FLORIDA GAY ADOPTION BAN OVERTURNED!

From the AP:

Florida's strict law banning adoption of children by gay people was found unconstitutional Tuesday by a state judge who declared there was no legal or scientific reason for sexual orientation alone to prohibit anyone from adopting.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman said the 31-year-old law violates equal protection rights for the children and their prospective gay parents, rejecting the state's arguments that there is "a supposed dark cloud hovering over homes of homosexuals and their children." She also noted that gay people are allowed to be foster parents in Florida.

Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union, who represent gay foster parent Martin Gill, said the case was the first in the nation in which numerous experts in child psychology, social work and other fields testified that there is no science to justify a gay adoption ban.

"There is no 'morality' interest with regard to one group of individuals permitted to form the visage of a family in one context but prohibited in another," Lederman wrote in a 53-page decision. "There is no rational basis to prohibit gay parents from adopting."

This is, of course, step one. However, this is a great step in the right direction. But no comes the national response, and the money pouring in, and the lobbying, and the pundits, etc. etc. etc.

But let's be happy for right now.

LAW: Florida law on its way out

Finally.

The law is up to be challenged again in Florida that bans gay people from adopting.

Let's hope they carry through this time.

From the Miami Herald article:

At the heart of the Monroe case is a 13-year-old boy with learning disabilities and special needs who has lived in his Key West foster father's two-story home since the Department of Children & Families placed him there in 2001. The boy is identified as John Doe. The father, 52, is not identified.

Audlin appointed the foster father as guardian for the boy in 2006. At a recent hearing, the boy testified he wanted the man to be his ''forever father'' -- like all the other kids had -- ''because I love him,'' the order says.

A home study by a social worker ''highly'' recommended the guardian and his partner be allowed to adopt the boy, saying the two men provided a ''loving and nurturing home,'' provided ''fair and consistent'' discipline and are financially secure, the order
says.

Miami attorney Alan Mishael, who represents John Doe's guardian, declined to discuss the ruling, since Audlin has not yet published it formally. He said the ruling is less about public policy than the welfare of a former foster child who wants a father of his own.

''This is a case about a young man who already had a permanent guardian but wanted to have a father,'' Mishael said. ``That's what the case is about. That's all it's about.''

Bout damn time. Fuck you Bushes for letting this carrying on (and fuck you Crist for not doing anything about it either).

I will never forgive a Bush for this. I will never forgive a Bush for the Federal Marriage Amendment. I will never forgive McCain for picking Sarah "pray the gay out" Palin.

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, fuck you.

Am I getting through? Am I being clear?

GAY STUFF: Queer Blog Review

Going through the blogs, here's what's being chatted about...

THIS ONE IS UPCOMING AND IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW, much thanks to the Service Member's Legal Defense Network for putting it out there: On July 23, the House Armed Services Committee will hold the first hearing on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" since 1993. (GayNewsBlog)

Elizabeth Dole makes a sick attempt at renaming a bill regarding HIV/AIDS relief to third world countries after Jesse Helms (Joe.My.God., Bilerico, Towlerod, Trevor Hoppe), who may or may not have once done drag once in front of a video camera -- where's the freaking video??? (Queerty, Pam's House Blend -- both have video of the call into the Michelangelo Signorile show!) This is, of course, after Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) tried to roadblock the vote. (GayPolitics.com)

HIV Travel Ban is repealed -- YEA!!!! Now, HIV Positive folks may travel into the country. (Joe.My.God., Towlerod)

Kent Snyder, Ron Paul's openly gay campaign manager, dies and leaves a $400,000 medical bill due to lack of insurance coverage. Thanks, Ron Paul, the least you could have done was care for the people who work for you. To help raise money for the family to relieve them of the debt, please visit their website. (Joe.My.God., Bilerico, GayNewsBlog)

Casper van Dien is naked in Starship Troopers 3 -- like Queerty, I didn't realize there were sequels -- but the pictures are nice and NSFW. (Queerty)



This one has been circulating for a while: the state of South Carolina is really, really, really pissed after a print advertisement purporting that "South Carolina is so gay" to increase the LGBT tourism there was approved. The image is below and from the link. (Queerty, LGBTTravelNews, Trevor Hoppe)




The CA Supreme Court ruled that Prop 8 -- the anti-gay marriage initiative, AGAIN -- will remain on the ballot in November, again asking the voters to decide pro- or anti-gay marriage. Let's hope it's worded right and it's a simple yes or no, as opposed to the convoluted bullshit we had to go through a few years ago. (Bilerico, Towlerod, Pam's House Blend)

The 2010 census will not count gay married couples, even if they are legal in the home state due to the 1996 (?) Federal Defense of Marriage Act (GayPolitics.com, Trevor Hoppe). Assholes. This is one of those things that you look back and go, "Wait, I thought the Clinton's liked the gays?"

Adamantly anti-gay Alabama Attorney General (hell, yea, assonance) was kicked out of his house after his wife found him in bed with a male staffer. Poor man, looks like he won't be running for governor, nor is he welcome on John McCain's leadership committee anymore. Funny what happens when you're a hypocritical dick. (GayNewsBlog) Meanwhile, Catholic school principles are getting caught in gay threesomes in empty buildings. Geez, people, find a better place to fuck around! (GayNewsBlog, FoxNews, MediaWizz)

John McCain sticks his foot in his mouth about gay adoption and then tries to pull it out. Is he for it or against it? I guess we'll never know! But, with Charlie Crist (GAYGAYGAY) a possible VEEP candidate, and the state of Florida explicitly banning gay people from adopting, I doubt he'll come and say "Gay people can be good parents, too." (Family Equality Blog, GayNewsBlog and GayNewsBlog)

Massachusetts Senate approved a bill to repeal the 1913 law that says that you cannot be married in the state if your marriage is not legal in your home state. The bill was originally created after MASS was the first state to allow miscegenation -- interracial marriage -- but now is being used to block gay couples from marrying there. (GayNewsBlog, Huffington Post, Trevor Hoppe, Pam's House Blend)

WHEW!!! It's been a really gay week!!!!

GAY STUFF: Fight for son

Joe Hogue, a divorced gay father in California, is fighting for his son.

Here.

I thought it was a little suspect -- after all, check out the amount of money he's raising from celebrity EBay donations (cheapie donation, btw, Michael Jackson, Tom Petty, Rosie O'Donnell, et al... can't you just cut a check, seriously?), why would he need to raise that hard in California ... the judicial system there is friendly.

But then, his son lives in Florida.

Remember, Shrub's brother is governor reigns there. And it's still illegal for homo's to adopt. We lost that fight a few years ago. . . even with Rosie coming out.

So, this is more than about his son.. this is about the law.

It's about us.

At least spread the word.