Draft Congressional Ethics Rules Would Recognize Gay Marriages

By GottaLaff

Imagine that, treating people like people:

The House ethics committee has drafted rules that for the first time would define gay married couples as “spouses” for the purposes of filling out their annual Congressional financial disclosure forms.

Activists on both sides of the gay marriage issue said the reporting requirements, if adopted, would mark the first time Congress has recognized a gay partner as a spouse. Opponents of gay rights said the draft appears to contradict the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which mandates that for any federal regulations, “the word ‘spouse’ refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or wife.”

What a coincidence. The Defense of Marriage Act appears to contradict-- What's that term again? Oh yeah-- equal rights.

ClusterHuck: Huckabee compares same-sex marriage to incest, polygamy, drug use

By GottaLaff

ClusterHuck:

In discussing same-sex marriage, the Perspective reported, Huckabee said, "You don't go ahead and accommodate every behavioral pattern that is against the ideal. That would be like saying, well, there are a lot of people who like to use drugs, so let's go ahead and accommodate those who want who use drugs. There are some people who believe in incest, so we should accommodate them. There are people who believe in polygamy, so we should accommodate them."

There are some people who believe in bigotry, so should we accommodate them? No. Including Mike Huckabee.

Can we talk about ClusterHuck's record for a minute?

This is the same ordained Southern Baptist minister who joked about torturing the underpants bomber.

And who commuted the suspected Washington shooter's sentence years ago.

This from the fine soul who said, under President Obama's health care reform bill, Ted Kennedy would be told to "go home to take pain pills and die."

And endorses Rubio.

And called Judge Sonia Sotomayor "Maria".

This is who Mike Huckabee is. So when he makes despicable statements like the ones above, put it into context.

When you step back and look at the entire picture of what this small-minded stain of a man represents, I don't think this is anyone we would want to accommodate in any way whatsoever.

VIDEO- Little boy: "...Very 1st time I saw a husband & husband! That means you love each other!"

By GottaLaff

This is absolutely fantastic:



This little boy gets it. Why are there so many others who don't?

This is all that really matters. Husband + husband = Love.

H/t: MissShuganah

Peeping Tom Cops Out Gay Servicewoman

Power hungry brown shirts. This whole thing stinks of them being pissed because she didn't acquiesce to their demands. I hope they lose everything. Petty bastards.

Jene Newsome played by the rules as an Air Force sergeant: She never told anyone in the military she was a lesbian. The 28-year-old's honorable discharge under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy came only after police officers in Rapid City, S.D., saw an Iowa marriage certificate in her home and told the nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Newsome and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a complaint against the western South Dakota police department, claiming the officers violated her privacy when they informed the military about her sexual orientation. The case also highlights concerns over the ability of third parties to "out" service members, especially as the Pentagon has started reviewing the 1993 "don't ask, don't tell" law.

"I played by 'don't ask, don't tell,'" Newsome told The Associated Press by telephone.

"I just don't agree with what the Rapid City police department did. ... They violated a lot of internal policies on their end, and I feel like my privacy was violated."

(snip)

The Rapid City Police Department says Newsome, an aircraft armament system craftsman who spent nine years in the Air Force, was not cooperative when they showed up at her home in November with an arrest warrant for her partner, who was wanted on theft charges in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Newsome was at work at the base at the time and refused to immediately come home and assist the officers in finding her partner, whom she married in Iowa - where gay marriage is legal - in October.

Police officers, who said they spotted the marriage license on the kitchen table through a window of Newsome's home, alerted the base, police Chief Steve Allender said in a statement sent to the AP. The license was relevant to the investigation because it showed both the relationship and residency of the two women, he said.

"It's an emotional issue and it's unfortunate that Newsome lost her job, but I disagree with the notion that our department might be expected to ignore the license, or not document the license, or withhold it from the Air Force once we did know about it," Allender said Saturday. "It was a part of the case, part of the report and the Air Force was privileged to the information."

Theft? Wanted on a no immediate threat type crime? The fracking woman was at work, and you want her there now? If the person you're looking for isn't there, why don't YOU come back at a time the person whose cooperation you want finds convenient?

Iowa Family Policy Center: Gay marriage more destructive than smoking

By GottaLaff

There's this group, The Iowa Family Policy Center. They oppose stuff like, you know, equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, that kind of stuff.

They sound like a reasonable, open minded bunch, don't they? Of course they do. You can tell by this, from Chuck Hurley, their president:

“The Iowa Legislature outlawed smoking in an effort to improve health and reduce the medical costs that are often passed on to the state. [...] The secondhand impacts of certain homosexual acts are arguably more destructive, and potentially more costly to society than smoking. [...] Homosexual activity is certainly more dangerous for the individuals who engage in it than is smoking.”

There now, nothing wrong with that... if you're a small-minded, despicable little bigot.

Apparently, his "logic" stems from this report saying gay men have higher rates of HIV and syphilis.

Or from the fact that he's a small-minded, despicable little bigot. How're those family values goin' for you, Chuck?

Newsflash: Heteros spread disease too. In fact, you're spreading some nasty stuff yourself, there, Sparky.

Here's an idea: How about addressing the STD issue rather than condemning your fellow man. Shouldn't you be loving them or something?

It is your hateful attitude that is "more dangerous than is smoking". And just as costly.

People matter. Who they love is none of your damn business, and comparing people who love each other to death sticks makes me want to... offer you a cigarette.

Court refuses to stop DC's gay marriage law

By GottaLaff

I love good news, and this is very good news:

The Supreme Court has refused to stop the District of Columbia's gay marriage law. [...]

The city has said Wednesday probably will be the first day same-sex couples can apply for marriage licenses.

Best wishes to all the future newlyweds!

Now about that Prop 8 out here in California...

H/t: Gr8RDH

Same-sex marriage bad. Same-sex divorce A-OK!

By GottaLaff

Question: What's wrong with the following sentence?

Though the State of Texas does not officially recognize same-sex marriages, a Travis County judge has approved a same-sex divorce.

Answer: Everything.

As my pal TexBetsy says, gotta love these family values states.

Prop 8 Watch: The ideal marriage test

By GottaLaff

The L.A. Times had an editorial about the Proposition 8 trial that is underway as we speak. It addresses what they call "the marriage test", challenging the reasons for getting/staying married, and why they should be irrelevant in this landmark case:

In what ways would same-sex marriages be the same or different from heterosexual marriages? Answer: It's nobody's business. [...]

Same-sex couples shouldn't have to prove that their marriages would be as "normal" as those of heterosexuals or meet some kind of artificial bar -- a bar that many heterosexual couples fall short of -- for an ideal marriage. [...]

Some people wed for money or health benefits. In this town, some of them enter short-term marriages for the publicity. (You know who you are.) Teenagers barely old enough to vote marry despite the higher likelihood that they will divorce. Serial monogamists wed. There are couples who swap spouses, and those who live apart yet maintain their sense of affection and responsibility toward each other. Many a marriage, even those begun in love, ends up quirky at best and dysfunctional at worst. [...]

[H]omosexuals, who have long faced unreasoned hatred and abuse in many forms, are being singled out for the withholding of this basic societal right.

This was a long overdue argument that doesn't seem to be too prevalent on the Tee Vee Machine. The Times nailed it. The double standard is beyond ridiculous.

The idea that we have to take this case all the way to the Supremes is even more ridiculous. But take it we will.

I also ran across this piece, called "Into the Closet":

Has anyone noticed that now that lesbians and gay men have left the closet to assert their equal rights as citizens, their adversaries seem to be running for a closet of their own?

My observation is, of course, prompted by the success that opponents of same-sex marriage had this week in persuading the Supreme Court to bar cameras from the San Francisco courtroom where Proposition 8 is now on trial.

This case has more layers than The Boehner's spray tan.

Prop 8 Trial Watch: Gay marriage generates millions, expert tells court

By GottaLaff

Maybe Prop 8ers will understand dollar signs, since they can't seem to appreciate, you know, love and commitment:

Legalizing same-sex marriage would generate millions of dollars for San Francisco, the city's chief economist said Thursday, as a trial on California's gay wedding ban entered a fourth day.

Edmund Egan, who directs San Francisco's Office of Economic Analysis, said legalization of same-sex marriage would increase the intake of real estate, payroll and sales taxes and would slash the number of uninsured. [...]

Further, because married people amass more wealth than unmarried individuals, they are likely to spend more, spurring sectors of the economy.

New Hampshire now 5th state to allow same-sex marriage

By GottaLaff

Happy 2010!

At midnight, New Hampshire became the fifth state to allow same-sex couples to marry, joining Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts and Iowa.

I love bringing good news for a change. And this is very good news.

D.C. mayor signs same-sex marriage bill

By GottaLaff

Good news time!

District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty signed a measure recognizing such marriages as legal. The city council overwhelming passed the bill on Tuesday, following a similar vote on December 1. [...]

The measure now goes to Congress for a 30-day review period, but it's considered unlikely that the Democratic majority on Capitol Hill would block the bill. By law, Congress has the right to review and overturn laws created by the District of Columbia's council.

Just had to drop this moment of sanity into our day. Now back to the usual media-perpetuated rancor already in progress.

New Jersey Gay Marriage Vote Canceled

By GottaLaff

Legalizing expressions of love and commitment shouldn't be this hard:

Today's scheduled vote on a bill that would legalize same sex marriage in the Garden State was canceled late yesterday evening as the bill's sponsors feared a likely defeat, the New York Times reports.

Somebody give me a rational argument against this:

Log Cabin Republicans Blame Democrats

By GottaLaff

Let's see: No Rushpublics voted for same-sex marriage, zero, zilch, none... but it's all the Democrats' fault:

Although today's vote in New York to legalize same sex marriage did not receive a single Republican vote, the Log Cabin Republicans issued a statement blaming Democrats:

"Today we share in the frustration and disappointment that the Senate did not pass the marriage equality bill. We are deeply saddened that the Democratic Conference failed to secure the votes they promised, undermining the possibility of a credible bipartisan vote of conscience on the merits of marriage equality. Winning marriage equality in New York requires the Democrats to keep their promises, and Log Cabin will continue to work to ensure that Republicans vote their conscience when that finally happens."

See, Log Cabinites, that's the problem right there: The Rushpublics have no conscience, so you get zerozilchnonenotasingleno votes, see. Meanwhile, the Dems push for equal rights for all, choice, options, you name it.

So Log Cabinites, you just keep on continuing to work to ensure stuff, and we'll be the ones voting "aye".

Gay marriage could be legal in New York by end of the week

By GottaLaff

First happy stem cell research news and now this. It's... too... much. Does... not... compute:

According to the Albany Times Union, the New York Senate "just put out a notice: yes they do plan to debate the same-sex marriage bill -- passed again by the Assembly last night -- today."

Several analysts indicate Democrats have the votes to pass the measure and Gov. David Paterson has already pledged to sign the measure into law.

Gay marriage could be legal in New York by the end of the week.

Same-sex marriage closer in D.C.

By GottaLaff

11-2:

The Washington D.C. city council Tuesday passed the first of two votes needed to legalize same-sex marriage in the nation's capitol.

In a couple of weeks, the second vote will take place.

Two adults who love each other should be able to get married. Discrimination is wrong. It's that simple. Honest.

Miss California pageant gives ad time to gay group

Yeah!!! Princess Jesus Boobies inadvertently did something nice for the Not Opposite Marriage People.

The Miss California USA pageant director who became embroiled in a war of words with former title holder Carrie Prejean has donated 30-seconds of free ad time to the state's largest gay rights group.

(snip)

Keith Lewis, the pageant's executive director, says he would give Prejean the same amount of time if she wanted to provide a pre-taped message.

Lewis, who is gay, accused Prejean of violating her contract when she ignored his advice on how to handle the intense publicity after she said during this year's Miss USA pageant that she was opposed to same-sex marriage.

Texas' gay marriage ban may have banned all marriages

By GottaLaff



Wouldn't it just be the most ironic thing ever?

Barbara Ann Radnofsky, a Houston lawyer and Democratic candidate for attorney general, says that a 22-word clause in a 2005 constitutional amendment designed to ban gay marriages erroneously endangers the legal status of all marriages in the state.

The amendment, approved by the Legislature and overwhelmingly ratified by voters, declares that "marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman." But the troublemaking phrase, as Radnofsky sees it, is Subsection B, which declares:

"This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage."

So much for gay marriage ruining opposite marriage, huh guys? You did that all by yourselves.

She calls it a "massive mistake" and blames the current attorney general, Republican Greg Abbott, for allowing the language to become part of the Texas Constitution. Radnofsky called on Abbott to acknowledge the wording as an error and consider an apology. She also said that another constitutional amendment may be necessary to reverse the problem.

Well now, that worked out well.

Conservatives fail to prevent government takeover of marriage in Maine

By GottaLaff

One of my Twitter pals, Greg Skilling, writes for The Examiner. He got my attention with his latest piece. Here's a taste:

In a disappointing defeat for advocates of freedom, choice and limited government everywhere, voters in Maine overturned a state law allowing Mainers to choose who they marry. Who's to blame for the failure of civil rights advocates to curb the state's intrusion into Maine's homes and bedrooms? The short answer is the group Stand for Marriage Maine. The long answer is that proponents of same-sex marriage failed to garner the support of their fellow freedom-loving, limited-government cohorts in the National Rifle Association (NRA) and 912 Project.

If we allow the government to tell us which sex we are allowed to marry can state-arranged marriages be far off?

It gets even better, so please go read the rest here.

The people who are so concerned that Big Bad Obama is going to storm their homes and yank their guns away don't object to government marching into our bedrooms. That is perfectly acceptable.

Hyp. O. Crites.

By the way, do they not realize that the courts are there to balance mob rule? That's called a "branch of government". Say it with me.

Voting marriage equality down does not make it right or just. "The people" supporting segregation was wrong, and so was this.

Let's start reminding them in loud voices: It is unconstitutional to allow a majority to take away the rights of a minority.

Good news for marriage equality: Turnout high in Maine

By GottaLaff

Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease:

Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap told Ben Smith "that turnout there is far exceeding his projections -- news that would be good news for backers of same-sex marriage."

Said Dunlap: "We're seeing heavy and very steady turnout... I think we could be over 50%. We originally projected 35%."

We've been campaigning hard on Twitter to get the vote out. Let's hope we made a difference.

VIDEO- 86-yr-old WWII vet on gay marriage: "What do you think I fought for in Omaha Beach?"

By GottaLaff

From a public meeting on Maine's marriage equality bill on April 22, 2009:



Tears. Once a hero, always a hero.

H/t: WTMW83