POLL: More Than 60 Percent of Republicans Oppose Marriage Equality
The poll shows so many Americans support marriage equality that a conservative may not be able to win on the issue.
Dawn Ennis
Daily Archives: July 8, 2015
Kentucky couple seeking license turned away by clerk opposed to gay marriage
Kentucky couple seeking license turned away by clerk opposed to gay marriage
Kentucky couple David Vincent Moore and his fiancé wanted to get married this week but Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis stood in their way.
The couple’s encounter with Davis, who is opposed to same-sex marriage, was captured on video Monday (6 July) and is quickly closing in on 600,000 views.
The couple is seen waiting to be helped for nearly half of the 11:38 video. An employee finally asks if they are there for a marriage license and are instructed to go to a neighboring county for one.
The couple, who have lived in the county for more than 10 years, insists on being allowed to proceed to the counter but are not able to until more than 10 minutes in and after a police officer is summoned by staff.
They insist of seeing Davis who finally appears and demands they stop filming.
The couple presented the staff with the Supreme Court ruling as well as a letter from Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear that directs all clerks to comply with the high court’s decision on same-sex marriage.
Davis still refused to give them a marriage license application.
Last week, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a class action lawsuit against Davis on behalf of four couples who her office denied licenses – two heterosexual couples and two same-sex couples.
I have convictions that rule my conscience,’ Davis told WHAS-TV last week.
‘I can’t put my name on a marriage license as issued to a same sex couple. God is my first love, and I will stand for Him. And if it means I get thrown out of office, we’ll deal with that when it comes.’
The federal lawsuit, which alleges Davis’ refusal is unconstitutional, seeks an injunction ordering Davis to begin issuing licenses.
The post Kentucky couple seeking license turned away by clerk opposed to gay marriage appeared first on Gay Star News.
Greg Hernandez
News: Thomas Roberts, Ariana Grande, Humpday Hotness, Mars
News: Thomas Roberts, Ariana Grande, Humpday Hotness, Mars
> Thomas Roberts drops out of Miss Universe pageant as host over pageant owner Donald Trump’s offensive remarks on immigrants.
> Trump has also been making the rounds on cable news, doubling down on all his incendiary statements.
> NYT’s Frank Bruni on Trump: “As in 2012, Republicans can’t summon the courage to take on the dark heroes of the party’s lunatic fringe. As in 2012, this could cost them dearly.”
> Tom Selleck is accused of stealing water from a fire hydrant amid California’s epic drought.
> Ariana Grande licks some donuts, says she hates America, controversy ensues. Ariana apologizes.
> Ben Affleck got a tramp stamp tattoo. And also needs to remove the temporary cloth size tag from his Hudsons.
> Humpday Hotness: Edward Wilding.
> Ocala, Florida Commission votes unanimously to fly the Confederate battle flag.
> Brody Jenner says it wouldn’t be hard to find a woman for Caitlyn Jenner to date.
> “What does Dred Scott really have to do with Obergefell?”
> Baltimore Mayor fires police chief.
> Jeb Bush: People need to work longer hours.
> Is Jon Hamm single?
> Chris Hemsworth looks medieval and sexy on a horse.
> 26 miles on Mars in 26 seconds.
The post News: Thomas Roberts, Ariana Grande, Humpday Hotness, Mars appeared first on Towleroad.
Sean Mandell
Jayson Game: Camming is Hard with a Roomie
Good afternoon Gamers,I know its been a few days since my last entry. I kept meaning to make one, but having a roommate makes that a little more difficult now. I’m almost always in the living room chilling with someone lol Makes it hard to get online and do this kind of stuff. But today, both Chris and my roomie are gone for work. I have a few hours before the roomie gets home, so I’ll be jumping online soonish. Couldve been on earlier, but I stay up so late at night that I wake up around this time almost every day. lol Whats morning time? aha. So a little recap of the last few days:We had a huge party. I guess it was a house warming. Chris’s family came over, we had lots and lots of beer/wine/liquor. Gab (which is the boy we messed around with) came over as well. He’s a chef, so he made some really delicious food for us. AND at the end of the night when was time for sleep, Gab slept in our bed. lol You already know where that went. Lots of kissing those awesome lips and dick sucking. This time I gave him a hickie! I thought that was super hot cause I basically marked a “straight” guy. Everyone left the next day and it was just a chill day for Chris and I while the roomie was at work.Oh yesterday we went to the pool but it was super cold and a bit rainy! Still went in though lol I had fun. Until next time,Jayson
WATCH: Homeless LGBT Youth Use the Web to Make a New Home
WATCH: Homeless LGBT Youth Use the Web to Make a New Home
A new short documentary showcasing LGBT youth showcases the power of the internet in the fight against homelessness.
Raffy Ermac
www.advocate.com/youth/2015/07/08/watch-homeless-lgbt-youth-use-web-make-new-home
Puerto Rico’s ban on gay marriage officially nullified by appellate court
Puerto Rico’s ban on gay marriage officially nullified by appellate court
An appellate court on Wednesday (8 July) ruled that Puerto Rico’s ban on same-sex marriage has been nullified by last month’s US Supreme Court ruling.
The US territory’s marriage ban had been upheld last October by US District Judge Perez Gimenez in a lawsuit brought on by a San Juan lesbian couple who wanted their Massachusetts marriage recognized in Puerto Rico.
The couple appealed to the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit which ruled this week that the ban is unconstitutional.
‘Certainly, after the historic ruling from the Supreme Court, this ruling from the First Circuit was not unexpected,’ Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan said in a statement. ‘There remains no legal or moral justification for forcing same-sex couples in Puerto Rico to wait any longer to have their love and commitment recognized by the state.’
Hours after the 26 June Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage legal across the US, Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla signed an executive order requiring all Puerto Rican government agencies to become compliant with the court’s ruling within 15 days.
Added Gonzalez-Pagan: ‘We applaud the First Circuit for recognizing that Puerto Rico’s marriage ban is unconstitutional, and reversing the lower court ruling. We also commend the Puerto Rico government for joining in the call to end the marriage ban.’
The post Puerto Rico’s ban on gay marriage officially nullified by appellate court appeared first on Gay Star News.
Greg Hernandez
Exclusive Clip: Outfest Hit “Tiger Orange” Hits DVD
Exclusive Clip: Outfest Hit “Tiger Orange” Hits DVD
Writer-director Wade Gasque’s gay drama, Tiger Orange just hit DVD yesterday. Here’s an exclusive sneak peek at a clip from the film featuring Frankie Valenti (aka former gay adult star Johnny Hazzard) and co-star Mark Strano (who won the Best Actor award at Outfest last July for his performance) as estranged gay brothers who re-connect after the death of their father. The film is available now on DVD as well as on iTunes and other VOD platforms.
Jenni
Civil Partnership Bill in Cyprus To Face Crucial Vote This Week
Civil Partnership Bill in Cyprus To Face Crucial Vote This Week
A controversial bill regarding civil partnerships in Cyprus heads to the country’s House plenum for a vote this Thursday after two parliamentary committees reached an agreement.
Opposition Akel MP Yiannos Lamar clarified on Monday as in-cyprus.com reports, stating:
“The two committees – of Interior and of Legal Affairs – are very close to reaching an agreement that will safeguard the rights of those opting for a civil partnership on the one hand and alleviate concerns of society as regards adoptions and weddings on the other.”
However, Cyprus’ religious leaders are quickly condemning the bill. During Sunday mass, Archbishop Chrysostomos called for civil partnership advocates to “come to their senses,” saying that Cypriot society “doesn’t need a new family institution like ones already in place in some European nations and the U.S.”
The state of LGBT rights in Cyprus is contentious at the moment even though the country is attempting to implement more LGBT protections including a homophobic behavior criminalization bill in April. However, protests at Cyprus’ gay pride celebration in June between LGBT activists, police and anti-gay protestors indicate that the opposition toward LGBT rights is still strong in Cyprus.
The post Civil Partnership Bill in Cyprus To Face Crucial Vote This Week appeared first on Towleroad.
Anthony Costello
Civil Partnership Bill in Cyprus To Face Crucial Vote This Week
Two Black Trans Boys, Two N.Y. Families, and Boundless Love
Two Black Trans Boys, Two N.Y. Families, and Boundless Love
Penel Ghartey, 7, and Q Daily, 9, were both featured in magazines this week, supported by their trans-affirming parents and schools.
Mitch Kellaway
www.advocate.com/families/2015/07/08/two-black-trans-boys-two-ny-families-and-boundless-love
A Thank You Note to Straight People
A Thank You Note to Straight People
A recent article in the Washington Post repeatedly downplays the significance of 26 million Facebook users changing their profile photos to the colors of the rainbow flag. While I agree that this “slacktivist” gesture alone isn’t as meaningful as how individuals live their daily lives, the author’s logic is flawed. He accuses the non-LGBT rainbow-bearers of co-opting the symbol of the movement.
“Throughout history, the powerful have taken credit for social progress they did not participate in,” the author argues.
By this reasoning, only those who are gay, lesbian, bi or trans can wave the rainbow flag. Taking this a step further, only those who’ve fought in wars are allowed to wave the American flag.
I understand where the author is coming from. My coming out process was long, painful and deeply personal. Yet seeing the sea of rainbow-colored profile photos is — if nothing else — a sign that times have truly changed.
The victory of same-sex marriage can (and should) be shared by the entire country. The fight was rooted in equality, so how can we begrudge anyone the right to celebrate right alongside us? This doesn’t threaten or belittle my story; it only serves to strengthen and amplify it.
The day before the Post article was published, I wrote on my personal blog, thanking my straight allies for changing their profile photos — and for so much more. The truth is, the Supreme Court’s decision legalizing same-sex marriage couldn’t have happened without straight people — and not just the five justices that voted in favor of it.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dear Straight People,
Thank you. Thank you for cheering right alongside us as we in the LGBT community celebrate a new-found, long-overdue measure of equality. Thank you for the endless sea of rainbow-colored photos. Thank you for voting. Thank you for teaching your children (and sometimes your parents) that not every family is the same, yet deserving of the same respect. Thank you for telling them that whether they grow up to love the opposite gender or their own, you will still love them. Thank you for encouraging them to be whoever they were meant to be. Thank you for trying to understand and to learn. Thank you for asking questions, even if you don’t always have the right words. Thank you for being fair and equal in your schools, your jobs, your churches, and your neighborhoods. Thank you for defending us in a fight, even when we’re not around. Especially when we’re not around.
To friends, families, classmates and coworkers: thank you for allowing us the time and space to come out — to know ourselves and to be seen, heard and known on our own terms. We realize this is a journey for you, too; we will do our best to remember that.
On a more personal note, I count myself lucky that the majority of my family has stuck around since I came out 20 years ago. I love that they love my husband and my son, and their presence in our lives means the world to me.
I also want to voice my thanks to a specific group of straight people — the fathers I’ve met since becoming a dad myself. Some of you I’ve met in real life; countless others I know only virtually. To varying degrees you’ve been sounding board and shit-caller, muse and motivator, confidante and comrade. You’ve made me laugh, cry, think, and scream — sometimes all at once. Thank you for being my friends, my brothers, my family.
More importantly, thank you for doing all you do as you raise your families — living your lives as fair-minded men. Among you are those with LGBT fathers and mothers, aunts and uncles, in-laws, siblings, children. Some of you live and work alongside many who are LGBT. For some, I was the first gay person you ever interacted with.
Regardless of your experience, that is how the world changes — people choosing to love and accept those in their everyday lives that have known hatred, rejection and judgment elsewhere. This is how humanity grows, strengthens, and moves on from a history of bigotry and fear. So thank you for being the parents, children, friends that you are — and in turn, changing the world.
With much love & gratitude,
Brent
This post originally appeared on Brent’s blog, Designer Daddy. You can also find him on Facebook.
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