Neil Gorsuch Isn’t Conservative. He’s Reactionary.

Today, the Supreme Court issued a per curiam ruling that solidified its landmark same-sex marriage ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. Contrary to popular belief, per curiam doesn’t mean “unanimous”; it means “by the court,” or that it is unsigned. Indeed, three justices did dissent: Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, and the Court’s newest member (who doesn’t belong there in the first place), Neil Gorsuch. In his dissent, Gorsuch proves he’s everything we feared he would be, an anti-queer wolf with a sneaky, homespun smile.

First, the decision itself. This case, Pavan v. Smith, was triggered by the State of Arkansas’s refusal to list the names of married same-sex couples on their children’s birth certificates. Recall that in Obergefell, Justice Kennedy wrote for Supreme Court’s majority that the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process and equal protection guarantees required states to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. Queer couples deserved equal “dignity,” Kennedy wrote, ending his decision with this profound statement on marriage and equality:

Arkansas had tried to neuter this holding, arguing that nothing in a decision that guarantees queer persons the right to marry also gives them the right to both be listed as parents to a child where only one of them is a biological parent.

There are three problems with that argument. First, it makes a mockery of Obergefell. That decision required states to extend all the “constellation of” rights and obligations that come with marriage to queer couples “on the same terms and conditions as opposite-sex couples.” Parentage is one of those rights.

Second, as the Court noted, Arkansas already includes nonbiological parents on birth certificates when the parents are in opposite-sex marriages. Children born via artificial insemination to opposite-sex couples get their biological mom’s name and her husband’s name on their birth certificate. This is actually state law, and it even applies when everyone knows that the husband is not the biological father.

Third, any other holding would make marriage rights narrow and open the door to erosion of the rights associated with marriage. If queer persons can get married, but then they can’t enjoy the rights that come with a valid marriage, what was the point in the first place?

But these arguments didn’t move Justice Gorsuch, who took Arkansas’s line and argued that a decision about marriage says nothing about a state administrative regime based on biology. As I noted earlier, this runs directly afoul of Obergefell, which guaranteed more than a certificate of marriage, but also all the rights associated with marriage. Combine this with Gorsuch’s radical dissent in the Court’s refusal to take up a challenge to California’s law that only grants gun owners concealed carry permits for “particularized need.” Only Gorsuch and Thomas dissented, arguing that the law infringes some nonexistent right to carry guns everywhere and for whatever reason, something not even the most conservative Supreme Court justices have even implied before.

Gorsuch’s emerging jurisprudence is an affront to progressive values and a direct assault on our rights and safety as queer Americans.

The post Neil Gorsuch Isn’t Conservative. He’s Reactionary. appeared first on Towleroad.

Neil Gorsuch Isn’t Conservative. He’s Reactionary.

Taking Stock of Marriage Equality Progress Around the World

As we celebrate two years of nationwide marriage equality here in the U.S., this is a good opportunity to take stock of marriage equality progress around the world.

There are currently 21 countries, including the U.S., that have full marriage equality. Another two countries – Mexico and the United Kingdom – have partial marriage equality. With the exception of South Africa and Taiwan, all countries with marriage equality are located in Europe and the Americas.

The most recent marriage equality victory was in Taiwan. Only weeks ago, Taiwan’s Constitutional Court issued a ruling in favor of marriage equality, paving the way for it to be the first place in Asia to achieve such a victory. The British Overseas Territory of Bermuda also achieved marriage equality last month through a ruling of the country’s top court. And, earlier this year, Finland began allowing same-sex marriages to proceed, two years after the relevant legislation was passed.

Looking forward, marriage equality is on the horizon in many places such as Australia, Chile, and Malta. Marriage equality efforts continue to move ahead in Australia despite the conservative government’s inability to allow a winning vote in parliament. In Chile, President Michelle Bachelet took the first steps towards marriage equality earlier this year. And, just last week, Malta’s newly elected government pledged to push the issue forward – quickly.

As we celebrate the anniversary of marriage equality today in the U.S., we recognize our work is not done until LGBTQ people – wherever they live – are guaranteed full civil rights and equality, including the right to marry whom they love regardless of sexual orientation or gender. HRC remains committed to achieving marriage equality and we look forward to working with activists around the world to achieve it.   

To learn more HRC’s work to advance LGBTQ equality around the globe, click here.

www.hrc.org/blog/taking-stock-of-marriage-equality-progress-around-the-world?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Sasha Velour: Drag Superstar Today, POTUS Tomorrow?

The winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race discusses the “renaissance” of drag activism, the new racially inclusive Pride flag, and a possible future in politics.

www.advocate.com/television/2017/6/26/sasha-velour-drag-superstar-today-potus-tomorrow

AirAsia, Alien Life, Sesame Street, Pitch Perfect 3, Nick and Joe Jonas, Bernie Sanders: HOT LINKS

WITCH HUNT. Pro-Trump group launches ad attacking investigation. “The ad is yet another example of a growing trend amongst pro-Trump advocates attempting to undermine the special investigation into Trump’s campaign as biased and agenda-driven.”

I ADORE MY LESBIAN DAUGHTERS. Mom carries same sign at NYC Pride for 45+ years.

62 PERCENT. U.S. support for marriage equality hits highest level ever.

PUTIN MEETING. Trump planning ‘full diplomatic bells and whistles’ in meeting with Russian president: “Many administration officials believe the U.S. needs to maintain its distance from Russia at such a sensitive time — and interact only with great caution. But Trump and some others within his administration have been pressing for a full bilateral meeting.”

BANK FRAUD. Bernie and Jane Sanders under investigation.

BUFF BOYS. Nick and Joe Jonas flaunt their beach bods in Saint-Tropez.

HISTORY. The rise and fall of Playgirl.

CLIMATE. Seas rising faster than expected: “What was a 2.2 millimeter per year rise in 1993 was a 3.3 millimeter rise in 2014, based on estimates of the mass changes of a number of key components of sea level rise, such as the melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, the study in Nature Climate Change found. That’s the difference between 0.86 and 1.29 inches per decade — and the researchers suggest further sea level acceleration could be in store.”

MASHA GESSEN. The gay men who fled Chechnya’s purge.

PRIDE MESSAGE OF THE DAY. Sesame Street.

Sesame Street is proud to support families of all shapes, sizes, and colors. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/H3uzD5XwUu

— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) June 23, 2017

MALE MODEL MONDAY. Bobby Penney. More here.

ANONYMOUS. Hacker group makes claim that NASA has evidence of alien life.

SCARY AIRLINE FLIGHT OF THE DAY. AirAsia plane forced to land after it started shaking like a washing machine. “Faced with such a dilemma, the pilot, normally a calm, collected voice over a loudspeaker, asked everyone to pray instead. Twice.”

TEASER TRAILER OF THE DAY. Pitch Perfect 3.

MONDAY MUSCLE. Trevor Bell.

The post AirAsia, Alien Life, Sesame Street, Pitch Perfect 3, Nick and Joe Jonas, Bernie Sanders: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad.

AirAsia, Alien Life, Sesame Street, Pitch Perfect 3, Nick and Joe Jonas, Bernie Sanders: HOT LINKS

Four Cases That Paved The Way for Marriage Equality and a Reminder of the Work Ahead

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which made marriage equality the law of the land and changed the lives of millions of people who can now marry the person they love. As people across the U.S. celebrate this momentous day, today also serves as an important reminder of the work that still lies ahead in achieving full federal protections for the LGBTQ community.

Just today, the Supreme Court ruled that Arkansas officials must list the names of both married same-sex parents on their child’s birth certificate. The nation’s highest court also agreed to hear a case involving a Colorado baker who refused to provide services for a same-sex couple planning their marriage ceremony. Elected leaders across the country are seeking to ensure that LGBTQ people are not discriminated against in housing,employment, public accommodations and education, while federal courts are determining how sexual orientation and gender identity are covered by our nation’s federal civil rights laws. 

Over the past few decades, brave LGBTQ plaintiffs from around the nation have stood up for their rights by asking  the Supreme Court affirm their fundamental liberties. June 26 is a day that will remain in the history books as four pivotal cases were decided on this date, spanning over 13 years.

HRC takes a look back at these instrumental cases to recognize and honor the hard work of the couples, advocates, organizations and supporters who helped change history.

Lawrence v. Texas (2003)

In 2013, the Supreme Court  in Lawrence v. Texas struck down Texas’ sodomy law – and in turn invalidated sodomy laws in 13 other states – making private, consensual, adult sexual activity between same-sex couples legal across the U.S.

This case laid the groundwork for much of the tremendous progress we’ve seen over the last several years by ensuring that LGBTQ people could not be criminalized for their loving relationships, and serves as a reminder of how much has been accomplished within the LGBTQ community. By ridding our country of this extreme persecution of LGBTQ people under the law, the narrative around equality was forever changed.

United States v. Windsor (2013)

After more than 40 years together, Edith Windsor and Thea Spyer were legally married in Toronto, Canada in 2007. Their marriage was officially recognized in New York in 2008 when their home state ordered state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. When Thea died in 2009, she left her entire estate to Edie. However, Edie was barred from claiming the federal estate tax exemptions for surviving spouses under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law that prohibited the federal government from recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples, and as a result was faced with a $363,000 estate tax bill.

Windsor, represented by Robbie Kaplan, took her case to the Supreme Court, challenging the government’s ban on recognizing legally married same-sex couples for federal purposes including social security, immigration, and family and medical leave. Same-sex couples across the nation came away victorious as section 3 of DOMA was overturned.

On that same day…

Hollingsworth v. Perry (2013)

In 2009, two same-sex couples, Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, filed suit against the state of California in federal court, arguing that California’s Proposition 8 violated the U.S. Constitution by denying them a fundamental right and depriving them of equal protection under the law. Prop 8, a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman, had passed at the ballot the previous November, stripping same-sex couples of the right to marry in California.

Attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies represented the couples, and marriage equality was returned to the Golden State.

Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)

Dozens of courageous couples took their fight for marriage equality to court, including Jim Obergefell, the named plaintiff in the 2015 Supreme Court case that brought nationwide marriage equality.

In January 2015, the Supreme Court announced that it would hear Obergefell v. Hodges, a consolidation of Jim’s case with the cases of other plaintiffs from Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee. David Michener & William Herbert Ives, Robert Grunn, Nicole Yorksmith & Pamela Yorksmith, Joseph J. Vitale & Robert Talmas, Brittani Henry & Brittni Rogers, Kelly Noe & Kelly McCraken, Gregory Bourke & Michael DeLeon, Randell Johnson & Paul Campion, Jimmy Meade & Luther Barlowe, Kimberly Franklin & Tamera Boyd, Maurice Blanchard & Dominique James, Timothy Love & Lawrence Ysunza, Joy “Johno” Espejo & Matthew Mansell, Kellie Miller & Vanessa DeVillez, Sergeant Ijpe DeKoe & Thomas Kostura, Valeria Tanco & Sophia Jesty and April DeBoer & Jayne Rowse, were just some of the brave individuals and couples — along with the ACLU, Lambda Legal, GLADD, NCLR, which provided co-counsel on this case.

Two years ago, in a historic sweeping ruling, the Supreme Court sided with loving, committed same-sex couples and found all bans on marriage equality to be unconstitutional – and that the fundamental right to marriage is a fundamental right for all. However, we are still far from full LGBTQ equality in the U.S. — 50 percent of same-sex couples across the country are still at risk of being fired from their jobs by noon and evicted from their home by 2 p.m., simply for posting their wedding photos on Facebook.

In many states, LGBTQ people are at risk of being fired, denied housing, or refused service because of who they are. There is no federal law explicitly protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and other important areas, and 31 states still lack fully-inclusive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people.

Discrimination is a real and persistent problem for far too many LGBTQ Americans, which is why the need for the Equality Act has never been more clear.

HRC urges Congress to pass the Equality Act, which was re-introduced in May with bipartisan support and unprecedented number of businesses to guarantee explicit, permanent protections for all Americans.

www.hrc.org/blog/four-cases-that-paved-the-way-for-marriage-equality-and-a-reminder-of-the-w?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

For 9 Years, ShanghaiPRIDE Persists

www.advocate.com/pride/2017/6/26/9-years-shanghaipride-persists

Yaaas Queens: The best Pride photos from last weekend’s parades and marches
Last weekend was the grand finale of Pride month.

www.queerty.com/yaaas-queens-best-pride-photos-last-weekends-parades-marches-20170626?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29

London Bus Applauds After Gay Man Confronts Hostile Homophobe, Has Him Ejected: WATCH

Londoner Daniel Simmonds was riding the bus home on Friday when he was confronted with a man threatening passengers with a knife and spewing a venomous diatribe about race and gay people.

Said the man:

“It’s not alright to be gay…Even when I’m talking now the white man get offended….You say anything, I’ll murder you, I’ll stab you up in your face…I’ve got a new knife. I wanna…I might do that now but there’s cameras.”

The man added: “Every day I read the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran. It says when you tell the truth, the pagans don’t like that. They like lies. That’s why they go home to watch batty man programs. EastEnders, Coronation Street – all them queers in it. That’s what they teach the kids….The white people are deluded. They think they’re God. Even when I’m talking now, it’s burning them.”

Simmonds finally spoke up and confronted the man.

“Excuse me. Excuse me. I’m gay and I’m white, and I don’t think I’m God. Are you threatening to stab me?”

The man grew angry at being confronted, snapping: “Do you know me? Don’t talk to me! Leave me alone, because I can see what you’re up to…you’re gay and you’re clever. Leave me alone. You heard that, gay clever man. Don’t talk to me.”

Simmonds boldness appeared to inspire other passengers to begin speaking up until demands to throw the man off the bus were met.

Simmonds posted the video to Facebook, writing: “Hatred has many faces, whatever your colour, creed, sexuality or anything else. This was my bus home tonight…Thanks to the amazing TFL driver – you didn’t mess around!”

Watch:

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London Bus Applauds After Gay Man Confronts Hostile Homophobe, Has Him Ejected: WATCH