Author: Randy Slovacek

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86 Congress members ask that gay weddings be banned on military bases

From JoeMyGod: Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) has issued a letter calling for on-base gay weddings to be specifically banned in the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act. Eighty-six members of the House have co-signed Akin’s letter.

This ban includes military bases in states that allow marriage equality.

“The Defense of Marriage Act was passed by a bipartisan vote in Congress and signed into law by President Clinton,” said Congressman Akin. “Unfortunately, this current administration is now directing the Department of Defense to ignore this law and perform gay marriages on military bases. I think this is wrong, which is why I offered an amendment to the House-passed defense bill making it clear that DOMA applies to the DOD. This letter calls for the Senate to add a similar amendment to their version of the bill. The Department of Defense should not be allowed to simply ignore laws they do not like.”

It will surprise no one that the list includes the usual suspects like Michele Bachmann, Steve King and Allen West, to name a few.

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Marriage equality vs Kardashian “marriage”

Michael and I were interviewed yesterday over what many in the LGBT community feel is a sense of hypocrisy regarding Kim Kardashian’s right to a 72 day marriage versus the LGBT fight for marriage equality.

Today, Buzzfeed posted pictures of 20 couples who “put Kim Kardashian to shame” while we all fight for the same rights 90% of the rest of Americans have.

As I’ve said many times in the past, it is frustrating that some people oppose marriage equality for gays and lesbians based on a word “marriage” as if marriage rights are a wholly religious issue. The truth of the matter is as long as over 1,100 federal marriage rights are derived from a license issued by a civil government – not a church – marriage equality is a civil rights issue. No one in the LGBT community is talking about forcing a church to change their views or practices. The LGBT community is simply looking for the same – not ‘special – rights as all other Americans.

Also, I was glad the news cast included my comment about the National Organization for Marriage’s silence on the Kardashian issue. If NOM truly weren’t anti-gay, as they claim, and only about protecting marriage, where is their outrage over protecting “the sanctity of marriage” in the Kardashian case? I have reached out through twitter and emails for a response from NOM. The silence is deafening.

Rather than attack the civil rights of lesbian and gay couples, how about NOM work to prevent the true threat to marriage which is divorce?

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Kris Humphries offered spot to host Chippendales in Vegas

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TMZ is reporting that Kris Humphries has been offered a celeb guest-host spot with The Chippendales at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to help get over his soon to be divorced status.

I think it sounds like a great idea Kris – go have some fun, be around women who would love to spend time with you, and just think how Kim K’s head might explode.

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Group shot: “A Few Best Men” screening

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Last week Michael and I attended a screening of Olivia Newton-John’s new movie “A Few Best Men” in Los Angeles. We had a great time enjoying the movie, the party and catching up with friends.

The above pic has a ton of “Team ONJ” folks – including Olivia, sister Rona, husband John Easterling, John and Pat Farrar and their son Max (John and Max wrote the new Olivia song for the end credits of the movie), Steve and Martha Real, manager Mark Hartley, and more.  And then there’s Michael and I.

And I love the “teaser poster” of Olivia’s character – mother of the bride – from the movie.

Look for the movie to open next year.  A lot of fun and Olivia in a role like we’ve never seen.  Very fun.

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I am the 99 percent – with cancer

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“I am an American.
I pay taxes.
I worked.
I was the guy who worked in his field for 20 years until the economy collapsed.
Then I was the guy who brought you your pizza.  You know, a job?  Not unemployment?

Then I got cancer.

Minimum wage and part-time insurance meant I needed Arizona’s welfare, AHCCS (Access), or I needed to gather my affairs.
Minimum wage meant I made too much money, according to Access, and I was denied Access.
Cancer solved the problem and removed my ability to work.
Access approved.

Despite what you’ve been told, the hospital will turn you away if you’re broke.
Despite what you’ve been told, churches and private institutions will not pay your medical expenses.

I was diagnosed April 1st, 2011 and had major surgery on May 12th.
I am still recovering from radiation and chemo treatments ended in August.
I am alive because I’m unemployed.

Does any of this make sense?

I am the 99%”

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Instinct Magazine to host Matt Zarley listening party Nov. 8


From Instinct Magazine: Prepare to swoon heavily one week from tonight when we host a listening party for out artist Matt Zarley on Tuesday, November 8 at Here Bar in West Hollywood. The event will benefit Broadway Cares, Equity Fights AIDS, and Positive Young People and feature a hosted bar from Appleton Estate.  More details about the event here.
As if that wasn’t enough, Matt will premiere his new single “Perfect” (which will be availble on Instinct Magazine the following day, Wednesday, November 9).
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Virginia GOP committee sends email with image of President Obama with a bullet through his head

A Virginia county Republican Party committee has come under fire for sending out an email with a picture of President Barack Obama with a bullet wound to his head.

The Loudoun County GOP committee sent an email inviting supporters to a Halloween parade with the picture of the President depicted as a zombie with part of his skull missing and a bullet through his head.

The Republican Governor Robert F. McDonnell told the Washington Post that the email is “shameful and offensive.”

McDonnell’s spokesperson said: “He calls on those involved to apologize for their actions and to immediately ensure that such imagery is never used again. The governor has long stressed the need for more civility and respect in our politics. An e-mail like this one undermines those goals, offends all Virginians and discredits our entire political process. It will not be tolerated.”

The chairman of the Loudoun County Republican Committee tried to down-play the significance of the photo, saying the email was “a light-hearted attempt to inject satire humor into the Halloween holiday.”

There was a time that Americans showed respect for the office of President of the United States.  Now you have opponents sending out images depicting bullet holes in the President’s head.  And they call it “light-hearted.”  Ask Rep. Gabby Giffords if she thinks this is “light-hearted.”

Even during tense, partisan times during the Bush presidency, I don’t recall anyone sending out images of a bullet through George Bush’s head.

SRSLY.

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Chick-Fil-A’s $2 million donation to anti-gay groups in 2009

After Jeremy Hooper first discovered the fast food chain Chick-fil-A’s ties to anti-gay organizations, an Equality Matters investigation revealed that it had given $1.1 million to anti-gay groups between 2003 and 2008.

According to their 2009 tax returns, the company gave almost twice that, nearly $2 million, in 2009 alone.

Among the largest recipients was the Marriage and Family Legacy Fund, which Chick-fil-A’s senior vice president, Donald “Bubba” Cathy, helped to launch. Other recipients included Focus on the Family, Exodus International’s ex-gay ministries, and the Family Research Council.

Mind you, throughout these donations Chick-Fil-A denies any anti-gay sentiment.