Poll: Majority of North Carolinians Oppose Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage

From Equality North Carolina: Fifty-six percent (56%) of North Carolina voters oppose or strongly oppose an amendment to the state constitution that would ban same-sex marriage, a five-point jump in the last two years, according to a February 2011 Elon University Poll, a non-partisan polling service.

The poll also showed a strong majority (57%) of North Carolinians support marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples, revealing a dramatic 9% increase in public support for marriage equality in only two years. This result mirrors two separate polls conducted by Public Policy Polling in March and July that also reveal majority support of legal recognitions for same-sex couples.

“Over the past year, Equality North Carolina has had thousands of conversations with citizens from across the state of every age, race and background who oppose this discriminatory legislation and the harm it would cause to LGBT North Carolinans, our economy and our state’s reputation,” said Alex Miller, interim executive director at Equality NC. “These polls reflect these findings and track with national data that suggests the appetite for constitutional bans of same-sex marriage is waning. When our legislators push this anti-gay marriage amendment, they do so without the approval of the majority of the citizens of our state. ”

Preview new season of SURVIVOR with Jeff Probst

Michael and I love SURVIVOR (and THE AMAZING RACE). We never miss either thanks to the fab technology of DVR.

Watch Jeff Probst preview the new season in this video. Plus there will be a one-hour special giving viewers an exclusive tour of this season’s Tribal Council, a sneak peek at one of the challenges and a breathtaking helicopter ride over the island for fans to see what the contestants will face in the South Pacific.

Survivor: South Pacific Preview airs Sunday at 9/8c on TV Guide Network.

In Remembrance: Father Mychal Judge, Saint of 9/11

Father Mychal Judge (image via FDNY Family Assistance Unit)

On September 22, 2011, the Fire Museum will honor the 343 firefighters who died on September 11, 2001.

Among those honored is Father Mychal Judge, whose helmet and coat, donated by his sister and Engine 1/Ladder 24 on West 31st Street, will be dedicated to the museum. Father Judge was the first official casualty on September 11. Continue reading “In Remembrance: Father Mychal Judge, Saint of 9/11”

Who’s up for a nostalgic vintage subway ride?

New York City subway riders will get a treat in September when the MTA puts a historic restored vintage subway train in service on the 2/3 Express Track – Saturdays and Sundays from 12-6pm.

HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” is sponsoring the trainset.  As such, it will be branded in period “Boardwalk Empire” style. For the weekend of the season premier — September 24 and 25 — so-called “brand ambassadors” will be giving away free MetroCards as well.

Originally operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) system, the train began service back in 1917 and will once again be operational. Customers who have the opportunity to ride the vintage train will be transported back in time to the Prohibition era with authentic details such as rattan seats, ceiling fans and drop sash windows, as well as a custom branded interior featuring Boardwalk Empire-inspired period artwork.