LGBTQ news and entertainment
Support for marriage equality/same-sex marriage/gay marriage is at a new high in New York, according to today’s new Quinnipiac Poll.
Voters in the survey backed legalizing marriage between same-sex couples 58-36%, “higher than ever while statistically unchanged from 56-38% April 14.”
Once again, we see a split along party lines: Democrats support legalization 72-23%, independents back it 58-34% and GOP voters are opposed, 64-34%. Men support same-sex marriage 58-37%; women, 59-34%.
‘My Fair Brady’ stars Adrianne Curry and Christopher Knight have separated on what is the fifth anniversary of their wedding.
“After starting a relationship with what seemed to be irreconcilable differences, the couple has reached a period where those differences are no longer appreciated,” their manager, Phil Viardo, said in a statement. “The decision was mutually reached after it became clear to both that some perspective was needed in order to assess their unique union.”
This was Curry’s first marriage and Knight’s third. They had no children.
In what was perceived as a romance made in reality-TV heaven, Curry, now 28, was the winner of the first season of America’s Next Top Model when she and Knight met in 2004 to film the fourth season of VH1’s The Surreal Life.
Knight, now 53 and a businessman, is still best known for his ’70s TV role as Peter Brady on the iconic The Brady Bunch.
I watched a bit of their show “My Fair Brady” and thought they had some issues but I always hope for the best for couples.
Btw, Chris has aged very well in my opinion. Don’t you think?
More than 30 same-sex couples marked the first day of civil unions in Illinois by taking vows in downtown Chicago’s Millennium Park Thursday morning.
“For me it means a lot — making this commitment. But I also feel like we’re part of history here,” Shanelle Moffett told the Chicago Sun-Times as she prepared for the ceremony with her partner, Tenisha Watkins.
Couples could obtain civil union licenses beginning Wednesday at county clerk’s offices, but there was a one-day waiting period before ceremonies could take place. The Illinois civil unions law offers same-sex and opposite-sex couples the state-level rights and responsibilities of marriage.
While couples all over the state were taking advantage of the new law, the biggest event was in Chicago, the largest city in Illinois and home to the state’s largest and most visible gay population. At Millennium Park Thursday, judges and one minister presided over ceremonies, the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus performed, and Illinois governor Pat Quinn and Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel addressed the gathering.
I know I address the issue of equality a lot on this blog. When I began it, I never knew civil rights would be such a “front and center” issue for me here. But it’s been a natural evolution for me, and I realize how important equal rights are for everyone in this country.
Getting married in California – Michael and I are one of the 18,000 couples that got to keep our legal marriage status – was more powerful than I ever dreamed it would be. When you grow up in this country and realize you are gay, marriage equality is something you don’t dream to be a reality. But it is today. At least in some states. And I believe we will someday soon see marriage equality across the entire country. It’s just fair and right.
So celebrate for the kids in Illinois today taking their step forward. It’s a good thing.
Forward.
Of course, this man probably believed in the Rapture too, so whaddaya going to do?
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, a Republican, signed into law bills prohibiting discrimination in housing (SB368) and public accommodations (SB331) on the basis of gender identity or expression.
SB368 prohibits discrimination in housing and certain other transactions involving real property on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
SB331 relates to public accommodations, revising provisions relating to unlawful discrimination based on sex and gender identity or expression in places of public accommodation.
Last week he signed AB211, a bill prohibiting discrimination in employment on the basis of gender identity or expression.
Taken together, the three new laws represent fairly comprehensive anti-discrimination protections for trans people in Nevada.
However, as housing, employment and public accommodations were each handled in separate bills, the outcome could have been less desirable.
The laws will go into effect on October 1.
Glee star Jane Lynch has been confirmed to host the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards this September 18th.
“I am tickled pink to be hosting the Primetime Emmys on FOX,” the out actress said in a statement announcing her hosting duties Thursday. “I’m looking forward to singing, dancing, and sporting my finest tracksuit.”
Emmy executive producer Mark Burnett said Lynch was his first and only choice to host the show. “She has incredible comedic timing, and is a charismatic, talented actress whose energy leaps off the screen and stage. I am thrilled and excited to have her as our host,” he added.
Lynch is the third woman to host the Emmys alone, following in the footsteps of Angela Lansbury in 1993 and Ellen DeGeneres in 2005.
This definitely promises to be a much more fun affair with Jane onboard. Whoo-hoo!
Mitt Romney launched his campaign for president Thursday with a pledge to “bring this country back.”
With that statement, I’m not sure if he means to take the country back to the brink of financial meltdown, where Pres. Bush left it, or back to the failed policies of going to war with a country that never attacked us. It wasn’t clear.
“Turning around a crisis takes experience and bold action,” Romney said. “For millions of Americans, the economy is in crisis today. Unless we change course, it’ll be a crisis for all of us tomorrow.”
Romney blasted President Barack Obama for his handling of the economic downturn. Of course, the facts are the stock market has almost doubled since President Obama took office. The auto industry was on the verge of collapse; but after paying back almost all the government loans used to save the industry and hundreds of jobs, the auto industry is beginning to post gains again. And the tax burden for Americans is the lower than it was under Reagan, over 20 years ago.
Touting his experience as a private equity executive, leader of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and governor of Massachusetts, Romney said he’d use his campaign to stick up for the free market and the American dream.
“The American ideals of economic freedom and opportunity need a clear and unapologetic defense,” Romney said. “I intend to make it, because I have lived it.”
Romney enters the race as a frontrunner nationally and in New Hampshire. He has consistently led the polls in this crucial first primary state, where he is focusing his efforts.
Romney addressed a large, though often subdued crowd at the Stratham farm of Doug and Stella Scamman, two longtime GOP fixtures in the Granite State.
Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT) sent a letter to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus Wednesday, asking him to uphold an April decision allowing same-sex ceremonies to be held at naval facilities. Connecticut is home the Naval Subase New London.
“Since 2008, same-sex couples in Connecticut have had the legal right to marry. I find it disgraceful that citizens of our state serving in the armed forces aren’t afforded that same basic right,” Murphy said.
“It should go without saying that government policy should not prohibit the religious or civil official of their choice to perform the marriage — that should be left up to the couple and the official,” Murphy wrote in his letter to Mabus. “When the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has been eliminated, neither the Navy nor Marine Corps will be able to discharge a service member for marrying someone of the same sex. With our state’s proud Naval and Marine Corps tradition, I anticipate that some number of same-sex couples will want to marry in Navy chapels by Naval chaplains.”
The Navy issued the initial decision after Congress passed a law repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, but since suspended the guidance sent to naval bases after receiving a letter from a group of House Republicans, according to Murphy.
The Pentagon has stated it may be mid-summer before the DADT policy is eliminated.
Murphy has been a long-time supporter of the efforts to repeal DADT.
(via thinkprogress.org)
Listing past accomplishments from the symbolic to the substantive, the Obama administration has launched an LGBT-specific page on the White House website to coincide with the first day of LGBT Pride Month.
Dedicated to issues affecting the LGBT community the webpage features a list of administration accomplishments including signing “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal into law, declaring Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, as well as inviting LGBT families to the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House and awarding the Medal of Freedom to LGBT trailblazers Billie Jean King and the late Harvey Milk.
“Since taking office, the President has demonstrated that his vision for a brighter future includes greater equality for LGBT Americans,” the website reads. “The President and his Administration are dedicated to eliminating barriers to equality, fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and engaging LGBT communities across the country.”
The site includes “It Gets Better” videos made by President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and administration officials including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
I’m aware there are members of the LGBT community that are frustrated with the speed of changes they would like to see in America. But this president has done more than any other president in history for our community. And, it goes without saying, any GOP alternative is no alternative for us at all in terms of finding equal rights for all.
See the webpage at http://www.whitehouse.gov/lgbt
From Washington Monthly: NJ Gov. Chris Christie arrived at his son’s baseball game this afternoon aboard a State Police helicopter.
Right before the lineup cards were being exchanged on the field, a noise from above distracted the spectators as the 55-foot long helicopter buzzed over trees in left field, circled the outfield and landed in an adjacent football field.
Christie not only used a state helicopter to catch a high school baseball game, he also had a car waiting for him to drive him 100 yards to the field.
I suppose one could make the argument that the governor really enjoys high school baseball and wants to show support for his son, so Christie went above and beyond to be there. Of course, that would be a little more compelling if the governor didn’t leave half-way through the game.
During the 5th inning, Christie and First Lady Mary Pat Christie got into the car, rode back to the helicopter and left the game. During a pitching change, play was stopped for a couple of minutes while the helicopter took off.
Christie left because he had a meeting with a bunch of wealthy Iowans who were in town to tell the governor how much they love him and want him to run for president.
As for the chopper, it’s one of two $12.5 million helicopters purchased for the state police. The intention was to use them for “homeland security duties and transporting critically injured patients.”
Christie, it appears, has added a new purpose for the aircraft.
The good news is Christie is really looking out for the people of NJ by cutting the education budget. Don’t want to be wasting any money, you know…