Notice how the congressman keeps giving short answers and pointing to the next question. And these are his constituents.
Ruh-roh. Shaggy? Ummmm….
Nevada Senate approves two LGBT protection bills
From LGBTQnation.com: The Nevada Senate on Monday approved two bills that would prohibit discrimination against gays and transgender individuals in housing and public accommodations, but rejected a third bill that would have added gender identity and expression to Nevada’s hate crimes law.
Sen. David Parks (D-Las Vegas), sponsor of all three measures, said he wasn’t surprised the 10-11 vote went against the hate crimes bill, reported the Nevada Appeal.
Parks said the law already includes race, color, religion, national origin, disability and sexual orientation in the definition of hate crimes.
“Protecting our transgender citizens harms no one,” he said.
The other two measures, however, were approved: SB331 prohibits discrimination against gays and transsexuals in places of public accommodation including hotels, motels and restaurants, and SB368 prohibits discrimination in housing and other real property transactions.
Both measures now go to the Assembly for consideration.
Sneak peek – tonight’s GLEE
Sweet clip of Blaine serenading Kurt with “Somewhere Only We Know.”
Not sure of the context but I hear several story-lines will be addressed in tonight’s 90 minute episode including bullying and sexuality.
Looking forward to it!
My favorite Amazing Race team – spoiler
I am a big fan of The Amazing Race. I have never missed a season or episode.
I just caught up on my DVR, and found my favorite team – Jet and Cord – were eliminated this week. I really, really like these guys. They seems straight-up good guys. Worked hard, never fought and did their very best.
Plus – I’m a native Texan and have a soft spot in my heart for hard working cowboys.
UGH.
The show won’t be the same without them. Not sure I care about the results of the rest of the race now.
🙁
House loses DOMA defense team; lawyer quits firm
According to Politico: the law firm of King & Spalding has stepped away from defending DOMA on behalf of the US House.
Following the decision to not defend DOMA, attorney Paul Clement has resigned from King & Spalding law firm.
Clement has joined Bancroft PLLC as partner. Bancroft has two former Bush administration officials as partners.
Thomas Roberts catches up with Zach Wahls on MSNBC
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts catches up with Iowa teen Zach Wahls as he prepares to accept an award in New York from the Family Equality Council for his February speech to the Iowa legislature in support of marriage equality and his moms.
Click here to see his fantastic speech supporting marriage equality in Iowa at the Iowa Legislature.
I was and continue to be so impressed by this guy. His parents must be beside themselves that he’s so well spoken, thoughtful and articulate.
I want this guy to run for public office! Go Zach!
A “youtube” scene from Dreamgirls
Now – I love Dreamgirls, and I love creative people.
This is very, very funny.
Congresswoman Gabby Giffords progress
With Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords expected to attend her husband’s shuttle launch later this week, the Arizona Republic reports a bit on her recovery so far.
“Giffords speaks most often in a single word or declarative phrase: ‘love you,’ ‘awesome,’ even ‘get out’ to doctors… Longer sentences frustrate Giffords. She must search her brain for the words she wants, which feels like trying to pull out the name of a familiar face you can’t quite place.”
She says she misses Tucson and when she finally gets back there she wants to “climb a mountain” – as is she isn’t already.
She’s apparently showing a lot of independence – from which medications she will take, the t-shirt she’ll wear for physical therapy, to what she thinks about her breakfast options.
She pushes a grocery cart up and down hospital halls to help relearn muscle use. She also works with a bowling ball and indoor golf exercises.
The paper also notes that she’s left-handed now.
Go Gabby – go!
“Carol Channing: Larger Than Life”
The legendary Broadway star Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly!
NY: Conjugal visits for gay married inmates
NY State prison officials are allowing conjugal visits for gay inmates involved in same-sex marriages or civil unions.
Recent regulation changes will also allow gay prisoners to take leave from their cell when their loved one is terminally ill.
From the NY Daily News: “If they seek a furlough based on the partner, it’s likely it would be granted,” said Peter Cutler, spokesman for the Department of Correctional Services.
“We’ve been doing it,” Cutler said of the leave policy, which previously applied to only traditional marriages.
Cutler said the regulation, which appeared in the state Register this week, formalizes a policy change initiated in 2008 by then-Gov. David Paterson, who ordered New York State agencies to recognize same-sex marriages that were legally performed in other states and civil unions.
Regulations to allow conjugal visits to gay prisoners will only apply to those who are already involved in a marriage or civil union. Though marriage equality has not yet reached New York, the state does recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages and civil unions.
The regulation formalizes a policy change begun in 2008 by then-Gov. David Paterson, who ordered New York State agencies to recognize same-sex marriages that were legally performed in other states and civil unions. Cutler could not explain why it took so long for the regulation to be finalized in the Register, which lists recent rule-making activities by state agencies.
Cutler was unaware of any inmate in a same-sex relationship who has had a conjugal visit, known officially as family reunions. Less than a third of the state’s 67 correctional facilities allow conjugal visits. An inmate must be in one of those facilities for a “family reunion” and it must be requested.
Gay marriage advocates welcomed the move, saying any recognition of same-sex relationships is a positive step – even when it occurs in the prisons. “The more the state is consistent with that status of law the better off we are,” said Ross Levi, executive director of the Empire State Pride Agenda.
In 2007, California became the first state to allow for conjugal visits for same-sex couples.
Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/#ixzz1KMjmM4O4