LGBTQ news and entertainment
Great story here. This is really what it’s about kids.
Craig Stowell wrote a full page ad in New Hampshire’s largest newspaper, the Union Leader, saying he supports his brother’s right to marry and efforts to repeal marriage equality are “off task.”
Watch his story here.
I watch Chris Matthews “Hardball” everyday. He is absolutely honest, direct and fair with every guest that comes on his show. Democrat or Repub, he demands honesty and direct answers. I’ve seen him call out anyone who tries to double-speak their way out of something.
Yesterday, in light of the fact that more and more people have come forward saying there was no evidence of WMD in Iraq. Over 4,500 American soldiers have died and over 100,000 Iraqis have died. “Curveball” – the Iraqi who said the weapons were there now admits he made it up. Rumsfeld now admits we had no evidence.
The war in Iraq was sold to the US people with the scare tactic that Iraq HAD Weapons of Mass Destruction and they were “coming to get us.” This, after 9/11, made the US people so afraid that they supported the war.
If the last administration had come to the US people and said “Hussein’s a bad guy – we’re going to invade a country that has never attacked us and lose 4,500 American lives to free the Iraqi people” the country never would have supported the war.
We’ve also spent over $770 billion on the war there. Talk about spending and deficits!
Watch Chris Matthew’s end of show yesterday. He tells it straight. I want answers too.
The Hawaii State Senate voted 18-5 in favor of the Civil Unions bill and is now headed to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
From the Star Advertiser: “I have always believed that civil unions respect our diversity, protect people’s privacy, and reinforce our core values of equality and aloha,” Gov. Abercrombie said in a statement after the vote.
“I appreciate all the time and effort invested by those who shared their thoughts and concerns regarding civil unions in Hawaii. This has been an emotional process for everyone involved, but that process is now ended. Everyone has been heard; all points of view respected.
“For me, this bill represents equal rights for all the people of Hawaii,” Abercrombie said.
Hawaii will now become the seventh state to offer civil unions to it’s citizens. Five states and Washington, D.C. offer marriage equality to same-sex couples. The civil unions status in Hawaii will afford couples all the rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities as traditional marriage.
Hawaii couples, gay and straight, can enter civil unions beginning in January.
Let’s all celebrate the beautiful Aloha state!
The CA State Supreme Court has decided to hear arguments about whether anti-gay proponents have “standing” to oppose the repeal of Prop 8 in California. March 14th is when the court will accept briefs on the issue.
From Lambda Legal: “Because the federal appeals judges said they need clarification, we look forward to a decision by the California Supreme Court confirming that initiative proponents lack legal standing to continue the Perry case. They are not law enforcers, and have the same limited rights as everyone else to litigate only when their own rights are at stake, not merely to assert their opinions about others’ rights.”
Initiative proponents also cannot step into the shoes of the attorney general, the governor or other state officials. The reason for this is basic: the governor and attorney general are elected by the people to represent all the people, not just one point of view on one issue, out of countless, competing concerns. Most importantly, state officials swear an oath to uphold the federal and state constitutions, including their abiding promises of equal protection and due process for everyone. Initiative proponents take no such oath, and have no such duties.
Should the CA Supreme Court decide the anti-gay forces have no standing to appeal, the issue dies, the repeal of Prop 8 stands and marriage equality is reinstated in CA. If the court decided the anti-gay forces do have standing, then the issue goes back to the Federal Appeals court to decide the issue. This could mean the whole magilla may end up in US Supreme Court.
Stay tuned kids…
In a vote of 70-26, the Indiana state House voted to approve a state constitutional amendment to not only ban same-sex marriage but “anything similar” like civil unions and domestic partnerships.
The bill now goes to the state Senate, where it look to pass there as well.
The proposal has to pass in another separately elected legislature in 2013-14 before it can go before the voters.
Sad to know that so many in Indiana like the idea of committed partners not having the same rights as straight couples. Hospital visitation, inheritance, medical decision making…
Sure, we can go spend thousands at a lawyers office, but why should gays and lesbians have to spend all that money for a small handful of rights when heterosexual couples don’t? Seriously kids – this isn’t the America we can be proud of.
Reading through my Facebook at my friend Matt’s house –
Randy: “Wow, I’ve friended a lot of porn stars on FB.”
Matt: “It happens…”
One week ago, the Kansas House Federal and State Committee held a hearing about in-state tuition being granted to the children of undocumented immigrants, which has been the policy in the state since 2004.
Speaking in favor of repealing the law, Tea Party Rep. Connie O’Brien (R-KS) began telling an anecdote at the hearing about how her son had difficulty in getting financial assistance to attend college. She explained that she took her son to a financial aid office, and as she was waiting in line, she believed there was a girl waiting in line with them who was “not originally from this country.”
REP. O’BRIEN: My son who’s a Kansas resident, born here, raised here, didn’t qualify for any financial aid. Yet this girl was going to get financial aid. My son was kinda upset about it because he works and pays for his own schooling and his books and everything and he didn’t think that was fair. We didn’t ask the girl what nationality she was, we didn’t think that was proper. But we could tell by looking at her that she was not originally from this country. […]
REP. GATEWOOD: Can you expand on how you could tell that they were illegal?
REP. O’BRIEN: Well she wasn’t black, she wasn’t Asian, and she had the olive complexion.
There you go folks – if you aren’t black or asian, you must not be from this country originally. Whatever that means.
I also think it’s rich that she didn’t think it was “proper” to ask the girl in question her nationality, but it’s fine to decide she’s an illegal. That’s “proper.” This is the Tea Party kids. Party on…
Listen below:
Today marks the 27th anniversary of the passing of Ethel Merman, the Queen of Broadway.
In tribute to the fabulous “Merm”, I thought I’d share a montage from the fantastic show “Ethel Merman’s Broadway” which celebrates this one of a kind, amazing talent.
Rita McKenzie & Chris Powich wrote this show – which stars Ms. McKenzie in an amazing performance – and it’s played to rave reviews all over the country. This week it starts a two week run at the El Portal Theatre in Los Angeles’ North Hollywood area. I really recommend it. Rita really captures the essence of Merman, sings up a storm, and brings a nice sense of depth to Ethel as she tells stories from an incredible life.
Go see it if you’re in the area. Here’s a link to the theater.
Legendary pop superstar John Denver is to be inducted to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in a special benefit concert celebrating his music and life, hosted by Olivia Newton-John on Earth Day Eve, April 21, 2011 at 1STBANK Center. Tickets go on sale this Friday, at 10am MT. The evening will feature performances by Olivia Newton-John, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Richie Furay, Lee Ann Womack, John Oates and other talents in a commemoration to the late musician. Notable John Denver hits will be performed by his former band collaborators Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert of the Starland Vocal band (co-writers of “Take Me Home, Country Roads”) and John Sommers (writer of “Thank God I’m A Country Boy”). Famed composer Lee Holdridge, who has conducted orchestras for John Denver, Barbra Streisand, and Neil Diamond, among others, will lead the Boulder Philharmonic in a special tribute performance. John Denver will always be associated with the Rocky Mountains and the city from which he took his name. During his 1970s heyday, he was one of the top five selling recording artists in music history. Notable environmental activists will also join the stage in a commemoration of John Denver’s long life dedication to the environment. Chuck Morris, President and CEO / AEG LIVE Rocky Mountains, commented, “Earth Day seems so fitting for the tribute because John used his popularity to promote the environment, his favorite cause over his lifetime.” A portion of the proceeds from the concert will benefit environmental organizations that John Denver would have supported and the University of Colorado’s School of Music. The tribute is to be held at the 6,500-capacity, state-of-the-art 1STBANK Center; the permanent home of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. The venue is located only 15 minutes between Denver and Boulder at 11450 Broomfield Lane (Broomfield, CO) off U.S 1-36. TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18th at 10AM. Reserved tickets are $29.50 – $79.50 plus applicable service charges. All ages welcome. To purchase tickets and for more information visit www.1STBANKCenter.com and www.TicketHorse.com or by calling 866.461.6556. Directions http://1stbankcenter.com/directions/
Michael and I (photo: John Ganun)