Category: Uncategorized

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Marriage equality passes in Delaware by a vote of 12-9

By a vote of 12-9! Yay! Happy dance!

During the debate, state Sen. Karen Peterson came out as a lesbian and challenged her colleagues, saying, “If my happiness somehow demeans or diminishes your marriage, you need to work on your marriage.” Truth.

The bill heads to Gov. Markell’s desk where he has promised to sign into law.

UPDATE: Gov. Markell plans to sign the bill TODAY!  Marriage equality to begin July 1.

UPDATE II: Delaware Gov. Jack Markell as he signed the marriage equality bill – “I do not intend to make any of you wait one minute longer.”

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Signs you’ve lived in NYC too long

Funny observations that let you know when you’ve lived in NYC too long – from Buzzfeed:

1. Dinner = hitting up your slice place at 1 a.m.

2. Nothing fills you with more rage than getting on a crowded subway car and suddenly hearing, “It’s showtime!”

3. In the summer, you consider the wind from an approaching subway car to be “a nice breeze.”

4. You go to the bodega in your pajamas

Click here for 21 more signs you’ve lived in NYC too long – at Buzzfeed.

But all kidding aside, who could possibly live in NYC too long? Love it!

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Congress: Gay adoption bill to be reintroduced

JoeMyGod points up that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) plans to reintroduce the Every Child Deserves A Family Act, which would attempt to override state-level bans on gay adoptions by restricting federal funding “for states employing discriminatory practices in adoption and foster care placements based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status or the sexual orientation or gender identity of the foster youth involved.”

From the Huffington Post:

Seven states currently ban a person in a same-sex couple from adopting his or her partner’s children, and gay couples face legal restrictions when petitioning for joint adoption in five states. In all, according to the Family Equality Council, LGBT people face barriers to adopting or fostering children in 39 states.

In the past, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and former Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) have taken the lead on the legislation. But now that Stark is no longer in Congress, the bill has the backing of a bipartisan duo in the House: Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.). Gillibrand is still the lead sponsor in the Senate.

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Jon Stewart on the 2013 NRA Convention

Jon Stewart runs down the cray cray at the NRA Convention this past weekend in Texas.

The kids in Houston got off to a slow start as they really do more “2016 campaigning” than talk about guns. But they eventually get around to guns. Kinda.

Stewart breaks down the contradictions in the speechifying much better than I can. Take a look…

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Las Vegas: Ace Young surprises fiance Diana DeGarmo at Chippendales

Jaymes Vaughan, Diana DeGarmo and James Davis at Chippendales in Las Vegas

You never know who or what will happen in Las Vegas.

Ace Young,  singer and Idol alum – who surprised fellow alum and girlfriend Diana DeGarmo with a proposal on the American Idol finale last year – shocked her again in Las Vegas on Friday.

DeGarmo, 25, was celebrating her bachelorette party with the Chippendales at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, when Young, 32, made a guest appearance on stage.

“I can’t believe Ace surprised me again,” DeGarmo tells PEOPLE. “I am so beyond lucky to have my best friend always keeping me on my toes no matter where we are.”

Ace treated Miss Diana with a song (and a lap dance!) while she was blindfolded on stage. One thing that didn’t surprised her? How her man nailed his performance.

“Ace is the sexiest man alive so he fit in perfectly with the Chippendales,” says DeGarmo. “He also rocked that bowtie and cuffs like nobody’s business. He might have another calling in Vegas one day!”

Click here to see video of Ace “serenading” Diana on People.com

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Minnesota: Marriage equality vote in state House this Thursday

Minnesota state House will vote on marriage equality this Thursday:

House DFL leadership announced the plans Tuesday. House Speaker Paul Thissen has previously said that scheduling the vote would be a signal that DFL leaders secured the 68 votes needed to pass the bill.

If the House passes the bill, the next vote would be in the state Senate. But its passage has been seen as more secure there than in the House.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has promised to sign the bill, which would allow gay couples to start getting married in Minnesota on Aug. 1.

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President Obama congratulates Lambda Legal on its 40th anniversary

Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

As a nonprofit organization, Lambda Legal does not charge plaintiffs for legal representation or advocacy, and they receive no government funding. The organization depends on contributions from supporters around the country.

Happy 40th Lambda Legal!

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Delaware: Final vote on marriage equality today

Big day in Delaware! Full Senate will be voting on marriage equality.  The bill easily in the state House last month by 23-18. But today is predicted to be very close.

Start thinking those happy thoughts.

Governor Markell is a supporter and has promised to sign if it hits his desk.

Below is the final “forecast” from Delaware Liberal.  As you can see, it could be a nail biter.