Sweet video from HRC celebrating four years of Iowa marriage equality
Desperate Housewives actor “comes out” on Marie Osmond talk show
Desperate Housewives actor Tuc Watkins, who played one of the gay neighbors on Wisteria Lane, reveals he’s a gay single dad on Marie Osmond’s talk show set to air on Monday.
Washington: GOP bill looks to circumvent non-discrimination law
Several Republican lawmakers filed a bill Thursday seeking an exemption to the state’s anti-discrimination laws just weeks after legal action was taken against a Richland, Wash., florist who denied service to a gay couple for their upcoming wedding.
The bill introduced by Sen. Sharon Brown (R-Kennewick), would allow businesses the right to deny services or goods if they felt doing so was contrary to their “sincerely held religious beliefs, philosophical beliefs, or matters of conscience.”
The measure would not apply to the denial of services to people under a protected class under federal law, such as race, religion or disability.
Brown said the measure seeks to protect people or religious organizations from legal persecution. “There’s a glaring lack of protection for religion in state law,” she said.
The bill has not yet been referred to a committee or scheduled for a public hearing, and is not likely to before the regular legislative session ends on Sunday.
Earlier this month, the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington state filed a lawsuit in response to a March 1 incident in which Barronelle Stutzman refused to provide flowers for Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed’s wedding, despite the two men being longtime patrons of her shop – Arlene’s Flowers and Gifts in Richland, which is in Brown’s legislative district.
Protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation were codified in 2006. Under state law, it’s illegal for businesses to refuse to sell goods, merchandise and services to any person because of their sexual orientation.
Josh Friedes, a spokesman for Equal Rights Washington, said that the bill seeks to undermine the state’s anti-discrimination laws “and it undermines our entire approach to ensuring the equality of all Washingtonians in commerce.”
“It is discrimination, pure and simple,” he said.
More at LGBTQNation
Country music legend George Jones dead at 81
Country Music Hall of Famer, Grand Ole Opry member, and Kennedy Center Honoree George Glenn Jones died Friday, April 26, 2013 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He was hospitalized April 18 with fever and irregular blood pressure.
Born September 12, 1931, Jones is regarded among the most important and influential singers in American popular music history.
He was the singer of enduring country music hits including “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Grand Tour,” “Walk Through This World With Me,” “Tender Years” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” the latter of which is often at the top of industry lists of the greatest country music singles of all time.
Response from the country music world:
“My heart is absolutely broken. George Jones was my all time favorite singer and one of my favorite people in the world. My heart goes out to Nancy and all his family and friends.”
— Dolly Parton
“The world has lost the greatest country singer of all time. Amen.”
— Merle Haggard
“Today is a sad day in Country music. We have lost another piece of history. George Jones was not only a good singer, but was a good friend. He will be missed by many.”
— Hank Williams Jr.
“I am very thankful I got to know George, he’s one of the greatest singers that ever lived. I actually loved the man and really enjoyed the time I got to spend with he and Nancy.”
— Randy Travis
“George Jones will always be one of the most amazing singers who ever lived. He was a true Country Music legend who made music very personal to the listener – I think more than anyone else. He will be dearly missed, but always remembered.”
— Kenny Rogers
“Country music and the world will miss George Jones. He was someone who set a high standard in our industry for great music and lyrics that tapped into the emotions of the human heart at a very deep level. His music has touched the lives of country music lovers for over five decades. My prayers are with his family and I pray for the repose of his soul. May you rest in peace, brother.”
— Collin Raye
“There’s a huge emptiness in the music world today from the passing of our good friend George Jones. But, the void is filled with the many memories that will be with us forever. We love you, George.”
— The Oak Ridge Boys lead singer Duane Allen
“I believe if you ask any singer who was the greatest country music singer of all time, they would say ‘George Jones’. He was without question and by far the BEST! I first met and worked with him when I was 13 years old; I am so very grateful that he was my friend.”
— Barbara Mandrell
“There aren’t words in our language to describe the depth of his greatness. I’ll miss my kind and generous friend.”
— Vince Gill
“I am just devastated by the news that George Jones has passed away! The music world has lost one of the most original and innovative talents that the world has ever known. I feel such a personal loss of not only one of the greatest vocal influences of my life, but also I’ve lost a dear friend. Visits with George have always been full of joy and laughter. Every time I would see him, George would always greet me with a funny story or a joke! His legacy will put his name at the top of the most influential artists in history, right along with Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. His voice will be influencing singers 100 years from now and beyond! I’m reminded of the lyrics that Waylon wrote in the tune ‘It’s Alright.’ ‘If we all sang like we wanted to, we’d all sound like George Jones!'”
— Travis Tritt
Video: Zach Wahls for Scouts For Equality – “Leader”
Scouts For Equality Co-Founder, Zach Wahls, explains how the ban on gay Scouts and parents personally affected his experience in Scouting.
March on Washington DC – 20 years ago this weekend
Twenty years ago, on April 25, 1993, tens of thousands of LGBT rights advocates flooded the National Mall in Washington, D.C., calling for government action on issues ranging from open military service to the repeal of sodomy laws, LGBT employment protections to increased funding for HIV/AIDS research and treatment.
I was living in NYC at the time, and in one of my rare spontaneous actions at that time of my life, I packed a bag and headed down to DC by myself. I had recently left the national tour of A CHORUS LINE, and the company was playing there at the National Theater. So I made plans to bunk with a buddy, and off I went.
The day of the march, I stepped out in the street and just started walking with thousands and thousands of people in support of LGBT rights. I stopped by the AIDS Quilt which was on display. I listened to speeches at the National Mall. I met people. I was complimented on my biceps – which to this day I never forgot 🙂
I remember thinking this would be “history” and I wanted to be there.
So I was.
The fight for equality continues in full force today, but 20 years later, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come. Check out a news clip from the 1993 march above.
Log Cabin Republicans: “Reagan’s big tent isn’t what it used to be…”
Log Cabin Republicans has a full-page ad in Politico calling on the Republican Party to grow the proverbial “big tent” by dropping its opposition to granting equal rights to the LGBT community.
The ad is a part of LCR’s relaunch efforts, which will more aggressively challenge the GOP to not be beholden to the vocal minority within the party that oppose rights for gays and lesbians.
To be fair, Log Cabin Republicans benefit by being viewed as more clear on their mission statement than the “other” gay Republican organization, GOProud. LCR remember who they are and don’t fall into the trap of wanting to please the GOP masses to such an extent they lose their own identity.
WNBA’s top draft pick inks “big-time” deal with NIKE
Out athlete Brittney Griner, the WNBA’s top draft pick (3-time all America center at Baylor) who’s now headed to play for the Phoenix Mercury, has signed a deal with Nike, USA Today reports:
Lindsay Kagawa Colas, who represents Griner, confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that Griner signed a deal with Nike on Saturday.
“It’s big-time, let’s just say that,” Griner said of the deal.
Recently, former Phoenix Suns executive Rick Welts told Bloomberg that Nike was interested in sponsoring openly gay pro athletes.
Said Welts to Bloomberg: “They made it clear to me Nike would embrace it. The player who does it, they’re going to be amazed at the additional opportunities that are put on the table, not the ones that are taken off.”
Very cool to see Nike staying true to their word.
(via shewired)
Highlights from the 27th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition
From Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS: The 27th Annual Easter Bonnet Competition raised a staggering $4,250,542 — eclipsing the previous high of $3,734,129 set in 2007. The grand total was announced April 23, 2013, after six weeks of intensive fundraising for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS by 47 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies.
With a standing-room-only audience filling Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre, two Easter Bonnet shows featured original presentations, songs, dances and 19 intricate, custom-made bonnets.
This year’s edition included special appearances by Tom Hanks, Cyndi Lauper, Harvey Fierstein, Reeve Carney, Victoria Clark, Deborah Cox, Robert Cuccioli, Katie Finneran, Shalita Grant, Ann Harada, Harriet Harris, Cady Huffman, Andy Karl, Ron Kunene, Nathan Lane, Tshidi Manye, Constantine Maroulis, Andrea Martin, Marin Mazzie, Christopher McDonald, Judy McLane, Mark Nelson, Christine Pedi, Billy Porter, Seth Rudetsky, Peter Scolari, Holland Taylor and Michael Urie.
Delaware state Senator Bushweller supports marriage equality
“As you may know, HB 75 passed the House of Representatives on April 23 and will now come to the Senate for consideration. When the roll is called in the Senate, I will be voting yes. Where I disagree with the opponents of HB 75 is that I believe same sex, civil marriage is not a threat to the family. Rather, it can help strengthen the family.
“As I stated when the General Assembly passed the civil union bill two years ago, to the extent we can encourage longevity, stability and commitment in relationships as described above, marriage and families will benefit. We should be promoting these kinds of relationships, not denying them.” – Delaware Sen. Brian Bushweller, in a letter to his constituents.
Bushweller’s support may push the Senate over into the win column for marriage equality. See the list below of recently projected/stated positions on marriage equality in Delaware.
(via JMG)