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Anti-gay protesters arrested attempting to camp out at National Assemby

French police today arrested approximately 70 anti-gay activists today as they tried to set up camp outside the National Assembly in advance of a final April 23 vote on marriage equality, Reuters reports:

Around 70 people were arrested early on Monday and placed in custody after they tried to set up a campsite outside the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, near the banks of the Seine river, a police official said. 
Another 19 protesters were stopped by police for identity checks late on Sunday as they waited for Interior Minister Manuel Valls to leave a concert hall in the capital.

Violent rhetoric by anti-gay groups is being ratcheted up in advance of the vote, with one anti-gay leader declaring blood would be spilled should the legislature vote for equality.

The April 23 date is a new one, weeks earlier than initially planned.

(via Towleroad)

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Pennsylvania: Dem. state rep. Mark Smith kicked out of Christian band over marriage equality support

Democratic Pennsylvania state Rep. Mark Smith has been kicked out of his Christian rock band, One Floor Away, where he was lead guitarist, for endorsing same-sex marriage. He was apparently given an ultimatum:

“It sort of blew my mind,” Smith said. “It was like a smack to the side of the head.” He said the band’s record producer and a couple of his band mates gave him the ultimatum late last month as they were meeting in Ithaca, N.Y. for a recording session. Smith has played the guitar for years, influenced by blues greats such as B.B. King, and he joined One Floor Away in 2011. He also designed its web site.

“I would prefer not to speak on the subject right now,” said KC Sawyer, a keyboardist with the band and the managing director of DMKR studios, an Ithaca, N.Y. record label that handles Christian acts, including One Floor Away. “What we do with our band we prefer to keep quiet.” On its website, One Floor Away says its mission is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Smith was supportive of that positive message.

Smith says he’s not changing his mind: “I’m a liberal Democrat, and I feel we should certain allow people to marry who they please. Equality is the foundation of this country; it’s not something I’ll back down on.”

Smith, is currently running for the Democratic nod for lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania.

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Explosions near Boston Marathon finish line hours after winners crossed finish line

From USAToday:

At least three death and many injuries were reported Monday after two explosions ripped through the crowd near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Fox News quoted a law enforcement source as saying at least three people had died. The Boston Herald reported at least a dozen injuries.

Authorities have not identified the cause or source of the explosions.

Witnesses said the blasts occurred in quick succession about 2:50 p.m. on Boylston Street near the intersection of Exeter Street, three hours after the winner had crossed the finish line. Some store fronts were blown out.

UPDATE:  MSNBC is reporting that two additional devices have been found and dismantled. A third explosion almost an hour later occurred at the JFK  Library in Boston.

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“Day of Dialog” from anti-gay Focus On The Family

The video above is to promote anti-gay organization Focus On The Family’s “Day of Dialogue” – a rebuttal to GLSEN’s “Day of Silence:”

The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.

Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. From the first-ever Day of Silence at the University of Virginia in 1996, to the organizing efforts in over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across the country in 2008, its textured history reflects its diversity in both numbers and reach.

Fascinating that Focus On The Family and other anti-gay organizations urge parents to keep their kids home from school on Friday to try and minimize the impact of something positive like teaching kids it’s not cool to beat the shit out of gay kids.

But on the website for “Day of Dialogue” they say:

“Wouldn’t it be nice if a deeper and freer conversation could happen when controversial sexual topics are brought up in your school?”

So NOW they want to talk about sexual topics???

And btw – the students in the above video keep saying they “have a voice” but notice how they don’t say anything about the topic at hand?

(h/t JMG)

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Women of the World Poetry Slam: “To Michele Bachmann”

Sierra DeMulder, finalist in the 2013 Women of the World Poetry Slam, during the one minute round in WOWPS prelims in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

DeMulder takes Michele Bachmann and husband to task for their clinic which offers “reparative therapy” to gay and lesbians.

Strictly business, indeed.

Transcript (via Towleroad):

“Your husband owns a clinic that offers to cure homosexuality for up to $10,000 a year. So when you, Representative Bachmann, refused to acknowledge the bullying of gay students in your district, this must have been strictly business.

“When another gay teenager commits suicide in Minnesota, you consider this free advertising. You buy a new necklace for every hanging, a bottle of Merlot for each overdose, your husband sends ‘thank you’ cards to their funeral, hand-signed, all referrals welcomed.

“How could we expect you to take a stand against bullying when it helps pay for your mortgage, when it puts food in your children’s belly? One day, your youngest daughter will ask you why her school supplies feel like they belong to someone else, her pencils write names that are not hers, Samantha, Nick, Aaron, Kevin. Tell her the truth Michele, that blood money is not a metaphor, that your wallet is heavy with those who have untied themselves. Tell your daughter that God is the bully with the biggest fist and you can only hope that he is on your side!”

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New Zealand looks to final approval of marriage equality this week

NewzealandNew Zealand looks ready for final approval of marriage equality this week, TVNZ reports:

Labour MP Louisa Wall’s marriage equality member’s bill is due to have its third reading in Parliament on Wednesday night.

The bill passed its committee stages with 77 votes to 43 last month and little change was anticipated for the final vote.

Big crowds, including a few celebrities, were expected to be in Parliament’s public gallery to witness the vote.

Once the bill is passed it will be four months before the first same-sex couples can be married. Weddings could begin as early as mid-August.

(h/t Towleroad)

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Ian Ziering to be new Celebrity Guest Star & Host at Chippendales

Starting June 6th, for one month only, Ian Ziering will take the stage in Las Vegas as the new Celebrity Guest Star & Host for The world-famous Chippendales.

One of the stars of the original “90210” and more recently a semi-finalist on “Dancing With the Stars,” Ziering looks to be an excellent choice to follow former Chippendales guest hosts Joey Lawrence, Jeff Timmons (of 98 Degrees), Jake Pavelka (“The Bachelor”) and Ronnie Magro (“Jersey Shore”).

Not only did Ziering show he’s got the muscles and moves on DWTS, he shows a sense of humor in a shout-out to TMZ about the Chippendales appearance (via press release):

“Actors and performers never know what their next job will be and when I got the call from Chippendales my jaw dropped as it came on the heels of TMZ calling me fat on national TV,” says Ziering. “I am passionate about health and fitness so I’ve kept in shape, and dancing is something I’ve always enjoyed so I figured why not?”

When Ziering ran the idea by his wife she responded, “Go for it Magic Ian!” “I am so excited to be a part of this iconic worldwide organization, it’s really a dream come true!” says Zieiring. “Hey TMZ, I’ve got two front row seats for you!”

In March 2013, for the second consecutive year, the Chippendales won both the Readers’ and Critics’ Choice in the annual “Best of Las Vegas” awards as “Best Male Strip Show” – adding to an already impressive collection of accolades.

Catch Ian at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from June 6 – June 30th.

For ticket info go to Chippendales.com