Category: Uncategorized

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President Obama to introduce immigration reform plan today

Today President Obama will introduce his immigration reform plan and LGBT couples are expected to be included. However gay immigration is not addressed in the Senate plan. Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed:

A Democratic source said: “Same-sex couples will be part of his proposal.” A second source confirmed that, unlike the Senate framework released Monday, same-sex bi-national couples — those with one American and one foreign partner — will be included in the White House principles.

The decision by Obama seeks to remedy what advocates for same-sex couples view as one of the most searing inequalities under the existing federal limit on marriage to one man and one woman: LGBT American citizens simply have no way to confer citizenship on their romantic partners, something that is automatic — if not always simple — for straight couples.

Under current law, such same-sex couples, even when married under state law, are not eligible for the green cards that opposite-sex couples can receive. Foreign partners of same-sex couples have in the past found their green card applications denied — often forcing couples to separate or move abroad.

On CBS This Morning, Sen. John McCain made his position clear saying that inclusion of LGBT couples in the immigration reform bill is “not of paramount importance.”

(source)

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Major Corporations form new coalition to support repeal of DOMA

The Human Rights Campaign today announced a new coalition of corporations that is endorsing the Respect For Marriage Act, which would legislatively repeal DOMA.

A|X Armani Exchange, Aetna Inc., Biogen Idec, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Diageo North America, eBay Inc., Electronic Arts, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, Marriott International Inc., Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Replacements, Ltd., Sun Life Financial U.S., and Thomson Reuters are initial signees to the new Business Coalition supporting repeal of DOMA.

From HRC: “The Business Coalition for DOMA Repeal is a group of leading U.S. employers that support legislative efforts to repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act through the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. These Coalition members recognize that DOMA is bad for business and have pledged their support for RMA, which restores the rights of all lawfully married couples—including same-sex couples – to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law.”

Said HRC President Chad Griffin: “These corporate pioneers understand one marriage deserves no less respect and dignity than any other marriage.They understand that repealing the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act is the right thing for our nation, and the smart thing for American business. We call on both large and small businesses to add their voices to the growing chorus calling for an end to this odious law.”

(from Towleroad)

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Boy Scouts of America close to ending ban on gay members

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MSNBC is reporting that the Boy Scouts of America are close to ending their ban on gay members and leaders. This would be a big shift in policy for BSA.

The policy change is now before the organization’s national board of directors.

The decision would be left to each individual chapter whether or not to accept gay scouts and leaders.

MSNBC reports that this changes comes from communications from the grass roots level of the Boy Scouts. Local chapters have apparently urged the national organization to reconsider the discriminatory policy.

Zach Wahls, Eagle Scout and founder of Scouts for Equality, had this to say: “This would be an incredible step forward in the right direction. We look forward to working with BSA Councils and chartering organizations across the country to end the exclusion of our gay brothers in Scouting, as well as the gay and lesbian leaders who serve the organizations so well.”

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Argentina sends message of support for marriage equality to France

When lawmakers in France vote yes to legalize same-sex marriage (fingers crossed), the country will become the 12th in the world where gays and lesbians can wed.

Argentina joined that elite list in 2010. Supporters, activists and couples in love gathered on Sunday at the Plaza Francia in Buenos Aires to send a message of support.

Ah, love….

(via Advocate)

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Wyoming: House committee advances domestic partnership bill, votes down marriage equality

The Wyoming House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee voted down a marriage equality bill, HB169, in a 5-4 vote.

Shortly thereafter, the committee voted to advance HB 168, a domestic partnership bill,  carrying most of the legal rights of heterosexual marriage has cleared the committee by a vote  of 7-2 and is headed to consideration in the full House.

Click here to read the bill.

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Father of Sandy Hook slain child heckled

I respect that gun lovers are passionate about their guns and 2nd Amendment rights. But they do little for their cause when they heckle the father of a slain Sandy Hook child.

This is pretty disgusting:

A false fire alarm, 45-minute waits to get into the Capitol complex, even the heckling of a bereaved parent of a Newtown shooting victim marked Monday’s day-long legislative hearing on gun control.

“The Second Amendment!” was shouted by several gun enthusiasts in the meeting room as Neil Heslin, holding a photo of his 6-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, asked why Bushmaster assault-style weapons are allowed to be sold in the state. “There are a lot of things that should be changed to prevent what happened,” said Heslin, who grew up using guns and seemed undisturbed by the interruption of his testimony.

Just because you CAN raise your voice, doesn’t mean you have to lose your sense of compassion.

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There’s a new Diet Coke hunk in town

Hard to believe it’s been 19 years since Lucky Vanous starred in the first male-objectifying Diet Coke ad.

And now – there’s a new hunk, Andrew Cooper, using his pecs, abs and wet t-shirt to sell some refreshment.

Business Insider writes: “Ad agency BETC London created the spot for European TV markets, but if it’s a success expect it to be rolled out worldwide.”

Watch the new ad, then relive the fun with Lucky Vanous.

(via Towleroad)

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2013 Screen Actors Guild Award winners

At the Screen Actors Guild Awards last night, Ben Affleck’s Argo continued to pick up top honor winning Best Ensemble Cast.

Daniel Day-Lewis and Jennifer Lawrence picked up the lead actor roles in. Tommy Lee Jones and Ann Hathaway won for their supporting roles in their respective movies.

Personal favorite of mine – Julianne Moore won for her fab performance as the former half-term Governor of Alaska in “Game Change.”

Dick Van Dyke won a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Male actor in a supporting role
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln – WINNER
Alan Arkin, Argo
Javier Bardem, Skyfall
Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook
Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master

Female actor in a supporting role
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables – WINNER
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy
Maggie Smith, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Cast in a motion picture
Argo – WINNER
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Misérables
Lincoln
Silver Linings Playbook

Male actor in a leading role
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln – WINNER
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables
Denzel Washington, Flight

Female actor in a leading role
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Marion Cotillard, Rust and Bone
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook – WINNER
Helen Mirren, Hitchcock
Naomi Watts, The Impossible

Ensemble in a drama series
Boardwalk Empire, HBO
Breaking Bad, AMC
Downton Abbey, PBS – WINNER
Homeland, Showtime
Mad Men, AMC

Ensemble in a comedy series
30 Rock, NBC
The Big Bang Theory, CBS
Glee, Fox
Modern Family, ABC – WINNER
Nurse Jackie, Showtime
The Office, NBC

Male actor in a drama series
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire, HBO
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad, AMC – WINNER
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom, HBO
Jon Hamm, Mad Men, AMC
Damian Lewis, Homeland, Showtime

Female actor in a drama series
Claire Danes, Homeland, Showtime – WINNER
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey, PBS
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Asylum, FX
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife, CBS
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey, PBS

Male actor in a comedy series
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock, NBC – WINNER
Ty Burrell, Modern Family, ABC
Louis C.K., Louie, FX
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory, CBS
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family, ABC

Female actor in a comedy series
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie, Showtime
Tina Fey, 30 Rock, NBC – WINNER
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation, NBC
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family, ABC
Betty White, Hot in Cleveland, TV Land

Male actor in a television movie or miniseries
Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys, History – WINNER
Woody Harrelson, Game Change, HBO
Ed Harris, Game Change, HBO
Clive Owen, Hemingway & Gellhorn, HBO
Bill Paxton, Hatfields & McCoys, History

Female actor in a television movie or miniseries
Nicole Kidman, Hemingway & Gellhorn, HBO
Julianne Moore, Game Change, HBO – WINNER
Charlotte Rampling, Restless, Sundance
Sigourney Weaver, Political Animals, USA
Alfre Woodard, Steel Magnolias, Lifetime

Stunt ensemble
Boardwalk Empire, HBO – WINNER
Breaking Bad, AMC
Game of Thrones, HBO
Sons of Anarchy, FX
The Walking Dead, AMC

Finally, Dick Van Dyke won a Lifetime Achievement Award sans a crazy coming out speech ala Jodie Foster.