Category: Uncategorized

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Pro-gay Episcopal priest chosen for Inaugural benediction

LeonThe Rev. Luis León, an Episcopal priest whose church is near the White House, will deliver the benediction at the inauguration of Barack Obama, CNN reports:

The Rev. Luis León told CNN on Tuesday the White House and the Presidential Inaugural Committee invited him last week to deliver the closing prayer at the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

León pastors Saint John’s Church, an Episcopal parish just across Lafayette Park from the White House, dubbed the “Church of the Presidents.”

“I found out last week,” he told CNN in an interview on Tuesday.

A source close to the inaugural committee confirmed León would be delivering the benediction and said a formal announcement would be coming later in the week.

The Obamas are frequent worshipers at León’s church. Leon also delivered the invocation at George W. Bush’s inauguration in 2005.

The HuffPost adds:

León’s own parish is known for welcoming openly gay members. The church, which has openly gay, non-celibate priests and has had a gay bishop, announced this summer that it would bless same-sex partnerships and ordain transgender priests. This month, the Washington National Cathedral, an Episcopal church, announced that it would also begin same-sex marriage ceremonies.

(source)

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US House approves $50 billion in aid to Sandy victims

Just in from CNN: Lawmakers in the House of Representatives approved measures Tuesday to send more than $50 billion in aid to the Northeastern states ravaged by Superstorm Sandy last fall, though some conservatives in the House were pushing for spending cuts that would offset the cost of the recovery package.

The final bill passed 241-180, with 49 Republicans voting against it. The package now heads to the Senate.

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Funny or Die: What Jodie Foster was thinking during Golden Globes speech

I have my own feelings about Jodie Foster’s “did she or didn’t she come out” speech during the recent Golden Globe Awards.

Coming out, I feel is a very private and personal matter. No one can dictate the time or terms on which someone addresses this very personal issue.

However, I will say, public figures who DO come out offer visibility and role models to younger LGBT folks. They prove that “it does get better.”

I still don’t know if Jodie Foster did or didn’t come out last Sunday. So, if I’m confused – how do you think young gays and lesbians feel?

Loud and proud or not – if you’re going to do something, do it.

Just my two cents.

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Maryland delegate Don Dwyer: Drinking “exploded” because of gay marriage

Don Dwyer, Maryland state delegate, last August was involved in a boating accident while alledgedly over the legal alcohol limit.  The accident ed to a five-year-old girl’s skull being fractured.

He now says his problem with alcohol is due to same-sex marriage

The Advocate writes, “Dwyer claims the August 2012 crash was not his fault, even though alcohol was found on his boat and his alcohol limit was three times the legal limit at the time. The politician claims his casual drinking exploded after he separated from his wife of 31 years and after what he called “betrayal” over his stance against same-sex marriage. Two Republicans who he believed would help him stand in the way of marriage equality legislation ended up changing their vote and supporting the bill, which passed (Maryland voters reaffirmed the vote at the ballot in November).

“That betrayal really affected me,” he said. “I was physically ill. You pour your heart into an issue like that and it’s devastating.”