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Kathy Griffin & Anderson Cooper shenanigans on New Years Eve

The most interesting pairing for New Years Eve TV watching Kathy Griffin & Anderson Cooper for CNN’s New Year’s Eve countdown, didn’t disappoint this year, particularly when tickled what she calls his “sack” and he what calls his “Christmas presents.” She later attempted to “kiss his sardine” while he managed a report about a NYE tradition in Maine.

However, the most bizarre moment came when Psy and MC Hammer wandered onto their stage: “He was pushed on by some Psy PR team… I don’t think he knew where he was. I don’t think he knew who we were. I don’t think he realized he was on CNN.”

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ESPN airs openly gay Pro Bowler Scott Horon’s celebration kiss with husband after winning PBA Championship

On Sunday ESPN aired the Pro Bowling Association finals in the World Series Of Bowling where the sports network may have made some history. Jim Buzinski writes at OutSports:

In what might be a first, ESPN this weekend showed an openly gay male pro athlete kissing his husband and they did not shy away from describing the relationship. The event was the 2012 PBA Chameleon Championship in Las Vegas, held in November, but shown on TV this Sunday.

Scott Norton won the event over Jason Belmonte and afterward broke down and cried in memory of a friend who had died. He was then shown kissing his husband, Craig Woodward, as they exchanged affectionate words (video below). During the telecast, ESPN’s announcers referred to Woodward as Norton’s husband or spouse.

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John Boehner tells Sen. Harry Reid to “go f*ck yourself”

According to Politico, things became very heated when Speaker of the House John Boehner saw Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the lobby of the White House, just steps from the Oval Office, last Friday amid the negotiations to avoid the “fiscal cliff.”

“Go f— yourself,” Boehner sniped as he pointed his finger at Reid, according to multiple sources present.

Reid, a bit startled, replied: “What are you talking about?”

Boehner repeated: “Go f— yourself.”

What statesmanship. No wonder Congress has such a low approval rating. This is how our leaders carry themselves.

Perhaps Boehner truly isn’t up to the job of Speaker of the House.

Read more details on the evolution of the eventual bill that passed at Politico.

(via Politico)

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Congress passes "fiscal cliff" package by vote of 257 /167

According to the Associated Press, legislation to block the “fiscal cliff” is headed to the White House for President Barack Obama’s signature.

The bill will avoid, for now, the major tax increases and government spending cuts that had been scheduled to take effect with the new year.

The legislation will raise tax rates on incomes over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples. That was higher than the thresholds of $200,000 and $250,000 that Obama campaigned for. But remarkably, in a party that swore off tax increases two decades ago, dozens of Republicans supported the bill at both ends of the Capitol.

The Senate approved the measure on a vote of 89-8 less than 24 hours earlier.

The measure split the upper ranks of the Republican leadership in the House.

Speaker John Boehner of Ohio voted in favor, while Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia opposed the bill. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the party’s 2012 vice presidential candidate, supported the measure.

Final approval came in the House on New Year’s Night. The vote was 257 to 167.

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Fiscal Cliff update – Eric Cantor does not support Senate bill

Rep. Eric Cantor – number 2 in the US House – says he does not support the Senate bill passed to avert the “fiscal cliff.”

The Senate passed the measure early Tuesday by a sweeping 89-8 vote. House passage of the measure would send it to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The bill would increase taxes on family income exceeding $450,000 and delay across-the-board spending cuts for two months.

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Maryland celebrates first same-sex marriages!

Maryland is now the ninth state where marriage equality is official, and it’s the first below the Mason-Dixon line.

James Scales and William Tasker were the first couple married at City Hall in Baltimore today, and the ceremony was presided over by none other than Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

“There is no human institution more sacred than that of the one that you are about to form,” the mayor said. “True marriage, true marriage, is the dearest of all earthly relationships.”

Prior to the ceremony, Scales, a 68-year old employee at the mayor’s office, marveled at finally achieving his dream, telling the AP, “It’s just so hard to believe it’s happening.” And there’s no turning back!

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Maryland: Marriage equality begins at midnight

When the clock strikes midnight tonight, it will mark more than simply the start of a new year for some couples in Maryland — it’s also when Maryland’s new marriage equality law officially takes effect. Some same-sex weddings are already planned for the first moments of 2013.

Since New Year’s Day is a government holiday, courthouses across Maryland are closed. But that didn’t stop Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (D) from taking steps to ensure that same-sex couples won’t have to wait any longer for marriage equality. Rawlings-Blake will open Baltimore’s city hall tonight to allow at least seven same-sex couples to get married, and the mayor plans to serve as an official witness for the wedding ceremonies:

“New Years Day will have a new meaning for the hundreds — if not thousands — of couples who will finally have the right to marry the person they love,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake.
“It is a remarkable achievement for Maryland, and we are excited to open City Hall to host some of the first wedding ceremonies in our great state. Newly married couples will stand before their friends and family to profess their love and commitment to each other. This is what we worked for, and I am looking forward to take part in this historic and jubilant day.”

The first couple to be married at City Hall will be a longtime aide to the mayor and his partner of 35 years. And even though the courthouses in other Maryland cities may not be open, the early marriage licenses that some same-sex couples in the state were able to begin applying for in December will become official at midnight tonight.

Being on West Coast time, trust and believe that at 9pm my time I’ll raise a glass to the fabulous couples who waited so long but won the right to marry the person they love.  That alone will make my New Year’s Eve fabulous.

In advance of all the celebrations, I want to congratulate all the newlyweds.  Enjoy, take it all in and celebrate!

Forward!

(source)

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Fantasia Barrino says anti-gay Instagram “taken out of context”

Former American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino says her words were taken out of context by LGBT bloggers who called out a rambling message she posted on Instagram that appeared to condemn marriage equality.

The message, which appears to now have been deleted, stated: “I Rise ABOVE IT ALL!!! THE WORLD IS GONE MAD. KIDS, THE GOVERNMENT, THE church House… Everybody Trying!!!!!!! Its a lot that going on that the Bible speaks about we should Not be doing. Weed legal in some places, Gay Marriage Legal BUT YET IM JUDGED!! Im not doing Nothing for you… My Life!!!!”

Barrino said in a new post that bloggers and the public misinterpreted her comments, which she said were intended to condemn judgment in general.

“It has been brought to my attention that something I said was taken out of context,” she wrote. “I Fantasia Monique Barrino don’t judge anyone because I don’t want to be judged. The gay community is one of my largest supporters. I support the gay community as well as they support me. Bloggers please stop misrepresenting the facts.”

Fantasia’s PR team says the singer’s comment about marriage equality being an example of a world gone mad were “taken far out of context“:

Comments made by Ms. Barrino through her Intragram account were recently taken far out of context, and the purpose of this release is to set the record straight. Ms. Barrino is not now, nor has she ever been an opponent of the LGBT community. She has supported and performed at numerous events that are sponsored by the LGBT community.
Whether it’s through a live performance or placement on social media, Ms. Barrino uses every opportunity to reach out and connect with her fans, all of her fans.

Not sure about you – and I appreciate Ms. Barrino’s talent – but how “out of context” can “a lot that going on that the Bible speaks about we should Not be doing. Weed legal in some places, Gay Marriage” be?  Pretty clear she thinks gay marriage we should not be “doing.”

Sounds more like a lot of damage control to me.

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Detroit Tigers Torri Hunter uncomfortable with idea of “out” teammate

Detroit Tigers right fielder Torri Hunter isn’t down with the idea of an openly gay teammate, telling the Los Angeles Times he believes an out teammate would make him “uncomfortable.”

“For me, as a Christian…I will be uncomfortable because in all my teachings and all my learning, biblically, it’s not right,” the former Angels outfielder told the publication. “It will be difficult and uncomfortable.”

Well, for goodness sake, let’s please make sure Mr. Hunter is ‘comfortable.’ No matter if that means gay professional athletes remain in the closet and UNcomfortable.

Read more at Huffington Post