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Australia: Same-Sex Marriages To Begin January 9, 2018

After a vastly lop-sided “Yes” vote for same-sex marriage in Australia’s Parliament, the legislation has been signed and LGBT Aussies will be able to marry within 30 days.

From ABC News:

Australia’s prime minister rushed gay marriage into law on Friday by gaining a final signature on a bill hours after it was overwhelming endorsed by Parliament and as the nation started planning weddings that can take place in a month.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull traveled to Government House where Governor-General Peter Cosgrove signed the bill into law on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, Australia’s constitutional head of state.

Cosgrove’s signature makes gay marriage legal in Australia from Saturday, when same-sex couples who wed overseas will be recognized as married under Australian law. Couples who intend to marry must give a calendar-month notice, making gay weddings legal on Jan. 9, Turnbull said.

Let’s relive that awesome moment one more time 🙂

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Poll: Trump Falls To 32% Approval Rating

The latest Pew Research Center survey shows Donald Trump at his lowest level yet – only 32% approve of the job Trump is doing; a disconcerting 63% disapprove.

Additionally, 59% believe senior members of the Trump administration “definitely” or “probably” had improper contacts with Russia during last year’s presidential campaign.

And 55% are “very” or “somewhat” confident Special Counsel Robert Mueller will conduct a fair investigation.

More at the link.

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Calendar Season: “Greeks Come True 2018”

I know, I know, no one wants to see a whole calendar of hot, woofy Greek men (except maybe everyone).

The “Greeks Come True” 2018 Calendar features 14 honest-to-God real “guys next door” and pro athletes thanks to the talented lens of Vangelis Kyris.

Check out a few pics from the calendar below.  And find your true Greek at www.greekscometrue.com

Opa!

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Judge Denies Request To Move Trial Of Pulse Nightclub Shooter’s Widow

The widow of the Pulse Nightclub shooter, who killed 49 people at an Orlando, Florida, nightclub in June of 2016, has seen her request for a change of venue for her upcoming trial denied.

Via The New York Times:

U.S. District Judge Paul Byron ruled Wednesday that attorneys for Noor Salman did not prove that she cannot get a fair trial in Orlando. Salman was married to Omar Mateen, who died in a shootout with police at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub in June 2016.

Prosecutors charged Salman with obstruction of justice, saying she knew of her husband’s plans. She denies that.

Her trial is set for March.

Salman’s attorneys argued she could not get a fair trial in Orlando because of constant media coverage and statements made by the Orlando Police chief. But the judge concluded those statements were not inflammatory or prejudicial.

Until the recent shooting in Las Vegas, the Pulse massacre was the deadliest shooting event in American history.

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Throwback Thursday: Backstage At Broadway’s FOLLIES

My dear friend and former castmate Joey Sorge (currently killing it in the hit Bway production, A Bronx Tale) recently sent me this pic from my first performance in what was arguably one of my happiest experiences on Broadway from the 2001 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s brilliant FOLLIES. This was taken as I was getting “mic-ed up” for the show. Wow, time flies. Who is that guy? I’ve written before about this incredible experience and the ensuing reunions of this amazing cast here. If you’re a Broadway fan you may be interested in the backstory here 🙂

Stephen Sondheim, legendary Broadway composer and lyricist, has died at 91
With Sondheim backstage during the 2001 Broadway revival of ‘Follies’

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News Round-Up: December 7, 2017

Some news items you might have missed:

• Fitness guy Ben Zerbst posts on Instagram he thought he heard a dog. Actually, it was just me woofing.

• One of the gay men Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis denied a marriage license has announced he will run for her office.

• Actor/athletes Terry Crews is suing his former William Morris Endeavor agent, Adam Venit, alleging Venit grabbed Crews by the balls at a party.

• Folks were wondering about Donald Trump’s unusual speech impediment during his announcement that the U.S. would recognize Jerusalem as the capitol of Israel. Many suspect his dentures came loose. Take a listen and decide for your self.

• Pot meet kettle: Steven Bannon criticized 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney saying he avoided military service by serving his Mormon mission during Vietnam. Ironic since Bannon shepherded Donald Trump to the presidency. Trump famously received deferment after deferment for “bone spurs” during Vietnam.

• For the first time in history, a cast member of the Broadway production of CATS was involved in an incident with a dog during a performance.

• Retired pro soccer star Robbie Rogers married TV and film producer Greg Berlanti. The twosome have been a couple since 2013 and became engaged last December. They are parents to adorable Caleb, who they had via surrogate in February 2016.

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Sen. Al Franken Slaps At Donald Trump & Roy Moore In Resignation Speech


 “I, of all people, am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party,” 

-Sen Al Franken on the floor of the U.S. Senate in his speech announcing his resignation amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

While the Democrats in Congress take the proverbial “high road” in callng for Franken’s departure based on allegations, the Republicans show no such leaning as they remain silent on Donald Trump’s 13 accusers of sexual misconduct and Alabama Republican Roy Moore seems headed to a Senate win even as a dozen women allege sexual impropriety on his part.

Hypocrisy much?

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Anti-Same-Sex Marriage Couple Renege On Divorcing On Passage Of Marriage Equality

I’ve posted in the past about a married couple of haters in Australia who “threatened” to divorce should marriage equality come to the land “down under.”

Back in June 2015, Nick and Sarah Jensen of Canberra swore to divorce in protest if the government legalized same-sex marriage.

It will come as no surprise the threat was an empty one as Parliament has resoundingly approved marriage equality.

From The Daily Mail:

And after Parliament finally passed the law to cheers on Thursday afternoon, Mr Jensen announced his position in a statement to Daily Mail Australia. “My previous public comments regarding civil divorce never envisaged me separating from my wife, but rather our marriage from the State,” he wrote.

“The legislation currently makes it untenable for us to do this under the law. The point we were highlighting and that still stands however is the fact that a redefinition of marriage changes the agreement under which we were originally married. We will be making no further comment.”

Here’s Nick Jansen’s statement from 2015:

“My wife and I just celebrated our 10-year anniversary. But later this year, we may be getting a divorce. The decision to divorce is not one we’ve taken lightly. And certainly, it’s not one that many will readily understand. And that’s because it’s not a traditional divorce. Our view is that marriage is a fundamental order of creation. Part of God’s human history. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman before a community in the sight of God. And marriage of any couple is important to God regardless of whether that couple recognises God’s involvement or authority in it.” 

(h/t JoeMyGod) 

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Australia Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Australia’s House of Representatives has legalized same-sex marriage by a wide margin.

Only four MPs voted no to make marriage equality the law of the land.

The Senate had already approved the legislation last week by a vote of 43-12.

After the Governor-General gives the legislation official approval in a formality known as “Royal Assent,” marriage equality will become the law of the land. Australia will become the 25th country to recognize same-sex couples’ right to marry.

Congratulations, Australia!