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Indiana: Possible marriage equality constitutional ban ahead

Indiana 1

A constitutional amendment on marriage equality could come up for a vote in the Indiana legislature as soon as Monday.

Not only would the proposed amendment to the state constitution ban same-sex marriage, it would outlaw civil unions by stating that a legal status “substantially similar” to marriage for unmarried people is not valid.

If passed in both branches of the Indiana legislature this year, it would have to pass again in 2013-2014 before it could reach voters.

Chances are strong that it will pass since both houses of the legislature are controlled by Republicans.

Governor Mitch Daniels originally wanted the legislature to focus on the economy in this session and leave social issues alone for now.

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Ronnie from Jersey Shore at Chippendales

A “Shore” Thing at the Rio in Las Vegas

JERSEY SHORE star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro invaded the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 12. Ronnie began his evening as a special guest star at CHIPPENDALES at the Rio where he dazzled the crowd by tearing off his shirt and tossing it to hundreds of screaming women.

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Civil Union Bill Introduced in Colorado

Colorado

State Senator Pat Steadman has introduced the Colorado Civil Unions Act. The bill allows committed gay and lesbian couples to enter into a civil union that provides critical legal protections.

“Especially in these difficult economic times, gay and lesbian couples need the critical protections that civil unions offer to provide for their families,” said Brad Clark, Executive Director of One Colorado. “Civil unions will ensure that thousands of gay and lesbian couples all across the state can protect the ones they love.”

The Colorado Civil Unions Act provides committed gay and lesbian couples with critical legal protections and responsibilities, such as the ability to insure a partner, to inherit property, to take family leave to care for a partner, to visit a partner in the hospital, and to make medical and end-of-life decisions for a partner.

“Civil unions will allow committed couples to share in the responsibilities and protections in Colorado law that most families take for granted. Our society is stronger when we promote personal responsibility and taking care of one another, and civil unions do just that,” said Senator Pat Steadman, sponsor of the bill.

The bill explicitly protects freedom of religion by not requiring priests, ministers, rabbis, or other religious officials to certify a civil union. Religious leaders who want to certify a civil union may do so. Various statewide religious institutions have come out in favor of Sen. Steadman’s bill, as the bill does not require institutions to certify civil union partnerships.

The results of a Public Policy Polling survey conducted in early Februart match almost exactly results of a survey conducted last January by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner and American Viewpoint. More than 70 percent of Coloradans support legally recognized domestic partnerships, including those between same-sex couples.

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First Kiss better than sex…

Kiss

From ABC: “Psychologists report that most people can remember up to 90 percent of the details of their first romantic kiss, a memory that is even more powerful that their first sexual encounter.”

I have to agree. To this day I definitely remember my first romantic kiss. My first real sexual encounter, meh…

Romance is where it’s at kids… Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Matt Zarley: “We Belong – The Trevor Project Single”

mattzarley web

Out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley has spent the last several years climbing the Billboard Dance charts with his hits “While You See A Chance” and “Where Did You Come From” while his music videos & interviews have been featured on “The Hit List” and CBS News on LOGO.

In addition to his music, Matt is also known for his appearances in principal roles on Broadway and breaking ground as the first openly gay man featured in People Magazine’s “Most Eligible Bachelors.”

While in the studio for his upcoming CD, he’s also taken time to cover the 80s iconic Pat Benatar hit “We Belong” as a charity single to benefit The Trevor Project. The song is available as a two-song download: pop version and DJ Bill Bennett dance remix.

With gay bullying becoming a national topic of discussion, The Trevor Project continues to be a leading provider of life-saving and life-affirming resources including nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone.

I recently spoke with Matt while he was in the studio putting the finishing touches on “We Belong.”

Randy: How did this project come about?
Matt: I was approached by DJ Bill Bennett last year about doing a charity single for The Trevor Project. I thought “We Belong” would work beautifully and is a song that is very uniting. Plus it’s never covered. It felt like a great fit.

R: Why The Trevor Project?
M: I’ve had a personal connection with TTP for a few years. With the abundance of media attention this past year regarding the bullying epidemic, I wanted to find a way to raise some visibility to the cause. The work that they do is so important.

R: Why do you think this song is relevant to the Trevor Project and it’s mission?
M: I assume that the song (when Pat Benatar recorded it) was a love song. But if you listen to the lyrics, it can really be open for interpretation. I hear the song as more of an anthem of unity. I think that regardless of your orientation or viewpoint, we are all of the same earth… and we are all the same. We truly all belong TOGETHER.

R: Is there a particular lyric in “We Belong” that you hope gay and lesbian teens hear or take to heart?
M: Definitely…”whatever we deny or embrace, for worse or for better, we belong together.”

R: In a perfect world, what would you like people to get from listening to this recording?
M: To have a sense of hope, and to remember that we are all one in the same. We need to support and love one another, not bully and hate.

R: While we’re talking music, what can you tell us about the new CD?
M: Well, I’ve got several tracks in production right now, and we’re looking at a summer release date. Tentatively titled “Change Begins With Me.”

“We Belong” is available on all major music download sites.

Click here to download from iTunes.

Click here to download from Amazon.com

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Betty Garrett passes away at the age of 91

betty garrett

I had the great gift of working with Betty Garrett in the Broadway revival of FOLLIES in 2001 at the Belasco Theater. She was a wonderful, warm and funny woman who brought the house down with her performance of “Broadway Baby.”

I always remember Betty got the theater early, went out to the stage to do her own warm-up, physically and vocally, and I can’t recall her ever missing a show.

The audiences loved her. And she showed a genuine love for them. There was a joy and smile in her eyes all the time it seemed.

Most people may remember her from her recurring roles on “All In The Family” and “Laverne & Shirley” but her career stretched back decades to Hollywood. She starred in movie musical classics like “On The Town” and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” opposite Frank Sinatra, and at 27 she signed a contract with MGM, then the king of musical movies.

Her career took a terrible hit during the Red Hunt of the 1950s when her husband, Larry Parks, was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee, and he admitted that he had joined the Communist Party in 1941 and left in 1944 or 1945.

From MSNBC: Parks had won stardom and an Academy Award nomination as best actor for his dynamic portrayal of singer Al Jolson in the 1946 “The Jolson Story.” But in 1951, he was
Pressed to name his fellow members of the party, Parks pleaded not to be forced “to crawl through the mud as an informer.” He agreed to testify fully in executive session.

He made one more film, “Love Is Better Than Ever” with Elizabeth Taylor, then his film career was over.

“It was a dark period, a foolish, foolish period,” Garrett said in 1998. “It destroyed a lot of lives and ruined my husband’s career.”

In 1998, she published her autobiography, “Betty Garrett and Other Songs,” which was the title of her one-woman show.

I really loved seeing her smile before a performance of FOLLIES began. She, and her smile, will be missed.

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Elizabeth Taylor hospitalized

Elizabeth Taylor

Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor is being treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for symptoms of congestive heart failure, her spokesperson revealed Friday. It is not yet clear how long the Oscar-winner will remain in the hospital.

Taylor was originally diagnosed with the condition in November 2004. The now-78-year-old star was scheduled to attend an amfAR benefit gala Wednesday night in New York, where she was to receive an award for her dedication to AIDS research. Elton John accepted the award on the absent Taylor’s behalf.

Early in the fight against AIDS, Elizabeth Taylor led the way in awareness and fundraising. An amazing friend to the LGBT community, Taylor won two Academy Awards both for Best Actress, and was awarded the Jean Herscholt Humanitarian Academy Award in 1992 for her work fighting AIDS.