Continuing to surprise, Pope Francis met with and had lunch with LGBT prison inmates in Naples, Italy, on Sunday.
Pope Francis Dines With LGBT Prison Inmates
Barney Frank On Aaron Schock’s Resignation: “He Was Outed Or What?”
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| Former Congressman Barney Frank |
Upon learning the news of GOP Congressman Aaron Schock’s resignation, former Massachusetts Democratic congressman Barney Frank at first assumed the issue had been Schock’s sexuality:
“He was outed or what?” Frank said when Business Insider asked for his thoughts on the sudden resignation by the 33 year old congressman from Illinois.
Frank was one of the first openly gay congressmen, having come out in 1987. He is currently promoting his recent memoir “Frank: A Life In Politics From The Great Society To Same-Sex Marriage.”
The former congressman from Massachusetts did have this to offer regarding young Schock:
“I will say this, I don’t know if he’s gay or not. But if he is, he’s forfeited any right to privacy because he votes anti-gay,” Frank said of Schock. “My view is that people who are gay who vote to support the right of other people to do it have a right to privacy, but the right to privacy does not include hypocrisy.”
Schock had a severely anti-gay voting record while in office having voted against the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the repeal of DOMA and many other pieces of LGBT legislation.
Matt Baume: St. Patrick’s Day Parades March Toward Equality
LGBT folks have fought for decades for the right to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Boston. And this year – they did!
(Well, two LGBT groups got to…)
Some people wonder why it’s important that gays get to take part in the annual Irish parade. And there is a reason. A very good one.
Matt Baume explains in this quick, easy and rather Irish video. It’s actually more than you think.
Boston: History Made As LGBT Groups Allowed In St. Patricks Day Parade
In a historic first, LGBT organizations were allowed to march in this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Boston.
After years of boycotting the parade over lack of inclusiveness, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined those celebrating in the parade. Also attending were Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.
OUTVETS, which includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender veterans, was invited to be a part of the festivities.
Progress, folks, progress!
Tiffany & Co Launch TV Ad Featuring Same-Sex Marriage Proposal
Tiffany & Co has launched it’s first ever TV ad which features a same-sex marriage proposal.
Via Business Insider:
The ad, created by Ogilvy New York, features a number of couples building up to asking their significant other “Will You?,” which is the tagline of the campaign.
The TV spot is an extension of the print campaign Tiffany launched last month and features the same real-life male same-sex couple. It marked the first time the company had featured a gay couple in its advertising in its 178-year history.
The social media reaction to last month’s print campaign was extremely positive. AdAge notes that Miley Cyrus even reposted the ad on her Instagram page, thanking the jeweler “for being so badass.” Another ad as part of the campaign also depicted a couple with their child during their wedding as the brand looked to broaden its portrayal of marriage proposals and weddings.
At the time of the print launch a Tiffany spokeswoman explained the thinking behind the push in a statement: “Nowadays, the road to marriage is no longer linear. True love can happen more than once with love stories coming in a variety of forms.”
Oregon Governor Resigns, Openly LGBT Secretary Of State To Assume Governorship
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| Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown to assume governorship |
Bloomberg reports:
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber’s almost four-decade political career fell apart Friday, as he heeded calls from fellow Democrats to resign after a scandal involving his fiancee’s use of his office to generate business for her energy-consulting firm.
Kitzhaber, a 67-year-old re-elected to a fourth term in November, announced his departure in a news release.
Secretary of State Kate Brown, also a Democrat, will assume the office until 2016.
Married to a man, but openly bisexual, this would make Borwn the first-ever openly LGBT governor.
New Music: Matt Zarley “hopefulROMANTIC”
After a successful crowdfunding campaign, a concept that went from music album to musical short film, plus film festival awards, Matt Zarley’s new album hopefulROMANTIC is finally available.
hopefulROMANTIC is a universal story about loving, letting go, and holding onto faith that
there’s somebody for everybody.
And it’s not only a new album – it’s two! Zarley has released a “pop versions” CD of the songs that comprise his award-winning short film of the same name, and a movie soundtrack with the film versions of the songs.
Check out the new albums on iTunes and Amazon.
And check out his latest music video (taken from the film) featuring the iconic George Takei in his role as “George O’Mei” who helps Zarley’s character find renewed hope on his journey to romance.
Plus – check out part of my interview with George Takei from the red carpet at the LA preview of hopefulROMANTIC:
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Post by Matt Zarley.
Music Video: Kelly Clarkson “Heartbeat Song”
Easily my favorite new pop song. Kelly Clarkson’s vocals and the upbeat pop melody makes me happy.
And now, the just released music video features several couples throughout their romantic journeys, including an adorable gay couple.
Bravo, Kelly, for a great song AND video.
Alabama Updates Marriage Forms In Advance Of Monday Deadline
As the state of Alabama (and more) awaits a decision by SCOTUS whether or not to extend a stay on the ruling which struck down the state’s same-sex marriage ban, the Alabama Department of Health is prepping for marriage equality to begin on February 9th.
From AL.com:
The department today will send new marriage forms to probate judges in 67 counties. Instead of listing “bride” and “groom,” the new forms include “first listed spouse” and “second listed spouse.”
Catherine Donald, the state registrar and director of the Center for Health Statistics, said there are a few other minor changes that have made the marriage certificate slightly longer. For instance, it now asks for the gender of each spouse, which will allow the state to track how many marriage licenses are issued to gay couples.
Meanwhile, we wait for SCOTUS.
Tiffany & Co. Feature Gay Couple In New Ad
Tiffany & Co. debuted a new ad featuring a same-sex couple — a very welcome first for the brand. The image is a sneak preview of Tiffany’s forthcoming “Will You” campaign, which “honors the idea that love knows no boundaries,” a representative told us today.
According to fashion/style website Refinery29, the handsome men in the ad are a real-life New York City couple.
The text of the ad reads:
“Will you promise to never stop completing my sentences or singing off-key, which I’m afraid you do often? And will you let today be the first sentence of one long story that never, ever ends?”
“Nowadays, the road to marriage is no longer linear, and true love can happen more than once with love stories coming in a variety of forms,” a Tiffany spokesperson told Elle.com. “The Tiffany engagement ring is the first sentence of the story that a couple will write together as they create a life that is deeply intimate and exceptional, which is the message we hope to convey through this campaign.”