Tag: pro-LGBT

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Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Supports Marriage Equality

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, the largest group of businesses in Broward County,  has approved a resolution in support of same-sex marriage.

“Marriage equality makes great business sense for our state and our community,” Dan Lindblade, president and CEO of the Chamber, said in a statement. He termed it “reform.”

With a membership of over 1,400, the pro-business group had good reason to support the freedom to marry.

From Lindblade: “Simplification of benefits administration, a competitive edge on hiring top talent, growing an already diverse and strong tourism marketplace, and protecting the strong economic engine related to gay and gay-friendly businesses are just a few reasons.”

(source)

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Madonna introduces Pussy Riot at Amnesty International concert in Brooklyn

Madonna introduced Russian protest-punk band Pussy Riot at Amnesty International’s Bringing Human Rights Home concert in Brooklyn, praising the band’s courage and conviction for standing up for LGBT rights in Russia.

Madge spoke of her own experience performing in Russia: being told to “tone down” her show (she didn’t), being sued for millions of dollars for her show being “pro-gay,” seeing 87 audience members arrested during her concert for behavior that was “too gay.”

And she spoke about members of Pussy Riot being imprisoned for staging a protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin inside a Moscow cathedral.

Watch the queen of pop’s introduction below:

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Pro-gay church sign goes viral

Jesus had two dads and he turned out just fine!

“Jesus had two dads and he turned out just fine!”

This is the message on the marquee for St. John’s Anglican Church in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The photo of the church went viral this week after being posted to Reddit, receiving an almost even split of upvotes and downvotes (16k to 14k, respectively).

Referring to Jesus’ earthly father Joseph and divine father God, the church’s rector Lynne Marchant said,

I don’t find it offensive in any way. We have people in our congregation who are homosexual. We are an all-inclusive church, a family. No one cares what your sexuality is. Come on in, we don’t see any difference.

(source)

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President Obama congratulates Lambda Legal on its 40th anniversary

Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

As a nonprofit organization, Lambda Legal does not charge plaintiffs for legal representation or advocacy, and they receive no government funding. The organization depends on contributions from supporters around the country.

Happy 40th Lambda Legal!

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Two more Democratic congressmen publicly support marriage equality

Rep. Ron Kind of Wisconsin released a statement endorsing marriage equality via a post on Facebook, saying that history has shown that “discrimination never works:”

“My 18-year marriage to Tawni has taught me that we’re both stronger because we love and support each other. I support marriage equality because if two people want to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for one another, then the government shouldn’t stand in the way.

“As the Supreme Court deliberates the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, I’m reminded that throughout history, discrimination has never worked. I have never voted for discrimination, and I look forward to supporting legislation like the Respect for Marriage Act that will help committed same-sex couples gain the same rights as everyone else.”

Rep. Pete Visclosky of Indiana announced his support for marriage equality via Facebook also:

“I support marriage equality for all couples and believe that every single American should be able to marry the person they love. I believe that it is unfair that, under current law, same-sex couples are legally prohibited from taking advantage of the federal laws that provide financial and legal benefits to married couples. I believe that we can no longer allow the states to discriminate against same-sex marriages. Rather, I believe that the federal government should ensure that all consenting adults, no matter who they are or who they love, have the exact same marriage rights.”

Visclosky voted for DOMA in 1996. His spokesman says Visclosky now “regrets that vote.”

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Halebop Hockey

A new pro-gay ad from the Swedish mobile carrier Halebop  set in a locker room confrontation:

English translation:

Guy 1: “Miss you, Theo Ekenborg [name of a guy]”

Guy 1: “Who’s that?”

Guy 2: “It’s …”

Guy 2: “It’s my boyfriend.”

Guy 2: “We’re celebrating our … one year anniversary”

Guy 1: “Congrats! One year, that’s not easy”

In the end you hear another guy in the background saying “I know who it is. He’s damn good looking”

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Virginia Sen. Mark Warner supports marriage equality

“I support marriage equality because it is the fair and right thing to do. Like many Virginians and Americans, my views on gay marriage have evolved, and this is the inevitable extension of my efforts to promote equality and opportunity for everyone.

“I was proud to be the first Virginia governor to extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBT state workers. In 2010, I supported an end to the military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy, and earlier this month I signed an amicus brief urging the repeal of DOMA. I believe we should continue working to expand equal rights and opportunities for all Americans.” – Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), today announcing his support on his Facebook page.

UPDATE: According to BuzzFeed, Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) have also indicated today that they no longer support the Defense of Marriage Act.

(via JMG)