Marriage Equality can only mean full equality under the law! It is a legal contract between two people that ought to be available to all and any who choose it, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and race. Civil Marriage is NOT equal in the USA.

What do you think of the Wikepedia definition?

Wikepedia – Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found. Such a union, often formalized via a wedding ceremony, may also be called matrimony.

People marry for many reasons, including one or more of the following: legal, social, emotional, economical, spiritual, and religious. These might include arranged marriages, family obligations, the legal establishment of a nuclear family unit, the legal protection of children and public declaration of commitment.^[1][2]

Marriage practices are very diverse across cultures, yet almost every known society has had some form of marriage between a man and a woman. In some societies an individual is limited to being in one such couple at a time (monogamy), while other cultures allow a male to have more than one wife (polygyny) or, less commonly, a female to have more than one husband (polyandry). Some societies also allow marriage between two males or two females. Societies frequently have other restrictions on marriage based on the ages of the participants, pre-existing kinship, and membership in religious or other social groups.

The act of marriage usually creates normative or legal obligations between the individuals involved. In some societies these obligations also extend to certain family members of the married persons. Almost all cultures that recognize marriage also recognize adultery as a violation of the terms of marriage,^[3] and forbid incestuous marriages.^[4] In cultures that allow the dissolution of a marriage this is known as divorce.

Marriage is usually recognized by the state, a religious authority, or both. It is often viewed as a contract. Civil marriage is the legal concept of marriage as a governmental institution irrespective of religious affiliation, in accordance with marriage laws of the jurisdiction. If recognized by the state, by the religion(s) to which the parties belong or by society in general, the act of marriage changes the personal and social status of the individuals who enter into it.

Marriage Does Matter!
melanie nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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The man was in an argument with an African-American at the rally. The man says “Why you punishing me for something I didn’t do?” Apparently the other man must make some gesture of disbelief, but the man goes on and says “Oh, I’m being punished, I’m being held back. I work for the federal government. I have a job, but I can’t move up.”

“Why can’t you move up, because of a black man?” the man he is arguing with asks.

“No, no, a lot of it’s homosexuals. Nepotism, ok, favorite boyfriends and girlfriends, and affirmative action.” Well, if it is nepotism, then the guy might have a complaint. Other than that, one has to wonder if the real reason he cannot get any further ahead is because he’s an ass.

Sourse

Here is video of NYC City Council Speaker Christine Quinn speaking about the measure. Quinn is openly lesbian.

Source

Source

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Today, Thomas Roberts, one of the daytime anchors of MSNBC also discussed Mehlman’s coming out. During the interview with GOProud head Christopher Barron, Roberts also stated that he, himself, is gay. He says at one point in this segment “I think for probably most heterosexual Americans this isn’t going to come as a big deal, but I think for millions of gay and lesbian Americans — me included — find this to be kind of a shocking admission, especially when Mehlman’s leadership, in the positions that he held, came at a time when he was part of talks that would have put discrimination into the Constitution.”

Melanie Nathan 8-26-10

Hundreds of gays, lesbians, LGBTQI and their supporters from around the country danced through the Nepalese capital in the country’s first international gay parade.

Nepal’s gay community has added some extra colour to the traditional festival of Gaijatra this year, in a carnival of humour, satire, fanfare and fun.Led by Sunil Babu Pant, a parliamentarian representing gays and sexual minorities in the House,  on top of an elephant waving the rainbow flag representing sexual diversities, was followed by hundreds of gays and gay rights activists – on decorated horse-drawn chariots, open trucks and also on foot.

Those present seemed overjoyed that – in Nepal’s otherwise very conservative society – so many had come out on the street, and shown their support. The Interim Constitution of Nepal in 2006 changed the way Nepal’s gay community is treated – establishing the rights of gays and sexual minorities by officially recognising them as the third gender. Before the recognition, gays and sexual minorities were chased and beaten up by the police in the very same streets.

The participants, dressed in colorful clothes, thronged the main streets of Kathmandu, led by Sunil Pant, a member of Nepal’s parliament and the nation’s most prominent gay activist.

Posted by Melanie Nathan
8-26-10

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Members of a church who have been preaching hatred outside the home of a gay couple last weekend were forced to leave the neighborhood after residents fed up with them confronted them and forced them to leave. Roughly a dozen members of the Highfield Road Gospel Hall in Toronto, Canada were confronted by ten residents of the city’s Leslieville neighborhood. Many of the residents shouted “Stay the hell out of my neighborhood.”

According to Geoff Skelding, the man who recorded part of the confrontation, “They may have also driven another couple from the area as well by doing the same thing. Tonight most of our neighbors came out and were successful in getting them to leave. The people who go to that church don’t even live in our area!”

Canada has, as a nation, more tolerance for the LGBT Community than the United States does, and already has full marriage equality across the country.

Source

As Stewart points out in the clip “That’s right, the guy they’re painting as a sinister money force OWNS Fox News.” He later goes on to say “If we want to cut off funding to the terror mosque, we must, together as a nation, stop watching Fox.”

Brick Stone asks the people from WBC all kinds of questions ranging from Lady Gaga, Hell, Jews, anal sex, and apparently the supposed virginity of attendees at ComicCon.

Here are some sample questions and the video:

–If you hate gays, why are you holding the sign that way?

–If a woman dressed as a man has sex with a guy with a vagina, can they still get into heaven? Or, are they already there?

STONE: If God hates fags, then why did he create chiffon?

WBC MEMBER: Who’s Shivon?

STONE: Chiffon, the fabric.

WBC MEMBER: Oh, chiffon. See, this isn’t a serious interview, but I will answer your question because the Bible answers it for you very simply. He’s made all things for Himself, even the wicked for the day of evil.

If that is true, then does it not follow that demanding people follow your religion interferes with God’s ineffable plan?

Source

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/24/westboro-church-protest-a_n_692827.html

The two following clips are wonderful and discuss the issues surrounding this particular case. The first is a short FOX affiliate clip and features a debate between a Texas pastor named David Welsh and transgender activist Cristan Williams. Both clips come via Jessica Sideways, a regular commentor on LGR.

Posted by Mel Nathan; 8-20-10 ; From someone who knows nothing about ISLAM- at all.  I am having a difficult time fully understanding this Video explanation of Islam.   The narrator compares Bible and Torah’s aptitude” for interpretation to the Quran’s “requirement” to be read literally.  This could be construed as an anti-Islam piece of work – or …..?   Please comment.

Do these three points take you by surprise…. Welcome a discussion…

LGBT Interest – The narrator says that Q’uran requires action against homosexuality – is that an interpretation?

Olbermann: You brought up civil unions, and that brings me to another quote from some of the WABC material. Let me read this again. You said, “There’s no point starting off trying to do something that’s good if it’s going to meet with an enormous resistaance from a lot of folks.” Does that not describe your effort to get civil unions and the 50-state strategy or the Obama presidential campaign or health care reform? We can go on forever and say doesn’t that describe the American Revolution?

Dean: Yeah, I don’t think you intentionally truncated that quote. What I meant to say was if you get further…. Look, these folks have a right to build this and where they’re about to build it. I think to focus solely on that and exclude further dialogue is a mistake. Look, will the United States survive whether we build this or not where it’s supposed to be built? I think so. But this might be the time where we’ve got to start setting this stuff aside and listening to each other instead of talking past each other. Look at the Middle East peace process. There are people at the far ends of the spectrum who want to undo the progress. I think this may be a teachable moment. I really do.

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Melanie Nathan; 8-18-10

Almost 50 at the time, back in In 2007 tennis great Martina Navratilova signed with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) as the group’s Health & Fitness ambassador.  Navratilova continues in this capacity, where she makes appearances at AARP events and offers online tips for AARP members on things like diet and fitness for the senior (that word?) crowd.

Navratilova, has won 59 grand slam tennis titles (the last one six weeks shy of her 50th birthday). Martina has been named “Tour Player of the Year” by the Women’s Tennis Association, “Female Athlete of the Year” by the Associated Press, and one of the “Top 40 Athletes of All Time” by Sports Illustrated.

“Because I’m in my 50s, I’m very concerned about flexibility. I know how much it helps me recover from tough matches or workouts and prepare for exercise the next day. And there are other benefits, too. Staying flexible can help you prevent injury, as well as avoid muscle knots and tightness brought on by daily activities. It improves your posture, reduces stress, and generally keeps your body feeling youthful and agile.” asserts Martina on site in one of many articles available to non members as well.

Here is a Video from the AARP website showcasing an example of the health and fitness advice offered
by the now over fifty ambassador.

http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/info-08-2010/martina_stretching.html

Navratilova will be at the AARP Orlando@50+ in Orlando, FL: September 30 – October 2, which thousands of AARP members and their friends are expected to attend

By Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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Image via Wikipedia

08/18/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Margaret Cho has a new song, it’s called Eat Shit and Die. Yeeah. Enjoy!

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Gabrielle Lindau is a photographer turned writer, director and producer. Her first short film, “These Showers Can Talk” is set to premier this Thursday in NYC. The film is a comedy about the world of lesbian dating and stereotypes. Lesbian singer and rumored Danielle Staub girlfriend, Lori Michaels stars in the film. To hear about the film in Lindau’s own words, watch the interview below:

To find out more about “These Showers,” check out http://theseshowerscantalk.com/  or become a fan on Facebook

To read a transcription of the interview, download the June issue of www.GAY-e-magazine.com

08/16/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Tila Tequila is a train wreck, but she doesn’t deserve to be assaulted. While standing on-stage at at jug (concert?) competition? Tila took her top off for the crowd and was pelted by bottles, rocks and even poop. Tila Tequila is gross but these people are even grosser. Tila has discussed the incident on her twitter page, saying:

Go to www.tmz.com violence against women like myself or anyone for that matter is not ok! Lawsuit is pending. 

Pretty soon the owners who run the Juggalos will be bankrupt. My attorney Alan is already on it. This is disgusting behavior from men.

Thank you everyone for your support. The people at Juggalos behavior was disgusting and I am filing a suit against Them now. Thanks 4 ur luv

Don’t believe she was assaulted? Even CNN is reporting that sources say Tila was ‘taunting the crowd’ and ‘got what she deserved,’ but the attack was pretty brutal. Especially considering that Tila is about five feet tall and must weigh about 80 pounds. Watch the video below:

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Apparently, Chuck Colson, who ‘found Jesus’ while in prison (perhaps hiding out in the showers), has issued a wonderful little video which seems to say that he wants to get people to help him impose Sharia- er, sorry- Biblical Law on the United States. He cites the decision by the Rehnquist Court to not allow assisted suicide, but that was because there were scientific and secular arguments that could be made against it rather than the solely religious ones that men like Colson try to push on others.

What is more, he is pushing this idea that the majority of Americans oppose same-sex marriage because of so-called defense of marriage acts and amendments in the various states, some of which were voted upon over a decade ago at this point. Current polling shows that the slim majority of Americans now support marriage equality by, an average in that poll, of 50.5% to 48.5%.

In the end, it is Colson who is the one who is in the minority, and not the majority.

08/12/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Anne and Liz got married in California in the brief interval when same sex marriage was legal and before Prop 8 was passed. After Prop 8 passed and their union remained valid while their friends were denied that right, really struck a chord with them. They are two women who weren’t content to be happy as long as they got theirs, they wanted everyone to be able to experience the joy of marriage.

Today, it was announced that same-sex couples in California will be allowed to marry from August 19th onward. This couple’s story is powerful in that it reminds us of what we have suffered and how far we still have to go. Although Prop 8 is gone, we still have a long road ahead of us. Watch the moving video by OURscene tv below:

For more LGBT themed videos, check out www.ourscenetv.com

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Melanie Nathan;  8-11-10

INFANTRY COMPANY COMMANDER WITH THREE COMBAT TOURS DISCHARGED FOR BEING GAY

Here is the Video of Captain Jonathan Hopkins’ interview on the Rachel Maddow show tonight.

The Captain graduated in the top of his West Point class in 2001, served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was discharged yesterday for being a gay man.

Hopkins graduated #4 out of 901 commissioned officers in West Point’s Class of 2001, where he was also ranked #1 militarily. He was slated to return to West Point to teach International Relations until the Army discovered he was gay.

At the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March, 2003, Hopkins led his infantry platoon on the 173^rd Airborne Brigade’s combat parachute jump into Northern Iraq. Although his platoon had only been formed two months prior to the operation, it nevertheless led his battalion’s assault into Kirkuk as the Iraqi Army was retreating. During that year in Kirkuk, his platoon patrolled the tense city, keeping the peace, and quelling two major riots that spring. Hopkins himself earned two Bronze Stars, one with valor.

One year after returning from Iraq, his unit deployed to Afghanistan, where he served as a personnel & public affairs officer, and later as a battalion operations officer, during which Hopkins planned military operations in Zabul Province and served as the unit’s liaison with the Afghan Army.

Finally, as a Stryker company commander, he trained his unit in Alaska, deployed them to the Philippines, and then again to Iraq. He was identified by his commander as one of the top three out of thirty commanders in the brigade, despite his own personal difficulties trying to ensure no one ever realized he was gay. He was ultimately outed by a fellow officer as gay. Indicative of the paradoxical nature of the policy, he was informed of the investigation into his conduct on the same day it was announced he would be promoted to major one year early (such “below-the-zone” promotions are granted to only 7% of Army officers).

“What I’ve learned from this,” Hopkins said, “is the toll this policy can have on your life. Long after admitting to myself I was gay, I lived in denial about how hard it would be to remain in the Army under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ I was a professionally focused officer who spent part of every day paranoid about whether somebody was figuring me out or would try to out me. People are made stronger by having full and complete personal lives, complete with loving and fulfilling relationships. In that regard, I am glad to be moving on. I love the Army and was fully dedicated to it. But I am glad that I am no longer living a life that is somewhat self-destructive, trying to comply with this policy.”

Hopkins continued to work in his unit in Alaska for 12 months waiting for a discharge board, and tried in vain to meet in person with senior commanders. Finally, at his Board, when all the evidence was heard, he was recommended for an Honorable Discharge.

Homosexuality is the only charge for which Boards cannot consider a Soldier’s record in determining whether he can stay in the Army.

“It almost seemed like they regretted having to do it,” Hopkins said. “At one point, the board even asked me whether I thought the Army was ready to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I said undoubtedly yes. Our Soldiers are ready. Just some senior leaders, born in a different generation, are not ready to treat all  service members the same based upon their performance and performance alone.”

“I’ve learned a lot during the 14 months between the time I was outed and the time I finally left the Army. I learned first of that most in my units had long ago guessed that I was gay; they just never told me. It didn’t matter to them; they considered me a good commander. During the 14 months since I was outed, I have lived in my own personal post-DADT Army. Everybody knew I was gay, I did my job, and they didn’t care. I have a boyfriend now, openly, and go to dinner even with my most socially conservative of Army friends. They continue to respect me as a good officer and are glad I’m happy, even if in some cases if my relationship conflicts with their religious beliefs. My quality is still assessed very much on how well I take care of Soldiers and live up to the Army Values— including Honor and Integrity.”

Hopkins will be attending graduate school this fall at Georgetown University. He remarked that leaving the Army is “a lot like a divorce. While I’m sad to leave something I loved and dedicated 13 years of my life to (including West Point), I look forward to being able to serve my country in other ways without having to lie on a daily basis about who I am. It’s time to move on; I’m prepared to do that.”

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Rachel Maddow

Melanie Nathan; 08-11-10

Katie Miller, the West Point Cadet who resigned her career in the Military over the Don’t Ask Don’t tell Policy, participated in a series of interviews tonight, conducted by Rachel Maddow, raising questions about the Administrations handling of the DADT Policy.

Maddow conducted a powerful interview with Miller responsive and clear in her motivation;  here it is for our Readers to view and to comment on their impression.

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Breaking News – Katie Miller will appear on Rachel Maddow tonight to talk about her decision to leave West Point, over the “Dont Ask Dont tell” policy that forces Gay and lesbian service members into the closet.

Miller, who is 9th in her class at West Point, is the West Point Cadet who because of DADT and its impact on her personally, is left with no choice but to turn her back on what could have been a remarkable future in the Military.

Miller has refused to sign the ten year contract required of Sophomores heading into the Junior year, that would committ her to the army for a ten year period. Her conscience, she says, will not allow her down this path for as long as DADT Policy is in place. She refuses to live as a soldier in the closet.

Here is a Video, by NYCLU provided to Lez Get Real .

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda

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The AFA appears to have been reduced to slut shaming in order to try and prevent LGBT rights.

08/11/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Perez Hilton spoofed the Jet Blue Flight Attendant that we have been hearing about day and night. You know, the one that cursed out a planeful of passengers, quit his job and busted out the emergency exit of the plane. In a less funny twist, he caused 25,000 dollars worth of damage to the plane and has been arrested. Oh, also he’s gay. So it Perez! If you are into Jimmy Fallon, I am sooo not, watch the video below. Enjoy!

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This is what Boies stated:

“In a court of law you’ve got to come in and you’ve got to support those opinions, you’ve got to stand up under oath and cross-examination. And what we saw at trial is that it’s very easy for the people who want to deprive gay and lesbian citizens of the right to vote [sic] to make all sorts of statements and campaign literature, or in debates where they can’t be cross-examined.

“But when they come into court and they have to support those opinions and they have to defend those opinions under oath and cross-examination, those opinions just melt away. And that’s what happened here. There simply wasn’t any evidence, there weren’t any of those studies. There weren’t any empirical studies. That’s just made up. That’s junk science. It’s easy to say that on television. But a witness stand is a lonely place to lie. And when you come into court you can’t do that.

“That’s what we proved: We put fear and prejudice on trial, and fear and prejudice lost.”

08/08/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Neil Patrick Harris is directing the LGBT themed hit play, “Rent,” at the Hollywood Bowl. A video of Nicole Scherzinger singing “Take Me of Leave Me” as sexy bisexual Maureen has hit YouTube. Enjoy!

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08/08/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Pink made a video for her ballad single, “Please Don’t Leave Me.” The song is catchy while still conveying tons of emotion. Also, Pink is hot. Watch below!

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Melanie Nathan – 8-07-10

Elena Kagan Swearing In Video

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08/06/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Hot lesbian comic and popular Vlogger Bridget McManus competed in the Ballroom Dancing competition at the Gay Games. The OML gang taped her performance so all of us who couldn’t make it to the event wouldn’t miss out on the fun. Watch her dance below!

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08/05/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Rachel Maddow went on the Late Show with David Letterman last night. The two talked Andrew Breitbart and his manipulation of the news to incite fear and racism against African Americans. Maddow tells Letterman that Breitbart is a spin off of the Drudge Report. Letterman gets heated about how Breitbart can basically edit anything he wants, present it in any way he wants and get the story picked up by seemingly legitimate news organizations and then the White House buys into it. Of course, they are referring to Shirley Sherrod.

Watch Letterman curse Breitbart and FOX news below and get unusually political. Maddow, as usual, keep a cool head and says the only solution to Breitbart and Fox news is really to call them out on their lies and discredit them in front of their audience.

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08/05/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Perez Hilton and his mother,Teresita made their second video together, talking about the Prop 8 decision. Teresita is pro-marriage equality. This is refreshing, it is good to see a Latina supporting marriage equality.In the media, Latinos are often portrayed as narrow minded and opposed to LGBT rights, when in reality there are people on both sides of the issue, just as there are in other ethnic and cultural groups.

Do you think Teresita is pro-gay because her son became arguably one of the most successful, powerful gay men in the media? Teresita says that whether or not her son was gay, she would be for marriage equality. She says that with age comes wisdom and as she has gotten older she has realized that marriage equality is the way to go. She is also pro-LGBT adoption rights. They close the video with an invocation to the Supreme Court to have an open mind, should the Prop 8 case make it that far, then they high five. Watch the vid below:

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08/05/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

This one’s for the boys! Popstar Enrique Iglesias lost a bet. Iglesias told BBC that if Spain lost the World Cup, he would waterski naked. The superstar paid up on the bet and TMZ has the dark, grainy video. You can watch it HERE. Enjoy!

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Image via Wikipedia

08/05/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Rachel Maddow explained the Prop 8 decision on her show last night. If you missed it, check it out below. Filled with facts, quotes from the decision, Dahlia Lithwick of Slate, the attorneys from the case comment and Rachel discusses the ridiculous claims of the experts who testified against LGBT relationships.

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Change is coming. And for now, these words from me:

Think of Anaktoria, who is now no
Longer beside me;

I would rather watch the delightful way she
Walks and see the sparkle that lights her face than
Gaze at Lydian chariots or warriors in
Glittering armor.

Those words were written by Sappho about her love Anaktoria, who was, by the custom of Greece, married to a man and likely spent only a short time with Sappho. Still, her love for Anaktoria remained long after they were parted.  I chose these words because they represent why we fight for the right to get married.

Finally tonight as promised, a Special Comment on the passage, last week, of Proposition Eight in California, which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to marry, and tilted the balance on this issue, from coast to coast.

Some parameters, as preface. This isn’t about yelling, and this isn’t about politics, and this isn’t really just about Prop-8. And I don’t have a personal investment in this: I’m not gay, I had to strain to think of one member of even my very extended family who is, I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues fighting the prejudice that still pervades their lives.
And yet to me this vote is horrible. Horrible. Because this isn’t about yelling, and this isn’t about politics. This is about the human heart, and if that sounds corny, so be it.

If you voted for this Proposition or support those who did or the sentiment they expressed, I have some questions, because, truly, I do not understand. Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don’t want to deny you yours. They don’t want to take anything away from you. They want what you want—a chance to be a little less alone in the world.

Only now you are saying to them—no. You can’t have it on these terms. Maybe something similar. If they behave. If they don’t cause too much trouble. You’ll even give them all the same legal rights—even as you’re taking away the legal right, which they already had. A world around them, still anchored in love and marriage, and you are saying, no, you can’t marry. What if somebody passed a law that said you couldn’t marry?

I keep hearing this term ‘re-defining’ marriage. If this country hadn’t re-defined marriage, black people still couldn’t marry white people. Sixteen states had laws on the books which made that illegal in 1967. 1967.

The parents of the President-Elect of the United States couldn’t have married in nearly one third of the states of the country their son grew up to lead. But it’s worse than that. If this country had not “re-defined” marriage, some black people still couldn’t marry black people. It is one of the most overlooked and cruelest parts of our sad story of slavery. Marriages were not legally recognized, if the people were slaves. Since slaves were property, they could not legally be husband and wife, or mother and child. Their marriage vows were different: not ‘Until Death, Do You Part,’ but ‘Until Death or Distance, Do You Part.’ Marriages among slaves were not legally recognized.

You know, just like marriages today in California are not legally recognized, if the people are gay.
And uncountable in our history are the number of men and women, forced by society into marrying the opposite sex, in sham marriages, or marriages of convenience, or just marriages of not knowing, centuries of men and women who have lived their lives in shame and unhappiness, and who have, through a lie to themselves or others, broken countless other lives, of spouses and children, all because we said a man couldn’t marry another man, or a woman couldn’t marry another woman. The sanctity of marriage.

How many marriages like that have there been and how on earth do they increase the “sanctity” of marriage rather than render the term, meaningless?

What is this, to you? Nobody is asking you to embrace their expression of love. But don’t you, as human beings, have to embrace… that love? The world is barren enough.
It is stacked against love, and against hope, and against those very few and precious emotions that enable us to go forward. Your marriage only stands a 50-50 chance of lasting, no matter how much you feel and how hard you work.

And here are people overjoyed at the prospect of just that chance, and that work, just for the hope of having that feeling. With so much hate in the world, with so much meaningless division, and people pitted against people for no good reason, this is what your religion tells you to do? With your experience of life and this world and all its sadnesses, this is what your conscience tells you to do?

With your knowledge that life, with endless vigor, seems to tilt the playing field on which we all live, in favor of unhappiness and hate… this is what your heart tells you to do? You want to sanctify marriage? You want to honor your God and the universal love you believe he represents? Then Spread happiness—this tiny, symbolic, semantical grain of happiness—share it with all those who seek it. Quote me anything from your religious leader or book of choice telling you to stand against this. And then tell me how you can believe both that statement and another statement, another one which reads only ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’

You are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another. You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight. You are asked now to stand, on a question of love. All you need do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate.

You don’t have to help it, you don’t have it applaud it, you don’t have to fight for it. Just don’t put it out. Just don’t extinguish it. Because while it may at first look like that love is between two people you don’t know and you don’t understand and maybe you don’t even want to know. It is, in fact, the ember of your love, for your fellow person just because this is the only world we have. And the other guy counts, too.

This is the second time in ten days I find myself concluding by turning to, of all things, the closing plea for mercy by Clarence Darrow in a murder trial.

But what he said, fits what is really at the heart of this: ‘I was reading last night of the aspiration of the old Persian poet, Omar-Khayyam,” he told the judge. It appealed to me as the highest that I can vision. I wish it was in my heart, and I wish it was in the hearts of all: So I be written in the Book of Love; I do not care about that Book above. Erase my name, or write it as you will, So I be written in the Book of Love.’”

Perhaps the Republicans have realized that their best asset in the Senate is Harry Reid who seems to be about as effective at handling the Senate as a carpenter using a jellyfish is at hammering in a nail.

Well, Sarah Palin, I’m not a Mama Grizzly, and quite frankly, even if I was a mother, I certainly would not be subscribing to your form of political system because it is designed, quite frankly, to ensure that our children are left in poverty. Oh, and before I get any ‘you’re just jealous because she’s beautiful’, no, I’m not. I don’t tend to get jealous because of other women’s attractiveness.

Here’s the clip from last night:

In truth, it is this kind of humor that gets Colbert a really strong following among the LGBT Community, and possibly the fact that there are men out there who undoubtably find him handsome (male beauty is an academic subject to me and half the time I can’t understand why some women and men find men attractive). Colbert has, quite often, made a lot of fun of those who attack the LGBT Community, often by taking their logic to the extreme.

Here is the clip from last night:

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What is wonderful is the shout out to LGR from the Rachel Maddow Blog. Her people linked to our story regarding this. The segment, and comments, can also be seen at the Rachel Maddow Blog.

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Melanie Nathan 8-01-10-

Jerusalem The Israeli LGBT community stood up to counter protesters and threats of Donkey parades as they took to the the streets of Jerusalem moving respectfully through the Holy City. Judaism is generally a tolerant and accepting religion. However right wing and politically motivated Jews in Israel, find opportunity to counter such protests, citing religion.

The Israeli Knesset is well able to distinguish between Torah and Civil law and is one of the few Countries that legally accept Gay and Lesbian couples, with full equality under the law.

In the meantime Orthodox rabbis in the US have come forward and resolved in a written declaration  (Lez Get Real Article) to support inclusion of LGBT Jews in the religious context, noting that acceptance is the way of the Torah and that love for some one of the same sex can indeed be separated from any ACTS that the Torah may hold unlawful.

Hebrew to English translation of chants at Parade :

“LGBT Rights Now” and “All of us will march for our Rights, together without fear!”

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07/30/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Samantha Ronson went to visit her ex-girlfriend in jail again. This time, the paparazzi were ready for her. They had the parking lot staked out and caught an uncharacteristically shaggy haired Samantha heading into the jail. Samantha was able to dodge them when she left, making a run for it in the parking lot. Is this a prelude to a reconcilation between the two women? Hard to tell, as Samantha has recently been letting it known that she loves Lindsay as a person, but has no interest in being with her. Watch Sam visit Lindsay below.

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CLICK is a comedy about women trying to connect without too much drama. The premise: When a klutzy young woman gets her heart broken on her 30th birthday, her friends rally round to help her recover. Their solution – revenge and easy hook-ups via online dating sites. Much mayhem ensues.

Directed by Christine Chew, screenwritten by Chew and Yanna Baizer and with music by That’s What She Said, Cozmic Cat and Bitch, the film is set to be hit.

Watch this scene where Kat Letwin as Allie and Allyson Pratt as April show how they click!

Like what you see? Be a CLICK fan on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Click/1…

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It also marks the third day since Jon Stewart returned to the air sporting a goatee. Jason Jones is married do Daily Show correspondent Samantha Bee, who is pregnant with the couple’s third child.

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07/28/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Kylie Minogue is on a gay streak. First she is acting as a hot tattooed lesbian in the queer teen werewolf flick, Jack and Diane, then she is all over Logo, hosting programs and winning award, now she is attending Scissor Sisters concerts and jumping on stage! Ms. Minogue surprised fans by singing with the Scissor Sisters at their concert in her hometown, Melbourne.

Watch the performance below:

[Source]

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Ourscene tv wants to provide you with the answer to ‘are they or aren’t they’? They being the most talked about almost lesbian couple, Lori Michaels and Danielle Staub. For those of you who aren’t aware of who these two women are, you obviously don’t read Lez Get Real enough.

Lori Michaels, aka the Dyke Diva is a dance music queen. Danielle Staub is the most hated woman on the Real Housewives of New Jersey and had a table flipped on her. The two women recorded a song together, Real Close. Which Staub has described as a tortured lullaby between two women who are experiencing feelings for one another. Staub and Michaels have hinted that they are dating. They have been seen out at charity events together, with Staub’s two gorgeous children in tow. Michaels and the Staub girls also write on each other’s Facebook pages on the regular. Staub signs CD’s “Danielle and Lori Michaels” and has tweeted the Michaels is her “girlfriend.” When VP of Programming and late night talk show host, Andy Cohen, asked Staub if the two women were dating, she declined to comment saying coyly, “I think I will let you all guess on that one for a little while longer.”

Oh Danielle, no one believes you are really sleeping with another woman. The song is surprisingly good and lesbians will like it and you whether or not you are intimate with the details of Lori Michaels’ vadge. Ourscene tv decided to get the answers from Lori Michaels. Basically, she confirms that they are not dating…but she doesn’t want to piss off Danielle! So she takes it back! But she doesn’t take it back all the way! Watch below:

Staub is the third housewife, after Kim Zolciak of Atlanta and Countess Luann Delesseps of NYC to try to crossover into the music industry. Staub is the second, after Zolciak, to have a lesbian affair in order to promote her single.

If you want more on Lori Michaels, check out the June issue of Gay e-magazine for my interview with her at www.GAY-e-magazine.com

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This is a trailer for a Movie which may wake us up to the anti-gay psychosis that is spreading rapidly, like a disease, across Africa, and ironically infested by the parasitic anti-gay white dominated American Evangelicals who thrive off ant-gay hate. The USA needs to make a stand firstly for equality for its own citizens and residents and then it will have a place in the World as a leader on Human Rights. Right now, the USA is failing miserably, so goodness knows who will look out for the rest of the World? Any ideas?

“The Kids Are All Right” is a movie about the children of a lesbian couple and the search for their sperm donor.

The movie stars Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as lesbian moms, plus Mark Ruffalo featured as their sperm donor.

In this video clip Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo talk to Josh Helmin with Towleroad.com about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and other gay and lesbian issues.

About the Author: Julie Phineas is a work at home mom of 2 who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her by visiting her website at www.juliephineas.com.