Jocks I'd Fuck

Fucktard of the Week...Lesbian Rep. Jo Jordan Votes Against Hawaii Gay Marriage Bill

By Zack Ford
Hawaii state Rep. Jo Jordan (D) may have made history with her vote on the marriage equality bill. Jordan, who is openly lesbian, voted against the bill on the House floor on Wednesday. According to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, this makes her the first known openly gay lawmaker to vote against marriage equality.

Jordan had reservations about the bill before Hawaii’s special session even began. Last week, she explained that she was undecided, because even though 75 percent of her constituents support marriage equality, she felt she had to represent the entire state. She seemed to be unaware that statewide polling showed a 55 percent majority support marriage equality.

The Supreme Court’s decision overturning the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) did little to convince Jordan that the state’s civil unions would no longer suffice: “Has anybody been denied before DOMA or after DOMA — what has changed in our state? These are questions that I still have to settle in myself and that’s why I’m undecided.” This is in spite of the fact that federal agencies have explicitly said in the months since the DOMA decision that civil unions will not be counted for most federal marriage benefits, including tax benefits, Social Security, and any partner benefits for federal employees.

Jordan said she might not be sure about supporting the bill until its third vote, and she was clearly not ready in time for its second vote on Wednesday. She explained on the floor that she was moved by the five days of testimony, during which several thousand opponents of marriage equality flooded the House in what some have called an attempted “citizens’ filibuster.” She even openly referred to her identity in defending her no vote:

No, nobody’s going to beat me up. Nobody’s going to throw me out of my (LGBT) community — I’m not quite sure of that… I might vote against something that I personally believe in. I personally believe I should have the right. You know how hard it is for me to say no? I have to say no.

Denis Dison, senior vice president at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, confirmed to ThinkProgress that there is no prior known example of an openly gay lawmaker casting a vote against marriage equality. The Victory Fund lists Jordan on its website, but he noted that she has not ever attended one of the group’s candidate trainings nor earned its endorsement. Reacting to her vote, Dison said, “It’s hard to understand how a member of the LGBT community could vote against the simple freedom to marry the person they love.”

Jordan has one final opportunity to vote for marriage equality during the third reading vote on Friday.

So, let me get this straight (pun intended) after listening to several days of homophobic ranting she decides to violate not only her constituency and the majority of Hawaii voters who entrusted her to vote their conscious instead decided too cast her vote against equality based on their hyperbole and irrational bigotry?
She sounds like a good candidate for reparative therapy.

Oklahoma Governor Ignores Pentagon Criticism, Still Won't Offer Benefits For Married Gay Couples

From The Huffpost:
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) said her state's taxpayer-funded National Guard facilities and employees will not process benefits for married, same-sex couples, despite Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel criticizing the move days ago.

On Nov. 1, Hagel said it's "wrong" for states to defy the Pentagon by refusing benefits for same-sex spouses of military members.

"Not only does this violate the states' obligation under federal law, their actions have created hardship and inequality by forcing couples to travel long distances to federal military bases to obtain the ID cards they're entitled to," Hagel said during a speech.

According to the AP, Fallin said Wednesday that all marriage benefits will be processed by federal employees at four federally owned National Guard facilities and at the state's five military bases. Her refusal to allow federal employees to process benefits for same-sex couples is not new -- in September, Fallin ordered the National Guard to stop processing gay couples' requests.

Tulsa World reports Fallin reached her most recent decision with Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt. She said in a statement that her decision wouldn't put Oklahoma in conflict with federal law despite the apparent conflict with Hagel's orders:

Oklahoma law is clear. The state of Oklahoma does not recognize same sex marriages, nor does it confer marriage benefits to same sex couples. The decision reached today allows the National Guard to obey Oklahoma law without violating federal rules or policies. It protects the integrity of our state Constitution and sends a message to the federal government that they cannot simply ignore our laws or the will of the people.

This ones a no brainer, if said Governor refuses to comply with federal law, then said state should have federal funding withheld until they come into compliance and since Oklahoma receives way more fed dollars than they put in, shouldn't be long before this red state realizes that maybe, just maybe, compliance is the easier route.

Daily Porn...Steven Daigle Raw Fucked

THE_RED_CARPET

Hunger

Jordan And Vander Raw

Hump Day Muscle

Geneticist Destroys Wingnut Hawaii Lawmaker and His Crackpot Questions on Homosexuality

From The Towleroad:
Hawaii Rep. Bob McDermott, an anti-gay wingnut who as you may recall has filed suit to stop the state's marriage equality bill, was eviscerated this week by geneticist, author and filmmaker Dean Hamer, who was arguing before the House panel in support of the marriage equality bill.

Hamer, who has a PhD from Harvard in molecular biology and is an expert in biotechnology, AIDS prevention, and the genetics of human behavior including sexual orientation and spirituality, told the panel that the scientific community has concluded that sexual orientation is "a deeply ingrained innate trait with strong genetic and biological roots."

"So gay people no more choose their sexual orientation than do heterosexual people," Hamer explained, "It's part of all of our makeup."

A lawmaker then asked Hamer to put his testimony in layman's terms.

"Being gay isn't a choice," Hamer replied.

Wingnut McDermott then picks up the microphone and tries to challenge Hamer's credentials, finally demanding an explanation for the "rampant homosexuality" in the time of the Spartans, Roman Empire, and Alexander the Great.

"Did they all have a genetic deviation?" McDermott asked

Sassed Hamer, prompting gales of laughter from the room: "Oh dear, you're confusing molecular science with ancient history. Those are different fields, actually."

llinois Becomes 15th State To Legalize Gay Marriage

Illinois on Tuesday became the 15^th state to legalize gay marriage.

The marriage bill approved stalled out twice – in the Senate in late 2012 and in the House in May – before finding sufficient support to clear both the House and the Senate in one day.

With one vote to spare (61-54) the House approved the measure and sent it to the Senate, which approved the measure on Valentine's Day, for a procedural vote. Governor Pat Quinn, a Democrat, has pledged his

signature.

Within hours, the measure also cleared the Senate with a 32-21 vote.

The first weddings will take place in June.

Illinois approved civil unions in 2011. But pressure mounted in June to provide full marriage after a led to federal recognition of the marriages of gay couples, leaving those in a civil union out in the cold.

“To treat all our citizens equally in the eyes of the law we must change this,” Rep. Greg Harris, the bill's champion in the House, told colleagues during a floor debate that lasted more than 2 hours. “Families have been kept apart.”

The measure received a boost this week from House Speaker Michael Madigan's lobbying efforts.

Opponents have vowed to line up primary challengers against lawmakers who voted for the legislation.

Campaign Calls On IOC To Condemn Russia's Anti-Gay Law

Progressive group All Out on Monday released a video on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to condemn a Russian law which prohibits the promotion of “gay propaganda” to minors.

Passage of the law in June provoked calls for boycotts of Russian made imports and international events taking place in Russia, including the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi.

In the 2-minute video directed by Mike Buonaiuto, a female Olympic figure skater dreams of being able to share her victory with the woman she loves.

The video ends with the caption: “The International Olympic Committee should honor its principles and condemn discrimination.”

 “The Olympic games are our best chance to end Russia's outrageous anti-gay laws – but to do it, it's going to take lots more of us to hear about what's happening in Russia,” the group wrote in the video's description. “Watch this beautiful 2-minute video, and please share it with your family and friends.”

Berlin Street Singer Gets A Surprise Guest Duet.

A street musician singing "Small Town Boy" by Bronski Beat is surprised by Jimmy Somerville (the original vocalist for the band) when he jumps in and sings along with him.

The Plot Thickens...Rogue States Refuse To Obey Pentagon Order Over Gay Spousal Benefits

Despite direct orders from the Pentagon, several states said yesterday that they will deny ID cards to gay spouses at state militias.
The resistance put the Pentagon on a collision course with states that have rejected a Defense Department request, first issued in September, to be issued to same-sex spouses so they can begin receiving benefits due to married couples.
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, the Republican head of the National Governors Association, called on President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary to "stop using the National Guard as a pawn in a larger social agenda," Her spokesman, Alex Weintz, said in a statement on Friday.
"The president has made it clear he supports gay marriage. He has the legal authority to order federal agencies to recognize gay marriages. He does not have the legal authority to force state agencies to do so, or to unilaterally rewrite state laws or state constitutions," Weintz said.
Josh Havens, a spokesman for Texas Governor Rick Perry, said, "Texas Military Forces is a state agency, and as such is obligated to adhere to the Texas Constitution and the laws of this state which clearly define marriage as between one man and one woman."
Those Republican-led states are Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia. Earlier this week The Indiana National Guard reversed it's decision to not issue ID cards to same-sex spouses that “the decision was never made to not process benefits, rather the decision was delayed in order to fully understand the impacts while service members serve in different pay categories.”
 On Thursday night, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to those states.
Like Perry, Republican Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant is one of those who has resisted.
Bryant says he does not have the constitutional authority to lift the ban. “The Mississippi Constitution clearly defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman and expressly prohibits the recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions,” Bryant said through a spokesman.
Georgia has a similar statement: "The State of Georgia does not recognize same sex marriages and is not authorizing the to process the applications for same-sex married benefits at state facilities. Any personnel seeking same-sex married benefits will be referred to federal facilities."
My Guess is, that these Governors need a civics lesson or two (not surprisingly)
Seems they have forgotten the Selma March during the 1950's when then Governor George Wallace refused to use Alabama's National Guard to protect the marchers and Lyndon Johnson federalized the Guard and called them out himself, directly over riding Wallace's white supremacist based decision. 
Alabama's resistance to change was key in national awareness and education on racial equality and I have a very strong feeling, history is about to repeat itself.
"The South Shall Rise Again" mentality of these states and Governors, need to get their collective asses handed to them.
 
  

Muscle Butts

Chuck Hagel Blasts Rogue States Over Gay Spousal Benefits, Issues Stern Order

From The Towleroad:
In a blistering speech delivered to the Anti-Defamation League on Thursday night, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel blasted the rogue states which are refusing to issue spousal benefits at their National Guard facilities, saying their actions are wrong, hurt the military, and furthers prejudice.

When the Supreme Court issued its decision on the Defense of Marriage Act this summer, the Department of Defense immediately began working on providing the same benefits to all eligible spouses, regardless of sexual orientation. We did it because everyone who serves our country in uniform, everyone in this country, should receive all the benefits they deserve, and they've earned, and in accordance with the law. Everyone's rights must be protected.

This means that all spouses of service members are entitled to DoD ID cards, and the benefits that come with them. But several states today are refusing to issue these IDs to same-sex spouses at National Guard facilities. Not only does this violate the states' obligations under federal law, but their actions have created hardship and inequality by forcing couples to travel long distances to federal military bases to obtain the ID cards they're entitled to.

This is wrong. It causes division among our ranks, and it furthers prejudice, which DoD has fought to extinguish, as has the ADL.

Today, I directed the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Frank Grass, to take immediate action to remedy this situation. At my direction, he will meet with the Adjutants General from the states where these ID cards are being declined and denied. The Adjutants General will be expected to comply with both lawful direction and DoD policy, in line with the practices of 45 other states and jurisdictions.

Whether they are responding to natural disasters here at home, in their states, or fighting in Afghanistan, our National Guardsmen all wear the uniform of the United States of America. They are serving this country. They – and their families – are entitled to all the benefits and respect accorded to all of our military men and women.

West Point Set To Host First Male Gay Wedding

Nearly a year after it hosted its first lesbian wedding, West Point on Saturday will play host to its first wedding between two men.

The men are West Point graduates Larry Choate III, class of 2009, and Daniel Lennox, class of 2007.

The couple will marry at the U.S. Military Academy's Cadet Chapel in New York.

“It's maybe one more barrier that's pushed over a little bit, or maybe one more glass ceiling that's shattered that makes it easier for the next couple,” Choate was quoted as saying by the AP on Friday.

Last December, Brenda Sue Fulton and Penelope Gnesis became the first gay couple to marry at the Cadet Chapel. Fulton, a West Point graduate, serves as a presidential appointee to the West Point Board of Visitors and played a prominent role in the repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”

Choate, 27, and Lennox, 28, stressed that their wedding would be like that of any other couple wed in the chapel.

“It's going to be just like every other wedding there,” Choate said, “except probably a lot smaller and no bride.”

According to a post on Choate's blog, the two men became engaged in March of this year, soon after Lennox's return from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan.
In a post from earlier this week, Choate writes about the excitement he and Lennox experienced after being handed their marriage license from a clerk in New York:

It was just a white paper form that came out of their laserjet printer and was embossed with the seal of the state of NY. It's real world value is next to nothing. But to us it's the official, legal recognition of our new life together. It's everything so many advocates and activists have devoted their lives to making possible.