The Republican Party of Texas Really Hates Gay People

I linked to a post about this in the round-up, but it's worth posting on its own.

The Texas Republican Party platform 2012. They hate us, they really, really hate us.

Homosexuality

We affirm that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family unit. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country’s founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable “alternative” lifestyle, in public policy, nor should “family” be redefined to include homosexual “couples.” We believe there should be no granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin. Additionally, we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction or belief in traditional values.

Family and Defense of Marriage

We support the definition of marriage as a God-ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural woman, which is the foundational unit of a healthy society, and we oppose the assault on marriage by judicial activists. We call on the President and Congress to take immediate action to defend the sanctity of marriage. We are resolute that Congress exercise authority under the United States Constitution, and pass legislation withholding jurisdiction from the Federal Courts in cases involving family law, especially any changes in the definition of marriage. We further call on Congress to pass and the state legislatures to ratify a marriage amendment declaring that marriage in the United States shall consist of and be recognized only as the union of a natural man and a natural woman.

Neither the United States nor any state shall recognize or grant to any unmarried person the legal rights or status of a spouse. We oppose the recognition of and granting of benefits to people who represent themselves as domestic partners without being legally married. We advocate the repeal of laws that place an unfair tax burden on families. We call upon Congress to completely remove the marriage penalty in the tax code, whereby a married couple receives a smaller standard deduction than their unmarried counterparts living together. The primary family unit consists of those related by blood, heterosexual marriage, or adoption. The family is responsible for its own welfare, education, moral training, conduct, and property.

Judicial Activism in Marriage

We support marriage and oppose the assault on marriage by judicial activists.

Enforcement of the Defense of Marriage Act

We support the enforcement of the State and Federal Defense of Marriage Act by state and federal officials respectively, and oppose creation, recognition and benefits for partnerships outside of marriage that are being provided by some political subdivisions.

Marriage and Divorce

We believe in the sanctity of marriage and that the integrity of this institution should be protected at all levels of government. We urge the Legislature to rescind no-fault divorce laws. We support Covenant Marriage.

Family Values

We support the affirmation of traditional Judeo-Christian family values and oppose the continued assault on those values.

The whole document is HERE.

New York Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire Fined $50,000 for Calling Fan a 'Fag' Over Twitter

New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire was fined $50,000 today by the NBA for calling a fan "fag" on Twitter late last week, the AP reports:

Stu Jackson, the league's executive vice president of basketball operations, announced the fine Tuesday in a release, calling Stoudemire's language offensive and derogatory...

...Stoudemire also issued an apology in a statement on Tuesday.

"I am a huge supporter of civil rights for all people," he said. "I am disappointed in myself for my statement to a fan. I should have known better and there is no excuse."

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1153

BEEZ IN THE TRAP: Nicki Min---huh?

FIRST DATE: The Obamas look back.

WRESTLING BEARS: Just an average day in Longwood, Florida.

SUPER MARIO: Chalk art.

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

News: The Other Side, John Travolta, Spice Girls, Michigan

What's next if SCOTUS strikes down Obamacare?

Maryland marriage referendum supporters submit 40,000 additional signatures.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston's suck face response to masseur lawsuits?

Our legal analyst Ari Ezra Waldman is participating in a legal symposium over at Prop8TrialTracker. Here's his post on the Perry v. Brown case.

Stonewall Democrats endorse 25 congressional candidates but pass up Elizabeth Warren: "Six of the endorsed candidates are out LGBT individuals: Baldwin, Cicilline, Pocan, Polis, Takano and Thomas. Of the four out members of the current Congress, all are in the House. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) is not running for re-election, however, and Baldwin is seeking a Senate seat -- leaving Polis and Cicilline as the only out incumbents seeking re-election. There are no out LGBT Republicans in the 112th Congress."

Victory Fund makes 17 new endorsements.

Lana Del Rey to channel Jackie Kennedy for new video.

The Other Side: Last gay piano bar in Los Angeles closes.

One Direction's Harry Styles buys $200,000 Ferrari. Lance Bass says "save your money".

Spice Girls reunite, announce Spice Girls musical: "Viva Forever will feature Spice Girls music while telling 'the story of four friends whose bond is tested when their band enters a TV talent show,' the Associated Press reports."

Michigan Department of Civil Rights to hold hearing on Tuesday night in Holland: "The Michigan Department of Civil Rights is holding that hearing to discuss whether to expand the state's civil rights laws act, to include protections for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people. The hearing is from 7pm and 9pm in council chambers at Holland City Hall. That's located at 270 South River Avenue in Holland."

Washington Congressional candidate Andrew Hughes wants to amend the U.S. Constitution to legalize same-sex marriage: "The right of citizens of the United States to marry shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex, race, gender, or sexual orientation. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

This Angelina Jolie flick Maleficent is going to be the weirdest or best thing ever.

Madonna's No Eyelash Left Behind policy: "Madonna has set high standards for her extreme cleaning crew. Not an inkling of DNA evidence is to be left behind in her dressing room, not even an eyelash. These precautions, as the source infers is meant to entrust a barrier of security between the 52-year-olds’ fans and the idol herself. 'In the end, it is all to protect her and make her feel comfortable.'"

Man eats dog alive after smoking synthetic marijuana.

The Texas Republican Party continues tradition of awfulness.

Moline, Illinois reception hall manager resigns after being exposed as a bigot: "WQAD-TV reported last week that manager Kristen Stewart told a gay woman, 'We don't rent to homosexual couples.'  On Friday, University Club president Perry Stewart said that Ms. Stewart, his wife, was mistaken. On Saturday in an emailed statement, he said that she has resigned. In the statement, Mr. Stewart said he first wanted to express the University Club's "deepest apologies" to Taylor Shumaker of Davenport, the woman who had inquired about renting the venue."

Critically-Endangered Sumatran Rhino Gives Birth in Captivity: VIDEO

Conservationists are thrilled that for only the fourth time in more than a hundred years, a rare Sumatran rhino has given birth in captivity in Indonesia:

Conservationist Widodo Ramono recalled the anxious moments before delivery.

"We were all watching it from the CCTV, nobody made a sound. But the moment we saw the calf, everyone burst into screams. It was louder than seeing a player score a goal in a football match," he said. "We hope Ratu will eventually have five calves. For Andalas, we hope to mate him with other females," Ramono said.

Ratu and Andalas were paired in 2009 at the sanctuary, two years after Andalas was brought from the United States at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio for a breeding programme.

Andalas was born in September 2001, making him the first Sumatran rhino delivered in captivity in 112 years.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

There are estimated to be less than 200 Sumatran rhinos alive in Southeast Asia.

Rielle Hunter Explains Herself on 'The View': VIDEO

Not a mistress. Not a believer in infidelity. No longer with John Edwards.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...