Courage Campaign Joins Fight For Marriage Equality In Washington

The progressive Courage Campaign announced today that they too are joining the fight for Referendum 74, the ballot measure that will maintain marriage equality in Washington state.

"This is the civil rights issue of our time and we will be investing major resources in Washington to ensure the historic act of the governor is not overturned. We could not be more thrilled to join with Washington United for Marriage to ensure equality is protected in Washington state," Courage Campaign founder Rick Jacobs in a press release. Courage chose Washington's fight after polling their estimated 750,000 members on which of the states deciding on marriage laws should get the national organization's attention.

Washington United For Marriage campaign manager Zach Silk said he and his allies are "grateful" for Courage Campaign's involvement: "Between their robust membership and their campaign staff support, we’re delighted to get a fresh infusion of talent and those all-important campaign dollars as we head into the thick of this election season," he said. With the Expedia backing, Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos' millions, and the dearth of fundraising and popular support for anti-gay opponents, it's safe to say this one's in the bag. But, you know, it's never good to get cocky when it comes to the ballot box.

Watch The Democratic National Convention Live: VIDEO

The DNC is currently streaming the Democratic National Committee live on YouTube.

Among those speaking this evening: Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), Newark Mayor Cory Booker, retired Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy, North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada), Openly gay Rep. Jared Polis, HHS Kathleen Sebeilus, The Honorable Julián Castro, Mayor of San Antonio, Texas, First Lady Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

YouTube stream here.

Towleroad Guide To The Tube #1200

'GAY FOOTBALL': Bob Eubanks offers fashion commentary.

DEBUT: Video for Frenchie Davis' new single "Loves Got A Hold On Me."

FAIRY TALE: Trailer for Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.

TAXING: Team Obama again hits Mitt Romney on his taxes.

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

News: Prince Philip, 'Ex-Gay' Suit, Ivory, Chicago

A shop owner in India realized that no one wants to shop at a store called "Hitler".

There are mad buttons to be had at the DNC.

Dear Abby thinks a gay man may have to file a lawsuit to stop his colleagues, none of whom know he's gay, from trying to set him up with women.

The Chicago Police Department today implemented policies to guarantee the respectful treatment of transgender citizens. "The order mandates that police not search transgender people in an attempt to determine their gender, that officers respect preferred names and pronouns for transgender detainees and that they not use someone's gender identity as assumed cause for a crime. It further bans derogatory language against trans people."

A court decided not to expedite proceedings in Pedersen v. the Office of Personnel Management, a case challenging the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act.

Yes, Jude Law is handsome.

Director and former Scientologist Paul Haggis believes the Vanity Fair story about how the church picked partners for allegedly closeted Tom Cruise.

In addition to wanting to kill gay people, forces within the Ugandan government, a U.S. ally in Africa, may be killing elephants: "[Garamba National Park] officials, scientists and the Congolese authorities now believe that the Ugandan military — one of the Pentagon’s closest partners in Africa — killed the 22 elephants from a helicopter and spirited away more than a million dollars’ worth of ivory."

The group Gay Alumni and Allies of Catholic Universities is going after Ohio-based Franciscan University for including homosexuality in a course about "deviant behavior". The school is spreading a "culture of hate and ignorance," they say.

The anti-gay Liberty Counsel is threatening to sue California if Gov. Jerry Brown signs into law a ban on "ex-gay" therapy for minors. "If the bill is signed into law, Liberty Counsel will sue on behalf of counselors, parents, and minors who provide, refer, or who receive and have found change therapy to be beneficial," said group leader Matt Staver.

Attention royal watchers: Pippa Middleton, the not-quite-royal sister of Catherine, is in New York City for the U.S. Open.

In other news from the House of Windsor, Prince Harry stepped out, fully dressed, for the first time since his naked Vegas scandal.

Meanwhile, Harry's grandfather, Prince Philip, accidentally flashed his royal jewels while wearing a kilt this weekend. [This link is safe for work, thankfully.]

Good morning, Mr. Hamm!

Todd "legitimate rape" Akin makes a prediction: "I don't believe that the comments I've made doom the entire Republican Party." Maybe not the whole GOP, but probably the Missouri branch.

Author Janet Levy is trying to twist the Democratic Party's commitment to diversity, including not discriminating against Muslims, into something it's not: "It is the height of hypocrisy and irony that, although Democrats freely criticize the policies of Republicans as anti-woman and anti-gay and worry about a conservative agenda that will result in a setback of the gains enjoyed by women and homosexuals over the past several decades, they fail to address the greater threat Islamic doctrine represents. Democrats are silent about Islamic relegation of women to second-class citizenship and the life-and-death dangers it poses for homosexuals."

DC Comics will soon unveil a Muslim Green Lantern. The right, of course, will have a field day.

Does Nicki Minaj really support Mitt Romney?

No convention bounce for Mitt Romney, according to Gallup.

Anti-gay activist Scott Lively on "gay fascists": "They think they are smarter than you all anyhow and have already made up their minds. They need to see angry crowds with tar and feathers in hand coming to run them out of office! Indeed, the Mayor of Springfield complained to the media that he was extremely bothered by threats of recall by the citizens."

First Lady's DNC Speech Will Contrast Obama And Romney's 'Values'

The White House has yet to release prepared remarks for First Lady Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention, but according to Mrs. Obama herself, she will use her allotted time to compare and contrast her husband's values with Mitt Romney's.

"[The President] somebody who believes in honesty. Somebody who believes that the truth matters," Mrs. Obama told radio host Yolanda Adams. "With every policy he has put forth, he tells us who he is. I’m reminding people of who Barack is and those values are what guide him and those are the values that need to guide this country for the next four years and beyond.”

Meanwhile, in an interview with Sirius XM radio host Joe Madison, the first lady remarked, "I am going to remind people about the values that drive my husband to do what he has done and what he is going to do for the next four years."

It's most likely, though, that she'll avoid mentioned Mitt Romney by name and instead leave ugly mud-slinging to the professionals, says Krissah Thompson at The Washington Post.

Wilson Cruz Joins GLAAD As Strategic Giving Officer

GLAAD today announced that actor Wilson Cruz, best known for his groundbreaking role as out teen Rickie Vasquez on My So-Called Life, is joining their team as a strategic giving officer.

Pointing out that GLAAD has "combatted anti-LGBT images in the media and changed the national conversation about LGBT people," Cruz said "GLAAD is also using its media expertise to create a culture that is accepting and safe for all young people" and that he is "proud and excited to grow this culture-changing work."

Herndon Graddick, GLAAD's president, celebrated Cruz's role in expanding positive portrayals of LGBT people on television.

"His work in film and television, as well as his commitment to supporting local and national LGBT organizations exemplifies GLAAD's mission to move LGBT equality forward," said Graddick.

AFTER THE JUMP, a 2010 GLAAD interview in which Cruz discusses his decision to be true to himself on stage and off. Oh, I've also included that iconic My So-Called Life dance scene featuring Rickie and Delia Fisher, the girl who was heartbroken when Rickie came out. Eat your heart out, Brian Krakow!