Today on Towleroad: Secession, Huckabee and Flag Football

BY SAM GREISMAN

A look back at today's top stories

MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Jon Stewart sat down with failed presidential candidate and open anti-gay marriage 'defender' Mike Huckabee and Stewart attempted to break down his anti-gay stance. Huckabee says he "can't separate his vote from his faith."

As The New York Times looks at which States may next score a victory for marriage equality, there is news today that the Supreme Court has pushed back the date at which they will convene to decide whether to take Prop 8 and DOMA cases. More enlightening news from the NFL where outspoken marriage equality supporter Brenden Ayanbadejo says that a group of Oakland Raiders went out of their way to congratulate him after last week's marriage equality ballot successes. 

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WINGNUTTERY

Apparently 75,000 people in Texas would like to secede from the Union. This is not a promotional stunt for Lincoln. Also with the state's track record on LGBT rights, would we miss them? 

Catholic Bishops in California have decided that despite the setbacks sustained in the election, they will continue to be openly anti-gay. Also everyone is really really tired of Donald Trump. Shocker. 

Jon Stewart also took some time to discuss the bizareness that is the David Petraeus scandal. Boy did Homeland call this one. 

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VIDEOS OF THE DAY

Gays have a message for straight men about their girlfriends. Support marriage equality before we marry your ladies. And check out this gay flag football team from DC dancing Gangnam Style.

Ke$ha Strips Down 'Die Young': LISTEN

Compared to the original this version's a virtual lullaby. From a five-track Deconstructed EP due for release in her online store in early December.

Listen, AFTER THE JUMP...

Nigeria Advances Bill That Would Criminalize Homosexual PDA, Same-Sex Marriage, Gay Organizations

Nigeria's house of Representatives advanced an anti-homosexuality bill that would criminalize public displays of affection between people of the same gender and ban same-sex marriage, The Nation reports:

"It is alien to our society and culture and it must not be imported," House majority leader Mulikat Adeola-Akande said during debate, referring to same-sex marriage. "Religion abhors it and our culture has no place for it," she added.

House minority leader Femi Gbajabiamila said the bill represents "convergence of both law and morality." He said that same-sex marriage "is both illegal and immoral."

Nigeria's senate in November 2011 approved the bill that would make same-sex marriages punishable by up to 14 years for the couple and 10 for anyone abetting such unions. It also set out a 10-year sentence for "any person who ... directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationships".

Gay organizations would also be banned, and AIDS relief organizations are concerned that they too might fall into that category. The bill passed a unanimous second reading in the House and will be considered next at an undetermined date for a clause-by-clause review.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Says 'Time is Now' for Marriage Equality, Calls it One of Top Priorities: VIDEO

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he plans to be very involved with the legislative passage of marriage equality in Illinois and at a news conference today called pushing for it one of his top priorities.

Said Emanuel: "I've been in touch with leaders, including State Representative Greg Harris, State Representative Deb Mell and leaders in both chambers, so Illinois will now take the next step in making sure that our values are reflected in our laws."

Emanuel said it was near the top of his list of legislative priorities he'd like to see happen in Springfield:

"One is retirement security and pension reform so we can give taxpayers and the public employees retirement security, which is something we can't say today," Emanuel told reporters during a visit to Austin Polytechnical Academy High School to announce an investment in the school's manufacturing program. "Two, I was advocating, as have other people for 25 years, a casino for the city of Chicago, but one in which I've committed [that] all the resources will go into school modernization and building new schools and modernizing our schools so our kids will have the best facilities to learn in. Third, I will continue to advocate, as I have since a congressman, that we also pass marriage equality and end the discrimination on the books."

Watch ABC7's report on Emanuel's marriage equality statement, AFTER THE JUMP...

Elmo Voice Actor Kevin Clash's Accuser Recants Underage Sex Abuse Allegations

The man accusing Kevin Clash, the voice of Sesame Street's Elmo, of inappropriate sexual contact when he was 16, has recanted those allegations, TMZ reports:

The accuser's lawyer just released a statement saying, "[The accuser] wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship. [The accuser] will have no further comment."

It's unclear why the accuser suddenly changed his story ... but sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... the accuser's attorney had been meeting with Clash's attorney as recent as an hour ago, discussing a financial settlement and 6-figures were on the table.

Said Clash in a statement: "I am relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest. I will not discuss it further."

Seattle Sounders Player Marc Burch Gets Three Game Suspension, Fine from MLS for Anti-Gay Slur: VIDEO

Seattle Sounders defender Marc Burch was suspended for three games, ordered to attend sensitivity training, and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer after a camera caught him mouthing a homophobic slur during a game against Real Salt Lake last week, SB Nation reports:

With MLS involved in a television campaign aimed at stopping racism, sexism and homophobia, it would have been a huge surprise had Burch got away without a ban. The suspension means that the 28-year-old will miss both legs of Seattle's conference final against the LA Galaxy, as well as the MLS Cup Final itself should the Sounders make it that far.

Burch issued an apology for the slur:

"I apologize for my horrific choice of words last night during our match. This is something that is inconsistent with my family values and because of that I am both disappointed and embarrassed by my level of poor judgment. I take seriously my role as a leader in the community and this is completely regrettable and unacceptable. Character matters and I hope through hard work on and off the field to begin earning your respect and trust again."

Watch the moment that got Burch in trouble, AFTER THE JUMP...