Marriage Equality On 'Fast Track' In Illinois, Says House Sponsor

The push to legalize marriage equality in Illinois stalled during the lame duck session of the outgoing state congress, but that doesn't mean the mission has come to an end.

Rep. Greg Harris, sponsor of the bill in the state House, told Chicago's CBS News affiliate that the bill could very well pass among the new congressional class

"We are on a fast track to passing marriage equality in the state of Illinois," he said.

Harris said a new measure on same-sex marriage is coming "very soon." He said sentiment in support of same-sex marriage has been growing quickly in recent years.

"The people of America are ahead of us," said Harris. "They are doing the right thing. They believe the right thing. The journey is short, because people want it to be short. The journey to full marriage is not going to be as long as we thought, because folks have talked to their neighbors, they've talked to their clergy people; they’ve decided treating every couple equally in the eyes of the law is the right thing to do."

Harris also pointed out that the younger lawmakers sworn in this week are more likely than older predecessors to support full marriage for same-sex couples.

"If you look in the House, you’ve got a lot of people who are younger, and folks who are younger see this as a vote of true equality. It’s something they’ve grown up with, it's something their kids talk to them about when they come home from school, it's what people believe in," he said.

'Daily Mail' Raises Questions About David Beckham's Package: PHOTO

Bless British tabloid The Daily Mail for asking the serious questions: "David is that all YOU?" The question is the axis on which a probing expose of soccer star David Beckham's trot around LA for a new H&M underwear video campaign pivots. Guy Ritchie, too, has been implicated, as the director of said campaign. It's riveting stuff.

Check out a couple more images from the sensational tale AFTER THE JUMP.

Pod of Killer Whales That Were Trapped in Sea Ice Now Free

A pod of killer whales that had been trapped under sea ice in northern Quebec are now free, according to the town's mayor. The whales had been frantically surfacing for air through a small hole in the ice.

Some good news from the North, via NBC News:

Two scouts sent to check on the killer whales around 8 a.m. local time found a passage of water had been created in Hudson Bay all of the way to the open sea – nearly 25 miles away -- and the ice hole that the marine mammals had been trapped in was empty, said Petah Inukpuk, mayor of Inukjuak, a remote Inuit village home to 1,800, in Quebec.

“They are free. They are no longer here. When there is a new moon, the water current is activated. It could have helped … completely trap them, but in this case it caused an open passage out to the open water,” he told NBC News, adding that they probably were freed overnight. “It was mother nature that helped them. ... They are no longer icelocked.”

I've reposted the video of the trapped whales shot yesterday, AFTER THE JUMP...

Justin Timberlake Set To Release New Single Monday, Album Soon: VIDEO

Here's some amazing news for the millions of people, including this guy, who have been waiting for Justin Timberlake to get off the movie set and back to where he belongs: the recording studio.

The singer confirmed today that he's working on a new Timbaland-produced album, and that the first single, featuring Jay-Z and Beyoncé, will be released on Monday.

Get excited over Timberlake's explanatory video AFTER THE JUMP.

Gingrich Wants GOP To Understand 'Human Side' Of Gay Rights: VIDEO

Say what you will about failed presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, but the former Republican House Speaker is poised, either by design or by circumstance, to become one of his party's loudest voices on marriage equality. And that's a good thing.

A few weeks ago Gingrich said he's come to see the "reality" of our changing culture, and last night Gingrich told Fox News' Greta Van Susteren that he hopes the GOP will come to understand the "human side" of same-sex love.

An excerpt, via JMG:

I think this is a very complicated human problem and Republicans need to take a deep breath and understand we need to deal with the human side of this equation — and understand that we want to defend marriage in its classic form between a man and a woman. I don’t accept that there’s an alternative. The government can declare that a Ford truck is Air Force One. That doesn’t mean it can fly. It’s not that I want to change my belief. I think that in fact it’s a big mistake to be confused about this issue.

But I think it’s also a legal reality that now people are being allowed to create legal status over here.

Watch video of Gingrich's latest remarks AFTER THE JUMP. The pertinent comments begin at about the 8 minute mark.

Giglio: 'Agenda' Would Overshadow Inauguration Prayer

Rev. Louie Giglio has released a statement on why he stepped down from his position as the official inauguration pastor. According to him, a shadowy "agenda" threatened to distract from and "dwarf" his appearance.

Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration.

Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ.

The inauguration committee, under fire for selection Giglio in the first place, has also released a statement, this one insisting they were unaware of Giglio's past anti-gay comments:

We were not aware of Pastor Giglio’s past comments at the time of his selection and they don’t reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this Inaugural. Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction in large part for his leadership in combating human trafficking around the world. As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration’s vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.

Sheesh, first Chuck Hagel and now Giglio. Obama's vetting teams are slacking in the post-reelection enviornment.