Activist: The SF 49ers Need to Answer Questions About What Went Down with Their 'It Gets Better' Video

Sean Chapin, the activist behind the Change.org petition that convinced the San Francisco 49ers to be the first NFL team to make an 'It Gets Better' video, says the team needs to address the remarks made by linebacker Ahmad Brooks and nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga last week in the days before the Super Bowl.

Since Brooks and Sopoaga participated in the 49ers 'It Gets Better' video last year, reporters figured they would have an interesting perspective on the Chris Culliver story, but a new controversy arose when Brooks and Sopoaga both denied participating in the video, and then, when they were shown it, said they never knew it had anything to do with gays, and then appeared to want to distance themselves from it.

Their remarks led Dan Savage to pull the video from the 'It Gets Better' site. Savage then tweeted: "We've removed the #49ers #ItGetsBetter video from our website. #homophobia #NFL #horsesh*t"

Watch Chapin's demand that the 49ers address the issue, AFTER THE JUMP...

Illinois Senate Panel to Consider Marriage Equality Bill Tomorrow

Illinois' Senate Executive Committee will consider a marriage equality bill tomorrow, February 5, the Peoria Journal Star reports:

That's according to state Sen. Heather Steans. The Chicago Democrat and bill sponsor says it's on the executive committee's agenda and she's confident it has the support to pass the Senate next week.

Last week, Senate President John Cullerton said he'd like to approve gay marriage on Feb. 14. He says he believes the bill has the 30 votes needed to pass and move to the House.

Steans agrees. The legislation would grant same-sex couples rights available to heterosexual couples.

Steans spoke with MSNBC's Thomas Roberts about the bill earlier today.

Said Rick Garcia, Director of the Equal Marriage Illinois Project and Senior Policy Advisor for Illinois LGBT rights group The Civil Rights Agenda in a press release: "It is exciting that the Senate Committee will be hearing the bill so quickly. We expect the bill to pass the committee and look forward to the full vote in the Senate next week."

Gay Scouts, Allies Deliver 1.4 Million Signatures to Boy Scouts Headquarters Calling for End to Gay Ban: VIDEO

A group of gay scouts and allies delivered 1.4 million petitions to Boy Scout headquarters in Dallas today calling for an end to the gay ban, GLAAD reports:

Four Scout leaders whose petitions on Change.org sparked a national movement to end the Boy Scouts of America’s anti-gay policy, delivered more than 1.4 million signatures from their combined petitions to the Boy Scouts headquarters today, the same day that the Board of Directors for the Boy Scouts start a three-day meeting at which they’ll discuss a proposal to allow local Scout Councils to welcome gay Scouts and leaders. They were joined by Brad Hankins, Campaign Director for Scouts for Equality, as well as representatives from GLAAD and Change.org.

Jennifer Tyrrell, a gay mom removed as the den leader of her 8-year-old son’s Cub Scout pack; Greg Bourke, a gay dad who was forced to resign his position of Assistant Scoutmaster; Eric Andresen, the father of an 18-year-old Boy Scout who was barred from receiving his Eagle Award because of his sexual orientation; and Will Oliver, a gay Eagle Scout and student at Northwestern University, all traveled to Dallas to deliver their petitions and urge the Boy Scouts of America to end their national ban on gay Scouts and gay Scout leaders.

Watch their press conference (it was windy) shot by the Dallas Voice, AFTER THE JUMP...

Gay Immigration Bill to Be Introduced in U.S. House Tomorrow

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) is set to reintroduce the Uniting American Families Act on Tuesday, the Washington Blade reports:

The legislation, known as the Uniting American Families Act, is expected to be introduced in the U.S. House but not the Senate, according to two sources familiar with the bill.

Although information on co-sponsors wasn’t immediately available, the bill is expected to have bipartisan support. Last year, the bill found support from Reps. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) and Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) in the lame duck session of Congress in addition to the 145 Democrats who supported the bill.

Introduction of UAFA in the Senate isn’t expected to be concurrent with House version. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has pledged to reintroduce the legislation in that chamber. It’s unclear when the Senate companion of UAFA would be introduced.

The legislation would enable gay couples to sponsor their foreign partners for a green card. It's still unclear whether gay couples will be included in a comprehensive immigration reform bill, although President Obama has demanded it.

Alabama Teacher Who Called Gays 'an Abomination Against God' Has Been Suspended

Bob Grisham, the Lauderdale County High School football coach and psychology teacher recorded by a student last week as he spewed anti-gay slurs, has been suspended, WAFF reports.

he Times Daily reported last week:

The investigation includes a 1-minute, 24-second audiotape of Grisham asking who knows who is behind the 600-calorie school lunch. “Fat butt Michelle Obama,” he said. “Look at her. She looks like she weighs 185 or 190. She’s overweight.”

Male voices interject comments during the discussion, at one point referring to Michelle Obama as a “fat gorilla.”

Later in the tape, Grisham referred to the U.S. as going in the “wrong direction” and tells the students they can “get pissed off at me or not. You can go tell the principal, call the superintendent and tell her. I don’t believe in queers. I don’t like queers, I don’t hate them as a person, but what they do is wrong and an abomination against God.” The tape was reportedly recorded by a student Monday and took place on school campus during the school day.

Grisham, who said he "misspoke" and did not have hatred toward anyone, was suspended without pay following a 4 pm meeting by the school board today.

Super Bowl Champ Brendon Ayanbadejo for Marriage Equality: VIDEO

Taking advantage of the momentum from the Super Bowl, the Respect for Marriage Coalition has retooled an interview with Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo that he did last fall for the Marylanders for Marriage campaign into a new video that's getting renewed attention because of the Ravens win.

As always, Ayanbadejo is articulate and his words powerful.

Congrats on your Super Bowl win!

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...