Towleroad Talking Points: Mormons and Necessary Roughness

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Batwoman pops the question.  

BY SAM GREISMAN

A look back at today's top stories

GAY ISSUES

Being a gay Mormon seems like a nearly impossible thing, but one BYU student has discovered, by filming his coming out to his friends and family, that it is actually possible to blend the two. In response to the Associated Press' guidance to not use the terms "husband" and "wife" for same-sex married couples, GLAAD really wants to know just "what the hell" they are thinking. 

More than 50 pro-LGBT supporting companies have signed a letter that urges President Obama to keep federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. It's about time! And there is some potential bright news in Minnesota where a state senator, a REPUBLICAN state senator at that, is looking to co-sponsor a bill that could bring marriage equality to the state. 

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ENTERTAINMENT

Even though we don't, as yet, have an out player currently in the NFL; there is one in the fake NFL portrayed on the show "Necessary Roughness". Let's hope life imitates art. Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellows recently spoke with The New York Times about Thomas' sexuality on the show and how it is important to remember how hard things were then. 

Hey you gays! Look out! Debra Messing is roaming the streets. Try not to squeal too much. Also Lance Bass, Susan Boyle and a few others are teaming up to spread the word about the importance of a certain salad dressing. 

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WINGNUTTERY

The gay-hating Boy Scouts may have some harsh penalties headed their way as a new bill is attempting to strip them of their tax-exempt status. Earlier in the week we reported on some pro-gay love happening on the subway in New York. Well just when we started pontificating on how wonderful New York is, a gay couple was attacked on the subway and no one did anything about it. 

In a desperate ploy to draw undue sympathy, an "ex-gay" from Focus on the Family is trying to claim that he is being oppressed because of his hateful and discriminatory beliefs. And a Florida middle-schooler who is trying to get a gay-straight alliance started in her school is having to deal with idiotic parents who are comparing it to a gang for some reason. 

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VIDEOS OF THE DAY

Addicted to porn? Well here are some of the reasons that your brain won't let you quit. And here is what it will be like to wear Google's Project Glass. Either the future has arrived or it will make you really nauseated. 

One Direction Covers Blondie's 'One Way or Another': VIDEO

With a cameo by the British Prime Minister.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Illinois House Executive Committee to Consider Marriage Equality Bill on February 26

The Illinois House Executive Committee has set February 26 (at 3 pm) as the date it will consider SB 10, or the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, passed by the Senate last week.

The Chicago Phoenix reports:

The committee vote is the next hurdle the bill must overcome on its path to becoming law and needs at least six votes there before it is cleared to hit the full House floor.

Advocates are expecting success in the committee, which comprises seven Democrats and four Republicans, but anticipate a tougher road to the 60 “yes” votes required to pass the measure in the full House.

The Illinois Senate passed the bill on Valentine's Day in a 34-21 vote.

Thomas Roberts Speaks to Freedom to Marry's Evan Wolfson About Marriage Equality Ad Campaign: VIDEO

This morning I posted about the new million-dollar marriage equality campaign spearheaded by HRC and Freedom to Marry which has as its lead-off piece of media an ad featuring Dick Cheney, Laura Bush, and Colin Powell making pro-equality statements.

Freedom to Marry's Evan Wolfson joined MSNBC's Thomas Roberts today to talk about the campaign.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1311

MARRIAGE NEWS WATCH: AFER's Matt Baume with the latest on the Prop 8. and DOMA cases, as well as news form Colorado, Illinois, Texas, and Oregon.

GoPRO: Woman freedives with Great White Shark.

WHAT IS LIGHT? The folks at Veritasium try to explain.

MUMBAI FLASH MOB: "On 25th January 2013, around 4:40 pm, the ever bustling Dadar East Station was brought to a standstill by a group of young men and women of diverse sexual orientations, all dancing to celebrate the spirit of LGBTHIQ Community in Mumbai and India."

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

News: Michelle Obama, Puerto Rico, Jane Lynch, Clive Davis

Florida pastor attacks Sam Champion's marriage.

Michelle Obama's official second term portrait.

Kelly Clarkson smacks down Clive Davis for alleged lies about her in his new memoir.

Clive Davis responds.

Police: Oklahoma man may have spontaneously combusted.

Lisa Marie Presley leaves Scientology, is afraid to talk about it?

Supreme Court to consider limits on individual political contributions.

Plum Line: How Obama can make history on gay rights. "I’m hoping that the Obama Justice Department will file a legal brief related to the Supreme Court’s pending hearing of the case involving Proposition 8, one detailing the administration’s view that Prop 8 is unconstitutional. This would send a strong message that the culture is changing, and could help lead to a sweeping ruling from the Court, one that will effectively put state laws prohibiting gay marriage on the path to extinction."

Nerd Prom: Conan O'Brien tapped to host White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in April.

Bryan Singer teases next X-Men film.

Jane Lynch to make Broadway debut as Miss Hannigan in Annie. "Lynch, an Illinois native who got her start in theater at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Second City, will appear in the musical for eight weeks only, from May 16 through July 14."

Robin Roberts returns to Good Morning America.

HRC launches fund to help LGBT Dreamers.

Minnesota Republicans consider change in tactics toward marriage equality bill: "With the imminent introduction of bills legalizing gay marriage, some Republicans are saying privately that they may counter with a call for less-sweeping legislation, such as recognition of civil unions or reciprocal benefits for couples. Republican legislators are said to be considering the change in tactics, partly from personal conviction and partly as a response to the party’s drubbing for its support of the marriage amendment."

Donald Trump threatens $25 million lawsuit against organizer of boycott asking Macy's to sever its ties with him.

Southern Baptists urge Boy Scouts to uphold gay ban: "The executive committee of the 16-million member Southern Baptist Convention passed the resolution Tuesday, stating that a proposal to alter the ban would 'place the Boy Scouts organization at odds with a consistent biblical worldview on matters of human sexuality, making it an organization that would no longer complement, but rather contradict, our belief in God and His moral precepts that serve as the basis for our Christian faith.'"

Puerto Rico denies gay adoption rights.

European Court of Human Rights rules ban on same-sex second parent adoption is discriminatory. Man reunited with dog 10 years later.

Moncler head of international media relations busted for stealing Salvador Dali painting from a gallery wall: "Phivos Lampros Istavrioglou, 29, was handcuffed by detectives at 1.15pm after stepping off an American Airlines flight from Milan following a sting operation to lure him back to the city, New York Post reports."