Towleroad Talking Points: Bigots at a Hospital and Other Crazies

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Matt Damon is looking buff in "Elysium".  

BY SAM GREISMAN

A look back at today's top stories

WINGNUTTERY

There was a heart wrenching story out of Kansas City, MO today where a gay man was reportedly arrested after refusing to leave the bedside of his sick husband. Disgusting. Troubles keep on piling up for the the anti-gay florist from Washington State as she now faces not only a lawsuit from the state's Attorney General but also from the gay couple to whom she refused service. It turns out that the people behind the "God's Marriage Bow" campaign not only hate gays but also originality. 

A group of anti-gay super conservatives in the Republican Party have sent a letter to RNC Chairman Reince Priebus notifying him that they will leave the party if it abandons its anti-gay marriage stance They also resent the claim that they have 'treated homosexuals unkindly'. Can't argue with the facts guys. An RNC Committeeman from Michigan also thinks that schools are turning kids gay. And in Montana a definitely "not homophobic" State House member compared homosexuality to a pen in its retracted position. 

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GAY ISSUES

Bill O'Reilly continues to show that he has at least a modicum of human decency as he is standing by his support of gay marriage. The National Hockey League has announced a groundbreaking partnership with an anti-homophobia group. Maybe we should all be watching more hockey? Also take a look at the jubilance of the moment marriage equality passed in Uruguay. 

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VIDEOS OF THE DAY

American Idol contestant Candice Glover wowed the crowd with her cover of The Cure's "Love Song" last night. And watch out for giant mega sharks and diving giraffes. 

Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) Comes Out for Marriage Equality

Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) has come out for marriage equality and announced he'll support DOMA repeal legislation in a message on Facebook:

My 18-year marriage to Tawni has taught me that we’re both stronger because we love and support each other. I support marriage equality because if two people want to make a lifetime commitment to love and care for one another, then the government shouldn't stand in the way.

As the Supreme Court deliberates the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, I’m reminded that throughout history, discrimination has never worked. I have never voted for discrimination, and I look forward to supporting legislation like the Respect for Marriage Act that will help committed same-sex couples gain the same rights as everyone else.

There are just seven House Democrats now who have not taken a position on same-sex marriage. They are Reps. Jim Costa (CA), Cedric Richmond (LA), Kurt Schrader (OR), David Scott (GA), Terry Sewell (AL), Bennie Thompson (MS), and freshman Filemon Vela (TX).

Bryan Fischer: Christians are Being Victimized by Gay Rights Advocates Like Jews Were by the Nazis - VIDEO

American Family Association spokeshater Bryan Fischer today claimed that Christians are being victimized over gay rights like Jews were by Nazis, adding, "we're getting to the point where these homofascists are going to force us to wear on our sleeve some kind of identifying marker so people will know who the racists and the homophobes and the bigots are."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN) Comes Out for Marriage Equality

Representative Pete Visclosky (D-IN) announced his support for marriage equality today. Visclosky's district is northwestern Indiana.

Wrote Visclosky on Facebook:

“I support marriage equality for all couples and believe that every single American should be able to marry the person they love. I believe that it is unfair that, under current law, same-sex couples are legally prohibited from taking advantage of the federal laws that provide financial and legal benefits to married couples. I believe that we can no longer allow the states to discriminate against same-sex marriages. Rather, I believe that the federal government should ensure that all consenting adults, no matter who they are or who they love, have the exact same marriage rights."

Viscslosky voted for DOMA in 1996. Today his spokesman said Visclosky "regrets that vote."

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1345

TORONTO'S LGBT POLICE: Speaking out against bullying.

MICHELLE OBAMA: Her powerful speech in Chicago on how we're failing our youth.

FUN WITH ENGINEERING: How much pressure does it take to crush a concrete cylinder?

IAN MCKELLEN: Bryan Singer's Magneto-themed Vine.

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

News: A380, Tammy Baldwin, Zambia, Kerry Rhodes, Copenhagen

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) reflects on her first 100 days and the road ahead: “I’m feeling optimistic that we can get a floor vote on ENDA,” Baldwin said. “I’m feeling fairly pessimistic about the chances of ENDA moving ahead in the House as currently composed.”

"Dong Dong the Witch is Dead" rockets up charts after Margaret Thatcher's death.

German racetrack shut down by giant phallus.

Gay Zambian activist Paul Kasonkomona arrested on charges of promoting homosexuality pleads not guilty in first court appearance. "The 38-year-old activist was arrested in the capital on Sunday, minutes after he appeared on a live TV show where he openly advocated for gay rights."

NFL's Kerry Rhodes denies he's gay.

What will happen if SCOTUS strikes down DOMA: "Depending on the scope of a Supreme Court ruling against Section 3 of DOMA, areas of the law in which couples may continue to face challenges include Social Security benefits — especially if a couple moves to a state that doesn’t recognize their marriages — as well as spousal benefits when one party of the couple is a member of the military, although the immigration issue preventing bi-national couples from staying together in the United States is expected to cease immediately."

Russell Crowe told Rebel Wilson to eff off.

Inside a custom A380: "A British design firm is currently working on the interiors for a private Airbus A380 superjumbo VIP jet, under commission from a "Middle Eastern" client. The client remains unknown, but could be Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who became the first person in the world to buy the world's largest passenger aircraft for his personal use in November 2007. While the price paid was not disclosed at the time, airlines typically purchase the A380 for US$300 million (A$370 million)."

Copenhagen bar throws out two men for kissing, apologizes.

Long Island Catholic parishioner ousted from volunteer duties for being gay will formally demand reinstatement. "Coppola, who's been openly gay for years, volunteered as a Eucharistic minister, religion teacher and visitor for homebound sick....The diocese says anyone in public ministerial positions must take public positions consistent with Catholic teachings." Delivers 18,000 petitions...

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez vetoes bill that would help families of gay servicemembers, approves a separate one to ehlp straight servicemembers.

Very few places are safe from prying eyes.

Kellan Lutz is the new Op model.

Michelangelo Signorile on Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, and gay rights.

Judge gives partial victory to 16-year-old student Amber Hatcher in Day of Silence lawsuit. "Applying the general principles to Amber’s situation, the judge not only denied a request from the defendants to dismiss Amber’s free-speech claims, but he found a 'substantial likelihood' that Amber would ultimately succeed on those claims (at a later stage of the litigation), primarily because of the school’s treatment of her last year."

More Harry Louis and Marc Jacobs at the beach in Rio.

Thousands rally in Paris against homophobia: "The rally, held in front of the city hall under steady rain and watchful police supervision, brandished slogans decrying 'hate-filled' rhetoric seen as encouraging violence against gays and lesbians." Anti-gay violence seen on the increase in France: "Elizabeth Ronzier, head of SOS homophobie, said there had been a 30% rise in reports of homophobic and transphobic assaults last year compared to 2011, with a marked surge when debate began in the autumn."