Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) Gives First Floor Speech Since 2012 Stroke, in Support of ENDA: VIDEO

Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) was one of seven Republican Senators who voted to invoke cloture this evening on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would protect LGBT citizens in the work place.

It was Kirk's first floor speech since a debilitating 2012 stroke.

Said Kirk:

"I have been silent for the past two years due to a stroke, under two years ago. I have risen to speak because I believe so passionately in enacting the ENDA statute. This is not a major change to law. I would say it is already the law in 21 states. I think it’s particularly appropriate for an Illinois Republican to speak on behalf of this measure, in the true tradition of Everett McKinley Dirksen and Abraham Lincoln — men who gave us the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 13th amendment to the Constitution. With that, I would suggest the absence of a quorum.”

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Nick Jonas Shirtless and Shredded in 'Careful What You Wish For' Teaser: VIDEO

Nick Jonas's physique is making waves again in a preview for his upcoming film Careful What You Wish For. The film co-stars Isabel Lucas and Dermot Mulroney.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Adam Lambert Previews 'Glee' Performance of 'Marry the Night': VIDEO

Adam Lambert discusses his Glee role in a new featurette.

Apparently, he plays a character named 'Starchild' and performs a cover of Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night".

That should be interesting news to singer Steve Grand, who called himself Steve Starchild and was best known for a cover of "Marry the Night" before hitting it big with "All American Boy".

Watch Lambert discuss Glee and watch a preview, AFTER THE JUMP...

Parents Sue NJ for Right to Put Son Through Gay Conversion Therapy

New Jersey's ban on gay conversion therapy--signed into law by New Jersey's Republican anti-marriage equality governor, Chris Christie just a little over two months ago--is facing a new lawsuit filed by a couple arguing that their constitutional rights are being infringed upon since they cannot pursue treatment for their 15-year-old son. 

The AP reports:

The suit filed in federal court in Camden on Friday is at least the second to attack the law. A separate suit that names two licensed therapists among its plaintiffs awaits a judge's ruling, said Demetrios Stratis, an attorney involved in both cases.

The unidentified New Jersey couple claim in their suit that the law violates their rights to free speech and freedom of religion, as well as their 14th Amendment right to equal protection, by "denying minors the opportunity to pursue a particular course of action that can help them address the conflicts between their religious and moral values and same-sex attractions, behaviors or identity."

The new lawsuit argues that the couple's son has "unwanted gender identity disorder and unwanted same-sex attractions:"  

"John Doe has a sincerely held religious belief and conviction that homosexuality is wrong and immoral, and he wanted to address that value conflict because his unwanted same-sex attractions and gender confusion are contrary to the fundamental religious values that he holds," the lawsuit contends.

The suit seeks a preliminary injunction that would halt the law.  A federal judge will decide whether to impose such an order by December 2.

Just hours after Chris Christie signed the gay conversion bill into law in late August, the Liberty Counsel, an anti-gay conservative group, followed through on earlier threats to challenge the legislation in court.  Oral arguments were heard in that case in early October.

Bryan Fischer Complains There's No Protection in ENDA for Heterosexuals: VIDEO

American Family Association spokeshater Bryan Fischer devoted much of his radio broadcast today railing against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, calling it "The Jerry Sandusky Pedophile Protection Act" and saying it would prevent society from discriminating against "aberrant deviant sexual behavior" and those who practice it.

Right Wing Watch reports that Fischer "laughably went on to claim that ENDA grants special rights to gays, saying that 'there's no protection in here for heterosexuals, none whatsoever....they get no legal protections in the law.' Apparently Fisher doesn't realize that ENDA would make it illegal to fire someone based on sexual orientation...and being straight is also considered to be a 'sexual orientation.'"

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

 

HRC Launches 'Love Conquers Hate' Campaign in Support of Russia's LGBT Community: PHOTOS

The Human Rights Campaign is looking to give Russia's LGBT Community a big boost of support leading up to the Sochi Olympic Games with the launch of its "Love Conquers Hate" solidarity campaign today.

Via press release:

Participants will share a photo of themselves wearing the Russian-language version of HRC's iconic Love Conquers Hate t-shirt on their social media platforms with the hashtag #LoveConquersHate, encouraging their followers from around the world to do the same. Each photo that is shared with the campaign hashtag will be aggregated at www.loveconquershate.org. 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts will go to a fund that supports LGBT advocates in Russia.

The campaign site also features a diverse group of prominent celebrities, athletes, and politicians who are speaking out in support of the LGBT community in Russia and against the country's homophobic laws. Participants include: Jonah Hill, Kristen Bell, Fergie, Kelly Osbourne, Kevin Bacon, Jamie Lee Curtis, America Ferrera, Ricky Martin, Perez Hilton, Anthony Bourdain, Wentworth Miller, Tim Gunn, Jason Collins, and many others. 

Said HRC President Chad Griffin:

"Love and equality are universal values that aren't limited by language or national borders. We stand with Russia's LGBT community and their allies, and we are committed to doing as much as we possibly can to support their efforts to repeal this heinous law."

For more information on how you can join the cause, visit www.loveconquershate.org

And you can check out more celebrity photos of the campaign, AFTER THE JUMP...