Save California's Randy Thomasson Says Marriage Equality Is Form Of Slavery: AUDIO

Despite sounding like a setup for that terrible joke of wedding rings being the world's smallest handcuffs, leader of hate group Save California Randy Thomasson took to right-wing talk show host Janet Mefferd's show to compare marriage equality to slavery. Said Thomasson:

It’s tyranny, it’s intolerance, it’s attack, it’s a form of slavery even, that you cannot even have freedom, the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, and this is leading away from mere opposition to oppression with coming persecution.

As always, every word of this is a lie. No one is denying his general freedom, his freedom of speech (which is why he was allowed to speak on the radio show without government persecution), or his freedom of religion (which is why he is still allowed to be a Christian). Additionally, saying one cannot oppress others is not itself oppression.

U.S. Navy Ship Command Undermines Observations Of Pride Month: VIDEO

The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell has made life easier for LGB folks in the military, but it certainly isn't "easy", and trans people still suffer the brunt of it all. The command staff of San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson have engaged in passive-aggressive attempts to undermine any observations of LGBT Pride Month, something that the sailors explicitly requested. In addition to dragging their feet on signing off on the event even though the month is half over, regressive conditions were implemented which included removing any language of "gay" or "lesbian" over the loudspeaker, and "transgender" was to be removed from all posters altogether, conceivably justified by the fact that the military still considers being transgender a psychological disorder.

Several sailors have filed complaints, but the Navy released a statement saying that they have not confirmed any complaints. The sailors have responded to their command's lack of action with a course of action of their own: if they are denied an event, they will unfurl a rainbow flag at the pier and have an impromptu event of their own. 

You can watch ABC 10's report on the issue AFTER THE JUMP...

Gay Crooner Sam Smith Performs 'Stay With Me' On Good Morning America - VIDEO

Newly out British singer Sam Smith charmed the audience members of Good Morning America on Monday morning with a live performance of his song “Stay With Me.”

The song comes from the point-of-view of someone who sucks at one night stands but still longs for companionship. The lyrics read in part:

Guess it's true, I'm not good at a one-night stand
But I still need love 'cause I'm just a man
These nights never seem to go to plan
I don't want you to leave, will you hold my hand?

… Why am I so emotional?
No it's not a good look, gain some self control
And deep down I know this never works
But you can lay with me so it doesn't hurt

The song doesn’t hint at Smith’s homosexuality the same way that his music video for “Leave Your Lover” did, but its wistful cry for deeper connection still resonates regardless of one's sexuality.

You may also recall that Smith recorded a duet version of "Stay With Me" alongside Mary J. Blige. Occupy the Disco also included another Smith collaboration (“Running”) on their Top 10 Tracks of 2012 list for Towleroad.

Watch Smith’s live performance AFTER THE JUMP…

The 'Day Drunk Gays' Have Moved on to Marijuana: VIDEO

It appears that mimosas are a gateway drug, because the 'Day Drunk Gays' have found a friend in Mary Jane.

Check out last week's chapter here, and the latest episode, AFTER THE JUMP...

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #1601

BRIAN WILLIAMS: "Baby Got Back".

AMERICANS TRY: Brazilian snacks.

THE CYCLE: Carbon and oxygen and you.

CHILL CAT: Sitting in a chair.

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

News: Stunt Man, Andrej Pehic, Border Collie, Anchorage

Judge hears arguments in Colorado gay marriage cases.

Satellite experts: MH370 searchers not looking in the best place.

Our Nathaniel Rogers interviews this stunt man who has played James Bond, Batman, Thor, Green Lantern, and more, over at his home blog The Film Experience.

VIDEO: Nana the Border Collie can balance anything.

Signorile: Why Rick Perry thinks it's politically clever to liken homosexuality to alcoholism.

District Court judge appears skeptical of Colorado gay marriage ban at hearing: "Crabtree was openly skeptical of the state’s arguments that the 2006 voter-approved ban protects the procreative nature of marriage. He mentioned two of his friends who are marrying this summer at age 65."

Alberta leadership candidate Ric McIver under fire for marching in parade organized by a church that believes gay people are the minions of Satan.

Male model fix: Matt Waters.

LISTEN: Maroon 5 drops new single "Maps".

Andrej Pejic cast in Sofia Coppola's The Little Mermaid.

Could dental drilling and injections soon be a thing of the past? "Rather than removing decay and refilling a cavity with manmade materials, Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralisation (EAER) encourages teeth to patch-up on their own. The technique reverses the decay process by fast-tracking the natural conglomeration of calcium and phosphate minerals in the tooth, causing it to re-mineralize and restore its health."

What the media should know about this week's anti-gay March for Marriage.

And here's another useless offerer of advice on Iraq.

Anchorage, Alaska celebrates LGBT Pride: "Hundreds of Alaskans gathered in the street on Saturday morning outside Snow City Cafe, in downtown Anchorage. Emcee Daphne DoAll LaChores made sure everyone was in place behind the Identity, Inc. banner at the front of the procession that would go the distance, from 3rd Avenue to the Park Strip. Festival attendee and downtown community leader Christopher Constant took the mic, announcing the presence of the plaintiff families in the case Hamby v. Alaska, who lined up behind the banner."

Green is Prince Harry's color.

The brothers behind the British dance outfit Disclosure talk about how the gay community has influenced their sound: "Honestly, the history of the music that we take influence from, like house and garage, obviously originated in gay clubs like The Warehouse in Chicago and Paradise Garage (in New York City). I don't go to gay clubs now, but I feel like gay clubs just seem to be very forward-thinking, in terms of music anyway, and they're always pushing boundaries. If you look back at the last 25 years or so, they're playing the most original, creative stuff."

The original 'sole Survivor' Richard Hatch now has a blog called The Hatchet Job.

Atlantic City courting gay tourism: "Mayor Don Guardian and tourism officials said Monday the goal is to reinvigorate a once-thriving gay community in the New Jersey resort city."