Court: Language on CA Gay Marriage Ballot Measure to Stay

In response to a suit brought by anti-gay groups, a court ruled today that California state officials do not have to rewrite the language on the Proposition 8 California ballot measure that declares the proposition would "eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry."

Attorney General Jerry Brown recently changed the word in the anti-gay ballot measure proposition 8 to accurately reflect the fact that it would actually remove a right from many Californians.

The language was changed from "to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California" to the more accurate "eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry."

According to CBS5, "Brown responded to Friday's decision by saying the court properly dismissed a lawsuit that 'was more about politics than the law.' The initiative's supporters said they would appeal. They say Brown's descriptions contrasted with the attorney general's routine practice of selecting ballot titles that state the subject matter of an initiative in a neutral way. 'Election ballot titles should be neutral and not intentionally prejudice voters,' Joseph Infranco, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund, said in a statement. 'The ballot title is argumentative and not impartial.'"

Sphere: Related Content

Killer of Gay Sacramento Man Gets 150 Days in Prison

In June I posted that a jury had deadlocked over hate crime charges in the murder of Fijian immigrant Satendar Singh near Sacramento over the 4th of July holiday in 2007.

Shevchenko and another suspect, 29-year-old Andrey Vusik of West Sacramento, reportedly attacked Singh, 25, while he was picnicking with friends after taunting him over his race and sexuality. Friends claim Singh's attackers made racial and homophobic remarks to Singh before assaulting him with what some claim were a pair of brass knuckles. Singh fell to the ground bleeding and died four days later in the hospital. [Background]

Shevchenko has been sentenced to 150 days in jail for the crimes. Talk about getting off easy. What a travesty.

Sphere: Related Content

California Legislature Approves 'Harvey Milk Day'

The California Senate approved May 22 as 'Harvey Milk Day' by a 22-13 vote along party lines Tuesday:

"Not one Republican voted for the bill, which also says the day shall have special significance in public school and other educational institutions and 'encourages those entities to conduct suitable commemorative exercises on that date.' Sen. Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) said his vote against the measure had nothing to do with who was involved. 'In school, we ought to concentrate on writing, reading and arithmetic,' he said, adding that the schools don’t need other requirements placed on them by the Legislature. The bill must return to the Assembly for concurrence on some minor amendments before it goes to the governor."

Said Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, who authored the bill: "Both houses of our Legislature have now honored Harvey Milk’s important civil rights legacy, and I am hopeful the governor will sign this bill so that California officially recognizes the message of hope and pride his life inspired."

related
James Franco Talks About Kissing Sean Penn [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

CA Attorney General Jerry Brown: Proposition 8 Not Retroactive

Same-sex marriages performed before the November elections should remain valid even if Proposition 8 passes, according to California Attorney General Jerry Brown. Proposition 8 would amend the constitution to declare "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

According to the SF Chronicle, "Brown's position is significant because his office will represent the state in lawsuits over Prop. 8's validity and meaning if it passes."

Said Brown, noting that Prop. 8 mentions nothing about retroactivity: "I believe that marriages that have been entered into subsequent to the (May 15) Supreme Court opinion will be recognized by the California Supreme Court. I would think the court, in looking at the underlying equities, would most probably conclude that upholding the marriages performed in that interval (before the election) would be a just result."

In an unsurprising move, the California Catholic Conference (representing the archdioceses of Los Angeles and San Francisco and the dioceses of Fresno, Monterey, Oakland, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Rosa and Stockton) endorsed Proposition 8 on Monday: "In the statement, the bishops say their position is based partly on the presumption that while all people deserve to be treated with dignity, being raised by a married mother and father is 'the ideal for the well being of children.'"

Sphere: Related Content

News: Heather Matarazzo, Gay Principal, Costa Rica, Gym Pill

Anti-gay politics continues to drive Donald Wildmon's American Family Association: "According to Wildmon, who has stated that the results from Proposition 8 will determine the outcome of the 'culture wars,' 'If we lose California, if they defeat the marriage amendment, I'm afraid that the culture war is over and Christians have lost. I've never said that publicly until now -- but that's just the reality of the fact.'"

Heather Matarazzo (wiener dog!) to marry her girlfriend Carolyn Murphy. Congrats!

Obama to star in his own comic book.

Brooklyn principal comes out to his students: "'I thought it might fit in with the lesson about paranoia and making assumptions about people just because they are different,' Mr. Michael says of the timing. He had already alerted his staff and invited them to participate in the discussion, which several teachers did. He'd also spoken with Brian Ellner, a senior counselor to Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, and gotten his support. Still, Mr. Michael couldn't help but feel nervous at first."

At Lambeth Conference, gay Nigerian talks of death: "Homosexuality does exist in Africa - it's not a Western thing, as our African bishops would want people to believe."

Tom Cruise and Scientology facing $250 million racketeering lawsuit.

Thousands march against same-sex civil unions in Costa Rica: "The protest march began at 8 a.m. in front of the Hospital San Juan de Dios, and finished around noon in La Sabana park. The march was organized by the Costa Rican Evangelical Alliance, bringing together religious Costa Ricans from around the country. “We’re calling out against the law that the Legislative Assembly is considering, to allow for homosexual civil unions,” explained march participant, Reynaldo Salazar.

Scientists test 'gym pill': "The researchers have shown that four weeks after administering one drug to mice, the animals were able to run 44% farther than untreated mice, despite not exercising. The finding raises the possibility of treatments for muscle-wasting conditions in humans, but also recreational 'gym pills' that confer a performance gain without the pain."

Titty von Tramp comes out against anti-gay Northern Irish politico Iris Robinson: "Titty Von Tramp, Northern Ireland's most famous drag queen, strutted her stuff among SDLP Youth members yesterday at a protest in Belfast against homophobic comments made by the First Minister’s wife, Iris Robinson. The demonstration, held outside the City Hall, was held as part of Gay Pride Week which culminates with a parade through the city centre tomorrow followed by a carnival in Custom House Square."

John Mayer looking pumped.

New Mexico 911 operator files suit against Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority, saying he was harassed about his sexuality, complained, and then was fired in retaliation: "He had worked as a dispatcher since July 10, 2006, according to the suit. He claims he was subjected to disparaging remarks about his sexuality almost immediately after being hired and in front of his co-workers. The remarks allegedly included a disparaging term for homosexuals."

Prosecutors won't seek hate crime charges in brutal anti-gay Dallas attack because men already face maximum penalty: " Bobby Singleton, 29, and Jonathan Gunter, 31, both of Garland, each face a charge of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. The first-degree felony carries a punishment of five to 99 years in prison. The men, who have not yet been indicted, are being held in the July 17 beating and robbery of Jimmy Lee Dean, 42. Mr. Dean was kicked and hit with a handgun about 1 a.m. in the 3900 block of Dickason Avenue, near Oak Lawn Avenue, according to a police report. He was hospitalized with serious injuries and was unable to speak to investigators for at least 24 hours, police said. Witnesses told police one of the suspects shouted gay slurs at Mr. Dean during the attack. Investigators also believe the men targeted Mr. Dean because they thought he was gay, police said.", Gym Pi

Sphere: Related Content

CA Same-Sex Marriage Supporters Lead Foes in Fundraising Race

The Mercury News reporters that anti-gay Proposition 8 supporters are falling behind their opponents in efforts to raise funds in the California same-sex marriage battle:

"A Mercury News analysis of campaign fundraising reports filed Thursday shows gay marriage supporters raised about $1.6 million since the May 15 court ruling - almost three times more than the lead groups supporting a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage raised in late May and June. The flurry of donations pushed the lead groups fighting Proposition 8 slightly ahead of their opponents in fundraising efforts over the first half of 2008. And that total does not include several large donations a major gay-rights group - Equality for All - received in July that were not included in the latest campaign filings. All told, Equality for All and a related organization raised about $2.6 million in the first half of 2008. That's about $300,000 more than Prop. 8's major backers - Protect Marriage and the National Organization for Marriage-California - raised through June 30."

There's some interesting, though not surprising, geographic information on the fundraising as well: "Contributions in favor of a ban flowed in from conservative San Diego and Orange counties, while Los Angeles and San Francisco counties produced some of the largest tallies in opposition to constitutional ban."

Related
Poll: CA Gay Marriage Ban Opposed by 51% of Likely Voters [tr]
Effective Immediately, All Gays Can Marry in Massachusetts [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Gay Man Stabbed Leaving Leather Party in San Francisco

A Sacramento man leaving a party in San Francisco's Mission District that was being held in conjunction with the Up Your Alley leather fair was assaulted and stabbed by three men while three women looked on, police said:

"According to police, the victim had just left the Bay of Pigs party held at the New York Studio space at 535 York Street in the inner Mission around 3:30 a.m. July 27 and was walking along Mariposa Street when three men, believed to be Asian, assaulted him while three women, also believed to be Asian, watched. 'They punched him; they stabbed him; and they left him for dead,' said San Francisco police Inspector Brian Danker. The suspects stole the victim's wallet, and Danker said he believes they targeted him due to his sexual orientation. 'I do think it is a hate crime. He didn't need to be beaten or stabbed the way he was. No one deserves that,' said Danker. "'The brutality of the attack is a hate crime; that is my story and I am sticking to it.'"

The man, who was not identified, was wearing a t-shirt and jeans at the time, and managed to make it back to the club where the party was being held. He is reportedly in stable condition at home. Police are appealing for information.

Man stabbed leaving leather party [bay area reporter]

Sphere: Related Content

News: Dan Quayle, Arctic, Hunter Parrish, Booker Prize, Alzheimer's

Blue Cross of Western New York says they'll offer spousal health care benefits to validly married gay and lesbian couples: "The news comes less than three weeks after the NYCLU filed a lawsuit against the company on behalf of a Buffalo lesbian couple that said it was denied such health benefits."

Guess who's on the short list to join Dancing with the Stars?

Asian HIV infection rate reaching epidemic proportions: "All over Asia there are now epidemics of HIV in men who have sex with men of the same magnitude that we saw in this country 25 years ago. That is something that has been detected fairly recently. There is not enough action yet but we are now starting programs."

Arctic ice shelf sheds largest chunk in two years: "The 4-square-kilometer (1.5-square-mile) piece broke off last week, the newspaper said, citing Sami Soja, a surveyor working for Parks Canada who witnessed part of the event. It's the biggest piece shed since the entire Ayles shelf, one of Canada's six major ice shelves, broke off in 2005, creating a 66- square-kilometer frozen island, the newspaper said."

The long list for the coveted Man Booker literary prize has been announced.

Tim Gunn was paid $2,500 an episode for season two of Project Runway.

Man in Sonoma County's first same-sex marriage dies suddenly.

Check out the new trailer for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

FBI dubs Seattle bank robber 'The Brokeback Bandit': "We don't know his sexual orientation. The name was because of his cowboy hat. The guy's got a cowboy hat. It's a popular movie. Let's not be too overly concerned about the bank robber's feelings." Wouldn't the Brokebank bandit have been more appropriate?

Christopher Ciccone denies Madonna involvement in writing of tell-all: "If she did, then she's doing the best acting job I've ever seen. No. Whoever is doing it (making up the stories) is doing me a great favor. I appreciate it."

Landslide?: Three political scientists describe tight presidential race as a myth. "Alan Abramowitz, a professor of political science at Emory University, Thomas Mann, a senior fellow at Brookings Institution, and Larry Sabato, professor of politics at University of Virginia, accused the media of flogging a dead horse in trying to portray the presidential race as a cliffhanger."

John Mayer shaves most of his hair off.

Provincetown police department gets a Harley-Davidson: "The motorcycle, which will be leased for a year, will give the police nimbleness to drive through narrow, crowded streets and respond quickly to crosstown calls, Jaran said. It will also reduce the wear on cruisers and invigorate the younger, more energetic department members, he said."

Parrish the thought: New season of Weeds gets buff and kinky.

Aaron Charney, the attorney who sued his firm Sullivan & Cromwell for anti-gay discrimination and retaliation, will join Clifford Chance next month: "Based on the experts it spoke to, the WSJ concluded that 'it'll be tough for Charney, though not impossible, to find work at another big firm.' In the comments to the WSJ post, readers were less optimistic."

Janice Dickinson stops Lizzie Grubman from running anyone else down in an SUV.

British lesbian couple receives £5,000 settlement after real estate agency posted the word "lesbians" on an advertisement for their home: "In a statement, they added: 'Publicly linking our home address with our sexuality could have ruined our lives.' The couple's lawyers, Russell Jones & Walker, said the estate agent had settled the case before it reached court. Philip Gilbey, a partner in Jackson-Stops & Staff, said: 'It was the regrettable action of an individual uploading the property details - it wasn't the butt of an office joke. It resulted in a formal disciplinary hearing and that person has narrowly avoided instant dismissal.'"

New Alzheimer's drug halts progression of disease: "The people on placebo lost an average of 7 percent of their brain function over six months whereas those on treatment didn’t decline at all."

Residents of Salinas, California voice concerns over recently approved gay pride parade: "Vicky Norton said she isn't opposed to free speech, but was concerned that gay pride events would lead to acts such as indecent exposure, public defecation and urination. 'We have the right to assemble, but we also have the right to uphold the law,' she said. Todd Williams, owner of the Cherry Bean Coffee House on Main Street, said the parade attracted lots of customers last year and is hoping the same will happen again. 'I saw no pooping' last year, he said."

Sphere: Related Content

Gay SoCal Blogger 'Boy About Town' Exposed as 9/11 Scam Artist

Patric Ian Henn, a Long Beach-based gay man who writes the blog "Boy About Town" is in central Los Angeles jail awaiting extradition to Florida, the Long Beach Press Telegram reports:

"Henn, whose video segments, blog and e-mail magazine have focused on Long Beach society, politics and the gay community, as well as Hollywood, was in a Los Angeles jail awaiting extradition to Florida, where he is wanted on a fugitive arrest warrant. The 33-year-old was wanted for skipping out on his probation and failing to repay money he had received from the American Red Cross and other relief organizations following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, according to corrections records. Henn pleaded guilty in 2005 to falsely claiming his domestic partner had died in the 9-11 attack, for which the Red Cross and other charity organizations gave him more than $68,000."

After serving two years in prison, Henn went on the lam, moved to Long Beach, and attempted to create a new identity. He still owes at least $29,000 in restitution.

Henn blames his criminal activity on crystal meth on the last entry posted to his blog on July 12: "In light of what has happened to me recently, I want to assure you all that Who I was is not who I am today. This by no means excuses what I did, however during that time in my life I was heavily addicted to crystal-meth and unfortunately made some extremely poor choices that I am really not proud of. It wasn’t until some people found me, brought me to Long Beach and put me in a recovery home that I was able to begin to get my life back. I sincerely want to apologize to all of you, it hasn’t been my intent to deceive anyone in the community."

Whatever.

One of Henn's 'red carpet' interviews with Margaret Cho, AFTER THE JUMP...

Sphere: Related Content

P G & E Donates $250,000 to Defeat California Gay Marriage Ban

Pacific Gas & Electric has donated $250,000 to defeat Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage ballot measure in California, according to the L.A. Times:

"The utility also said it will spearhead the formation of a business advisory council that will seek to get other businesses around California to to defeat the ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman...The donation from the utility, and the formation of the business council, represents a shift from the last time that the question of gay marriage was on the ballot, in 2000. Back then, many businesses stayed on the sidelines. This time, in addition to PG&E, other large corporations such as AT&T and Wells Fargo also have donated to defeat Proposition 8. Analysts said businesses may be more willing to get involved this time because they have more gay and lesbian employees who are out and in positions of power and because they believe the amendment could hurt business if passed, by giving the impression that California is not friendly to gay and lesbians."

(image source)

Sphere: Related Content

Gay Marriage Opponents to Sue Over New Wording in Proposition 8

The Secretary of State recently changed the word in the anti-gay ballot measure proposition 8 to accurately reflect the fact that it would actually remove a right from many Californians.

The language was changed from "to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California" to the more accurate "eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry."

Now, gay marriage foes are suing to have the language changed back to what it was originally:

"Jennifer Kerns, spokeswoman for the Protect Marriage coalition, called the new language 'inherently argumentative' and said it could 'prejudice voters against the initiative.'

It's likely the bigots are scared that the bill might not pass if people don't realize what they're voting for.

"Political analysts on both sides suggest that the language change will make passage of the initiative more difficult, noting that voters might be more reluctant to pass a measure that makes clear it is taking away existing rights."

Opponents of gay marriage say they'll sue over changed wording in Proposition 8 [la times]

Sphere: Related Content

News: Marriage Language, Jupiter, Harvey Milk, Bahrain

California marriage ballot measure language changed: "Proposition 8 on the November ballot had been described as a measure to limit marriage between a man and a woman. But the Secretary of State's office says that description was changed to reflect a May 15 California Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. The ballot title and summary now describe the initiative as a constitutional change to eliminate the right of same sex couples to marry. The revised language also says California could lose several tens of millions of dollars in sales taxes if same-sex marriage were banned. Critics of the measure say the change accurately shows the initiative would take away a current right of Californians."

Close up on Jupiter.

Bunny boiler: Tricia Walsh-Smith puts another hit out on Kathie Lee Gifford, sells husband's condoms on eBay.

SF Mayor Gavin Newsom weds in Montana.

UK Survey: 4 of 5 Protestants say gay sex is a sin.

Shia Labeouf crashes car, arrested for DUI.

'Harvey Milk Day' bill awaits action in California senate: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the bill, which awaits action in the Senate after passing the Assembly, 45-28, with most Republicans voting no. Randy Thomasson, of Campaign for California Children and Families, which opposes AB 2567, said the bill is a new tactic in a long push to portray homosexuality in a positive light to kids. 'Harvey Milk Day is the equivalent of having Gay Day at every school in the state,' he said."

Bahrain MP: No homosexuals allowed.

Play about gay Christians offered up to bishops at the Anglican Lambeth Conference.

Lucas Grabeel on shooting Milk: "No one told me how great I was. The director hardly spoke to me. I was just doing my thing and talking to these amazing actors. In the beginning of shooting, I thought, 'You guys must hate me. I must be the worst actor. I don't know what to do' and they were like, 'You were hired to do the job. That's why he hired you.' It was an amazing epiphany."

Mario Lopez immortalized in oil.

UK activist Peter Tatchell slams Northern Irish homophobic politicians: "It is particularly hypocritical for unionist politicians to play the homophobic card when their hero, William of Orange, had male lovers."

Anti-gay New Jersey group National Organization for Marriage stepping into California gay marriage battle: "NOM, a taxable political advocacy group that can raise money without contribution limits, has quickly built up some fundraising muscle. It started a California chapter in January. By March, the group had raised just over $775,000, according to campaign finance filings. Only the California umbrella group ProtectMarriage.com has raised more for the cause. While NOM's biggest chunk in California _ $250,000 _ came from the Knights of Columbus, the group has also raised smaller amounts from individuals. The group says it has now raised more than $1 million in California and more than $2 million overall."

Naked Cowboy cuffed, mocked in SF.

Matthew McConaughey takes 20-day-old son surfing.

Washington Post looks at the transgender homeless: "It's hard to explain -- just as the spectrum of gender is hard to explain. Parents' and society's rejection of children who don't fit the norm is hard to explain, too. But most confounding of all is the forbearance these young people have in the face of intolerance and cruelty. They go -- like the definition of trans-- 'across, beyond and through' preconceptions. They are unlike anyone I have encountered before."

Director of Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival fires director Carol Coombes: "'Carol is British and in 60 days she might have to leave the country,' said Harvey Burstein, a festival founder and former board member. He said Coombes' visa requires she be employed in the film industry and that she was to get her permanent residency or green card in November. Coombes, fired on Friday, joined the festival in 2001 and became director a few years later. She declined to comment. 'It's a very unfortunate complication of a very heartfelt, thought-out decision,' said festival board member Mark Gilbert."

Sphere: Related Content

Gay Marriage Ban Supporters Use Kindergarten Scare Tactics

They must be feeling slightly desperate given the poll numbers showing lack of support for the ban, because now they're bringing the kids into it:

"Backers of a November initiative to ban same-sex marriage in California plan to tell voters in the state ballot pamphlet that the constitutional amendment would protect children as young as kindergarten age from being taught in school about the virtues of gay and lesbian matrimony. 'If the gay marriage ruling is not overturned, teachers will be required to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage,' supporters of Proposition 8 said in ballot arguments that went on public display this week at the secretary of state's office. It's all nonsense and scare tactics, opponents of the measure said Thursday. Steve Smith, strategist for the No on 8 campaign, said opponents of the measure will decide by next week whether to sue, which is the only way a ballot argument can be changed before the election."

Sphere: Related Content

Lawrence King's Killer Brandon McInerney to be Tried as Adult

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Douglas Daily ruled yesterday that Brandon McInerney, the 14-year-old who shot and killed his classmate Lawrence King at school in February and was charged with first-degree murder and a hate crime, can be tried as an adult. Said Daily: "I cannot say that this is unconstitutional."

According to the Ventura County Star, "Before making his ruling, Daily heard legal arguments for about 30 minutes from McInerney's lawyer, William 'Willy' Quest, and from a prosecutor, Senior Deputy District Attorney Maeve Fox, on whether the teen can be tried in adult court rather than juvenile court. In 2000, California voters approved Proposition 21, which widened prosecutors' authority to file charges in adult court against juveniles 14 and older without having to go to a judge. Before he made his findings, the judge called for a 20-minute break to go back to his chambers to read the California Supreme Court cases cited by Quest and Fox in their legal petitions."

Quest, as well as a coalition of gay groups including Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Transgender Law Center, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, Equality California, Gay Straight Alliance Network, Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, had urged the court to try McInerney as a juvenile.

McInerney's arraignment is now scheduled for August 7.

More from the County Star on the arguments heard in court.

Meanwhile, folks are rightly still outraged about the Newsweek cover story on the King murder published this week.

Writes Sara Whitman in the Huffington Post: "Read the article and you'll be informed that in fact, Larry was the problem. He was always the problem. And while kids are experimenting with sexuality at younger and younger ages overall, being gay is dangerous. Heterosexual play is fine but, 'Kids may want to express who they are, but they are playing grown-up without fully knowing what that means.' What does that mean? The article is one of the poorest forms of journalism I've ever read. If it is an Opinion piece, okay, but to write 'Even as homosexuality has become more accepted, the prospect of being openly gay in middle school raises a troubling set of issues' and to state it as fact?"

You may remember a similarly horrible piece published in Time shortly after the killing which suggested that gay groups exaggerate the amount of bullying made against kids because of their sexual orientation in order to make the situation sound more dire and drum up the need for legislation.

For all our Lawrence King coverage, click HERE.

Previously
McInerney Lawyer Promises Not to 'Gay Bash' in Lawrence King Case [tr]
Arraignment of Teen who Killed Lawrence King Postponed [tr]
Attorney for Lawrence King's Killer Faults School for Shooting [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Laguna Beach is California's First City to Oppose Gay Marriage Ban

Laguna Beach City Council voted to oppose Proposition 8, the anti-gay November ballot measure that would limit marriages in California to those between a man and a woman:

"Mayor Jane Egly and Councilmember Toni Iseman made a jump to bring the opposition before the council as an item in hopes of being the first city in the state to oppose the proposition. Mayor Egly reminded members of the public present at the council meeting that because of the Brown Act, only two members of City Council may bring an item before the rest of the council, and assured the audience that the entire council supported the opposition."

Previously
Laguna Beach's Historic Boom Boom Room Has its Last Dance [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan to Marry

Barney's New York creative director Simon Doonan and designer Jonathan Adler will be tying the knot in California in mid-September according to New York magazine's The Cut.

Said Doonan: "I always thought we were married, so I don’t feel like celebrating the fact that the government’s allowing me to think I’m married. It’s more like paying a parking ticket. We’ll have a nice romantic dinner, him and me. [Adler’s mom Cynthia and sister Amy] have been incredibly supportive and kept an eye out on what was going on, and they said, ‘Oh, you guys should get married in California.’ So it was them that sort of prompted us...But no gifts. We have enough tchotchkes at home for one lifetime."

Sphere: Related Content

Poll: CA Gay Marriage Ban Opposed by 51% of Likely Voters

While the Supreme Court just rejected a bid to strike Proposition 8, the California ballot measure that would effectively ban same-sex marriage in the state, from the ballot, the news isn't all bad.

According to a new Field Poll, the measure is opposed by 51% of likely voters. 42% say they are in favor of it:

"The poll is the first to question voters using the measure's exact language. But the results are similar to a Field Poll on the same topic in May, shortly after the California Supreme Court overturned laws that prohibited same-sex marriage. The new poll found a predictable partisan division: Republicans support the constitutional ban 68 percent to 27 percent while Democrats oppose it 63 percent to 30 percent. Nonpartisan and minor-party members are even more strongly against it, 66 percent to 27 percent. DiCamillo said he was not surprised that unaffiliated voters opposed Proposition 8 more than Democrats because those voters tend to be younger than Democrats or Republicans."

Said Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll: "Starting out behind is usually an ominous sign for a proposition. Over 90 percent of propositions that start out behind get taken down."

Sphere: Related Content

California Supremes Reject Bid to Strike Marriage Ban from Ballot

The California Supreme Court has rejected a bid from gay and civil rights groups to remove Proposition 8, the measure that would limit marriage in the state to a man and a woman, from the November ballot:

"Meeting in closed session, the court denied a petition calling for the removal of the initiative, Proposition 8, on the grounds it was a constitutional revision that only the Legislature or a constitutional convention could place before voters. Gay rights lawyers also argued that petitions circulated to get the measure on the ballot inaccurately summarized its effect. The court, meeting at its regular weekly conference, denied the petition without comment in a brief order."

California Supreme Court keeps anti-gay marriage initiative on ballot [la times]

Sphere: Related Content

Bluetooth for Beckham

Motorola just released an image of the new Motopure H12 Bluetooth headset attached to a perfectly groomed Beckham, just in time. California's hands-free mobile phone law took effect on July 1st.

Sphere: Related Content

Per DOMA, U.S. Census Bureau Won't Be Counting Gay Marriages

As of now, plans for the 2010 U.S. Census do not include recognizing the thousands of same-sex couples that are expected to be legally married in California and Massachusetts by that date:

"The U.S. Census Bureau, reacting to the federal Defense of Marriage Act and other mandates, plans to edit the 2010 census responses of same-sex couples who marry legally in California, Massachusetts or any other state. They will be reported as "unmarried partners," rather than married spouses, in census tabulations - a policy that will likely draw the ire of gay rights groups. The Census Bureau followed the same procedure for the 2000 census, and it does not plan to change in 2010 even though courts in Massachusetts and now California have ruled gay men and lesbians can marry lawfully... Critics say the census plan will mask the records of legal, same-sex, married couples and therefore degrade the quality of the government's demographic data. 'I just think it's bad form for the census to change a legal response to an incorrect response,' said Gary Gates of the Williams Institute, a think tank at the University of California-Los Angeles law school that studies gay-related public policy issues. 'That goes against everything the census stands for.'"

They have the data but they're just 'dutiful' followers: "'This has been a question we've been looking at for quite a long time,' said Martin O'Connell, chief of the Census Bureau's Fertility and Family Statistics Branch. 'It's not something the bureau could arbitrarily or casually decide to change on a whim, because our data is used by virtually every federal agency.' The Census Bureau is not falsifying people's responses, O'Connell said, because the bureau will retain people's original census responses. 'We're not destroying data; we are keeping that data,' O'Connell said. 'We are just showing the data published in a way that is consistent with the way every other agency publishes their data.'"

Sphere: Related Content

A Tar Pit Wedding

Writers Dave White and Alonso Duralde have been together for 13 years. Duralde is the author of 101 Must-See Movies for Gay Men and White is the author of Exile in Guyville, a blog-based memoir. They decided to have a spontaneous wedding officiated by their roommate Aaron, who was ordained over the internet. They recorded the day and the event, held at the La Brea Tar Pits. Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Dave & Alonso Get Married (at the La Brea Tar Pits) from Graham Kolbeins on Vimeo.

Sphere: Related Content

Anti-Gay Marriage Group Receives Affirmative Email from McCain

Not that this is a huge news flash or anything, but the Protect Marriage Campaign, who are sponsoring the ballot initiative to place a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage before California voters in November, said yesterday that they had received an email from John McCain backing their cause.

Said McCain's email: "I support the efforts of the people of California to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman, just as we did in my home state of Arizona. I do not believe judges should be making these decisions."

McCain is for "pretend weddings" however!

If you'll remember, back in 2006, when MCCain appeared on Hardball with Chris Matthew, he said: "I think gay marriage should be allowed if there's a ceremony kind of thing if you want to call it that. I don't have any problem with that..." and then went on to say "I think private ceremonies are fine. I do not think gay marriage should be legal."

Watch that clip, AFTER THE JUMP...

Sphere: Related Content

1,000 California Pastors Launch 'Call to Arms' on Same-Sex Marriage

Pastor Jim Garlow of the 2,500-member Skyline Church in San Diego County organized a conference call of more than 1,000 mostly Evangelical ministers yesterday to discuss strategy related to the anti-gay ballot measure headed to California's ballot in November:

"The strategy session, which included input from lawyers and political consultants, was the opening of what conservative religious leaders hope will become a massive Christian outpouring of support for the proposed amendment. The effort will include a 40-day fast leading up to election day, along with 100 days of prayer. On the weekend before the election, Garlow told the ministers, the goal would be to fill Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego and other amphitheaters with people praying for a ban on gay marriage...All told, organizers said, the ministers on the call lead congregations totaling about 1 million people."

If you remember, earlier this week I posted that the Church of Latter Day Saints is also gearing up for battle.

Sphere: Related Content

News: Rea Carey, Justice Dept, Olympics, Monet, Barack Obama

Conservative Orange County Register says high court's decision on marriage was justified.

MAG: What's on Obama's iPod.

Matt Damon's summer look: flab with pornstache.

Rea Carey to succeed Matt Foreman as executive director of Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

REPORT: Justice Dept. politicized hiring practices to favor Republican candidates: "'Many qualified candidates' were rejected for the department’s honors program because of what was perceived as a liberal bias, the report found. Those practices, the report concluded, 'constituted misconduct and also violated the department’s policies and civil service law that prohibit discrimination in hiring based on political or ideological affiliations.'" FLASHBACK: DOJ Looking into Possible Firing of Atty Over Sexual Orientation...

Ad campaign for Dexter in Portugal features severed limbs in butcher cases and knifed corpses on the street!

British soldiers see 13 UFOs in sky above barracks: "I was on duty in the guard room when the other boys outside began shouting. I went out to see what the commotion was about and could see thirteen craft in the skies. They were zig-zagging, but I filmed two before they disappeared. They were like rotating cubes with multiple colours. I made a full report to my commanding officers and gave them my footage. The other lads were as amazed by it as I was."

Monet water lily painting goes for $80.5 million at Christie's, doubling previous record for the artist.

Washington D.C. city councilman and former mayor Marion Barry says he would support a bill legalizing same-sex marriage there.

Bill Clinton offers support to Obama; Obama asks donors to raise money for Clinton.

Orlando Bloom reveals his back end in the Canary Islands.

Justin Timberlake's 'Play' fragrance may smell clean but his feet are filthy.

Out swimmer Andrew Langenfeld to compete for a spot on the Olympic team in the 100-meter butterfly.

NYC Chelsea nightclub 1 Oak reacts to reports yesterday that they covered up a gay bashing at the venue. Page Six: "Club sources say the night was not promoted as a 'gay night' and that the attacker was re strained by security but broke away. The victim said 1Oak owner Scott Sartiano insisted on giving him a car to the hospital instead of calling an ambulance. A rep for the club said, '1Oak is committed to providing an environment of safety and security to patrons every night. This incident was handled by security and staff immediately and this type of inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated at 1Oak.'"

Art Fag City talks to Nayland Blake about who they'd all like to fuck.

Anti-gay assault suspect under arrest in Minneapolis: "A gay Twin Cities man, the apparent victim of a hate crime, was badly beaten last Saturday. He claims a stranger approached him near 6th and Cedar Ave. South in Minneapolis, and asked if he was gay. The victim answered yes proudly, and the suspect hit the man in the face, yelling that he hated homosexuals. Abdirizak Mohamed has been charged with assault in the fourth degree with bias—a hate crime with enhanced penalties."

Michelle Obama to give keynote address at Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council Gala DNC fundraiser on Thursday in New York.

Sphere: Related Content

SF Politicos Recognize Boycott of Human Rights Campaign Dinner

San Francisco Supervisors Tom Ammiano and Bevan Dufty are among those local politicians supporting a boycott and protest of the Human Rights Campaign dinner in that city next month, over the organization's failure to support a trans-inclusive employment non-discrimination bill (ENDA) last year. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, "The city's two LGBT Democratic clubs support the boycott, as does the San Francisco Labor Council. Assemblyman Mark Leno and state Sen. Carole Migden, both of San Francisco, also are not attending the event."

It's a scene that has played out in New York (pictured) and other cities.

The paper reports: "On Tuesday, San Francisco Supervisors Tom Ammiano and Bevan Dufty introduced a resolution at City Hall calling for a bill that includes transgender people and recognizing the boycott. 'The Human Rights Campaign should not be human rights cowards,' Ammiano said at a news conference at the San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center. He said the organization seems uneasy with transgender issues. Dufty said he will skip the fundraising dinner for the first time in 23 years and instead will make dinner at his home for people protesting outside the event."

Matt Foreman, former executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, will be among those protesting outside the event. Said Foreman: "What is going on here is an emperor-has-no-clothes moment. We still don't have one single federal law that protects gay people, let alone transgender people."

HRC defend its actions in a statement from President Joe Solmonese: "HRC's position is that we could not oppose - and, in fact, should support - legislation to provide crucial civil rights protections that would be brought to the House floor for a vote, even though we did not and, certainly, would not have chosen that course...At a time when our community is threatened, once again, with a cynical election-year ploy that could hurt our families, we believe that it's time to set aside our differences and fight for what we all want."

The HRC dinner, which will benefit marriage equality (the organization has already made an initial pledge of $500,000 to the Equality for All marriage coalition), takes place on July 26th at the Westin St. Francis hotel.

Activists to boycott gay-rights group dinner [sf chronicle]

Sphere: Related Content

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #314

OBAMA PRIDE: The Barack Obama campaign released a video Sunday highlighting his positions on LGBT rights.

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AND THE MEDIA: CNN debates...

THROWING STONES: A meditation on loving America with John and Cindy McCain.

WATCH OUT: A new film about a man who is in love with himself.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

Sphere: Related Content

News: India, Tony Kushner, Jerusalem, Don Imus, Bash'd

Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis forbids liberal Catholic church from holding gay pride prayer service: "St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis has held the event for several years in conjunction with the annual Twin Cities Pride Celebration. The archdiocese is instead suggesting that the church hold a "peace" service Wednesday with no mention of rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Archdiocese spokesman Dennis McGrath says the gay pride prayer service is inimical to the teachings of the Catholic church."

Global warming expert Hansen: Earth close to the tipping point.

This used to be her playground: Madonna and family go to Yankees game.

Grease RIP: A Rydell High death.

Angels in America playwright Tony Kushner to marry in California: "Mark and I are going to get married in California very soon. Then we’re going to be recognized in New York as legally married."

New Bedford, Massachusetts, where two-and-a-half years ago 18-year-old Jacob Robida terrorized a local gay bar with a hatchet and a shotgun, held its first gay pride over the weekend, which attracted 250 people.

Jerusalem gay pride a "go": "The High Court of Justice rejected Monday afternoon a petition filed by right-wing activists Itamar Ben-Gvir and Baruch Marzel against holding a gay pride parade in Jerusalem. As a result, the parade will take place as scheduled this coming Thursday."

Don Imus under fire again for racist comment.

Gay activists in India plan mass gay pride action: "The marchers plan to sing, give speeches and hold candlelit vigils in simultaneous parades in New Delhi, Calcutta and Bangalore on Sunday, said Gautam Bhan, a writer and gay rights activist involved with organizing the marches. While several dozen activists have marched in the eastern city of Calcutta in recent years, these would be the first gay pride parades in New Delhi and Bangalore. Bhan said the activists want to raise awareness of the issues facing the gay community in India."

Bash'd: a rap opera that fights back against anti-gay violence,