Pro-Equality Justice Set to Become Chief of MA Supreme Court

Pro-equality Massachusetts Supreme Court Associate Justice Roderick Ireland is poised to become the first Black man to lead Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court after nomination yesterday by Deval Patrick.

Via MassLive:

Ireland was with the majority when the state Supreme Judicial Court in a 4-3 landmark decision legalized gay marriage in 2003. 

Of all the court members, Ireland may be the strongest on gay rights. In 2006, he broke with other members on the SJC when it upheld former Gov. W. Mitt Romney’s use of a 1913 law to ban same-sex couples from other states from marrying in Massachusetts. 

Under the 1913 law, Romney had said, nonresidents could not marry here if their union would be banned in their home state and they have no intention of moving to Massachusetts. 

As the lone dissenter in the ruling, Ireland said that it was “fundamentally unfair” for the state to resurrect and selectively enforce “a moribund statute” that was dormant for almost a century. Critics said the 1913 law was originally enacted to block interracial marriages. 

Patrick and state legislators in 2008 repealed the old law. 

Ireland is expected to be confirmed in December following a public interview with the Governor's Council.

Watch: Activists Protest Obama With Chants At Boston Rally

During a rally in Boston yesterday, a group of gay rights activists and AIDS research supporters interrupted a speech from President Obama while he was stumping for Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Reportedly chants included "Mr. President, stop the bigotry! Support marriage equality!," "Do you also oppose Atheist Marriage?," and "Would
you want a Civil Union?"

Mediaite reports on the incident, which seemed to noticeably agitate the president:

"The President appeared uncharacteristically upset as, mid-sentence, a group of folks in the crowd began to loudly object to his speech as he described the work his administration had done for AIDS research. As the crowd turned their heads up to look at the hecklers, President Obama followed as well, and modified his speech for them, menacingly pointing his finger up at them as he warned that a Republican leadership would be extremely destructive to their cause. After raising his voice mid-sentence in response to them, President Obama continued: “One of the great things about being a Democrat is, we like arguing with each other. But to the folks concerned about AIDS funding, I would say ‘take a look at what the Republican leadership has to say about AIDS funding.’”

Watch a clip of the incident from MSNBC as well as a POV clip from the crowd, AFTER THE JUMP.

News: The Tonys, Aaron Schock, Sharon & Kelly Osbourne, Disney

The compound pyrophosphite could have been what started all life.

Illinois state treasurer signs executive order: "Gay and lesbian employees of the Illinois Treasurer's office with domestic partners will have the same benefits as married employees."

GOP Rep Aaron Schock, he with the perfect abs who is not gay, in his daytime party outfit which is a tad bit loud. 

A quick prep for tonight's broadcast of the Tony Awards.

Obama gets more aggressive with BP.

Serbia hopes to see its first Pride march in 10 years sometime in 2011.

The power of the gay vote: "Gay rights leaders, many of whom are celebrating at Capital Pride events this weekend, said their immediate focus will be the mayor's race between incumbent Adrian M. Fenty and Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray, two Democrats who played pivotal role in approving same-sex marriage and who marched in Saturday's parade. In what's expected to be a tight mayoral contest, whoever succeeds in locking in the support of the gay and lesbian community may have the advantage on primary day."

Ant-gay protesters in West Hollywood get shouted down by Sharon and Kelly Osbourne.

Americans for Truth About Homosexuality has put together a so-called "Truth Academy" which I'm sure is anything but.

Refused: "Following Israel's interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla, Spain's Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals decided that their Israeli counterparts in Tel Aviv would not be invited to the event, which took place late last week."

MassEquality gives the thumbs up to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.

Man who had a "crush" on Sally Ride stole one of her space suits. 

Katy Perry wrapped herself in both the Union Jack and Old Glory.

Maybe some other time: Christina Aguilera and Cher will not record a duet.

Time magazine piece on Disney's Gay Days: "A former Disney employee who was at the park on June 5 told me that every year, Disney issues refunds or free next-day tickets to angry moms and dads who don't want their kids exposed to gay couples or gay-themed shirts. Some families don't get past Main Street U.S.A. before turning around and taking the monorail back to the parking lots."

Massachusetts Governor Picks Paul Kirk to Fill Kennedy Seat

Former DNC Chairman Paul Kirk will fill Ted Kennedy's vacant U.S. Senate seat until a special election is held in January, the Boston Globe reports:

"Governor Deval Patrick has selected Paul G. Kirk Jr. to serve as interim US senator, a choice that comes with the strong backing of the immediate family of the late Edward M. Kennedy, according to a person with knowledge of the selection process. Patrick has remained mum about his selection, but is scheduled to announce the appointment at a press conference this morning today at the State House. Kirk, 71, is a longtime Kennedy friend and former staff member, a man so close to the family he was chosen as master of ceremonies at Kennedy’s memorial service the night before the funeral last month. An attorney who now lives on Cape Cod, Kirk worked as a special assistant to Senator Kennedy from 1969 to 1977, and is currently the chairman of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. He is familiar with many on Kennedy’s former staff and could help smooth the transition. Kirk was registered as a lobbyist a decade ago. He was paid $35,000 to represent the pharmaceutical company Hoechst Marion Roussel on legislation before the US Senate in 1999, according to federal disclosure records. He is currently on the board of directors of the Hartford Insurance Group."

The special election is set for January 19.

"The interim senator could be sworn in within days after the secretary of the US Senate receives a certification of appointment from the governor, according to Beth Provenzano, a spokeswoman for the secretary’s office. The new senator could begin assembling a staff almost immediately, she said."

Patrick: Special Election to Fill Kennedy Seat on January 19

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick announced January 19 as the date of a special election to fill the late Senator Edward Kennedy's seat in the U.S. Senate. Patrick said he would continue to push for special legislation that would allow him to appoint an interim successor. A hearing is to be held next week on that issue.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Massachusetts Votes to Allow Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages

Same-sex couples from out-of--state should soon be able to marry in Massachusetts, as the House voted this afternoon 118-35 to repeal the 1913 law forbidding couples from marrying there if the marriage wouldn't be recognized in their home state.

The senate has already approved the repeal and Governor Deval Patrick has indicated he'll sign it.

The Boston Globe reports: "Unlike the Senate, which quickly voted to repeal the law on a unanimous voice vote, the House debated the bill for about 45 minutes. Supporters of the repeal called the law archaic and rooted in racism, urging fellow lawmakers to strip it from the books in the interest of equality. Repeal opponents argued for keeping the law in deference to other states, to prevent legal tangles involving couples who would marry in Massachusetts and want rights in states where gay marriage is outlawed...The 1913 law grew out of the national backlash over the interracial marriage of heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson, Rushing said today during the debate. At the time, 30 of 48 states banned interracial marriage, and many other states, including Massachusetts, enacted provisions that would keep interracial couples from crossing borders to marry in their jurisdiction. The law remained on the books but fell into obscurity until gay marriage became legalized in Massachusetts, and Governor Mitt Romney cited the law as a means to prevent Massachusetts from becoming what he called 'the Las Vegas of gay marriage.'"

Victory! House passes 1913 law repeal in roll call vote [bay windows]