Signorile and LCR's Moran Talk Obama and Gay Rights on CNN

Not a lot of new ground covered here, but another reminder that the "fierce advocate" isn't living up to his campaign promises. Michelangelo Signorile and Log Cabin Republican spokesman Charles Moran debated agreed about Obama's gay rights positions on CNN today with anchor Don Lemon.

Moran had his opening statement ready to go: "The issue of being an advocate means you actually have to do something. And unfortunately all we've seen from the White House and the Obama administration is more rhetoric and not a lot of action. In fact the most we've gotten is a little bit of a circuit party with a Madonna remix in the East Room of the White House and unfortunately that just doesn't cut it."

Answered Lemon: "Okay, that's an interesting way of putting it."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

News: Singapore, Sam Adams, Cubs, Matthew Mitcham, GI Joe

Singapore women's group AWARE votes out anti-gay fundamentalist leaders in dramatic seven hour stand-off. Background.

Britain's former top cop and London mayoral candidate Brian Paddick to front campaign encouraging same-sex couples to hold hands in public: "The photos are being used to create a same-sex love map of the world. David Watkins, the group's founder, said: 'Hand holding is a simple, liberating gesture that is essential to our communities' health, visibility, and respect.'" Site: A Day in Hand.

Thousands of Cubs fans go deaf at Wrigley Field.

Log Cabin Republicans making gains in NY assembly on marriage equality.

Matthew Mitcham exits Mexico City as swine flu escalates.

El Salvador in last minute gay rights ban: "After weeks of public debate and protest, El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly approved an amendment to the constitution to ban marriage between same-sex couples and same-sex couples’ ability to adopt a child.  This amendment was proposed in the final hours of the current Legislative Assembly session, which ends April 30th."

L.A. Times: Same-sex marriages gradually gaining legal ground.

Eiffel Tower destroyed in trailer for G.I. Joe: The Movie with Channing Tatum, Dennis Quaid.

Loving: this self-portrait of Provincetown resident and filmmaker John Waters at Ptown's McMillan Wharf.

Marc Jacobs to marry in Provincetown.

Dog food vs paté? No difference, much of the time.

The Oregonian calls on Portland Mayor Sam Adams to resign in wake of recent investigations: "An investigation by The Oregonian's Ryan Frank and Brent Walth raised the questions, in a story published Friday, of whether the encounter took place earlier in the year and what it really amounted to. Whether that is the center of the AG's investigation remains to be seen, as does whether any of the conduct described, implied or suspected adds up to criminality." Phone calls...

Male model fix: Joey Kirchner.

Ed Westwick works up a sweat.

Missouri state senator Jolie Justus weds her partner in Iowa.

Manohla Dargis memo to Hollywood: "Enough with the gay slurs, the gay baiting, imitating, limp-wristing, so-not-funny lisping — in other words, enough with the hating...Try this simple test: Every time you feel the need to mock or denigrate gay men or lesbians, replace that joke with an equally vicious dig about African-Americans or Jews. Doesn’t sound so funny anymore, does it?"

Last week in holy crimes...

Miss California: Redefining breasts for the rest of us.

Obama appoints lesbian to become Assistant Secretary, Administration on Aging, at HHS.

AKA accidental wood.

Sweeps warning issued to cottagers: "Sweeps is the time local media often finds itself in bed with the cops to carry out sting operations of men cruising for sex. Just last week we got a report from a Bakersfield, California location where one customer saw not just cop cars and a cop van parked outside, but also a news van for a local television station. I'm sure it was a joint sting in which the media gets to film and photograph those men cops arrest. In fact, I would not be surprised to learn a reporter instigated the whole thing, asking the police to come along so they could get some good footage."

Don Lemon Talks to Kirby Dick, Signorile, and Log Cabiner on Outrage

CNN's Don Lemon talks to director Kirby Dick, activist, Log Cabin Republican Charles Moran, and Sirius radio host Michelangelo Signorile about Outrage, the new documentary about closeted politicians, the damage they cause, and the media's complicity in keeping them closeted. Trailer is here.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

Previously...
Closeted Gay Republicans Hung Out to Dry in Outrage [tr]
McGreevey Storms out of Outrage Premiere? Watch Trailer [tr]

GOP to Be Allowed 'Conscience Vote' on NY Marriage Equality Bill

The "center of gravity has shifted" on same-sex marriage in New York's senate, according to the Log Cabin Republicans, who say members of the GOP won't be pressured to vote against the recently-announced marriage equality legislation, The Advocate reports:

"The Log Cabin Republicans announced Tuesday that the GOP's New York leadership in both the state senate and assembly are going to allow Republican legislators to make 'conscience votes' on Gov. David Paterson's marriage-equality bill rather than pressuring party members to vote against it, giving the legislation a much stronger likelihood of picking up Republican votes in both chambers. The development may be particularly important in the senate, where Democrats hold a slim 32-30 majority, four Democrats have already said they will vote against the marriage bill, and equality advocates will need to pick up several GOP votes in order to pass the legislation. Strategists expect the legislation to sail through the assembly, which already passed an identical bill in 2007 by a vote of 85 to 61."

In related news, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg responded to recent polls that show 53% of New Yorkers in support of marriage equality as well as recent remarks by former mayor and possible gubernatorial candidate Rudy Giuliani that same-sex marriage would be an issue if he decided to run.

Bloomberg spoke briefly last week at Governor David Paterson's announcement that he was reintroducing marriage equality legislation.

Watch Bloomberg's brief remarks to Think Progress, AFTER THE JUMP...

New York Marriage Bill Gets GOP Boost [the advocate]

Meghan McCain to Gay Republicans: GOP Scared Sh*tless of Future

Meghan McCain spoke to the Log Cabin Republicans on Saturday at their annual convention, and urged her party to evolve.

Said McCain: "The person who stands before you is not confined within the mold of what a daughter of a Republican Presidential candidate 'should' be for some. And that’s OK. Our world is not confined by molds and neither should our nation....People in our country have much more important issues to deal with on a daily basis. But the experience did reinforce what I learned on the campaign trail in some major ways. I’ll summarize them in three points: 1. Most of our nation wants our nation to succeed. 2. Most people are ready to move on to the future, not live in the past. 3. Most of the old school Republicans are scared shitless of that future."

McCain added: "I am concerned about the environment. I love to wear black. I think government is best when it stays out of people’s lives and business as much as possible. I love punk rock. I believe in a strong national defense. I have a tattoo. I believe government should always be efficient and accountable. I have lots of gay friends. And yes, I am a Republican."

Watch a brief clip, AFTER THE JUMP...

Steve Schmidt to Log Cabin: GOP Must Embrace Gay Marriage

CNN talked to campaign advisor Steve Schmidt, who spoke to the Log Cabin Republicans today and stated his support for marriage equality, saying the Republican party needs to embrace it.

Watch CNN's report and read the full text of Schmidt's speech, AFTER THE JUMP...