Gay Former Boy Scout and Supreme Court Plaintiff James Dale Speaks Out Against Ban: VIDEO

James Dale, the gay former Boy Scout who took his case all the way to the Supreme Court in 2000 (Boy Scouts of America v. Dale) and lost by one vote, speaks out in a new video about his case and efforts to end the ban on gay scouts and leaders in the organization.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

The Boy Scouts are currently meeting in Dallas and will take an internal vote on ending the ban.

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Poll: 49 Percent of Tennesseans Support Gay Marriage or Civil Unions

A new poll shows progress on gay rights in Tennessee, the Tennessean reports:

A poll conducted this month for Vanderbilt University found that 49 percent of Tennesseans support gay marriage or civil unions while 46 percent are opposed to both, suggesting the state is now evenly divided on whether to extend legal recognition to same-sex couples.

Meanwhile, 62 percent of Tennesseans say health insurance and other employee benefits should be extended to the domestic partners or spouses of gays and lesbians. Thirty-one percent oppose the idea.

Views have changed significantly in seven years:

The poll results suggest a marked shift in Tennesseans’ views since 2006, when 81 percent of voters approved an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage between one man and one woman as “the only legally recognized marital contract” in the state.

That amendment remains a substantial hurdle to proponents of same-sex marriage in Tennessee, casting doubt on any legislation that attempts to extend the benefits of marriage to gays and lesbians in the state.

Its repeal also appears unlikely in the near future.

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Ryan Gosling's Got Back

A fine ship.

Behind-the-scenes on the Place Beyond the Pines set.

(w magazine via wow)

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Donald Rumsfeld Concerned Gay Marriage Will Lead to Polygamy: VIDEO

Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who supported 'DADT' and repeal and considers him a civil rights advocate, tells Larry King that he's concerned same-sex marriage might lead to polygamy.

“You know, I'm, I guess, of a generation that I don't ... I listened to some of the Supreme Court justices and one of them said, 'Well what's next after that? Is it two people, three people?'”

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via huffpost)

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The Real Danger of the IRS, DOJ 'Scandals'

By ARI EZRA WALDMAN

The IRS and DOJ scandals are already old news, but everyone seems to misunderstand their significance.

The machinations of the IRS went something like this: Sometime last year, several middle to low level workers at the Cleveland, Ohio office of the Internal Revenue Service started taking special interest in conservative political groups applying for tax exempt status. They looked for organizations with the words "Tea Party" or "Patriot" or "the Constitution" and, as the New York Times reported, sent them--and, it appears, them alone--detailed questionnaires to probe their political leanings, affiliations, and plans. 

At the same time, the DOJ was investigating national security leaks to reporters. As part of that investigation, it sent a subpoena (or subpoenas) to phone companies to seize the records of at least 20 phone lines used by the Associated Press and several others at FOX News. The AP called the actions "overzealous" and "unconstitutional;" others went further, calling the DOJ's behavior part of a "pattern of cover-ups."

Republicans and conservatives are positively giddy at the apparent opportunity to tie the President to these "scandals," hoping to claim some skin in the game, or at least a political victory. But there is no evidence that the President knew. In fact, there is every evidence that these decisions were made at lower administrative levels and were kept out of the President's world.

That means that these "scandals" -- not to mention the Benghazi tragedy -- don't have legs in the traditional sense, like Watergate or even the Monica Lewinsky affair. They are not about what the President knew and when. They don't involve the President, or anyone close to him, lying. Nor are they about some sinister Administration plot to target enemies.

But they may damage the Administration, the Democratic Party, and modern progressivism in a more subtle way.

To see how, continue AFTER THE JUMP...

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Bill Clinton, Obama Urge Illinois to Pass Marriage Equality

As an Illinois House vote on marriage equality approaches, former President Bill Clinton is speaking out in support of it.

Said Clinton in a statement yesterday:

"Our nation's permanent mission is to form a ‘more perfect union’ – deepening the meaning of freedom, broadening the reach of opportunity, strengthening the bonds of community. That mission has inspired and empowered us to extend rights to people previously denied them.  Every time we have done that, it has strengthened our nation. Now we should do it again, in Illinois, with marriage equality. Since the days of Abraham Lincoln, Illinois has stood for the proposition that all citizens should be treated equally under the law. Lincoln himself came to Springfield in search of opportunity, and he dedicated his life to securing equal opportunity for all citizens.  I believe that for Illinois and for our nation as a whole, in the 21st century that must include marriage equality.”

The White House urged Illinois to pass it as well:

"Were the president still in the Illinois State Legislature, he would support this measure that would treat all Illinois couples equally," spokesman Shin Inouye said in response to a question from POLITICO. Obama's support for the bill comes after former President Bill Clinton endorsed it earlier Tuesday.

"While the president does not weigh in on every measure being considered by state legislatures, he believes in treating everyone fairly and equally, with dignity and respect," Inouye said. "As he has said, his personal view is that it’s wrong to prevent couples who are in loving, committed relationships, and want to marry, from doing so."

Earlier this week, lawmakers said that the votes to pass the bill are there. A vote has not yet been scheduled.

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