MA GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Charlie Baker Chooses Openly Gay Senator Richard Tisei as Running Mate

Some interesting developments in the Massachusetts race for governor.

The Victory Fund reports: "Charlie Baker, a moderate Republican running to become the governor of Massachusetts, has chosen State Sen. Richard Tisei, who is openly gay, as his running mate.  Baker issued the following on his Twitter account this morning:  'Want you to be the first to know: I’ve chosen State Senator Richard Tisei as my running mate. Excited about this team.'  Tisei is the Senate Minority Leader, and played a key role in the fight to retain marriage equality in Massachusetts."

Tisei publicly discosed to the Boston Globe last week that he is gay:

"Tisei was first elected to the House at age 22 and moved to the Senate in 1991. His sexual orientation has been an open secret on Beacon Hill, and he disclosed it publicly yesterday in an interview with the Globe, anticipating the scrutiny that would accompany a statewide candidacy. 'It is not exactly a news flash,' he said . 'I don’t think people really care these days.'"

The Boston Herald reports: "Baker and the Senate minority leader will take on convenience store magnate Christy Mihos in the Republican primary. The winner is set to face off against state Treasurer Timothy Cahill and incumbent Gov. Deval Patrick in a three-way contest in 2010."

Fox News Talks to Man Who Says He Was Fired for Standing up for 'Traditional Marriage'

As a follow-up to the video I posted earlier this month, Fox & Friends talks to former Brookstone manager Peter Vadala, who says he was fired for disagreeing with a co-worker about her lesbian "lifestyle" and says he's being discriminated against because of his religion.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

RI Governor Carcieri Delivers 'Traditional Marriage' Speech at Anti-Gay Massachusetts Group's Fundraiser

Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri crossed state lines last night to deliver a speech about "traditional marriage" to the Massachusetts Family Institute. In September, gay groups had asked Carcieri to cancel the appearance. Here's what the MFI says about gays on its website:

"MFI does not consider homosexual behavior to be merely an alternate lifestyle or sexual 'preference'; it is an unhealthy practice and destructive to individuals, families and society. Our compassion for those plagued by same-sex attraction compels us to support the healing of those who wish to change their behavior. MFI strongly opposes any efforts by political activists to normalize homosexual behavior and all attempts to equate homosexuality with benign characteristics such as skin color, or the 'gay rights' movement with the civil rights movement."

The MFI did everything they could to enact a ban on same-sex marriage in Massachusetts in 2007, and failed.

Carcieri, who is also a strong supporter of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), told the crowd of more than 300 that marriage is "not a civil right". Said the governor: "It is a not civil right. I get aggravated when it is portrayed that way. Marriage is a license by the state. It is about a state’s responsibility, which is the reason why states don’t allow a lot of types of marriages."

The Providence Journal reports: "The protesters outside were from a variety of Rhode Island gay-rights advocacy groups including Queer Action Rhode Island, which in August called on the governor to cancel his appearance. They said his decision to speak before the Massachusetts Family Institute, which had been confirmed more than a month ago, sends a 'bad message' to Rhode Islanders as the state weighs the issue of same-sex marriage...Said Susan Heroux, a member of Queer Action RI, 'They go way beyond opposition to gay marriage. In their far-out views, they think [homosexuality] is a disease that we can be cured of. … It feels like they’re trying to eradicate us.'"

Carcieri has agreed to meet with gay groups face-to-face in early November to discuss his position on a variety of isues.

Watch an ABC6 report on Carcieri's speech to the MFI, AFTER THE JUMP...

Provincetown Gay Basher Eric Patten Gets 30 Days, 2 Years Probation

Eric Patten, the Winthrop, Massachusetts man who assaulted two lesbians in Provincetown over Memorial Day weekend after mistaking them for gay men, has been sentenced to 30 days in the Barnstable house of Corrections, Wicked Local reports :

"Judge Donald Carpenter issued a one-year sentence, with Patten ordered to serve 30 days in jail with two years of probabtion. Patten also will be subject to regular drug and alcohol screening tests during the probation period. Tara Miltimore, assistant district attorney, argued for six months in jail, based on the violent nature of the crime, to which Patten pleaded guilty. However the two victims, who attended Thursday’s disposition in Orleans District Court, had submitted statements to the court asking for a 30-day jail sentence because Patten had no previous record of violence."

News: Showgirls, Sam Adams, The Louvre, John Barrowman, Atlanta

Death of culture: McDonald's moves into the Louvre.

A Showgirls sequel?

Lady Gaga appeared on the MTV reality show Boiling Point three years ago — here's the video.

Weekly Standard defends military gay ban: "Another way to put this is to say that honor, which is by the testimony of soldiers throughout the ages of the essence of military service, includes the honor of being known for heterosexuality, and that, for most heterosexual males, shame attends a reputation as much for homosexuality as for weakness or cowardice."

New York Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to endorse William Thompson for NYC mayor.

NYT Consults Blog on anti-gay bullying.

The Onion to release range of greeting cards.

Glee preview: The boys sing "It's My Life".

Artist's painting finds buyer after he vandalizes it with graffiti.

Paul Hogarth: Defeating Question 1 in Maine about mobilizing the base. "If every Mainer votes in the upcoming election, Question One will lose – and conservatives who’ve won on 'gay marriage' in every state where it has been on the ballot will suffer a humiliating defeat. But this is an off-year election, and young people who strongly support marriage equality are much less likely to turn out. And while voters in liberal Portland are with us, I have gotten this apathetic shrug from people – saying it shouldn’t even be on the ballot."

Gourmet magazine folding after 68 years.

Trial starts for Alabama judge accused of sex-for-leniency trades: "The respected circuit judge once was the Democratic Party's choice to be the first black federal judge in south Alabama. Then his career collapsed under allegations that he brought inmates to his office and spanked them with a paddle. Later, an indictment accused him of sexually abusing male inmates in exchange for leniency. The trial on charges of sodomy, kidnapping, sex abuse, extortion, assault and ethics violations is set to start Monday."

Professor calls for Gay and Lesbian Studies curriculum expansion in Massachusetts...

Sean Penn beats up another paparazzo.

John Barrowman storms London's West End in La Cage Aux Folles.

Male model fix: Marlon Teixeira.

Roman Catholic Bishop faces child porn charges.

Signature-collecting deadline looms in Portland Mayor Sam Adams recall campaign: "The campaign won't reveal exactly how many signatures they have, but organizers emphasize they need more than 32,000. Sunday is their last full day to collect signatures to get a recall of Mayor Adams on what they hope will be the November ballot."

Miss Gay Indiana pageant hits Muncie.

Documents indicate gay bars not targeted by police in Atlanta.

Three Americans share 2009 Nobel Prize for Medicine: "Americans Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak were named winners of the 2009 Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for research that has implications for cancer and aging research. The trio solved a big problem in biology: how chromosomes can be 'copied in a complete way during cell divisions and how they are protected against degradation,' the citation said."

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."