Oakland Raiders Sign Punter and LGBT Ally Chris Kluwe

NFL punter and LGBT ally Chris Kluwe has been signed by the Oakland Raiders, FOX Sports reports:

Kluwe, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings on May 6, will step in for Pro Bowler Shane Lechler, who left Oakland for the Houston Texans via free agency. Kluwe’s contract is for one year, and is for the league minimum.

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Kluwe is known for his mind and mouth, as well as his leg. He is a vocal advocate of equality in sports (and life), and says he will continue to speak for what he believes.

“I’m still going to be myself socially and continue to tweet and interact with my fans,” Kluwe said.

The issue of same-sex marriage remains a hot-button one in California. Kluwe said he was happy the same-sex marriage bill passed and was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Mark Dayton in Minnesota. Kluwe didn’t think it would be an issue there and is ready to press forward in the Golden State....Prop 8 was passed by voters in 2008 and governs that the state only recognize marriages between a man and a woman. The law’s legality was argued before the US Supreme Court in March, with a ruling expected in June, and Kluwe is optimistic about the likely repeal of the measure. If the measure is not repealed, however, he says it will be an issue of concern that will need to be addressed.

Transwoman Brandy Martell Murdered in Oakland: VIDEO

Brandy Martell was shot to death in Oakland over the weekend. Investigators are investigating whether the murder was also a hate crime, ABC7 reports:

37-year-old Brandy Martell was sitting behind the wheel of her car around 5:15 a.m. Sunday when one or two men walked up and began a conversation. A witness told ABC7 the conversation was cordial, but then a few minutes later, one of the men became angry and fired into the car right where Martell was sitting...

...Investigators are talking to witnesses and trying to figure out exactly what led up to the shooting. It could be considered a hate crime if they find out that the shooter was motivated by a perception of the victim's sexual identity.

Martell worked at an outreach center for the transgender and transsexual community. Her friends believe her murder was a hate crime.

Watch ABC7's report, AFTER THE JUMP...

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #999

RUBBER BULLET: Occupy Oakland photographer shot for no apparent reason.

QUEEN: Adam Lambert performs at the MTV EMAs.

JOHN LEGUIZAMO: Is an American for marriage equality.

MARRIAGE: Minnesota bigots speak out.

For recent Guides to the Tube, click HERE.

Jon Stewart Registers His Horror at the 'Occupy Oakland' Violence: VIDEO

On last night's Daily Show, Jon Stewart took a look at the poice handling of Occupy Oakland.

Yesterday I posted several videos of the extreme measures used to take down the protesters, including Iraq war veteran Scott Olsen, who remains in critical condition after sustaining a fractured skull caused by a projectile reportedly launched by police.

A new video shows Olsen (3:30) and the lead-up of events just before the police attack.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

In related news, the NYT reports that cities are losing patience with protesters, and the Oakland violence may just be the first sign of what's to come.

Tear Gas, Flash Bombs Used Against 'Occupy Oakland' Protesters: VIDEOS

Police used tear gas last night against protesters at 'Occupy Oakland'.

The NYT:

The police in Oakland dispersed hundreds of protesters using tear gas and flash bombs on Tuesday night as crowds tried to re-enter a plaza outside of City Hall that authorities had cleared of an encampment earlier in the day.

The forceful response by police to protesters in Oakland came as police in Atlanta moved in early Wednesday morning to clear an encampment from the city’s central Woodruff Park. At least 53 people connected to the protest group Occupy Atlanta were arrested and the park was cleared by 2 a.m. Eastern time, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.

Scott Olsen, a Marine veteran affiliated with Veterans for Peace, was injured by a non-lethal weapon.

Watch a video of the madness, AFTER THE JUMP...

Crooks and Liars writes:

"Heighten the contradictions" is what activists used to say back in the Sixties. And tonight, while President Obama was in San Francisco hosting a $7,500-a-plate fundraiser, people are getting teargassed in Oakland, just a few miles away - for alleged health and safety violations. You can't get much more of a contradiction than that. It's being reported that Occupy Atlanta, Occupy Baltimore, Occupy Clarksville, Occupy San Diego have all been served by police with eviction notices for midnight tonight.

(image source, source)