House Panel Advances Domestic Partners Act for Federal Employees

The Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, authored by Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) advanced yesterday in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the Washington Post reports:

"After sometimes heated debate, the 23 to 12 vote in the Oversight and Government Reform Committee broke down along party lines, with the victorious Democrats arguing that the measure is a matter of fairness and equality. Republicans opposed it because, among other things, they said it would undermine the concept that marriage should be between a man and a woman...Under the legislation, same-sex partners would be able to share the workers' benefits, including those covering health insurance, retirement and disability. The employee would have to sign an affidavit certifying that the relationship meets certain standards in the measure that define domestic partnership."

Said Baldwin: “Today’s actions mark another significant step in our march toward LGBT equality. Our movement is gaining momentum around the country and Congress is following the will of the people.  Today is a day to celebrate yet another milestone and recognize anew that ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’”

U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry also lauded the bill's passage: “I want to commend the Committee for approving the Domestic Partnership Benefits Act. This is an essential recruitment tool as we seek the best and the brightest to tackle the many challenges America faces. This is a positive step that helps the federal government to better compete with other employers for top talent.  President Obama has stated clearly that this is an issue of equality.  But just as important, youth today, LGBT or not, see this benefit as a litmus test for determining high quality employers. The Administration looks forward to continuing its work with lawmakers as the House and the Senate move toward enactment of this bill.”

News: A-Rod, Ballot Measures, Rio, The Universe, Cubs, Uganda

NYT: Six tests for equality and fairness. "Three jurisdictions — New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia — seem tantalizingly close to securing legislative approval for measures ending the hurtful and unjustifiable exclusion of same-sex couples from civil marriage. But in Maine, Washington State and Kalamazoo, Mich., voters are being asked on Tuesday to strip away vital rights and protections."

Adam Lambert and Ferras glam it up on Halloween in West Hollywood.

A-Rod's art collection? "He was so vain. He had not one, but two painted portraits of himself as a centaur. You know, the half man, half horse figure? It was ridiculous."

West Hollywood woos gay tourists.

LGBT liaison Dani Lee Harris wears uniform in Atlanta Pride parade: "Harris's decision comes after this week announcing she wouldn't wear her uniform due to backlash from some in the LGBT community over having the police represented in such a high-profile manner during the Atlanta Pride parade after the controversial police raid of gay bar the Atlanta Eagle.

This is the average color of the universe.

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) urges Hillary Clinton to condemn bill proposed in Uganda that would increase penalties for "aggravated homosexuality" up to and including the death penalty. Here are some of the details on the community discussions of that bill. France slams proposal.

Hugh Jackman turns down offer to host the Oscars for a second year.

Chicago Cubs become first major-league sports franchise with lesbian owner, Laura Ricketts: "On Oct. 30, the Ricketts family were announced as the new owners of the Cubs, buying the team, Wrigley Field and a share in Comcast SportsNet Chicago for $845 million from the Tribune Co, according to MLB.com. Pete, Todd, Tom and Laura make up the board of directors, with Tom as chairman, NBC.com added. "

Study: "Illegal" music file-sharers spend more money buying music.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 video game spot pulled after outrage over "FAGS" acronym.

Gay groups to protest Focus on the Family conference in Birmingham, Alabama. In related news, James Dobson is exiting the group in February.

Robert Pattinson does Vanity Fair.

Male model fix: Matt Loewen.

NYT's Deborah Solomon interviews Maine governor John Baldacci.

Dan Savage: A Halloween tale about why we're winning.

One million celebrate rainy Pride in Rio.

NYT on Referendum 71 in Washington and the attempt by Protect Marriage Washington to keep private the names of signers of the petition to get it on the ballot: "The case, legal experts say, could chart new territory well beyond Washington State. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which had ordered the release of the signatures, said the case presented 'novel questions of whether referendum petition signatures are protected speech under the First Amendment.'”

World's largest cruise ship sets sail from Finland, heads for Florida.

Ethan Hawke praises Madonna for speaking out for Romania's Gypsies: "She transcended being a pop star. She drew international attention and shone the spotlight on a level of racism and the need for greater education."

White House visitor logs opened... BBC: "The White House put some 480 visitor records online on Friday in response to specific requests for information. The newly-released data covers a period from 20 January to 31 July and includes about 100 meetings with Mr Obama. From December, all visitor records will be posted, as part of President Obama's pledge on greater transparency."

Rep. Gohmert (R-TX): Hate Crimes Bill Holding Soldiers Hostage

Last night on the House floor, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) attacked the Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill, which is attached to a defense appropriations bill. Gohmert says the hate crimes bill is holding soldiers hostage, preventing hate preachers from stating their opinions, and attacking the moral fabric of America.

Reps. Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin, and Jerrold Nadler rebutted Gohmert's sickening diatribe.

Watch them all, AFTER THE JUMP... 

(via inlookout)

UPDATE: The House later defeated a motion to strip the hate crimes bill from the DoD appropriations bill.

News: Nevada, Sarah Palin, Donuts, National Parks, Tammy Baldwin

Nevada issues first domestic partnership certificates.

Jeffrey S. Crowley, the Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy: Website to accept public input through November 13 on National HIV/AIDS Strategy

Harper Collins out gay marketer Jonathan Burnham hired virulent homophobe Lynn Vincent to ghost write Sarah Palin's new book: "The Palin book, moreover, is clearly being styled as a work of polemic, appealing to the Christianist base, thereby fanning homophobia, and empowering those who would like nothing more than to push gay people back into the closet, out of marriage, out of the military, and out of the workplace. Burnham is now directly party to this effort."

Tom Cruise will do his own stunts.

Chair of the Iowa chapter of Marriage Equality USA arrested for embezzlement; Phyllis Stevens and partner donated money to progressive and LGBT causes.

Man arrested at Apple store after threatening to shoot his iPhone with a gun.

McCain strategist Steve Schmidt on Palin 2012: "I think that she has talents, but my honest view is that she would not be a winning candidate for the Republican Party in 2012, and in fact, were she to be the nominee, we would have a catastrophic election result."

First look: George Takei and Brad Altman on The Newlywed Game.

Bet you never thought you could play Ohio like a piano. Instrument.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS launches new website.

AfterElton interviews Sam and Dan McMillen from The Amazing Race.

Revisiting Mark Salling's shirtlessness on Glee.

Homophobic donut shop owner in Pittsburgh airs his views: "This crowd will not rest until Homosexuality is mainstream; until the Second Amendment is done away with; until abortion on demand is as common and accepted as going to the dentist; until sexual images and strip clubs line our streets and suburbs; until government education is started in the womb; until disagreement with their political party is “hate speech” and becomes a crime..".

Mariah Carey hits Rockefeller Center for the Today show.

This land is your land: The National Parks go interactive.

Dear Abby: Out gay man runs into his closeted straight past on Facebook.

Helen Thomas digs in.

Record crowd expected for Fort Worth Pride this weekend in wake of Rainbow Lounge raid.

Catholic Bishop on the lam over child porn charges is arrested by Canadian border guards.

Are anti-gay forces in Washington state waiting until the last minute for a well-funded media barrage on Referendum 71?

Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduces new AIDS legislation: "Baldwin's new legislation, 'The Ryan White Grantee Payment Equity Act' (H.R. 3665), would authorize increased Medicaid funding to health care providers. The HIV/AIDS population would benefit from a higher Medicaid reimbursement rate. A higher rate would enable clinics to expand operations and care for the growing number of people living with the disease."

Towleroad Guide to the Tube #541: ENDA Testimony Edition

The House Education and Labor Committee held its first full committee hearing on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act today. Here is testimony from eight witnesses.

Opening Statement from Rep. George Miller, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee.

Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA).

Vandy Beth Glenn, fired from her Georgia state legislative job when she told her supervisor she was transitioning from male to female.

William Eskridge, John A. Garver Professor of Jurisprudence Yale Law School.

Testimony from Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Hon. Stuart Ishimaru, Rabbi David Saperstein, and Brad Sears, AFTER THE JUMP...

Tammy Baldwin: Why You Should Care About the Health Care Debate

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (via the National Stonewall Democrats) posted a very informative YouTube video today discussing why LGBT Americans should be following the health care debate. With all of the issues facing the LGBT community, this often gets overlooked.

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...