Some Kansas Clerks Refuse to Issue Marriage Licenses (VIDEO)
We’ve added two or maybe three states to the marriage equality map this week: Montana, South Carolina, and sort of Kansas. Let’s start with Montana, where a District Court Judge ordered the state to start issuing marriage licenses this week. Montana is the last state in the Ninth Circuit to get the freedom to marry. Attorney General Tim Fox will appeal the ruling, but he’s not seeking a stay, probably because he knows there’s no point, since the Ninth Circuit will definitely uphold this decision, and the Supreme Court won’t review it. Marriage is here to stay in Montana.

And marriages have also started in South Carolina. That’s the last state in the Fourth Circuit to get marriage. Attorney General Alan Wilson had asked the Supreme Court to block marriage, pending an appeal, but they declined. Wilson’s appeal will still go to the Fourth Circuit, but they’ve already overturned marriage bans in neighboring states, so just like in Montana, marriage is there to stay.

Now on to Kansas. This is a tricky one. A District Court judge struck down the state’s ban, and the stay on the ruling expired at the end of last week. Some counties have started issuing marriage licenses. But others haven’t. And state agencies are refusing to honor the licenses that have been issued, since Governor Brownback is appealing the decision. Kansas is in the Tenth Circuit, where the every other court has overturned marriage bans, so they have virtually no chance of stopping marriage. Governor Brownback will lose his appeal, it’s just hard to say when.

A lawsuit in South Dakota is moving ahead. A federal judge there rejected the state’s claim that the 1972 case Baker v. Nelson prevents a federal ruling. Just a few weeks ago, the Sixth Circuit cited Baker as justification for upholding a marriage ban, so it’s a promising sign that the South Dakota judge rejected that argument.

Florida attorney general Pam Bondi has filed appeals in multiple cases to try to stop marriage. Her chances of prevailing are not great. But for now, marriage is still on hold in Florida. In Louisiana, gay couples have asked to skip the Fifth Circuit and go right to the Supreme Court for a ruling. And over in Alabama, the state has cited the work of Mark Regnerus in its latest brief. Regnerus is the author of a discredited study on gay parenting, which a federal Judge in Michigan called “entirely unbelievable and not worthy of serious consideration.” So, good luck with that, Alabama.

And finally, the National Organization for Marriage is not doing well. New tax filings show donations dropped over 50% in 2013, with the group ending the year $2.5 million in debt. NOM has faced large fines over the last year due to campaign finance violations, and donations have dropped sharply since the organization really hasn’t had a major victory in several years.

www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-baume/some-kansas-clerks-refuse_b_6210462.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

8 reasons you should visit Disneyland Paris: the gayest place on earth

Partying with Mickey and Minnie, Elsa and Anna; we’d call it camp as Christmas but that would be too obvious

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jamiet

www.gaystarnews.com/article/8-reasons-you-should-visit-disneyland-paris-gayest-place-earth211114

PHOTOS: Atomic Bombshells Blow up the Stage

When burlesque started experiencing a modern revival a decade ago, we were a little worried that it would be just a flash in the pan, like when everyone liked swing for a few weeks in 1998. But we needn’t have worried! Burlesque has become more vital than ever, thanks in large part to the amazing talent of troupes like the internationally-renowned Atomic Bombshells of Seattle.

This weekend, the Atomic Bombshells performed the show Cake at the Triple Door Theater to raucous applause. Drag Race hotshot BenDeLaCreme hosted the affair, with a cast of local favorites like Kitten La Rue, Faggoty Randy, drag king Lou Henry Hoover, and Miss Indigo Blue. Fabulous guest superstars Perle Noire and Kitten De Ville brought the audience to their feet. Next time you find yourself in the Pacific Northwest — or when the troupe’s on tour — tickets are a must-get. (Hint: Many of the same artists are hosting a Christmas show next month, if you’re looking for a perfectly inappropriate way to celebrate the holidays.)

And as randy as these photos are, the performers peeled off far more than we can show you on this family-friendly site. Head over to photographer Matt Baume’s Flickr for some uncensored photos.

matt baume

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/ohhFFQzfiNE/photos-atomic-bombshells-blow-up-the-stage-20141124

One Direction Nabs Artist of the Year at 2014 American Music Awards: VIDEO

Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2014/11/one-direction-nabs-artist-of-the-year-at-2014-american-music-awards-video.html

Robbie Rogers's Memoir Kicks Around Depression, Redemption, And Coming Out

Professional soccer player Robbie Rogers has found success in his sport after coming out, but he had to deal with plenty of internal demons to get there.

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Michelle Garcia

www.advocate.com/sports/2014/11/24/robbie-rogerss-memoir-kicks-around-depression-redemption-and-coming-out

These Vintage Photos Prove Every Thanksgiving Parade Should Be Hosted By Betty White
From the 1960s to the early ’70s, Betty White hosted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We say: Can we bring back this tradition? Take a look at our beloved Betty in action — and in promos (along with her co-host, actor Lorne Greene) — and see if you don’t agree.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/24/betty-white-thanksgiving-parade_n_6201078.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Op-ed: Bosses Need to Step Up for Their Trans Employees

Transgender visibility is on the rise, but most trans people are still unprotected against workplace discrimination.

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Richard Greggory Johnson

www.advocate.com/commentary/2014/11/24/op-ed-bosses-need-step-their-trans-employees