Artist Spotlight: Lyle Ashton Harris

We look back this month at the series, “The Complete Chocolate Portraits,” for their beauty and clarity.

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Albert Smith

www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/art/2015/02/09/artist-spotlight-lyle-ashton-harris

Who's Trying to Stop Alabama Marriage Now
Marriage starts today in Alabama, and the usual suspects are still trying to figure out some way to stop it. Nebraska accidentally passed a bill that will recognize gay and lesbian couples, but only when they’re carrying a concealed firearm. And we’re on a fast track for rulings in several southern states.

Hey there. Things changed a little bit after I shot and edited this week’s video, so I’ve added this little message at the beginning to update you. A federal court ruled that marriage should be starting now in Alabama, but late Sunday night, Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore ordered state judges to disobey that federal ruling and block marriages.

Now Moore has created a constitutional crisis. What he’s doing is equivalent to George Wallace standing in a schoolhouse door to stop school integration. And just like with Wallace in 1963, federal law enforcement officers may have to intervene in Alabama. Whatever happens, just bear in mind that the next few days are going to have a few twists and turns. The situation’s moving quickly and might’ve changed again by the time you see this. This is just how the civil rights fight is sometimes. A little messy, a little unpredictable, but always worth it in the end. And here’s this week’s episode.

As of today, marriage is legal in Alabama. Previously, officials said that they needed more time to prepare, in part because all of their forms say husband and wife. But miraculously, faced with a court order, they seem to have managed to alter the forms in the nick of time. Meanwhile, the people you’d expect to be outraged are all outraged. First, there’s Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange — that’s his real name — he’s asked the U.S. Supreme Court put a stop to the marriages, but that’s probably not going to happen. In December, the Supreme Court let marriage start in Florida under almost the same set of circumstances. So, for now, marriage is probably safe in Alabama, and there’s not much Luther Strange can do about it.

Next up, there’s Alabama Supreme Court Judge Roy Moore. He’s the guy who got removed from office in 2003 for judicial misconduct when he refused to follow a federal order about a Ten Commandments statue. Voters re-elected him in 2012, and no surprise, he’s once again threatening to disregard federal courts. Moore wrote a letter to Alabama judges, telling them that the federal courts can’t tell them what to do. The fact that he was removed from office for making that claim just a few years ago doesn’t seem to have made much of an impression on him. Anyway, Moore is just wrong. The rulings are binding, marriage is legal, and if judges do refuse to issue the licenses, they can be found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to a fine or jail time.

There’s also Mike Huckabee, who’s had a lot to say last week. First he called being gay a “lifestyle” and compared being gay to drinking alcohol, liking ballet, or going to the opera. Then he said that asking businesses to recognize gay or lesbian couples is like asking a Jewish deli to serve bacon and shrimp. And finally he said that marriage equality is like forcing a Muslim family to have dogs in their backyard. The main takeaway from this is that Mike Huckabee is bad at analogies.

And finally, there’s State Senator Del Marsh, who said that marriage equality is a bad idea because gay and lesbian people will expect to get social security benefits, and use each others’ insurance, and that will cost the state too much money. But costing money has never been an excuse for states to violate the US Constitution. On top of that, studies show that marriage equality actually saves money, because it reduces spending on Medicare and Medicaid, and that marriage will add $21.7 million to Alabama’s economy over the next three years. Not to mention, there are a lot more straight married couples than gay ones in Alabama, so if Senator Marsh really wanted to save some money, he could start denying Social Security to straight couples.

Elsewhere in the country, Nebraska may accidentally start recognizing gay and lesbian couples. The state just passed a concealed weapons law that applies to military spouses. Because the military recognizes same-sex marriages, that means that Nebraska would, too — but only for the purposes of having a concealed weapon. It’s a start.

Congratulations to all the happy couples in Alabama. Those are the headlines, subscribe here to stay up to date on all these stories. For the American Foundation for Equal Rights, I’m Matt Baume. Thanks for watching and we’ll see you next week.

www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-baume/whos-trying-to-stop-alaba_b_6643240.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Texas to headline Manchester Pride Festival

Sharleen Spiteri and co confirmed to perform at four-day party

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jamiet

www.gaystarnews.com/article/texas-headline-manchester-pride-festival060215

Alabama's Chief Justice Refuses to Allow Same-Sex Marriages

A six-page letter from Roy Moore says state officials are under no obligation to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

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Neal Broverman

www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2015/02/09/alabamas-chief-justice-refuses-allow-same-sex-marriages

Roy Moore, Alabama Chief Justice, Makes 11th Hour Attempt To Halt Gay Marriage
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama appeared set within hours to become the 37th state where gays can legally wed, prompting one couple to pitch a tent outside a courthouse even as the state’s chief justice made an 11th hour bid to keep the weddings on hold Monday.

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore sent a letter Sunday evening to probate judges ordering them to refuse to issue same-sex marriage licenses when the courts opened Monday morning. Moore wrote that the judges weren’t bound by a federal judge’s ruling Jan. 23 that the marriage ban was unconstitutional. “Effective immediately, no probate judge of the state of Alabama nor any agent or employee of any Alabama probate judge shall issue or recognize a marriage license that is inconsistent with (the Alabama Constitution),” Moore wrote.

Susan Watson, executive director The American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, called the move by the conservative chief justice “grandstanding” and predicted licenses would be issued shortly.

“We will see marriage equality in Alabama tomorrow. I don’t think the probate judges in Alabama are going to defy a federal court judge’s order,” Watson said late Sunday.

U.S. District Judge Callie Granade had ruled that the state marriage ban was unconstitutional and — in a later clarifying order — said that probate judges have a legal duty under the U.S. Constitution to issue the licenses.

The developments unfolded as at least one couple showed up early at the county courthouse in one major city, Montgomery, and more were expected at courthouses around the state in coming hours.

Tori Sisson and Shante Wolf pitched a blue and white tent outside the Montgomery County Courthouse and hugged as they waited in hopes of being the first couple to get a marriage license in Alabama.

“It’s about time,” Wolfe, 21, said of gay marriage being allowed in the Deep South state.

The chief justice, Moore, has been one of the state’s most outspoken critics of gay marriage. He called homosexuality an “evil” in a 2002 custody ruling and urged judges to reject issuing such licenses in recent days.

A few probate judges have said they would refuse to issue the licenses until they received greater clarity from the courts. Moore, as head of the court system, upped the ante Sunday night by sending the directive, although, it was unclear what enforcement provision he has.

Moore’s letter to the probate judges said Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley can take action against elected officials who fail to follow the law.

Jennifer Ardis, a spokeswoman for Bentley, said she did not know about Moore’s letter and did not have an immediate comment Sunday evening.

Couples plan to seek marriage licenses across the state with marriage equality groups providing ministers and judges to perform ceremonies in Huntsville and Birmingham.

Attorney General Luther Strange has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to put aside Granade’s order since justices are expected to issue a ruling later this year on whether gay couples have a right to marry nationwide. The high court had not ruled on the state’s request within hours of the opening of courthouses Monday.

The ACLU has established a hotline for couples to report if they are refused a license. Watson said the ACLU will be at courthouses across the state, not just to be prepared for problems, but to hand out balloons and gifts to joyful couples.

“I think it will really pretty simple. Hopefully we will be able to hand out a lot of wedding favors,” Watson said.

More than 100 people attended a “Sanctity of Marriage” rally at the Alabama Capitol on Saturday. With the sign “One Man One Woman” behind them, speakers said they stood with the biblical definition of marriage and the 80 percent of voters who approved Alabama’s gay marriage ban in 2006.

A group of marriage rights supporters gathered across the street waving signs reading, “Y’all means all” and singing a version of “Going to the Chapel,” but changing the word chapel to courthouse.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/09/alabama-gay-marriage_n_6642622.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Sam Smith Wins Big at Grammy Awards

The out singer nabs two of the music industry’s highest honors.

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Neal Broverman

www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/music/2015/02/08/sam-smith-wins-big-grammy-awards

Bruce Jenner Issues Statement After Fatal Car Crash
Reality star and former Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner has spoken out following a multi-car collision on Saturday that left one person dead and seven others injured.

“My heartfelt and deepest sympathies go out to the family and loved ones, and to all of those who were involved or injured in this terrible accident,” Jenner said in a statement released to Us Weekly. “It is a devastating tragedy and I cannot pretend to imagine what this family is going through at this time. I am praying for them. I will continue to cooperate in every way possible.”

Jenner reportedly rear-ended a Lexus, after the driver had rear-ended a Toyota Prius. The driver of the Lexus was killed, according to the Los Angeles Times, after their car was propelled into oncoming traffic.

Jenner passed a sobriety test and voluntarily submitted a blood sample. It was initially reported that paparazzi were chasing the 65-year-old’s vehicle, but police told CNN there are no signs that photographers played a role in the crash.

The Los Angeles Times reports that police plan to examine the cellphone records of the reality star and others involved in the accident to see texting played a role.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/08/bruce-jenner-statement-car-crash_n_6642284.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore Orders Probate Judges Not To Issue Gay Marriage Licenses Monday

Kyler Geoffroy

www.towleroad.com/2015/02/alabama-chief-justice-roy-moore-orders-probate-judges-not-to-issue-gay-marriage-licenses-monday.html