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Federal Judge: Alabama Must Recognize Marriage Equality Ruling

Federal Judge: Alabama Must Recognize Marriage Equality Ruling

moore_fox

Alabama can no longer enforce laws banning same-sex marriage.

moore2U.S. District Judge Callie Granade has issued a permanent injunction requiring Alabama officials to abide by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that legalized same-sex marriage; they must grant licenses and recognize same-sex marriages as valid.

It appears that Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, whose unconstitutional opposition to same-sex marriage led to his suspension and possible removal from his position has finally lost the war.

Even though the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that same-sex unions were a constitutional right, Moore insisted that Obergefell v. Hodges wasn’t binding in Alabama and instructed probate judges to ignore those higher courts orders and refuse to issue licenses to same-sex couples. 

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a non-profit legal advocacy organization, filed complaints with the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission, which then forwarded six charges of ethical violations to the Alabama Court of the Judiciary.

Moore had until June 7 (30 days) to respond, but last week, Michael Joiner, chief judge of the Court of the Judiciary, agreed to a 14-day extension for Moore to file his response.

Tuesday, the Human Rights Campaign posted a letter on its website condemning the 2-week extension given to Justice Moore’: “Roy Moore has repeatedly used his authority to discriminate against LGBTQ people and their families, and this latest stall tactic continues his reckless pattern of delaying justice and skirting the law at every opportunity,” said Eva Walton Kendrick, HRC Alabama State Manager. “This extension does not change the facts — Moore is unfit to serve on the court, and we look forward to the day he is permanently removed.”

But Thursday, Judge Granade ruled that Alabama can’t refuse applications for marriage licenses by same-sex couples.

The SPLC tweeted about the victory early Thursday:

Federal judge in SPLC case: Alabama must recognize marriage equality ruling t.co/jLU1U2UDvV #LGBT pic.twitter.com/qjr0SRPsUD

— (((SPLC))) (@splcenter) June 9, 2016

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Gay Cyclist Speeding to Sex Hookup Tackled in Front of Obama’s Motorcade: WATCH

Gay Cyclist Speeding to Sex Hookup Tackled in Front of Obama’s Motorcade: WATCH

gay cyclist

Daniel Provencio, a 59-year-old gay man, was blasting Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” through his headphones on the way to hook up with someone me met on an online dating site when he was tackled in front of President Obama’s motorcade, apparently oblivious that he was about to enter a barricaded zone on 50th street, TMZ reports:

Daniel was coy about date specifics, but suffice to say the other guy lost interest because Daniel was hours late after being interrogated by authorities.

Daniel called the guy when he was released, but, as he puts it, “Manhattan men are huge on punctuality.”

Watch:

The NY Daily News adds:

Provencio did not appear to be resisting during the encounter. He was issued a summons for disorderly conduct, police said.

“Why does the cop with the helmet need to come in like that?” an Instagram commenter wrote.

“The poor guy obviously was confused. No need to come in and shove him to the ground like that. I’m sure if they spoke to him he would have cooperated anyway.”

Instagram Photo

 

(h/t/ jmg)

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Watch President Obama’s Full Interview with Jimmy Fallon

Watch President Obama’s Full Interview with Jimmy Fallon

Obama Fallon

Before he slow jammed the news and wrote a few Thank You notes, President Obama sat down with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show to go over some more serious business.

They discussed being the first sitting president on The Tonight Show, whether Obama is getting sad his presidency is over and getting sentimental about leaving, his new home in D.C. (he and Michelle are staying because Sasha is still in school), and Malia’s upcoming graduation.

Watch:

They then moved on to the election. Obama said he has spoken to both Hillary and Bernie at certain points during the campaign.

Said Obama: “I thought that Bernie Sanders brought enormous energy and new ideas. I thought that it made Hillary a better candidate…My hope is that over the next couple weeks we’re able to pull things together.

Obama said that during primaries things tend to get “a little ouchy” and that a natural process will iron things out.

“I’m sure they’re going to have a conversation,” he said, adding, “The main role I’m going to be playing in this process, is to remind the American people that this is a serious job. This is not reality TV.”

When asked by Fallon if he thinks Republicans are happy with their choice of Trump, Obama responds, “We are.”

Added Obama: “That was too easy. Actually, I am worried about the Republican party, and I know that sounds….uh…you know what that sounds like.

Has Donald Trump called him for advice? “No he hasn’t. Not that I know of.”

Fallon asked Obama about SCOTUS nominee Merrick Garland and whether Obama would ever want to join the Supreme Court.

“I look pretty good in a robe, but I don’t think it’s something that is the best way for me to spend my time after I leave office.”

Fallon also talked about his first awkward meeting with the President and First Lady and where the President might go on the day he leaves office.

Watch:

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Louisiana State Bar Association Takes a Stand for LGBTQ Equality

Louisiana State Bar Association Takes a Stand for LGBTQ Equality

The Louisiana State Bar Association House of Delegates has passed a resolution affirming its support of LGBT equality and opposing anti-LGBT laws. The resolution was submitted at the association’s House of Delegates meeting on Thursday by Don Paul Landry, a House of Delegates member and chair of the Religion and Faith and Political committees of the HRC Louisiana Steering Committee.

“The resolution has two parts. The first section calls for the condemnation and repeal of anti-LGBT legal authority in this state. Whether or not these laws are enforceable is not the issue. Legal authority that makes one group of people second-class citizens and expresses moral disapproval of them is not an appropriate use of our laws or Constitution,” Landry said in his remarks to the bar.

“The second part of the resolution is support for laws that establish LGBT-equality in our state. Make no mistake, the laws of this state targeted LGBT people and made them second-class citizens. Only by correcting the law can we correct the problem caused by the law,” Landry said.

Landry also highlighted the detrimental psychological effect that such laws have on LGBT people – especially LGBT young people. He pointed out that even though marriage equality has brought great progress in some ways, it has sometimes led to more discrimination, as individuals who disclose their marital status on job applications and elsewhere can be singled out for negative consequences.

“We are lawyers, and what we do is to seek justice. This association has taken a stand that those on the margins must be treated fairly under the law and have equal access to the justice. In order for that to happen with the LGBT community, the laws themselves must be just,” Landry said.

HRC fights for LGBTQ equality in Louisiana alongside state and local groups and lawmakers. Find out more about what HRC is doing for LGBTQ equality in Louisiana and how you can get involved with the New Orleans community.

www.hrc.org/blog/louisiana-state-bar-association-takes-a-stand-for-lgbtq-equality?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

The GLAAD Wrap: Russell Tovey joins 'Quantico', Caitlyn Jenner's role on 'Transparent', Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Carpool Karaoke

The GLAAD Wrap: Russell Tovey joins 'Quantico', Caitlyn Jenner's role on 'Transparent', Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Carpool Karaoke

Photo Credit: HBO

Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBT-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.

1) The reboot of the 1976 super hero franchise Electra Woman & Dyna Girl came out on all major platforms this week, starring YouTubers Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart. The film focuses on how moving to the big city of Los Angeles affects these small town, amateur super heroes.

2) Out actor Russell Tovey is set to join ABC’s Quantico in their second season. His character, Harry Doyle, is gay and was specifically written for Tovey by out showrunner Joshua Safran. Tovey says Doyle “is just as likely to seduce your husband as he is to pick his pocket when it’s over.” Finally, Judith Light of Amazon’s Transparent revealed that Caitlyn Jenner will be starring as herself on the show’s third season, which is set to be released later this year.

3) A married lesbian couple has been added to TLC’s reality show, My Giant Life, a show centering around women who are over six feet and six inches tall. Katja Bavendam and her wife, Julie McGuire, want to start a family, and their journey to parenthood will unfold more as the season continues.

4) Out country singer Brandy Clark released her new album, Big Day in A Small Town, today. Additionally, Broadway singer, actor, and former Glee star Cheyenne Jackson released his album, Renaissance, last week.

5) Cynthia Nixon will star in the Manhattan Theater Club’s fourth revival of The Little Foxes. The play opens on April 19th at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater. Jesse Tyler Ferguson joined James Corden and several other Broadway stars for a special Tony edition of popular segment, “Carpool Karaoke.” He participated in renditions of songs from several popular musicals, including Hamilton and Rent.

6) The team behind short film, “Transgender, at War and in Love” has launched a kickstarter campaign for their new documentary TransMilitary. They want to create a feature film about the discrimination and transphobia in the United States military in order to reach a wider audience than their short did. Funds from the crowdfunding campaign will go to travel expenses, equipment, and editing. You can find out more about TransMilitary on their Kickstarter page and on their website.

June 9, 2016

www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-wrap-russell-tovey-joins-quantico-caitlyn-jenners-role-transparent-jesse-tyler-fergusons

Elizabeth Warren on Fire: Endorses Clinton, Destroys Trump, Considers VP Slot – WATCH

Elizabeth Warren on Fire: Endorses Clinton, Destroys Trump, Considers VP Slot – WATCH

Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren’s political star is shining fiercely at the moment and yesterday was a huge day for the Massachusetts senator as she endorsed Hillary Clinton on The Rachel Maddow Show following a gripping, captivating speech at the ACS convention (posted below) in which she destroyed Donald Trump.

But first, her endorsement:

“I’m ready. I am ready to get in this fight and work my heart out for Hillary Clinton to become President of the United States and to make sure that Donald Trump never gets any place closet to the White House.”

Why wait so long?

“I thought that the primary was really important and it was an opportunity for Democrats to get out there and show, this is what it means to be a Democrat. We got out there and pushed those issues forward and we made sure the American people saw the kind of thinking we have, the kind of energy we have, and what makes us very different from those guys on the other side.”

When asked about the threat of Trump, Warren begins:

“The Republicans underestimated Donald Trump and look where that got them. Donald Trump is a genuine threat to this country. He is a threat economically to this country, but he is a threat to who we are as a people. There is an ugly side to Donald Trump.”

Asks Maddow: “Do you have  a prescription for how this primary should end?”

“It’s clear now that we need to start thinking about all of us together…Hillary Clinton won. She won because she’s a fighter. She’s out there. She’s tough. And I think this is what we need. Look at who she is. Fror 25 years she has been taking the incomings. The right wing has thrown everything they possibly can at her. And what does she do? A lot of people would just hang up their spurs. They’d say, you know I’ve had enough of this. And she doesn’t. What she does is she gets back up and she gets back in the fight…You ought to be willing to throw a punch. There are a lot of things people say about Hillary Clinton, but nobody says she doesn’t know how to throw a punch.”

Maddow then highlight a few clips from Warren’s searing speech earlier in the evening at the American Constitution Society in which she eviscerated Donald Trump.

Watch:

Here’s a bit more:

Here’s the full speech to the American Constitution Society. And it’s a MUST WATCH.

Finally, Maddow asks if Clinton has talked to her or her people about being the running mate.

“No,” says Warren. No conversations have taken place about that.

When asked if conversations take place between Warren and the other political leaders on a personal level,  Warren really lit on fire.

Here’s the transcript:

I’ve talked to Bernie, I’ve talked to Hillary.

What gives it power is the power within the idea itself, and the fact that others care about it.

So, when you talk about Social Security, it’s not just enough to say, we’re looking at you, this really matters. It’s the fact that a million Americans think it matters. Oh, wait, it’s 2 million Americans think it matters. No, it’s 4 million Americans. It’s 6 million, wait, it’s 10 million, it’s 50 million Americans who care about this. That’s how we’re going to make change.

Here’s how I look at this. The Republicans had a real advantage over us for a long time. And the principal advantage they have had is they have concentrated money and concentrated power. And, boy, when it’s all concentrated, man, you can organize it, you can use it, you can get out there, you can run those negative ads, you can be effective, you can put money into campaigns.

What do we got on our side? Yes, we got some money, some. People put money in. But the reality is what we’ve got is we’ve got all the votes. We’ve got all the voices.

There are so many more people on our side. And I’m not just talking Democrats here. You talk about those core issues, about Social Security, about college, about raising the minimum wage, about reining in Wall Street.

You look at those core issues and somewhere between 60 percent and 75 percent of all of America, that’s Democrats, Republicans, independents, libertarians, vegetarians. They sign up and say, yes, I’m for that.

So, the question is then, Rachel — why hasn’t that happened? Why hasn’t it happened?

The answer is because Washington, this place where we are right now. It is the bubble. It’s the bubble that’s created by the money. It is the bubble that is created by the contributions, by the lobbyists, by every part of this tight little circle.

Our only chance to break out of that is that we got to say, against your concentrated money and power, we’re going to put up our voices and our votes and we’re going to be here. We’re going to be here in these elections. And we’re going to make sure that the people who run for office and get elected are the ones who are going to work for the American people. That’s what this is all about.

Watch:

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Woman Arrested In Connection With Explosion At Chicago-Area Target Store: VIDEO

Woman Arrested In Connection With Explosion At Chicago-Area Target Store: VIDEO

Transgender Target Bathroom Policy

Police in Evanston, Illinois have arrested a woman after a small bomb detonated in a Target restroom on Wednesday.

Damage was limited to a stall in the women’s restroom. No threats were reported before the incident.

WGN TV reported that a plastic bottle was used but no projectiles were inside it. Investigators are said to be gathering evidence including store security recordings.

RELATED: Watch This Bizarre Music Video Christians Have Launched Against Target’s Transgender Policy

It was thought the attack may have been related to Target’s controversial pro-transgender bathroom policy.

Target tells American Family Association – they don’t care about the boycott. t.co/xvqK4F7ACE Well, folks?

— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) June 8, 2016

However, a press release notes that detectives “are not currently looking for any known additional suspects, and [at] this point there is no indication that the incident is related to any policies that the Target store has in place.”

No charges have as yet been filed against the 44-year-old suspect.

Last month, a bible-bearing woman stomped through a Target store warning people against “bowing to the homosexual perverted agenda.” Earlier in May, hate group the American Family Association (AFA) proved that concerns over dangers lurking in Target bathroom are true by sending men into the retailer’s women’s facilities to “test” the Target’s policy. 1.3 million people have signed an AFA petition saying they will boycott the store.

Watch a report on a protest outside a Chicago Target branch last weekend.

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