Pass ENDA Now!

The following statement was released today by over 236 LGBT and allied organizations:

“Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act NOW.”

Here's the list of organizations:

Equality Federation, Toni Broaddus, Executive Director
Family Equality Council, Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), Lee Swislow, Executive Director
Human Rights Campaign, Joe Solmonese, President
National Black Justice Coalition, Sharon J. Lettman, Executive Director/CEO
National Center for Lesbian Rights, Kate Kendell, Esq., Executive Director
National Center for Transgender Equality, Mara Keisling, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Stonewall Democrats, Michael Mitchell, Executive Director
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays National, Jody M. Huckaby, Executive Director
Pride at Work, AFL-CIO, Peggy Shorey, Executive Director
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, Selisse Berry, Founding Executive Director
Transgender Law Center, Masen Davis, Executive Director
CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Terry Stone, Executive Director
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, Shawn Gaylord, Director of Public Policy
A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), Clayola Brown, President
Advocates for Youth, James Wagoner, President
African American Ministers in Action, Rev. Timothy McDonald, Chairman
AID Gwinnett, Larry M. Lehman, Executive Director
AIDS Action Council, William D. McColl, Political Director
Alabama Gender Alliance, J. D. Freeman, President
Alaska Together for Equality, Inc., Elias Rojas, Board President
Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, Debra Kolodny, Executive Director
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Gerald W. McEntee, President
American Federation Of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, President
American Humanist Association, Karen Frantz, Communication and Policy Director
Arizona Stonewall Democrats, Erica Keppler, Chair
Arizona Trans Alliance, Erica Keppler, Co-Chair
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), Amado Uno, Executive Director
Association of Flight Attendants - CWA, Patricia Friend, President
Atlanta Stonewall Democrats, Tim Cairl, President
Basic Rights Oregon, Jeana Frazzini, Executive Director
Baystate Stonewall Democrats, Claire Naughton, President
Bi Writers Association, Sheela Lambert, Founder
Bisexual Resource Center, Ellyn Ruthstrom, President
Black Pride Los Angeles, Milton Smith, Board President
California Council Of Churches/IMPACT, The Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser, Executive Director
California Faith for Equality, Kerry Chaplin, Interfaith Organizing Director
Celtic Circle Church of US and Scotland, Rev. Lord Arteo MacAiken Sneath, Founding Elder Clergy/CEO
Central City AIDS Network, Inc, The Rainbow Center, Johnny Fambo, Executive Director
Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, Robert F. Rivera, President
Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Karen J. See, President
COLAGE, Beth Teper, Executive Director
Colorado Stonewall Democrats, Karen Bachman, Vice-Chair
Communications Workers of America, Annie Hill, Executive Vice President
Community Alliance and Action Network, Tim Pierce, President
Community Health Awareness Council, Monique Kane, Executive Director
Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Rabbi
Consortium for Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, Debbie Bazarsky, Co-Chair
Coqsure, Cris Land, Founder and Administrator
DC Trans Coalition, Sadie-Ryanne Baker, Leadership Committee Co-Chair
Democratic Party of Oregon, Meredith Wood-Smith, Chair
Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE), Paul Almeida, President
DignityUSA, Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director
Empire State Pride Agenda, Joe Tarver, Interim Executive Director
Equal Rights Washington, Joshua Friedes, Executive Director
Equality Alabama, Lori Stabler, Board Co-Chair
Equality Arizona, Mike Remedi, Co-Chair Board of Directors
Equality California, Geoff Kors, Executive Director
Equality Florida, Nadine Smith, Executive Director
Equality Hawaii, Paul Gracie, Co-Chair
Equality Illinois, Bernard Cherkasov, Esq., CEO
Equality Iowa, Sandy Vopalka, Founder
Equality Maine, Betsy Smith, Executive Director
Equality Maryland, Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Executive Director
Equality North Carolina, Ian Palmquist, Executive Director
Equality Ohio, Sue Doerfer, Executive Director
Equality South Dakota, Robert Doody, Chair
Equality Texas, Chuck Smith, Interim Executive Director
Equality Toledo Community Action, David Mann, President
Fair Housing of Marin, Nancy Kenyon, Executive Director
Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh, Peter Harvey, Executive Director
Fair Wisconsin, Katie Belanger, Executive Director
Fairness West Virginia, Stephen Skinner, President
Families United Against Hate (FUAH), Gabi Clayton, Board President
Female-To-Male International, Rabbi Levi Alter, President
Fight OUT Loud, Waymon Hudson, President
Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, Michael Albetta, Caucus President
Florida Together, Ted Howard, Executive Director
FORGE, Michael Munson, Executive Director
Forum For Equality, SarahJane Brady, Managing Director
Forward Montana, Matt Singer, CEO
Freedom to Marry, Evan Wolfson, Executive Director
FTM International Albuquerque, NM Chapter, Adrien Lawyer, Leader
FTM International Atlanta, GA Chapter, BT, Leader
FTM International Bay Area, CA AFLOAT-SOFFA Chapter, Genie Moore, Leader
FTM International North Texas Chapter, Clay Rieber, Leader
FTM International Ohio Chapter, Jake Nash, Leader
FTM International Sacramento, CA Chapter, Marty Diaz, Leader
FTM International San Buenaventura, CA Chapter, Seth Mwansa, Leader
FTMI International San Diego, CA Chapter, Connor Maddocks, Leader
Garden State Equality, Steven Goldstein, Chair and CEO
Gay And Lesbian Labor Activist Network
Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, Rebecca Allison, MD, President
Gay City Health Project, Fred Swanson, Executive Director
Gay Grassroots of Northwest Florida, Doug Landreth, Founder
Gay Liberation Network, Andy Thayer, Co-Founder
Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools, Cindy Crane, Executive Director
Gays and Lesbians United Against Discrimination, Caleb Laieski, Executive Director
Gay-Straight Alliance Network, Carolyn Laub, Executive Director
Greater Seattle Business Association GSBA, Louise Chernin, Executive Director
Gender Justice LA, Latrice Johnson, Executive Director
Gender Rights Advocacy Association of NJ, Barbra Casbar Siperstein, Director
Gentle Spirit Christian Church, Rev. Paul M. Turner, Senior Pastor
Georgia Equality, Jeff Graham, Executive Director
Georgia Rural Urban Summit, Larry Pellegrini, Executive Director
Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, Jeffrey D. Richardson, President
GetEQUAL, Kip Williams, Co-Founder
GLBT Bar Association of Washington, Cynthia Buhr, President
Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, San Francisco, David Waggoner, Co-President
H.E.R.O., Meg Sneed, Co-founder
Holy Sprit Ecumenical Church - Largo, FL, Rev Steven M. Rosczewski, Pastor
Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Inc, Scott W. Gehl, Executive Director
Human Rights Campaign of Vanderbilt University, Luis Munoz, President
Immigration Equality, Julie Kruse, Policy Director
Ingersoll Gender Center, Marsha Botzer, Co-President
Integrity USA, John Clinton Bradley, Acting Executive Director
Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality, The Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge, Co-Chair
International Court Council, Coco LaChine, President
International Federation of Black Prides, Inc, Earl Fowlkes, President/CEO
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, AFL-CIO, James A. Williams, General President
Jacksonville Now, Jeremy Gould, CEO
Jefferson County, Colorado, Democratic Party, GLBT Caucus, David Reaser, Chair
Jewish Family & Career Services - The Rainbow Center in Atlanta, Gary Miller, CEO
Juxtaposed Center for Transformation, Inc, Tracee McDaniel, Executive Director
Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center, Antonio David Garcia, Executive Director
Kentucky Fairness Alliance, Travis Myles, Chairperson
Keshet, Idit Klein, Executive Director
KnoxBoyz of East Tennessee, BEAR A-M Rodgers, Founding Executive Director
KnoxGirlz of East Tennessee, Deirdre Radcliffe, Executive Director
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), Hector E. Sanchez, Executive Director
LaGender Inc, Dee Dee Chamblee, Executive Director
Lambda Legal, Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director
Lavender Caucus SEIU, Eastern Region, Tony Fernandes, President
Legal Aid Services of Broward County, Anthony J. Karrat, Esq., Executive Director
Legal Aid Society - Employment Law Center, Joan M. Graff, President
Legal Voice, Lisa Stone, Executive Director
Lepoco Peace Center, Nancy Tate, Executive Director
Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens (LGBDQ), Bruce Friedman, President
Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project, Claudia E. Stallman, Project Director
LGBT Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Virginia, Roland Winston, Chairman
Long Island Housing Services, Michelle Santantonio, Executive Director
Love Makes a Family PAC, Martin L. Heft, Chairman
Lutherans Concerned/North America, Ross Murray, Interim Executive Director
Maine Transgender Network, Inc, Alex Roan, Executive Director
Massachusetts Lesbian & Gay Bar Association, David Eppley, Co-Chair
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, Gunner Scott, Executive Director
Mautner Project: The National Lesbian Health Organization, Leslie J. Calman, Ph.D., Executive Director
MEGA Family Project, Kathy Kelly, Executive Director
Metropolitan Community Churches, The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator
Miami Valley Fair Housing Center, Inc., Jim McCarthy, President/CEO
Michigan AIDS Coalition, Detroit, Michigan, Craig Covey, Operating Officer
More Light Presbyterians, Michael J. Adee, Executive Director
NAACP, Hilary O. Shelton, Director NAACP Washington Bureau & Senior VP for Advocacy and Policy
National Caucus SEIU, Tom Barbera, President
National Coalition for LGBT Health, Rebecca Fox, Executive Director
National Council of Jewish Women, Nancy Ratzan, President
National Fair Housing Alliance, Shanna L. Smith, President and CEO
National Marriage Boycott, Laura Wadden, Executive Director
National Organization for Women - Alabama, Shirley Ann Rawls, President
National Student Genderblind Campaign, David Norton, Executive Director
National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC), Gregory Varnum, Executive Director
New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition, Mo Baxley, Executive Director
New Mexico GLBTQ Centers, David Stocum, Executive Director
New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA), Pauline Park, Chair
New York Transgender Rights Organization (NYTRO), Joann Prinzivalli, Executive Director
Northwest PA Trans Group, Joanne Lynn Benjamin, Founder
Office & Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), Nancy Wohlforth, Secretary-Treasurer Emerita
One Colorado, Lea Ann Purvis, Interim Executive Director
Our Family Coalition, Judy Appel, Executive Director
Out4Immigration, Amos Lim, Founding Board Member
OutFront Minnesota, Amy Johnson, Executive Director
Outlet Program, Eileen Ross, Director
Outright Vermont, Melissa Murray, Executive Director
PA Diversity Network, Liz Bradbury, Executive Director
Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Rand Hoch, President and Founder
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgender Individuals of Jacksonville, FL, Frieda Saraga, President
People For the American Way, Michael B. Keegan, President
Perpetual Transition, Casey Lanham, Co-Founder
PFLAG-Vero Beach, Carl Burns, Treasurer
Pikes Peak Gay & Lesbian Community Center, Ryan Acker, Executive Director
Pride At Work, Martin Luther King County WA Chapter, Mike Andrews, Secretary-Treasurer, Chapter Lead
Pride Tampa Bay, R. Zeke Fread, Executive Director
PROMO (Missouri), A. J. Bockelman, Executive Director
Religious Institute, The Reverend Debra W. Haffner, Executive Director
Respect Resource Group, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Randy Kammer, Executive Sponsor
Rockway Institute, a unit of the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, San Francisco campus, Robert-Jay Green, Executive Director
Room for All (Reformed Church in America), Rev. Robert D. Williams, Founding Co-President
RU12? Community Center and Vermont TransAction, Kara DeLeonardis, MSW, LICSW, Executive Director
S. U. R. E. Foundation, Dr. Mekah Gordon Ph.D., Founder/CEO
Safe Schools Coalition, Kyle Rapinan, Co-chair
San Francisco LGBT Community Center, Rebecca Rolfe, Executive Director
Santa Cruz County Task Force for LGBTIQ Youth, Stuart Rosenstein, Chair
SEIU 509 Lavender Caucus, Tom Barbera, President
Service Employees International Union, Anna Burger, International Secretary Treasurer
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS), Joseph DiNorcia Jr., President and CEO
SOFFAs of East Tennessee Transgenders, Valerie Knight, Executive Director
South Bay Transmen, Lance Moore, Organizer
South Carolina Equality, B. Dean Pierce, Chair, Board of Directors
Stonewall Democratic Club of New York, Joseph G. Hagelmann, III, President
Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada, Derek Washington, Chair
Stonewall Democrats of Volusia & Flagler, Larry Glinzman, President
Stonewall Democrats of Pasco County, Jocelyn A. Dickman, President
Sunshine Social Services, Inc/SunServe, Mark Adler, MPH, Executive Director
Tennessee Equality Project, H.G. Stovall, Board President
Tennessee Equality Project Foundation, Randy Cox, President/Chair
Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, Marisa Richmond, Ph.D., President
Tennessee Vals, Vickie Davis, Chair Woman
The American Institute of Bisexuality, Denise Penn MSW, Director
The Center (Des Moines, Iowa), Sandy Vopalka, Administrator
The Center for HIV Law and Policy, Catherine Hanssens, Executive Director
The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry (CLGS), Bernard Schlager, Ph.D., Executive Director
The Crystal Club, Barbie Rogers, President
The Family Tree LGBT Community Center, Jim Van Riper, Co-Chair
The Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation, Hebrew Union Collage-Jewish Institute of Religion, Dr. Joel Kushner, Director
The Pride Center at Equality Park, Paul Hyman, Executive Director
Trans/Giving Arts Showcase, Kalil Cohen, Lead Organizer
Trans-Action Initiative of Bard College, Kira Gilman, Club Head
TransActive Education & Advocacy, Jenn Burleton, Executive Director
Transgender at Work, Mary Ann Horton, Chair
Transgender Education Network of Texas, Lisa Scheps, Executive Director
Transgender Equality Rights Initiative (TERI), Jacqui Charvet, Co-Administrator
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, Michael Silverman, Executive Director
TransOhio, Shane Morgan, Founder & Chair
Triangle Community Center, Norwalk, CT, Christopher J. Spiegelman, Board President
Triangle Foundation/Michigan Equality, Alicia Skillman, Executive Director
Tucson GLBT Chamber of Commerce, Sheldon Fishman, President
UNITE HERE International Union, John Wilhelm, President
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries, Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo, Executive Minister
Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry, CA, Rev. Lindi Ramsden, Executive Director
Vermont Freedom to Marry Action Committee, Beth Robinson, Chair
Washington Gender Alliance, Rory Gould, President
Western Mass Pride at Work, David James, President
WKJCE TLGB Radio, Alanna Maneer, Co Founder
Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER), Mary E. Hunt, Executive Director
YouthPride, Inc, Terence McPhaul, Executive Director

(236 Organizations)

GLEE: The Power of Madonna

Thanks to f******* American Idol going long I missed the last three minutes of Glee last night on my DVR since I was watching Lost live. It figures that is the part of the show that has the amazing rendition of Like a Prayer. Watch it now!

By my count the Madonna songs in the episode were Express Yourself, Like A Virgin, Ray of Light, Burning Up, Open Your Heart, Vogue, Borderline, What It feels Like For A Girl and (the execrable) 4 Minutes.

Lots of websites are claiming that Crazy For You was in the episode, but I don't remember hearing it at all.

The soundtrack to last night's episode,Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna, has been released an is available at Amazon.com.

AD-53: Lau Denied CDP Endorsement By 1 Vote

An interesting race in the 53rd Assembly District has had some exciting developments recently. On April 12th, Betsy Butler (the candidate with most cash) won the endorsement of the Stonewall Democratic Club by a vote of 38-22 (a margin of victory of a mere three votes, since the threshold is 60 percent, or at least 36 to 24) over openly gay Mitch Ward, the African American mayor of Manhattan Beach. This was seen as a surprising result by many, with an LGBT Democratic club endorsing a straight ally over an openly gay candidate. MadProfessah a member of the Steering Committee of the club, introduced Mayor Ward before he addressed the members of the club in the wee hours of the meeting. It was the most closely contested endorsement result of the evening.

But on Saturday April 17th at the Los Angeles convention of the California Democratic Party an even closer vote happened. James Lau was prevented from getting the endorsement of the state party at a caucus because he failed to garner 60% of the votes cast by one vote. And that one vote was a provisional vote that was for Lau, but was disqualified because the delegate turned out not to live in AD-53 and was thus ineligible. Butler and Ward were the only other candidates to receive votes. Other people who had not been following the race closely were surprised to see Lau with such a strong showing, but since he was once in the leadership of the 53rd Assembly District local Democratic club.

WATCH: Obama Handles LGBT Hecklers

hat/tip to Joe.My.God.

Obama Heckled In L.A. By LGBT Activists Over DADT

Earlier on Monday evening in Los Angeles President Obama was heckled by LGBT activists Pat a Barbara Boxer fundraiser over Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Here's the pool report:

WHITE HOUSE POOL REPORT

POTUS took the stage at 6:13 p.m. local time. Audio again is not the greatest. He calls out names of several California government officials, each of whom draw applause.

At 6:17, several protesters among the crowd interrupted POTUS' speech, expressing anger over the slow progress on repealing the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gay service members. The crowd tried to hush them. "What about don't ask, don't tell?" one protester shouted.

POTUS yelled back "we are going to do that."

POTUS kept talking, increasing his volume to speak over the protesters. The crowd then erupted into chants of "Yes, we can."

He later said, "we are going to repeal don't ask, don't tell."

Your pooler has learned the protesters are from GetEQUAL, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group that also orchestrated protests outside the fundraiser. The group was also behind a protest last month at the White House, where activists Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. James Pietrangelo handcuffed themselves to a gate.

"IT's time for equality for all Americans!" another protester yelled at 9:22. Obama said, "can I just say again Barbara and I are supportive of repealing Don't ask dont tell." But protester keeps yelling. Bringing Obama's remarks to a halt. The crowd responds again by "shouting yes we can!" over the protesters.

"Be quiet!" someone yells.

At 6:25 local time, POTUS has regained control of the speech.

Here's the press release from the folks at GetEqual who interrupted the only President to sign a federal law granting rights to the LGBT community to complain he isn't moving forward to enact legislation which has not been passed by Congress yet:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2010

To schedule participant interviews
Contact: Robert Polzoni, 415.806.3898 or rpolzoni@comcast.net

Moments Ago GetEQUAL Activists Interrupt Pres. Obama During Fundraising Reception Speech

They demand he repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ this year

Los Angeles, CA – Moments ago, several GetEQUAL activists interrupted President Obama during his speech at a fundraising reception for Senator Barbara Boxer in Los Angeles, expressing anger over the slow progress on repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ this year and demanding that he repeal it.

GetEQUAL activists shouted, “what about ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’” and “it’s time for equality for all Americans.” The President, at one point bringing his remarks to a halt, said, “Barbara and I are supportive of repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’.”

Activists David John Fleck, Dan Fotou, Laura Kanter, Zoe Nicholson, and Michelle Wright were then escorted out of the reception by security officers.

“President Obama has been AWOL on DADT,” Fotou. “We had to reminded him of the promises he made to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community during his campaign and several times during his Presidency - that DADT will be repealed because, as he's stated, ‘it's the right thing to do.’”

“We made it clear our community will hold accountable our President for unkept promises,” said Wright. “Denying LGBT service members and personnel the ability to serve their country is unfair.”

Today’s action took place nearly one year after a similar protest outside an Obama appearance in Los Angeles, when Lt. Dan Choi asked the President for a response to a letter signed by 136,000 people to repeal DADT.

“These empowering and brave activists feel so strongly about our rights they were willing to confront the President of the United States on his lack of leadership on DADT and to hold him accountable for the promises he has made to our community,” said Kip Williams, co-founder of GetEQUAL.

Those involved in the action

David John Fleck resides in Long Beach, CA. He is a former Grassroots Outreach Organizing Director for the Courage Campaign and Steering Committee member for the National Equality March. He was involved in today’s action because he believes that this year, this Congress offers the only realistic prospect to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and that the President must take a leadership role in accomplishing what he promised in his State of the Union Address.

Dan Fotou lives in Los Angeles, CA. He took part in today’s action because he has a dream to have access to the same rights, freedoms, privileges and protections as every other American citizen. He believes federal law must be enacted to protect the LGBTQ community against all forms of discrimination.

Laura Kanter resides in Irvine, CA with her wife. She was one of 18,000 couples able to get married. A good friend of Dan Choi, she is participating in today’s action because it is wrong to deny Dan Choi and every other LGBT American who is willing to risk their life for this country, the opportunity to serve. Laura will continue to fight out loud as long as LGBT people are denied equal rights and will challenge Democrats and other progressive thinkers who allow this injustice to continue.

Laura McFerrin from Dallas, TX. She organized a protest at First Baptist Church in Dallas, TX after the minister preached a sermon, "Why Gay is Not Okay". Laura is the director of March On, a documentary following the lives of several LGBT families on their journey to the National Equality March in Washington last October. She believes that this direct action will serve as a wake up call to Obama and remind him of his promises

Zoe Nicholson lives in Newport Beach, CA. A feminist and fighter for civil rights, she is the founder of ERA Once and For All, a life long member of NOW, NWPC, Veteran Feminists of America and outspoken voice for LGBTQAI rights. She has been on the front lines of activism since the 1960s.

Michelle Wright resides in Fresno, CA. Through years of participation in sports she understands competition and passion. Both are key components in the life of a military service member and have the ability to weave there way into one's internal framework. To deny LGBT the right to pursue their dreams is unjust and she took part in the action because she stands in solidarity with uniform wearing LGBT members who look forward to serving their country with pride and honor.

You can view photos of the action at http://www.flickr.com/photos/getequal/

You can view videos of the action at http://www.youtube.com/getequal

# # #

GetEQUAL is a new online lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer activist community. Emphasizing direct action and people power, the mission of GetEQUAL is to empower the LGBTQ community and its allies to take action to demand full legal and social equality and to hold accountable those who stand in the way. For more information on GetEQUAL visit www.getequal.org

Only Legally Married Same-Sex Couple in Latin America

Carlos Alvarez & Martin Canavaro

Thanks to my friend Andrés Duque of Blabbeando comes word about the legal marriage of Carlos Alvarez & Martin Canavaro in Argentina and even better news that the law may soon be changed to allow other couples to get maried there as well:

Today [Thursday April 15], two legislative commissions - the General Legislation Commission and the Women, Children and Adolescence Commission - backed a full congressional debate of a bill that would amend Argentina's Civil Code to allow same-sex couples to marry.

La Nación reports today the recommendation has already drawn support from members representing a plurality of the political parties sitting in Congress (which doesn't mean all party representatives sitting in congress will vote in favor once it does come down for a floor vote). It also noted that members of two conservative parties, including the Peronistas - Quick! Someone call Madonna - er - Evita! - were holding off and willing to endorse a "civil union-only" bill that did not define legal same-sex partnership recognition as "marriage".

Vilma Ibarra , the lead sponsor of the bill, said it would replace the words "man and a woman" in the Civil Code with "spouse". She also said that, considering the wide support that the bill received today, she expected a full debate in the next congressional session and passage of the bill.

Congratulations to Carlos and Martin!

Eye Candy: Jon Micklow (reprise)

Found most of these other shots of previously featured "all-American guy" Jon Micklow over at A Few Hot Dudes. I don't usually feature guys in Eye Candy more than once (Santiago Peralta, Edilson Nascimiento, Mehcad Brooks, Phillip Fusco and Rishi Idnani are the exceptions to date) but there's just something about Jon Micklow which makes one hungry to see more.

Nadal Wins 6th Consecutive Monte Carlo Title

In an all-Spaniard final, Rafael Nadal cemented his status as the greatest clay court player of all time by beating heartthrob Fernando Verdasco 6-0 6-1 to win his 6th consecutive Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series title.

The match was much more competitive than the score suggests, with Nadal's lack of unforced errors and ridiculous defensive skills more than a match for Verdasco's firepower and nervousness.

It was former World #1 Nadal's first title since May 2009.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is coming!

Part I in theaters on November 19, 2010, Part II in July 2011.

Nadal To Face Verdasco in 6th Straight Monte Carlo final

World #3 Rafael Nadal has won 31 matches in a row at Monte Carlo. On Saturday, Nadal dismissed compatriot David Ferrer 6-2 6-3 while Djokovic was demolished 6-2 6-2 by Fernando Verdasco to set up an all-Spanish final which could lead to Nadal's 6th consecutive Monte Carlo Masters series shield. It will be Nadal's first tournament victory in over 11 months and bodes well for his chances next month in Paris.

At the CDP convention

As a delegate for Region 12 Assembly District 45, I am attending the
California Democratic Party convention at L.A. Live in downtown Los
Angeles.

Celebrity Friday: Melissa Etheridge

Grammy and Oscar winning lesbian singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, 48, has announced that she has separated from her partner Tammy Etheridge (formerly Tammy Lynn Michaels), 35. Tammy bore twins, a boy and a girl in 2006 and Etheridge has two more kids from a previous relationship with Julie Cypher who are now 11 and 13.

Presidential Memo On Hospital Visitation Rights

Last night the big news was that President Obama signed a memorandum ordering the Secretary of Health & Human Services to derive a rule which will prevent hospitals which get Medicare and Medicaid funds from preventing same-sex partners from visiting their spouses or partners in hospitals.

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

SUBJECT: Respecting the Rights of Hospital Patients to Receive Visitors and to Designate Surrogate Decision Makers for Medical Emergencies

There are few moments in our lives that call for greater compassion and companionship than when a loved one is admitted to the hospital. In these hours of need and moments of pain and anxiety, all of us would hope to have a hand to hold, a shoulder on which to lean -- a loved one to be there for us, as we would be there for them.

Yet every day, all across America, patients are denied the kindnesses and caring of a loved one at their sides -- whether in a sudden medical emergency or a prolonged hospital stay. Often, a widow or widower with no children is denied the support and comfort of a good friend. Members of religious orders are sometimes unable to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions on their behalf. Also uniquely affected are gay and lesbian Americans who are often barred from the bedsides of the partners with whom they may have spent decades of their lives -- unable to be there for the person they love, and unable to act as a legal surrogate if their partner is incapacitated.

For all of these Americans, the failure to have their wishes respected concerning who may visit them or make medical decisions on their behalf has real consequences. It means that doctors and nurses do not always have the best information about patients' medications and medical histories and that friends and certain family members are unable to serve as intermediaries to help communicate patients' needs. It means that a stressful and at times terrifying experience for patients is senselessly compounded by indignity and unfairness. And it means that all too often, people are made to suffer or even to pass away alone, denied the comfort of companionship in their final moments while a loved one is left worrying and pacing down the hall.

Many States have taken steps to try to put an end to these problems. North Carolina recently amended its Patients' Bill of Rights to give each patient "the right to designate visitors who shall receive the same visitation privileges as the patient's immediate family members, regardless of whether the visitors are legally related to the patient" -- a right that applies in every hospital in the State. Delaware, Nebraska, and Minnesota have adopted similar laws.

My Administration can expand on these important steps to ensure that patients can receive compassionate care and equal treatment during their hospital stays. By this memorandum, I request that you take the following steps:

1. Initiate appropriate rulemaking, pursuant to your authority under 42 U.S.C. 1395x and other relevant provisions of law, to ensure that hospitals that participate in Medicare or Medicaid respect the rights of patients to designate visitors. It should be made clear that designated visitors, including individuals designated by legally valid advance directives (such as durable powers of attorney and health care proxies), should enjoy visitation privileges that are no more restrictive than those that immediate family members enjoy. You should also provide that participating hospitals may not deny visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The rulemaking should take into account the need for hospitals to restrict visitation in medically appropriate circumstances as well as the clinical decisions that medical professionals make about a patient's care or treatment.

2. Ensure that all hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid are in full compliance with regulations, codified at 42 CFR 482.13 and 42 CFR 489.102(a), promulgated to guarantee that all patients' advance directives, such as durable powers of attorney and health care proxies, are respected, and that patients' representatives otherwise have the right to make informed decisions regarding patients' care. Additionally, I request that you issue new guidelines, pursuant to your authority under 42 U.S.C. 1395cc and other relevant provisions of law, and provide technical assistance on how hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid can best comply with the regulations and take any additional appropriate measures to fully enforce the regulations.

3. Provide additional recommendations to me, within 180 days of the date of this memorandum, on actions the Department of Health and Human Services can take to address hospital visitation, medical decisionmaking, or other health care issues that affect LGBT patients and their families. This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

You are hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

This is a pretty dramatic step since it will impact the rights of LGBT citizens in every single state (including you, Alabama!) and should quiet down some of the grumbling by LGBT activists unhappy at the glacial progress at passing ENDA and ending DADT.

Ari Shapiro on NPR pointed out that after President Johnson signed Medicare into law in 1965, he had to issue a similar memorandum prohibiting hospitals which received federal funds from discriminating on the basis of race.

Turbo Tax Asks About Same-Sex Marriage

I found this at the blog Sociological Images but I thought it was especially appropriate for today.

UPDATE 17:47 04/15/2010: Reader Bryan Blumberg points out that in California TurboTax will also ask if you were in a Registered Domestic Partnership (RDP):
Pretty cool!

Tax Day: Thank You, President Obama!

Today is April 15th, the day for Americans to file their 2009 tax returns. Like 98% of American households, my federal taxes for 2009 are lower than they were for 2008, thanks to the President Barack Obama tax cuts!

Thank you President Obama!

AZ Passes Bill To Criminalize Undocumented Status

The Republican-dominated Arizona legislature has passed a bill which would require police officers in the state to issue citations to people whom they have a "reasonable suspicion" is an undocumented immigrant, and determine their immigration status. Gee, I wonder how many blonde haired, blue-eyed Canadian immigrants are going to be cited!

Currently, officers can inquire about someone's immigration status only if the person is a suspect in another crime. The bill allows officers to avoid the immigration issue if it would be impractical or hinder another investigation.

Citizens can sue to compel police agencies to comply with the law, and no city or agency can formulate a policy directing its workers to ignore the law -- a provision that advocates say prevents so-called sanctuary orders that police not inquire about people's immigration status.

The bill cements the position of Arizona, whose border with Mexico is the most popular point of entry for illegal immigrants into this country, as the state most aggressively using its own laws to fight illegal immigration. In 2006 the state passed a law that would dissolve companies with a pattern of hiring illegal immigrants. Last year it made it a crime for a government worker to give improper benefits to an illegal immigrant.

Pity. I really enjoyed visiting Saguaro National Park outside of Tucson, but I will not be going to that state for as long as that state becomes law. Say, bye-bye to tourist dollars, Arizona!

AD-43: Gatto Is #1!

In yesterday's special election to replace Paul Krekorian in the 43rd Assembkly District, MadProfessah-endorsed Mike Gatto not only placed first among the three Democrats, he received the most votes over all:

As of Date: 04/13/2010 Time: 23:04                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
STATE ASSEMBLY               43RD TERM ENDS 11/10                          
                                                                         
 MIKE GATTO             DEM                                10,584    32.34
 SUNDER   RAMANI        REP                                10,403    31.79
 NAYIRI NAHABEDIAN      DEM                                 7,298    22.30
 CHAHE KEUROGHELIAN     DEM                                 4,444    13.58
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS        225            PRECINCTS REPORTING       225   100.00
REGISTRATION       201,352  

This means that on June 8, Mike will face the Republican candidate in the run-off to fill the rest of Krekorian's term through November 2010. He will also probably be the favorite to win the Democratic nomination (against Nahabedian) in the primary election which happens on the same day.

So, basically you will need to vote for Mike twice on that day.

AD-43: Gatto v Nahabedian, round 1 is today!

Nayiri Nahabedian	Mike Gatto

Today is the special election in the 43rd Assembly district. MadProfessah has endorsed Mike Gatto, while the Stonewall Democratic Club (of which I am a member of the "board" or steering committee) has endorsed Nayiri Nahabedian. However, the LGBT community is clearly split between the candidates.

In the very likely event that no candidate gets more than 50%, the two will continue to battle on until June 8, 2010 when there are two simultaneous elections: a run-off between the top Democratic vote getter in today's election versus the top Republican and a primary election where the top Democratic vote getter adavances to the November 2010 ballot in this overwhelmingly Democratic district. The person who wins the first election only gets to serve until Janauary, while the person who wins the second election will get to serve either 2 (or more likely 6) years.

We'll know which one has the advantage going into the June 8, 2010 elections when the returns come back today, but already one thing is clear, this race will probably break records for turnout in a special election. As of last Wednesday, more than 16,000 absentee ballots had been received by the Los Angeles County Recorder-Registrar (8% of the electorate).

For updates through the night, check lavote.net.

Prop 8 Repeal Will Not Make 2010 Ballot

Love Honor Cherish, the primary group behind the Sign for Equality campaign, has sent out a press release announcing that they have failed to collect the requisite 700,000 signatures for the November 2010 ballot.

INITIATIVE TO REPEAL PROP 8 WILL NOT BE ON THE BALLOT IN 2010

All-Volunteer Petition Drive Triggered Conversations Across California

(LOS ANGELES - April 12, 2010)

Love Honor Cherish, which spearheaded an effort to place an initiative on the November 2010 ballot to repeal Proposition 8 and restore equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, announced today that the proponents did not gather the 694,354 signatures necessary to place the proposed initiative on the ballot. The group vowed to work toward the repeal of Prop 8 at the next general election in November 2012.

"This is a heartbreaking moment," said John Henning, Executive Director of Love Honor Cherish. "Despite the dogged efforts of hundreds of volunteers across California, we did not get the signatures we needed within the 150-day window set by the state."

Under California law, it is too late to mount a new effort to repeal Prop 8 in 2010. "Regrettably, Prop 8 will remain as a stain on our constitution until at least 2012, and perhaps later," said Henning. He challenged activists statewide to rededicate themselves and unify behind a 2012 repeal effort.

Prop 8 passed by a margin of 52 to 48 percent. However, polls taken since the vote have shown that a majority of Californians now support the right of same-sex couples to marry, indicating that a new ballot proposition to repeal Prop 8 would be likely to pass in November 2010. In March, a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California showed a 6 percent increase in support for equal marriage rights in just the last year.

The proponents of the repeal initiative sought to seize the momentum unleashed by the passage of Prop 8 and parlay it into a victory at the polls. "This signature campaign was the right thing to do in the wake of Prop 8," said Love Honor Cherish board member Lester Aponte. "We were determined to act affirmatively to achieve equality and we will continue to do that until Prop 8 has been finally repealed. We had hundreds of thousands of conversations with California voters about the right to marry and we know that we have moved hearts and minds. In the process, we have set the foundation for a future repeal effort and brought hope to thousands whose hearts were broken by the passage of Prop 8."

Love Honor Cherish was one of more than 40 groups supporting the repeal of Prop 8 in November 2010, and was part of the Restore Equality 2010 coalition. The campaign utilized a unique web-based social networking tool, located at www.SignForEquality.com, which enabled volunteers to download the petition form, watch training videos and join teams.

Love Honor Cherish is a Los Angeles-based grassroots organization committed to repealing Prop 8 and to developing a new generation of leadership on this issue. Formed in May 2008 to defeat Prop 8, it raised over $500,000 for the No on 8 campaign and mounted its own outreach and media efforts. After the passage of Prop 8, Love Honor Cherish began working immediately to secure its repeal by means of a new ballot proposition. For more information, visit www.LoveHonorCherish.org.

Bizarrely, that website has not been updated since November 2009. MadProfessah was with the diverse coalition of organizations and activists called Prepare to Prevail who said that we need more time to insure that the next time we go to the ballot to restore marriage equality for all Californians we are well-prepared, well-funded and well-positioned for victory. 2010 was too early for all three of those things to be aligned, although it is interesting that public opinion in favor of marriage equality has recently become a majority position in California polls.

2012 will almost certainly be the year that a Prop 8 repeal effort is attempted, but that will take a lot of work, even if we could start right now, and the 2010 versus 2012 debate became so heated that a lot of bridges were burned between activists and groups that need to work together. 2012 also has it's own complications in California because it is also the first year after 2010 Census when all legislative races will be run in brand new districts, so the Propositions will actually be less prominent in people's minds than the 100 contested legislative races for the Assembly and Senate (as well as the 50+ Congressional races). I know some people will be arguing that 2014 will be a more propitious year but I would argue against that.

Eye Candy: James Furlow

Some amazing shots of James Furlow, found via Dark Flex, who also appreciates Black and Latin muscular models. James is 34 years old, 6 foot 2, 2000 (oops, 200!) pounds and seems to also go by the name "Hitch." You can check him out on Myspace.

WATCH: Julia Sugarbaker's Greatest Rants

Dixie Carter Is Dead!

Oh no! Dixier Carter, 70, who played the liberal loudmouth Julia Sugarbaker on the classic 1980s sitcom Designing Women has died. Some gay boys are Golden Girls fans or Designing Women fans. I'm a DW fan and Julia was my favorite.

Very sad.

Hat/tip Wonder Man.

Justice Stevens, 89, Announces Summer Retirement

John Paul Stevens, was appointed to the court
in 1975 by President Ford

Ending speculation, Justice John Paul Stevens, the oldest and longest serving member of the nation's highest court announced that he will retire at the end of this year's term in June, giving President Barack Obama a second opportunity in as many years to name a new member of the Supreme Court.

For the second summer in a row, Washington will face the "drama" of a Supreme Court nomination fight. Last year, Obama chose Sonia Sotomayor to replace retiring David Souter. At 55, Sotomayor became the third woman and first Hispanic justice to serve on the Court when she was approved by a United States Senate vote of 68-31 on August 6, 2009.

The short list to replace Stevens looks like:

Merrick B. Garland

57 years old

Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Harvard College, 1974; Harvard Law School, 1977

A former federal prosecutor now on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Judge Garland is well regarded by Democrats and influential Republican senators like Orrin G. Hatch of Utah.

Diane P. Wood

59 years old

Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago

University of Texas at Austin, 1971; University of Texas Law School, 1975

Judge Wood opposed some abortion restrictions and is respected for standing firm against strong, conservative judges on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She and President Obama were colleagues at the University of Chicago.

Elena Kagan

49 years old

Solicitor general

Princeton, 1981; Oxford, 1983; Harvard Law School, 1986

With no judicial record, Ms. Kagan is less known. As dean at Harvard Law School, she hired conservative professors to expand academic diversity and has supported assertions of executive power.

Jennifer M. Granholm

51 years old

Governor of Michigan

University of California, Berkeley, 1984; Harvard Law School, 1987

Ms. Granholm is nearing the end of her second term as the first female governor of Michigan. As governor, she has generally opposed legislation to restrict abortion and twice vetoed bans on partial-birth abortion. She was born in Canada and became a United States citizen at age 18.

Janet Napolitano

52 years old

Secretary of Homeland Security

Santa Clara University, 1979; University of Virginia School of Law, 1983

A former Democratic governor in Republican-dominated Arizona, Ms. Napolitano takes pride in defying easy labels and is as strongly supportive of abortion rights as she is of the death penalty. Her prospects might be hurt by criticism that she portrayed a thwarted Christmas bombing of a Detroit-bound airline as a test that the air safety system passed.

I have my money on Elena Kagan, who would also be the first openly gay member of the Court. Other lesbians under possible consideration are Kathleen Sullivan, 54, former Dean of Stanford Law School and Pamela Karlan, 50, another Stanford Law Professor.

Celebrity Friday: Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova, probably the greatest player male or female to ever play the game of tennis, announced this week that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The prognosis of the 53-year-old living legend is good since she has a noninvasive form of the disease, called ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS.

Navratilova said she had not intended to go public, but realized that she could do a lot of good letting people know about her condition and the treatment options.

Good luck, Martina!

2010 Hugo Nominations Announced

The list of nominations for the 2010 Hugo Awards has been announced and the nominees for best science fiction novel are:

• Boneshaker, Cherie Priest (Tor)
• The City & The City, China Miéville (Del Rey; Macmillan UK)
• Julian Comstock: A Story of 22nd-Century America, Robert Charles Wilson (Tor)
• Palimpsest, Catherynne M. Valente (Bantam Spectra)
• Wake, Robert J. Sawyer (Ace; Penguin; Gollancz; Analog)
• The Windup Girl, Paolo Bacigalupi (Night Shade)

Interestingly, three of these books are also on the 2010 Nebula Awards list: The City & The City, Boneshaker and The Windup Girl. The only one of the nominees that I have read is The City & The City and I am a huge fan of Miéville, if not this particular book. I adored Robert Charles Wilson's Spin but have not been able to finish a single book of his since, even though at this point he must be considered a perennial nominee (I didn't get past page 50 of Julian Comstock before gratefully returning it to the library). The description of Robert J. Sawyer's Wake sounds like it will be the only other Hugo nominee that I will be attempting to read in the near future. I've read his Hominids series and he seems to be better at ideas than implementation.

The City & The City is turning out to be the most highly acclaimed speculative fiction book of the past year, having been nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, British Science Fiction Award and Arthur C. Clarke Award and according to Mark at Walker of Worlds has just won the BSFA. Since he's a Brit he can't be nominated for the Pulitzer but perhaps he'll get shortlisted for The Man Booker? Has any speculative fiction scaled such critical heights before?

Videos Encouraging LGBT Census Participation

Jerry Brown Turns 72 Today

Happy 72nd Birthday, Jerry Brown!

AB 2199 Passes Public Safety Committee Vote

Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal's AB 2199 (Repeal of Discriminatory Code) has been getting press recently because it has focused attention on the fact that the California Legal Code still contains vestiges of patently discriminatory language against homosexuality.

The text of the bill is:

An act to repeal Section 8050 of the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to mental health.

 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2199, as introduced, Bonnie Lowenthal. Sexual deviation:
research.
Existing law requires the State Department of Mental Health,
acting through the superintendent of the Langly Porter Clinic, to
plan, conduct, and cause to be conducted scientific research into the
causes and cures of sexual deviation, including deviations conducive
to sex crimes against children, and the causes and cures of
homosexuality, and into methods of identifying potential sex
offenders.
This bill would repeal those provisions.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1.  Section 8050 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is
repealed. 
8050.  The State Department of Mental Health, acting through the
superintendent of the Langley Porter Clinic, shall plan, conduct, and
cause to be conducted scientific research into the causes and cures
of sexual deviation, including deviations conducive to sex crimes
against children, and the causes and cures of homosexuality, and into
methods of identifying potential sex offenders.  

On Tuesday AB 2199 passed out of the Public Safety Committee of the Assembly with all Democrats except Anthony Portantino (AD-44) voting for the bill and the Republicans merely voting present (which has to be regarded as an improvement on Republicans generally voting no on any legislation Equality California sponsors).

Anyway, the bill moves on to the Assembly floor, where presumably openly gay Speaker of the Assembly John Pérez will ensure its passage, and the official call to cure homosexuals and treat them in the same way as "sexual deviants" and people who commit "sex crimes against children" will be relegated to the shameful past of The Great State of California.

Remember Carl Walker-Hoover!

One year ago today Carl Walker-Hoover killed himself as a result of intolerable bullying. Since then his mother Sirdeaner Walker has become an advocate for anti-bullying legislation.

In the year since then: Sirdeaner Walker has become a national advocate against bullying, appearing on Oprah, Ellen and AC 360, as well as testifying before Congress. Walker has also championed Massachusetts' proposed anti-bullying legislation. The state House and Senate recently passed anti-bullying bills and it's now in conference committee for final approval. Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to sign that bill later this month and Walker says she's planning to be at his desk when he does it.

You can take action by supporting the federal Safe Schools Improvement Act, H.R. 2262.

hat/tip to Rod 2.0 and Wonder Man.

AD-43: One Week Until Election Day

Hans Johnson, president of Progressive Victory; Mike Gatto, Democratic Party-endorsed candidate for California's 43rd Assembly seat; Luis Lopez, president of HONOR PAC; and Jimmie Woods Gray, UTLA and former chair of the L.A. County Democratic Party

It's one week until the special primary election in the 43rd Assembly district to replace Paul Krekorian. The two main candidates are Mike Gatto (who MadProfessah and the CA Democratic Party has endorsed) and Nayiri Nahabedian (who the Stonewall Democratic Club has endorsed).

The above picture was taken at an event (in the district) at the site of The Black Cat, a gay bar in Silverlake steeped in Los Angeles pre-Stonewall gay history which now houses Le Barcito.

Hans Johnson was one of the primary organizers for an LGBT fundraiser for Mike Gatto which raised over $4000 for the candidate. Luis Lopez, president of the leading Latino LGBT political organization in the state is Johnson's domestic partner and Jimmie Woods Gray is with the United Teachers of Los Angeles.

The picture demonstrates that teachers and "teh gays" are supporting Mike in the race to fill the 43rd Assembly District. If you live in Glendale, Burbank, Silverlake, Atwater Village, you should too!

ACTION: Vote for Rock For Equality Video!

The above video is one of 15 finalists in the YouTube's Nonprofit DoGooder Video Awards. The winning video will be featured on the homepage of YouTube.com. The video, called "What Kind Of Planet Are We On?," merges science fiction with a story about the heartbreak of the surviving spouse of a same-sex couple (even legally married ones) being denied access to federal social security benefits thanks to the Defense of Marriage Act, just because of the gender of the recipients.

VOTE NOW!

LAT/USC Poll Shows 52-40% Marriage Support

Buried in the recesses of the new poll from The Los Angeles Times/USC is this little nugget of information that for the second time in two weeks indicates that a majority of Californians support marriage equality.

52% of respondents (40% strongly, 12% not so strongly) answer Yes to the question "Do you think that same-sex couples should be allowed to become legally married in the state of
California?" while just 40% (32% strongly, 8% not so strongly) answer No.

This is the first time I have seen strong supporters of marriage equality outnumber the strong opponents. This poll was conducted March 23-30th by phone of 1515 registered voters leaving a margin of error of ± 2.6 percentage points, which means the lead for marriage equality is real. In this same poll it shows a lead for Meg Whitman over Jerry Brown of 44 to 42 points.

I'd like to see one more poll showing majority support for marriage equality before I would be confident saying that california voters are in favor of equality for same-sex couples.

Eye Candy: Ike Love

More stunning photographic work from Carlos Arias. The model is Ike Love, a straight, "ethnically ambiguous" 29-year-old from Brooklyn, NY. Ike is another find by David Dust.

Newsflash! The President is Black

President Barack Obama filled out his census form and let The New York Times know that he completed the race portion as "Black."

A White House spokesman confirmed that Mr. Obama, the son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, checked African-American on the 2010 census questionnaire.

The president, who was born in Hawaii and raised there and in Indonesia, had more than a dozen options in responding to Question 9, about race. He chose “Black, African Am., or Negro.”

[...]

Mr. Obama could have checked white, checked both black and white, or checked the last category on the form, “some other race,” which he would then have been asked to identify in writing.

There is no category specifically for mixed race or biracial.

MadProfessah also checked the "Black, African Am. or Negro" answer to the race question. I find it interesting that President Obama wouldn't use this opportunity to promote his multiracial heritage by including his Black and White heritage. I wonder if recent complaints from Black politicians that the President has not done enough to help African Americans through the recent financial hardships influenced the President's decision on this question.

Clijsters Stops Venus' Winning Streak

Kim Clijsters beat Venus Williams 6-2,6-1 in less than an hour to win the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open, stopping the American's winning streak at 15.

Obama Approval Rating By Race

Courtesy Five Thirty Eight.

Celebrity Friday: James Clement

James Clement was voted off of the latest edition of Survivor: Heroes v. Villains last week, a few days after sustaining a serious injury to his knee which drastically limited his mobility. Of course I noticed immediately that he has one of the most beautiful physiques ever to appear on Survivor, but he was pretty unlucky this time and did not even make it as far as the merge this time. Surprisingly, the Heroes team is having larger problems with ego and losing numerous challenges to the Villains. I'm not sure if I'll continue watching the show now that the primary eye candy is gone.

Venus v. Bartoli, All-Belgian Duel in Miami Semis

In a remake of the 2007 Wimbledon final, Venus Williams will face Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli in one semifinal while Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin will battle in the other at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

Henin leads their career head-to-head rivalry 12-11 but Clijsters beat Henin in a nailbiting 3rd set tiebreaker in Brisbane earlier this year.

Venus and Bartoli have only ever played twice, with Maid Marion earning revenge for her Wimbledon loss on the hard courts of Stanford last year by beating Venus in a 3-set final.

I predict a Venus-Henin final...