President Obama: Liberal...or Conservative?

Humour Files: Another Trickle-Down Theory

Second image c/o Political Loudmouth.

The Wrap-Up: December 30, 2011

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

Apparently, Rick Perry was too proud to ask for details of the court case he was asked about so that he could answer the person's question (instead of blathering on). By the way, the case in question was Lawrence v Texas...which took place during HIS administration (2003). Can he remember anything?

Michele Bachmann's former Iowa campaign chair is endorsing someone else. How the "mighty" have fallen.

Conversely, Rick Santorum may be seeing his time in the Sun.

This is unfortunate timing since Santorum is "peaking" as we approach the Iowa caucuses. This man wants to fundamentally change the United States Constitution.

Sir Ian McKellen (you be the judge)

Some people are so adamantly homophobic that they will even destroy church property as a result.

Former/current congressional Republicans are coming forward to say that Newt Gingrich supported a measure that many conservatives see as exploding the national debt. So much for being for smaller government. 

Also, in Gingrich flip-floppery, Cap-and-Trade!

Ron Paul has been touting an endorsement from a preacher that is so anti-gay that he supports the death penalty for gay people. Ironically, I always thought that Paul bore a striking resemblance to Sir Ian McKellen.

Whichever Republican winds up winning the GOP nomination, there is this significant problem they will face in their battle against President Obama. I would guess that the GOP debates had an affect.

Andy Towle

Cardinal Francis George, after editing previous statements, has reiterated his analogy between parades for Gay Pride and Ku KluxKlan marches. This man is a general failure and luckily, Illinois Catholics aren't buying his snake oil.

Truth Wins Out will be running this strongly worded full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune calling for George to resign.

And lastly, Towleroad takes a look at the past year in LGBT rights.

The Wrap-Up: December 29, 2011

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

I'm really glad that I don't live in Iowa with less than a week to go until the state's caucuses.

I have to wonder why Michele Bachmann is squirming away (to a degree) from the anti-gay stances that have made her a darling of the Republican base.

A Tennessee Christian school is going to some extreme lengths to purge itself of all things gay. Even saying the word could get you in trouble.

One would think that after what happened to Congresswoman Gabby Giffords this year, people would think twice about using this type of imagery for political gains. Apparently not.

Cardinal Francis George

The North Carolina Psychological Association lays out, in no uncertain terms, the damage that would be done if the state's propose anti-marriage equality amendment were to pass.

In other North Carolinian homophobia, a Gay-Straight Alliance (though not the kind associated with schools) faced a protest last month. Here is what some of those "kind-hearted" protestors had to say.

Bank of America is paying up big because of allegations of racial discrimination. 

A Catholic Cardinal offers a poor explanation of his comparison of pride parades and the Ku Klux Klan.

A gay Ugandan man is facing deportation back to his homeland. In case you haven't heard, they don't handle homosexuality very well over there.

Former Spanish PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero

It's nice to see how much these multi-millionaires/billionaires care about their fellow Americans. Have mentioned that I'm big on sarcasm? Seriously though, the title of this article is pretty epic (and accurate).

The former Prime Minister of Spain reflects proudly on his nations' recognition of marriage equality.

The Huffington Post runs down the top LGBT viral videos of 2011.

And lastly, Rick Santorum continues to be a joke. Seriously, the color was just unfortunate for him.

Freedom

The Wrap-Up: December 28, 2011

Michelle Obama

Many of the world's worst people met their ends this year.

The assault on voting rights claims another victim.

It's incredibly ironic and hypocritical that the people claiming that Michelle Obama (known in part for her beauty and fitness) is fat are a bunch of overweight men who need to be banned from all fast food joints. What gentlemen they are...

A lot is being said about Ron Paul, these claims of racism/homophobia, and whether or not he wrote the articles in question. Here is an interesting take on all of this.

Lucille Ball

Signs may be showing up that Rick Santorum will drop out of the race after Iowa.

In case you aren't aware, there is a pretty substantial de facto "Gay Tax" on same-sex couples (which is even higher for those raising kids). Mysteriously, all of those tax-cutting Republicans are silent on this issue.

Mitt Romney came up with a far better (and more appropriate) metaphor for Newt Gingrich's Virginia failure than Newt's "Pearl Harbor" comment.

Governor Nikki Haley (R-SC)

The New Hampshire legislature is pushing back a possible vote on (among other things) repealing marriage equality in the state...but just barely.

In a hypothetical match-up against Barack Obama, Newt Gingrich's prospects are looking increasingly bleak.

There is yet even more bad news for Gingrich as he has been quoted as supporting Mitt Romney's health care plan (which many conservatives see as the foundation of Obama's health care plan).

With 2012 being a big election year, there are some people who will be looking to make their political mark.

And lastly, Ron Paul thinks everything is unconstitutional.

Ron Paul's Gay Bathroom Phobia

In case you didn't know, Ron Paul is a doctor...but maybe not a good one.

The Wrap-Up: December 27, 2011

Governor Rick Snyder (R-MI)

That endorsement that Rick Santorum got from an Iowa conservative leader may have been bought...because that is what God would do I suppose.

Governor Rick Snyder (R-MI) makes it clear that he does not care about the health of the LGBT community.

Across the border in Minnesota, Governor Mark Dayton had something to say about the "sanctity of marriage" hypocrisy in that states' legislature (the state has a proposed constitutional marriage equality ban on the ballot next November).

If you're wondering what exactly they're talking about, this article gives you the low-down, as well as a reaction from Minnesota's LGBT community on the second page (which is pretty awesome).

Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA)

If marriage equality existed throughout this nation, heartless stories like this would not happen.

Though it may not pass (and even if it does, it's a half measure), a West Virginia delegate is taking a shot at passing a civil unions bill in the coming year.

There are some not-so-good polling numbers coming out of Virginia for Eric Cantor (a Virginia congressman and the House's #2 Republican).

The New York Republican Senators who voted in favor of marriage equality there have received mainly positive feedback.

John Lawrence, as in "Lawrence v. Texas" (which in 2003 ruled that anti-sodomy laws in the U.S are unconstitutional) passed away this past Friday.

Newt Gingrich

Mitt Romney falsely claims that the Obama administration has not created any jobs. Then again, he also falsely claimed that corporations are people, so his "facts" are less than stellar.

Australian psychologists, just like their American counterparts, agree that access to marriage equality leads to better mental health outcomes. 20,000 shrinks can't be wrong.

Newt Gingrich may have gotten caught in another lie. One would think he would get tired of this...

And lastly, here is a clip of Ron Paul discussing some of his fellow candidates on Jay Leno.

Twitter Watch: All I Want For Christmas

Yesterday, Christmas Day, I sent out this relatively innocuous tweet:

No big deal right? It doesn't really take a genius to figure out what I was talking about: marriage rights, anti-bullying laws to protect LGBT youth, employment discrimination protections, adoption equality, etc. Apparently, someone took exception and decided to reply with these tweets which just scream holiday cheer and good will towards men:

I'll address each one of these responses separately (and in reverse order).

#3: People who are against marriage equality tend to lump same-sex marriage in with (in this case) polygamy. Polygamy is an issue that should be debated on its own merits (or lack thereof, whichever the case may be) and has its own intricacies and problems that set it apart from an arrangement between 2 people. This is pretty much a straw-man situation this guy is setting up (if you don't know what a straw-man is, here is a description) to try to deflect from the actual issue that was raised: marriage rights for same-sex couples...emphasis here in the word COUPLES.

#2: There are several things wrong here. First, (false) words are being put in my mouth. For the record, my view on marriage is that if the government is going to recognize an arrangement between two consenting people of legal age and capacity, there is zero reason to keep same-sex couples out of this legal arrangement. Second, acceptance is something that can not be forced. It either comes from compassion and empathy, or it doesn't happen at all (apparently, the respondent is in the latter situation, which says much about him/her). No one is trying to force people to accept gays, we're just trying to get the law to accept gays (and America is, after all, a nation of laws, not a nation of men). Third, it assumes that when we're talking about rights, we're talking about a zero sum game. This is only true if one makes it so. There are many people on the other side of this issue who see it as all-or-nothing and gay people having any rights is seen by them as a loss of their own rights. They are categorically unwilling to see LGBT people as equals in any way. Only our abject subjugation will suit them. Relegating people to second class citizenship is not a right, nor is it an American value.

#1: To clarify it's actually 70+ nations that ban homosexuality (I forget where I heard that so I can't cite it offhand). Regardless, saying that the U.S. is better on this issue than other countries (or better than this country has been in the past) does not address the fact that there are still massive amounts of homophobia today in America. When kids are getting bullied by their peers to the point that they despair of life, when someone can be fired merely for being LGBT, when parents are throwing their kids out just for being gay, and so forth, we have lots of problems. The responder has set the bar extremely low to the point it may as well not even exist. While it's certainly a good thing that you can't be jailed solely because of being LGBT (unlike most of Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere), we should raise the bar higher than that. 

If America is going to live up to the promise of being the land of the free where there is liberty and justice for all, then equal rights (in this specific case for the LGBT community) are a must. Anything less, and everything that millions have fought and died for (whether in the streets in America or on battlefields abroad) is naught but hollow words. Personally, I would not have it so.

Marriage News Watch: December 26, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

The Wrap-Up: December 23, 2011

This is Rick Santurom's version of surging according to his supporters.

North Carolina's House Speaker was challenged by a UNC-Chapel Hill student over the state's proposed constitutional marriage equality ban.

Most (about 70%) of Senator Jim DeMint's (R-SC) deficit reduction plan takes aim at the poor.

House Republicans are not playing nice with Senate Republicans in an effort to extend the payroll tax-cut.

The United States Department of Justice is finally entering the right side of the fight on the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.

Every time one of these GOP candidates rises to the top, a damning event from their past rears its ugly head. It's Ron Paul's turn.

Scott Arnold, the gay man that Newt Gingrich told he should vote for Obama, made an appearance on the Ed Show.

It has been a year since the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell was signed and, surprise surprise, none of the doomsday scenarios of yet materialized.

Speaking of DADT's repeal, NBC Nightly News talked to some soldiers in Afghanistan, gay and straight, about how life has been since the repeal has gone into effect.

A teaser has come out for the HBO film "Game Change" based on a book by the same title. It seriously seems like the trailer for a disaster film

And lastly, Zach Wahls, of YouTube fame for speaking in front of the Iowa legislature on marriage equality, brings us a video that would warm anyone's heart...except Rick Santorum's I'm sure.

I hope everyone out there has a happy holiday and, so I don't get accused of waging war, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

The Religious Wrong: Bad Advice About A Gay Son

These being statements by Pat Robertson pretty much means that they are full of factual inaccuracies.

#1 It has been shown that reparative "therapy," which he is tacitly advocating (gotta read between the lines folks), has an adverse on people's mental/emotional well-being. On the other hand, I'm reminded of a story where two men met at one of these reparative "therapy" places and ended up getting married, so maybe they aren't 100% bad (just 99.99999% bad).

#2 There are no reputable studies that show that reparative "therapy" actually works. Quite the contrary actually.

#3 While science has not come to a conclusion as to what causes/influences sexual orientation, the science that we have thus far points demonstrably towards biological factors (primarily during pregnancy). In others words, it isn't a choice. It isn't acquired and thus cannot be "unacquired." What exactly is he basing his (false) opinion that homosexuality is acquired on? One word: IGNORANCE.

I have said it before and I'll say it again: why do people listen to RWNJ's like Robertson? I guess that's a mystery God is keeping to himself.

The Wrap-Up: December 22, 2011

Senator Scott Brown (R-MA)

In an effort to keep his Senate seat, Scott Brown (R-MA) appears to be backing away from his previous Tea Party positions.

Rick Santorum was asked (and no this is not a joke) how he could get the "gay vote."

Newt Gingrich, on the other hand, has a very different perspective on the "gay vote."

Speaking of Newt, some people REALLY don't like him...like the guy at the top of this video.

Stirring up the fight against Newt Gingrich, yet again, is Ron Paul with a full-court press (I don't actually watch basketball, so I hope that metaphor works).

Conservatives are none too happy with how Republicans (House Republicans in particular) are handling the payroll tax cut.

Matt Damon

Despite Obama's improved approval numbers, there is one of his early high-profile supporters that has some strong criticism of the President: Matt Damon.

Establishment Republicans are going to some extreme lengths to downplay the possibility/importance of a win by Ron Paul in the Iowa Caucuses.

Media Matters counts down the 10 stupidest "Fox & Friends" moments of 2011. I honestly have no idea how they narrowed it down to ten with all of the material they had.

Totally overrated Chuck Norris pinned an op-ed FOR the "American Family Association." I'll never understand why he was ever famous.

Today in awesome anti-Scott Walker signs...

Openly LGBT elected officials are in office in almost every state of the union.

And lastly, a bi-partisan group made this video to speak against the Republican-led move by the New Hampshire state legislature to repeal marriage equality:

The Religious Wrong: Faith Battles

I can think of many reasons not to vot for Mitt Romney. He's two-faced. He's a panderer. He's a corporate lackey. He's against equality. The list goes on and on (and on). Honestly, however, I couldn't give two craps about him being Mormon. That in and of itself means nothing to me, nor should it mean anything to anyone with a grain of common sense or common decency. There shouldn't be a "what is his/her religion" question when people go to the polls. People should vote on the records and words of political candidates.

I also have to take issue with the statement that there are aspects of Mormon doctrine that are "unelectable." It's not that I disagree with the statement because anyone who is hardline Mormon may thus be unfit to serve (though I don't believe this includes Romney). It's that the guy who said this is implying that the same is not true about Christian candidates when it comes to Christian doctrine. Look at how bad the reaction was to Rick Perry's "Strong" ad. He is a very devout Christian (probably a more devout Christian than Romney is a devout Mormon I would guess), but that is in part why many deem HIM unfit to serve: because people don't like how he clings to certain doctrines (read: interpretations) of Christianity as well as his religious fervor. The same goes with Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann. Too much religion, not enough substance (especially in Bachmann's case).

There is also the fact that EVERYONE knows this man is a Mormon. Despite this, he has been a constant #1 or #2 in the GOP polls over the course of several months nationally while others have risen and fallen, including some of those devout Christians. The speaker in this video patently ignores this fact. If his religion is such a huge negative, why has he kept polling so high? I'm not saying there aren't people who won't support him because of his religion specifically, I'm simply saying that those people are a minority, even among Republicans.

As Jonathan Capehart mentioned in the Washington Post this week, we're electing a President, not a pope.

Broken Government: Legal Insider Trading

The Wrap-Up: December 21, 2011

Jonathan Capehart

Jonathan Capehart pinned an op-ed discussing how some in the GOP (*cough* Rick Perry *cough*) think we're electing a pope instead of a president.

Members of the Pennsylvania state legislature have formed an LGBT Equality Caucus.

First the "Family Research Council" gives Rep. Joe "Deadbeat Dad" Walsh (he owes $117,00 in child support) a family award, and now the "American Family Association" supports Newt "Serial Adulterer" Gingrich in his GOP nomination bid. If it wasn't official before, it certainly is now: these groups have zero interest in families.

A Wisconsin Supreme Court justice is on the hot seat when it was discovered he received free services from Gov. Scott Walker AND ruled in Walker's favor on his anti-union law. I'm thinking this surprises no one.

Former Half-Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK)

Politifact's "Lie of the Year" goes to congressional Democrats. I guess Republicans can't win it all the time.

The scourge unleashed upon us by John McCain (a.k.a. Sarah Palin) continues to tease her supporters about a possible 2012 run. They honestly need to give up on her because she's just doing it for attention and money.

Yale and Columbia universities announced they will reimburse gay employees who pay more taxes because the federal government doesn't recognize their marriages. Of course if DoMA were repealed, this wouldn't be an issue.

President Barack Obama

In a disgusting abusive of power and strike against free speech, a Florida priest was removed while speaking (perfectly calmly and well-mannered) to a city council about someone who was forcibly removed while speaking to that city council for something the city council (apparently) got wrong. If that sentence sounded confusing, the video pretty much explains what you need to know.

Mitt Romney gave us some more evidence then he is on the side of Wall Street and not the side of Main Street.

President Obama's numbers are on the rise as Congressional Republicans' numbers are...not.

And lastly, Rick "Google" Santorum continues to unwittingly make a joke of himself.

The Wrap-Up: December 20, 2011

With just weeks until the Iowa Caucuses, things aren't looking that good for Newt Gingrich. Ron Paul on the other hand...

Speaking of the serial adulterer extraordinaire, many things about his past and his record he would rather people not know.

John McCain shared his thoughts on the death of Kim Jong Il. For once, I agree with the Arizona Senator.

There's this old saying, "It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." It seems like someone finally told this to Michele Bachmann who hasn't been answering many questions at her campaign stops. Too little, too late though.

Robert Reich

To those fighting against the anti-marriage equality amendment in Minnesota, these are the types of idiots you're fighting against. Seriously, best of luck.

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich has an offer for Barack Obama.

Brandon McInerney, the teenager who killed classmate Lawrence King for being gay, was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison. He better pray that Karma does not exist.

There are some grim predictions as to what will happen if the payroll tax-cut expires.

I'm not done with Newt yet, especially given that he racked up another endorsement...from a pro-adultery website.

Mark Cuban

The Florida Family Association, which apparently got Lowes to stop advertising on "All American Muslim" claimed some other advertising victories including getting Macy's to pull ads from "Degrassi" (a Canadian shows that has tackled LGBT issues). Macy's, however, is calling them on their BS. Another religious organization caught in a lie.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban talks about gays in the NBA (among other things).

And lastly, here is something to warm your heart as Winter approaches.

this is our year. from Joe M on Vimeo. (h/t Towleroad)

The Religious Wrong: The Gay Security Risk

In psychology, they say that often times when someone a certain issue but has a difficult time dealing with it, they project those faults and problems onto others (it's called projection). In other words,Bryan Fischer doesn't need to be handling a radio show (that for some reason people listen to), HE. NEEDS. HELP!!!

Also, even if he said about gay people being mentally/emotionally stable were true, maybe that wouldn't be the case if we weren't subject to discrimination, demonization, and demagoging. He's would b pointing out the symptom (instability) but conveniently failing to mention that he and people who espouse that adamant ignorance are the real problem.

Of course, however, Bryan is full of crap.

Marriage News Watch: December 19, 2011

The Wrap-Up: December 19, 2011

Saturday night saw another GOP presidential debate, which means more factual inaccuracies (I'm looking at you Michele Bachmann).

This report on the failing health of Etta James makes me sad. I decided a long time ago that "At Last" will be playing at my wedding reception. Again, about that so-called defense of marriage thingy...

It's pretty amazing that an anti-bullying measure, which also protects based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, was passed in West Virginia of all places...and here is how it happened.

A bi-national couple's deportation case has been dropped by the Immigration & Customs Enforcement. Of course, if DoMA were repealed (or never existed), these types of cases would not be necessary. Christmas just got a lot better for these guys.

Elizabeth Warren

Another GOP family values, anti-gay politician gets caught. This happens so much that it's really news when it DOESN'T happen.

Here is yet another dose of GOP family values hypocrisy. When will they learn? Honestly... P.S. I swear I'm taking joy in this. It's actually rather sad when you think of these people's families and such.

I have been supporting Elizabeth Warren (in case you haven't noticed) because of her work on financial reform but wondered where she stood on LGBT issues. She answered that question.

That gay soldier who was booed at the Tea Party debate is getting a much better response from his comrades. Seriously, I wouldn't mess with a guy with biceps like that even if he was a million miles away.

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)

A California gay rights group has gotten the go ahead to start collecting signatures to repeal Proposition 8. The clock is now ticking...

Further proving that there is hope in the next generation, even young Republicans are on-board with LGBT equality, including marriage equality.

Also in evolving views, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who originally voted FOR DoMA, is now supporting the Respect for Marriage Act (which would repeal DoMA).

And lastly, "Absolutely Fabulous" takes on the Kardashians.

Tim Tebow's War on Christmas

The Wrap-Up: December 16, 2011

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins

Apparently, U.S. postal offices have a ban on Christmas caroling. Cue the outrage from Tony Perkins.

A Virginia board has officially given adoption agencies license to discriminate based on, among many other things, sexual orientation.

It was reported earlier this week that most of NOM's money comes from a handful of large donors (making it NOT a grassroots organization). That, combined with other financial issues, has apparently pressed NOM to plead for more donations.

Those controversial provisions of the NDAA may have been insisted on by President Obama.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin

Tax holidays, which politicians propose in order to help with job creation, don't create jobs. Ad this to the list of things Republicans don't know about economics, as if the list wasn't already a mile long.

The European Union is  not looking to kindly on some anti-LGBT moves made by Russia. 

Herman Cain thinks he would be a great Secretary of Defense. I get that he ran Godfather's Pizza, but seriously...

Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA)

Do you know anyone with homophobic parents? Do you have homophobic parents? Have them give this a read.

Republicans beware! Anti-incumbent sentiment is at an historic high. 

What does Governor Jerry Brown (D-CA) have to say about climate change deniers?

And lastly, Jon Stewart took aim at Lowes, TLC, the Florida Family Association, and Islamophobia on "The Daily Show."

The Wrap-Up: December 15, 2011

President Barack Obama

The White House has rescinded its threat to veto the National Defense Authorization Act, despite many terrible provisions that are patently un-Constitutional.

Canadians are being warned that their nation may be striped of its progressive accomplishments by the Tories (conservatives), including (but not limited to) marriage equality.

If Lowes removed its ads from TLC's "All-American Muslim" to avoid controversy, the scope of its failure seems to grow by the day.

The Florida "Family" Association, the organization claiming credit for getting Lowes to drop its ads in "All-American Muslim," has quite a long list of complaints.

Donald Trump

The video I posted yesterday about Virginia chapters of the Tea Party and Occupy Richmond meeting was based on an article from Salon.com which can be found here.

Not only are most of the GOP candidates not showing up to Donald Trump's debate, he isn't showing up either.

Rick Santorum says he is right where he wants to be in this GOP race. Someone should tell him that political campaigns don't work like golf scores.

 

A GOP led effort to pass a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution failed on Wednesday 47-53 (it needed 2/3 to pass). A similar measure had already failed in the House.

Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) made a few surprising admissions on liberals and the debt in a Wednesday appearance on C-SPAN.

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC)

What constitutes blocking a president's nominee to be an ambassador? If You're Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), denouncing homophobia. This of course says more about DeMint than it says about the nominee.

West Virginia has included sexual orientation and gender identity/expression in the state's anti-bullying policy.

And lastly, Mitt Romney has just nabbed the wiccan-demographic.

The Wrap-Up: December 14, 2011

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)

Someone needs to make Lowes aware that an apology where you do NOT admit any wrong-doing doesn't count as an apology.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) took some time out of his busy schedule to tell us what millionaire job-creators and unicorns have in common. Though that probably sounds like a dig on Reid, what he said his pretty much on point.

Members of Occupy Wall Street will be meeting with the Congressional Progressive Caucus this week. Hopefully this is the beginning of this movement having a more concrete effect on policy-making.

The parents of Tyler Clementi made an appearance on NBC to talk about what happened with their son.

According to their own financial records, the so-called National Organization for Marriage is more astro-turf than grassroots.

Mahlon Mitchell

Political gay-bashing just doesn't have the pay-off it once had (not even for conservative Republicans), as Rick Perry is finding out.

A contender may be emerging in Wisconsin to fight against Governor Scott Walker who is being recalled, but the race is still shaping up.

If you're wondering why Congress gets nothing done, it's because we have Senators talking about bestiality. This waste of time is brought to you by James Inhofe (R-OK).

Liberty here in the United States is taking a lot of hits at the hands of Congress.

National Public Radio takes a look at Mitt Romney's talking out of both sides of his mouth gay rights problem.

Sgt. Garon (right) with Mitt Romney

The gay Vietnam veteran (Army Sgt. Robert Garon) who confronted Mitt Romney on marriage equality spoke to MSNBC's Thomas Roberts about the encounter.

A lesbian couple, with their two daughters, talked to the mayor of Troy, Michigan (who started a firestorm with homophobic comments made on FaceBook) in a city council meeting. Judging by the audience response, I'm pretty sure I know what they think of the mayor.

And lastly, AfterElton takes a look at the year's most memorable LGBT quotes, from bitter to the sweet, the funny to the down-right strange.