More Crumbling Infrastructure

Marriage News Watch: November 5, 2012

Bill & Melinda Gates Donate $500,000 For Equality

From Komo News:

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Bill and Melinda Gates have donated $500,000 to the campaign to uphold the state's gay marriage law.

The donation was announced Tuesday by Washington United for Marriage, which is working to approve Referendum 74. The donation was made on Oct. 15, but didn't publicly post online with the Public Disclosure Commission until Tuesday. Referendum 74 asks voters to either approve or reject the law allowing same-sex marriage that was passed by the Legislature earlier this year.

Bill Gates had made a $100,000 contribution to the campaign earlier this year.

About $11 million has been spent on the campaign so far, with a bulk of it spent by gay marriage supporters. Washington United for Marriage has far outraised its opponents, bringing in nearly $11 million compared to the more than $2 million raised so far by Preserve Marriage Washington, which opposes the law.

A poll released last week showed that 56.3 percent of registered voters back gay marriage in the state, compared to 35.6 percent who oppose it, with 6.1 percent undecided.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg Pledges $500k to Support Equality

From Towleroad:

The Mayor pledged $250,000 to Washington United for Marriage, $125,000 to Mainers United for Marriage and $125,000 to Minnesotans United for All Families. The pledges will help each group raise additional money by matching new contributions made in the homestretch of the campaign. If the challenge is successful, it will raise $1 million for the cause of marriage equality in the three states.

“Government has no business denying marriage licenses to a whole class of couples in Maine, Minnesota, Washington or anywhere else,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The 14th Amendment guarantees us all equal protection under the law, and marriage equality is the next big step in America’s long march of freedom. The barriers to it are bound to fall; the question is not if but when. I was proud to help support the successful effort to achieve marriage equality in New York State, and I’m proud to stand with supporters of marriage equality around the country this November.”

Marriage News Watch: October 8, 2012

Marriage News Watch: September 17, 2012

Marriage News Watch: September 3, 2012

Marriage News Watch: July 30, 2012

The Wrap-Up: July 3, 2012

CNN is having all kinds of problems (besides the whole Supreme Court debacle that is).

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), who pretty much insulted the memory of Matthew Shepard virtually to the face of his mother, went on a tear against "Obamacare" on Twitter.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) talks about her experience with sexism in politics.

Even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) thinks repealing the Affordable Care Act is an uphill battle. I'm sure that won't stop the GOP from trying.

What may the future hold for Evangelical churches as the next generation sees growing support for LGBT equality?

Despite touting his education initiatives as Governor, Romney's impact has been dubbed "inconsequential."

The founders of Microsoft have each given $100,000 to support Washington state's recognition of marriage equality. Sounds like time for "One Million" Moms to get angry...again.

And lastly, another Latino civil rights organization has announced its support of marriage equality.

Oh, and apparently some news guy came out yesterday...or whatever.

Marriage News Watch: June 18, 2012

Marriage News Watch: June 11, 2012

Marriage News Watch: June 4, 2012

The Wrap-Up: May 11, 2012

Marriage equality opponents in Washington state have said they have almost half of the signatures needed to put marriage equality on the ballot.

Here are some...not so nice...reactions to President Obama's announcement supporting marriage equality.

House Speaker John "cry me a river" Boehner wants the President to focus on jobs, not marriage equality. Keep in mind Boehner is using taxpayer dollars to defend DoMA in the courts. Hypocrisy much?

What might this announcement say about the President's election strategy going forward?

One of the New York GOP state senators who voted for the state's marriage equality bill has announced he will not run for reelection.

It is now pretty clear why Mitt Romney has not lifted a finger against bullies: they are his people.

Here is little more on Romney's history with bullying.

Remember me saying I thought the Democratic Party most likely would not move the national convention out of North Carolina? Well, here are some reasons I may have been wrong.

And lastly, here is what people on the street had to say about President Obama's recent announcement:

The Wrap-Up: April 19, 2012

While I may not have precognitive powers, I definitely saw this one coming from miles away. There is a coalition of organizations suing against the National Defense Authorization Act because of the HUGE potential to destroy civil liberties that comes with it.

In yet another massive fit of hypocrisy, Eric Cantor and House Republicans (who are always talking about simplifying the tax code) are pushing legislation that creates more paperwork for small businesses.

There are now six Seattle churches against joining the archbishop's petition drive in an effort to overturn the recently passed marriage equality bill. This shows a growing disconnect between the Catholic hierarchy and rank-and-fill parishioners.

After having to be as far to the right as possible to get the GOP nomination, it's time for Mitt Romney to do the 2-Step back to the center.

One of the main groups being targeted by both Republicans and Democrats is the Latino population.

It is no surprise whatsoever that Republicans will use faith in their political arguments until clergy members speak against said Republicans. This is called ideological inconsistency...or just using religion as a pawn for political gain.

Personally, I don't care how many years of tax returns a candidate releases. However, the least Mitt Romney could do is give an excuse for a low number of years without including a lie.

NOM's Dump Starbucks campaign is not just a domestic flop, but an international one as well. Some people just don't realize when they are fighting the long defeat.

And lastly, a straight male student is running for Prom Queen. I feel like he will be out of his depth...at least with finding the right dress.

Marriage News Watch: April 16, 2012

The Wrap-Up: April 10, 2012

A group of Colorado football players (allegedly) beat a group of freshmen over the weekend. This is why organizations like Athlete Ally are so important.

After having already come out against North Carolina's proposed constitutional ban on marriage equality, President Obama echoes that sentiment in Minnesota, which is attempting to pass a similar law.

Did you know that Neo-Nazis are a "civil rights group?" I'm glad a Fox affiliate cleared that up for us.

Shocking absolutely no one with functioning brain cells, a report has stated that the DADT repeal has had no adverse effects.

Study after study has found that the more homophobic people are, the more likely it is that they are conflicted about their own same-sex attractions. Maybe we should start calling this "Larry Craig Syndrome."

Finally, some uncharacteristically good news on homophobia from the African continent.

Middle-class Americans have been struggling for years (many going bankrupt) while over that same period of time, lots of billion-dollar companies have paid $0 in taxes. That sounds fair...doesn't?

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) has gone from playing the House Majority leader to playing the Benedict Arnold of the GOP.

Washington state homophobes are off to a slow start. Let's hope this trend continues.

And lastly, Moveon.org gives us a great billboard.

The Wrap-Up: April 4, 2012

Mitt Romney won all three of yesterday's primaries. The results of the Wisconsin vote help to us some insight into the swing states.

Three weeks before the Pennsylvania Primary, Rick Santorum's home-state is a statistical tie.

Representative Joe Walsh (R-IL) took some time out of his busy not-paying-child-support schedule to belittle the military service of Tammy Duckworth (Walsh STILL owes $117,000 in child support).

Did you know that wearing a shirt that says "Jesus was not a homophobe" is indecent and sexual? Yeah, that's a lawsuit-inducing pant-load.

Before Rick Santorum says another word about education, he really needs to do his homework.

With Tim Tebow being so ardently religious, one sometimes wonders where he stands on LGBT issues.

One Seattle man is taking a unique approach to getting Washington conservatives on-board with marriage equality.

Mitt Romney didn't pick a great time to talk smack on fuel-efficient cars.

Exactly how successful are the sporting world's efforts to end homophobia on the field?

And lastly, President Obama goes after the GOP budget and Mitt Romney.

Marriage New Watch: March 19, 2012

The Wrap-Up: March 16, 2012

Focus on the Family has decided to make it legal to discriminate against gay people in Colorado. How...Christian of them...

Another Republican is breaking ranks on tax policy. Grover Norquist must be fuming.

Here are three things that could change the way Congress works, and I'm on board with all of them.

I've had a soft spot in my heart for the San Diego Chargers...until I read this. You can now consider me adamantly anti-Philip Rivers.

Rick Santorum to Puerto Ricans: Speak English!!! Him winning the GOP nomination is pretty much kissing the Hispanic vote goodbye.

A judge overruled the inclusion of biased language in a proposed repeal of marriage equality in Washington state.

Senator Richard Lugar apparently can't vote in the Indiana Primary because of a  residency violation. I'm wondering how he can still be the state's Senator.

Showing just how trustworthy they are, the House GOP "leadership" plans to break its word on a deal made with Democrats last year.

And lastly, a lot of celebrities have gay siblings.

The Wrap-Up: March 8, 2012

The Romney campaign's spin on Super Tuesday: the other guys should just quit.

As the FA in the U.K. makes a push to end homophobia in soccer, some of its players are being fined for homophobic tweets.

Rush Limbaugh has a new female target...

and far fewer advertisers. His implosion continues.

State Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-WI)

A Wisconsin legislator has a VERY broad definition of what constitutes child abuse...like being a single parent. Seriously, who votes for these clowns of the Earth? In a perfect world, this lunacy would ultimately result in a loss. Then again, this is the state with Scott Walker as Governor, so there's that.

A South Korean actor talks about his experience of coming out and being gay in the quite conservative nation.

As the U.N. Human Rights Council attempted to tackle anti-gay violence, some African and Muslim nations had an unfortunate reaction.

A Washington judge will have to decide if the state's recently passed/signed marriage equality bill "redefines" marriage. Ah, the intricacies of law.

And lastly, this is what happens when people who are SUPPOSED to be on Lithium go without: