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Court Rules In Favor Of Gay Couple, Says Government Can't Deny Health Benefits

2012-02-23T01:32:39Z

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge in San Francisco ruled Wednesday that the U.S. government cannot deny health benefits to the wife of a lesbian court employee by relying on the 1996 law that bars government recognition of same-sex unions.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White said that because the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutionally discriminates against same-sex married couples, the government's refusal to furnish health insurance to Karen Golinski's wife is unjustified.

"The Court finds that DOMA, as applied to Ms. Golinski, violates her right to equal protection of the law ... by, without substantial justification or rational basis, refusing to recognize her lawful marriage to prevent provision of health insurance coverage to her spouse," White wrote in a 43-page decision that marks the third time in less than two years a federal court has declared the act unconstitutional.

Golinski, a staff lawyer for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, has been trying to secure spousal benefits for her wife, Amy Cunninghis, since shortly after the couple got married during the brief window in 2008 when same-sex marriages were legal in California. Her boss, Chief Judge Alex Kozinski, approved her request, but the Office of Personnel Management ordered Golinski's insurer not to process her application.

After Golinski sued, the Department of Justice originally opposed her in court but changed course last year after President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder said they would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act.

When White heard the case in December, the head of the Justice Department's civil division, Tony West, joined her lawyers from the gay rights legal group Lambda Legal in arguing on Golinski's behalf, leaving the job of defending DOMA to a lawyer hired by a House of Representatives group. The lawyers representing the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group convened by House Speaker John Boehner did not immediately respond to an email to their offices sent after business hours Wednesday.

Former speaker and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement saying White's ruling demonstrated "that the House is not united in this case, that the BLAG lawyers do not speak for Congress, and that BLAG's intervention remains a waste of taxpayer resources."

Wednesday's ruling is the latest in an unbroken string of judicial setbacks for the Defense of Marriage Act, which Congress approved when states first started considering allowing gay and lesbian couples to get married. The law defines marriage as a union between a man and woman, and prohibits the government from granting benefits such as Social Security and Medicaid to same-sex couples.

A federal judge in Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2004, ruled in July 2010 that the law is unconstitutional because it interferes with the right of a state to define the institution. A year later, 20 of the 24 bankruptcy judges based in Los Angeles ruled that the act violated the civil rights of a married gay couple who were denied the right to file a shared bankruptcy plan.

Last week, the Obama administration said it was extending its decision to stop defending the law to issues affecting actively serving military personnel and veterans in same-sex relationships.

In ordering the government to allow Golinski to enroll her wife in a family health plan, White rejected all of the arguments the House group advanced in defense of DOMA, such as that it was necessary to foster stable unions among men and women, and for Congress to act slowly on an issue on which the public remains divided.

White's decision "acknowledges that DOMA violates the Constitution and that my marriage to Amy is equal to those marriages of my heterosexual colleagues," Golinski said. "This decision is a huge step toward equality."

Baltimore Approves Landmark Transgender Protection Bill

2012-02-22T22:26:00Z

Baltimore's approval of a controversial transgender protection bill is being praised by the LGBT community -- but not everyone is happy about its passage.

As the Baltimore Sun is reporting, the Baltimore County Council approved the legislation -- which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression and sexual orientation when it comes to housing, employment, public accommodations and financing -- 5-2, along party lines. "Whether you’re a woman, whether you’re male, whether you’re female, African-American, gay, lesbian, transgender, this bill is simple," Tom Quirk, Baltimore County Council, is quoted by CBS Baltimore as saying. "Everyone deserves to be treated fairly."

The bill's approval, the Associated Press noted, comes nearly a year after Chrissy Lee Polis, a 22-year-old transgender woman, was viciously beaten when she tried to use the restroom at a McDonald’s franchise.

The Baltimore bill, which follows similar legislation recently passed in Massachusetts, did not add a heavily debated amendment that would have specifically exempted bathrooms, locker rooms and dressing rooms, instead allowing the issue open to interpretation.

Among those who opposed the bill was Anita Schatz, a 59-year-old retired school secretary. Schatz told the Sun that she feared women would be sexually assaulted in restrooms, and that she feared what kind of world her granddaughters would face. "We just don't want them turning our children into what they are," she is quoted as saying. "It has to do with morals because parents have a right to raise their children the way they want."

Police Department May Adopt New Transgender Policy

2012-02-22T20:20:47Z

Story by Kate Sosin, courtesy of the Windy City Times:

After more than two years of pushing by local organizations, Ald. Proco Joe Moreno is poised to introduce a transgender police ordinance to the City Council next month.

According to a fact sheet put out by veteran activist Rick Garcia and Anthony Martinez, executive director of The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA), the ordinance will mandate a policy for interacting with transgender detainees and set up a mayoral-appointed commission to oversee the treatment of transgender arrestees.

"It's a human rights issue," said Moreno, who added that the ordinance is intended to address a "hole in the policy of the police of Chicago."

The policy comes after years of complaints from transgender people who have reported being harassed or misgendered by police officers.

Read the whole story here.

WATCH: Madonna's Super Bowl Performance Re-Done By Brazilian Drag Queen

2012-02-22T19:56:00Z

Didn't grab your tickets to Madonna's summer tour yet? Enjoy this fabulous video morsel from Brazil in the meantime: an inspired drag re-creation of the Material Girl's spectacular Super Bowl XLVI halftime performance.

From a glittery replica of Madge's Cleopatra-style headdress to the guest appearances by "Nicki Minaj," "M.I.A." and "LMFAO" -- not to mention the bevy of hunky gladiator dancers -- these drag queens certainly did their research.

(via Boy Culture)

Site Turns Dead Mormons Gay For All Eternity

2012-02-22T19:14:37Z

Could Mormons posthumously benefit from being converted into gay people? At least one website seems to think so.

The website All Dead Mormons Are Gay offers visitors the chance to "convert" any deceased Mormon they choose into a gay person.

The site explains:

Sadly, many Mormons throughout history have died without having known the joys of homosexuality. With your help, these poor souls can be saved.
Simply enter the name of your favorite dead Mormon* in the form below and click Convert! Presto, they're gay for eternity. There is no undo.

Don't know any dead Mormons? Click the "Choose-a-Mormon" button and we'll find one for you. You're welcome!

Considering the note at the bottom of the site that reads, "Holocaust victims are not eligible for conversion," the site is likely a reaction to news that Holocaust survivor and Jewish rights advocate Simon Wiesenthal's parents were posthumously baptized.

The Mormon church apologized for the baptism, which it said was due to the actions of an individual member of the church who has been disciplined.

Hat tip: Fark

WATCH: Rapper Erick Sermon Says Being Gay In Hip-Hop Is 'Like A Curse'

2012-02-22T18:37:00Z

Rap and hip-hop music are often characterized as being heavily chauvinistic -- and according to at least one star, that's not looking likely to change anytime soon.

In a new interview with VladTV, EPMD member Erick Sermon sounded off on the topic of homophobia in hip-hop. Though the true sexuality of many rap and hip-hop artists has long been questioned, Sermon says he feels an openly gay mainstream rapper may never exist.

"When you talk about sports players, too, like we don't know if that's ever gonna happen, 'cause that's like a curse to be in the sports and be gay and be in hip-hop and be gay," Sermon stated. "You can't be on a basketball team, football team and be homo, and be rapping...and be homo. N----s will kill you."

The star, who has been the subject of gay rumors himself, went on to note he doesn't think he's ever worked with a gay artist, and noted that he "can't even let my kid" watch TV shows on channels like MTV due to the exposure to "girl-on-girl" or "boy-on-boy" experiences.

Meanwhile, hotshot rapper Azealia Banks recently admitted to being bisexual, and while not entirely mainstream, openly gay rapper Cazwell is known for his collaborations with transgender performer Amanda Lepore and has also appeared on "RuPaul's Drag Race."

Take a look at some of our favorite gender-bending musicians below:

Outed GOP Sheriff Facing Investigation After Shocking Accusation

2012-02-22T16:40:29Z

By Mary Slosson

The Arizona Attorney General on Tuesday agreed to investigate accusations by the male lover of a tough-on-immigration sheriff alleging that the lawman threatened to deport him if he made their relationship public.

A spokeswoman for Attorney General Tom Horne said the office was opening an investigation after a request by embattled Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, who resigned as co-chairman of Mitt Romney's campaign in Arizona on Saturday over the allegations.

Babeu had asked that authorities in adjacent Gila County to investigate "allegations of human rights violations, threatening and intimidating, misuse of public resources, theft of property, theft of identity, fraud and impersonation."

But Horne stepped in and offered to lead the investigation, Horne spokeswoman Amy Rezzonico said. She said more details on the investigation would be forthcoming on Wednesday.

Babeu acknowledged during the Saturday news conference that he is gay and had a personal relationship with the man, whom he identified only as "Jose."

But the sheriff, a strong critic of the Obama administration's stance on immigration, denied that he or his lawyer threatened to deport his former lover to Mexico if he talked about their relationship.

Babeu first came to statewide prominence in 2010 when he appeared in a campaign ad for U.S. Senator John McCain calling for tough immigration measures.

The sheriff was considered a rising star in state Republican politics and a strong candidate to win the Republican nomination for a congressional seat in Arizona this year.

(Reporting By Mary Slosson; editing by Dan Whitcomb and Tim Gaynor)

Alan Simpson Assails Santorum As 'Homophobic'

2012-02-22T16:04:56Z

Former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wy.) weighed in on the Republican presidential primary on Wednesday, calling Rick Santorum "rigid and a homophobic."

In an interview with CBS News' Bob Schieffer, Simpson faulted the Republican field for making issues like same-sex marriage and reproductive rights central to their platforms, warning that they would lose favor with voters if the conversation does not change.

"I am convinced that if you get into these social issues and just stay in there about abortion and homosexuality and even mental health they bring up, somehow they're going to take us all to Alaska and float us out in the Bering Sea or something," said Simpson, long known for colorful commentary. "We won't have a prayer."

He continued, "I watch Republicans, they give each other the saliva test of purity, and then they lose and they bitch for four years."

Simpson, who said he is supporting Mitt Romney in the primary, saved his harshest criticism for Santorum.

"He is rigid and a homophobic," Simpson said. "He said, 'I want a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage,' and they said, 'Well, what about the people who are already married?' And he said, 'Well, they would be nullified.' I mean what is, what's human, what's kind about that? We're all human beings, we all know or love somebody who's gay or lesbian so what the hell is that about? To me it's startling and borders on disgust."

Now the co-chair of President Obama's debt commission, Simpson retired from the Senate in 1997 and has often been outspoken on issues concerning his party.

Last April, Simpson made similar comments about Republicans who prioritize issues like abortion and gay marriage. "I'm not sticking with people who are homophobic, anti-woman, you know, moral values while you're diddling your secretary while you're giving a speech on moral values," he said on MSNBC. "Come on. Get off of it."

When asked by Schieffer on Wednesday if he believes that Romney would be able to get through a rough primary and still stand a chance in the general election, Simpson said he believed the former Massachusetts governor could do so.

"The stuff that has come out on Romney has now been rolling for a long time," he said. "Now, Santorum is caught in the roll. He hasn't had the searchlight on him. Every time the searchlight falls -- on Cain, or Newt, or whoever, you know the emperor's riding nekkid [sic] down the street."

Watch the full interview:

Look through more of Simpson's history of colorful statements below:

WATCH: Daniel Radcliffe's New LGBT Youth Clip Premieres

2012-02-22T15:55:00Z

Daniel Radcliffe continues to express his dedication to gay rights and anti-bullying causes with a Trevor Project public service announcement, which aired after a controversial episode of "Glee."

"I believe reaching out for help is the bravest thing a person can do," the "Harry Potter" star announces in the new clip.

Radcliffe, whose new thriller "The Woman In Black" opened earlier this month to strong reviews, also spoke out on behalf on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth in the March issue of Attitude magazine. "Gay people should have equality in law everywhere," he said. "If you grow up as a young gay man knowing you don't have the same opportunities as everyone else, you're going to feel victimized and massive prejudice towards you."

After watching Radcliffe's new clip above, check out HuffPost Gay Voices blogger Scott Wooledge's slideshow of 10 straight guys we love for supporting LGBT rights:

Girl Scouts Deny Outrageous Charge

2012-02-22T15:33:24Z

INDIANAPOLIS -- Undaunted by ridicule from the leader of his own party, an Indiana lawmaker is standing by his allegations that the Girl Scouts is a radical organization that promotes abortions and homosexuality.

The scouts and Planned Parenthood have dismissed Rep. Bob Morris' comments as absurd, as did Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma. But Morris, a Republican, told The Associated Press his critics need to do more research into the 100-year-old scouting organization.

"My family and I took a view and we're sticking by it," Morris said Tuesday, adding that his daughters were joining an alternative group for young girls run by conservative Christians. "My girls are no longer Girl Scouts. They're now going to join American Heritage Girls."

Morris' comments were the butt of jokes inside the House on Tuesday, with Bosma spending much of the day handing out Thin Mints to lawmakers. He joked that Morris' comments led him to buy hundreds of cases of the famous Girl Scout cookies.

"I purchased 278 cases of Girl Scout cookies in the last four hours," said a clearly sarcastic Bosma, who closed Tuesday's session by asking the former Girl Scouts in the chamber to stand up.

Morris' comments about the Girl Scouts came in a letter he sent to House Republicans on Saturday that said he had conducted some research on the Internet and discovered that the scouts are a "tactical arm" of Planned Parenthood.

The Girl Scouts flatly denied Morris' accusations, and Planned Parenthood of Indiana issued a separate statement calling Morris' charges "woefully inaccurate."

"On the national level, inflammatory and generally inaccurate claims about a partnership between the Girl Scouts and Planned Parenthood have been promoted primarily by anti-choice lawmakers seeking to place pressure on organizations to disassociate or distance themselves from Planned Parenthood," Betty Cockrum, the chief executive of Planned Parenthood of Indiana, said in a statement.

Morris, in his letter to lawmakers, said some Christian conservatives who share his concerns have pulled their children out of Girl Scouts. He also pointed to a Colorado Girl Scout troop's acceptance of a transgender child last month as another reason to leave the group.

___

WATCH: Does Focus On The Family's 'Day Of Dialogue' Promote Bullying Of LGBT Youth?

2012-02-22T15:21:00Z

Focus On The Family, the evangelical Christian organization known for its conservative stance on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, is promoting its controversial "Day of Dialogue" with a new video.

The clip's YouTube description notes it was produced by high school students Colin and Katie to promote the Day of Dialogue, which takes place on April 19 and "is designed to equip students to express their Biblical viewpoint in a loving and Christ-centered way -- especially when sensitive issues, like bullying and sexual identity, are addressed in their schools."

A closer look at the event's website reveals some interesting LGBT rhetoric. A section called "Responding to Challenges," for example, lists responses participants should make if an LGBT person claims they were "born that way."

"You can assure the person that you are listening to them, you hear what they are saying and you believe them when they say they have always felt this way," the site suggests. "But the fact is that nobody knows how same-sex attractions develop -- it appears to be a combination of factors (from biology to individual temperament to culture to environment). There is no proof that it is purely genetic."

On bullying: "Explain that you agree with them that bullying needs to stop and students need to all stand against it. But that when it comes to beliefs about sexuality and relationships, you turn to the Bible and your relationship for God for specific guidance. And you’d like the opportunity to have a conversation about that."

On whether homosexuality is wrong: "Politely explain that you want to be honest and open about the fact that you’re a Christian and you believe that what the Bible says about sexuality -- that it should be reserved for a man-woman marriage relationship -- is the best and most loving plan for individuals, children and society as a whole."

Susana Martinez, New Mexico Governor, Loses A Hairstylist Over Gay Marriage Stance

2012-02-22T14:53:29Z

WASHINGTON -- The frontiers of the gay marriage debate keep on expanding.

On Tuesday, Governor Susana Martinez (R-N.M.) lost a hairstylist who refused to clip her locks out of disgust with her opposition to marriage equality.

Antonio Darden, who had cut Martinez's hair on three occasions and runs Antonio's Hair Studio in Santa Fe, N.M., re-crafted the notion of civil disobedience when he declined to accept an appointment.

"The governor's aides called not too long ago, wanting another appointment to come in," Darden told a local news station. "Because of her stances and her views on this I told her aides no. They called the next day, asking if I'd changed my mind about taking the governor in and I said no again."

"I think it's just equality, dignity for everyone," Darden added. "I think everybody should be allowed the right to be together. My partner and I have been together for 15 years."

Time will tell if this the first salvo in a larger hairstylist revolt or, simply, an isolated incident. Gov. Martinez's shoulder length bob did not return a request for comment.

(Hat Tip: Think Progress)

WATCH: Jon Stewart Goes After Chris Christie

2012-02-22T13:33:37Z

Jon Stewart made good use of his "No Disrespect" impression on Tuesday night's "Daily Show," particularly when covering New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's veto of a gay marriage bill in the state.

After the New Jersey State Assembly passed a bill legalizing gay marriage last Thursday, Christie quickly vetoed it, saying he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman. Stewart didn't miss an opportunity to break out his Jersey accent and mimic the conservative Governor:

"In New Jersey, we believe marriage should be as it always was intended, between one indicted, orange-faced man and a woman with high bangs and dead eyes."

Stewart then decided to turn the tables on Christie, who doesn't seem to get the "equality" part of marriage equality. What if, instead of gay marriage, we were talking about legalizing "fat" marriage? Stewart just happened to have a carefully edited mashup to show exactly what that would sound like. Watch the clip above.

Andrej Pejic Lands First Major Fragrance Campaign

2012-02-22T12:37:09Z

We love when rumors turn out to be true -- especially good ones about Andrej Pejic. A month after a French TV reporter dropped the hint that the androgynous male model had a big beauty deal in the works, Women's Wear Daily confirms that Pejic is the face of Jean Paul Gaultier's newest fragrance.

The scent, called Kokorico, is a men's fragrance, reports Women's Wear Daily, Gaultier's first in 16 years. The product was already released in France last summer with its own ad campaign, featuring the very manly-looking male model Jon Kortajarena and two bra-clad girls.

But Andrej, who has posed in bra spots himself, will star in a new round of ads, ostensibly reaching audiences beyond France -- and perhaps beyond men.

Considering Pejic's versatility, particularly in his past work for Jean Paul Gaultier, the new Matthew Stone-lensed campaign could just as easily feature the blonde, long-haired model in a traditionally female look as a men's one. But since the fragrance is specifically a men's product, perhaps we'll get a rare glimpse of Andrej in a dapper suit?

The ads, reports WWD, were just shot last week. So keep your eyes peeled in the coming months for Pejic's first major beauty campaign... and in the meantime, read more at WWD.com and take a quick look at Pejic's past work below.

Oxford Sticks By Christian Group Which Claims To 'Cure' Homosexuality

2012-02-22T11:53:41Z

Oxford University has defended its decision to host a conference held by a Christian group who previously claimed they could "cure" homosexuality.

Christian Concern is holding a five-day event at Exeter College next month, which has angered students and gay rights campaigners at the university.

A letter written by a student sparked the barrage of complaints, according to the Daily Mail.

Now, Stonewall, a gay rights group, has condemned the decision made by the college, saying "gay students and many Christians will be deeply offended" by the group's appearance.

But Oxford has refused to cancel the conference, organised by the college's governing body, saying it was not "commercially viable" to do so at this stage.

The rector of Exeter College, Frances Cairncross, said she was "especially dismayed that we should come under attack".

"The college and its governing body have always worked hard to ensure that its members of all sexual orientations felt safe here and secure from any hostility."

A spokesperson for the university said it is important to note there is a gay and lesbian community within the college which has supported the institution.

A statement from the LGBTQ community of Exeter college said it is "extremely welcoming towards its LGBTQ staff and students.

"Through its appointments to important positions and its actions in the past, Exeter has demonstrated its support for the LGBTQ community both in Exeter and the wider University.”

The spokesperson for Oxford University added the college is hosting a dinner for gay and lesbian members across the university.

"It has a very strong record for providing a safe environment for those members. There is no evidence the conference will be discussing homosexuality," she told The Huffington Post UK.

The university is now currently reviewing the basis which it takes bookings in the future.

The organisation came under fire for backing a Christian counsellor barred from the professional register after trying to "cure" a homosexual patient in January this year.

Christian Concern offered its support to Lesley Pilkington saying in a press release she had not had a fair trial and argued it was "time to stand up to a militant homosexual lobby who are unable to tolerate difference of opinion".

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, Christian Concern's sister organisation, said protestors against the conference are "on a campaign to distort what we do".

"They have latched onto this and mashed together two stories. Homosexuals are displaying an extraordinary intolerance for us and freedom of thought.

"We are motivated by love and compassion for all people. Everyone seems to forget Oxford University was founded by Christians."

Williams added the conference would examine a range of issues, from freedom and family to marriage and how Christian values fit into the public sphere.