BREAKING NEWS:DOJ TO URGE US SUPREME COURT TO ALLOW SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

SCOTUSblog has an analysis: 

Much of the logic of the government’s brief — its first entry into the controversy over California’s Proposition 8 — could be read to support a right to marriage equality in every state, but it did not endorse that idea explicitly. [Snip] In essence, the position of the federal government would simultaneously give some support to marriage equality while showing some respect for the rights of states to regulate that institution. 

What the brief endorsed is what has been called the “eight-state solution” — that is, if a state already recognizes for same-sex couples all the privileges and benefits that married couples have (as in the eight states that do so through “civil unions”) those states must go the final step and allow those couples to get married. The argument is that it violates the Constitution’s guarantee of legal equality when both same-sex and opposite-sex couples are entitled to the same marital benefits, but only the opposite-sex couples can get married.  

The eight states that apparently would be covered by such a decision are: California (whose Proposition 8, which denies marriage to couples who already have all of the other marital benefits, would fall), Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Rhode Island.

Read the full brief.

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OUT SPOKEN: EMAIL REP. RITA MAYFIELD

Action Alert: IL Rep. Rita Mayfield

NOM has issued an action alert.

Representative Rita Mayfield, a Democrat from Waukegan, has announced that she will be tallying emails received for and against same-sex marriage, and she will take that information seriously into account as she weighs her vote. Please take a moment right now to send Rep. Mayfield a short messaging asking her to OPPOSE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE. Her email address is mayfieldr@ilga.gov.

What are you waiting for? We'll need every vote. (Tipped by JMG reader John)

MY LETTER:

Dear Rep. Mayfield,  

I ask that you support Marriage Equality.  

Marriage Equality is not a matter of religion but of ensuring that all citizens are treated equally by the Government of the United States. 

When my nephew was called early to serve in Afghanistan, he and his fiancée were refused their request to be married in the Catholic Church simply because they did not have time to complete the Catholic Church's requirement to take premarital counseling. They were eventually married by a non-denominational minister, who also marries gay couples. It wasn't until they filed paperwork for a license that they were legally married.  

As much as people against Marriage Equality will have you believe, regardless of which religion you believe in and choose to have a marriage ceremony performed by, if you do not receive a marriage license from the US Government, you do not have a marriage recognized by the US Government and are not entitled to any of its marital laws.

This is the difference between Legal Marriage and Religious Marriage. Gay couples seek a Legal Marriage and are entitled to have the US Government recognized their love and their relationship as well as legal protections for their themselves, their family and their children (if they have or desire to have children).  

How can you find this fair or wrong? 

I am not one of your constituents, most of the other emails you receive - both in support and against Marriage Equality -- will not come from your constituents either. I ask that you not base your vote what the final total is but on what you know it the right and fair thing to do. 

Thank you! Sincerely,  

Sean D

Thanks to Joe.My.God. 

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WHY POLYSTYRENE (STYROFOAM) SHOULD BE BANNED

During his final State Of The City address, today NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg will call for a ban on the usage of polystyrene (styrofoam) containers by restaurants, food carts, vending machines, or any business that holds a city license to sell beverages or meals.

I hope he and all the news outlets, that will be reporting on this story, will include the costs and benefits. It took me about five minutes on Google to get the following information. The costs of the packaging and related recycling information all comes from one packaging distributer. The additional cost per container looks to be about $0.25.

Considering the cost to the environment and personal health risks, I see this as not only worth and extra $0.25 a meal but also an initiative worthily of a subsidiary (not the full cost, just partial ) for the first 2-3 years.


POLYSTYRENE FAST FACTS:

• Polystyrene is made from petroleum, a non-sustainable, non-renewable, heavily polluting and fast-disappearing commodity.
• The environmental impacts of polystyrene production in the categories of energy consumption, greenhouse gas effect, and total environmental effect ranks second highest, behind aluminum.1
• Polystyrene is a principle component of urban litter and marine debris. It is detrimental to wildlife that ingests it.
• Polystyrene contains the toxic substances Styrene and Benzene, suspected carcinogens and neurotoxins that are hazardous to humans.
• Polystyrene food containers leach the toxin Styrene when they come into contact with warm food or drink, alcohol, oils and acidic foods causing human contamination and posing a health risk to people.
• Over 100 US and Canadian, as well as some European and Asian cities, have banned polystyrene food packaging as a result of the negative impacts to humans and the environment.

SUGARCANE

These bagasse hinged clamshells are made from an annually-renewable resource, sugarcane. With a similar look and feel to paper, our bagasse clamshells will completely compost under commercial composting conditions in just 45-60 days.

Bagasse clamshells are great for hot and cold foods. They won’t soak up grease and liquids, so they’re perfect for burgers, fries and other to-go food. Microwave safe, bagasse is the newest trend in food service packaging. Your food comes from nature and now so does its packaging!

9 x 9 x 3 Bagasse Hinged Clamshell
Case Count: 200
Case Weight: 21 lbs
Outside Dimension: 9 x 9
Inside Dimension: 8 x 8
Depth: 3    
$86.63 carton 
$0.433 each

CORN
These PLA rectangular containers are made from 100% U.S. grown corn. With the same look and feel as clear plastic deli containers, our PLA containers will completely compost under commercial composting conditions in just 45-60 days.
Made from corn, an annually renewable resource, NatureWorks PLA is a plastic-like resin that is fully biodegradable. NatureWorks has a heat tolerance of up to 130 degrees (F). These are great for salads, deli items and other cold foods.

32 oz PLA Rectangular Container
Case Count: 200
Case Weight: 19.0 lbs
Lid: Comes with Flat Lids
Heat Tolerance: 130 degrees(F)
Dimension: 7-1/2 x 6-1/2 x 3    
$82.01 carton
$0.41 each 

Unrecyclable
$0.18 each for almost all sizes

FOR COMPARISON

Tin base, recyclable
$0.25 each for most sizes

Foil/Cardboard Lids, not recyclable
$0.08 each for all sizes

Plastic Domes, not recyclable
$0.10 each for all sizes

Cost per meal approx. $0.35 

Premium Re-Usable To Go Containers

• Versatainer® containers go from refrigerator to microwave.
• Dishwasher safe.
• Withstands microwave temperatures up to 250°F
• Leak resistant, stackable and reusable
• Black bases packed with cover

  9x9x3 $1.05 each, includes lids

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OUTSPOKEN: THEY DESERVE A VOTE

Dear Sean, Here’s what President Obama said about our daughter last night: “One of those we lost was a young girl named Hadiya Pendleton. She was 15 years old. She loved Fig Newtons and lip gloss. She was a majorette. She was so good to her friends, they all thought they were her best friend. Just three weeks ago, she was here, in Washington, with her classmates, performing for her country at my inauguration. And a week later, she was shot and killed in a Chicago park after school, just a mile away from my house.” We were honored to join First Lady Michelle Obama as her guests at the State of the Union. And we were deeply moved by the president’s words -- about Hadiya and about the need for Congress to fix our broken gun laws Our daughter was a bright and beautiful girl who deserved a full life. No parent should have to bury their child, and there’s no excuse for any more delays. Congress has common sense proposals in front of them. It’s time for them to vote! Call Congress RIGHT NOW and tell them: 33 Americans are murdered with guns every day. THEY DESERVE A VOTE. We’re in Washington, DC today meeting with our members of Congress. We’re going to tell them about our daughter and what it’s like to lose someone you love so much to gun violence. But we won’t stop there. We’re going to demand that they act now. We’re going to tell them:“You guys signed up for the job. Now do something!” It’s time. Please join us by calling your members of Congress today: http://www.demandaplan.org/TheyDeserveAVote Thank you for making your voice heard, Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton & Nathaniel A. Pendleton Sr. Mayors Against Illegal Guns   A campaign of Mayors Against Illegal Guns | About Us | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe

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OUTSPOKEN: ME

The controversy of DC Comics hiring a known homophobe, Orson Scott Card, to write the digital-first series "Adventures of Superman," continues the question of how proper or ethical it is to boycott a business to not hire or to fire a person for voicing their beliefs. We have the same situation where a straight principal of a catholic high school has been fired for voicing his support of marriage equality.

Are these the same or different situations? I think they are two sides of the same coin and both sides have the right to express their opinions, however, one side does so at the oppression of the other while the other is protecting its self from oppression. 

Is it right or wrong? I think it's a struggle for power. Every culture has laws that govern behavior to protect its population. As the population grows so does its number of laws. Voicing an opinion opens you up to the opinions and influence of the group and eventually these opinions become laws and part of its culture. 

I don't eat Chic-fil-A, shop at Lowes or Autozone. I send emails of thanks for companies that support LGBT issues, use LGBT spokes people and images in their hiring and advertising and emails of discontent to companies that don't. And when given the opportunity, I sign petitions urging change or in protest. 

Here is a petition urging DC Comics to not hire Orson Scott Card followed additional information provided by a post in Towleroad.

Sign here:  www.allout.org/dccomics-osc

DALLAS, SAN FRANCISCO RETAILERS BOYCOTT DC COMICS' 'ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN' OVER ORSON SCOTT CARD INVOLVEMENT

Last week I reported that DC Comics had hired uber-homophobe Orson Scott Card to write their digital-first series 'Adventures of Superman'. Retailers are now responding to outcry from readers, GeeksOut reports.
The first is Richard Neal at Dallas-based Zeus Comics and Collectibles. The second is the Whatever Store in San Francisco.
  

Since my first report, an AllOut petition was created to get DC comics to dump card.
And DC Comics responded with a statement to the Advocate suggesting that they'll keep him on  "As content creators we steadfastly support freedom of expression, however the personal views of individuals associated with DC Comics are just that — personal views — and not those of the company itself."
Meanwhile, NOM's Brian Brown is exploding with rage:

“This is completely un-American and it needs to be stopped,” Brown said. “Simply because we stand up for traditional marriage, some people feel like it’s okay to target us for intimidation and punishment.”

Brown called the attacks on Card frightening and said it’s another example of gay rights activists trying to punish those who believe marriage should be a union between a man and woman.

“Marriage is the union of a man and a woman,” Brown said. “That is not hateful. That is not bigoted.”

He said it’s not the first time gay activists have tried to have people fired for their personal beliefs. He recalled the story of a waitress in California who gave money to Proposition Eight. Pro-gay activists set up picket lines at the restaurant calling for her ouster.

“We can disagree on core issues – but we can do so in such a way where we don’t try to hurt or intimidate each other,” Brown told Fox News.

Posted Feb. 13,2013 at 8:26 AM EST by Andy Towle

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/#ixzz2KnU8oDz4

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OUT SPOKEN: BRIAN SIMMS - PA REP (D), former FOOTBALL PLAYER

"I think I knew I wasn't straight 

long before I knew I was gay."

EXACTLY! I'm not sure I have ever heard anyone put it quite that way but it is, for me, the perfect answer and perspective on what it's like to not be heterosexual.

I read Brian's complete quote on Joe.My.God.:

"The truth is I was gay my whole life. I had dated girls in high school. I think I knew I wasn't straight long before I knew I was gay. I knew by the time I got to college that I was gay. My team actually came to me to ask me whether I was gay. They wanted to talk about it. They asked me about the struggle and when I was going to tell people. I didn't go through the same struggles as people today. Today, you have 14-15-16 year olds so confident and secure in their sexuality. I was not. I wasn't a gay 17-year-old ready to come out to the world. When I got to college, I realized I was gay. I just didn't know how to go about it. My college didn't have a LGBT group to give me the language to come out. It was my quarterback who asked me first."

 - Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims, whom ESPN calls  "the only college football captain to ever come out."

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OUT SPOKEN: ELLEN ON THE SCOUTS

Ellen has such a deliciously effective way of making her point using humor and heart.

She weighed today in on the debate going on within the Boy Scouts of America organization regarding a proposal to lift its ban on openly gay members and leaders.

During her monologue, Ellen has this gem of a statement: ‘I realize this is a big decision for the Boy Scouts because, if the Boy Scouts start treating gays equally they’re going to become the first group to do it – after the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines, the Coast Guard, all of the United Kingdom and Cher.’

She also had this observation: ‘They won’t let their members be gay, well, openly gay anyway, but they’re letting them wear neckerchiefs and green short shorts.’

And this one: ‘When you’re camping in the woods, do you realy need to be worried about someone’s sexual orientation? You should be worried about bears and poison ivy and poison oak and black widows and tics and Lyme Disease.’

Ellen also said it is ‘heartbreaking’ that gays are excluded.

‘Obviously I think that the Boy Scouts should allow gay members,’ she told her audience. ‘The fact that they don’t is insane. … I hope when (they) finally decide to take action, they make the right decision.’

Thanks to Greg in Hollywood

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OUT SPOKEN: NPH SAYS: CALL THE BOY SCOUTS...TODAY!

You can also send a personal email to the Boy Scouts: NationalSupportCenter@Scouting.org. Sample message (keep it short): 

"Dear Boy Scouts of America, I think everyone should have the chance to take part in Scouting. I support an end to the ban on gay scouts and scout leaders. Sincerely..."

THAT'S 1-972-580-2330 

If you don't call, I'll sick Ernestine on your asses!

source

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MARTIN LUTER KING DAY! I HAVE A DREAM

Thanks O!Daddie

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OUT SPOKEN: VICTOR GARBER: THE REAL STORY

Many of us thought that Victor Garber had come out years ago, just like we thought Jodie Foster had as well but unlike Foster, he wasn't making a declaration, he simply answered an interviewer's question. I think the popularity of the story has more to do with how well liked and respected Victor is and not that he's officially out. Read about it at Greg In Hollywood, it's a good read and only a few paragraphs. Actually, I've added Greg In Hollywood to my blog roll. The REAL STORY is how hunky his partner, Rainer Andreesen, of 13 years is! WOOF! Way to go Victor. And Victor, if you're reading this, WOOF to you too!

Rainer Andreesen was born in 1963 in Prince Rupert, B.C. Canada, Rainer's artistic ability was encouraged throughout his childhood and adolescence. With a desire to paint and the urging of his high school instructors, Rainer pursued a career in art by attending a four year intense Arts and Design program at Capilano College in Vancouver, Canada. In 1986, after graduating with honors, Rainer excelled in the advertising industry with design and illustration at a top ad agency and design studio for six years. In that time, he also opened a successful design studio where a fashion photographer client encouraged him to model on a project. Shortly after that Rainer was recruited by an exclusive modeling agency in Milan Italy, and worked with such clients as Giorgio Armani, Valentino, Zenya and Hugo Boss. 

THE ARTIST

During the three years he lived in Europe, Rainer was deeply influenced by the museums, galleries, and churches he discovered, traveling from city to city.Following his European adventures, New York beckoned and remains Rainer's place of residence. However, most of his time is spent in Los Angeles at his Hancock park studio where he devotes his time to painting in oils. Inspiration comes from all places and people for Rainer, whether it is watching a broadway play, or spending time with friends, or in his travels, that modeling still allows him. "Life has a wonderful opportunity to paint your experience, and I am always looking at life on a canvas." Inspiration also comes from a lot of the books that line his studio walls of old master painters such as John Singer Sargent, James Whistler, Whilliam Merrit Chase, and Rembrandt. Music plays a big factor in the inspiration of his painting also. "I often make a playlist for each painting. It helps the flow and essence of what I am working on and it can also inspire a painting all together."

FANS

With all the influence that surround Rainer's daily life, and his strong sense of design, he is emerging as a strong force in the art world of today. Rainer's work is widely collected by the likes of Jennifer Garner, Alan Alda, David Hyde Pierce, Ken Olin, Martin Short, Rosie O'Donnell, Clive Davis, Alfed Molina, Nathan Lane and JJ Abrams.

source of bio

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JODIE FOSTER COMES OUT AT THE GOLDEN GLOBES 2013!

Well done Jodie. Well done. 

Congratulations and Thank you.

Her speech starts at the 6 minute mark but her introduction by Robert Downey Jr

and the recap of her films is worth watching.

Plus, she looks amazing!

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DO YOU THINK THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS A HATE GROUP?

The following is a WE THE PEOPLE petition on the White House website demanding that the Catholic Church be recognized as a hate group. Sine Dec. 25, 2012 over 2,000 people have signed it, 25,000 signatures are needed. If you want to sign the petition click HERE.

WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO:

Officially recognize the Roman Catholic Church as a hate group.

In his annual Christmas address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Benedict XVI, the global leader of the Roman Catholic Church, demeaned and belittled homosexual people around the world. Using hateful language and discriminatory remarks, the Pope painted a portrait in which gay people are second-class global citizens. Pope Benedict said that gay people starting families are threatening to society, and that gay parents objectify and take away the dignity of children. The Pope also implied that gay families are sub-human, as they are not dignified in the eyes of God.

Upon these remarks, the Roman Catholic Church fits the definition of a hate group as defined by both the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League.

Created: Dec 25, 2012

Issues: Civil Rights and Liberties, Family, Human Rights

Learn about Petition Thresholds

SIGNATURES NEEDED BY JANUARY 24, 2013 TO REACH GOAL OF 25,000

22,931

SIGN THIS PETITION

2,069

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