The Domino Effect?

The ACLU has filed a legal challenge to my home state's Marriage Equality ban. Similar suits have also been filed in Virginia and North Carolina. 

And it's about time. 

Since SCOTUS ruled Article 3 of the DOMA Act Unconstitutional last month, we can expect such suits being filed in the remaining 38 states which currently do not allow for Marriage Equality. And one by one, just like lined-up dominoes, we can anticipate those anti-gay laws to fall on the side of fairness and "Equality Under the Law." I don't expect it to be an easy fight. Pennsylvania's current Repugnican Governor Tom Corbett, like many of his dinosaur cronies, is against Marriage Equality. But in light of SCOTUS' recent decision on DOMA, the state where America was founded is likely to join the current 12 states and DC in legalizing love within the year (though I think my native state of NJ will be first, despite Governor Krispie Kreme's* opposition).

Yes, there are plenty of PA rednecks who live the part of my state I like to refer to as 'Pennsyltucky,' who rant and rave, but the tide has been turning for quite some time and I suspect the progressive thinkers in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh (what's up with that superfluous H?) will prevail. 

I can see the whole country eventually turning toward reason as more and more people realize that being gay is not a choice, especially if the LGBTQ community continues to make ourselves known. Yes, the haters will probably always be there, just like the racists and anti-Semitics. But even their numbers are (thankfully) dwindling. Frightened, uneducated jerks like Pat Robertson; Maggie Gallagher; Brian Brown and Bryan Fischer will be silenced soon. And the creeps at the Westboro Baptist Church have long ago become laughingstocks. 

While Uncle P has no personal stake (and at my age is unlikely to do so) in the matter, I hope that when I am truly old and decrepit, those who come after will enjoy the rights and privileges afforded every other American citizen. 

You've probably seen this Australian Equality promo before, but I think it's worth repeating:

*Yes, I went there. You hate me? I hate you. Nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah!

More, anon.
Prospero

The Value of Solidarity

So, if you are on Facebook or Twitter, you have no doubt seen the symbol that's on your right. You may even have seen it if you don't use social media, as it has made a bit of a stir on traditional media outlets, as well.

It is a variation of the Human Rights Campaign's traditional blue and yellow Equality logo. As the US Supreme Court heard arguments in both the Prop 8 and DOMA cases yesterday and today, millions of social media users (Uncle P, included) changed their profile pictures to HRC's pink and red logo. Interestingly, it wasn't just LGBT people who did this. On Facebook, my news feed was a sea of red as a good two thirds of my Facebook Friends posted the symbol, the majority of whom are straight. Seeing so many friends lend their support to Marriage Equality was both heartwarming and empowering. Of course, I wouldn't actually be Facebook Friends with anyone who wasn't LGBT friendly. And like many Facebook users, the majority of my Facebook Friends are people I've never actually met in person. They are friends of friends, or people with similar interests and beliefs, or just folks I think are funny and cool.

George "Sulu" Takei is being credited for getting the bandwagon going on this. His many, many followers saw him post it (and it's many, many variations) and took up the mantle, showing their support for him and LGBT people in general. It was amazing. Of course, there were detractors. "Oh, like SCOTUS is going to base their decision on your Facebook profile picture." Of course, that's hardly the point.

Here's the thing: The overwhelming majority of social media users (most of whom are between 18 and 30), are for Marriage Equality in America and don't understand why anyone would do otherwise.  The millions of folks who posted the red Equality symbol don't need to show SCOTUS that they support the cause (though traditional media coverage certainly couldn't escape the 9 Justices). Still, those straight allies who posted the symbol did so much more, just by letting us know that they have our backs. The tide is changing, and the pervasiveness of the red Equality symbol says more than any Quinnipiac poll ever could.

The haters are losing. And that's OK with me. And my friends, both on Facebook and in real life.

  Watch More News Videos at ABC
  |
  Technology News
  |
  Celebrity News

More, anon.
Prospero

I Will Sleep Well Tonight

Holy crap! I just lost three paragraphs thanks to Google's new version of Blogger. WTF?!

Anyway, I am thrilled to learn that it's all but a formality and President Obama has been reelected for a second term. This means that the repeal of DADT will stand; DOMA will be struck down and ENDA will finally be approved. And it also looks as though a Democrat-heavy Congress will actually be able to back up the reforms he's been trying to pass for the last four years. 

It's actually heartening to know that most of America hasn't drunk the Rmoney Kool Aid; saw through his lies and sent the Kolobian packing. Of course, as of this writing, Mittens has yet to concede, claiming that Ohio was called too early. Boo-hoo! I just want to see the poor loser licking his wounds through his magic underpants.

Of course, my joy is tempered with sadness for those still suffering the effects of Hurricane Sandy. There are still many thousands without power and/or homes. I am hapy though, that FEMA will still be around to help them. I also feel bad for the kids in my town. Trick or Treating was postponed to tomorrow night, just when our area is supposed to be hit by a Nor'Easter that may dump 2 to 4 inches of wet snow on the area. I'll still have my bowl of candy ready, just in case a few brave souls knock on my door. 

Keep believing in Hope and Change. Donate to the Red Cross' Hurricane Relief and volunteer if you can and know that America's future is a little bit brighter, now. Oh - Clinton/Booker in 2016. Who's in with me?

Update - Romney has conceded. 

More, anon.
A Very Happy Prospero

The Gayest Things You'll See This Week

That's Major League Soccer player David Testo in a still from an interview with the CBC's Radio Canada, coming out publicly. OutSports.com has the story (via). Testo, who until recently played for the Montreal Impact, was a soccer star at both the University of South Carlina and North Carolina and played professionally for the Richmond Kickers and the Columbus Crew before being drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps. He was just let go by Montreal and is looking for a new team. He says he regrets not coming out sooner and that living as a closeted gay man was "incredibly difficult" (Ya think?).

Uncle P has always thought that soccer (while boring as hell) has the hottest players. I can only hope that other gay athletes will follow Mr. Testo's lead and come out. The more that do, the easier it will get for others who are afraid, including LGBT youth who need as many inspirational folks to whom they look up, as possible. It really is getting better...

In other LGBT news, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the "Respect for Marriage Act" in a 10 to 8 vote, moving the repeal of DOMA that much closer to reality. Of course, the repeal of DOMA would pave the way for national Marriage Equality. I am sure that the morons at NOM are having apoplectic fits over this news. You can read all about it over at Towleroad.

Finally, while not particularly gay, TV's gayest show "Glee" has an upcoming mashup of gay icon Adele's "Rumor Has It" and "Someone Like You" featured on next week's episode (Hmm... maybe it's pretty gay, afterall). Anyway, gorgeous "Glee" cast members Amber Riley ('Mercedes') and Naya Rivera ('Santana') tear it up:

Wow! After this week's "West Side Story" episode, I can't wait to see next week's show. 

More, anon.
Prospero

The Gayest Thing(s) You'll See This Week

I must admit that despite being "wired in," I am not actually current on most popular music. Yes, I know the names and the styles (usually), but am not always familiar with the actual music, itself.

Now you have to understand, my rather extensive CD collection is comprised of mostly film scores and soundtracks, followed closely by Original Cast Recordings, Cirque du Soliel scores and other odd bits of epehemeral weirdness. Of course, my collection contains many standards and must-haves (everything from Beethoven and Mozart to Pink Floyd and The Beatles and almost anyone in between - with the exception of most CW and almost all Rap). I have CDs by The Who; Elton John; Olivia Newton John; Madonna; Frankie Goes to Hollywood; The B52's; Devo; Loreena McKennitt; Cyndi Lauper; Annie Lennox; James Brown; Tom Jones; Dead Can Dance; Pet Shop Boys; NIN; Peter Gabriel; October Project... the list goes on and on.

Sadly, I find few modern pop artists interesting in the least. But lately I've been reading lots and lots about Brooklyn-based, openly gay band Grizzly Bear. I hadn't heard any of their music until I stumbled upon the below link (via). It's fan-made video (by a str8 fan) for the song "Two Weeks" and is just a gorgeous, surreal, Steampunk-Papercraft-Puppet-Animation gay love story. And the song ain't too shabby. Excuse me while I peruse the Grizzly Bear catalogue and please enjoy the video while I do so:

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear from Gabe Askew on Vimeo.

OK. Entertainment out of the way, it's on to politics. Also via, comes the following clip of National Organization for Marriage (NOM) spokesperson Nancy Gallagher being ripped to pieces by CNN's Lou Dobbs and University of Pennsylvania Law Professor Tobias Wolf. I love how, like everyone else who opposes same-sex marriage, Gallagher cannot come up with suitable answer as to how same-sex marriage affects and/or attacks hetero-marriage. Watch the bitch squirm here:

Sorry, I forgot. Oded Gross already told us how:

Yeah, THAT's the ticket!

More, anon.

Prospero