Quote of the Day

“I strongly oppose what Governor Pence did. We should not enshrine bigotry under the cover of religion. It’s not just bad practice – it’s un-American.”

Sen. Mark Kirk

Mike Pence Has Always Been Anti-Gay

The New Civil Rights Movement did some digging and found web archive of Mike Pence's 2000 Congressional campaign website. It turns out that even back then Pence was staunchly anti-gay.

The thing about bigots is they are cowards and will never have the conviction to stand by their principles. Pence may try to run away from his anti-gay positions but the internet will archive everything.

Wilco Cancels Indiana Show

Wilco announced on Facebook that they are cancelling their Indiana show because of the anti-gay "Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act."

We are canceling our May 7 show at the Murat in Indianapolis. The “Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act” feels like thinly disguised legal discrimination to us. Hope to get back to the Hoosier State someday soon, when this odious measure is repealed. Refunds available at point of purchase.

Indiana is going to experience more boycotts because of this stupid piece of legislation.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin Supports Gay Marriage

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin gives an awesome profanity-laced tirade on the hypocrisy of churches being against gay marriage.

I don't give a shit if two guys, two gals, guy-gal, whatever it is, I believe that any human being in America, or any human being in the goddamn world, that wants to be married, and if it's same-sex, more power to 'em. What also chaps my ass, some of these churches, have the high horse that they get on and say, 'We as a church do not believe in that.' Which one of these motherfuckers talked to God, and God said that same-sex marriage was a no-can-do? Okay, so two cats can't get married if they want to get married, but then a guy can go murder 14 people, molest five kids, then go to fucking prison, and accept God and He's going to let him into heaven? After the fact that he did all that shit? See that's all horseshit to me, that don't jive with me.

Less Than Great Moments In American History

Notice how much the language of segregation sounds like the soc-called religious freedom arguments used to discriminate aganst gays.

Jeb Bush Doesn't Love Anal Sex

A man on a mission like Jeb Bush probably sticks to the missionary position. In a 1994 Miami Herald op-ed, the Jebster went full Rick Santorum on the issue of sodomy.

In the editorial, published in the Miami Herald that summer, Bush drew a parallel between legal protection for gays and the question, "[Should] sodomy be elevated to the same constitutional status as race and religion? My answer is No."

"The statement that the governor must stand up for all people on all matters is just silly," Bush wrote, arguing that government does not defend every Floridian "with equal verve and enthusiasm." He listed a string of examples: "Polluters, pedophiles, pornographers, drunk drivers, and developers without proper permits."

Jeb went on to be a governor that doesn't represent all people equally. That isn't surprising. Bush is attempting to rebrand himself as less homophobic. So far his efforts have been less than stellar.

I'm curious. Does Jeb Bush feel that heterosexual couples should not allowed to legally practice anal sex in their bedrooms? These heterosexual couple are in what Bush and other Republicans would call a traditional marriage. Bush wrote that sodomy doesn't require legal protection.

For the record: the Supreme Court made it clear that anal sex is protected.

The Lawrence v. Texas ruling found that the Texas anti-sodomy law violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Short answer: you can't prosecute gay couple for engaging in anal sex and allow straight couple to engage in the same sexual activity.

Laws like this happen when elected leaders feel they can pick and choose what laws they will enforce. Jeb Bush is such an elected official. Bush would later sign Terri's Law. The Florida Supreme Court found it unconstitutional on the ground that Bush and the Florida legislature illegally overruled the judicial branch.

Bush's 1994 op-ed revealed a man who will only enforce the laws that agree with his worldview.

Photo of the Day

Preach it GRandma.

Pam Bondi is TBT's Loser of the Week

Steve Bousquet awarded Pam Bondi the well-earned title of political loser of the week.

Pam Bondi. The attorney general, who immediately appealed a South Florida court ruling overturning Florida's same-sex marriage ban, is becoming the face of opposition to marriage equality. All signs point to the tide of history rolling over Bondi, who is up for re-election in November.

Hysterical sidenote: Bondi has been divorced twice. I don't think Bondi's divorces are a threat to the institution of marriage. The same holds true for gay people marrying.

Tampa Church Refuses Gay Man's Funeral

Via Daily Kos: The New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, in Tampa, Florida, denied funeral services to the departed Julion Evans. The late Evans passed away from the rare disease Amyloidosis.

Julie Atwood, the mother of Evans, was informed that the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church would not perform the funeral.

Atwood said she was told it would be "blasphemous" to hold the services at the church because her son, Julion Evans, 42, was gay.

From a First amendment standpoint, the church is within its right not to perform the funeral. Although, I take exception to the church's understanding of the Bible. There is no literal passage in the Bible that states homosexuality as a sin. There is a good argument that the homosexual acts mentioned in Romans is condemning the Romans raping young male slaves.

What many of these so-called Christians lack is compassion. Ms. Atwood was devastated.

"It was devastating," she said. "I did feel like he was being denied the dignity of death."

Pastor T.W. Jenkins gave a bullshit answer to the media on why the funeral was cancelled.

Based on our preaching of the scripture, we would have been in error to allow the service in our church," Jenkins said. "I'm not trying to condemn anyone's lifestyle, but at the same time, I am a man of God, and I have to stand up for my principles."

Bullshit. Jenkins is condemning Evans's lifestyle. He should be man enough to admit it.

Tea Party Nation Offers Tony Dungy PR Advice

Who better than Cap Black the Hood Conservative of Tea Party Nation to advise Tony Dungy on how to handle his PR disaster. Dungy made this statement, on openly gay NFL draft pick Michael Sam, to the Tampa Tribune.

“I wouldn’t have taken him,’’ said former Bucs and Colts coach Tony Dungy, now an analyst for NBC. “Not because I don’t believe Michael Sam should have a chance to play, but I wouldn’t want to deal with all of it.

“It’s not going to be totally smooth … things will happen.’’

I am not shocked by Dungy's statements. Taken at face value they are not offensive. Some people feel that Dungy's stature in the NFL will give teams cover not to draft gay players. I have never been a Dungy fan. Partly because I have never been a fan of the Bucs or the Colts. I am not the best person to comment on Dungy's stature. I also don't give a shit what Dungy has to say on any particular subject. I find the man painfully dull.

Here comes Cap Black the Hood Conservative (who makes these tea party names) to defend Dungy's honor.

CAP BLACK SAYS: " Dungy isn't required to prostrate himself at the secular altar of gay rights. He made a valid assessment and isn't a " coward " nor "bigot. " Black man are free NOT to be part of the Political Correctness choir. This seems more an issue of using this foot ball player to advance a majority White, progressive assault on traditional marriage and gender roles. Any Black man who speaks contrary to this trend must be demonized lest more of his people follow suit. "

Dungy has taken a stance on gay marriage. Dungy is against gay and lesbian couples marrying. Dungy even spoke to the anti-gay marriage group the Indiana Family Institute.

"We're not trying to downgrade anyone else. But we're trying to promote the family -- family values the Lord's way," Dungy said.

If that statement wasn't so sad it would be funny. I doubt Dungy has ever asked a gay couple if they would feel downgraded if they wouldn't be allowed to marry. I wish Dungy would.

Update: Nick Wagoner asked Michael Sam about Dungy's comments. Sam doesn't seem too worried.

Sam on Dungy's comments: "Thank God he wasn't the St. Louis Rams coach. (laughs) I have a lot of respect for Coach Dungy." (1 of 2)

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) July 22, 2014

"And like everyone in America, everyone is entitled to their own opinions." (2 of 2)

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) July 22, 2014

Update: Keith Olbermann rips the hypocrisy of Dungy.

Wingnut of the Day: Kathy Perkins

Moms With Guns Demand Action founder Kathy Perkins thought it was a good idea to joke about assassinating President Barack Obama on Facebook. Why? Because Perkins believes in liberty and she is a patriot. I wonder if Perkins considers Lee Harvey Oswald and John Wilkes Booth patriots. Oswald defected to Russia and declared himself a communist. Booth wrote that President Lincoln was "making himself a king" by attempting to end slavery. Because Booth thought slavery was so awesome. What is interesting is so-called patriots like Perkins accuse Obama of acting like a king.

Tea Party Nation kicked out the big caps keys with a post titled "“IMPEACH AND ARREST THE TYRANT KING OBAMA!!" Apparently, one exclamation point wasn't enough.

The tea party seems to appreciate Russian President Vladimir Putin's leadership more than Obama's. TeaParty.Org ran a story on failed presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani saying Putim is a stronger leader than Obama.

Russian President Vladimir “Putin decides what he wants to do, and he does it in half a day,” the former GOP presidential candidate said Monday on Fox News Channel’s ”Your World with Neil Cavuto.”

Putin, Giuliani said, makes a decision and executes it quickly.

“Then everybody reacts. That’s what you call a leader. President Obama, he’s got to think about it. He’s got to go over it again. He’s got to talk to more people about it,” Giuliani said.

Putin's style of leadership is jailing the punk band Pussy Riot for protesting Russian government policies. Putin has also bashed the LGBT community for political gain. Putin's policies towards gays are the tea party's wet dream. Judson Phillips, of the Tea Party Nation, was upset that Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a bill that would allow businesses to not serve gays. The legislation was a Jim Crow styled law against the LGBT community. Phillips was outraged that gays would not be legally discriminated against in Arizona.

The left and the homosexual lobby in America went into overdrive to kill this bill. Conservatives rallied for this bill and Governor Brewer opted for cowardice instead of courage.

Why is this bill so important and what did it mean for not only Arizona but America? The issue can be boiled down to one word: Freedom.

A free man or woman controls their labor. A slave has no control over their labor. A free man or woman decides who they will work for and under what conditions. The slave cannot.

The left and the homosexual lobby are both pushing slavery using the Orwellian concepts of “tolerance” and “inclusiveness.”

Immediately the left and the homosexual lobby went into high dudgeon. Arizona’s SB1062 must be defeated because Americans really are no longer free and must be forced to serve the great liberal state, regardless of their beliefs.

The storm rose against Arizona and Jan Brewer proved she was no Ronald Reagan. She has an honored place in the ranks of the French Republicans.

Kathy Perkins jokes about killing a black president. Judson Phillips has repeatedly hinted that President Obama is not an American citizen. People who have such open disdain for a black president shouldn't talk about how Obama is behaving like a King and enslaving people.

Political assassins like Booth and Oswald were not patriots. They had such disdain for government that they murdered presidents. Cliven Bundy has gotten into an armed standoff with the federal government. The tea party views him as a patriot. The tea party loves America so much that they want to see Bundy's followers spill the blood of people that are employed by the American government. That makes no logical sense.

Perkins, Bundy and Phillips aren't patriots. They are just very pissed off people.

Wendy Davis Comes Out Against Reparative Therapy

The Republican Party of Texas 2014 platform endorses reparative therapy for gays. Reparative therapy has been conducted by people such as Marcus Bachmann. Christian conservatives have claimed that reparative theorapy can make gay people straight. San Francisco State University has found that reparative therapy has highly destructive results on gay people.

The lack of scientific backing on reparative therapy hasn't stopped the Republican Party of Texas from placing reparative therapy in the platform.

Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable alternative lifestyle, in public policy, nor should family be redefined to include homosexual couples. We believe there should be no granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin. Additionally, we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values. We recognize the legitimacy and value of counseling which offers reparative therapy and treatment to patients who are seeking escape from the homosexual lifestyle. No laws or executive orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of therapy.

Fortunately, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis has come out against reparative therapy. From the Lone Star Q.

In response to the headline-grabbing plank, a spokesman for Davis’ campaign confirmed this week in an email to Lone Star Q that the Democratic gubernatorial nominee would back a statewide ban on reparative therapy for minors similar to laws that have passed in California and New Jersey.

Reparative therapy is dangerous. The Southern Law Center is asking for people to share stories of their bad experiences with reparative therapy.

Quote of the Day

"You’re either really dumb or you’re secretly worried that dicks are delicious."

Joe Rogan, gay activist, on the two reasons why people oppose gay marriage.

I have been looking on foodie blogs but haven't found any good recipes for dick.

Why Equality Florida Endorsed Charlie Crist

Florida Squeeze columnist Kartik Krishnaiyer is disappointed by Equality Florida endorsing Charlie Crist over Nan Rich.

Let me make it clear that I believe firmly that the rush to back Crist among many on the left will undermine their credibility when it comes to advocacy on policy in the next legislative session and quite possibly in the 2016 election and beyond. Sure Crist is likely going to win the primary with ease, but credibility long term for some of these activists should trump short term gain.

There is a double standard there. Equality Florida doesn't want to be on the outside if Crist does become governor. Crist is also going out of his way to make Equality Florida happy.

Crist developed a relationship with Equality Florida when he ran for the U.S. Senate as an independent in 2010. Crist worked with Equality Florida to develop a policy paper on LGBT rights. Part of Nan Rich's problem is Crist continues to outflank her. Rich is more progressive. Crist is better at developing relations with political groups.

Governor Charlie Crist LGBT Position Paper by Equality Florida

Robert De Niro Talks About His Gay Artist Father

This is very sad. Robert De Niro's father, was a painter. He separated from De Niro's mother when he was 2 years-old. Rober De Niro Sr. could not find happiness in his lifetime because of the stigma against homosexuality during his lifetime. The younger De Niro reads from his father's journal. The journal entries show the elder De Niro to be very lonely and feeling as though he will never find love. From a journal entry by De Niro Sr.

Being a painter is an affection like being a homosexual. One had to have the strength to continue working without the thought of recognition even before or after death, just as one had to have the strength to accept life alone without the thought of a romantic attachment.

The documentary Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro, Sr. will air on HBO. De Niro explained to Out why he made this documentary about his father.

Q: I think people may be curious because, in a way, you are coming out for your father. He may not have been hiding his lifestyle or who he was, but it’s not something that is common knowledge. I felt I had to. I felt obligated. It was my responsibility to make a documentary about him. I was always planning on doing it, but never did. Then Jane Rosenthal, my partner at Tribeca [Enterprises], said, “We should start doing that now.” It was not intended to be on HBO. It was just something I wanted to do.

De Niro: I had footage from a guy who used to follow my father around in the ’70s. We started with that. I bought it from him and gave the footage to Thelma Schoonmaker, who was Marty Scorsese’s editor. I asked her what she could do with it, and she assembled it and put it together — it was falling apart. Then we started the documentary [with director Perri Peltz], really working, using pieces that would make sense. My original idea was to do it for the kids, about my father — whatever it would be. I didn’t know how long it would be. The thing with HBO is, I felt they would be objective about certain things. I said, “Let’s see what we come up with.”

Conservatives say they do not discriminate against gays. If you tell gay people that God does not approve of them or that they do not have the right to marry than how do you expect gay people to feel. De Niro Sr. lived through a time when anti-gay public service announcements were made.

Update: Katie Couric interviews De Niro about his father.

Rick Kriseman Comes Out In Support of Gay Marriage

Equality Florida made this statement on Facebook.

We applaud St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman for signing the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry initiative today! "By signing this pledge, we’re taking one more step towards creating a city of opportunity where the sun shines on all who come to live, work and play.” Click "like" to thank Mayor Kriseman for supporting marriage for all Floridians!

Profile In Courage: Dubious Rubio

Sen. Marco Rubio is too scared to come out for or against the Arizona bill SB 1062. Rubio goes to great lengths to split hairs and try not to offend anyone. Short version: Rubio doesn't believe that gays should be discriminated against and Christian fundamentalists should be able to discriminate against gays. What a crystal clear position.

“Well, I don't believe that gay Americans should be denied services at a restaurant or hotel or anything of that nature. I also don't believe however that a caterer or photographer should be punished by the state for refusing to provide services for a gay wedding because of their religious held believes. We've got to figure out a way to the protect that, as well.”

Rubio doesn't have to worry about being challenged for babbling nonsense. Meet The Press anchor David Gregory is more likely to bust a move than ask a follow-up question.

Quote of the Day

Any NFL player who doesn't support @MikeSamFootball for religious reasons is VERY ignorant. You work on Sunday; that is a commandment. #RT

— Nicholas A. Ferroni (@NicholasFerroni) February 10, 2014

A fantastic point. Maybe these Christian football players believe that Jesus and the disciples played touch football.

Mitch Perry Interviews Nan Rich

Creative Loafing political reporter Mitch Perry interviewed gubernatorial candidate Nan Rich at the Hillsborough County GLBTA Democratic Caucus. Rich reminded Perry and LGBT activists of her differences with Charlie Crist.

Gun Control

Rich brags about her F rating on gun control with the the NRA. Rich notes that Crist had an A rating by the NRA.

Gay Rights

Rich points out that she has been a long-time supporter of gay rights. Crist supported the gaya adoption ban in 2009.

I'm sure he's changed his opinion now, but you have to stand on some foundation. You can't just change 180 degrees."

Rich pointed to this gem from 2008. Crist told CNN that Sarah Palin is more qualified than Barack Obama.

“I think she’d do a great job,” Crist said. “Realize that she really is the only executive that’s running, the only one that has been the head of a government in Alaska, she’s held an exeutive position as a mayor, an executive position as a governor, made those kinds of decisions.”

“Hey I think she’s ready,” Crist concluded.

Ouch.

Dubious Rubio's Frivolous Reason For Being Against ENDA

Sen. Marco Rubio has a new reason for not supporting ENDA. Rubio's spokeswoman Brooke Sammon told The Buzz against so-called "frivolous lawsuits."

"He believes people’s qualifications, performance and honesty are the most important qualities by which they should be judged in the workplace. If you’re a good worker, that’s all that should matter," spokeswoman Brooke Sammon said. "This legislation goes far beyond protecting workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and he is currently studying what kinds of burdens it could impose on small businesses, frivolous lawsuits that could result, and ensuring that religious freedoms under the First Amendment are protected."

Rubio is claiming that discriminating against gays is a First Amendment right. Rubio should brush up on the equal protection clause in the Constitution. I don't believe for a second that Rubio would support a private business or government organization that fired straight people on religious grounds. Rubio can't come out and say that he doesn't support worker protection for gay and transgender people. Except that is exactly what Rubio told Think Progress.

RUBIO: I haven’t read the legislation. By and large I think all Americans should be protected but I’m not for any special protections based on orientation.

There you have it.

The courts will likely rule in favor of religious organizations having anti-gay policies. I'm agnostic but I don't think the courts should meddle with religious institutions. No matter how disgusting I may find some of these organizations to be.