23-24 year old David Gordon explains it all for you at Witherspoon's blog

David Gordon is a fan of Douglas Allen. Bear with me. I'll get to young Mr. Gordon shortly.

In November, 2012 Douglas Allen, along with two other religious conservative economists — Catherine Pakaluk and Joseph Price, claimed that children raised by gay couples did poorly in school. They arrived at this "conclusion" by analyzing a study done by Michael Rosenfeld (yes, the same Rosenfeld who wanted nothing to do with Witherspoon). Rosenfeld responded:

Allen et al.’s results depend on their inclusion of children whose family at the time of their grade retention is unknown, plus adopted and foster children whose selection process into families is unknown. Children whose family has been through upheavals or transitions are less likely to make good progress in school than children from stable families. Children raised by stable same-sex couples do remarkably well in school. 

Brian Brown claims that transgender children are bullies

National Organization for Marriage and it's lackeys have no shame. Today, in an email blast, Brian Brown claims:

Our children face enough struggles at school without having to worry about being harassed and bullied by someone of the opposite sex forcing their way into the most vulnerable areas of public schools — showers, bathrooms, changing areas and locker rooms. But that's exactly what is going to happen if a new law in California is allowed to take effect.

Gay man in Missouri denied spousal benefits

As I have previously stated, every gay couple that wants to marry should marry even if doing so requires traveling to another state.

In Missouri, the domestic partner of a state highway patrolman who was killed in the line of duty is not entitled to survivor benefits according to a 5-2 ruling by the Missouri Supreme Court.

Dennis Engelhard was killed in December 2009. Kelly Glossip, who had been Engelhard's life partner since 1995, filed paperwork with the state's retirement system for survivor's benefits. The application required Glossip to submit copies of his driver's license, a death certificate and a marriage license.

RO Lopez is back again with the WW II imagery

Robert Oscar Lopez takes another dip into the crazy pool with The Global Fight for Children’s Rights: Europe. This, of course, is on Witherspoon's pseudo-intellectual blog. According to “Bobby:”

Underground movements in England and France are beginning to counter the global LGBT ideology that has entrenched itself in the governments of First-World nations.

Robert Oscar Lopez sees an international LGBT conspiracy

Robert Oscar Lopez is an extremely neurotic associate professor of English at Cal-State Northridge. He is, possibly, ex-bi, extremely anti-gay and an author of erotic gay fiction. Seriously.

Last night he posted a (triple "huh?") piece titled Sexual Radicalism: Imperial Project, Global Goliath to Witherspoon Institute's (usually pseudo-intellectual, now incoherent) blog. The sub-heading provides little more appreciable information than the title:

While US conservatives are distracted by internal debates, the wealthy and powerful international movement for LGBT rights is aggressively targeting nations that are poorer and less powerful.

Perkins: 'Counterfeit Marriage is Not Inevitable'

An email Family Research Council, signed by Tony Perkins,  concludes:

You'll keep hearing lies from the Left in the media. Don't be fooled by the "inevitability" story. Across-the-board legalization of counterfeit marriage is NOT inevitable. Truth can prevail -- if we are faithful to the cause.

This email also has twelve links to the donation page on the hate group's website.  Perkins is possibly more interested in money than marriage equality.

Sean Fieler provides majority of funds for group seeking to repeal CA transgender protections law

Sean Fieler

The Privacy for All Students PAC was originally organized to oppose California's AB1266, a transgender protection act that Jerry Brown signed into law last August (effective January 1, 2014). Now they are trying to gather signatures to get a repeal initiative on the 2014 ballot. Should they get the required signatures, NOM's political director, Frank Schubert, will manage the campaign. Schubert does not believe that transgender people exist.

As of today, the group has raised $255,000. Almost 60% of that has come from one donor, Sean Fieler, who has provided the PAC with $150,000.

Illinois Family Institute is Terribly Confused About Marriage

Illinois Family Institute is an anti-gay hate group motivated by fundamentalist religious zealotry. They are a chapter of the domestic Taliban. IFI has some odd ideas about what constitutes a civil marriage. Like most of these groups, they conform their definition to their agenda. In this case:

Marriage is not solely or centrally about love. It is centrally concerned with children and their connection to their biological parents. The state has no interest or investment in whether couples love each other. If marriage were solely or even centrally about love and had no connection to children, the state would have no interest in or business being involved with marriage.

[Video] NOM's victimology ad in Hawaii

National Organization for Marriage has embarked on another discrimination campaign. This time they are hoping that constituents will place enough pressure on legislators to doom a vote in a special session that begins on Monday.

NOM seems to have stopped even attempting to assert theoretical and arcane claims that marriage equality has dire consequences on marriage itself. It has become difficult, if not tedious, given a decade of experience in Massachusetts. Actually, it's a rather silly to even attempt to do so.

Johnny Weir is a 'fabulous' disappointment

Johnny Weir has been the object of much adoration by the LGBT “establishment.” In the fall of 2010, for example, the Human Rights Campaign honored Weir with its Visibility Award.

On July 10 of this year Weir told CBS:

In Russia, just the sheer fact that you could be gay, you can get arrested, fined, and it's a terrible thing to even think of … If it takes me getting arrested for people to pay attention and for people to lobby against this law, then I'm willing to take it. Like anyone, I'm scared to be arrested. But I'm also not afraid of being arrested.

'At the GLSEN Respect Awards, Hollywood’s Elite Is Shaken by a Story'

I don't know why this stuff ends up in the New York Times Style Section.

The 600 people gathered here last Friday for a $10,000-a-table charity event — the GLSEN Respect Awards, dedicated to fighting bullying in schools — came largely from the movie and television industries, and you can’t impress Hollywood with celebrities.

But then a skinny, soft-spoken 16-year-old from rural Tennessee took the stage. Forks dropped, followed by jaws, as Andrew Lawless spoke about being terrorized at school because of his sexuality. Last winter, he walked into a school bathroom, where two boys shouted gay slurs and slammed him into the walls. “Then I was dragged into a bathroom stall, where my safety was taken from me,” he said.

He took a gulp of air. “I became a victim of sexual assault.”

Gov. Christie has become NOM's new shiny object

I find it hard to believe that, for the third time, National Organization for Marriage is going after Chris Christie. According to Brian Brown, under the subheading What Leadership Means:

To be fair, Christie is not responsible for redefining marriage — that was accomplished by an out-of-control judiciary. However, he is responsible for leaving the field of battle and refusing to fight a principled fight when it was most needed. By surrendering, he has guaranteed defeat in the Garden State.

Witherspoon Institute attracts the best cranks

The secret to reading Witherspoon's pseudo-intellectual blog is to start at the bottom. The crackpot du jour is Robert Lowery Clinton. Mr. Clinton is a Fellow of the Center of Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute and was a James Madison Fellow at Princeton University in 2007-2008.

So now we know that he is a Robby Robot® (the Madison program is one of Robby George's pet projects). More importantly, we know that Mr. Clinton spends his days desperately trying to replace real science with superstition in our public schools which will disadvantage our children as they try to compete in the global economy.

The Organization Behind the Repeal of California's Transgender Rights Bill

National Organization for Marriage is soliciting contributions for Privacy for all Students. PFAS is a website and a California campaign committee. In reality, however, the organization behind this enterprise is Capitol Resource Institute in Sacramento.

Last July, CRI's tax exempt status was revoked by the Internal Revenue Service retroactive to February 15, 2013. Yet, as you can see, they continue to solicit "tax deductible" contributions on their website.

The California campaign committee, “Privacy for all Students - Stop AB1266” was originally formed to oppose the legislation. Not surprisingly, historically and through the current cycle they have not filed any reports.

NOM dishonestly bashes Christie - again

I am no fan of Chris Christie. However, the gratuitous condemnation of New Jersey's governor by National Organization for Marriage is just silly. In February of 2012, NOM said this about Chris Christie:

"We are grateful to have a principled Governor in Chris Christie who has pledged to veto this legislation."—Brian Brown, President—

Today? Not so much:

Christie Surrender Provides an Object Lesson in (Lack of) Leadership. Oh my. They continue:

Poll: Significant post DOMA increase in resistance of gays and lesbians to accept employment in states that do not recognize same-sex marriage

According to a new Harris Poll organizations have a diminished pool of talent to choose from when recruiting employees to states that do not recognize marriage equality. Moreover, there are significant increases in the resistance to relocate to a non-equality state between 2012 and 2013.

In 2012, 30% of gays and lesbians said that they would change jobs rather than relocate to a marriage discrimination state. In 2013, that jumped to 49%, more than a 63% increase in resistance.

Focus on the Family is still in denial over marriage in California?

Shortly after the Supreme Court denied standing to proponents of Proposition 8, the Christian right theorized that Prop 8 was still in effect. With no uncertainty whatsoever, FRC's Ken Klukowski, who also teaches at Liberty Law, claimed that another round of state litigation was required for Proposition 8 to finally be declared DOA:

That litigation could take years. And in the meantime, supporters of traditional marriage can continue making the case for marriage.

List of Gay Teens for Sale

Forbes has a disturbing report on a commercial website — Scholarships.com. The site claims to assist high school students in finding college scholarships that they might be eligible for.

…once they sell your personal information the buyer can use it in any way that they want.

The student completes a profile by answering a series of questions. Pop-ups "remind" the student to answer every question in order to be eligible for the most scholarships. The questions include the sexual orientation of both the student and his or her parents.

World Congress of Families Exports More Hate to Eastern Europe

Hate group, World Congress of Families, announced that their “leadership team was in the Ukraine for two days of meetings and events prior to the International Planning Meeting for World Congress of Families VIII held in Moscow, October 15-17.” That would be, by the way, the “planning meeting” that Brian Brown and Scott Lively attended.

According to a WCF press release:

Notes from NARTH's Sideshow

NARTH is having their annual conference in Phoenix on November 8. Today they announced “Plenary Speaker Added - Anne Paulk”. First, their description:

Anne Paulk is an author and speaker on issues related to homosexuality. Anne has been interviewed through many television, radio and magazine venues over the years including Oprah Winfrey, Good Morning America, CBS Evening News, the 700 Club, Coral Ridge Ministry, and People magazine.

She is the author of Restoring Hope: Hope for Women Who Struggle with Same-sex Attraction.

The absurd notion that NARTH is a serious scientific organization, as they claim, is further contradicted by the appearance of Anne Paulk.

Trolling for "victims" in New Jersey

The tears of joy have barely subsided for happily married gay couples. Yet, Liberty Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom and other right wing groups have already begun the process of manufacturing victims of marriage equality in New Jersey. The word is surely going out to pastors and allies that opportunities exist for defenders of the faith to demonstrate that they are true believers.

Christie has pissed off FRC - It's one of those days

Family Research Council has weighed in on Chris Christie's refusal to continue futile efforts to oppose marriage equality in New Jersey. 

• The people overwhelmingly support equality.
• The legislature supports equality.
• The judicial branch mandates equality.

Nevertheless:

Family Research Council is disappointed by Gov. Christie's decision to withdraw the state's appeal of a lower court order redefining marriage. The fact that the Supreme Court refused to stay the lower court's order is no reason not to litigate this important issue to a final conclusion on the merits.

NOM is pissed - so what else is new?

Predictably, National Organization for Marriage is reacting to marriage equality in New Jersey. In a blog post verbosely titled “National Organization for Marriage Sharply Criticizes Activist Judiciary For Redefining Marriage In New Jersey and Christie For Abandoning Voters:”

"An activist judiciary has once again imposed its views and ignored the rights of voters. Regrettably, Governor Christie's decision to surrender on marriage reveals him to be a man who lacks the courage of his supposed convictions." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

Cons want to impeach federal judge for decision they do not like

Theater of the absurd redux.

Judge Timothy Black Judge is a US District Court Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. Judge Black recently ordered Ohio to recognize two out-of-state same-sex marriages. In both cases, one partner was near death. Judge Black's rationale was that Ohio law historically has recognized out-of-state marriages as valid. He had the audacity to suggest that these couples should be treated with respect. Oh my.

NJ Family Policy Council faults 'judicial oligarchy'

Len Deo, who head the New Jersey Family Policy Council, tells American Family Association:

The New Jersey Supreme Court has dropped all pretense of impartiality. It's a breach of public confidence, and I'm not sure that they'll be able to repair that. It's a sad day for the rule of law in New Jersey. We're no longer ruled by freely elected representatives but by a judicial oligarchy.

Well, Len, that just sucks. This, by the way, was before Governor Chris Christie dropped the appeal this morning.  "Oligarchy?" The funny thing is that the court voted 7-0 to deny a stay which ultimately led to Christie's decision to drop the appeal. Those seven judges were appointed by Republican and Democratic governors. The notion that this is an oligarchy is just goofy.

On Thursday he'll be sworn in but tonight Cory Booker has other plans

At the stroke of midnight, Senator Elect Cory Booker will be conducting same-sex marriages as the mayor of Newark. At least ten couples will take their vows in the rotunda of Newark's city hall.

At a time of unlimited cynicism, Cory Booker seems to be the genuine article. I think – I want to think – that he is marrying these couples because he takes pleasure being of service to constituents. Years from now, children will be able to say that their moms or their dads were married by Cory Booker. That's kind of neat.

FRC's Peter Sprigg weighs in on New Jersey

Family Research Council's go-to guy on gay is Peter Sprigg. Sprigg, who is a Baptist minister, is confused, misleading or (my theory) both.

The alleged harm to same-sex couples from waiting for a final determination of the constitutionality of New Jersey's marriage laws is virtually non-existent, given that they already have access to 100 percent of the rights and benefits of marriage under state law through civil unions. Surely creating the possibility that same-sex 'marriage' would be extended and then once again withdrawn constitutes a greater possible harm.

NOM's Brian Brown is Displeased

Needless to say, the situation in New Jersey has ruined Brian Brown's weekend. The folks at National Organization for Marriage may never conclude that national marriage equality is inevitable.  At some point, however, common sense dictates that donors would come to the realization that resistance is not only futile but counter-productive. HRC's goal of 50 states in 5 years might need some favorable adjustment. NOM's breakout statement on New Jersey:

Proforma more than a third of US citizens live in equal marriage states

Equality index = 34.35%

The assumption is that New Jersey holds (as is likely the case). I have also included Oregon given that it is recognizing out of state marriages and its close proximity to California to the south and Washington to the north.

34.35%	of our citizens live in states recognizing same-sex marriage.
0.00%	of our citizens have had their traditional marriage affected by same-sex marriage.

We still have a long way to ago. 35 states embrace marriage discrimination. Clearly, momentum is on our side as is inevitability.

NJ Supreme Court finds State unlikely to perevail - Same-sex marriages begin on 10/21

The New Jersey Supreme Court his issued its opinion regarding the stay that was requested. With the caution that this is still going to trial in January, the court obviously is predisposed to rule in favor of equality. Here is what you need to know:

 

 and;

NJ Supreme Court Denies Stay - Same-Sex Marriages Begin on Monday

The New Jersey Supreme Court must not think highly of the arguments by Chris Christie's attorney general on his behalf. More, later.

Mayor Oliver, Facebook and personality disorders

Mayor Linda Oliver

By now most of you have seen this (now deleted) Facebook post by Mayor Linda Oliver of West Union (pop. 300), South Carolina. In case you missed it:

Missouri lawmaker on "promoting" homosexuality

Republican Missouri Representative Kevin Elmer thinks that promoting tolerance is promoting homosexuality. The source of Mr. Elmer's confusion is unknown. This story begins with a tweet:

Judy Shepard to speak at Brown Theatre in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 17, 2013--
Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, the Laramie, Wyoming, college student whose 1998 murder inspired the federal hate-crime prevention act of 2009, will speak in Louisville for the first time at 3:30pm, Wednesday, October 23, at the Brown Theatre on Broadway Avenue. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets can be reserved in advance by contacting byoderg@b-f.com, and will also be available at the door on the day of the event.

Shepard's visit is part of a series of Brown-Forman employee events in October focused on raising awareness of bullying and violence toward lesbian, gay, bi-sexual , transgender people. The events are hosted by B.Y.O.D., Brown-Forman's lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and ally Employee Resource Group.

Marriage Equality USA: Night of Action for Freedom to Marry in Hawaii

Marriage Equality USA is pleased to announce that marriage equality advocates around the country now have the opportunity to make a real difference in making the freedom to marry a reality in Hawaii. On Thursday, October 24th at 7:30pm PT, the National Equality Action Team is having a national “night of action” for Hawaii in which volunteers can phone bank from home and other locations.

A Learning Opportunity?

National Organization for Marriage is promoting a lecture tonight by Ryan T. Anderson on the definition of marriage. Anderson will just repeat the same things that he has said over and over and over again. He is nothing but a repeater of the teachings of the Catholic Church spiced up with some theoretical consequences of marriage equality that are not supported by any of our experiences with same-sex marriage. He'll probably add the usual persecuted Christians BS because there are no religious exemptions to non-discrimination ordinances. Oh, the poor 70% or so of our nation.

I just hope that some of our people show up to ask the right questions.

It's a bit late but the lecture will take place in McCosh Hall, Room 50 at 7:30 PM on the Princeton Campus, and is hosted by the University's Anscombe and American Whig-Cliosophic Societies.

FRC likens marriage equality to pernicious victimless crime

Rob Schwarzwalder

Family Research Council is out with a new "Issues Analysis," Complementarity in Marriage:What it is and Why it Matters. This bit of sophistry has been authored by Rob Schwarzwalder, a FRC Senior VP. Schwarzwalder's career has been primarily as a congressional staffer. He has an MA in theology from Western Seminary, an Evangelical Christian school.

Most of this so-called analysis simply recycles tired, frequently rebuked themes with some new twists. Mr. Schwarzwalder begins with the startling scientific conclusion that men and women are different.

Oregon is Effectively #14

Oregon Coast

Oregon is not quite a marriage equality state. However, it is now recognizing marriages from other states. In a memo sent to all state agencies yesterday, state Chief Operating Officer Michael Jordan says any gay couple who wed in a state where same-sex marriage is legal will now be eligible for the same benefits as any other married couple.

NOM and Sarah Palin are on a hell of a roll

After losing six for six last fall (including a retention election and President Obama) National Organization for Marriage knew that they had the hot hand. Last week they began an independent expenditure campaign supporting Steve Lonegan (a Cracked Teapot) in the New Jersey special election for Senate. Cory Booker cruised to an easy win with more than a ten point lead when the AP called it.

Another lengthy Gish Gallup from NOM with a "Poor Us" theme

Brian Brown, leader of National Organization for Marriage wants us to know “How the Left Does it.” Brown mistakenly believes that he is a conservative but that the subject for another post. These days, Brown cannot write an honest sentence. For example, according to Mr. Brown:

In recent days, it has become clearer than ever that the fight to defend true marriage is a fight for the very identity and destiny of our great nation. Marriage is the foundation that supports our country, and we simply cannot have a well-functioning nation if we destroy the marriage culture. But that's what is happening before our very eyes.

Matthew Franck remarkably claims that it is judges who are irrational over same-sex marriage

Matthew J. Franck is a Defender of the Faith™. According to the Witherspoon Institute (which is associated with Opus Dei), he is their “Director of the William E. and Carol G. Simon Center on Religion and the Constitution.” On Witherspoon's pretentious blog Mr. Franck writes;  Same-Sex Marriage Makes Liberal Judges Irrational. It is a tedious thesis but Franck's claim that marriage equality takes a toll on the mental health of judges is a source of sardonic amusement.

So what is it that saddens Mr. Franck today?

A New Jersey judge’s contorted and nonsensical decision that the state is responsible for the federal government’s failure to recognize same-sex marriage highlights the irrationality that permeates the campaign for “marriage equality.”

"U.S. Army officially labels your AFA as domestic hate group"

According to an American Family Association blog post:

As reported by Fox News' Todd Starnes, AFA was listed alongside domestic hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazis, the Black Panthers and the Nation of Islam during a military training session at Camp Shelby in Mississippi last week.

Well poor them. 

I am not sure what the US Army did given that AFA is relying on the often unreliable Todd Starnes. In point of fact, American Family Association most certainly is a hate group. They seem to exist to demean gay people and their families. They also boycott companies for treating gays with dignity. They even boycotted JC Penney simply because the company shot a series of commercials using Ellen DeGeneres. This is, after all, the organization that employs Bryan Fischer who said that that the Supreme Court “is doing to us what the Nazis did to the Jews.” Fischer spews anti-gay hate 365-24-7.

Nice news out of Alabama - of all places

According to NECN:

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A retired United Methodist bishop from Tennessee said Monday that he will perform a wedding service for two men in Alabama despite opposition from the presiding bishop, who says the ceremony will violate church law.

Bishop Melvin G. Talbert, who has been active in efforts to eliminate barriers to gay marriage from United Methodist doctrine, said it will be an honor to officiate at the ceremony later this month in metro Birmingham for Joe Openshaw and Bobby Prince.

The couple were legally married in the District of Columbia last month. Sometimes we – I – forget that there really are good religious people who reside within the former Confederacy.

Majority of same-sex marriages in one county are from out-of-state

According to Patch, gay couples from marriage discrimination states are flocking to Anne Arundel County in Maryland. Between July 1 and September 30, 2013, more than half of the same-sex marriage licenses were issued to out of state couples. Florida, North Carolina and Virginia contributed the most couples. Gay couples from as far away as Arizona traveled to Maryland to legally tie the knot.

With friends like these...

This via the San Francisco Chronicle regarding a California ballot initiative to repeal the new law providing accommodations to transgender students.

"We are now going to have another Prop. 8 fight on our hands," predicted Charles Moran, head of the California Log Cabin Republicans, the GOP gay and lesbian organization.

Moran said the transgender-student law is "bad legislation," because Republican lawmakers were never consulted to help develop a bill that would have been more palatable to conservatives.

Still, he added, "I hope (the signature gathering effort) fails."

Incredibly Prop 8 is still in the courts

The backers of the Proposition 8 campaign are still in the courts. They are trying to keep confidential the contributors to the campaign. Of course that would be putting toothpaste back in the tube. We know who contributed what. It's all on the Internet. Nevertheless, at a hearing before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, they presented declarations from 58 contributors claiming that they had been subjected to vandalism, hate mail, boycotts and death threats. Oh, the poor dears.