Gay Couple Legally Wed in Oklahoma Despite Statewide Ban

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Gay couple in Oklahoma legally wed despite state ban on same-sex marriage – LGBTQ Nation.
My new favorite tribe! Congratulations!

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In this photo provided by All Shots Photgraphy, the Rev. Floyd Black Bear, left, officiates the wedding of his son, Darren Black Bear, second from left, to Jason Pickel, second from right, at Fort Reno in Oklahoma. They are the third same-sex couple to be issued a marriage license from the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes since 2012.| Brandi Duvall AP

Despite a gay marriage ban in the Oklahoma Constitution, Darren Black Bear, 45, and Jason Pickel, 36, wed before about 50 friends and family members at the Fort Reno chapel after being granted a marriage license from the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. 

Greenwald On leaving the Guardian

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On leaving the Guardian | Glenn Greenwald | Comment is free | theguardian.com.

Glenn Greenwald is leaving Britain’s The Guardian newspaper to begin a new reporting structure with a couple of other journalists. Greenwald, most famous for his access to Edward Snowden and his NSA leaks, is also partner to David Miranda, who was detained while passing through Heathrow Airport earlier this year.

Greenwald, who lives with Miranda in Brazil, is, I believe, one of the great heroes of the free press in the 21st century. I look forward to his next series of adventures.

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Google Donates 17,000 Tablets to Hurricane Sandy Communities

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Google Donates 17,000 Nexus Tablets to Hurricane Sandy Communities. | Mashable

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Google has donated 17,000 tablets, with a total retail value of over $2.7 million, to libraries, senior centers and business and community centers in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Okay. Well. That’s nice of Google. Surely the residents of New York and New Jersey who were affected by Sandy could use the cash instead?

Betty White Spoofs Miley Cyrus, ‘Wrecking Ball’

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Betty White Spoofs Miley Cyrus, ‘Wrecking Ball’ In ‘Off Their Rockers’ Promo For Lifetime (VIDEO).

How can you not love America’s Sweetheart, Betty White?

John Arthur, Terminally Ill Ohio Man Who Challenged Gay Marriage Ban, Dies

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CINCINNATI (AP) — John Arthur, who with his longtime partner helped lead a legal challenge to Ohio’s ban on gay marriage, died early Tuesday, his attorney and a funeral home director said.

With Arthur terminally ill from Lou Gehrig’s disease, he and James Obergefell, both 47, flew to Maryland in June to marry. They then then sued in federal court in Cincinnati for recognition of their marriage in Ohio so they could be buried next to each other in Arthur’s family plot.

“Their love is a model for all of us,” attorney Al Gerhardstein said, praising Arthur for fighting in his last days for the rights of all same-sex couples.

via John Arthur, Terminally Ill Ohio Man Who Challenged Gay Marriage Ban, Dies.

Very sad, but a story of a triumphant outcome of hope. John Arthur continued to fight for recognition until the end. His fight may pave the way for more Ohioans to have their marriages legally recognized.

There’s a video embedded on the jump. Watch it. You’ll cry.

Christie Withdraws Appeal of Same-Sex Marriage Ruling in N.J.

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Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey announced on Monday that his administration would drop its legal challenge to allowing gay marriage in the state…

via Christie Withdraws Appeal of Same-Sex Marriage Ruling in New Jersey – NYTimes.com.

I sometimes get the feeling the Christie WANTS to be a progressive, but just can’t quite get there. I applauded him during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, stood up for him when Clinton’s former doctor called him fat, and decided that I would do anything I could possibly do to unseat him after this marriage equality debacle.

Not only is his referendum idea wrong on its face — you never allow the electorate to vote on basic human rights — but it’s laughable to think that somehow the courts are not a part of government. They are. They did their jobs. Lick your wounds and move on.

Or, perhaps more to the point, you realized that you can’t win another election on the wrong side of history.

Congratulations, Garden State. Fourteen is a lovely number. Fifteen’s a better one.

New Jersey Welcomes You — Or Not — We’re Unsure, Really. (Meanwhile, Enjoy our Turnpike)

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Several New Jersey towns were accepting applications for marriage licenses so gay couples can tie the knot starting Monday – unless the state Supreme Court blocks the nuptials before then.

via N.J. towns accept marriage applications, prepare for same-sex weddings – LGBTQ Nation.

‘Boy Wonder,’ Scientist and Inventor Jack Andraka Profiled on ‘60 Minutes’

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‘Boy wonder,’ scientist and inventor Jack Andraka profiled on ‘60 Minutes’ – LGBTQ Nation.

Happy to see this and watch the clip featuring Morley Safer’s entire piece on Jack. I wasn’t as happy to note that there was no mention of Jack being gay in the piece. I mean, it doesn’t add anything REALLY, but it would be nice to say, “You can be a big science nerd and also be gay.” I think that’s important.

My recent take on this.

LGBT History Month 2013: 21 Influential Black LGBT Icons

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LGBT History Month 2013: 21 Influential Black LGBT Icons.

An important list, I think. Often those of color were so marginalized in society that those that were gay were practically invisible.

Bayard Rustin, the gay, Quaker civil rights organizer. He is one of the unsung heroes of the last century's social movements.

Bayard Rustin, the gay, Quaker civil rights organizer. He is one of the unsung heroes of the last century’s social movements.

One social reformer that was not invisible was Bayard Rustin, the main organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. Rustin’s sexuality did, however, impact negatively on his place in history. Only now, 50 years after the March and two and a half decades after his death is his importance to civil rights and gay rights in the 20th century being reexamined.

Langford on Soaps: Best Gay TV Characters

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Langford on Soaps: Has “My Husband’s Lover” Jumped the Shark? – thebacklot.com, Page 6.

Scroll down the linked page about halfway to get to Anthony’s top ten list. Sometimes when I read his opinions of soaps, it’s like we’re watching two entirely different shows. A wide divergence of opinion — it’s what civilized discourse is all about, Congress. This time out, however, it’s something else entirely.

Eric Sheffer Stevens (l) joined As The World Turns in its last year on the air as Dr. Reid Oliver. His pairing with Van Hansis' Luke divided audiences between those who wanted to see the electric pairing of Stevens and Hansis and those wanting a happy ending for Luke and his former love, Noah, played by Jake Silbermann. Reid Oliver's death was central to the plot of the show's finale, though it did not satisfy many viewers.

Eric Sheffer Stevens (l) joined As The World Turns in its last year on the air as Dr. Reid Oliver. His pairing with Van Hansis’ Luke divided audiences between those who wanted to see the electric pairing of Stevens and Hansis and those wanting a happy ending for Luke and his former love, Noah, played by Jake Silbermann. Reid Oliver’s death was central to the plot of the show’s finale, though it did not satisfy many viewers.

I like his list. I think I would have replaced #s 10, 9, and 5, but other than that, I think he’s onto something.

Like Anthony, I think Reid Oliver and Brendan Brady were, in many ways, some of the most important gay representations we’ve had on television. And, I, too, have a soft spot for John Paul McQueen, Aaron Livesy and Luke Snyder!