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Showing posts from November, 2010

Get well soon, Pam Spaulding!

One of the LGBT community's top bloggers, and a former guest on this show--Pam Spaulding-- faced surgery today and is currently, apparently, recovering nicely.  Here at SameSexSunday, we appreciate everything that Pam has done for the community and hope she's in tip-top shape again soon! Get well soon, Pam--we just know you'll be back on your feet in no time!

HuffPo: Pentagon Warns Congress To Hurry Up On DADT Repeal

We are in the last days of disco here.  If Republican leadership in the Senate continues to put that party on the wrong side of the issue, they'll have a lot of explaining to do later on.  Better to back off and not risk military leaders saying, "Republicans put our national security at risk for political gain on this issue," in a few months. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/22/pentagon-warns-congress-dadt_n_786649.html Pentagon Warns Congress To Hurry Up On DADT Repeal SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia — The Pentagon's top leaders warned Sunday that if Congress fails to repeal the ban on gays serving openly in the military, the courts may order changes that military leaders consider too fast or poorly thought-out. The Pentagon is trying to make it easier for the Senate to consider lifting the ban in the current postelection session. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Sunday he will release a study of the effects of repeal on Nov. 30, a day earlier than planned. That could

Chair of Joint Chiefs of staff: DADT "goes counter to who we are as institution."

Admiral Mike Mullen was on This Week this week.  Forward to 4:40 for 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' portion. <img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src=" " /> Are these the last days of this discriminatory institution?

#SSS: The State of States; Where is Marriage Equality Coming Next?

Posted at Bilerico.com : Several states are poised to move towards marriage equality for gays and lesbians in 2011 and 2012. On the 25th episode of Same Sex Sunday, hear from those closest to the ground. Joining us will be the Executive Director for Equality Maryland , Morgan Menesses-Sheets; the Executive Director of MassEqulaity Kara Suffredini; Founding Partner of 3PG Consulting Andy Szekeres, and the State Legislative Director for the Human Rights Campaign Sarah Warbelow. Click here to subscribe on iTunes or listen in your browser after the fold.    

OUR TWENTY-FIFTH EPISODE! CHECK OUT OUR PREVIEW!

Download now or watch on posterous SameSexSunday25 Preview.m4v (17621 KB) This week on your TWENTY-FIFTH EPISODE OF SAMESEXSUNDAY: Executive Director of Equality Maryland; Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Executive Director of MassEquality; Kara Suffredini, Founding Partner of 3PG Consulting; Andy Szekeres, State Legislative Director for the Human Rights Campaign; Sarah Warbelow all stopped by to talk about the political and legislative landscape for LGBT gains in on the state level.  Learn about potential wins in Maryland, Rhode Island, New York, Illinois, Washington, Hawaii for gender identity employment protections, civil unions and marriage; as well as trouble on the horizon for NOM. Plus, updates on the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' front.  Check it out and please help spread the word! Until next time, until we are equal, keep up the good fight!

OUR TWENTY-FIFTH EPISODE! CHECK OUT OUR PREVIEW!

This week on your TWENTY-FIFTH EPISODE OF SAMESEXSUNDAY: Executive Director of Equality Maryland; Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Executive Director of MassEquality; Kara Suffredini, Founding Partner of 3PG Consulting; Andy Szekeres, State Legislative Director for the Human Rights Campaign; Sarah Warbelow all stopped by to talk about the political and legislative landscape for LGBT gains in on the state level.  Learn about potential wins in Maryland, Rhode Island, New York, Illinois, Washington, Hawaii for gender identity employment protections, civil unions and marriage; as well as trouble on the horizon for NOM. Plus, updates on the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' front.  Check it out and please help spread the word! Until next time, until we are equal, keep up the good fight!

Don't fret--your SameSexSunday hasn't changed!

Download now or watch on posterous Movie on 2010-11-19 at 16.40.mov (8001 KB) Your SameSexSunday hasn't changed, but we're really glad you've been active in your discussions with Joe and myself; letting us know what you like about the show and what you'd like to see us do better.  We're listening!  The show is now running a very trip one hour (approximately) and we're giving you more of what you love!  Keep sending us your comments, concerns & questions!  SameSexSunday@bilerico.com

Can we trust Rasmussen anymore?

Nate Silver: FiveThirtyEight :

Recount in Minnesota? Sigh.

Nate Silver from FiveThirtyEight :

Chris Geidner: In Iowa, judges are ousted.

Via Chris Geidner's Poliglot blog at Metro Weekly : " In Iowa, which declared Iowa's marriage ban unconstitutional under the state's constitution in 2009, the National Organization for Marriage got one of its first electoral victories this year. The judicial retention elections appear to have resulted in the replacement of all three justices up for a vote this year. Here, as of 3:35 a.m. and with 1767 out of 1774 precincts reporting, are the Iowa Secretary of State's election results: Supreme Court Justice David L. Baker Yes 443437 45.75% No 525865 54.25% Supreme Court Justice Michael J. Streit Yes 442459 45.6% No 527921 54.4% Supreme Court Chief Justice Marsha Ternus Yes 437118 44.99% No 534486 55.01% The court was unanimous in its 2009 ruling that Iowa's constitution required marriage equality."

Terror in IOWA: Governor Culver falls, 3 justices lose retention votes

According to the Des Moines Register , not only was pro-equality Governor Chet Culver ousted, but the Republicans will take control of the Iowa House, and the three pro-equality Justices on the ballot who all chose not to campaign were rejected for retention, opening them all up for replacement by re-elected anti-equality Governor Branstad. Democrats will maintan a very SLIM majority in the Senate, but the likelihood of a voter referendum reversing marriage equality in that state now seems closer to reality.

Conservative BRIGHT SPOT--RI GOV!

From JoeMyGod: "Lincoln Chafee, who was the only GOP Senator to ever express support for marriage equality, has won the gubernatorial race in Rhode Island as an Independent. Democrat Frank Caprio had been leading up until two weeks ago, but lost ground after telling President Obama to "shove it" when he didn't get Obama's endorsement. Both Chafee and Caprio had promised to sign a marriage equality bill should one get to their desks."

No on weed, Yes on Reid.

California will not legalize marijuana. Nevada will send Democratic Majority Leader Reid back to the Senate (but will he still LEAD the Dems there?). Reid, who has been outstandingly mealymouthed and milquetoast on LGBT issues, at least gets to hold the gavel for a few more weeks. However, as the tides change, there will be some strong challenges to his leadership. Too bad Russ Feingold can't run for Majority Leader. THAT strong LGBT ally who took a moral stand against DOMA in 1996 and has always been a strong ally to the community, is now out of the job. If its someone like Durbin that replaces Reid, I swear I'm going to waterboard MYSELF. Vom.

Its like a bad dream...

..." Rep. Murphy, Sen. Feingold Lose Seats " Any LGBT people who stayed home because of anger at the Dems in general, listen up. I'm angry at the Dems too, but there were Dems working for us. Several are now OUT. Yet a lot of the ones crappy on our issues are still there. What good did it do you to be lazy and throw your hands up in the air and say "I'm taking my ball and going home!" ? I hope you enjoy the: Statewide ballot initiatives banning gay adoption. Redistricting that will allow even more Conservatives elected in your state in 2012. Roll-back of small gains in many places like Michigan. You never sit it out. You never take the easy road and be lazy. You stay in, and you fight, and you REWARD your friends and PUNISH your enemies! Tonight, those of you who stayed home, those of you who blew off this election in frustration PUNISHED your friends and REWARDED your enemies. Get your head on straight. Seriously. Don't be stupid.

(Maybe) Kirk over Giannoulias; Quinn V Brady still too close

Almost all of the votes are in, and it looks like Kirk is 3 percentage points ahead of Giannoulias--a few more thousand votes going Kirk's way and it will be the point of no return. However, Brady and Quinn are so close, I'm not going to be surprised if there is a recount. If Alexi Giannoulias does win the President's former Senate seat, he would have been an outspoken full-equality, pro-marriage ally on the hill. We're now getting half and half with Kirk, who supports ENDA, but not a DADT repeal. Sad thing is, whoever wins will be replacing Sen. Burris immediately, and--though we're not going to see ENDA come up in the Senate in the Lame Duck session, we WILL see DADT repeal come up. With the Pentagon's working group sure to report to the Senate favorable conditions in the armed-forces for a DADT repeal, might we see Kirk switch positions? I'd hope so. It would be the honorable thing to do. However, a brand new Senator is unlikely to flip-flop like th

No African Americans in the next Senate

According to CNN: No African-Americans in next U.S. Senate "New York (CNN) – Despite record election achievements by African-Americans in the House, the United States Senate will not have an African-American in its ranks. All three black Senate candidates, Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Alvin Greene (D-SC) and Mike Thurmond (D-GA) are projected to lose tonight. The only incumbent black senator, Roland Burris (D-IL), is retiring. Only six black senators have served: three Republicans and three Democrats, including the future President Barack Obama (D-IL). There have been 118 voting members of Congress who are African-American. This year the GOP has 14 African-Americans on the ballot, any one of which could become the first black Republican in the house since 2003. There are 41 African-American Democrats in Congress of which most are running in majority black districts. CNN projects Alabama sent its first African-American woman to Congress tonight with the election of Terri Sewell in the sta

Scared of losing Sestak

Some scary news from Nate Silver at FiveThirtyEight :

More updates from Nate Silver: Sestak not out of the woods in PA

According to FiveThirtyEight :

This is a good sign from Iowa...

...only one county so far, but its a rural county, and they're supporting EQUALITY!

GIANNOULIAS AHEAD!

... so far so good !

Sigh...

According to MSNBC :

Victory Fund: African American gay man wins election to N.C. House

According to the Victory Fund's Denis Dison : "Marcus Brandon has been elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives. He will represent the cities of Greensboro and High Point in the state legislature. Brandon will be the only openly LGBT state legislator in North Carolina, and one of just five openly LGBT African-Americans serving in state legislatures across the country (including Maryland House of Delegates candidate Mary Washington, who will also win tonight). Openly lesbian N.C. State Sen. Julia Boseman is stepping down at the end of this term."

TPM: PA Dem Sestak may be OK in Senate

Two new pieces of news from TPM :

Victory Fund: Barney Frank re-elected.

http://www.gaypolitics.com/2010/11/02/breaking-barney-frank-reelected/ Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., has been reelected despite a strong challenge from Republican challenger Sean Bielat, who was backed by tea party groups and consequently amassed a huge campaign warchest in recent weeks. “Barney Frank is nothing if not a fighter, and we’re very happy he will return to the House and continue to fight for the people of Massachusetts and for all LGBT Americans. Nobody has worked harder or longer in the U.S. Congress for fairness and equality for the LGBT community,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. Frank, perhaps the world’s most famous openly gay elected official, has served in the House since 1981. He came out as gay in 1987.

Strong LGBT House advocate Phil Hare in trouble in IL

CNN projects :

Maryland's Gov O'Malley keeps his job, marriage equality now more possible

Freedom to Marry tweets:

Nate Silver: GOP takeover chances in Senate 2%, House 92%

Politics' mega-stats-guru has the projections :

Huge EQUALITY ally and advocate, Gillibrand; Schumer hold NY Senate seat

According to TPM :

Cuomo will be Governor--marriage equality still possible

This from TPM : "Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (D) has won the race for New York Governor over Carl Paladino (R). With 0% of precincts reporting, CNN projects that Cuomo is the winner. Though the Tea Party-backed Paladino had some early momentum that helped him beat Rick Lazio in the September 14 Republican primary, his campaign has since been plagued by controversy and concerns about his temperament. Paladino, a Buffalo businessman, first made a name for himself when he forwarded several racist and obscene emails. He has since suggested that New York should house welfare recipients in prison, and was one of the louder voices against the Cordoba House Islamic Center near Ground Zero."

Republicans pretty much can't take the Senate

According to FiveThirtyEight's Nate Silver :

Russ Feingold--slightly down, but NOT OUT!

According to TPM: Dem Sources Hold Out Hope For Feingold : Two Democratic sources tell TPM that their exit poll data shows Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) either tied with or down by the thinnest of margins against his Republican challenger Ron Johnson. A senior Dem source says one exit poll has them down by a point. The other has it dead even. Customary notes of caution about exit polls apply, and, of course, these are Democratic sources pulling for their candidate. But the early data is clearly closer than they expected they would be. Russ Feingold was the first sitting Senator to come out in favor of full Marriage Equality. He's a true friend of our community. Cross your fingers.

One of my personal heroes, Alan Grayson down in Florida

According to TPM: SADNESS!

JoeMyGod: WEST VIRGINIA: Democrat Joe Manchin Wins Senate Seat, Kills GOP Majority

According to Joe : "West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin's win means the slim chance of the GOP winning a Senate majority is essentially gone."

Florida goes to the dogs...

GOOD NEWS--New Hampshire protects its Dem Governor & Marriage Equality!

Victory Fund: Lexington, Kentucky elects openly gay mayor

...From the Victory Fund's GayPolitics blog by frequent SameSexSunday guest, Denis Dison: http://www.gaypolitics.com/2010/11/02/breaking-lexington-kentucky-elects-openly-gay-mayor/ Kentucky’s second-largest city has elected an openly gay man as its next mayor. Vice-Mayor Jim Gray was victorious tonight in his second campaign for the city’s top job, beating incumbent Mayor Jim Newberry. “This is a tremendous victory for Lexington, for Kentucky’s LGBT community and for fairness. We are proud of Jim Gray and his fantastic campaign staff who fought hard for this win,” said Chuck Wolfe, Victory Fund’s president and CEO. Keep posted for more equality news, right here...