Same-sex marriage advocacy organization Freedom to Marry teamed with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an organization working for LGBT rights in the military, to launch a new campaign called Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry that merges the two areas by featuring profiles of servicemembers affected by the Defense of Marriage Act.

The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, is a federal law prohibiting the U.S. government from recognizing any same-sex relationships, including those valid in states where same-sex marriage is legal.

The campaign launched with a video telling the story of two women getting married through the window of Facebook Timeline. Ultimately the spouse that was serving overseas lost her life and her partner was the last to know because their marriage was not recognized by the state.  It’s a powerful statement to introduce this campaign. Video below: (more…)

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney

In response to GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s claim that marriage should be only between a man and a woman, top donor Bill White withdrew his contribution to Romney’s political campaign.

White is a chairman and CEO of Constellations Group consulting firm in New York, a registered independent and openly gay.

In a letter addressed to Romney and obtained by CNN, White states that Romney’s new position on his marriage is the main reason for him withdrawing his $2,500 donation to Romney for President, Inc.

Addressing the former governor directly, White writes “You have chosen to be on the wrong side of history and I do not support your run for president any longer.” (more…)

After much struggle, and an offer to see Mr. Trump’s genitals, Jenna Talackova will finally be allowed to compete in the Miss Universe Canada 2013 competition.

Talackova had been initially disqualified for being dishonest on the Miss Universe competition application – apparently she hadn’t included that she was raised as a male before transitioning.

Video below: (more…)

The Virginia House of Delegates turned down a judicial nomination of a gay prosecutor Tuesday after Republican lawmakers argued that the nominee would push a radical agenda, The Washington Post reported.

Tuesday morning, the House voted 33-31, with 10 abstentions, to deny Tracy Thorne-Begland for judgeship on the General District Court in Richmond.  Thorne-Begland needed a majority vote to be confirmed into the position, which would have made him Virginia’s first openly gay judge.

Thorne-Begland is a former U.S. Naval fighter pilot who was honorably discharged almost 20 years ago after disclosing his sexual orientation in opposition to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.  He is now a deputy commonwealth attorney in Richmond who is raising twins with his partner.  He has also served on the board of Equality Virginia, a gay rights group.

Several conservatives said that portions of Thorne-Begland’s history would not allow him to be impartial if elected to the position.  Even though many of Thorne-Begland’s supporters tried to refute these accusations, he still could not get the amount of votes necessary to receive judgeship, with no Republicans voting in support.  His supporters are disappointed with the decision: (more…)

Following an anonymous phone call to California police informing them of a potential attack on “a national gay rights organization,” The Huffington Post reports that two buildings in Washington D.C. were evacuated this morning.

Washington D.C. police evacuated the building of gay and lesbian advocacy group Human Rights Campaign and another building in D.C. that is home to many other LGBT advocacy groups. Police then searched the two buildings for a possible bomb threat.

Around 1 p.m., the D.C. police finished their search of Human Rights Campaign’s office and gave the staff permission to return to work.

A request to name a U.S. Navy ship after gay civil rights activist Harvey Milk has San Francisco’s political leaders divided on how to honor his legacy, reported the San Francisco Chronicle.

San Diego U.S. Rep. Bob Filner requested Tuesday that the Navy name a ship the USS Harvey Milk to honor the openly gay activist and city supervisor who was assassinated on Nov. 27, 1978.  San Francisco supervisor Scott Wiener is contributing by authoring a nonbinding resolution.  Wiener expressed that this would be a fitting celebration for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” since Milk – the first openly gay man elected to public office in the U.S. – was a Navy officer during the Korean War.

 ”I cannot think of a more fitting way to honor that repeal than to name a ship after an LGBT civil rights icon who was also a Navy vet,” Wiener said at a City Hall committee hearing Monday on his proposal.

Zoe Dunning, who is a retired Navy commander and a lesbian, testified that honoring Milk in this way would give his name global reach.  His name would be seen in every port the ship pulled into and on the sailors’ and officers’ uniform patches.

But not everyone is in agreement about the proposal.  Supervisor Christina Olague said that Milk would not have wanted his name on a military since Milk was  “against the Vietnam War and war in general,” she said. Olague also said that a more fitting tribute would be to create a national holiday in his honor.

The San Francisco board’s City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee passed the proposed resolution out of committee with a 2-1 vote and the full board will discuss the issue next week.

Speaker Frank McNulty, left, and a groundhog. Here we go again.

UPDATE at 8:02 p.m.

The Colorado House State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee killed the Colorado Civil Unions Act, HB12S-1006, on a party-line vote. Story here.

UPDATE at 8 p.m.

The Colorado Civil Union Act is most likely dead.

Supporters of the bill had hoped Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, who is the father of a gay son, would be a swing vote. However, he told a crowd of more than 300 the bill was too similar to same-sex marriage and a “yes” vote would invalidate a 2006 voter approved amendment defining marriage between a man and a woman.

Coram also said he thought the bill was being used for political gain.

“I’m concerned that the gay community is being used as a political pawn,” he said. “(Civil unions) only came up when we had a split house. And I think that’s wrong because these are great people.” (more…)

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 Adopt a Super Pet! Everyone needs a sidekick.

Through June 30, the Dumb Friends League is offering $50 off adoption fees for cats and dogs 1 year and older. This adoption special is available at both shelter locations—the Quebec Street shelter in Denver and the Buddy Center in Castle Rock—as well as at the League’s adoption center in Northfield Stapleton and on their Pet Care-avan. Each adoption fee includes a spay/neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, microchip ID implant and a free initial office visit with a participating veterinarian. For more information, visit ddfl.org, or call (303) 751-5772.