Via the New York Times:  The former Port Authority official who personally oversaw the lane closings on the George Washington Bridge in the scandal now swirling around Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey said on Friday that “evidence exists” the governor knew about the lane closings when they were happening. In a letter released by his lawyer, the former official, …

Via joint press release from Lambda Legal and the ACLU: Today, a federal district court in Virginia certified as a class action a lawsuit challenging that state’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples, extending the scope of those represented in the lawsuit to all same-sex couples in the state who cannot legally marry or whose legal marriages performed elsewhere are …

The Los Angeles Gay Men’s Chorus today posted the below 1999 concert footage with some recent and disturbing images from Russia added. Above is infamous and recently apprehended Russian gay-basher Maxim Martsenkevich. One of the largest gatherings of LGBT people in Russian history occurred when the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles performed in Moscow in 1999. Here’s the climax …

Just in via email: Dear Joe, Disney did air the “Good Luck Charlie” episode featuring two moms as a same-sex couple this week, but your efforts were not in vain. Although One Million Moms is disappointed in Disney after we urged the network not to air this particular episode, Care.com did pay attention to our outcry and did not sponsor …

The Virginia House today advanced a bill that would (they claim) give members of the chamber standing to defend the state’s marriage ban in federal court. Del C. Todd Gilbert’s measure, which will be on the House floor for a final vote Monday, includes an amendment by Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William [PHOTO]. The amendment would also give the …

Via press release: In honor of Team USA’s participation in the 2014 Winter Olympics (February 7-23) and Paralympics (March 7-16) in Sochi, Russia, the U.S. Department of State has produced a one-minute video highlighting the diversity of the U.S. athletes competing in the Games as well as everyday Americans. The video focuses on the theme “We Are All Athletes,” to …

Fappers = wounded soldiers. Or something. (Via Christian Nightmares)

J. Lester Feder reports at Buzzfeed: Russian authorities reportedly filed charges on Friday against the head of an online support group for LGBT teens, for violating the law prohibiting “the promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships to minors.” The case is being brought against Elena Klimova, who runs Children-404, which posts stories from Russian LGBT teens on the Russian social networking …

Anti-abortion groups have launched yet another national boycott of Girl Scout cookies because, among other reasons, the organization tweeted a link to a 2013 Huffington Post article that included Texas gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis in a list of candidates for “Woman Of The Year.” The groups intend to disrupt cookie sales by thrusting flyers at potential buyers. The groups have …

Via press release from American Atheists: On Thursday, American Atheists launched a new billboard near Metlife Stadium with a dig at prayer. It is believed to be the first-ever atheist-sponsored ad aimed at a Super Bowl audience. The billboard features a priest cradling a football with text reading, “A ‘Hail Mary’ only works in football. Enjoy the game!” The billboard …

Child torture advocate Linda Harvey blames Hollywood: “It is definitely pulling people away from a biblical model of manhood and womanhood.”

Via the Houston Chronicle: In light of the success of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis‘ “Same Love” song (which has become something of a gay-rights anthem and Sunday night’s Grammy performance of the track that included the televised marriage of more than 30 homosexual and heterosexual couples) Houston-based Christian rapper Bizzle offers his own response over the same instrumental. Bizzle’s lyrics …

On tonight’s episode of his HBO show, Bill Maher will announced a plan to oust the “worst sitting member of Congress.” Via the New York Times: Mr. Maher and his staff plan to ask viewers to make a case for their individual representatives in the House to be selected as the worst in the country. After some culling and analysis, …

Source. (Tipped by JMG reader Jeff)

The bird’s name: Amore. Details. (Tipped by JMG reader Dwight)

In a Public Policy Polling survey released today, Fox News tops the list of the most AND least trusted news networks. 35% of Americans say they trust Fox News more than any other TV news outlet, followed by 14% for PBS, 11% for ABC, 10% for CNN, 9% for CBS, 6% each for Comedy Central and MSNBC, and 3% for …

Via press release: Members of the gay activist group Queer Nation and others who oppose the Russian government’s continued attacks on human rights, including the rights of LGBT Russians, will mark the start of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games with a protest outside the Russian consulate in New York City at noon on February 6. “Gay bashing is not an …

Via Mediaite: On Thursday, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus demanded that GOP politicians and committee staffers boycott MSNBC after the network sent out a tweet accusing the “rightwing” of being offended by a commercial featuring a biracial family. On Thursday night, Priebus joined Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity where he lauded MSNBC President Phil Griffin for quickly responding …