Reuters reports on yesterday’s rally: Police said about 60,000 demonstrators turned out, fewer than the 100,000 who protested last month against the law due to be passed by mid-2013. Paris’s gay mayor Bertrand Delanoe joined the march along with several other left-wing politicians. Marching along to drumbeats and jazz music, the protesters waved rainbow flags and held up signs saying …

The Island House has added two more cats since my last visit. This is Harry snoozing at the front desk. His brother William is scampering around under the pool chairs. I haven’t yet seen my favorite, Oliver.

The hacktivists at Anonymous are punishing Westboro Baptist Church for their plan to picket Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary. Via CNET: As part of a campaign dubbed #OpWestBoro, KY Anonymous said yesterday it posted the personal information belonging to members of the extremist organization, which is best known for conducting protests designed to disrupt the funerals of members of the military …

Auckland, New Zealand’s St Matthew-in-the-City church has unveiled another billboard in its controversial series. St Matthew’s clergy Rev Glynn Cardy and Rev Clay Nelson said the billboard invites discussion and debate. “Some scholars have tried to make the case that he might have been gay,” said Nelson. “But it is all conjecture. Maybe gay, maybe not. Does it matter?” Cardy …

The rifle used to kill all those kids can easily be purchased online. And shipping is free.

The program will commence shortly. UPDATE: I’ve replaced the official White House live-stream with a recording of the president’s remarks.

No surprise here as Kerry was widely thought to be the favorite, especially after UN Ambassador Susan Rice withdrew her name.  Kerry’s nomination should become official sometime in the next week. Kerry, the senior senator from Massachusetts and the Democratic Party’s 2004 presidential nominee, is noted for the experience, gravitas and relationship-building skills that could help him succeed as the …

Organized by City Council candidate Corey Johnson.  Via press release: Please join members of the Downtown Community in a Candle Light Prayer Vigil for our fallen neighbors in Connecticut’s Sandy Hook School. The service will have the participation of clergy from various Churches, Synagogues, and Mosques located downtown. We anticipate that the service will last 30 – 40 minutes. Many …

From the Charlotte LGBT Chorus. (Tipped by JMG reader Dan)

The clubs in Key West close at 4AM so only the totally responsible adults like Father Tony and myself were at the Island House restaurant early this morning. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Yup.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton fainted and hit her head on Thursday, sustaining a mild concussion. The press learned of the injury yesterday. “While suffering from a stomach virus, Secretary Clinton became dehydrated and fainted, sustaining a concussion,” Philippe Reines, a US State Department spokesman, said in a statement on Saturday. “She has been recovering at home and will continue …

Decades old and nothing has changed. (Via JMG reader Dick)

When Father Tony and I drive to Key West, one of our traditions is to stop off in Marathon for lunch at Porky’s BBQ Shack, a ramshackle open-air joint where customers often arrive by boat. The rafters of the place are papered with hundreds of dollar bills autographed by the patrons. Next stop, Island House.

Three GOP-sponsored bills that would have allowed adoption agencies to discriminate against gay people died quietly yesterday. From the blog of Equality Michigan: At 4 AM this morning it was official – the Michigan legislature did not hold final votes on House Bills 5763 and 5764, which would have provided adoption agencies with licenses to discriminate based on a moral …

“Gun control supporters have the blood of little children on their hands. Federal and state laws combined to insure that no teacher, no administrator, no adult had a gun at the Newtown school where the children were murdered. This tragedy underscores the urgency of getting rid of gun bans in school zones. The only thing accomplished by gun free zones …