Sometimes it feels like we’ve moved to a different planet.

From Steven Petrow’s Civil Behavior column in the New York Times comes this question: Q. Dear Civil Behavior: I’m a sergeant in the Army, and my girlfriend and I are to meet with a married gay couple (he’s an officer). I am not sure how to introduce her to my friend’s married partner. Do I say, “Jennifer, this is Colonel …

The Washington Post reports: Another prominent Republican has come out in support of same-sex marriage — or at least, in support of one particular same-sex marriage. Former President George H.W. Bush served as an official witness this past weekend at the Maine wedding of Bonnie Clement and Helen Thorgalsen, co-owners of a Kennebunk general store. Thorgalsen posted a photo of …

NOM has issued a money beg to stop San Diego homocon Carl DeMaio from winning a seat in the US House. Via email from Brian Brown: As you know, NOM is engaged in fights to defend marriage in Congress as well as in states all across the country. And one of the most frustrating things I repeatedly run in to …

Gothamist reports: Big Freedia had plans to set a new world record for most people twerking at one time and in one place. At 12:15 this afternoon in Herald Square she made good on that claim, with the help of over 300 twerkers. Big Freedia led a crowd that brought together hip hop kids, well-dressed businessmen, over-eager tourists, and even …

Source.

“In a August 22 blog post the National Organization of Marriage wrote, ‘What’s the best way to weaken and silence those you disagree with? Intimidation and threats, of course.’ That statement also went into a NOM email blast to its claimed list of 500,000. NOM and its president, Brian Brown, have been attacking me ever since my sworn complaint against …

From the editorial board of the Trenton Times: It’s only a matter of time before same-sex marriage is legal in New Jersey. If history is any guide, individual states are achingly slow in catching up with the individuals who have embraced their civil rights as the personal liberties guaranteed by the by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. …

A top Vatican official yesterday declared that Rep. Nancy Pelosi should be denied communion because of her support for abortion rights. Raymond Cardinal Leo Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in Rome — the Vatican’s Supreme Court — slammed the California Democrat for “obstinately” persisting in grave sin by supporting the policy, even “after repeated admonitions.” …

RELATED: Folsom Street Fair is this weekend, so if any of you really hardcore masochists want to prep, C-SPAN has posted Cruz’ full 22-hour blather in one clip.

We see a lot of “breakthrough” stories about HIV, but this certainly one of the more unusual ones. Via CNET: A common drug that dermatologists prescribe to treat nail fungus appears to come with a not-so-tiny side effect: eradicating HIV. In a study performed at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, not only does the drug Ciclopirox completely eradicate infectious HIV …

“Tea party” used to refer to children serving an imaginary solution to stuffing-headed friends in a make-believe world. And it still does. — God (@TheTweetOfGod) September 25, 2013

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) cuts off Cruz, after nearly 22 hours, to start the new legislative day. — Cristina Marcos (@cimarcos) September 25, 2013 Harry Reid: “a bad day for government is a good day for the Tea Party” #MakeDCListen — Matthew Boyle (@mboyle1) September 25, 2013 OUR LONG NATIONAL INDIFFERENCE IS OVER — Will McAvoy (@WillMcAvoyACN) September 25, 2013 …

Well, this is surprising. Commenters are screaming, of course.

The congregation of a Pennsylvania church has fired Pastor Ken Smeltzer after he officiated at a same-sex wedding in Montgomery County. Smeltzer was pastor for a local Church of the Brethren parish, which he has not identified since performing the marriage, because his beliefs differ from the congregation’s. Smeltzer said Monday that “a few things have to play out” before …

Jackson is running for lieutenant governor of Virginia.

Out British athlete Sarah Outen yesterday completed a 150-day solo row from Japan to Alaska, becoming the first woman to do so. And along the way, she got engaged. “I have had some of the most intense and memorable months of my life out on the Pacific. It has been brilliant and brutal at the same time,” Outen said in …

A Russian parents’ group has demanded that Vladimir Putin cancel Elton John’s coming concerts there. In an open letter to Putin, the local parents’ group in central Ural region was reported by media as saying: “The singer intends to come out in support of local sodomites and break the current Russian law, directed at protecting children.” Critics say the law …

After months of snippets and teasers, it’s finally out. The Toronto Star reviews: The film, co-created with Steven Klein, runs 17 minutes and features Madonna playing both a prisoner and a jailer (and sometimes looking like Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS) being thrown into a cell, then shooting fellow decoratively draped prisoners. There’s some beautiful dancing and it’s all …