The Birmingham News has a recap: Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show” put its satirical eye on Alabama Tuesday night, asking what people in Alabama – a state the show noted “still has segregated sororities” – and our cousins in Mississippi really think about gay rights. One segment of the show, “Last Gay Standing,” was built around a prediction made by …

The Federation of Catholic Family Associations In Europe has denounced a just-published European Parliament report that examines homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Via press release: The EU is currently facing many challenges and its popularity among the European citizens is not at its highest peak. Promoting an agenda based on lifestyle choices that clearly divides …

Trailer recap: The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. The beloved characters from the original “X-Men” film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from “X-Men: First Class,” in an epic battle that must change the past — to save our future. 4M views …

Israel’s Yesh Atid Party yesterday introduced a civil unions bill that would grant same-sex couples all the rights of marriage. The bill also ends the requirement that straight couples be married in a religious ceremony. The New York Times reports: American Jewish leaders have strongly urged the adoption of a civil marriage law, fearing that many of their constituents would …

“He told police the demon wanted drugs and to perform sexual acts with him, and that he lit the fire in order to burn a bible because he was a satanist.” Details.

Can you smell the desperation? NOM usually stays away from the above sort of vitriol, at least in the United States, but not anymore. In fact, their quote comes from the vile Laurie Higgins of the Illinois Family Institute, which is listed as a hate group by the SPLC, who really needs to consider adding NOM to that list of …

As part of its coverage of the anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, yesterday Al Jazeera published a story about the destruction the Ali Forney Center’s Manhattan headquarters, which staffers found devastated by chest-high seawater. But Al Jazeera says that the public’s reaction to Ali Forney’s plight was one of the few “feel-good stories” of the storm. And that good feeling was …

Crackpot sites are percolating with the rumor that discredited Christianist “historian” David Barton is plotting a run for the US Senate. According to multiple sources, last week a meeting occurred between Tea Party leaders and a representative for Barton. Sources report both sides left the meeting encouraged. Right now, speculation Barton might run is ‘legitimate.’ This is a major development. …

“Dear Joe, What an amazing kickoff for the fall! Together, and with God’s help, we are taking a stand for our children and our voice is being heard. We are called to be faithful and leave the outcome up to God. One Million Moms continues to stand for traditional Christian values. After contacting the NBC Network, we began consistently contacting …

God ignored Virginia lieutenant governor candidate EW Jackson AND his church when they fasted against the election of President Obama. But Sky Daddy snapped to attention after he realized what he’d done and immediately created the Tea Party.

The Associated Press reports: Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has officiated at the wedding of a gay couple at the Supreme Court, at least the second such ceremony at the court since its June decision that expanded federal recognition of same-sex marriage. Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says O’Connor presided over the private ceremony Tuesday in the court’s lawyers’ lounge for …

JMG reader Tone writes with the very sad news that longtime commenter David Lee Beebe, known to most of you as Beeblemeyer, has passed away from kidney disease. David was one of the earliest readers of this site and often sent kind emails and news tips, although those came far less frequently in the last year as he struggled with …

Two weeks ago an “unknown person” paid $50 for a rather mundane landscape painting on sale in the East 23rd Street location of Housing Works, the NYC chain of thrift shops that benefits people with AIDS and the homeless. Today the painting “mysteriously” reappeared in the store’s window with the addition of a seated Nazi soldier. Banksy calls the piece: …

Get it here. Benefits the Stand Up Foundation.

The first hearing on Virginia’s marriage lawsuit will be held on Tuesday in a federal court in Harrisonburg. Lawyers for the two Shenandoah Valley couples who filed the lawsuit are asking a federal judge to certify the case as a class action representing all same-sex couples in the state. Judge Michael Urbanski will hear arguments Tuesday morning. The judge also …

Details. (Via Towleroad)

One week after they became a YouTube sensation with their moonwalking Michael Jackson, the Ohio State University marching band has again gone viral with a performance that includes Superman saving a toppling building, Harry Potter catching the golden snitch, and a striding T-rex. 7M views already.

The protesters were interviewed by some of the media in attendance, so mission accomplished. More photos.  USA Today reports on the protest. About two dozen protesters tried to disrupt the U.S. Olympic committee’s 100-day countdown event Tuesday in Times Square. Yelling “Homophobia’s gotta go” the protesters unfurled banners that said “don’t buy Putin’s lies ” and “boycott homophobia” while Olympic …

Source.