Read the ruling. UPDATE I: Freedom To Marry reacts: “Today’s ruling is completely out of step with the Supreme Court’s clear signal last month, out of step with the constitutional command as recognized by nearly every state and federal court in the past year, and out of step with the majority of the American people. This anomalous ruling won’t stand …

“Once again we see judges imposing their views of marriage in violation of the law and the overwhelming decision of state voters to preserve marriage in the law as it exists in reality, the union of one man and one woman. In Missouri, we need Governor Jay Nixon to immediately file a motion demanding that the lower court ruling be …

Which is, of course, a thinly-veiled political ad. An ad for the documentary aired on an ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C., Thursday. The documentary is titled Ben Carson: A Breath of Fresh Air; A New Prescription for America and is produced by a company run by conservative media personality Armstrong Williams. Williams’ company is paying for the airtime. The ad …

A group from the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performed today at a press conference to announce the city’s plan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of an annual LGBT rights event that launched in 1965. Via press release: With Independence Hall as the backdrop, plans were unveiled at a press conference for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the LGBT civil rights …

The Christian group Morality In Media is ever so pissed about Harvard’s Sex Week, which is a student-sponsored sex education series of seminars currently underway. Via Charisma News: “With the rise of sexual assault on college campuses one might think that the smart folks at Harvard would avoid promoting porn and violent sexual practices because these are at the root …

“It’s a terribly important election, and I’m thrilled with it because it’s almost as big as our Republican victory in 1946. That’s the first one I was involved in, right out of college, and I ran the campaign of an unknown candidate and he won! It was very thrilling. I think the most important job of the Republican Senate is …

After gaining national scorn for its new law against feeding homeless people, Fort Lauderdale police yesterday declined to rearrest a 90-year-old anti-poverty activist for defying the law by again distributing meals in a public park. Via the Associated Press: Despite being charged with violating a new law by feeding the homeless in South Florida, 90-year-old Arnold Abbott said he’s not …

Emboldened by the midterms results, three-time Toupee Olympics bronze medalist Rand Paul has renewed his push to change Kentucky law so that he can run for president and the Senate at the same time. The law, as currently stated, says “no candidate’s name shall appear on any voting machine or absentee ballot more than once,” with the exception of certain …

Via the Verge: Star Wars Episode: VII finally has a subtitle: The Force Awakens. Disney quietly announced the title on Twitter this morning — a somewhat strange approach to what is easily the most anticipated film in production right now. The title feels like a very classic Star Wars name, and it manages to create that feeling even without directly …

“For this particular election cycle, Governor Rick Scott was clearly the better choice for Florida as a whole. What is important to us is ensuring that the LGBT community as well as everyone in general, has the opportunity to find jobs, to grow their businesses (many gay businesses included), for our state to be debt-free, to allow people to flourish …

From Stuff Fundies Like: “These are college students at West Coast Baptist College. The dean of students is leading them in singing a popular fundy children’s song. With motions. Which is a pretty good example of how they view student maturity at WCBC.” (Via Christian Nightmares)

It’s Sex Week at Harvard, butt the anal sex seminar was two days ago. You newbies will have to depend on the expertise of your fellow commenters. Expect the above to spawn fevered denouncements across Teabagistan.

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been charged with attempted murder for hire. The 60-year-old appeared in a New Zealand court Thursday afternoon facing a count of attempting to procure the murder of two men, said Bay of Plenty Police District representative Kim Perks. He was also charged with threatening to kill, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cannabis, Perks said. …

(Tipped by JMG reader Jeff)

“Our two most prominent efforts to influence Senate contests were in North Carolina and Arkansas. The NOM Victory Fund spent over $200,000 in these races on television ads, direct mail and grassroots outreach to mobilize marriage supporters. When our TV ad and mailer hit in North Carolina, Thom Tillis trailed Kay Hagan by 2-3 points. Within days, we helped bring …

(Via JMG reader Baltimatt)

Going viral on YouTube today is this year’s Christmas ad from Britain’s John Lewis department store chain, whose holiday commercials are a beloved tradition. Via the Guardian: John Lewis unveils its latest festive advert, featuring a young boy and what appears to be his pet penguin playing together in the lead up to Christmas Day. After the success of last …

A new study debunks the eternal urban legend that there is one rat for every person living in New York City. Jonathan Auerbach, a 26-year-old statistician studying for a doctorate at Columbia University, recently won a competition sponsored by the 180-year-old Royal Statistical Society of London. Mr. Auerbach claimed the prize with a paper in which he made the case …