Via the Associated Press: Divisive efforts by Texas Republicans to defy the U.S. Supreme Court if same-sex marriage is legalized ended Wednesday night with conservative finger-pointing and opponents feeling relieved. The first session under Republican Gov. Greg Abbott will end next week without a measure that gay rights activists considered one of the harshest in any U.S. statehouse: restrictions that …

(Tipped by JMG reader Mike)

Via the Montgomery Advertiser: A House committee Wednesday killed a bill that would have banned discrimination against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Christopher England, D-Tuscaloosa [PHOTO], would have added the classes to state protections against discrimination in employment, housing, accommodations, financial transactions and voting. “I believe in order to protect those …

Via press release: On the heels of the recent Marriage Equality referendum in Ireland, Irish Arts Center is proud to present Ireland’s High Queen, National Treasure, Performance Giant and Accidental Activist Panti in her smash-hit comedy show, High Heels in Low Places. Brought to New York City by Irish production company THISISPOPBABY, High Heels in Low Places runs at Irish …

“As for many, there is a deeply personal element to this historic victory for me. I am very recognizably Irish-American, from my face to my name, but until these last few weeks, I have often felt that I don’t belong. Last month I was invited to Ireland by the Lawyers for Yes Campaign to help kick off the final weeks …

Read more at Media Matters.

Via press release from the US Department of Labor: Frank Kameny, who for decades fought to end discrimination in the federal workplace, will be honored by the U.S. Department of Labor in June with an induction to its Hall of Honor. Kameny’s legacy as a civil rights leader has made a monumental difference in improving the lives of all workers …

But just don’t SING to those demons.

Via the Washington Post: Planet Romeo, an Amsterdam-based dating and community site, collaborated with the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz in Germany to carry out an online survey of 115,000 gay men around the world. They combined rankings on public opinion, public behavior and life satisfaction – how gay men feel about society’s view on homosexuality, how gay men feel …

Follow along at this hashtag.

(Tipped by JMG reader Mykel) UPDATE: Urban Dictionary has it too.

From In Touch Weekly: The Josh Duggar molestation case did not end when Springdale, Ark. police closed their investigation in 2006 because the statute of limitations had run out, In Touch Weekly is reporting exclusively. Police referred the matter to the Families in Need of Services agency, which has jurisdiction over minors. The Department of Human Services (DHS) was then …

Via Reuters: Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition agreed on Wednesday to make small changes to same-sex civil partnership rules but staunch opposition from conservatives in her party means Germany will not follow Ireland in allowing gay marriages any time soon. Although there are growing divisions within the party, Merkel’s Christian Democrats are still overwhelmingly opposed to same-sex marriages partly due to …

“Bill Shorten believes it’s time for marriage equality and that’s why he’ll introduce a bill into Parliament next Monday.”

(Via Christian Nightmares)

Vice President Joe Biden today published an op-ed in the Advocate, the Washington Blade, and the Irish Times in which he celebrates Ireland’s historic vote for same-sex marriage and calls on more nations to improve their own laws on LGBT rights. The White House provides us with the text: Last weekend, more than 1.2 million Irish voters took a courageous …

As I reported yesterday, Greenland’s Parliament has voted to adopt Denmark’s laws on same-sex marriage. That vote goes into effect on October 1st, prompting Wikipedia’s map monitors to change Greenland’s color to mustard, which means “pending.” That tiny dot of dark green in the Middle East is Israel and if you squint you’ll see that same-sex marriage is also pending …

Via the Guardian: Tax freezes, the devolution of power and an EU referendum were all on the agenda as the Queen’s Speech marked the first day of the new parliamentary year. The speech was the Queen’s 64th and the first all Conservative Speech she has given in parliament since 1996, following the party’s majority election victory at the beginning of …