HRC’s Back Story blog has the video of yesterday’s celebratory post-ENDA press conference. Choice quotes: Barney Frank: “Knowing the feeling of pride and support and vindication that many of us who are gay and lesbians feel, underlines the importance of our extending that to others who aren’t allowed to feel that today, and yet they are entitled to that same …

From Rosie O’Donnell’s blog: “msnbc -one hourlive following keith olbermannwe were close to a deal- almost donei let it slip in miamicausing panic on the studio endwell what can u do- 2day there is no dealpoof- my career as a pundit is overb4 it began -just as welli figure everything happens for a reasonbashert – as we sayand on we …

Food Emporium, First Avenue, Wednesday 7PMA young mother is shopping with her pre-school son in the produce department. Mom: Stop touching everything! This is other people’s food, don’t you understand that? Kid: What can I touch? Mom: Nothing! We don’t touch things in stores. We only touch ourselves. She looks at me. Mom: That came out wrong, didn’t it? I …

The Smart Car finally goes on sale in U.S. dealerships in a few weeks. Father Tony has had the convertible model on order for months, he plans on using it to zip between the gay bars of Hells Kitchen and the East Village, I imagine. Designed by Mercedes, it seems the perfect vehicle for Manhattan, but I’m not sure I’d …

I took this outside the Dugout last weekend. I hate being told what to do.

More disappointing news about Merck’s recently halted HIV vaccine study. The vaccine is made from a common cold virus with three synthetic HIV genes tucked inside. It’s designed to stimulate the immune system to kill any HIV-infected cells encountered in the future. However, the researchers found that volunteers with pre-existing immunity to this particular cold virus were much more likely …

All this will be over soon, gentle readers. In fact, by 5pm EST today. Then we can continue discussing the critical issues of our time: LGBT rights, bears, disco, and Chris Meloni’s sweet, sweet can.

Are you out at work? If so, do you think it affects your career potential?

ABOVE LEFT: Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) angrily rips the Republicans for the attempt to kill the bill by recommitting it. If you only watch one of these clips, make it this one. ABOVE RIGHT: Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) on her t-inclusive amendment. ABOVE LEFT: Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks in favor of ENDA, just prior to the vote. ABOVE RIGHT: Rep. …

Matt Foreman – National Gay & Lesbian Task Force “We are deeply disappointed that House leadership decided to ignore the position of a vast majority of LGBT organizations, ignore the legal assessment that this bill may not even provide adequate protections for gays, lesbians and bisexuals, and ignore the fact that this vote might make it more difficult to persuade …

By a vo e of 235-184, he House of Represen a ives has approved he Employmen Non-Discrimina ion Ac , which is he first na ional gay righ s legisla ion in he his ory of he Uni edS a es. hirty-five Republicans crossed par y lines to suppor ENDA..

Unsurprisingly, Republican legislators are trying a number of tactics to stall today’s ENDA vote, including a lengthy debate of a procedural issue (requiring a vote) and a call to adjourn for the day, which failed. Many reps have made impassioned speeches on both sides of the issue. Dennis Kucinich struck early by voicing strenuous objection to the removal of the …

After a threatened picket by the National Organization of Women, the publishers of New York Magazine have agreed to drop the escort and massage section from the back section of the magazine, becoming the 15th NY-based title to cease taking the thinly-veiled prostitution ads due to pressure from NOW. The feminist group called the magazine the “marketing arm of the …

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is currently speaking to a joint meeting of Congress, after which the House will vote on ENDA. I’ll report the result here immediately.

If you want the new Eagles album, their first in 28 years and this week’s #1 on Billboard, you have to go to Wal-Mart as they are the exclusive retailer for the release. With few retail music chains left and indie record shops vanishing almost completely, for physical, in person sales, the music business is reverting to the sales model …

New records were set yesterday when the U.S. dollar continued its decline against foreign currencies. The Canadian dollar, currently the strongest currency in the world (seriously) is now trading at $1.10, the Euro is $1.47, and the British pound is at a 26-year high at $2.10. So much for foreign vacations this year, eh? Meanwhile, Manhattan is just swamped with …

HRC head Joe Solomonese appeared on Michelangelo Signorile’s radio show yesterday to defend the Human Right Campaign’s decision to push for ENDA without transgender protections. It’s a tough interview. Listen below.

NYC: God’s Love We Deliver, which delivers free meals to homebound AIDS and cancer patients, holds their 14th Annual Race To Deliver, a 4K Run in Central Park on Sunday, November 18th. Register, pledge, donate here. NYC: The Ali Forney Center, New York City’s most comprehensive service organization for homeless LGBT youth-announces a memorial celebration of Ali Forney, commemorating his …

It was nice while it lasted. Led by the HRC, the coalition of progressive and labor organizations supporting a trans-inclusive ENDA has significantly unraveled. Joining the HRC in an open letter to Congress in support of a trans-less bill: the NAACP, the National Education Association, the National Employment Lawyers Association, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, the Leadership Conference …

The anti-gay Florida4Marriage has gathered 597,000 signatures on a petition demanding that same-sex marriage be outlawed statewide. When they reach 610,000 signatures, an amendment to the state constitution will be placed on 2008 ballot. The amendment would need a 60% vote to pass, something polls indicate it would get. However: Gay marriage is already illegal in Florida, because it is …