Joe.My.God. LGBT News

Tennessee’s infamous “Don’t Say Gay” bill advanced yesterday after a hearing before a state House committee. The House Education subcommittee approved the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill on a voice vote Wednesday, renewing a debate that roiled the legislature last spring over whether elementary and middle schools should be allowed to initiate discussions about homosexuality. The panel accepted the version …

Food Emporium is stocked wall-to-wall and ready for Pesach.

Michele Bachmann has declined the offer to appear on the next season of Dancing With The Stars. The former Republican presidential candidate blasted out a release to dispel any lingering rumors: “In full disclosure, I did win a polka dancing competition when I was in the tenth grade at my alma mater, Anoka High School in Anoka, Minn.,” Bachmann said …

In 2009 the Delhi High Court struck down laws that criminalized gay sex, a move that was celebrated by LGBT activists around the world. Anti-gay and religious groups immediately appealed that decision. This week the Indian Supreme Court began hearings. Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri, president of the hardline Indian Islamic group Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said in 2009: “The time has come …

Conservative talk radio host Michael Berry has been accused of leaving the scene of a fender bender after departing a drag show he attended at a popular Houston gay bar. Berry is known for ranting against same-sex marriage and related LGBT issues. Local 2 Investigates e-mailed Berry for his response to the hit-and-run allegations and the videotape showing him inside …

We need 54 Assembly votes to override Christie’s veto. The New Jersey Senate vote to approve the bill on Monday with a 24 votes, three short of an override. After Christie’s veto, the legislature has until January 2014 to get the needed override votes. NOTE: NY Sen. Ruben Diaz, NOM, and other anti-gay groups plan to descend on Trenton today …

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel yesterday vowed to help campaign for the same-sex marriage bill proposed for Illinois. “I’ll push for it because it is consistent with the values base, and the practical values base, that I think is right as a city, as a state and as a country,” said Emanuel, who supported gay marriage during the campaign. Just Tuesday, …

The National Stonewall Democrats have launched a petition campaign asking the Log Cabin Republicans to refrain from endorsing anti-LGBT candidates this year. Stonewall’s executive director Jerame Davis writes: In 2004, Log Cabin Republicans took a principled stand and refused to endorse George W. Bush for his support of a federal marriage amendment alone. These candidates have pledged to go farther …

For 35 years, LGBT residents of Anchorage, Alaska have battled for employment and housing protections. Time after time Christian groups have beaten them back. Last week activists successfully placed a referendum on the November ballot which adds the words “sexual orientation and gender identity” to this long list: “race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, physical disability, and …