Joe.My.God. LGBT News

Two years ago a young lesbian was shot and killed and her girlfriend was severely wounded as they visited a south Texas park. Vigils for the pair were held that weekend in several major cities. In June of this year Texas police arrested a suspect. Today MSNBC follows up on the case and the survivor as she struggles with disabilities …

Earlier this week the Department of Labor issued its final rule on the implementation of President Obama’s executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT employees. House Republicans are now trying to stall the order’s enactment. Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed: House Education and Workforce Committee Chair John Kline, a Republican from Minnesota, and Rep. Tim Walberg, the Republican …

Four days before a lower court’s stay is due to expire, tonight the state of Missouri filed notice that they will appeal the overturn of the ban on same-sex marriage to the Eighth Circuit Court. The initial stayed ruling on the ACLU’s case came on November 7th, at which time Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster promised tonight’s action. Both Koster …

Via press release: This week, the D.C. City Council trampled on the religious liberty of Christians in Washington, D.C. The council repealed an exemption in the Human Rights Act that allowed private religious schools to practice their faith pertaining to human sexuality. Additionally, the council banned sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE), violating the fundamental rights of counselors, minors, and parents. …

Yesterday the Fifth Circuit declined to consolidate the Mississippi case with the cases out of Louisiana and Texas, but today the court did schedule Mississippi to be heard on the same day as the other two. Also yesterday the Fifth Circuit granted Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant an indefinite stay extension while the appeal is being considered. A lower court’s stay …

Via the Moonie Times: Missouri’s Republican legislative leaders are seeking to appeal a court ruling requiring officials to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey and House Speaker Tim Jones have filed a motion asking to intervene in a Jackson County court case so they can appeal it to the state Supreme Court. Judge …

Tomacco!

For the first time ever, Grammy nominations were not announced all at once today and instead they’ve been trickling out on Twitter since early morning. So far gay crooner Sam Smith has in fact been nominated for five Grammys including Best New Artist, Record Of The Year, and Song Of The Year. The nominations for Album Of The Year, for …

Not a trailer.

A twelve- year-old California boy has reportedly committed suicide following anti-gay bullying because he enjoyed being a cheerleader for his middle school. Ronin Shimizu, a former student at Folsom Middle School in Folsom, California, took his life on Wednesday afternoon but police are not releasing any further details about his death. The school district has confirmed that the boy’s parents, …