Joe.My.God. LGBT News

Via the Washington Post: The Food and Drug Administration during a two-day meeting starting today will consider lifting the ban that was put into place in 1983 amid fears — and little understanding — of the AIDS virus. An FDA advisory committee last month recommended that the agency lift the restriction, but only for men who hadn’t had sex with …

Lyle Denniston writes for SCOTUSblog: A second state — Louisiana — told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the Justices should consider taking on the constitutional dispute over same-sex marriage without waiting further. It is important, the state said in urging prompt review of a federal judge’s decision upholding Louisiana’s ban on such marriages, that the Court examine the dispute …

Major League Baseball umpire Dale Scott, seen above left with his husband of 28 years, has formally come out. Jim Buzinski writes at OutSports: Major League Baseball umpire Dale Scott bleeds the green and yellow of his beloved Oregon Ducks football team, having gone to games since the Johnson Administration. He has two black Labs, Roman and Rollie, who rule …

Via Stereogum: B-52s singer Kate Pierson has announced her debut solo album and released a video for the lead single. Guitars And Microphones was executive produced by Sia, who collaborated with Pierson on the songwriting. Tim Anderson produced the album, and the Strokes’ Nick Valensi plays on it. Lead single “Mister Sister” is a trans anthem that updates Pierson’s signature …

Details. (Tipped by JMG reader Daniel)

Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) today announced that he will not run for president in 2016. Portman, a Republican who was once considered a top contender to be Mitt Romney’s vice presidential nominee in 2012, said in a statement early Tuesday morning that he would not seek the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Instead, he said, “I have decided to run for …

Carter was Deputy Secretary of Defense from October 2011 to December 2013.  He’s thought to be an uncontroversial choice, but you-know-who might try to block the nomination just because.