BREAKING NEWS: According to Think Progress, Minnesota just became the 12th State to legalize marriage equality!  

After a 75-59 victory in the Minnesota House of Representatives, the Senate passed the marriage equality bill 37-30. The Governor has promised to sign the bill quickly, meaning that it will take effect as soon as August first! Congratulations, Minnesota!

To keep up with further developments on this story, you might take a look at the Human Rights Campaign. 

In related news, Michele Bachmann (R-MN)'s head has all but exploded over this.

Sadly, some misogynists in Texas have figured out a way to deny women proper healthcare. According Lou Colagiovanni of the Examiner, in late 2012 "Judge Gary Harger ruled that it is within the scope of Texas law to deny state funding to any doctor if they are advocates of abortion rights for women." The repercussions of this can be dire, especially for the state's poorest women. It is estimated that 48,000 pf these women a year may "no longer able to receive care of any kind from Planned Parenthood."

Earlier this year JC Penny announced that it had chosen popular Television personality, Ellen DeGeneres, as their new spokesperson. What should have been a benign choice, she has a very family friendly image, has somehow managed to spark outrage. One Million Moms, a group of self described Christian conservatives, has protested this decision. Fortunately, in a show of solidarity with Ellen, JC Penny decided not to give into pressure and continue with their plans to use her as their spokesperson. One Million Moms is now threatening JC Penny with a boycott.

A representative of the group has issued the following statement.

By jumping on the pro-gay bandwagon, JC Penney is attempting to gain a new target market and in the process will lose customers with traditional values that have been faithful to them over all these years.


Ellen responded to the statement with a her own special brand of humor. (A Video of the response is featured below)

This organization doesn’t think that I should be the spokesperson because I’m gay. For those of you are just tuning in for the first time, it’s true. I’m gay. I hope you were sitting down.

and

Being gay or pro-gay isn’t a bandwagon. You don’t get a free ride anywhere. There’s no music. Occasionally, we’ll sing ‘We Are Family,’ but that’s about it.