World News Korner

On today's episode of Hating on the Gays.

Courtesy of HuffPo:

It seems Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has taken up a new cause in Congress -- defending states' right to regulate marriage.

Amid a wave of court decisions striking down anti-gay marriage laws in states, the Texas Republican introduced a bill to the Senate Wednesday to amend U.S. law "with regard to the definition of 'marriage' and 'spouse' for Federal purposes and to ensure respect for State regulation of marriage." Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) is the bill's only co-sponsor so far.

The bill's authors sent out a release about the bill Thursday afternoon, saying "it will ensure the federal government gives the same deference to the 33 states that define marriage as the union between one man and one woman as it does to the 17 states that have chosen to recognize same-sex unions."

“I support traditional marriage. Under President Obama, the federal government has tried to re-define marriage, and to undermine the constitutional authority of each state to define marriage consistent with the values of its citizens,” Cruz said in a statement. “The Obama Administration should not be trying to force gay marriage on all 50 states. We should respect the states, and the definition of marriage should be left to democratically elected legislatures, not dictated from Washington. This bill will safeguard the ability of states to preserve traditional marriage for its residents.”

Oh yeah, coming out on this side of this issue now is kind of like coming out in favor of prohibition on the eve of its repeal. I swear Ted Cruz may be the most self destructive politician in American history.

Even Kansas has decided that their bill, which would allow businesses to discriminate against gay people, cannot pass.

This according to HuffPo:

The Kansas Senate will not pass a bill in its current form that would prevent lawsuits against someone who refuses, for religious reasons, to provide services to gays and lesbians, the chamber's president said Friday.

Senate President Susan Wagle said the bill, which was approved Wednesday in the Kansas House, goes beyond protecting religious freedom. She raised concerns about how the measure could impact businesses that would refuse services to gay couples.

"I believe the intent of the House was to protect religious liberties. We respect that, but the business implications are going to harm the practice of employment in Kansas," said Wagle, a Wichita Republican.

As Slate magazine pointed out, essentially gay rights are here to stay, and there is not much that can be done to stop it.

Smart Democrats, like Texas gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis, recognize which way the wind is blowing. And are embracing this new progress even in deeply red states:

Sen. Wendy Davis said Thursday that she supports same-sex marriage and that Attorney General Greg Abbott, her presumed general-election opponent in the race for governor, should stop defending the state's ban.

“It's my strong belief that when people love each other and are desirous of creating a committed relationship with each other that they should be allowed to marry, regardless of their sexual orientation,” Davis told the Express-News editorial board.

Davis, D-Fort Worth, said she is “pleased” that the state's constitutional definition of marriage, as being between a man and a woman, is under challenge in federal court.

“I think that what we see happening at the federal level in terms of constitutional interpretations on that provide some hope that it may be found unconstitutional,” she said.

Smart woman.

And this new acceptance of the LGBT community has empowered those in the closet to come out in ever increasing numbers.

Even the adorable Ellen Page:

"I am tired of hiding," Hollywood actress Ellen Page announced Friday at an LGBT youth conference in Las Vegas. "I'm tired of lying by omission.

"I’m here today because I am gay," Page, 26, told the audience to a raucous standing ovation. "And because maybe I can make a difference. To help others have an easier and more hopeful time. Regardless, for me, I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility."

There was a time when the Republicans could run on "family values" and be assured a political victory. But those days have passed.

It is a new day in America. A new gay day in America.




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