Former Massachusetts govenor Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney wants you to know that he's the toughest, hardest, most prickalicious presidential candidate out there. Or so this new campaign commercial promises - minus the "prickalicious" part, although such a word suits both this advert's tone and the man himself.

(Thanks, Bloggernista!)

Cassandra Ormiston and Margaret Chambers' impending divorce takes center stage again this week, as the Rhode Island Supreme Court has ruled that a family court can hear the queer couple's case. The once-loving ladies married in Massachusetts in 2004, during the brief months before former Governor Mitt Romney helped pass a law invalidating out-of-stater's same-sex nuptials.

Unfortunately, the ladies called it quits after heading back to their home state and filed for divorce. A family court judge, the brilliantly named Jeremiah S. Jeremiah Jr, couldn't take the backdoor judicial pressure and passed the case on to the Supreme Court.

The Court originally sent the case back to JSJ Jr., but has now agreed to hear the case only to answer this pressing question:

May the Family Court properly recognize, for the purpose of entertaining a divorce petition, the marriage of two persons of the same sex who were purportedly married in another state?

R.I. court to rule on same-sex marriage [The Providence Journal]

The confusing case of gay marriage gets even more queer today. And, like so many marriage dramas, this story begins in Massachusetts.

As you know, Massachusetts passed gay marriages back in 2004. Not one for so-called sinners, then-Governor Mitt Romney reminded lawmakers of a 1913 law which prohibited out-of-state visitors from marrying in Massachusetts. Unless, of course, their state would honor the marriage.

While some law-types fell into line, Judge Thomas E. Connolly ruled in favor of a contesting couple, saying that if a state doesn't explicitly bar gay marriage, then a couple's nuptials are legal.

One of the pair hails from New York, which is where things get really interesting...

CONTINUED »

Massachusetts lawmakers will again debate gay marriage in a special Constitutional Convention. Despite the fact that marriage has been legal in Massachusetts for years now, a group of tenacious anti-gay activists have been pressuring lawmakers to reverse the legislation. The debate heated up last January when politicians heeded a petition to reconsider the law, but stalled when they adjourned before a vote. Now, five months later, the politicos may again debate the tiresome issue, but will again avoid a vote. Boston's WPRI reports:

The House and Senate convenes in constitutional convention on Beacon Hill today, but there'll be no vote on the gay marriage amendment.

A spokeswoman for Senate President Therese Murray -- who presides over the joint session of the Legislature -- says Murray plans to recess the convention until sometime after the state budget is completed.

Larry Cirignano better count his blessings. The former head of Catholic Citizenship - a group that has made it its mission to protest gay marriage - has been arraigned on charges of misdemeanor assault and battery as well civil rights violations against pro-gay activist Sarah Loy.

The arraignment stems from a December 12th protest during which an enraged Cirignano allegedly pushed Loy to the ground, saying, “You need to get out. You need to get out of here right now." Loy had been protesting the Citizenship's protest against gay marriage. She suffered minor injuries, but wants Cirignano to pay for his civil sins.

No trial date's been set, but Cirignano plead not guilty. Another arraignment has been scheduled for May 1st. In the meantime, Cirignano has been ordered to stay away from Loy, nor can he attempt to contact her in anyway.

Cirignano pleads not guilty [Bay Windows]
Gay Marriage Foe Arraigned On Charges Stemming From Demonstration [365 Gay

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has made it his mission to take on Mitt Romney's homo-hating marriage laws. The Democrat ordered the court to validate 26 out-of-state gay marriages, thus reversing Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's dastardly plot to deny the committed queers' dreams.

Romney and his conservative comrades previously used a 1913 law to forbid out-of-staters from taking advantage of the Bay State's gay marriage laws. That law states that if one's home state explicitly bans gay marriage, Massachusetts cannot issue them a valid license. However, a group of revolutionary reverends, pastors and the such pastors ignored his ruling and issued at least 26 allegedly invalid marriage licenses. Now, Patrick wants them officially officiated. Patrick's spokesman Kyle Sullivan remarks:

It appears like the prior administration was politicizing a routine administrative function. There was no legal basis for separating these certificates in the first place.

Patrick orders 26 gay marriages recorded [Boston Globe]

• Slowly but surely, Madonna's becoming a woman.

• The Jewish Theological Seminary has decided to admit queers. Why can't all religions be so cool?

• A group of techie jokesters hacked Republican presidential hopeful John McCain's MySpace and declared, "Today I announce that I have reversed my position and come out in full support of gay marriage…particularly marriage between two passionate females." This, of course, makes one think of McCain masturbating which leads to severe psychological scarring. Thanks, guys...

• Democratic Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts on gay marriage: "After a couple years, the average heterosexual person forgets gay marriage is there."

• A church security guard apparently pulled a gun on someone trying to take pictures of Britney Spears. Um, church security guards carry guns?

• Greg Scarnici makes a better looking Fergie than Fergie herself.

• Former American Family Association Attorney Joe R Murray on homophobia: "The gay issue is a human issue, and thus I strongly believe that it must be approached with concern and compassion. Furthermore, the individuals engaging in the debate must recognized that behind the theories there are real life human beings that are made in the image of the Creator." We just shat our pants. In a good way, of course...

• Gay performer Charles Knipp aka Shirley Q. Liquor is apparently "not a racist".

One of the biggest allies in the war against Don't Ask, Don't Tell may be leaving the House of Representatives. Rumor has it that Marty Meehan of Massachusetts has been tapped for the Chancellor position at UMass Lowell. Blue Mass reports:

As is now being widely reported, Marty Meehan is the choice to lead UMass Lowell. And I'm hearing from a good source that he's going to take it, announcement tomorrow at noon. (Big surprise, considering he hasn't taken himself out of consideration.)

For the first time in a long time, it looked like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was on its way out. Yet, if this nation loses one of its most important leaders on the effort, I really have no idea what will happen... Marty Meehan needs to get the job done before he goes home.

We'll let you know when this rumor is either confirmed or denied. Until then, cross those pretty little fingers of yours.

• Suze Orman's a lesbian. Big shit. [Gawker]

• Britney Spears knows what's good for you. [BWE]

• Gay attack victim Andrew Anthos has slipped into a coma. It's not looking good. [Detroit News]

• Being gay = being retarded. [Pam's House Blend]

• Illinois state representative Greg Harris wants gay marriage [Chicago Tribune]

• A Massachusetts judge threw out the federal case of the "brain-washing", gay-friendly book, saying: "In essence under the Constitution public schools are entitled to teach anything that is reasonably related to the goals of preparing students to become engaged and productive citizens in our democracy." The incensed parents can still take the case to state courts. Something to look forward to, huh? [Guardian]

Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch says his tiny state should recognize Massachusetts gay marriage. The state already extends partner benefits to partners of state workers and their constitution bans discrimination based on sexual orientation. Thus, Lynch says, there's no reason why they should uphold Massachusetts endorsed nups. MSNBC reports:

A letter dated yesterday from Lynch says Rhode Island prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and also extends benefits such as health insurance to domestic partners of state employees.

And because there’s no Rhode Island law banning gay marriage — Lynch says there’s no reason to deny recognition of same-sex unions performed in Massachusetts.

Speaking of HRC: they get a lot of shit - and rightfully so - for blindly supporting democratic candidates. You may recall reported douche bag Chris Crain's comments against the group's stale politics, in which he said:

The effect of the new HRC strategy is to put all the gay movement's marbles in the Democratic Party basket... What's worse, HRC support for Democrats, especially in the most contested congressional races, often went to beat moderate and even pro-gay Republicans.

CONTINUED »

When parents send their kids to - gulp - public school, they should really expect that the school will teach the state's moral laws. For example, if you reside in a state in which gay marriage has been granted, i.e. Massachusetts, one should anticipate so-called gay issues coming up in the curriculum.

A group of parents in Massachusetts, however, accuse their children's school of trying to brainwash them by teaching acceptance. The school, meanwhile, things it's in their best interest to educate children on all kinds of romantic relationships.

CONTINUED »