Barney Frank let his claws out last night!

During a debate at Wellesley College, Frank, a gay Congressman from Massachusetts, took on political opponent Earl Sholley's offensive take on gay marriage. When asked where he stands on the issue, Sholley, a Republican, made no effort to hide his disdain, saying:

I believe having gay marriage diminishes the value of the institution of marriage. I believe it's a sacred pact between a man and a woman and it is so ordained by God.

This isn't a civil rights issue. This I has nothing to do with environment. This has nothing to do with genes. There is no gay gene. This has to do with choice. In fact, there is a lot of evidence to indicate…I believe that it's obsessive compulsive behavior it's been estimated that 80 percent of homosexuals were sexually abused as children. I think we should be helping these people.

Frank was not amused, obviously, and shot back:

I hope it won't be ungracious to reject Mr. Sholley's offer to help me overcome the nonexistent child abuse. Same-sex marriage is of no concern to anyone who does not choose to enter into one. The notion that it weakens the institution of marriage is nonsense. We've had same-sex marriage in Massachusetts for four years; there has been no negative effect.

Indeed. And, frankly, we're shocked Sholley thinks his right-wing rhetoric will win him votes.

Some Massachusetts children will get trans education this fall when custodian Brian Bonin makes his debut as Brianna Bonin.

After fifty-four years living as a man, the father of two has started transitioning into his new life as a woman. And, understandably, he's pretty psyched, and, surprisingly, so are school officials.

Principal Norman P. Yvon and superintendent Ernest L. Boss will soon send out a supportive note, which reads:

Our night custodian has informed us of his decision to change his gender and, as we begin the school year, he will begin living and working as a woman. He has been a valued employee of the Oxford Public Schools for many years, and we expect his exemplary performance to continue as he changes gender roles.

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Massachusetts again finds itself in a gay marriage war.

Right-wingers this week reignited an old debate by pushing a ballot question aimed at ending wedding-related immigration.

The activists claim Governor Deval Patrick lawmakers acted unfairly in repealing a 1913 law prohibiting out-of-staters from marrying in Massachusetts if their own state wouldn't allow such a wedding.

The law was originally aimed at interracial couples, but has become more closely associated with gay rights - and you know how the right hate's the homos…

Opponents of same-sex marriages are seeking a ballot question that would prevent gay and lesbian couples from getting married here if their union wouldn't be legal in their home state.

Brian Camenker of the group Mass Resistance said Friday lawmakers and Gov. Deval Patrick bowed to the will of the "gay lobby" last month by approving the repeal of a 1913 statute that banned such marriages.
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"The Legislature and the governor changed our marriage laws to please the well-connected minority and force a social experiment into other states that's very offensive to a majority of the people, at least the way the votes have been going," Camenker said, referring to recent votes in favor of gay marriage bans in other states.

Camenker specifically points to the repeal's immediate enactment, rather than waiting the customary 90 days, during which time opponents can rally their reactionary troops. So now Camenker and his ilk are attempting to get 32,000 signatures to put the 1913 law question on this November's ballot, because nothing says political prowess like fighting for a law written almost 100 years ago.

It's official! Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed a measure repealing a 1913 law that prohibited out-of-state homos from getting hitched in the Bay State. This means, of course, that all you engaged gays can cross the line and take the plunge.

Patrick told the gathered crowd that the proves the true meaning of equality:

…In Massachusetts equal means equal. Today by repealing the nearly century old law, we affirm the right of same-sex couples from out of state to marry in Massachusetts; to enjoy all of the protections of our good laws. Today by repealing this law we continue to lead the way as a national leader. Today by repealing this law we have affirmed the Democratic principle that all people come before their government as equals.

In addition to repealing the 1913 law, Patrick also signed the MassHealth Equality Bill, which gives queer couples the same Medicaid benefits as their straight counterparts.

Massachusetts, the first state to legalize gay marriage, took another step toward full equality yesterday:

The Massachusetts state Senate on Wednesday passed a bill granting married same-sex couples equal Medicaid benefits, gay rights group MassEquality reported.

Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to sign the bill, which was passed by the state House on July 15.

The lawmakers' actions defy the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which bans legally wed same-sex couples from receiving federally provided benefits such as Medicaid, the "safety-net" health care program administered by the states.

Supporters say Massachusetts can circumvent federal law by using only state dollars to pay for gay couples' benefits.

The move will especially benefit senior citizens, who face eviction and poverty under the current laws, say activists.

Oh, Lord! Did uber-conservative Republican Jesse Helms like to dress as a woman? "Yes," according to a Massachusetts-based make-up artist who phoned into homo-journo Michelangelo Signorile's radio show.

The story goes like this: the caller, known only as "Brian," put an add in the paper to film a "video instruction" for straight men looking to learn how to dress like women, one of the men who replied was a creepy Southern man who looked vaguely familiar. "Brian" did the deed, video taped it so the man could watch it at home and received $300 for the pancaked pleasure. It wasn't until the next day, after reading an article about how North Carolinian Senator Jesse Helms had been visiting Massachusetts - and staying at the same hotel where the make-over went down! - that "Brian" recognized his client.

He goes on to explain that he never came forward for fear of being mistaken for a hooker and other nebulous "repercussions," nor does he expect anyone to believe him. But it did happen, he says. True or not, Signorile's bewilderment's worth the watch. Pay particular attention to his reaction around the 1:30 mark. He's not sure whether to jump up in glee or call "bullshit."

Massachusetts continues to lead the nation's gay way:

The Massachusetts Senate on Tuesday voted to repeal an obscure 1913 law that has been used to keep out-of-state same-sex couples from marrying there.

Legislators in the state House of Representatives in Boston are expected to take similar action today, and Gov. Deval Patrick has promised to sign the repeal. The move could allow gays and lesbians from other states to marry in Massachusetts within weeks.
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Those who fought to repeal the 1913 statute said Tuesday that the move — together with the California court decision — could amplify political momentum nationwide.

So, if that law was penned in 1913, the laws of progressive math say that we'll have full marriage equality sometime around 2,103.

Better call the wedding planner!

It's a big day to be gay!

Within a matter of hour, California will begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses, thus making it the second state in the Union to allow queer nuptials. Massachusetts, of course, was the first, which means it's a perfect time for the New York Times to take a closer look at the shocking reality of homo married life: it's not all it's cracked up to be!

Shocking, we know, but it's a lesson we should all learn. Or, rather, should have learned…

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