Boxer Manny Pacquiao's recent remarks regarding same-sex marriage has gotten him into some hot water, and out of one of L.A.'s trendiest shopping destinations.
Manny Pacquiao's Anti-Gay Marriage Remarks Find Him Banned From The Grove (and Misunderstood?)
Gay Student Kicked Out of High School Pageant for Making Remarks in Favor of Same-Sex Marriage
On Tuesday night during Fullerton Union High School's annual "Mr. Fullerton" pageant, a "semi-humorous event hosted by the ASB for senior boys," one participant's reply to the interview question got him booted out of the competition.
Mayor Villaraigosa Told to 'Go back to Mexico' At State Capitol
A man told Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to "Go back to Mexico" on his way out of the state capitol.
Villaraigosa was in Sacramento taking on the third rail of California politics and suggesting that Proposition 13 be overhauled. But Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Morain happened to be tagging along with Villaraigosa that day for a profile of the mayor.
Candid Cameron: Former "Growing Pains" Star Under Fire For Speaking Out Against Homosexuality
Actor Kirk Cameron, known once for his role as the popular troublemaker Mike Seaver on "Growing Pains" and now more for his devout Christianity, says he's had to endure "hate speech" since expressing his moral opposition to homosexuality during a recent TV interview.
First Same-Sex Couple Legally Wed in L.A. Are Divorcing
Gay or straight, when a marriage isn't working, divorce is one of a couple's options. Now, in the wake of yesterday's Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that a ban on same-sex marriage in California is unconstitutional, the first couple wed when such marriages were made legal in 2008 are getting divorced.
L.A. Responds after Proposition 8 Ruled Unconstitutional
Proposition 8 has been ruled unconstitutional by a three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The judges voted 2-1 to strike down the ban on same-sex marriage. The ruling upholds the decision made by U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker in 2010.
Villaraigosa & Other Big City Mayors Will Work to Pass National Pro-Gay Marriage Law
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants same-sex couples to be accorded the right to marry, and is co-chairing a new national initiative backed by 80 mayors nationwide.
Along with his counterparts from cities like New York and San Diego, Villaraigosa is taking part in "Mayors for the Freedom to Marry."
Survey Says: More Americans Approve of Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage Than Ever Before
More and more Americans are in support of same-sex marriage, according to a recent survey. The National Opinion Research Center's General Social Survey, released Wednesday, indicates that almost half of Americans approve of same-sex marriage, and there is an increase in acceptance of homosexuality over all.
Get It Straight: Bert & Ernie Are Sexless Friends, Says Sesame Street
A group pushing their gay agenda on the lives of innocent children have tried to sully the sexless friendship of "Sesame Street" puppet pals Bert and Ernie by circulating a petition to have the two guys get married on an episode of the show. But "Sesame Street" says they're just BFFs, not BFs.
Should Bert & Ernie Have a Televised Same-Sex Wedding?
Most of us grew up watching Bert and Ernie bicker on "Sesame Street," and urban legend has suggested that the perennial roomies were actually educational television's puppet version of same-sex love. Now a group is calling for the show to air an episode featuring Bert and Ernie uniting themselves in legal matrimony.
Next Prop 8 Hearing Will Be Televised: Tune In September 6th
Check your channel lineup to make sure you know where to find California Channel, if you're interested in watching the live broadcast of the next hearing of the same-sex marriage ban (aka Proposition 8) case. The court date, September 6th, is when "a crucial procedural issue in the legal battle over Proposition 8 will go before the California Supreme Court in San Francisco," explains SFAppeal.
Gay Marriage Supporters Are Funny: Wittiest Same-Sex Signage
We were just in our Happy Place and enjoyed "the most hilariously effective signs supporting gay marriage." With the recent legalization of same-sex marriage in New York and California's Proposition 8 ruled unconstitutional, perhaps the witty, chuckle-inducing pro-gay signage proves effective.
West Hollywood Ranks #3 In State for Same-Sex Couples
The third-highest percentage of same-sex couples in California call West Hollywood home, according to data from the 2010 Census, reports the Daily News. The SoCal city comes in behind Palm Springs and Guerneville, which is located north of San Francisco.
Federal Judge Upholds Ruling that Prop 8 is Unconstitutional
The ongoing courtroom battle to settle the legality of California's ban on same-sex marriage, Proposition 8, has crossed another hurdle today, as a federal judge has ruled to uphold the decision made previously by Judge Vaughn Walker that the proposition is unconstitutional.
Villaraigosa Declares L.A.'s 1st LGBT Heritage Month Today, City Council Chambers Go Wild With Pride
"This is the beginning of Gay Heritage month in the great city of Los Angeles. It's an historic first," bellowed Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl this morning in City Hall. "We have arrived in this city and we see ourselves with basic human and civil rights as our challenge we still have not met on a national level." Added Rosendahl, the first openly-gay man elected to L.A. City Council, "but we've come a long way in this great city."
Majority of Americans Believe Same-Sex Marriages Should Be Recognized By Law, According to Poll
The results of a new Gallup poll show that a majority of Americans believe that same-sex marriages should be recognized as equal to traditional marriages under the law. At 53%, this result marks the first time since Gallup began tracking the issue that those polled were more in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages by law.
Judge Who Ruled Prop 8 Unconstitutional Confirms He's Gay
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, the man who ruled that California's controversial same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional, has publicly confirmed long-running rumors he himself is gay. In yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle, the now-retired judge says he never considered stepping aside from the Proposition 8 case because he believes his sexual orientation was irrelevant to his decision-making.
In Surprising Turn of Events, Hollywood Supports Gay Marriage
Today, the question of marriage equality made its way to Hollywood as a number of celebs signed on to petition President Obama to reconsider his stance against same-sex marriage. The petition was launched earlier this month by Freedom to Marry, a campaign that seeks to legalize gay marriage on a state and federal level. After gathering signatures -- including those added today of Lance Bass, Cyndi Lauper and Verne Troyer -- an open letter will be sent to the President asking him to "end exclusion from marriage."
No Same Sex Marriages for Now, Says 9th Circuit Court
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has just denied a motion put forth that would allow same-sex marriages to resume in the state while the constitutionality of controversial Prop 8 awaits its fate in the Supreme Court.
Plaintiffs in the case of Perry v. Brown/Coleman v. Brown had asked the court to allow gay marriages to resume because they believed that while Prop 8 had yet to be declared unconstitutional, it also had not been deemed acceptable by the court.
Proposition 8 Appeal Moves Forward
A panel of judges on the California State Supreme Court agreed today to take on a case in which they'll decide whether the proponents of Proposition 8, ProtectMarriage, have the legal standing to appeal a ruling from August of last year that struck down Prop 8.
Prop 8 Battle Could Be Waged in CA Supreme Court
The legal battle to determine if California will uphold or reject the passing of Proposition 8, the same-sex marriage ban approved by voters in November 2008, continues today, as a federal appeals court "has asked the California Supreme Court to rule on whether the groups that put California’s ban on gay marriages onto the ballot have the legal right to defend the ban in court," according to LA Now.
Prop 8 Hearing Adjourned. What's Next for Same-Sex Marriage?
During a hearing today before a three-judge panel before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, arguments were presented in an effort to determine what the next steps are in the legal battle to uphold, or strike down, California's controversial same-sex marriage ban, Proposition 8. The hearing was broadcast over C-SPAN, an usual instance of cameras allowed in a Federal court.
Backers of Same-Sex Marriage Ban File Appeal Against Prop 8 Ruling
As expected, supporters of the ban on same-sex marriage in California "have formally appealed a federal judge's ruling striking down the voter-approved law," reports the Sacramento Bee.
Quick Guide to Today's Prop 8 Closing Arguments
It was two years today that gay marriages became legal in California. And it was just a little over a year ago that Prop 8, which banned same sex marriages, was upheld by the California Supreme Court. A day after that, the filing challenging the constitutionally of the prop was announced and here we are on closing arguments day and we look to Karen Ocamb at LGBT POV for her guide on the Prop 8 Trial. Below are a few key items of interest that she pointed out.
52% of Registered Voters Approve of Same-Sex Marriage, Poll Finds
A second poll conducted in the past few weeks indicates that same-sex marriage has increasing--and now majority--support from California's voters, according to LA Now. In a Los Angeles Times/USC poll, registered voters who were surveyed "said 52% to 40% that 'same-sex couples should be allowed to become legally married in the state of California.'"
L.A. Backs Social Security Benefits for Gay Couples
The L.A. City Council today unanimously backed a resolution to support social security benefits for same-sex couples. Currently, no benefits are offered in four main categories, including retirement benefits, disability insurance, survivor benefits and burial expenses.
Bill Seeks to Further Define Separation of Church & State for California Marriages
As the gay marriage debate continues in the courts and within communities, a newly introduced bill by State Senator Mark Leno may win over church leaders who are opposed to same-sex unions. The Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act, SB 906, will affirm that no clergy member will be forced under law to perform any civil marriage that is against his or her belief system. “While we know religious freedom is protected under our Constitution, this legislation eliminates any confusion or doubt under state law, reaffirming that no member of clergy or church will be penalized for refusing to solemnize marriages that violate their religious tenets,” Leno said.
Supreme Court Blocks Video Recording of Gay Marriage Trial
The Supreme Court has just announced they are blocking the video recording and broadcast of the controversial same-sex marriage trial set to begin later today in San Francisco, according to an AP report. The court has said they will not permit video to be broadcast on YouTube, even with a tape delay, because the justices need more time to consider the matter. The blocking holds until at least Wednesday. Those opposed to the video broadcast believe cameras will affect witness testimony. Previously: Prop 8 Proponents Ask Supreme Court to Block Camera Coverage; 9th Circuit Says Cameras Allowed in Prop 8 Trial Courtroom
Your Weekly LAist Film Calendar
The city is experiencing a golden age of naughty puppet films. Hot on the trail of Black Devil Doll is Let My Puppets Come, a fuzzy-felt skeleton pulled from the closet of the late Gerard Damiano (Deep Throat, The Devil In Miss Jones) for The Not-So-Silent Theatre's "Mondo Sexo" this Saturday. If the thought of puppets feels a bit too soft, the very fleshy, very foxy Louise Brooks (Pandora's Box, Diary of a Lost Girl) appears alongside curmudgeonly comedian W.C. Fields (The Bank Dick, You Can't Cheat An Honest Man) next Wednesday at the same locale. And while you're in the neighborhood, swing by the New Beverly for a brand-spankin' new print of The Day The Earth Stood Still (the one with the robot, not Keanu; wait, that doesn't narrow it down!). Given the Bev's massive trailer collection, their accompanying "Sci-Fi and More Trailer Show" should be great fun too. You'll be frozen with terror by this 1950's extravaganz-o-rama, in earth-shattering black & white!

