1. Catholic League President Bill Donohue doesn’t think gay people are discriminated against. He also reportedly thinks that he was brought into this world by a stork, and that O.J. didn’t do it. “Where are the examples of gays being discriminated against?” Donohue said yesterday to CNN’s New Day host Chris Cuomo. “If they’re being discriminated against, how come they make more money than straight people on average?” He’s just precious.
2. [Half of] you like us! [Half of] you really, really like us! A new poll is showing that the majority of Americans support marriage equality, with 53 percent of the 4,509 surveyed being in favor. That’s way up from 32 percent back in 2003, when Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. “As public opinion goes, we really rarely see this kind of movement on any issue over a decade’s time,” said the poll’s creators.
3. And now for the consequences. At least three European countries are withdrawing millions in direct financial support for Uganda’s government, after the nation’s president signed into law a severe anti-gay measure. Holland, Norway and Denmark were the first to withdraw and/or redirect financial support. The United States has had strong words so far but no word yet as to how harshly they are going to hit Uganda in the pocketbook.
4. On the heels of Uganda and other country’s homophobic laws being introduced and passed, Secretary of State John Kerry is rallying the troops. U.S. ambasadors from around the world are coming to Washington in the weeks ahead and Kerry says the major focus of discussion will be “how we deal with this human rights challenge on a global basis.”
5. Consequences: Part II. The lobbyist who is pushing a ban on gay players in the NFL is starting to lose clients. D.C. Solar Solution is telling Jack Burkman to take his “homophobic views” and “misguided efforts” elsewhere and don’t let the door hit him on the way out. “DC Solar values diversity within our company and within out communities, and we do not tolerate discrimination of any sort,” they said in a statement. “As a company working to address issues about our country’s future, we have no intention of working with those stuck in the past.”
psaunders@thegavoice.com | @patricksaunders