Last Word

''We will fight you in the courts, we will fight you in the Congress. We will not let you win.''

Anthony Evans, preacher of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in the Brightwood neighborhood of Washington, DC, speaking with cameras after yesterday's historic second and final vote to pass same-sex marriage equality in the District of Columbia. (AP via YouTube)

''Politicians on the city council are acting as if they have the right through legislation to deprive citizens of D.C. of their core civil right to vote, but we will not let them get away with it.... We have one message for David Catania and the rest of these politicians today: this fight is not over. We will go to Congress, we will go to the courts, we will fight for the people's right to vote and we will win!''

Brian Brown, Director of the National Organization for Marriage, the anti-gay marriage political group that has helped lead the fight against same-sex marriage in every state, including repeals of in both California and Maine. There have been numerous lawsuits against NOM alleging that they continually break campaign finance laws, but lawsuits have long delays and the election cycles featuring marriage battles, so far, have ended long before any legal action could be heard against NOM. The group regularly airs twisted political videos that pit gays against school children. One ballyhooed video featured Carrie Prejean, the infamous Christian beauty queen caught recently caught up in a sex video scandal and dropped from her right-wing speaking engagements. (NOM)

''It's going to be exceptionally difficult because Democrats have us outnumbered by large amounts. Nevertheless, we're going to try.... If it were put up for a vote, traditional marriage would win. It would win with a congressional vote, and it would win with the residents of Washington, D.C.''

Jason Chaffetz, US Representative of Utah, saying he will introduce legislation to stop marriage equality for gay men and lesbians from becoming and staying legal. Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution gives Congress the ability to "exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over'' the District. (Salt Lake Tribune)

"We was(sic) trying to pull whatever he had in his mouth back out of his mouth.... Obviously, he was resisting and trying to prevent us from doing that, trying to steer away, and at that time he was tased.''

Police Sergeant Billy Byrd of Panama City, FL explaining to fellow officers on camera what happened with Andrew Grande when they came to respond to a call of violence between Grande and a female friend. It's reported that Grande tried to swallow a bag of marijuana off camera. But the plastic bag got stuck in his throat at some point. Police used a taser gun on him and then forced him face down to the ground. Grande can be seen struggling desperately to remove the object, and police try a Heimlich maneuver, but he eventually collapses, and it appears that he asphyxiates as a result. Grande, 23, is known for appearing in numerous adult gay videos where he used the stage name "Dustin Michaels." (CBS News)

''We might not be an official group, but we're winning. We have our own community.... It's empowering.''

Robby Diesu, a senior at Catholic University, speaking with the Washington Post about a gay student organization that meets on campus. The article covers the students' efforts as they work toward greater visibility and acceptance despite official restrictions and a somewhat unfriendly atmosphere. The Post has a second piece on Georgetown University, another campus in DC, which is also a Catholic institution yet appears to be more receptive to the needs of gay students than CUA. (Washington Post) (Washington Post)

The Catholic Church has come into the spotlight since the Archdiocese of Washington and it's community outreach program, Catholic Charities, threatened to discontinue services to the city's needy if gay marriage passes in the District. Despite requesting and receiving a huge concession in the bill from the DC Council, the response from the Catholic hierarchy, according to Councilman David Catania, was a non-reaction to his repeated attempts at official communications. The Council approved a preliminary vote two weeks ago, and is expected to finalize its decision with a second vote very soon. Catholic Charities maintains that it is being "forced" into the situation, and that it cannot possibly provide spousal benefits to same-sex partners of its own employees, nor could they ever provide adoption or foster services for legally married lesbians or gay men, as will be required by law of any organization that receives tax-payer funds to provide public services. The Council has said it will seek alternative service providers but has not named any yet that qualify for the many millions of dollars that have been granted to Catholic Charities. Council Chairman Vincent Gray is still seeking a legitimate way to work out the differences between the Church's claims of religious freedom to discriminate and the city's requirements for equal treatment and protection.

''I was terrified with this. I was stepping out on a limb and exposing myself in a way I've never done before. But all along, I knew it would be the ultimate test of my theory, and that is, if you do anything - and do it honestly and truthfully - people will feel it and react.... I responded to Christopher's writing when I first read it in my early twenties, and it was because of the way he depicted gay relationships in an absolutely straightforward, matter-of-fact way.... This book was groundbreaking in '64, because no one had done that before.''

Tom Ford, the famed fashion designer, on his newest venture, a film adaptation on Christopher Isherwood's book, ''A Single Man.'' Most reviews on have been very positive, nearly all seem to be wowed by the stylish, cinematic quality, though a few have called it thin. The basic story is set in the 1960s and looks at the life of a middle-aged English professor who has lost his gay lover in a car accident. The film adaptation stars Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. (National Post)

''I'm not saying that all gays should be depicted in a way where it doesn't make an issue of it, but it should be considered a triumph when you finally have a character whose sexuality is secondary to the plot. It's just about human feeling, and I think that's wonderful.... [The marketing of the film] is deceptive. I don't think they should do that because there's nothing to sanitize. It's a beautiful story of love between two men and I see no point in hiding that. People should see it for what it is.''

Actor Colin Firth responding to criticism of the Weinstein Company's marketing of Tom Ford's film adaptation of ''A Single Man.'' Ford has apparently said the movie is not a gay film, but about life after the loss of a loved one. Some have criticized that approach and the emphasis on promotional imagery of the main character in scenes with his female friend, actress Julianne Moore. Firth has played several gay characters in his long acting career. (The Advocate)

''Some people grow up, they think they know who they are and there's kind of a beat where suddenly nothing makes sense around them, why they're here on Earth.... I never comment about Kenny's sexual orientation because I think that's something even he doesn't really understand.''

Nicholas Hoult, 20, on his character Kenny in the newly released film, ''A Single Man.'' Hoult previously played in the risque TV series ''Skins'' where he starred as the trouble-making Tony. (LA Times)

''This election has changed the world for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community. Just as it is about transforming the lives of all Houstonians for the better, and that's what my administration will be about.''

Annise Parker, 53, an out gay woman who just became the Mayor of Houston, Texas after a run-off election. She won with 53% of the vote though voter turn out is reported to have been very light. Parker did not deny being gay during the run up to yesterday's election but she appeared to avoid making it much of an issue. However, some close supporters of her opponent, Gene Locke, contributed thousands of dollars to a group that distributed anti-gay literature and messages. Mr. Locke is reported to have condemned the anti-gay rhetoric. The last line of Parker's online campaign bio says she has been with her partner, Kathy Hubbard, since 1990 and they have two children. Parker has been a fixture of the Houston political scene as both a City Council member and City Comptroller. She ran a campaign stressing fiscal responsibility. Some tried to paint the election as another battle between white gay politics versus religiously conservative African American voters. Houston has more than 2 million residents, with Latinos making up the largest ethnic population. Supporters chanted, "Si, se puede!" at her acceptance speech. (KTRK) (Parker for Houston)

Chuck Wolfe of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund responding to the close victory for Annise Parker as Mayor of Houston, TX, making her the the first out gay politician to be elected to head one of America's largest cities -- currently 4th at more than 2,245,000 residents. (Reuters)

Below is a peek at this week's sickening blanket of socially conservative, anti-gay rhetoric aimed at the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network and the head of President Obama's Safe Schools Initiative, Kevin Jennings who founded GLSEN. They're trying to get Jennings fired and GLSEN thrown out of the school system by focusing in on a sexual education workshop held in 2000. The far-right pundits at MassResistance, GatewayPundit, FoxNews, have joined numerous nationally known conservative mouthpieces to blast these out-of-context questions and outtakes from various pieces of gay-supportive literature as "Fistgate."

''Let me be clear that God's Word states that all sex outside of marriage is not what God intends. Jesus reaffirmed what Moses wrote that marriage is intended to be between one man and one woman committed to each other for life....First, the potential law is unjust, extreme and un-Christian toward homosexuals, requiring the death penalty in some cases. If I am reading the proposed bill correctly, this law would also imprison anyone convicted of homosexual practice.''

Parts of a press release from Rick Warren, a California preacher with a best-selling book, where he repeatedly defends his own history of associations with key persons behind Uganda's proposed the "kill the gays bill." He has come under harsh fire from gay-supportive news organizations for the last two weeks. Evidence has come forth that Rick Warren, the C Street "Family," the US ex-gay movement, and a number of members of the US Congress have questionable ties to Uganda's extremely anti-gay religious leaders and top political figures. The "Anti-Homosexuality Bill," as many others have reported recently, appears to have been crafted in response to that country's AIDS crisis but combined with it's alleged anti-gay cultural beliefs. Some of the money sent from the US to Uganda has landed in the lap of those leaders as "AIDS Relief" funds under George W. Bush's multi-billion dollar PEPFAR program. Rick Warren on ''Meet the Press'' acknowledged some kind of close association with PEPFAR, and here pooh-poohs his history with certain backers of this legislation from Uganda. It's said that the country has turned away from a safe-sex condom distribution program, and signed onto PEPFAR's strong emphasis on abstinence-only education. Now, it appears that the seeds of the ex-gay, anti-gay involvement of socially conservative US citizens has culminated in the form of this horrible legislation. On a marginally a less bleak note, the "Ethics" minister of Uganda stated just recently that this horrible bill is to be reintroduced without the call for execution of gays by hanging, yet the prison sentences for all gays is to remain. (Rick Warren News)

Dr. Rachel Maddow questioning the ex-gay promoter Richard Cohen on his ties to the upcoming bill in Uganda which in part calls for the imprisonment and/or execution of gay people. Cohen and his ridiculous "International Healing Foundation" have had close relations with the top proponents of the "kill the gays" bill, as have other ex-gay proponents, and many other socially conservative religious and political US citizens. Maddow here exposes Cohen's lack of professional certification, to which he admits to only having an educational degree. She further exposes his fantasy claims that homosexuality is caused by poor relationship development, broken homes and race. She also exposes his published claim that gays are much more likely to molest children, to which he responds that that section is being taken out of context, and that he didn't plan on printing it again in his next edition of the book. Cohen's website lists a Bowie, Maryland PO Box on it's contact page. Dr. Maddow (see video below) explains how the ex-gay movement is really an industry that sells books, recordings, and therapy to people who are conflicted over their gay attractions and their religious upbringings. (Rachel Maddow)

''I'm doing this because the city council and the mayor have given me no choice.... Marion Barry and Yvette Alexander. We have a number of longstanding civic associations, clergy and individuals, who are demanding the right to vote as 31 other states have done.''

Bob King, a Ward 5 ANC Commissioner, expressing the twisted logic of why he has faxed a letter to members of the US Congress to stop gay marriage from being fully legalized in the District of Columbia. King has been one of the loudest voices against equal marriage rights for gay women and men over the last year. He is asking members of the House and Senate to block the same-sex marriage bill and to have them force a public vote on the matter. It is not clear how the District's individual residents feel on the matter, but civil marriage equality has been banned or repealed in every state so far where it has come up for a popular vote. Residents of Maine and California both defeated existing marriage laws by slim margins, and King is hoping the same will happen here. In his on-camera interview below, please do notice KIng's flashy usage of a big, shiny cross to explain his religiously biased intentions. (Fox 5)

''Commissioner King's lobbying of Congress to stop the same-sex marriage bill from becoming law seriously undermines the District's efforts for greater autonomy and expanded home rule. By taking this fight to Congress not only is he re-enforcing our 'second-class citizen' status, he is actively embracing it. His efforts will only embolden members of Congress to expand their meddling in our municipal affairs. Frankly, I expected better from an elected District official.''

Mike Panetta, DC Shadow Representative on Bob King's efforts to have members of Congress not allow the soon-to-be-approved law that extends marriage rights to gay male and lesbian couples. Once the law passes a 2nd City Council vote, and Mayor Adrian Fenty signs it, the legislation must pass through the US Congress for 30 days. Harry Thomas, Jr, the Councilman who represents Ward 5 voted for marriage on December 1 along with 10 other Councilmembers, and only 2 opposed the bill -- Yvette Alexander and Marion Barry -- both expressing religiously based reasons. (DCist)

''The Congress shall have Power ... To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.''

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States which essentially gives the US Congress the ability to circumvent the will of the District of Colubmia's residents &/or its elected officials. Congress has too often taken advantage of this paragraph of the Constitution to block laws crafted by the District's citizens, and ANC Commissioner Bob King of Ward 5 is begging Congress to do so again to prevent the District from allowing gay men and women to be legally married here at home. Several other religious "leaders" testified before the DC Council at the end of October and beginning of November that they would ask Congress for this outrageous blockade. They are demanding a full public vote on this civil rights matter. Among these people is Harry Jackson, a preacher from a Maryland church, who claims he now resides in the District but says he has never once voted in any election in the District because he is a ''new resident.'' Virtually all of the citizens, preachers and local political figures who testified against the bill cite religious "logic" and "tradition" as their proof. (Archives.org)

On a narrow, 7 to 6 vote, a New Jersey state Senate committee opted to move ''The Freedom of Religion and Equality of Civil Marriage Act'' toward a full vote in that state's senate. It's reported that over 150 people signed up to testify for and against the bill yesterday. (Star-Ledger)

''It's extremely common... The standard narrative that folks are used to hearing -- if you have same-sex attraction, you got it when you were 9 and either acted on it or repressed it -- is an oversimplification... Some women will say, 'I had attractions to friends over the years,' but not necessarily interpret that as homosexuality.... Later-life transitions are often tied to a strong emotional bond.''

Lisa Diamond, a University of Utah professor, using Meredith Baxter's recent coming out process to explain how someone like her -- a famous actress, married three times with five kids -- ends up entering a relationship with another woman. (Washington Post)

''It means a lot for us to be here and represent the gay community. And say to people, 'We are all the same, we're all different.' Some of us are this, some of us are that. Some of us get Second Place on 'The Amazing Race.' Some of us are brothers, some of us are father and son -- you can't put a label on us. And we're just glad to be here, and show love and show respect to everyone, and show that we're all very different, and should be treated that way.''

The Christian and gay brothers, Sam and Dan McMillien, who came in second after Meghan and Cheyne on the final episode of 'Amazing Race.' Sam and Dan are scheduled to appear on the Monday morning broadcast of CBS' Morning Show. (The Amazing Race at CBS)

A few moments from Sam and Dan McMillen from the CBS reality TV show, ''The Amazing Race.''

''I think that you have to be married to know how different it is than just being together with someone.... It feels like a very relaxing, calming thing.... Because of that commitment, I just feel like we're more of a team. More kind of working for the common goal of us.... No of course the word [marriage] is not more important than the rights, but without the word, we don't have equal rights because everybody is allowed to be married.''

Actress Portia de Rossi, of "Better Off Ted" and "Nip/Tuck," speaking with ''The View'' about being married and her coming out process in Hollywood. Elizabeth Hasselback, the consistently conservative voice of the panel, used a bizarre analogy of gays insisting on the word "marriage" to women wanting to be called "men" so they could have equal rights. (The View)

''It's turned into a tre­mendous plus. I was able to share my mes­sage. I used it as a platform. It turned into a tremen­dously positive experience. People know that I stay true to myself.... It is important for us as Christians to stand up for what we believe is right, such as traditional mar­riage''

''I haven't seen the movie. From what I understand it's about an hour and a half of darkness and perversion with about three minutes of light.''

Jody Trautwein, 39, a precher in Birmingham, AL who was featured in the pseudo-documentary "Bruno" as a target for derision by actor Sacha Baron Cohen for his "pray the gay away" techniques. (AL.com) (AL.com)

''I believe the people of the diocese, by the grace and power and influence of the Holy Spirit, went beneath skin deep, went beneath the superficial characteristics and boxes into which we put people to really look at individual people.''

Mary D. Glasspool, 55, who has just been elected by the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. She is the first out lesbian to become a senior assistant bishop in the Anglican Communion which is headed by the Archbishop of Canterbury in England. Earlier in the day, the LA Diocese elected the its first woman to the same post, Diane M. Jardine Bruce. The Anglican Communion, which has some 77 million members, has struggled for several years since the New Hampshire Diocese elected Reverend Gene Robinson as the first openly gay bishop. The Diocese of Massachusetts recently approved the performing of same-sex weddings. Several conservative congregations in the US have left and/or be ejected from the Episcopal Church after pledging their loyalty elsewhere because of the Episcopal churches progressive evolution on gay and lesbian issues. (LA Times)

''The election of Mary Glasspool by the Diocese of Los Angeles as suffragan bishop elect raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole. The process of selection however is only part complete. The election has to be confirmed, or could be rejected, by diocesan bishops and diocesan standing committees. That decision will have very important implications.''

Statement from Rowan Williams the Archbishop of Canterbury in England regarding the election of Los Angeles first female bishop, Mary Glasspool, who is also a lesbian. Williams has been struggling to maintain a unified organization ever since Gene Robinson of New Hampshire was elected the first gay male bishop. The main problem for the Anglican Communion appears to be between the mostly accepting Episcopal Church of America and the rather hateful reaction from African church leaders, especially in Uganda where Henry Orombi has successfully drawn the loyalty of socially conservative Episcopal congregations away from their American leadership. He regularly equates being gay with being a pedophile. Orombi, according to reports, is a supporter of a bill that is currently sailing through the Ugandan legislature that calls for the imprisonment and execution of gays in that country, as well as imprisonment for anyone who does not report anyone they know who is gay. Others report that the larger Anglican Church of Uganda released a statement that they cannot support the execution aspect of the bill. (Archbishop of Canterbury)

''I am incredibly disappointed. This is a sad day in New York state.''

Diane Savino, New York State Senator for North Shore/Brooklyn, speaking Tuesday after her fellow senators defeated a bill that would have legalized marriage equality for lesbians and gay men. (Staten Island Live)

''Well, as impressive as people may have found my floor comments, they were not persuasive. We knew going into it that this was a long shot. I felt we were counting votes that were probably not there, and unfortunately, that's what happened.... I never have an issue with people who feel strongly about this from a position of principle. What I do object to is people who voted no for political reasons because they [thought they] couldn't get reelected in their district -- or that the backlash would be too much....There's no fallback on it right now, so those of us who are supporters, we have to regroup now.''

New York State Senator Diane J. Savino, who testified in favor of this week's bill to legalize same-sex marriage in that state. The heavily Democratic northeast state has been wrestling with this issue for many months, but their Senate has had massive personality conflicts at the same time, and support for marriage equality dried up in New York recently, just as it has in neighboring New Jersey after the defeat of Governor . She and many other senators spoke in favor of the bill, but it failed in the State Senate on Tuesday by a vote of 24 aye, and 38 nay. The YouTube video of Savino's speech has received nearly 200,000 views in the last couple days on the NYSenate channel, making it their most popular video ever. They've added about a dozen more of her videos since then. (New York Magazine)

''A marriage license is a legally binding instrument between two adults who wish to merge their assets and form a family.... Government should not have the power to deny this based on gender. I hope the Senate will reconsider.''

Leticia Remauro, a former Staten Island Republican Chairwoman complaining about her party's 100% no vote against same-sex marriage equality. One of those was Staten Island Republican Andrew Lanza who says he supports civil unions and considers gay Senator Tom Duane of Manhattan a friend.. Duane says several Republicans said they would vote for the bill but did not when it came time. (Staten Island Live)

''Homosexuality will not be promoted, encouraged or supported in Uganda.... It is never, ever, a standard practice in the civilised world for a diplomat to address the press of a country in which he or she is serving on how the host country is handling affairs of its land.... It is clear to government and whoever cares to understand the complexities of corruption, that it will take more than the government alone to defeat the corrupt.''

James Nsaba Buturo, the Ethics and Integrity Minister of Uganda, an African country that is fast approaching the passage of a bill that's anything but ethical in its demand for the execution of gay people. As the bill moves forward, many ties to America's anti-gay Evangelical leaders, the US ex-gay movement, conservative US politicians, and funding of religious extremists through George W. Bush's "AIDS Relief" program, PEPFAR, are being discovered as exacerbating factors in the development of this policy. News anchor Rachel Maddow of MSNBC, the Daily Beast website, Public Eye, and many others are fast exposing the past support by Americans of Ugandans involved in crafting this bill and their ties to the misappropriated US tax-payer funds for the "AIDS Relief" program called PEPFAR. (Daily Monitor)

Several western countries' governments, like Sweden, Canada & Britain, have begun to express their grave concern over this insane piece of legislation. But Buturo and other Ugandan leaders appear to remain defiant despite consequences that certainly should begin with the loss of foreign assistance. It has been reported that part of the Ugandan support for this bill is the likening of homosexuality in general to pedophilia and, specifically the case of sexual abuse of an 11-year-old boy earlier this year, allegedly by a youth councilor. It is reported that the bill also specifies that the death penalty should be applied to those who have sex with a minor or disabled person.

Uganda is also the home of Henry Luke Orombi, an Anglican Church leader in that country that has blamed gays Uganda's problems on numerous occasions and played a critical role in the American Episcopal Church's recent problems by publicly criticizing their welcoming stance and the ordination of openly gay Gene Robinson. 

''They [politicians] are exploiting the traditional and cultural abhorrence to same-sex relationships to their advantage. They know that if they criminalise homosexuals, homosexual tendencies and homosexual acts, they stand a better chance of winning votes from the majority of religious followers and leaders, because most of us may not be able to distinguish what may be considered 'unacceptable', from the point of view of religious and cultural belief and opinion, from what is 'criminal', from the point of state law that is meant to keep peace, order and justice.''

Canon Gideon Byamugisha, reportedly a prominent member of the Ugandan Anglican church, and one of the too few voices coming out of that country in opposition the the proposed ''kill the gays'' bill which requires life imprisonment for just being gay, hanging for gays who have sex more than once or are HIV-positive, extradition of gay citizens in other countries back to Uganda for punishment, and three years in jail for anyone who knows of a gay person and does not report that person to the government immediately. (Guardian)

''I think I would do more harm than good by connecting our resources to respond to the epidemic to making them dependent on a behavior that they're not willing to engage in on their own. My role is to be supportive and helpful to the patients who need these services. It is not to tell a country how to put forward their legislation.''

Eric Goosby, President Obama's pick for US AIDS Coordinator in charge of PEPFAR, a global AIDS relief fund created by George Bush. He is responding here for a suspension of funds from PEPFAR to be given to Uganda since indications are that a bill will pass that calls for the imprisonment and execution of gay people. It is reported by some sources that funds from PEPFAR's tens of billions of dollars have been given to people like Martin Ssempa, an extremely anti-gay pastor who has in the recent past been closely allied with members of the American Evangelical movement and their increasingly questionable interests in the AIDS epidemic. (Newsweek)

''I emphasise the importance of creating a social environment conducive for HIV prevention and to refrain from laws that criminalize the transmission of HIV and stigmatize certain groups in the population.... These laws can only fuel the epidemic further and undermine an effective response to HIV.''

Elizabeth Mataka, the United Nations' Special Envoy in Africa, speaking out against the proposed "kill the gays" bill that is about to be passed in Uganda. (PlusNews)

''They (gay men) refused to show up at the opening for fear of media exposure and potential discrimination.''

Zhang Jianbo, founder of a city-sponsored gay bar in the Dali, China, which was supposed to be a meeting place for gay men, and once inside, they would receive access to HIV/AIDS education and outreach. Quite literally, they were trying to get them out of the woods, and into a healthier environment. But a world of media attention apparently was too much for the intended participants. It's reported that some citizens complained it was a waste of taxpayers' dollars, too. This article mentions that gay bars exist in other cities but don't draw media attention to themselves, and are not government funded. (China Daily)

''It seems the Dali government was not well-prepared for the ethical debate that might arise from the government investment in the gay bar. However, if the government had adopted a relaxed approach, it might have averted the moral risks.''

An editoriral from China Daily about a gay bar that had been sponsored the Chinese city Dali. (China Daily)

''Yes, sadly friends, ABC has cancelled my appearances on Kimmel and NYE. :( don't blame them. It's the FCC heat.''

Twitter post from Adam Lambert, apparently telling fans that he was dropped as a performer from two late-night TV appearances on the ABC TV network -- "Jimmy Kimmel Live" talk show, and the "New Year's Eve" special. It's not clear yet what he means by referencing the Federal Communications Commission, the governmental body that monitors broadcast content and has issued fines for indecent material in the past, in a rather arbitrary manner. Millions in fines have been levied against broadcast corporations for performances like Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake's televised dance at the Superbowl, and radio talk show host Howard Stern's funny but sexually explicit banter. An anti-gay legal advocacy group, Liberty Counsel, claims to have filed a complaint to the FCC already, though the performance was well after 10pm when the FCC assumes that the viewing audience is mostly adults. Liberty Counsel claims it aired in Texas before 10pm. (Twitter)

''The sins that keep you out of heaven are not the just those sins of being gay, those are sins of lying, murdering, unforgiving, all kinds of sins. When you look at anyone you believe is not living a life along the principles of Christianity, you pray for them that they will one day see the error in their ways and change, but you don't exclude them because Christ died for everybody. So when you look at someone who is gay, you see them as someone Christ died for and you look at them as if they are in fact committing sin and that sin will keep them out of heaven. But you don't hate the person, you hate the sin they commit. And you continue to love the person, and you hope one day the person will see the error in their ways. That is the same for someone who is a drug addict or child molester or someone who is a murderer. I don't want you to take these words and say I'm analyzing gays with these kinds of people. That's not what I'm saying. I'm talking about a sin.''

Vallejo, California Mayor Osby Davis' further quotes printed by the New York Times. The Times had previously printed some of Davis' remarks about gays living in sin and therefore not getting into heaven. He has been heavily criticized, and the New York Times apparently felt compelled to put the remarks into context, so they published the entire interview online yesterday. The article and the subsequent clash over Mayor Davis' remarks are a prime example of how intolerance on behalf of religious communities is clashing more and more with LGBT members of the community as they stand up for their civil rights in their neighborhoods, cities and states. The worst aspect, as is being observed by many, is the painful race and class divisions between those who are seeking equality through the political process and those who are pushing their agenda based on twisted interpretations of religious text. It's reported that 50 angry supporters of the gay community held a protest outside the Council building this week, most of whom were not racial minorities. But inside the Council chambers, 100 supporters of the mayor chanted, cheered and prayed, and most of them were racial minorities. (New York Times)

''I'll tell you what I was hoping. I was watching it, and I think he's got a fantastic voice. I was hoping he would stand there and sing some fantastic song and blow the roof off the place. I think, running around and doing all that -- I think he missed a great opportunity.... He can do whatever he wants to do. I was hoping they'd give him some great lighting, and let him sing something just fantastic.... He's got a great instrument.... I don't really give a shit. I don't care [about the gay controversy]. I was just hoping he would sing a great song, and that's all.''

Singer Barry Manilow, 68, reflecting on new gay pop 'Idol' Adam Lambert and his over-the-top performance on the AMAs. Manilow has kept a low profile on his own personal relationships while maintaining a long career of singing and songwriting. (Joy Behar Show)

"Ayes 24, Nays 38. The bill is lost."

Final announcement from the New York Senate after debating and voting on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Many Senators stood and testified in favor of the bill, but in the end it was defeated. (New York Senate)

''People stand up there in front of God and man, even in front of Senator Diaz's church -- they swear honor and obey: They don't mean a word of it. And so if anything wrong or any threat to the sanctity of marriage in America, it comes from those of us who have the privilege and the right and we have abused it for decades. We have nothing to fear from Tom Duane and Louis. We have nothing to fear from Danny O'Donnell and his partner. We have nothing to fear from people who are committed to each other, who want to share their lives and protect one another in the event of sickness, illness or death. We have nothing to fear from love and commitment. My only hope, Tom, is that we pass this bill, the governor signs it, and then we can learn from you, and you don't learn from us. I vote "aye."

Final part of testimony from Diane J Savino of the 23rd Distirict in New York State. She was joined by a number of other NY Senate supporters of diverse races, ages, religions who testified in favor of the bill. Unfortunately, the opposition led by Ruben Diaz, a Senator who is also a fiery preacher, ruled the day by defeating the bill 38-24. It was hoped that the bill could be passed by the legislature so it could be quickly signed by Governor Patterson, who champions same-sex marriage rights but is not very popular in the polls. (New York Senate)

''This is the reason why the nation is the way that it is. This is the reason there is so many crime, so many lose respect for the elderly, the respect for the private property, crime, all kinds of things.... Senator Allen said, 'When I come through that door, I leave my bible outside.' Don't please. Don't! That's the wrong statement to send. The bible should never be left out. You should call your bible all the time. Like it to people or don't like it to people. ... Commit your word and keep your word. And not to try to make other people as the bad guy.... President Barack Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton, and President Clinton -- I am joining them in voting 'no.'

NY State Senator Ruben Diaz, a Puerto Rican native who has been at odds with his Democratic colleagues over the last several years, reportedly even threatening to leave the party's legislative majority. Diaz's last statement was corrected by Tom Duane, the gay Senator who was the main proponent of this bill, by pointing out that former President Bill Clinton now disagrees with his past beliefs and thinks gay men and lesbians should be allowed to get married. Again, the bill went to a painful and decisive defeat of 38 nay, and only 24 yea. (New York Senate)

''I got involved with someone I never expected to get involved with, and it was that kind of awakening. I never fought it because it was like, oh, I understand why I had the issues I had early in life. I had a great deal of difficulty connecting with men in relationships.... It never occurred to me to think, oh, [the problem is] me.... I said [to my children], 'I think I'm gay.' My oldest boy said, 'I knew.' You know, I think he was a smart aleck, but the rest of them were just very loving and supportive.... I don't want to be worried all the time.... I did not want some tabloid to take my story and make it up. So I wanted it to be in my own words.... All my pals on 'Family Ties' know.... It's been brought to my attention that this is a political act, even though, that's not what it feels like to me. It feels like personal exposure, and it's uncomfortable.... If I can be that-lesbian-you-know now, 'Okay, if I vote this way, than that, that might actually affect this person I know. That -- that Meredith.'''

Actress Meredith Baxter (-Birney), of the popular 1980s show ''Family Ties'' where she played TV mom to the Keatons including actors Michael J Fox, Justine Bateman and Tina Yothers. She's telling the Today Show about her her journey through three marriages to men, what it was like to tell her children, and the posting of photos by Perez Hilton this week of the actress with her contractor girlfriend, Nancy Locke, as well a "threat" from another tabloid magazine after she took a vacation on a lesbian cruise boat. (NBC Today Show)

''I'm passionate and energetic about all things I do. This is not work for me. This is something I enjoy.''

Evan Low, 26, the new mayor of suburban city of Campbell, California. He was voted in by the Campbell's City Council. Now the youngest gay and youngest Asian mayor in America, he is slated to be serve as the mayor for one year. (San Francisco Chronicle)

''I hope that this will provide an opportunity for other people to get involved who traditionally might not see politics as something that might be exciting or something that might not interest them."

Evan Low, the new mayor of Campell, CA. (KTVU)

"We have to stand against any efforts to marginalize and criminalize and penalize members of the LGBT community worldwide."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking at the White House World AIDS Day press event in reference to U.S. funding of HIV/AIDS programs in Africa and the controversy surrounding a proposed "Anti-Homosexual Bill" introduced in Uganda's Parliament that would criminalize homosexuality and institute the death penalty for gay HIV-positive people. Clinton called such efforts "a step backwards on behalf of civil right" and "a step that undermines the effectiveness of efforts to fight the disease worldwide." (Metro Weekly)

"[PEPFAR will] support policy change to address discrimination, including - as the secretary noted earlier - the situation in Uganda."

Ambassador Dr. Eric Goosby, global AIDS coordinator with the US State Department, speaking at the same White House event and promising funding policy changes in response to the Ugandan anti-gay legislation. The U.S. PEPFAR program has committed billions of dollars to the fight against HIV in Africa. (Metro Weekly)