Joe Paolucci, who along with his twin sons and his partner, Thomas Hitchcock, have been banned from all Wal-Mart stores -- not because they stole anything, but because they resisted being taken out of sight by store employees who falsely accused them of stealing. Apparently, one of the gay fathers went to check out groceries while the other went back to get some Bic lighters, who then separately used the self-checkout aisle to purchase the lighters. They were both detained by Wal-Mart employees, who they said were rude and threatening and demanded they proceed to an isolated area. When they refused and asked for police to be called, the responding officers were not friendly to the couple either, they say. After 45 minutes of being separated from their children and each other -- one put in handcuffs, no less -- they were told that store videotapes showed they had done nothing wrong. But instead of an apology, the store's staff read a statement that said they were ''being uncooperative,'' and that they were banned for life from all Wal-Mart stores. Later, they received a letter in the mail from Wal-Mart still demanding that they pay 10 times the value of the lighters -- items that were never shoplifted in to begin with. (South Bend Tribune)

LA Times/USC poll that appears to indicate that California is likely not going to be kind to gay marriage again should it receive enough support to appear on the ballot next year. California overturned same-sex marriage rights in 2008 by a slim majority -- 52-48%. This week, voters in Maine had a nearly identical result when they overturned gay marriage in that state, too -- 53-47%. One frustrating aspect of comparing the two Democrat-leaning states is that the demographics are so completely different, yet they came to the same result. California's huge voter base is much more diverse when compared to Maine's tiny, more homogeneous racial and cultural make up. Religious and socially conservative groups coordinated their anti-gay efforts in both elections, using the worst types of child-endangering propaganda to squeeze through a loss for the gay community. Given enough time, it's hoped that voters' opinions will move toward less resistance. This is driven primarily through polling data that consistently shows younger voters strongly favor allowing gay marriage. In the case of this poll, 18-29 year-olds favor equality at 71%, whereas voters 65+ only favor same-sex marriage by 37%. (LA Times / USC poll)

''We're not referring to gay people. You can be gay and not be a fag.''
-- Kyle trying to explain why he and his friends are using the f-word as insult to a group of loud bikers.

''We must acknowledge that the words 'fag' and 'faggot' are never going to disappear. They're simply too much fun for everyone to say. But we must realize that we are no longer the most hated people on the planet, and help the children change the meaning of the word.''
-- Big Gay Al speaking to his ''fellow homosexuals'' regarding the usage the f-word by the town's children.

Quotes from the latest episode of ''South Park,'' a long-running, animated cartoon that regularly pushes the boundaries of acceptability using vulgarity to spoof various social issues. The show offends with intention, frequently dropping curse words and insults including the words ''fag'' and ''faggot,'' but the show has also included gay and transgender characters and plot lines for years in entertaining and unheard of ways. The shows creators often take aim at the adversaries of the LGBT community, too. In this episode, the main characters decide to redefine the word to describe a group of obnoxiously loud, Harley-riding bikers. The New York Times says Comedy Central plans to address GLAAD's concerns in repsonse to a complaint that the media watchdog group has filed. (Comedy Central)

''Though the writers of South Park attempted to craft a commentary on the shifting meaning of words, the fact of the matter is that the F-word is and remains a hateful slur that is often the last word heard by LGBT people as they fall victim to hate crimes.... South Park was right on one point: all too commonly, more and more people are using the F-word as a seemingly benign insult, unaware or unconcerned about the word's anti-gay meaning.... GLAAD encourages you to contact Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, as well as Comedy Central, to share your personal stories of the negative impact the F-word and other anti-gay slurs have had on your life.''

Statement from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation about the animated comedy series, ''South Park,'' somewhat stunning episode where the town's residents try to change the definition and usage of the word ''fag.'' (GLAAD)

Washington, D.C. -- A protest rally held in Dupont Circle tonight brought together same-sex marriage supporters who say they were angered by yesterday's vote to overturn marriage rights in Maine.

A surprise attendee of the rally was Maggie Gallagher, President of the National Organization for Marriage. Gallagher's organization spearheaded the effort to repeal Maine's same-sex marriage law, and by a small majority -- 53 to 47 percent -- voters opted to revoke equal marriage rights in that state. It appeared to bother some attendees of tonight's rally that Gallagher would appear at a pro-gay marriage event, yet the estimated crowd of 120 mostly left her alone as she observed the hour-long protest.

Gallagher said she had just been at a nearby building and it was by "great coincidence" that she was passing by. She stated that she was not attending the event as part of a professional capacity and did not wish to go on camera for an interview.

When asked what her feelings were about Carrie Prejean's latest developments, Gallagher said, "I don't have all the facts." Earlier today, TMZ.com reported that a "XXX home video" had surfaced of the controversial California beauty queen, and that a legal complaint from Prejean had been hastily settled.

This past May, Prejean had been introduced by Gallagher at a media event held in D.C. At the time, Prejean spoke of her life-changing "Miss USA" moment, when she told pageant judge Perez Hilton, "I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anyone out there." That highly publicized National Press Building event served to launch an advertisement paid for and distributed by the National Organization for Marriage. The ad featured Prejean's famous statement, and added that passage of gay marriage could cause small businesses and religious organizations "widespread legal conflicts" and that the "effects would be...devastating." Entitled "No Offense," the ad also claimed gays wanted to "silence the opposition."

Gallagher claimed tonight that Prejean did not work for NOM and was not a spokesperson for the organization. Gallagher then remarked that NOM had never invited Prejean to speak in D.C., and that organizers of the Values Voter Summit had invited her to introduce Prejean at a second, separate event this past September. She added that she wished Prejean well and that she would introduce Prejean again.

After the rally ended, Gallagher was asked if opponents of same-sex marriage like her were enjoying the ability to prevent people from having the right to get married. She replied that "People can make up what they want, but they can't make up what's in my head.... I am enjoying the victory in Maine for which we fought hard, but I am not enjoying seeing people disagree with me. No." Asked to explain what exactly "the victory" was, she stated, "People disagree on this issue. And I think it's important to hear what people who disagree with you say. That's why I showed up." She concluded by saying she didn't think gay unions were marriages and that changing the definition of marriage would do a lot of damage.

''We should also be celebrating what happened in Kalamazoo, and also celebrating what happened in Washington where pro-LGBT referendums passed in both those places. That's a huge, huge victory for us.''

''The [Obama] administration did nothing to fight against Question 1. Organizers for America (formerly Obama for America) e-mailed voters twice in the last days and said nothing.''

''That's what it took for black people in the South to win civil rights. We did not win our equality with one big march on Washington. We won it through years of sit-ins, of people facing dogs and police, people facing down a racist political establishment who had promised to give equality and [did] not deliver it.''

''We will no longer become sad and somber by the disheartened comments and discouragement of other people who may not be able to identify with our cause or who have been fighting too long and are burned out.''

''Exactly one year ago today, [California] voted on my right to get married. And apparently I lost. Because, apparently, my rights were subject to a vote.''

''The forward-thinking members of our Council have said, that the rights of a minority should never be put to vote by the majority.''

''Marriage doesn't belong to anyone in particular. It belongs to all of us. And we will enjoy the same rights, the same responsibilities as everyone else in the United States of America.''

''It's deeply upsetting and I don't understand why they're happy that we don't have the right. It's fair enough to be saying, 'Okay, we don't want you to have the rights.' But there's something that's in it that's really malicious.''

Quotes from a number of speakers who gathered tonight at a hastily assembled rally and protest in response to the loss of gay marriage in Maine. Maggie Gallagher, the President of the National Organization for Marriage, sat quietly behind the protest, she said, just to observe; which is incredible in itself because it was her organization that reportedly funneled $1.5 million into that state to successfully lead the effort in passing Question 1. That initiative was approved this past Tuesday by voters through a slim margin of 53-47%. (Metro Weekly)

The latest tally from Bangor Daily News on the anti-gay referendum known as Question 1. This result indicates that legalized same-sex marriages in Maine have been rejected by the public by a small, but solid margin.

In May of this year, the Maine legislature voted to approve of same-sex marriages, and Governor John Baldacci signed it into law. More than half of the voting population turned out today to cast their ballots on this issue in what is called an "off-election" year. The National Organization for Marriage and the Catholic Archdiocese were primary organizers and funders of Maine's anti-gay marriage effort. (Bangor Daily News)

Last November, California voters approved Proposition 8 an initiative that overturned the right of gay and lesbian couples to be married in that state, and deeply felt anger over the loss led to nationwide protests. It's not clear how GLBT Americans and their supporters will react to the Maine decision -- whether they'll be charged up again or go numb from battle fatigue.

It's likely that Washington, DC will be the next locale to wrestle with same-sex marriage opponents. The DC City Council just concluded a two-week public hearing on the matter. Ten of the 13 Councilmembers have already signed on to support the measure. Many of the opponents to gay equality stated that they will now lobby the US Congress in an attempt to block DC's own Council representatives from exercising DC's own Home Rule. Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage testified at the hearing, as did representatives for the Archdiocese of Washington and Catholic Charities who said in no uncertain terms that they would not provide spousal benefits to legally married gay employees nor would they provide adoption or foster services to married gay couples. (Metro Weekly)

''We're not short timers. We're in for the long haul. We will regroup. This is about love and commitment and family, and so we'll stay the course. And I ask you to stay the course with us.''

Jesse Connolly, head of the ''No on 1'' which lost its effort tonight to retain the legal right to same-sex marriages in the state of Maine. (Boston Globe)

''Carrie Prejean demanded more than a million dollars during her settlement negotiations with Miss California USA Pageant officials -- that is, until the lawyer for the Pageant showed Carrie an XXX home video of her handiwork.''

Celebrity gossip site TMZ.com reporting on the sudden settlement of a million-dollar lawsuit filed by Carrie Prejean, former Miss California USA and a lightning rod of controversy in the nationwide battles over same-sex marriage and, more specifically, over last year's Proposition 8. Prejean became a spokesperson for NOM, the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage, earlier this year, and she also spoke for God during a speech against gay marriage at a recent convention for religious political operatives -- both events occurred right here in Washington, DC. It's reported that she, like her supporter Sarah Palin, has a new book coming out. (TMZ) (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON STATE:
APPROVE REFERENDUM 71?
Approved = 51.13%
Rejected = 48.87%

Current results of public vote to approve a same-sex partnership bill known as Referendum 71, and called by many, ''the Everything But Marriage Bill.'' R-71 was put up to a public vote by opponents to gathered enough petition signatures to challenge the bill that had already been approved by the state legislature and the Governor. Though many rights may be granted to same-sex couple through this bill, it does not equal marriage, and provides no benefits or protection at the Federal level, nor does it provide any recognition of a legal relationship when a gay or lesbian couple leaves the state of Washington. If the lead can hold throughout the night, it is a small plus for gay relationships but will likely not make up for the huge political and social loss for gays in Maine who have lost tonight the ability to get legally married. (Seattle Times)

CNN projects that Chris Christie will unseat New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, giving Republicans wins in both races for governor contested Tuesday.

CNN also projects Bob McDonnell will win the race for governor in Virginia, reversing a trend of the state electing Democrats.

From CNN's website regarding governor's races in nearby Virginia and New Jersey. Governor John Corzine had been a very strong supporter of gay equality, but he has become unpopular reportedly due to high taxation rates. Bob McDonnell was expected to beat Democrat Creigh Deeds who did not appear to take a strong enough stand on anything to win voters' confidence in the heavily Republican Commonwealth. The Attorney General contest in Virginia also appears to have gone to Republican Ken Cuccinelli. Both McDonnell and Cuccinelli have espoused some rather strange anti-gay philosophies, and their election comes as a disappointment to many GLBT voters, especially in the Northern Virginia suburbs around DC. President Barack Obama campaigned for both Deeds and Corzine in recent days, and it the race is being touted by Republicans as a sign weakness in the President's ability to pass controversial legislation -- legislation which the GLBT community hopes will include the repeal of the ''Defense of Marriage Act'' and the ban on gays in the military through ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'' (CNN)

''Andy, you've changed my life. You bring out the best in me. I love you so much. On this day when we talk about the hopes of marriage, I'd like to ask you: Will you marry me?''

Andrew Hertzberg proposing to his gay partner Andy Rollman at a live, televised hearing on same-sex marriage in Washington, DC. Attending members of the DC City Council congratulated the pair of new fiancees on their engagement. Hertzberg and Rollman were just two of over 250 citizens that spoke at the hearing, the vast majority in support of the measure. Although, several of the speakers from the 2-part session asked the council not to replace civil unions with marriage as the only option. (DC Council via Office of Cable Television)

''He told me he was going to do something as a surprise at the end. I was hoping this was it.''

Andy Rollman who received a proposal of marriage from Andrew Hertzberg. The couple was testifying at the time as part of the DC Council's public hearing on a bill that will legalize same-sex marriage. (Washington City Paper)

''[Man-woman marriage is] one of those rare, almost, nearly universal, human goods.... children, in general, do best with both a mother and a father....  [W]e've heard a number of arguments... that there isn't anything unique or morally relevant or important about unions of husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, uh, man and a woman. That two men, or two women are the same as, well, uh, a husband and wife, man and a woman. And then it goes one step further -- and we've heard this a number of times today -- that those of us who believe that there is something special and unique about husbands and wives are equivalent of bigots. Or are animated by hatred. Or irrational animus.''

Brian Brown, head of the politically conservative group National Organization for Marriage, a nonprofit with a single focus on blocking and repealing same-sex marriages. Yesterday, he testified against a bill sponsored by most of the DC City Council which will allow marriages to be performed legally for gay and lesbian couples within the District of Columbia. NOM recently moved its headquarters here to the District. Councilman David Catania brought up a number of questions that surround NOM, it's funding, and its controversial board members. Brown claims that his organization has done nothing wrong regarding tax filings, that he did not know about his boardmembers' opinions and dealings nor should he be expected to, and that Mr Catania was engaging in a ''witch hunt'' and ''smear'' campaign which Brown eventually equated to "religious bigotry.'' He called the backlash against Proposition 8 supporters ''licensed hatred.'' Brown admitted that he does receive support from the Mormons and he is proud of that. Catania pointed out that Brown has ''typically denied'' that to the media. (DC Council via Office of Cable Television)

''The immediate action of passing the same-sex marriage bill, 18 40 82, is to normalize predominantly homosexual activity such as anal sex and require the promotion in the schools as a legal, normal activity and part of the sex education.... Who will protect the children? There are more HIV infections among young black men who have sex with men, aged 13-29, than among any other age group.... I am aware that students are terrified to be taken out of sex ed. They get on their knees and beg to their parents to be included. Because, to be outside is to be labeled the conservative. To go to the library while everyone else is in class having sex ed, means that you then --. When you refuse to go to sex ed, you then become the group that is discriminated against.... The anus was designed for exit, not entrance.... [Lesbian marriages] are not my argument.''

Conservative activist Dr. Ruth Jacobs presenting ridiculous testimony as a public witness during the DC City Council's hearing about a pending same-sex marriage equality bill. It's not clear why Jacobs was there since she appears to have traveled down from Rockville, MD, and that she knew nothing about existing District law. In 2007, Jacobs led an effort against a transgender equality bill in Montgomery County claiming that men would expose their genitalia to women and girls, and testifying that the bill would discriminate against ''ex-transgenders.'' During a questioning period, she admitted to Council chair Phil Mendelson that she had no evidence of her claims of a connection between same-sex marriage and HIV infection. Councilman David Catania asked her what gay male sex had to do with lesbians and marriage, especially since lesbians have the lowest rate of HIV infection. Jacobs became flustered and said she wasn't there to talk about that fact. (City Council via Office of Cable Television)

''I have advocated, where there are contractural relationships between people who, who have same-sex relationships, that they ought to be granted; and provided the contractural that the courts re -- provide everyone. However, on the question of marriage -- you cannot equate marriage with a contract when marriage is nature's schoolroom for teaching people how to care for, protect and defend one another.... That's why across the world, we are in danger, quite frankly, of violating the principle of perpetuation of the species. I have many, many friends, who are -- have, uh, sexual preference to others of the same sex. But they cannot reproduce....

''I just want to make it very clear that we who are most concerned about this issue, are concerned as political scientists, who know that this issue has been used by people who want to deny people five things, and are doing it effectively, in order to win eleven states in 1984 by diverting the attention of the people from the issue which was an ill-advised WAR in Iraq that has wrecked the world.... I've known homosexual couples for years and always advised, 'Protect yourself.' Please, get rid of -- I've married couples -- heterosexual couples who need a contract to make sure, that 'if you rat on me' -- uh, excuse me! If -- if we buy this house and, and you -- you're not gonna have it. You, it's -- as we used to say on the street -- uh, um -- 'It's cheaper to keep her!'''

A rambling, repetitive, moody, and incomprehensible Walter E. Fauntroy, long-time pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church (located at 9th & S Streets NW, DC), making the case before Council Chair Phil Mendelson and the DC City Council that humanity, as a species, is at risk if gays are allowed to be married in the District of Columbia. Fauntroy, 76, was once considered a respectable ally of Dr. Martin Luther King and his civil rights struggle. He was also DC's first (non-voting) delegate to the U.S. Congress. During a strong rebuttal by openly gay Councilman David Catania, Fauntroy seemed to have an embarrassing Freudian slip about his dealings with couples he marries.

To the frustration and dismay of some people, the pastor has become a fervent opponent of equal marriage rights for gay men and lesbians over the last several years. He stood along side the Bush-era Republican Congress in their effort to push through the Federal Marriage Amendment. Not to be confused with DOMA, the FMA was a separate bill created by social conservatives in the early 2000s. If it had passed, it would have amended the Constitution of the United States to permanently ban gay men and women from attaining legal marriage in any form. Fauntroy told the Washngton Post in 2004 he was against same-sex marriage because it would confuse and destroy black families. He recently crawled in bed with Harry Jackson's efforts to block the Council from enacting marriage equality bills. The first bill that recognized gay marriages performed legally in other states has already gone through. But the second bill, which is legally recognizes same-sex marriages performed within the District is the focus of today's religiously- and racially-driven nonsense.

Dr King's name and words were invoked a number of other public witnesses who testified today. Most were in favor of passing a same-sex marriage bill by a wide margin -- nearly 10:1, and all of those opposed cited their interpretation of God's will or claimed that they were speaking for multitudes of the small people who wanted to vote on the issue. (DC Council via Office of Cable TV)

Clips from comedian, writer, actress and, now, talk show host Wanda Sykes as she promotes her new late-night debut. ''The Wanda Sykes Show'' is scheduled to run on November 7, 2009. She is best known for her comedy appearances on programs like ''Chris Rock,'' ''Curb Your Enthusiasm,'' ''Adventures of Old Christine,'' and her new HBO special which was filmed here in DC in August. She married her wife, Alex, in October of 2008, but was previously married to a man for more than six years. Sykes came out publicly as a lesbian soon after the passage of Proposition 8, the law that repealed same-sex marriages in California. She caused a stir in Washington with a Press Dinner monologue that took conservative Republicans to task for their hateful criticism of President Barack Obama. More clips from her test shows can be found at the Fox website. (The Wanda Sykes Show)