Birmingham Blues

All reports I’ve heard and seen from last night’s Pride parade say turnout was high and fun was had by all. There were a few protesters from a church in Georgia. I think they’d be called “outside agitators” if they were here to espouse a progressive cause.
PRIDEFest will be held this afternoon and [...]

The Central Alabama Pride parade is tonight in Five Points South.  Line-up begins at 6:30 PM, with stepoff at 8:30 PM. Everyone is welcome! The girls and I will be at the theatre, but Dear Husband and nephew Zach will represent our family in fine style. I hope they will see [...]

Question for those of you who had a primary today: How was the turnout in your area? I think it’s been pretty pathetic here. I just got back from voting, and the poll workers nearly fell on my neck with gratitude. I think they were getting sick of their own company; [...]

Kyle Whitmire at the Birmingham Weekly takes issue with Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford’s assertion that sexual orientation is a “personal lifestyle choice”, one he doesn’t condone. The Mayor has refused to sign a proclamation recognizing the annual Central Alabama Pride celebration, and he won’t let CAP hang banners in Southside for the parade. [...]

New York Governor David Paterson has directed all state agencies to recognize same sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.
In a directive issued on May 14, the governor’s legal counsel, David Nocenti, instructed the agencies that gay couples married elsewhere “should be afforded the same recognition as any other legally performed union.”
The revisions are most likely [...]

UPDATE 2:  So much for the city’s inclusion resolution.  Langford’s bigotry trumps it.
UPDATE: the Birmingham News report. Thanks to Robin in comments.
Official word from Rep. Todd: Mayor Langford did not say he would deny a parade permit. He will leave the approval process to the police department. This can be [...]

I’m hearing that Rep. Patricia Todd has spoken with Mayor Langford and he’s reversed himself re: the Pride parade permit. Hoping for confirmation ASAP.
ETA:  Also see Joe’s take at Bessemer Opinions.  I’m with him — if there’s no permit, hold the parade elsewhere.  And, I’d add, any of the events that would bring tax [...]

UPDATE:  Per the Birmingham News, Larry says he’ll deny a parade permit as well.  Does he have the authority to do that?  He says it’s not about discrimination, but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…
I hope he gets his ass sued off.
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Birmingham mayor Larry Langford has denied a request from [...]

The California Supreme Court has overturned the state’s ban on gay marriage. I’m grinning so much I can barely type! This is a huge win, and I know my brother is smiling today.
Read around the blogosphere:
Pam’s House Blend - California Supreme Court Ruling: Thumbs UP on Marriage Equality

Shakesville - California Court Overturns Gay [...]

(Dear Husband makes his debut here at the Blues today. Yay! — Kathy)
Several times over the years, Kathy has asked me to write a post for Birmingham Blues on issues related to faith and current events, but I wouldn’t. I have prided myself on not being one of those political types. My faith [...]