Town clerk quits rather than issue marriage license to gays

Laura Fortusky, the now former town clerk of Barker, New York, has quit her job because she didn't want to become a part of the gay agenda by adding her signature to same-sex marriage licenses.

On Monday, the Nassau County District Attorney issued a statement advising all state town clerks to adhere to the new marriage equality law or risk arrest a misdemeanor violation. Laura Fortusky became the first known state official to resign in protest of equality.

In a letter submitted to the stringently homophobic group New Yorkers for "Constitutional Freedoms," Fortusky writes:

“There was no protection provided in the legislation for Town Clerks who are unable to sign these marriage licenses due to personal religious convictions, even though our US Constitution supports freedom of religion.

“I believe that there is a higher law than the law of the land. It is the law of God in the Bible. In Acts 5:29, it states, ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

I support freedom of religion. However, the founding father's chose to make America a country where you HAVE freedom of religion. Any religion. Or no religion. Civil servants don't get to pick and choose which laws they follow.

So good riddance Laura Fortusky.

Sports agency shows intolerance; proclaims "not a bigot"

Todd Reynolds

After New York Rangers forward Sean Avery recorded a video in support of marriage equality, he was promptly criticized by a Canadian sports management executive, who took to Twitter with a series of posts knocking gay marriage.

Todd Reynolds, VP of Uptown Sports Management, which represents a handful of NHL players, tweeted that it was “very sad to read Sean Avery’s misguided support of same-gender ‘marriage’. Legal or not, it will always be wrong.”

Later in the day, his father compared gay marriage to bestiality.

However, once Reynolds took some heat for his views, he quickly response: "To clarify. This is not hatred or bigotry towards gays. It is not intolerance in any way shape or form. I believe we are all equal."

Later on TSN Radio he said: If you oppose a viewpoint, you're immediately targeted by some people as a hater, a bigot, intolerant, homophobic and many other terms. I don't hate anyone and I'm certainly no a bigot, but I believe in marriage between one man and one woman."

Someone should point out to the confused Mr. Reynolds the very definition of "bigot" - a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion; one who stubbornly or intolerantly adheres to his or her own opinions and prejudices.

Yep. I think we've now cleared that up.

This pretty much sums up Mr. Reynolds. He stubbornly adheres to his own opinions and prejudices.  It's always amazing to see the old chestnut "I don't think gays should have any rights, but that doesn't make me intolerant."

Hockey professionals quickly spoke out against the anti-gay comments made by Uptown Sports management:

Agent Scott Norton, who helped bring the Stanley Cup to last year’s gay pride in Chicago, told Outsports:

"I think they are very small minded comments. The world has changed, and people need to change also. Everyone in the world has rights, and one of the main rights is to have the ability to love and care for whomever you want, no matter race, religion or sexual orientation."

Agent Andrew Warren told Outsports he is a big supporter and a good friend of Patrick Burke:

"I absolutely would support any client, friend, or family member who came out. I believe that public support of gay rights in sports will make it easier for those in the world of sports that may want to come out able to do so without apprehension or fear."

Indiana: House approves Marriage Equality ban

In a vote of 70-26, the Indiana state House voted to approve a state constitutional amendment to not only ban same-sex marriage but "anything similar" like civil unions and domestic partnerships.

The bill now goes to the state Senate, where it look to pass there as well.

The proposal has to pass in another separately elected legislature in 2013-14 before it can go before the voters.

Sad to know that so many in Indiana like the idea of committed partners not having the same rights as straight couples.  Hospital visitation, inheritance, medical decision making...

Sure, we can go spend thousands at a lawyers office, but why should gays and lesbians have to spend all that money for a small handful of rights when heterosexual couples don't?  Seriously kids - this isn't the America we can be proud of.