Colton Haynes Congratulates His (Estranged?) Husband On 1-Year Anniversary

Colton Haynes and Jeff Leatham 

Arrow star Colton Haynes and his husband (?) Jeff Leatham confused Instagrammers today congratulating each other on their one-year wedding anniversary.

We say "confused" because after only six months of married life, Haynes filed for divorce this past May 8.

At the time of the separation, Haynes posted a video of a song he recorded about relationship infidelity called, “Man It Sucks.”

But in August, the two were spotted together at LAX leading some to think a reconciliation was in the works.

Today, Haynes posted pics from their 2017 wedding with the caption, “Can’t believe it’s already been 1 yr. since we got married @jeffleatham :) Happy Anniversary my beautiful husband ❤️❤️❤️”

View this post on Instagram

Can’t believe it’s already been 1 yr. since we got married @jeffleatham :) Happy Anniversary my beautiful husband ❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes) on Oct 27, 2018 at 2:43pm PDT

At about the same time, Leatham posted his own anniversary message which read, “I can’t remember what it was like before you, and I don’t even know how we got here but maybe that’s exactly what I needed. Someone who could make me forget where I came from and someone who could make me love without knowing how to fall.
R.M. Drake - Happy Anniversary My Beautiful Husband - ❤️🖤❤️🖤- Life is a beautiful place with you beside me. - I LOVE YOU”

View this post on Instagram

I can’t remember what it was like before you, and I don’t even know how we got here but maybe that’s exactly what I needed. Someone who could make me forget where I came from and someone who could make me love without knowing how to fall. R.M. Drake - Happy Anniversary My Beautiful Husband - ❤️🖤❤️🖤- Life is a beautiful place with you beside me. - I LOVE YOU -

A post shared by JEFF LEATHAM (@jeffleatham) on Oct 27, 2018 at 2:43pm PDT

It's not for us to question, we're just celebrating the happiness.

Wishing the duo all the joy they can handle, and let's hear it for love!

GOP Candidate Roy Moore: Gay Marriage Is "Even Worse" Than Slavery

Roy Moore

Roy Moore, currently the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Alabama, told the audience of Here I Stand podcast last year that the Supreme Court Obergefell ruling that legalized same-sex marriage was “even worse” than the hideous 1857 Dred Scott ruling that upheld slavery.

“In 1857 the United States Supreme Court did rule that black people were property. Of course, that contradicted the Constitution, and it took a civil war to overturn it.

"But this ruling in Obergefell is even worse in a sense because it forces not only people to recognize marriage other than the institution ordained of God and recognized by nearly every state in the union, it says that you now must do away with the definition of marriage and make it between two persons of the same gender or leading on, as one of the dissenting justices said, to polygamy, to multi-partner marriages."

Bolding is mine.

Moore has been removed from the position of chief justice of the Alabama state Supreme Court twice for failing to follow the law.

Once, for refusing to remove a monument of the ten commandments he had placed on courthouse grounds; and the second time for instructing probate judges in Alabama to ignore the Obergefell ruling in 2015.

Real Clear Politics shows Moore an average of 6 points ahead of his Democratic opponent, Doug Jones.

The special election to replace Jeff Sessions, who resigned to become U.S. Attorney General, is on December 12.

Jim Parsons Shares What It's like For Gay Men To Fall In Love And Marry

Jim Parsons stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to chat on the upcoming seasons of The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon. But before chatting into "sitcom land," Colbert asked about Parsons' recent marriage to longtime bf, Todd, and why - other than legal reasons - they waited so long to marry.

Parsons was quite thoughtful in his reply.

“I didn’t really think we cared about the act of it that much, to be honest with you. And that sounds cold in a way, but I finally thought…well, let’s have a party then for the celebration of, and we’ll go ahead and legalize this thing. And I really thought it would kind of end at that, a party feel but it was so much more meaningful in the moment to me than I predicted. And it’s been resonantly more meaningful to me afterward than I ever saw coming. I’d been an adult gay person for so long at a time when that wasn’t possible that life was ‘fine,’ you know what I mean?”

I can honestly say I had very similar feelings about getting married before hot hubby Michael and I tied the knot.

When I was actually saying marriage vows to Michael was a moment the depth and gravity of our relationship took yet another step forward that was deeply emotional - in every good way possible.

Watch Parsons talk on marriage (and sitcoms) below.

Australia: High Court Rules Same-Sex Marriage Survey Will Proceed

Australia's highest court has ruled that the upcoming "postal survey" of Aussies asking whether same-sex marriage should be legalized will go on as planned.

From the New York Times:

The Australian government’s highly contentious proposal to put the question of same-sex marriage to a nationwide postal vote is legal and may proceed, the country’s High Court ruled unanimously on Thursday, eliminating the last hurdle before ballots are to be mailed out next week.

The survey — which is voluntary, unlike in-person elections in Australia — was challenged in two separate cases brought by advocates of same-sex marriage and members of Parliament. Run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the vote will be unique in Australian history: Nothing in the law requires it to take place before Parliament may act, and lawmakers are not bound by its results.

The ruling brings a little relief to the conservative government of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The decision to conduct the survey has been deeply unpopular on both sides of the issue, birthing a national debate that has been, at times, tumultuous. Advocates of same-sex marriage have pushed for Parliament to vote on the issue directly. The postal vote will cost 122 million Australian dollars, or around $97 million.

Polls show overwhelming support for marriage equality 'down under.'

Supporters of same-sex marriage say Parliament could vote to pass the measure without spending $122 million on the upcoming postal survey - which is non-binding on Parliament.

LGBTQ activists are urging everyone to make sure and vote.

BREAKING: High Court has decided Australia's marriage postal vote can go ahead. Here's the timeline for it. #auspol pic.twitter.com/xn5fhUqr93

— Sydney Mardi Gras (@sydneymardigras) September 7, 2017

Australians To Consider Same-Sex Marriage Via Non-Binding Mail-In Vote

The Prime Minister of Australia contends that before Parliament moves to legalize marriage equality "down under," he wants the people of Australia to have their say.

Polls in Australia show overwhelming public support for same-sex marriage - 67% of women and 59% of men in Australia want to see marriage equality become the law of the land.

From UPI:

Australian citizens will be asked where they stand on potential legalization of same-sex marriage in a non-binding mail-in vote, after lawmakers failed to pass legislation Wednesday to make it a national plebiscite vote issue in November.

Canberra's governing Liberal-National Coalition failed to pass a bill in Parliament that would have secured funding to restore Australia's compulsory plebiscite on Nov. 25, which means the same-sex marriage vote will instead likely take shape as a voluntary voting effort.

"At the last election, we made a very clear promise to the Australian people that we would not facilitate the introduction of a bill to legalize same-sex marriage until the Australian people had had their say," Turnbull said in a press conference on Tuesday prior to the plebiscite effort falling short.

The traditional plebiscite and postal votes would not be legally binding if it's shown that most Australians support legalizing same-sex marriage. Turnbull had said if the plebiscite bill failed, then he would move ahead with the vote-by-mail option.

"We will hold a postal vote on this issue asking the same question in which all Australians will have their say -- they will get the opportunity to express their opinion on the issue of whether the law should be changed to enable same-sex couples to marry, fulfilling the commitment we made at the election," he said.

Some who voted against the plebiscite said they don't oppose legalization of same-sex marriage, but rather they believe the effort is too expensive and could generate a hate-fueled campaign.

Some lawmakers argue the issue could be resolved with a simple vote in Parliament, but Turnbull's government seeks to gauge public support first. The Liberal-National Coalition attempted to legalize same-sex marriage last year, but the proposal was narrowly defeated.

As reported above, even if the vote shows same-sex marriage the winner, Aussie lawmakers don't have to align current laws to reflect that support.

According to Buzzfeed, the "vote by mail" will cost in the neighborhood of $122 million, around $50 million less than a compulsory, in-person ballot.

Or, Parliament could just vote to approve marriage equality - no cost.

Jimmy Kimmel: Kids Explain Gay Marriage

Ireland: Tomorrow We Will Know

Polls have closed. THANK YOU! We'll be updating on results all day tomorrow #marref pic.twitter.com/86Vd11jSLc

— YesEquality2015 (@YesEquality2015) May 22, 2015

Gallup Poll: Approval For Same-Sex Marriage Reaches New High

Gallup Polling reports that support for same-sex marriage has reached all-time highs among both political parties, which overall support now at 60%. This is up from last year's "all-time high" of 55%.

The numbers break down like this: Democrats at 76% support, independents at 64% and Republicans at 37%.

That 37% for Republicans is up 7% from last year.

Also significant - last year, just 48% of Americans aged 50-64 supported legally recognizing gay marriage. But in 2015, this figure has climbed to a majority of 54%.

Mike Huckabee: Gay Rights Will Outlaw Christianity

Speaking on a conference call for the Family Research Council, possible 2016 GOP hopeful Mike Huckbee hypers up the hate rhetoric against gay marriage:

"If the courts rule that people have a civil right not only to be a homosexual but a civil right to have a homosexual marriage, then a homosexual couple coming to a pastor who believes in biblical marriage who says ‘I can’t perform that wedding’ will now be breaking the law.

"It’s not just saying, ‘I’m sorry you have a preference.’ No, you will be breaking the law subject to civil for sure and possible criminal penalties for violating the law.

"If you do practice biblical convictions and you carry them out and you do what you’ve been led by the spirit of God to do, your behavior will be criminal. God help us all."

(via Right Wing Watch)

Video: Matt Baume Breaks Down The Anti-Gay Marriage Lies

Matt Baume does an excellent job of breaking down just about every lie and untruth anti-gay Tony Perkins has put out to the public in this short video.

Perkins is about to distribute a DVD to hundreds of church (for the low, low price of just $20) that primes the hate factor against same-sex marriage just in time for the oral arguments at SCOTUS next week.

With just the tiniest bit of snark, Matt breaks down all the homophobia and untruths for you. Hit play and see all the "arguments" disintegrate.

Must see.

Pat Robertson Tells Parent To Skip Gay Child's Wedding

A viewer wrote in to Pat Robertson of The 700 Club today asking if they should skip their child's same-sex wedding...?

Robertson was quite clear in his advice.

"Shari" writes in:

My spouse and I are not in agreement as to whether or not we should attend the gay marriage of our child. One of us feels that it is totally against the Lord’s pan and our attendance would send (at very least) a mixed message, or at worse it would be like taking a stand for gay marriage. The other feels our attendance would show support to our child that is necessary for the future of our relationship and witness. What do you think we should do? Should one attend, while the other does not?

“You don’t agree with it. You’ve got to stand there and be a witness to it,” Robertson said. “By your attendance at the ceremony, you are agreeing with it … I just wouldn’t go. I would tell your child, ‘I love you but I cannot condone this. We will always love you but I don’t condone this activity.’”

Robertson also advised that neither parent should attend as it might send a signal that the gay marriage was "splitting" the parent's marriage.

Gay Marriage On TV

Texas: Travis County Judge Rules Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

For the second time a Texas judge has ruled that the state's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

From the Austin American-Statesman:

Travis County Probate Judge Guy Herman ruled as part of an estate fight in which Austin resident Sonemaly Phrasavath sought to have her eight-year relationship to Stella Powell deemed to have been a common-law marriage. Powell died last summer of colon cancer.

Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said she will be conferring with Herman and county lawyers to determine the impact of the ruling.

“I am scrambling, trying to find out if there is anything I can do. Right now, I think it’s no, but we are checking,” said DeBeauvoir, who in the past has said that she is ready to begin distributing marriage licenses to same-sex couples as soon as allowed by the courts.

The lawyer for the siblings who opposed Phrasavath’s claim said no decision has been made on whether to appeal.

Attorney General Ken Paxton declined an offer to be party to the case and thus is not in a position to appeal.

Herman’s ruling came after an hourlong hearing in the Travis County Courthouse. Phrasavath challenged the constitutionality of the prohibition on gay marriage as a first step toward establishing her relationship as a common-law marriage.

Phrasavath and Powell began living together in Austin shortly after Phrasavath proposed in 2007, leading to a marriage ceremony that, though not recognized under Texas law, was performed one year later by a Zen priest in Driftwood southwest of Austin.

Texas' marriage ban was previously struck down by U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia. The ruling was stayed until the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals could weigh in on the subject as it is considering a similar challenge to the ban.

Ricky Martin On Same-Sex Marriage: "Equality Is Inevitable"

Photo: Nino Muñoz

"It's amazing, isn't it? By June, the Supreme Court will say, 'Let's stop this nonsense and cover the entire country.' It's inevitable -- equality is inevitable." - Ricky Martin to Billboard about the impending SCOTUS review of same-sex marriage

Check out Ricky's latest single, "Disparo al Corazon," from his album A Quien Quiera Escuchar:

Op-Ed Of The Day: Historic day gives Alabamians opportunity to show civility and respect to all

The editorial board of AL.com urges "civility and respect to all" as marriage equality comes to Alabama tomorrow:

History is often not kind to the state of Alabama when it judges our performance on the national stage. On Monday, we all have the chance to get one right.

The history of Feb. 9, 2015, in Alabama has yet to be written, but this we know: on this day, same-sex marriage becomes legal in Alabama.

Same-sex couples, no doubt, will arrive at courthouses statewide to apply for marriage licenses. It will be a day of celebration for some, a disappointing, even fearful day for others.

We have said, clearly, that we believe equality to be among the unalienable rights afforded all Americans by our Constitution. Such rights are inviolate and not subject to contrary law in state government.

That Alabama's legal framework denied marriage to gay citizens denies their equality, and that could not stand.

[snip]

Monday will also be a day to show patience. This process is new for all involved and employees in counties throughout the state are being asked to do things they've not done before. There will be bumps in the road and mistakes will be made. How we handle those mistakes will be what ultimately ensures fairness for all.

It is unreasonable to ask people to turn their back on deeply-held beliefs regarding marriage. This does not give us an excuse, however, to abandon other deeply-held convictions regarding how we treat our neighbors.

Alabama: Montgomery Probate Court Will Issue Same-Sex Couples Marriage Licenses

Montgomery County Probate Judge Steven Reed tweeted today that, barring issuance of a stay before Monday morning, he will issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

(h/t JMG)

Sen. Jeff Sessions Enthusiastically Endorsed Judge Who Struck Down Marriage Ban

With great sense of irony, we take a trip in the Way Back machine to 2002, where anti-gay Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), enthusiastically endorsed the nomination of Judge Granade who last Friday overturned his state's ban on same-sex marriage.

"I thank the Senator from Nevada for his courtesy. I will speak about Callie--known as Ginny--Granade, who will be voted on shortly for the U.S. district judgeship for the southern district of Alabama. Ginny Granade is a nominee of the highest order. President Bush has nominated her to be the judge in the southern district of Alabama. She has the temperament, integrity, legal knowledge, and experience that will make her an outstanding jurist on the Federal bench. I know this from firsthand experience. Ginny is levelheaded, fair minded, trustworthy, and very smart.

"I suggest in the filling of this vacancy with Ginny Granade as a Federal judge, we are going to have done a good day's work. Her experience and practice make me confident that the lawyers and the litigants in the Southern District of Alabama will enjoy and appreciate their opportunity to be in the courtroom she will control and preside over."

Just delicious...

(via JMG)

Alabama Probate Judges Association Pushes Back On Marriage Equality Ruling

Legal advisers for the Alabama Probate Judges Association say Friday's ruling that struck down the state's same-sex marriage ban only applies to the two plaintiffs, not the whole state.

Via Birmingham's ABC affiliate reports:

The Alabama Probate Judges Association says Friday's ruling does not open the door for the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses.

Cari Searcy and Kim McKeand are the only plaintiffs in the case that was filed against Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange. The Alabama Probate Judges Association says that is a key point in the effect that this ruling has on the duties of probate judges.

"Judge Granade's ruling in this case only applies to the parties in the case and has no effect on anybody that is not a named party. The probate judges were not parties in this matter," Al Agricola, attorney for the Alabama Probate Judges Association, explained. "The legal effect of this decision is to allow one person in one same-sex marriage that was performed in another state to adopt their partner's child. There is nothing in the judge's order that requires probate judges in Alabama to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples."

Folks tried this tactic in Florida last month and the judge there came back with a stinging clarification.

The judgment enforcing the court's decision is actually quite clear. The ban is unconstitutional and the Attorney General is ordered to not enforce those laws. Read the judgement below:

"ALA. CONST. ART. I, § 36.03 (2006) and ALA. CODE 1975 § 30-1-19 are hereby DECLARED to be unconstitutional because they violate they Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The defendant Luther Strange, in his capacity as Attorney General for the State of Alabama, is hereby ENJOINED from enforcing those laws."

Here's the local news report from WBMA:

Marriage News Watch - January 19, 2015

This week in Marriage Equality from the American Foundation for Equal Rights:

• Florida has finally legalized driving while gay.

• Bills to discriminate against gay couples are rapidly multiplying in Texas.

• Multiple states are still wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars to try to reverse marriage equality.

English Comedian Stephen Fry Marries His Partner

After what appears to have been a rather short engagement (a month?) after a year of dating, English comedian Stephen Fry has tied the knot with his partner Elliot Spencer.

The tabloids have been busy weighing in on the 30 year difference in ages. I say it's no one's business but the coouple's.

Best wishes to the newlyweds!

Gosh. @ElliottGSpencer and I go into a room as two people, sign a book and leave as one. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/bPDQD5WQoB

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) January 17, 2015