Podcast: Kevin Spacey Had A Very Bad Week; Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Trans Military Ban

In this week’s podcast:

• Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey had a really, really bad week

• A federal judge has blocked Donald Trump’s ban on transgender service members in the U.S. military

• Don't miss the marriage equality documentary, “The Freedom To Marry,” now on Netflix

• The first openly gay winner of “The Voice Australia” released his latest single, a marriage equality anthem as the mail-in same-sex marriage survey comes to a close

All that and more on this episode of The Randy Report

p.s. I want to thank all the folks who've hit "Play" on the podcast. I'm humbled by the support.

If you like the podcast, I'd appreciate it muchly if you would post a review on iTunes. Not for my ego, but it helps the podcast be found more easily on iTunes.

Documentary: "The Freedom To Marry" Now Available On Netflix

The award-winning documentary, The Freedom To Marry, is now available for viewing on Netflix.

The film is a “War Room” style feature documentary about the movement for marriage for same-sex couples, from the final frenetic months of the legal and grassroots campaign.

The Freedom to Marry has already played in 75 cities, played at dozens of film festivals, won 10 “Best Documentary” prizes, been translated into 10 languages, and has gotten rave reviews—from The Boston Globe to Entertainment Weekly.

If you haven't seen it already, this is your chance to see the untold story of one of the most successful civil rights movements of our time.

Watch the trailer below.

New York Post Praises Evan Wolfson & Freedom To Marry

In light of Freedom To Marry's decision to "close up shop" now that marriage equality is the law of the land, New York Post gives praise to Evan Wolfson and company for moving on now that they've accomplished their mission:

In a rarity for any US advocacy group, Freedom to Marry is closing up shop “simply” because it won.

The move is applause-worthy because it’s so rare for any “public interest” lobby. Most outfits just find some new cause to justify keeping the money rolling in.

“We achieved the goal we set out to do,” said Evan Wolfson, Freedom to Marry’s founder and president, when the Supreme Court ruled last month that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to get married.

Instead of becoming “an organization that flails around and figures out what to do next,” Wolfson will help the group’s 30 or so employees find other “good-guy causes” to work on.

Most of the staff will be gone by December, he figures, with a few left to finally turn out the lights in February.

Freedom to Marry has the class to roll the credits once the “hero” has won.

Here’s hoping it starts a trend.

It should be noted that the New York Post is owned by arch-conservative Rupert Murdoch, making the tip of the hat that much more of a surprise.

Freedom To Marry: Celebrating Victory

"What a vindication in the belief that ordinary people can do extraordinary things."

On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the freedom to marry nationwide.

This video sheds light on the incredible story of the movement that historic win possible.

For more info, visit www.freedomtomarry.org.

Vice-President Biden At Freedom To Marry Celebration: Same-Sex Marriage Decision Was "Inevitable"

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden made a special appearance at a Freedom to Marry event in New York City last night, applauding those in attendance for their efforts to win the freedom to marry in the U.S., following the historic Supreme Court ruling.

Biden spoke of a moment when he was 17 and he and his father saw two men kissing. “He said ‘Joey, they love each other. It’s simple,’” he said, quoting his father. “That’s what it’s been about from the beginning. It’s never been that complicated for me.”

Biden went on to say he always knew the Supreme Court's decision on marriage equality was "inevitable."

Recounting the journey so far in the fight for LGBT rights, Biden added, "I want you younger people here to understand the shoulders you are standing on."

Biden also made note that much work remains to be done in the LGBT arena for equality: while same-sex couples are now eligible for federal marriage benefits nationwide, 32 states don’t have anti-discrimination employment laws protecting sexual orientation.

Forward.

#LoveWins: A Celebration Of The Freedom To Marry

Michigan couple Scott and Brandon tie the knot after SCOTUS ruling

From Freedom To Marry:

In commemorate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of the freedom to marry nationwide, we present this celebration of love. Because in the end, #LoveWins.

Freedom To Marry: "Love Won"

Tennessee TV Station Refuses To Air Marriage Equality Ad

A Tennessee television station, which previously had no policy on ads regarding same-sex marriage suddenly developed one this week when approached by LGBT advocacy group Freedom To Marry.

The ad featured a gay Republican physician - Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld - who has just returned from deployment in Afghanistan and wants to marry his partner.

From Buzzfeed:

“I’m a Republican, I’m a doctor, and I’m a soldier,” says a voice over by Ehrenfeld as the commercial shows images of him serving in uniform, and back at home with his boyfriend, Judd Taback. “As a military physician, I take care of other people’s loved ones who are wounded in combat. But here at home, I’m fighting a different fight. Because I’m gay, I’m not allowed to marry my partner here in Tennessee where we live.”

The television station refused to air the spot.

“It’s just a very controversial and personal issue, and we just choose to not air a commercial on either side of that debate,” Tom Tolar, the president and general manager of Chatanooga-based WRCB, told BuzzFeed News in a phone interview.

The ad is running on TV stations in Nashville and Memphis.

Freedom To Marry has run over two dozen ads supporting marriage equality across the country. This is the first time a station has refused their business.

Historic National Marriage Plaintiffs Gathering

On the eve of the historic Supreme Court oral arguments on marriage, Freedom to Marry brought together plaintiffs and attorneys from more than 30 states, representing more than 55 different cases, spanning more than 40 years of legal cases seeking the freedom to marry.

This video recaps the amazing event that underscored the many years of work that has brought the US to the brink of a national resolution on the freedom to marry.

For more info visit, http://www.freedomtomarry.o­rg/plaintiffs

Freedom To Marry Makes It's Closing Arguments For Marriage Equality

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments on the freedom to marry on April 28, Freedom to Marry is running this ad nationally on TV and online showing that "It’s time. America is ready for the freedom to marry."

The new ad will run in the Washington, D.C., market during the Sunday morning news shows: Meet the Press, This Week, CBS Sunday Morning, and Fox News Sunday.

The ad also will run in the D.C. market during 60 Minutes on Sunday evening, according to the group, and nationwide this week on cable news channels CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News.

For more information, visit www.scotusmarriage.org.

Freedom To Marry Chronicles The Journey Of Marriage Equality In Alabama This Week

 Freedom To Marry absolutely nails this quick video showing the joy shared across Alabama this week as marriage equality came to Alabama.

Seriously, it's a great watch to make you feel good on this Valentine's Day :)

Alabama: Freedom To Marry "All Families Deserve Respect"

From Freedom To Marry, this PSA is currently running on TV in Alabama, highlight the fact that "all families deserve respect."

Quote Of The Day: Evan Wolfson

Freedom To Marry's Evan Wolfson to Washington Post reporter Jonathan Capehart on why same-sex marriage will prevail at the U.S. Supreme Court:

“The bottom line answer to your question is that while states regulate marriage, they do so under the Constitution. There is a floor below which the states may not go, and that floor is the Constitution’s guarantee of the freedom to marry and equal protection under the law."

“Loving v. Virginia and other important freedom to marry cases have affirmed both of those guarantees, the very guarantees nearly 60 state and federal courts have invoked in the waves of rulings in favor of the exclusion of gay couples from marriage.”

Federal Judge Rules South Dakota Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

Freedom To Marry has tweeted that U.S. District Judge Karen Schreier, a Clinton appointee, has ruled South Dakota's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

From the ruling:

“In Loving, the Supreme Court addressed a traditionally accepted definition of marriage that prohibited Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving from marrying.

"Because Virginia’s laws deprived that couple of their fundamental right to marriage, the Court struck down those laws.

"Little distinguishes this case from Loving. Plaintiffs have a fundamental right to marry. South Dakota law deprives them of that right solely because they are same-sex couples and without sufficient justification.”

The order is stayed pending probable appeal to 8th Circuit Court.

Stay tuned as more info becomes available.

Read the ruling below:

4:14-cv-04081 #50 by Equality Case Files

Texas: Campaign Launched To Highlight Support For Marriage Equality

Freedom to Marry, in partnership with Equality Texas, today launched a public education campaign to amplify the bipartisan momentum for the freedom to marry in the Lone Star State.

The campaign, called Texas for Marriage, will highlight that support as well as the continued harms that committed gay couples face everyday until the state’s marriage case, DeLeon v Perry, is decided by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals early next year.

“Nearly every state and federal court from last year on, more than 50 -- with judges appointed by Republican and Democratic presidents and governors -- has ruled in favor of the freedom to marry and moving the country forward,” said Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry.

“Texas families should not be left behind. Government has no business interfering in important freedoms like who Texans marry, and no business putting obstacles in the path of families and employers trying to do the right thing. Our new campaign will show that Texans are ready for the freedom to marry, and so is America.”

The website features essay and interviews with equality supporters, as well as information like the economic impact same-sex marriage would have on the Texas economy ($182 million, don't you know?).

Check out the website here.

Freedom To Marry: Meet Jessica and Chi From Alabama

While 32 states in the US enjoy marriage equality, there are still many LGBT families who do not have the same protections and benefits of marriage as heterosexual couples.

Jessica and Chi and their daughter Nailah from Alabama share why marriage matters to their family.

From Freedom To Marry.

Wyoming Judge Says He Will Rule On Same-Sex Marriage Ban By Monday

After hearing oral arguments today in a lawsuit filed by NCLR and Wyoming Equality, U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl stated he will issue a ruling on same-sex marriage by 5 pm Monday, the Casper Star-Tribune reports.

The plaintiff's lawsuit requests that the state comply with the 10th Circuit ruling handed out earlier this year following the Supreme Court's refusal to hear its appeal.

From the NCLR, via press release:

The case was brought by Wyoming Equality and four same-sex couples who requested an immediate order directing state officials to comply with two decisions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit establishing that a state’s refusal to allow same-sex couples to marry violates the U.S. Constitution.

The U.S. Supreme Court on October 6th let those appeals court decisions stand, meaning that all states within the Tenth Circuit, including Wyoming, must comply with those decisions.

From Freedom To Marry - Marriage Equality Map

I realized I've been posting the "progress of marriage equality" maps from Wikipedia showing the beautiful blue states where gay and lesbian couples enjoy the freedom to marry.

But then I thought "what if folks really like red???"

So, for all the red lovers, here's the current state of same-sex marriage in the US in rich, vibrant red from the folks at Freedom To Marry.

See?  I do like both sides :)

Click the pic for an enlarged view.

US Supreme Court Denies Review Of All Seven Same-Sex Marriage Cases

USA Today has the big news!

The Supreme Court refused to get involved in the national debate over same-sex marriage Monday, leaving intact lower court rulings that will legalize the practice in 11 additional states. The unexpected decision by the justices, announced without further explanation, immediately affects five states in which federal appeals courts had struck down bans against gay marriage: Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Utah.

It also will bring along six other states located in the judicial circuits overseen by those appellate courts: North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming. The action will bring to 30 the number of states where gays and lesbians can marry. Appeals courts in Cincinnati and San Francisco are considering cases that could expand that number further, presuming the Supreme Court remains outside the legal fray.

Freedom To Marry tweets the happy news:

Soon, the freedom to marry will likely come to five more states - #Indiana, #Utah, #Oklahoma, #Virginia, #Wisconsin #SCOTUS

— freedomtomarry (@freedomtomarry) October 6, 2014

Arguments have been heard on marriage cases in the 6th Circuit and 9th Circuit courts of appeals, and decisions could come at any time.

Freedom To Marry: "It's Time"

Beginning on Sunday, a new national television advertisement released by Freedom to Marry will begin airing on Sunday morning network news shows in Washington, D.C.

The 30-second spot, which will later be broadcast on cable news programs next week, declares, "It's time" for the freedom to marry and tells the stories of same-sex couples and their families in 31 states who are harmed by the denial of the freedom to marry.

(via press release)