… and he kissed the ‘bride’ | This is London Elton John and his long-term partner David Furnish married earlier today. Congratulations to both and best wishes for their future happiness. It’s a little bit funny this feeling inside I’m not one of those who can easily hide I don’t have much money but boy if I did I’d buy a big house where we both could live If I was a sculptor, but then again, no Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show I know it’s not much but it’s the best I can do My…

As ***Dave notes, it’s getting more than a tad embarrassing at how we in the US are behind other nations when it comes to our tolerance (or lack thereof) for gay marriage and other forms of civil union. The article also notes that the Church of England “provoked fury among traditionalist Anglicans worldwide by allowing gay priests to register their civil partnerships, as long as they remain celibate.” So that’s at least a step in the right direction (in my opinion), and although I wish they hadn’t put the celibacy restriction in. Frankly, though, who is going to go to…

From Sci Fi Wire — The News Service of the Sci Fi Channel: George Takei “comes out” of the closet, but muses that it’s more like an emergence: “It’s not really coming out, which suggests opening a door and stepping through,” Takei, 68, told the magazine. “It’s more like a long, long walk through what began as a narrow corridor that starts to widen. And then some doors are open, and light comes in, and there are skylights, and it widens.” This is a beautiful metaphor. I also hope that there’s a large cheering crowd to welcome him; it seems…

This isn’t going to be of much interest unless you’re a progressive/liberal/God is doing a new thing Episcopalian. The Diocese of Pittsburgh, which is headed by a very conservative, “network” bishop, has settled a court case with a more liberal parish of that diocese. At issue: property, and who owns it if an entire diocese elects to remove itself from the larger, more liberal Episcopal church, but a liberal church within that diocese says “no, we’re staying and we’re keeping our church and its endowment.” The settlement is favorable to the liberal parish. As I’m a member of Holy Moly’s…

Chicago Tribune | School Expels Girl for Having Gay Parents ONTARIO, Calif. — A 14-year-old student was expelled from a Christian school because her parents are lesbians, the school’s superintendent said in a letter. Shay Clark was expelled from Ontario Christian School on Thursday. “Your family does not meet the policies of admission,” Superintendent Leonard Stob wrote to Tina Clark, the girl’s biological mother. Stob wrote that school policy requires that at least one parent may not engage in practices “immoral or inconsistent with a positive Christian life style, such as cohabitating without marriage or in a homosexual relationship,” The…

Gay marriage up to governor now / Landmark legislation clears Assembly by narrowest of margins on second try It’s been too long since there was good news to report on the issue of gay marriage. Good from my point of view, that is: I’m in favor of marriage for everyone who wishes to enjoy the bonds of matrimony, especially since yesterday was our 8th wedding anniversary. Just like last year and the year before, I’ll go on record and say this: “My marriage is not threatened if my gay friends and family get hitched.” TOASTERS AND USELESS SILVERPLATE SERVING FORKS…

Rev. Paul Landahl, bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, said he was disappointed with the decision to maintain the policy of ordaining only those gays and lesbians who remain chaste, but grateful the assembly did not make the policy more restrictive. “We welcome gays and lesbians, but only so far,” he said. “So if you feel the gift of the spirit and the call to ministry, well, you’re going to have to sit on that because our welcome doesn’t include that. And that to me is offensive.” Damn. That’s disappointing. Very sorry to see how close the vote was, too.