Anti-Marriage Equality Governor Bevin Must Pay For Losing That Fight

Matt Bevin is a staunch opponent of gay marriage — once saying it would lead to parents marrying their children — and he rode that wave of ignorance and hate on the coattails of bigot county clerk Kim Davis into the office of governor of Kentucky last fall. And he smiled smugly saying it was his alliance with Davis that helped him win.

Then he made the decision that the clerk’s names would no longer appear on marriage licenses in the state so that Kim Davis would not get arrested again. And he smiled smugly about that, too.

Now, though, the smile is less smug because smugness costs. See, now Bevin, as governor, must pay the legal expenses of the lawyers who won that historic Supreme Court ruling last June setting aside bans against gay marriage in Kentucky and across the land. And the bill for that nine-lawyer team is a shade over $2 million dollars — thank you Kentucky taxpayers including Kim Davis — and under federal law, the governor has no choice but to pay the bill.

The day after the election, former Governor Steve Beshear offered to settle with the plaintiffs’ lawyers for $581,000 — about 25% of the bill — and they rejected his proposal outright; same-sex marriage attorney called his offer “infuriating.” And Bevin could just wait for Senior U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson III to decide what constitutes a reasonable fee, but the plaintiffs’ lawyers could appeal that amount, and usually the parties just settle.

In Ohio and Michigan, where the same-sex marriage bans were struck down along with Kentucky’s, the Republican governors settled for $1.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively. In Tennessee, whose case was argued with Kentucky’s, the lawyers have asked for $2.3 million.

In Kentucky, meanwhile, Governor Matt Bevin, his spokeswoman Jessica Ditto, and his general counsel, M. Stephen Pitt, are not commenting.

Not even with a smug smile.

Courier-Journal

Tuesday Asshat Trifecta, Part 2: Steve Beshear

Out there to Kentucky, the governor, and Asshat-In-Chief, Steve Beshear says the state’s ban on same-sex marriage should be retained because only "man-woman" couples can naturally procreate and Beshear says the state has an interest in ensuring that they do.

In his lawyer’s appeal of a federal judge's ruling that Kentucky’s ban on recognizing same-sex marriages violates the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law, they contend that Kentucky has a legitimate interest in encouraging procreation to support "long-term economic stability through stable birth rates."

Huh? So, since two men cannot make a baby between themselves, or two women for that matter, then they should not be allowed to have their marriage recognized. I wonder if Beshear sees the slippery slope toward banning the marriages of infertile couples, or couples who are well past procreation age.

Oh, probably not, because then that would be discrimination and not just against The Gays but against The Reg’lar Folk, and, well, you can’t have that.

In his 32-page appeal, Beshear’s attorney says Kentucky has an interest in maintaining birth rates, which, if allowed to fall, can induce economic crises because of the reduced demand for goods and services, and the reduction of the work force.

The lawyer does not, and possibly cannot, explain how allowing same-sex couples to marry would reduce the birth rate among heterosexual couples.

It’s just another lame-assed, asshatted attempt by a lame asshat — and I’m talking about you, Beshear — to discriminate against gay couples.

Oh, and for the record, same-sex couples infertile couples, and older couples can actually have children through surrogacy or adoption, so, yeah, your argument is pointless.

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Random Musings

Two days, six more for equality:

Claire McCaskill, the Democratic senator from Missouri:

"I have come to the conclusion that our government should not limit the right to marry based on who you love. While churches should never be required to conduct marriages outside of their religious beliefs, neither should the government tell people who they have a right to marry. My views on this subject have changed over time, but as many of my gay and lesbian friends, colleagues and staff embrace long term committed relationships, I find myself unable to look them in the eye without honestly confronting this uncomfortable inequality. Supporting marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples is simply the right thing to do for our country, a country founded on the principals of liberty and equality. Good people disagree with me. On the other hand, my children have a hard time understanding why this is even controversial. I think history will agree with my children."

Mark Warner, the Democratic senator from Virginia:

“I support marriage equality because it is the fair and right thing to do. Like many Virginians and Americans, my views on gay marriage have evolved, and this is the inevitable extension of my efforts to promote equality and opportunity for everyone. I was proud to be the first Virginia governor to extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBT state workers. In 2010, I supported an end to the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, and earlier this month I signed an amicus brief urging the repeal of DOMA. I believe we should continue working to expand equal rights and opportunities for all Americans."

Mark Begich, the Democratic senator from Alaska:

"Gay and lesbian couples should not be denied the ability to pledge their love and commitment through the civil institution of marriage. I believe that two committed adults of the same sex should be able to receive a government-issued marriage license, while religious institutions retain their right to determine which marriages they will perform."

Jay Rockefeller, the Democratic senator from West Virginia:

 “Like so many of my generation, my views on allowing gay couples to marry have been challenged in recent years by a new, more open generation. Churches and ministers should never have to perform marriages that violate their religious beliefs, but the government shouldn’t discriminate against people who want to marry just because of their gender. Younger people in West Virginia and even my own children have grown up in a much more equal society and they rightly push us to question old assumptions – to think deeply about what it means for all Americans to be created equal. This has been a process for me, but at this point I think it’s clear that DOMA is discriminatory. I’m against discrimination in all its forms, and I think we can move forward in our progress toward true equality by repealing DOMA.”

Jon Tester, the Democratic senator from Montana:

“Montanans believe in the right to make a good life for their families. How they define a family should be their business and their business alone. I’m proud to support marriage equality because no one should be able to tell a Montanan or any American who they can love and who they can marry.”

Kay Hagan, the Democratic senator from North Carolina:

 “I know there are strong feelings on both sides, and I have a great deal of respect for their opinions, but after much thought and prayer on my part this is where I am today. I know all our families do not look alike. We all want the same thing for our families. We want happiness, we want health, prosperity, a bright future for our children and grandchildren. After conversations I’ve had with family members, with people I go to church with and with North Carolinians from all walks of life, I’ve come to my own personal conclusion that we should not tell people who they can love, or who they can marry. It’s time to move forward with this issue.”

It’s going to happen people.

David Beckham.

We all know the man looks mighty, um, well-packaged in a pair of briefs, but who knew he could rock the ass in a pair of trousers.

Seriously, gimme a quarter to bounce off that thing.

Just sayin’.

It seems like at least one person in Kentucky has the good sense that god—or whoever—gave a goat.

And that would be Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, who vetoed House Bill 279 , by which a "religious individual could claim an exemption from any law or policy that prohibits discrimination" meaning people could discriminate against The Gays, The Women, or The Minorities, and get away with it because they believe it’s God’s will to be a Hater.

Here’s the deal, Kentucky, no one is saying you can’t hate The Gays, The Women, or The Minorities, because, well, like Speech, Hate is actually free. But, really, using god—or whomever—to justify hate?

How effing Christ-like. But then …..

The asshats won when both chambers of the Kentucky legislature voted overwhelmingly to override Beshear's veto.

So, Hate is back on in Kentucky, I mean, all you gotta do is say Gold told you so.

Just because… Chris Pine. I could get totally lost in those baby blues.

I could use a coffee, so I think I’ll get in my car and drive to the nearest Starbucks …. twenty miles away. But, it’ll be worth the drive because, just this week, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz shot down a shareholder who grilled him about the company's support for marriage equality at the annual shareholders meeting.

It seems that shareholder Tom Strobhar suggested that the boycott by anti-equality bigots had cost him money: “In the first full quarter after this boycott was announced, our sales and our earrings — shall we say politely — were a bit disappointing.”

Howard Schultz reiterated to Strobhar that the decision to back marriage equality was not about the bottom line, but about respecting diversity. He added that Starbucks had delivered a healthy return last year, boycott or no, and then said:

“If you feel, respectfully, that you can get a higher return than the 38 percent you got last year, it’s a free country. You can sell your shares of Starbucks and buy shares in another company. Thank you very much.”

Suh-nap.

Thank you, Mr. Schultz. Can I get biscotti with my Latte?

Well, well, well ....

The Today Show's weekend anchor Jenna Wolfe came out of the closet this week when she announced that she and her partner, NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk, are having a baby:

“This is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to us. But I don’t want to bring my daughter into a world where I’m not comfortable telling everyone who I am and who her mother is.”

Wolfe and Gosk have been a couple for three years; they are planning to marry, but are really most excited about the baby.

Congrats to you both.

Welcome out.

Naturally, Homo HQ will be sending you a copy of The Gay Agenda, and, in lieu of the Coming Out Toaster Oven, perhaps we'll send a Coming Out Diaper Bag.

Welcome out.

So, it seems that New Pope Frankie has decided not to sit upon the Golden throne like Old Pope Benny did, which begs the question, or questions....

Is the Golden Throne now in Pope Benny's Official castle so his manservant can bring him coffee there each morning?

... and ...

Is the Catholic Church going to sell the Golden Throne and give the money to the poor, or sell the throne and use the money to defend itself in the endless and ongoing pedophile scandal?

I think we all know the answer to that one ....

Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin filmed a new television pilot at CNN. The details are sketchy, but it’s supposedly a funny show filmed before a live audience.

New boss at CNN, Jeff Zucker, was on the show, and it may be part of Zucker’s attempts to broaden the CNN audience by adding more mainstream entertainment fare.

At any rate, my BFF and my Husband-In-My-Head together on regular basis? I’m in.

And THE TWEET OF THE WEEK: