Colorado Civil Unions Debate Focuses On The Anus: KEEP OUT

Testifying yesterday during the Colorado state Senate Judiciary Committee's debate on about a proposed civil unions bill, local granny Rosina Kovar warned the room: "Unlike the vagina, nature put a tight sphincter at the entrance to the anus! It's there for a reason. Keep out!" Kovar's words did not keep out the bill, it later advanced by a vote of 6-3.

COLORADO: Gay Activists And Allies Launch Campaign For Civil Unions

The LGBT activism group One Colorado and a coalition of gay-friendly faith leaders, unions, and education groups yesterday launched their campaign to legalize civil unions in Colorado. Box Turtle Bulletin blogger Daniel Gonzales sends us the below clip from the campaign's kick-off press conference.

COLORADO: Catholic Diocese Launches 12-Step Program For Homosexuals

The Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs has begun offering a 12-step program for homosexuals. The program is called the Twelve Steps Of Courage.

“It’s not about therapy and not about activism,” said the Rev. Larry Brennan, diocese director of priest formation. “It’s about support.” The Catholic Church views homosexual relations as a sin, but not homosexual thoughts. It expects those with same-sex attraction to be celibate. “The exercise of sexuality is reserved for marriage, and that can only happen between a man and a woman,” Brennan said. Jim Fitzgerald, executive director of Call to Action, a national progressive Catholic group headquartered in Chicago, is skeptical of Twelve Steps of Courage because he contends homosexuality isn’t sinful. “It restricts people’s freedom to be the kind of person they were created to be,” Fitzgerald said of Courage. But Brennan says the program is not for people comfortable with their gay lifestyle.

And here are the Twelve Steps Of Courage, which ask participants to agree that they are insane and defective. Their words.

(Tipped by JMG reader Alan)

Colorado May Consider Civil Unions

Openly gay Colorado state Sen. Pat Steadman plans to introduce a civil unions bill early next year.

Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, said he believes the majority of Coloradans support civil unions and oppose gays being treated unfairly. Steadman, who is gay, said he expects his proposal to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, but he's not sure what kind of reception the idea will get in the Republican-controlled House. It could be a frosty one, said the speaker-elect, Rep. Frank McNulty, who noted Coloradans rejected a similar proposal four years ago. "I think that kind of bill would be of concern with the vast majority of the members of our caucus," the Highlands Ranch Republican said. But Rep. Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, who will be the speaker pro tem next year, said he supports civil unions "in concept, precisely because they are not gay marriage." However, he added, he would have to read the bill before he decides where he stands.

Colorado-based Focus On The Family says they plan to oppose the bill, surprise surprise.

COLORADO: Teabagger Ken "Gayness Is Like Alcoholism" Buck LOSES Senate Race

Teabagger Ken Buck, who said that gayness is a choice, except when it's not, like for alcoholics, has lost his bid to unseat Sen. Michael Bennet, who was appointed to the Senate to replace Ken Salazar, Obama's choice for Secretary of the Interior. It was an extremely tight race with Buck leading most of the way, so this is a nice surprise.

COLORADO: Anti-Gay Birther Former Rep.Tom Tancredo Loses Governor Race

Whackadoodle former Rep. Tom Tancredo, who infamously said that President Obama should be impeached "and sent back to Kenya," has lost his bid for Colorado governor to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, who has expressed support for same-sex marriage. Another excellent win for the Dems.

Ken Buck On The Gays

From the official YouTube channel of Sen. Michael Bennet.

Quote Of The Day - Ken Buck

"I disagree strongly with the concept of separation of church and state. It was not written into the Constitution. While we have a Constitution that is very strong in the sense that we are not gonna have a religion that’s sanctioned by the government, it doesn’t mean that we need to have a separation between government and religion. And so that, that concerns me a great deal.

"So I think there are cultural differences, I think there, we are as strong as we, our culture, our culture gives us our strength, I guess is the best way to put that. And, and I am worried about the fact that we seem to be walking away from culture. And, and one thing that President Obama has done that I would certainly speak about is calling the Christmas tree, which has historically been called a Christmas tree in Washington DC, a holiday tree. It’s just flat wrong in my mind." - Colorado teabagger and Senate candidate Ken Buck, who is tied in the polling with incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet.

RELATED: Think Progress notes that Buck's claim about the Obama "holiday tree" has been debunked as pure "hooey."

Teabagger Senate Candidate Ken Buck: Gayness Is A Choice, Like Alcoholism

Today on Meet The Press, teabagger Senate candidate Ken Buck declared that being gay is a choice. Except when it's not, like for alcoholics. Or something. Via Talking Points Memo:

Colorado Senate candidates Ken Buck (R) and incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet (D) met for a debate on Meet The Press this morning and sparred on the budget, the Tea Party and flip-flops. But the most controversial moment came when host David Gregory asked Buck if he believes that being gay is a choice. Buck responded that he thought it was a choice, but allowed that "birth has an influence over it, like alcoholism and some other things." The comments came at the end of the debate, when Gregory asked Buck to expand on some recent comments he'd made about "lifestyle choices" when expressing his support for the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Buck said he believed being gay is a choice, and Gregory asked him: "based on what?" "Based on what?" Buck said. "I guess you could choose who your partner is." "I think that birth has an influence over it, like alcoholism and some other things," Buck continued. "But I think that, basically, you have a choice."

Buck currently leads incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet by four to seven points in the polls.

UPDATE: The Human Rights Campaign responds via press release.

"Mr. Buck’s ill-informed views are not only factually inaccurate, but they are extremely dangerous,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “In the past six weeks a number of teenagers have taken their own lives after being the victims of anti-gay bullying and harassment. When public figures like Mr. Buck make statements like he did today, kids struggling with their identities question their self-worth and other kids justify bullying. Ken Buck must correct his remarks now." "This is yet another in a long line of examples showing that Ken Buck is out of touch with the majority of Coloradans,” said One Colorado Executive Director Brad Clark. “Instead of focusing on common values of respect for all people, Buck is spewing divisive, extreme rhetoric. His claim that homosexuality is a choice is yet another example of his extreme views falling out of step with everyday Coloradans."

COLORADO: Teabagger Billboard Depicts President Obama As Gay Man

A billboard just erected in Grand Junction, Colorado depicts the president as a gay man, a terrorist, a Mexican, and a gangster. The characters are shown playing poker using the Bible and the Constitution as betting stakes.

The artist who designed the billboard, Paul Snover, won't say who paid him $500 to create the image. But he did explain what the unidentified man wanted to say: "He doesn't care for what Obama is doing for the country and wanted to get that across to the people of Grand Junction and possibly around the country," Snover told NBC11. "He was wanting to represent the influences he saw the president as having in his administration," he told KJCT8. The Obamas are surrounded by rats named FED, EPA and "trial lawyers," and vultures named after George Soros and the United Nations.

The local leaders of both major parties have denounced the billboard as "disrespectful."

COLORADO: Schools Ban Crosses and Rosaries As Gang Symbols

We can't wait to hear Focus On The Family's reaction to THIS.

Some schools in Colorado Springs have banned students from wearing crosses and rosaries during school hours outside their clothing. "Certain gangs have adopted crosses and rosaries as their gang symbols," District 11 spokeswoman Elaine Naleski told the Colorado Springs Gazette. The newspaper reported that Mann Middle School sent out an e-mail to parents this week reminding that if their children wears a rosary, it must be underneath the shirt.

(Tipped by JMG reader Alan)

GOP House Nominee Stephen Bailey Visits JMG To Attack Rep. Jared Polis Over Saxby Chambliss Comments

"Jared Polis recklessly slandered every Republican and Republican staffer with his comments -- guilt by an association not predicated by the bias at issue. This is a logical fallacy and it undermines the moral high ground on this issue. He hurts his cause when there is a valid point to be made and lashes out emotionally and insults innocent people. When an organization has as many people as a political party, it will include some who do not reflect the values of the organization and certainly not all members. I have heard anti-gay comments a few times at Republican events. I, or others, have spoken against those comments. The comments reflect the personal biases of a very small number of people and not of all Republicans.

"Republicans believe in constitutionally limited government. Our Constitution protects the rights of everyone equally. Those values are incompatible with persecution of individuals or a group of individuals that are not guilty of violating anyone's rights. Monitor Sen. Chambliss and the resolution of this intolerable act. Allow for time to ensure that the guilty party is identified. A rush to judgment could accidentally identify an innocent and damage their reputation. If there is no accountability after a reasonable time, then the Senator will deserve your contempt." - GOP U.S. House nominee Stephen Bailey, in a comment he left on this JMG post last night. Bailey's opponent is Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO).

RELATED: Endorsed by Ron Paul and Dick Armey's FreedomWorks, Stephen Bailey is a libertarian Tenther who believes that the federal government has no authority to impose any laws not specifically mentioned in the U.S. Constitution. Bailey's campaign site glowingly quotes Ayn Rand and he has signed on to the Tea Party-influenced Contract From America (their italics.) He also wants to abolish the Federal Reserve and force the losers of civil lawsuits to pay the legal costs of the winner, effectively chilling any response to corporate, medical, or law enforcement wrong-doings. In denouncing the concept of global warming, Bailey says, "Use common sense. Is the climate of your area substantially different today than 20 years ago?"

QUESTION: Has a GOP candidate for national office ever before taken to the comments of a gay blog to attack his opponent? I can't recall such a thing happening in the past.

Out Lesbian Joins Colorado Supreme Court

Today Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter named out lesbian Monica Marquez to the state Supreme Court.

"It is not because Monica is a Latina or because she is gay," he said. "I chose her because of her analytical ability and her keen intellect." On Wednesday, as Ritter announced that Marquez — currently deputy Colorado attorney general — would become the state's next Supreme Court justice, the Capitol erupted in cheers from her colleagues and family. "I look forward to serving the state of Colorado in this new capacity, and I promise to bring an exceptional work ethic, a collaborative spirit, an open mind and a reverence for the rule of law," Marquez said. Marquez, 41, a native of Grand Junction, attended Stanford University and earned her undergraduate degree in political science in 1991.

Expect the Colorado-based Focus On The Family to start screaming.

Save The Date!

Dammit! Why does Jeebus always have to come back on the weekend?

Marie Exley of Colorado Springs is convinced that Armageddon, the end of the world as written of in the Bible, will come next year. Her conviction is so strong that, though unemployed, she’s paid $1,200 to buy advertising space on 10 Springs bus benches through October to get the word out. The ad says, “Save the Date! Return of Christ: May 21, 2011, WeCanKnow.com.” “I want to do all I can to get the message out,” Exley, 31, said. Exley got the idea for the ads from listening to Family Radio, a Christian broadcast heard on 55 stations in the United States, including KFRY, 89.9 FM, in Pueblo. It’s hosted by controversial Christian leader Harold Camping. Camping predicts Christ will return on the date in Exley’s advertisement. Listeners in other states have also purchased outdoor ad space to proclaim the date. The ads are written and designed by the creators of WeCanKnow.com, an Ohio-based web site devoted to reminding people of Christ’s return. “We hope it raises awareness and sends people to their Bible,” said Robert Dunham, spokesman for WeCanKnow.com. “Time is running out, but there is still time for salvation.”

The Mayans are going to be pissed about this.

COLORADO: Anti-Gay GOP Candidate For Governor Busted For Plagiarism

Former GOP Rep. Scott McInnis, who is running for governor of Colorado, has been accused of plagiarizing work that earned him a $300,000 fellowship from a local education foundation. McInnis claims that the stolen work came from a researcher he hired. From a newspaper editorial calling for him to drop out of Colorado's governor race:

McInnis can make a reasonable case that he didn’t know of the plagiarism that initiated this whole scandal. Words lifted from the writings of now-Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hobbs were included in papers McInnis submitted to the Hasan Family Foundation, and for which he was paid handsomely. It was Rolly Fischer, the retired water engineer from Glenwood Springs, who took Hobbs’ words and included them in research he prepared for McInnis. Fischer has admitted as much. But Fischer also told Channel 7 News in Denver he believed he was preparing raw research for McInnis to use as background in a future Senate race, not a final product that McInnis would submit to the Hasan Family Foundation for possible publication. Fischer said he would have checked with Hobbs and fully attributed the parts taken from Hobbs’ writing if he had known how it was to be used.

Some GOP leaders including Tom Tancredo are calling for McInnis to suspend his campaign. During his three terms in Congress, McInnis voted to ban gay adoption in Washington DC and voted against other LGBT rights measures. His 2010 platform states that he "strongly opposes" same-sex marriage.

Rep. Doug Lamborn: Kill Sesame Street

Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) has proposed legislation that will end federal funding for PBS. Because times are too tough to pay for Sesame Street.

Lamborn says that with increased government deficits, funding for programs like Sesame Street, for example, is not a priority. "Programs that are of good quality, people are going to support," he argues. "Why should taxpayers, when we're running trillion-dollar annual deficits, have to pay for something like this that can pay for itself?" It is estimated the taxpayer cost to fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in 2010 will equal $420 million. Bill Wilson, president of Americans for Limited Government, concurs with Lamborn's sentiment. "This is a total luxury in the sense that this is not something people can't get other places," says Wilson. "And clearly, there isn't enough of a market for it. If there were, it wouldn't need government taxpayer money to pay its salaries and pay for its overhead."

PBS gets 15-20 percent of its total budget from the federal government.

DENVER: Poz Man Charged With Using Saliva As A Deadly Weapon

Even though the odds of transmitting HIV via saliva are considered to be infinitesimal, a Denver gay man has been been charged with assault with a deadly weapon for spitting on someone.

“We are at the point in the case where it has gone to the deputy district attorney who will handle it and he is currently reviewing it,” [DA spokesperson] Lynn Kimbrough told the Colorado Independent. “The circumstances here are not common… this doesn’t come up very often.” Kimbrough said that off the top of her head, she was unaware of another case where the saliva of an HIV-positive person had been treated as a deadly weapon. “Without knowing a specific case and a specific defendant, I would hesitate to say with certainty.”

According to the police report, Jason Arb, a technician with the Rocky Mountain Offender Monitoring System, arrived at the home of Wiliam O’Kelly to install a monitoring system at O’Kelly’s home for a drunk driving offense. During the visit, O’Kelly objected to the price of the system and told Arb to leave the house. Arb said he would have to report the information to O’Kelly’s probation officer. The two argued and O’Kelly reportedly spit in Arb’s face. Later, upon speaking with O’Kelly’s parole officer, Arb learned O’Kelly was HIV positive, at which point he filed a formal complaint.

A rep from the ACLU LGBT Project says the charge "gives credence to the misperception that HIV can be spread through saliva."

Ted Haggard Launches New "Inclusive" Church (But No Gay Weddings, Evah!)

Yesterday disgraced evangelist and rentboy patron Ted Haggard issued a press release teasing that he would make a "groundbreaking statement" today. Yeah, not all that groundbreaking.

During his press conference at his Colorado Springs home, surrounded by his family, Haggard said his new church's theme would be to "help other people go through the difficult times in their lives." Everyone will be welcome: Democrat, Republican, gay, straight, addicts, tall, short, etc. This career move comes three and a half years after Haggard, once the head of the National Association of Evangelicals and a spiritual advisor to President George W. Bush, was outed by a male prostitute for soliciting gay sex and buying crystal meth. The pastor credits counseling, prayer and the support of his family for helping him become heterosexual again, though "with issues." (For more on these struggles, check out HBO's The Trials of Ted Haggard, or Gayle Haggard's book, Why I Stayed.) Haggard said that he doesn't expect St. James to become another megachurch, but "helping one is better than helping none." The church's name comes from the Bible's book of James, which emphasizes good works along with faith; Haggard said it stems from the "tangible form" of love and help that his family received after his fall from grace.

Wonkroom tweets: "Haggard clarified that he will not perform gay weddings in his new church." Haggard also hinted that there may a reality show in the works about his latest endeavor.

UPDATE: Here's video of the press conference.

Missed Connections

Jason Clark is running for governor of Colorado. And since he doesn't have a running mate, he's put an ad on Craigslist.

Clark, who currently serves as the president of the Aurora, CO investment firm Clark Brothers, forked over $25 for a to-the-point listing on the website, calling on average Coloradans to apply for the job, via the standard anonymous Craigslist email address. "There's a complete and total disconnect between politics and the people," Clark told TPM. "We're looking for fresh thinkers, new ideas, and new leadership. We want to invite everyone in."

Clark says he's gotten over 200 applicants, but none have been suitable.

Activist Tim Gill And Husband Buy Historic Phipps Mansion In Denver

The Denver Post reports today that activist Tim Gill and his husband have bought the historic Phipps Mansion from the University of Denver. Not earth-shattering political news, to be sure, but note how casually the Denver Post's front page story treats their marriage.

Political activist Tim Gill and his husband, Scott Miller, are buying the historic Phipps Mansion from the University of Denver in a deal expected to close by the end of the year. The house, which the university now rents out for events, will be the couple's primary residence. "Tim and I have been looking for a house that was very historic and that has a little bit of land so we can have a proper garden," said Miller, a wealth adviser at UBS. The couple, who married in Massachusetts a year ago, wasted no time making an offer on the house after hearing it was for sale last month. They signed a letter of intent to purchase the 6.5-acre estate a day after touring the property. The deal is slated to close Dec. 15 to accommodate events, including weddings, scheduled through the end of the year.

Just a little real estate news from a local Colorado power couple. Move along.

(Tipped by JMG reader Jerry)