Michelangelo Signorile Vs HRC

"It's not really a reversal [to reinstate Phil Robertson]. We think it's actually a positive outcome, and we want to thank A&E for their attentiveness and collaboration over the course of the last few weeks. We've received assurances also that the Robertson family is now open to working with African-American and (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people to address the real harm that such anti-gay and racist comments can cause. That's been our 'ask' since Phil's comments ran in GQ, and while it's a positive step, it certainly cannot and should not be the last one." - HRC vice president Fred Sainz, speaking to CNN.

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Posted in: Duck Dynasty,homophobes,HRC,Michelangelo Signorile,Phil Robertson,reality shows,religion,television

ABC Host Robin Roberts Comes Out

Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts came out publicly today in a message posted to her Facebook page, where she thanked her girlfriend, Amber Laign.

Roberts has been out to her family, friends and co-workers for years, but this is the first time she’s publicly acknowledged her sexuality. "I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together." Roberts and Laign have been together for 10 years. Laign, a massage therapist who works with patients recovering from injuries, is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. A year ago today, Roberts reached the 100 day mark following her bone marrow transplant. Her posting today is a message of thanks for all who helped her along the way.

Roberts has been one of the nation's most public faces of breast cancer since her diagnosis in 2007. Last year she took a leave from GMA after being diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, which can be caused by chemotherapy. The National Marrow Donor Program reported an 1800% increase in donors on the day that Roberts revealed her latest illness to viewers. She returned to GMA in February of this year.

UPDATE: ABC News has released a brief statement. "We love Robin and Amber, who we have all known for a long time. We were so touched by her Facebook message today and so thankful for all the loving support she has in her life."

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Posted in: ABC,coming out,Robin Roberts,television

Fox News: The Reinstatement Of Phil Robertson Is Victory For Religous Liberty

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Posted in: Duck Dynasty,Fox News,GLAAD,homophobia,Phil Robertson,reality shows,religion,Tea Party,television

Tony Perkins Celebrates

"The attacks on Phil Robertson revealed to the American people that the push to redefine marriage is less about the marriage altar than it is fundamentally altering America's moral, political and cultural landscape. A&E Network's reversal in the face of backlash is quite telling to the American people who are growing tired of GLAAD and cultural elites who want to silence people and remove God and His word from every aspect of public life.

"The goal of GLAAD is to silence anyone who dare challenge the idea that homosexuality is normal. However, the Robertson family's refusal to cower to GLAAD's bullying and the ensuing backlash to the suspension, unlike anything since Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, finally forced A&E Network to withdraw the suspension. We've also seen these intimidation tactics used against wedding florists, bakers, photographers who have been hauled into court, fined and even ordered to violate their religious beliefs by participating in same-sex weddings.

"Where is the fairness there? Where's the tolerance? There is none. This is why hundreds of thousands of Americans had enough and took a stand by signing petitions in support of Phil Robertson and the right of Christians to quote the Bible." - KKK-affiliated hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

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Posted in: bigotry,Christianists,crackpots,Duck Dynasty,FRC,hate groups,homophobia,Phil Robertson,reality shows,television,Tony Perkins

A&E Caves On Phil Robertson

More from the Denver Post:

In a statement Friday, A&E said it decided to bring Robertson back after discussions with the Robertson family and "numerous advocacy groups." The channel had put Robertson on what it called "hiatus" following his comments in a magazine article about how the Bible informs his view of gays. His comments were slammed by groups including GLAAD, the gay media watch organization. But A&E's decision drew a backlash from those who said they supported Robertson's comments and others who defended him on the basis of freedom of speech.

Here is A&E's full statement:

As a global media content company, A+E Networks' core values are centered around creativity, inclusion and mutual respect. We believe it is a privilege for our brands to be invited into people’s home and we operate with a strong sense of integrity and deep commitment to these principals. That is why we reacted so quickly and strongly to a recent interview with Phil Robertson.

While Phil’s comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs, and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the “coarse language” he used and the mis-interpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article. He also made it clear he would “never incite or encourage hate.” We at A+E Networks expressed our disappointment with his statements in the article, and reiterate that they are not views we hold.

But Duck Dynasty is not a show about one man's views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family… a family that America has come to love. As you might have seen in many episodes, they come together to reflect and pray for unity, tolerance and forgiveness. These are three values that we at A+E Networks also feel strongly about. So after discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family.

We will also use this moment to launch a national public service campaign (PSA) promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people, a message that supports our core values as a company, and the values found in Duck Dynasty. These PSAs will air across our entire portfolio. In addition, an A&E source says the family and the network are going to work together to promote tolerance moving forward.

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Posted in: bigotry,Duck Dynasty,homophobes,Phil Robertson,reality shows,religion,television

Best News Bloopers Of 2013

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Posted in: language,silliness,television

Most Popular TV Show Set In Each State

Business Insider offers another take on the map they ran earlier this summer.

Earlier this year, we ran a map from Reddit user SomeGuyFromCanada listing the most significant shows set in every state. We weren’t happy with all of the selections (no “Breaking Bad” or “Happy Days”?) so we hit the books to discover the shows representative of our nation. To qualify, we looked at television series as opposed to reality shows.* Selections were based on each show’s longevity, audience and critical acclaim using info from IMDB/Metacritic, awards, and lasting impact on American culture and television. Obviously, some states (California, New York) were more difficult to choose than others.

(Via Towleroad)

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Posted in: maps,television,United States

Fox Panel: Outrage About Phil Robertson

Mediaite recaps:

After showing a statement from Robertson regarding his homophobic remarks, Kelly turned to the panel, and right off the bat Bernard Whitman condemned Robertson’s “disgusting,” “really reprehensible” remarks and said he should get the boot. Arthur Aidala and Monica Crowley vehemently disagreed, and all three got in a heated back-and-forth about the free speech issues here. Aidala cried, “There’s something called the First Amendment!” Crowley called it a “classic example of the word police, political correctness.” Whitman shot back that Robertson has every right to say hateful things at “hate speech conventions” but remarks like that have no place in the public square. He said, “Our country’s not founded on hate.” Aidala shot back, “No, it’s founded on free speech!”

Bernard Whitman FTW.

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Posted in: Duck Dynasty,Fox News,homophobes,Megyn Kelly,Phil Robertson,reality shows,religion,television

Sesame Street: Kim Catrall Is Fabulous

The first comment at YouTube: "Why is the 'whore' from sex and the city on sesame Street? Is this what we want our young women to aspire too?"

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Posted in: PBS,Sesame Street,television

Brian Griffin Returns To Family Guy

Yup. Time machine.

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Posted in: Brian Griffin,Family Guy,television

HomoQuotable - Nancy Goldstein

"NBC has been dodging attempts from activists to hold them accountable since the laws were enacted. A letter from the gay lobbying group Human Rights Campaign’s president asking NBC to include news of Russia's human-rights violations alongside their standard Olympics coverage elicited a mealy-mouthed response from the network, which said it would 'provide coverage of Russia's anti-gay laws if the controversial measures surface as an issue during the upcoming Winter Olympics.' As though the fact that Neo-Nazis keep luring gay men to hotel rooms by baiting them online, then kidnapping and torturing them and posting their videos online isn’t an issue at all so long as no queers are actually forced to drink their own urine in front of NBC’s cameras during the snowboarding finals." - Nancy Goldstein, writing for Prospect.

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Posted in: HomoQuotable,LGBT rights,Nancy Goldstein,NBC,Russia,Sochi Olympics,television,Vladimir Putin

Meredith Baxter Gets Married

People Magazine has the story:

Baxter, 66, and her longtime partner, contractor Nancy Locke, were married in an intimate ceremony on Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles. Close friends and family – including Baxter's five children –, looked on as the couple exchanged handwritten vows. Music played a central theme in the celebration. A friend sang and played guitar during the ceremony and at the reception, Locke's band took the stage. Locke and Baxter even took lessons to prepare for their first dance as a married couple.

(Tipped by JMG reader David)

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Posted in: gay weddings,Meredith Baxter,television