New York State Sen. Marty Golden (R) — the only Brooklyn senator to vote against New York’s same-sex marriage law — has condemned homosexuality as “plain wrong!,” claiming that it would lead to the “destruction of the sacrament of marriage.” But as L Magazine notices, the Senator is more than happy to profit from it: a catering hall that Golden once owned and is still personally invested in is willing to cash in on the marriage equality gold rush and host gay and lesbian wedding receptions:

To find out if the staff at the Bay Ridge Manor — which Golden owned before selling it to a relative in 2003 — shared the legislator’s beliefs, two of our male reporters stopped by the 76th Street catering hall on Wednesday, identifying themselves as same-sex partners looking for a place to celebrate their upcoming nuptials.

But instead of showing them the door, a manager didn’t bat an eye and immediately spread out a few pamphlets on the desk, outlining the various catering packages that ranged from $60 a head for a “hot smorgasbord” buffet to $95 a head for a cocktail reception and a full dinner with choices of filet mignon and pan-seared yellow fin tuna steak. The manager was courteous and open to hosting the event at the manor — which features a ballroom with crystal chandeliers — and never commented on the reporters’ apparent sexual orientation.”

Golden’s wife still works as an administrator at Bay Ridge Manor and its earnings are one of the Senator’s main sources of income. –Sean Savett

New York’s successful marriage equality effort was marked by an outpouring of support from religious groups. About 727 clergy and congregations across faiths and denominations signed on to the push for marriage equality. However, in response to the civil rights victory, a New York Catholic bishop is offering a different reaction. CNS news reports that the Catholic bishop for the Brooklyn diocese Nicholas DiMarzio is asking all Catholic schools to not invite Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) or any pro-marriage equality lawmakers “to speak or be present at any parish or school celebration.”

In a statement issued on the night New York passed its law, DiMarzio said, “Republicans and Democrats alike succumbed to powerful political elites and have passed legislation that will undermine our families and as a consequence, our society” by opening “a new front in the culture wars that are tearing at the fabric of our nation.” Thus, DiMarzio seeks to bar legislators from Catholic recognition in “protest of the corrupt political process in New York State” that has “demonized people of faith”:

“In light of these disturbing developments and in protest for this decision, I have asked all Catholic schools to refuse any distinction or honors bestowed upon them this year by the governor or any member of the legislature who voted to support this legislation,” said Bp. DiMarzio in the statement. “Furthermore, I have asked all pastors and principals to not invite any state legislator to speak or be present at any parish or school celebration.”

“The above request is intended as a protest of the corrupt political process in New York State,” said the bishop. “More than half of all New Yorkers oppose this legislation. Yet, the governor and the state legislature have demonized people of faith, whether they be Muslims, Jews, or Christians, and identified them as bigots and prejudiced, and voted in favor of same-sex “marriage.”

“Republicans and Democrats equally share responsibility for this ruinous legislation and we as Catholics should hold all accountable for their actions,” said Bp. DiMarzio.

Incidentally, New York’s law clearly exempts religious clergy and institutions from having to perform or host same-sex marriages. Indeed, a religious institutions maintain the right to limit employment of a gay person, to give preference to people of the same religion, and to take any action that “promote[s] the religious principles for which it is established or maintained.” DiMarzio’s mandate is predicated purely on his anti-LGBT views rather than any real consequences he endures under the law.

In a joint statement, all eight bishops of New York slammed the marriage equality as a law that will “alter radically and forever humanity’s historic understanding of marriage” and that will undermine “both marriage and the family” by redefining “these cornerstones of civilization.” Presbyterian Rev. Glenn Leupold of Albany, NY however, noted that while some “believe — and believe is the operative word — that same gender marriage violates religious beliefs,” a religion “also does not have the right to force them not to marry at all.” Thus, New York, he said, is correct “in not letting religious organizations have veto power over a citizen right.”

In an interview with the Asheville Citizen-Times, North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis (R) expressed his optimism that a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage will pass the House in a special session this fall. In doing so, however, he defended his position with statements that are factually untrue:

TILLIS: The defense of marriage is one that a number of folks in our base feel very strongly about. Generally speaking, it polls fairly high across the voter base. It’s not a particularly partisan thing.

Much to the contrary, an Elon University poll found in February that 56 percent of North Carolinians oppose a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. In fact, in that poll, only 35 percent opposed any form of legal recognition for same-sex couples. A March Public Policy Polling poll found that 52 percent of North Carolinians support marriage or at least civil unions.

Tillis also told the Citizen-Times that “data” show that traditional marriages between men and women are “more stable and nurturing.” A study just released this week actually shows that gays, lesbians, and bisexuals rate their relationship goals as highly meaningful and valuable, just as straight people do. The problem is that same-sex couples face significant societal barriers in achieving their intimacy goals (like bans on same-sex marriage). The American Psychological Association also supports marriage equality based on significant evidence that same-sex couples are as happy, stable, and committed as opposite-sex couples, even without the benefit of marriage. The American Medical Association reiterated its support for equality this week as well because the support of marriage recognition helps fight health disparities in the LGBT community.

Despite not having facts or justice on their side, North Carolina Republican legislators could nonetheless force the issue to a vote on the 2012 ballot.

(HT: Pam’s House Blend, QNotes)

The tragic death of 13-year-old Seth Walsh last year was one of many that drew national attention to the bullying of LGBT and LGBT-perceived youth. Now, the Departments of Education and Justice have ruled that Tehachapi School District was negligent in intervening in the harassment Walsh faced in the years leading up to his suicide. In a 20-page letter, the DOE and DOJ detail the multitude of ways Walsh was harassed and how the district was negligent in defending him from sexual and gender-based harassment under Title IX and Title IV (PDF):

Based on the above facts and analysis, the United States concludes that the Student was subject to persistent, pervasive, and often severe sex-based harassment that resulted in a hostile educational environment of which the District had notice, and that the District failed to take steps to sufficient [sic] to stop the harassment, to prevent its recurrence, or to eliminate the hostile environment. Although the District’s Sexual Harassment Policy and Regulation are consistent with the law with respect to sexual harassment, the District did not adhere to its own policy in addressing the multiple forms of notice it received with regard to the treatment of the Student.

This is the department’s at least second comprehensive implementation of the guidance issued in a Dear Colleague letter last October advising that bullying based on sexual orientation is protected as “gender-based harassment” under existing laws.

According to the accompanying Resolution Agreement (PDF), the district will be required to revise its policies, hire new personnel to oversee harassment intervention, implement trainings for faculty and staff about both observing and intervening in harassment, and report on the success of intervention strategies.

Walsh’s death was one of many in a spate of highly visible youth suicides last year that led to the creation of the It Gets Better campaign. The California legislature is considering an anti-bullying bill known as “Seth’s Law” (AB 9) that will help create a respectful and safe environment for all students.

Some social conservatives are extremely upset with the Republican National Committee for appointing the executive director of the pro-gay Log Cabin Republicans to its finance committee, with the American Family Association’s Bryan Fischer suggesting the move makes it time to “stop giving even one more dollar to the Republican Party” or even to start a new “3rd party.” The “GOP just threw us under the bus,” he tweeted. Fischer, whose influential organization regularly hosts lading GOP lawmakers and presidential candidates, was so incensed he even compared the appointment to that of a pro-slavery Republican during the Civil War:

The Family Research Council sees the situation as similarly dire, writing on their action arm’s blog, “If you are pro-life and pro-family you should NEVER donate to the Republican Party.”

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) is heading up a $2 million campaign to hold the four Republican senators who supported marriage equality in New York accountable for their votes — only they don’t seem very concerned about the prospect of losing their seats at the hands of NOM’s negative campaigning. “I’m comfortable with my decision and my vote because I think it was a balance, and whatever NOM wants to do, as I said, that’s what makes this country great. Go ahead and do what you’ve got to do,” Sen. Mark Grisanti (R) told YNN News:

GRISANTI: It was not going to be a political vote. It was a vote of my conscience and it was a vote basically, definitely of fairness, and a balance that personified what I stated on the floor, that same sex couples should have the same right that I enjoy with my wife that I love. The other side of it is that the religious organizations, the non-profits and the benevolent organizations, they’re all protected.

Indeed, internal polls conducted by the Senate Republicans ahead of the marriage vote suggested that the four Republicans who supported same-sex marriage would win re-election because voters care more about the economy than social issues. A recent Quinnipiac poll also found that “New York state voters support 54 – 40 percent a law allowing same-sex couples to marry, with voters under 35 supporting the measure 70 – 26 percent.”

Last month, Houston businessman Dave Wilson — who is challenging openly gay Houston Mayor Annise Parker — sent out a fundraising letter criticizing his opponent for using her “sexual orientation” to promote a “homosexual agenda.” “Being a homosexual is one thing,” the letter read, “but using your position of power to promote the homosexual agenda, is quite another“:

I have family members and friends who have been ensnared and trapped in homosexual behavior, and I now firstahand of the incredible pain and sorrow it has brought to them and their families. Religious freedom will be stifled and millions more will be trapped as the demand for legal and political approval for homosexual behavior increases.

I obtained your name and address from Ms. Parker’s campaign finance report. I realize that some of you support Ms. Parker’s alternatie lifestle and agree with her promoting the homosexual agenda. But to those of you who do not, and donated to her campaign out of financial obligation to your company, I would ask you to search your soul and re-think your support.

Parker is fighting back and is using Wilson’s letter to “ask for campaign money nationwide.” “I’m being attacked simply because I’m a lesbian,” she writes in a fundraising appeal sent out last month, “Your contribution will help me win re-election and show David Wilson and narrow-minded bigots everywhere that anti-gay attacks dont’ work and have no place in civilized society.” Watch a local news report on the story:

As mayor, Parker extended the city’s anti-discrimination policy to include protections for transgendered individuals and appointed Phyllis Frye, a transgender woman, to be a municipal judge.