MANHUNT Daily

Scott Herman Talks Gay Rights & NOH8

A video of Scott Herman talking with his clothes on? We know some of you may be inclined to move on to the next post, but the clip is actually quite fantastic. Our dear friend at Wicked Gay Blog interviewed the model and fitness guru about his affiliations with the gay community, as he slams the notion that he posed for the NOH8 campaign just for the attention.

Herman touches upon topics such as his friendship with transgender Real World castmate Katelynn, use of the phrase "no homo" and playing Magic: The Gathering. Yes, this total hottie used to tap his mana to cast spells and summon creatures. And did I mention that he's a totally legit gay ally? Apparently, one person can be an extremely attractive dork and have a charming personality.

- Dewitt

To watch the interview, follow the JUMP:

Gay Marriage Legal In Mexico City And Buenos Aires

Some more good news for Gay Marriage following the new law in Washington D.C. Mexico City and Buenos Aires have both allowed gay marriage and the first ceremony in both cities took place this week!

I think it's great that equal rights are being given to people all across the world, and I hope more of Latin America follows. In both places the same backlash occured from religious organizations, but the laws seem to be there to stay, so let's just be happy about that.

You can read more here.

- Andy

Same-Sex Marriage Officially Legal In D.C.

Good news! As of today, same-sex couples can apply for marriage licenses in Washington, D.C. Because of a mandatory waiting period, couples won't be able to officially marry until March 9^th, but the important part is that the opposition couldn't block this. Washington joins Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Iowa as the sixth place in the nation where same-sex marriages are legal.

Of course, there's some bad news too. The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has adopted a new policy of not offering benefits to spouses of new employees or those of employees who aren't enrolled in their current program. Essentially, they're evading the possibility of (gasp) offering benefits to same-sex partners. They've also ended their eighty-year foster program, rather than license same-sex couples. You may now roll your eyes in exasperation.

- Dewitt

Maryland To Recognize Out-Of-State Marriages

Yesterday, Maryland's Attorney General Douglas Gansler announced that the state will begin recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. The Old Line State will now join Washington, D.C. and New York, both of which made similar decisions on acknowledging out-of-state marriages.

In other good news, gay couples in D.C. may be able to apply for marriage licenses as soon as March 3^rd, after the D.C. Council approved a bill this past December. Let's hope Maryland will follow in their footsteps and make the jump beyond recognition...

- Dewitt

Can We Still Lust After Tim Tebow?

In case you didn't notice, Tim Tebow is totally hot. He also happens to be totally religious. Not that there's anything wrong with that! And I'm not just trying to make a Seinfeld reference. I seriously have no issues with men who get their praise on. Hell, I'd let Tebow write Bible verses on my taint with his tongue!

Or so I thought I would... now I'm having second thoughts. The Florida Gators player has been tapped to appear in a thirty-second ad for Focus on the Family, set to air during this year's Super Bowl. The spot will feature his mother Pam Tebow, as she tells the story of her son's birth. It will specifically focus on how she didn't listen to the doctors who urged her to have an abortion, even though she contracted amoebic dysentery in the Philippines and the birth could have damaged her body.

But this isn't just an issue of pro-life or pro-choice. Focus on the Family is widely known for their antigay stance. They donated $727,000 in support of the passage of Proposition 8, and the founder was once quoted stating, “Same-sex relationships undermine the future generation’s understanding of the fundamental principles of marriage, parenthood, and gender.”

So here's the big question--if Tebow is in bed with a group who hates who we are, can we still dream about being in bed with him? Discuss!

- Dewitt

Photo credit: GQ Magazine

For more photos of Tim Tebow, follow the JUMP:

No Marriage Equality For New Jersey

The new year kicks off with yet another defeat for marriage equality. Yesterday, the New Jersey Senate voted 20-14 to reject a proposal that would legalize same-sex marriage. Head over to Good As You for the full roll call vote, with six democrats voting on the "no" side. It should also be noted that one republican senator voted "yes".

But the fight isn't over. Lambda Legal and Garden State Equality plan on returning to the New Jersey Supreme Court, citing the "enormous, heartbreaking evidence that civil unions are not equal to marriage." Speaking of heartbreaking, did anyone else listen to the live feed of the debate? Some of the speeches had me tearing up. And then, of course, there were the other ones that made me want to tear off my face. ::sigh:: Yesterday wasn't our day, but our day will come...

- Dewitt

Can New Jersey Do It?

The New Jersey Senate will be taking a vote on marriage equality legislation this Thursday.  Senate President Dick Codey told NBC New York, "We're gonna post the bill and see what happens... The members for the most part said go ahead and post it." Though I'm trying to remain optimistic, there's been some skepticism as to whether it'll pass.

If the legislation miraculously passes before January 19^th, this will be a tremendous victory for New Jersey. Same-sex marriage opponent Chris Christie will be sworn into the gubernatorial position on that date, and he's promised to veto the bill if it hits his desk. The suspense of it all is killing me!

- Dewitt

An Interesting Marriage Equality Visual

Keeping tabs on the national and international fights for marriage equality? Well, check out this world map, which highlights regions where same-sex marriages are performed as well as locations where homosexuality is illegal. If you're looking to get a closer look, click for a larger view.

While it's nice to think about how far we've come in the past couple of years, this just shows that we still have a long way to go! We must stand tall and strong in the fight for equality.

- Dewitt

For another interesting (and quite frustrating) map, follow the JUMP:

Karl Rove Gets A Divorce

Guess which former senior advisor to George W. Bush just got divorced in Texas? If you guessed Karl Rove, you're absolutely correct. Rove was an outspoken opponent of marriage equality, and now the defender of the "sanctity of marriage" has divorced his wife of twenty-four years. His second wife, mind you.

Now this is starting to get ridiculous! To add insult to injury, The New York Times has published two maps comparing states that allow same-sex marriage and those which allow marriage to a first cousin. Guess which map has more states highlighted!

And don't even get me started on the couple in Malawi who got arrested for staging a symbolic wedding ceremony... ::sigh:: I think I need a drink.

- Dewitt

First Gay Marriage In Argentina

Same-sex marriage may not technically be legal in Argentina, but it's also not illegal. The country's constitution remains silent on whether marriage must be between a man and a woman, thereby allowing provincial and city officials to decide on the matter. And they sure as hell decided, because two Argentine men have just become Latin America's first gay, married couple.

You may recall that Mexico City recently approved legislation to become the first region in Latin America with marriage equality, but Argentina has somehow beat them to the wedding bells! After a failed attempt to marry in Buenos Aires, Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre took their ceremony to the capital of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego province.

The HIV-positive couple had previously planned to marry on World AIDS Day, and wore large red ribbons around their neck to show their solidarity with other individuals living with HIV. This also had special significance, as the couple met at an HIV awareness conference. Here's hoping that they have a lovely marriage!

- Dewitt

Photo credit: AP Photo