Why Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor of course!

GOProud head Jimmy LaSalvia has added his signature to an open letter calling Senate Republicans to filibuster Judge Sotomayor. The other signatories are a distinguished group to be sure, including a number of luminaries in the anti-gay movement, including:

Gary Bauer, American Values
Tom Minnery, Focus on the Family
Wendy Wright, Concerned Women for America
Donald E. Wildmon, American Family Association
Rev. Rick Scarborough, Vision America
Rev. Louis Sheldon, Traditional Values Coalition
Andrea Lafferty, Traditional Values Coalition
Linda Harvey, Mission America
Sandy Rios, Culture Campaign
Peter LaBarbera, Americans for Truth
Brian Camenker, MassResistance
Kris Mineau, Massachusetts Family Institute
Gary Glenn, President, American Family Association of Michigan
Diane Gramley, American Family Association of Pennsylvania
Don Feder, Feder Associates, Massachussetts
Janet M. LaRue, Esq., Jan LaRue Consulting, Texas
Larry Cirgnano, Virginia
Janet Parshall, Nationally Syndicated Talk show Host

GOProud, or the Log Cabin Republicans Part Deux, hopes to be more successful than their predecessors in moving the gay conservative agenda forward, whatever that is.  While I desparately try not to think them as self-hating homosexuals, bent over and enjoying a reach around by the social conservatives who drive the agenda of their party (have I said that before), it’s sometimes hard to think otherwise by the company they keep.

More at GoodAsYou.

Now for some much needed levity. Meet Betty Bowers, America’s—and perhaps the world’s—greatest Christian as she explains what traditional marriage is all about… And it’s not what you think… Enjoy.

As promised, Governor John Lynch has just signed a marriage equality bill into law, making New Hampshire the sixth state to legalize gay marriage. Earlier today, the bill passed the both the state Senate (14-10) and the House of Representatives (198-176) before going to the Governor’s desk. Read Governor Lynch’s full statement below:

New Hampshire’s great tradition has always been to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections.

That tradition continues today.

Two years ago in this room, I signed civil unions into law. That law gave same-sex couples in New Hampshire the rights and protections of marriage. And while civil unions was recognized as a step forward, many same-sex couples made compelling arguments that a separate system is not an equal system.

They argued that what might appear to be a minor difference in wording to some, lessened the dignity and legitimacy of their families.

At the same time, the word “marriage” has significant and religious connotations to many of our citizens.

They had concerns that this legislation would interfere with the ability of religious groups to freely practice their faiths.

Today, we are standing up for the liberties of same-sex couples by making clear that they will receive the same rights, responsibilities – and respect – under New Hampshire law.

Today, we are also standing up for religious liberties. This legislation makes clear that we understand that certain faiths do not recognize same-sex marriage, and it protects them from having to participate in marriage-related activities that violate their fundamental religious principles.

With the signing of this legislation today, New Hampshire will have taken every action possible to ensure that all families have equal rights to the extent that is possible under state law.

Unfortunately, the federal government does not extend the same rights and protections that New Hampshire provides same-sex families, and that should change.

Here in New Hampshire, this debate has been filled with passion and emotion on both sides.

Two years ago, after an equally passionate debate, the people of New Hampshire embraced civil unions as a natural part of New Hampshire’s long tradition of opposing discrimination.

It is my hope, and my belief, that New Hampshire will again come together to embrace tolerance and respect, and to stand against discrimination.

That has how we in New Hampshire have always lived our lives and that is how we will continue as we move forward.

Most families in New Hampshire will awaken tomorrow, go to work and to school, and feel no impact from what we have accomplished today.

But for some, they will awaken tomorrow knowing we have said to them that they are equal, that they have the same rights to live and to love as everyone else.

Today is a day to celebrate in New Hampshire. Today should not be considered a victory for some and a loss for others.

Today is a victory for all the people of New Hampshire, who I believe, in our own independent way, want tolerance for all.

That is truly the New Hampshire way.

As requested, the new law contains additional language to protect religious organizations and institutions. Though many are still not satisfied.

The law goes into effect Jan 1, 2010.

Watch the clips from the UAFA Senate hearings below.

Note: I have updated the video player below so that it is more convenient to view the clips.

To watch the video clips on YouTube, click here. To open a particular video simply click on it while it is playing.