First civil unions. Now gay marriage. Progress.

Backed by 59 legislators, Vermont state Reps. Mark Larson and David Zuckerman introduced legislation today to legalize gay marriage.

The bill will likely be opposed by Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, who previously said he would not support same-sex marrage.

“I think the current civil union law is sufficient. It accords equality of rights to Vermonters in terms of their relationships and I think we should leave the law as it is.”

Vermont was the first state to legalize civil unions in 2000. And the world didn’t end then. And it won’t end because of gay marriage either.

More from the Burlington Free Press.

The Courage Campaign has released a moving new video called “Fidelity”, asking the California Supreme Court not to divorce the 18,000 same-sex couples who were married before the passage of Proposition 8. Leading the effort to invalidate those marriages is Pepperdine University’s Ken Starr. Yes, the same Ken Starr whose investigation eventually led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton.

Visit the Courage Campaign and send a message to the California Supreme Court asking them to invalidate Prop 8 and reject Ken Starr’s case.

David Duke, former Republican member of the House of Representatives in Louisiana, and former Chairman of the largest Republican district in that state, and lest we forget former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard, is none too happy with selection of Michael Steele as head of the RNC. Here are a few of his words, (and if you must visit his site, google it):

To Hell with the Republican Party!

I am glad these traitorous leaders of the Republican Party appointed this Black racist, affirmative action advocate to the head of the Republican party because this will lead to a huge revolt among the Republican base. As a former Republican official, I can tell you that millions of rank-and-file Republicans are mad as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore! We will either take the Republican Party back over the next four years or we will say, “To Hell With the Republican Party!” And we will take 90 percent of Republicans with us into a New Party that will take its current place!

I think the insanity of nominating “Mr. Amnesty” John McCain and now this Black racist — will lead to insurgency in the Republican ranks, and a lot of dissidents getting elected in Republican Party primaries around the country. This will result over the next four years a real move by millions of Republicans to take the party back to the populist issues that are not only right but can win for the Republican Party. We must end affirmative action, protect our gun rights and all our constitutional rights, have a moratorium on immigration, we must have protectionism, yes I said protect American businesses and their workers from NAFTA and GATT and the lie of free trade, and we must have America First, not foreign interventionism. Our boys should be home protecting the American borders a not being murdered on the borders of Iraq or Afghanistan. The time as come for Republican Party to stand up to Obama and defend American heritage, rights, and freedom!

While I’m loath to give Duke ANY space here or give his words any air of credibility, it is relevant because of the public displays of racism, hate and intolerance we witnessed at various campaign events in the lead up to the election. While I certainly don’t think Duke’s sentiment is as widespread as he thinks it is, I do think it is a significant enough percentage to cause both the Republicans, and the rest of us, trouble.

GayAtheist revealed a document this morning providing proof that the Church of Latter Day Saints donated $30,354.85 to ProtectMarriage.com on 11/3/2008, the day prior to the election. The Late Contribution Report was not filed until January 15, 2009.

View the Late Contribution Report.

They cannot hide behind the lies any longer. This is probably one of the main reasons why ProtectMarriage.com filed a lawsuit asking that late Prop 8 donors not be disclosed publicly, which was thrown out yesterday. It also adds even more credibility to the charges leveled by Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate and the investigation by the CFFP.