Joy Behar subbing for Larry King tonight hosted a brief but energetic panel on Carrie Prejean and the new television ad “No Offense” put out by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM).

The panel includes  Maggie Gallagher, President of the National Organization for Marriage, Shana Moakler, Director, Miss California USA Pageant, actor Stephen Baldwin and Rev. Nicole Lamarche, former Miss California.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTTcwssR2Ls[/youtube]

Bravo to Shanna Moakler for taking  Gallagher to task. And what’s up with Stephen Baldwin and his claims of persecution. Is being flushed a symptom of persecution? Or is it a symptom for something else? I feel so… so sorry for his brother Alec.

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Outside of Franklin County High School in Kentucky, students protested an email sent to their teachers instructing them not to allow homosexuals to use the restroom during class.

The email sent by Asst. Principal Karen Buzard was in response to an incident where two female students were caught kissing in the school restroom.

From Kentucky Equality Federation (KEF):

“I have been in contact with one of the parents of the children involved in the protest, and we support and encourage their constitutional right to assemble peacefully,” stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer. “We call on the media to investigate this issue further and shed light on the discrimination gays and lesbians face throughout the Commonwealth. Kentucky Equality Federation will also be contacting the other parents of the children involved in today’s protest.”

Laura Reed, Managing Director of KEF is concerned because they have also received complaints from other counties.

“I’d like to know what level this mentality, that gay and lesbian students should not be treated equally is coming from. An incident in one county could be called an isolated incident, but we now have similar reports in three other Kentucky Counties. I’d certainly like to know what Education Secretary Helen W. Mountjoy has to say about these incidents.”

How odd. According to the school’s website, April is the month for tolerance. Doesn’t sound like a very tolerant school if you ask me.

More at Kentucky Equality Federation.

After some moving and eloquent testimony, the Main Senate voted to approve same-sex marriage 20-15 this morning. There is a possibility however that the legislation may get tabled because of a late amendment that would put the issue before Maine voters in November. From the Sun Journal:

Immediately, however, one of the senators who voted No – Republican David Hastings of Fryeburg – introduced an amendment from the floor that would send the issue directly out to statewide voters in November.

That move prompted Democratic Majority Leader Philip Bartlett of Gorham to request a recess. The House of Representatives has already adjourned until next Tuesday, so the bill can’t come up for preliminary consideration there until then.

A recent poll shows Maine voters are evenly split on the issue. And, while it remains unclear if Governor Baldacci would sign the bill  should it reach his desk, he has suggested recently that he would favor the legislation.

UPDATE: It appears the amendment to put the issue up for referendum in November has failed, and the revised vote is now 21-14 in favor of same-sex marriage!

I’d like to start by apologizing to the fine people of Minnesota… but really how could you send this woman to Washington?

First up, Michelle Bachmann, congresswoman from Minnesota, about 50 seconds in.

And now Barney Frank, congressman from Massachusetts

[youtube width=”320″ height=”265″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAzReB_KTeA[/youtube]

I’m sorry. It’s no contest. Not even close.