Antigay Grandpa Responds to Lady Gaga

In this clip, Victor in Oklahoma calls in after Lady Gaga's speech in Portland, Maine, calling for "don't ask, don't tell" to be repealed. He said he genuinely wanted to understand and it was why he listens to the show. But then he said he didn't think homosexuality was "normal" and would not want his grandchildren to be gay.

Today on the Signorile Show

The Justice Department has responded to the ruling by federal Judge Virgina Phillips overturning "don't ask, don't tell", and it's not good. We'll break it down.

Former Clinton gay adviser Richard Socarides will join me at 3:30 ET to talk about the response and how it will hurt the administration and Democrats.

Guest / 4:30pm EST - Cathy Cohen, author of Democracy Remixed: Black Youth and the Future of American Politics, joins us to talk about the results of a survey provided by the Black Youth Project, which focused on what young black Americans actually experience and underscores the political repercussions.

We'll be playing a sermon from Bishop Eddie Long in in which he says gays "deserve death," which has not been aired anywhere else yet.

The Republican agenda -- the Pledge to America -- is out, and it's the same old "cut taxes, starve the country" philosophy we've seen. Even conservative analysts said it will only make the deficit worse. We'll get into.

And it's Friday -- who will be the "Angel, Turkey, Gassie and Climax of the Week?"

These stories and so much more, today on The Michelangelo Signorile Show!

And, don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter and Facebook!

Listen to The Michelangelo Signorile Show weekdays live from 2-6 pm ET on Sirius XM's OutQ: Sirius 109, XM 98 and on the Sirius XM iPhone app. Not a subscriber? Not a problem! Listen online any time with a free seven-day pass or, if you have an iPhone or Blackberry, go to the app store and download Sirius XM for free, for a 7-day trial, and listen on your phone.

Bishop Eddie Long: "Gays Deserve Death!"

It's been reported on many blogs, citing the Southern Poverty Law Center, that antigay megachurch pastor Bishop Eddie Long, now at the center of a gay sex scandal, said about gays in a sermon in 2007, "God says you deserve death!" We have obtained the audio of that sermon, which has not been aired anywhere yet, and I'll be playing it on today's show, likely in the second hour (2 ET). And we'll be playing lots more from his sermons and taking your calls.

UPDATE: Raw Story has posted the audio from the show and reports Eddie Long is stepping down.


Listen to The Michelangelo Signorile Show weekdays live from 2-6 pm ET on Sirius XM's OutQ: Sirius 109, XM 98 and on the Sirius XM iPhone app. Not a subscriber? Not a problem! Listen online any time with a free seven-day pass or, if you have an iPhone or Blackberry, go to the app store and download Sirius XM for free, for a 7-day trial, and listen on your phone.

Bush Daugher Attends Marriage Equality Fundraiser

The fundraiser for the American Foundation for Equal Rights hosted by newly out former RNC chairman Ken Mehlman took place last night. Mehlman says this is just the beginning of his involvement in the issue of marriage equality, and frankly, as I've said in the past, he's got a lot of making up to do for the horrendous damage he caused, so it better just be the beginning. (Though he'll also be continuing to help the antigay Republican Party as well and has in fact contributed to antigay politicians.)

I know it's all good to have support, particularly within the Republican Party, but that doesn't mean the fundraiser doesn't feel creepy as well: Here is Barbara Bush -- daughter of George W. Bush, a man who helped bring us to where we are, pushing a federal marriage amendment and the initiatives in the states -- attending the event and supporting the cause. Yeah, that's good, but you can't help but think of the fact that these people got us into this mess, used us for political gain, orchestrated the brutal campaigns that harmed people across the country. Between Laura Bush's coming out in support of marriage equality, and now Barbara (not to mention Ken Mehlman) I'm certain George W. Bush never believed in the federal marriage amendment and has no problem with marriage for gays and lesbians. But he used us for his own political purposes, inspiring the hate campaigns, the bashings, the suicides of gay teens. How can we ever just forgive and forget that? How can we thus be thankful to these people for now trying to undo, somewhat, the hatred they instilled and inspired? I'm glad to see them helping out and they shouldn't be turned away, but it's bittersweet and, as I said, just plain creepy.

Today on the Signorile Show

The Senate will be voting during the first hour of our show on whether to even begin debate on the defense authorization bill, to which the amendment to repeal "dont' ask, don't tell" is attached. Republicans are threatening to filibuster. We'll go through some of the remarks from senators earlier in the day making the case for and against a vote -- with John McCain leading the charge against even having a debate on the defense bill because of DADT repeal, something unprecedented. Imagine if Democrats were holding up a defense bill? Why isn't Barack Obama pointing to the GOP holding up support for our troops in two wars? And will any Democrat join the filibuster? We'll follow the vote as it happens, and we'll revisit Lady Gaga's speech from Portland.

Guest 3:30 ET Whatever way the vote turns out, we'll speak with Joe Sudbay of Americanblog for his perspective and analysis of how Democrats and the White House handled "don't ask, don't tell" repeal and where things go from here.

Guest 4:30 ET As the tea party hurls toward the elections, unraveling the Republican Party along the way, we'll speak with Kate Zernike, author of Boiling Mad: Inside Tea Party America.

Speaking of the tea party, Delaware Republican U.S. Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell is now being called a "criminal" by the influential watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, as more of her demented statements - including that gays are suffering from a "disorder" -- and past behaviors surface. We'll go through it all.

Disappointed and exhausted Obama supporters challenged the president at a town call. Did he get the message? We'll take your calls.

These stories and so much more, today on The Michelangelo Signorile Show!

And, don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter and Facebook!

Listen to The Michelangelo Signorile Show weekdays live from 2-6 pm ET on Sirius XM's OutQ: Sirius 109, XM 98 and on the Sirius XM iPhone app. Not a subscriber? Not a problem! Listen online any time with a free seven-day pass or, if you have an iPhone or Blackberry, go to the app store and download Sirius XM for free, for a 7-day trial, and listen on your phone.

Today on the Signorile Show

A day before the scheduled vote on the Defense Authorization Bill which includes the "don't ask,don't tell" repeal compromise, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is saying there aren't enough votes there yet to break a Republican-led filibuster and are imploring people to push hard. Some senators who support repeal still may support their party in thwarting the bill. So, Lady Gaga, who has been tirelessly committed and generating lots of pressure, is heading to Maine to target two such senators, Olymbia Snowe and Susan Collins, in a rally calling for repeal of the law banning gays from serving openly.We'll be covering it all and urging you to call your senators and demand repeal. 202 224 3121 for the Senate switchboard.

Guest / 2:30pm EST - Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of SLDN joins us this afternoon from main to talk about the "For the 14,000" event.

Guest / 3:30pm EST - Paul Schindler, editor with Gay City News, joins us to discuss NY Governor David Patterson's vetoing of a bill that would have helped those living with HIV/AIDS keep their housing costs down.

Guest / 4:30pm EST - Last week, FL Governor Charlie Crist said he would consider dropping the appeal that is trying to keep the Florida gay adoption ban in place. How does his flip flopping affect the law? We'll be joined by Leslie Cooper, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU's LGBT project, to explain.

Teabagging poster girl Christine O'Donnell canceled all her Sunday talk show appearances -- including on Fox -- after comments that she once practiced witchcraft were added on to the massive dung pile of of batshit crazy stuff she's said and done. We'll surely be getting into it.

Yet another poll shows a majority of Americans support marriage equality, as public opinions continues to shift. What does it mean?

We've got to go through highlights of the annual Values Voters Summit, here antigay right-wing politicians said horrendous things and people like Christine O'Donnell and Michele Bachmann were star attractions.

These stories and so much more, today on The Michelangelo Signorile Show!

And, don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter and Facebook!

Listen to The Michelangelo Signorile Show weekdays live from 2-6 pm ET on Sirius XM's OutQ: Sirius 109, XM 98 and on the Sirius XM iPhone app. Not a subscriber? Not a problem! Listen online any time with a free seven-day pass or, if you have an iPhone or Blackberry, go to the app store and download Sirius XM for free, for a 7-day trial, and listen on your phone.

Today on the Signorile Show

Teabagger Christine O'Donnell, founder of an "ex-gay" group and winner of the Delaware U.S. Senate Republican primary, is threatening the Republican Party that she will win the Senate race with or without them -- on the heals of their plans to drop efforts to win Delaware after herupset over Mike Castle last night. The Tea Party scored a big win there and in New York when Carl Paladino -- a racist bigot -- took the Republican primary for governor. What does it all mean? We'll break it down.

"Don't ask, don't tell" will be voted on in the Senate but faces hurdles and it's not clear all the votes are there.

The GOP tax plan has been released and -- surprise! -- it calls for extending all Bush's tax cuts including for the wealthiest Americans.

Guest / 3:30pm EST - Should a candidates religious convictions be important when deciding on a political candidate? Damon Linker, author of The Religious Test: Why We Must Question The Beliefs Of Our Leaders, joins us to discuss.

Guest / 4:30pm EST - In her article, How Queer! The Development of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in LGBTQ Headed Families, Arlene Istar Lev reviews research that "challenges family therapists to recognize the enormous societal pressure on LGBTQ parents to produce heterosexual, gender-normative children, and the expectations on their children, especially those questioning their own sex or gender identities."

The guy who actually did burn a Koran on 9/11 has been fired from his job. Was it the right call? We'll ask you your thoughts.

And, don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter and Facebook!

Listen to The Michelangelo Signorile Show weekdays live from 2-6 pm ET on Sirius XM's OutQ: Sirius 109, XM 98 and on the Sirius XM iPhone app. Not a subscriber? Not a problem! Listen online any time with a free seven-day pass or, if you have an iPhone or Blackberry, go to the app store and download Sirius XM for free, for a 7-day trial, and listen on your phone.

Today on the Signorile Show

With legal experts and activists weighing in on a federal judge ruling "dont ask, don't tell" unconstitutional, pressure is building on the Obama administration not the appeal the case. And action in the senate now appears completely stalled on the DADT compromise. We'll go through the details.

House minority leader John Boehner says he'd be okay with a middle class tax cut -- problem is, the rest of the Republicans aren't.

Will Prop 8 decision be appealed by sneaky Republicans while the governor is out of California?

Guest / 3:30pm EST - Steve Ralls, director of communications with Immigration Equality, joins us this afternoon to talk about where the LGBT equality stands in immigration reform legislation, as evangelicals threaten to bolt the coalition if gays are included in any immigration bill.

Guest / 4:30pm EST - Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has flipped and "now supports a variety of gay-rights measures." Joining us to talk about this, Steve Rothaus, staff writer with the Miami Herald.

The Imam at the center of the controversy over the Islamic center near ground zero spoke out this weekend, as did the wingnut Florida preacher -- who did not NOT burn Korans (though other people did). We'll get into it.

CNN has removed a poll asking if gay characters on TV are bad for society. But their "Showbiz Today" segment stands, in which they pondered the question of too many gays on TV. We'll play the clip, you tell us what you think.

These stories and so much more, today on The Michelangelo Signorile Show!

And, don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter and Facebook!

Listen to The Michelangelo Signorile Show weekdays live from 2-6 pm ET on Sirius XM's OutQ: Sirius 109, XM 98 and on the Sirius XM iPhone app. Not a subscriber? Not a problem! Listen online any time with a free seven-day pass or, if you have an iPhone or Blackberry, go to the app store and download Sirius XM for free, for a 7-day trial, and listen on your phone.

LCR Lawyer: DADT Ruling "Would Apply Nationwide"

After federal Judge Virginia Phillips' ruled last Thursday that "don't ask, don't tell" is unconstitutional, the attorney who scored a major victory on behalf of Log Cabin Republicans and lesbian and gay servicemembers, Dan Woods, came on the show. A clip of a portion of the interview is below.

His comments and observations are very important and under why the Obama administration must not appeal the case if the president truly believes the ban should end. And we should not accept the Department of Justice appealing the case. There simply is no reason to do so. This ruling would effectively end the ban across the country if it is allowed to stand. The judge ruled DADT unconstitutional and granted a request for an injunction to halt the discharges nationwide. Woods has until the end of the week to draw up the language of the injunction, and then the administration has seven days to respond. But, as Woods describes it, the only Department of Justice response that will change anything regarding her ruling would be an appeal. The judge is set to halt the discharges unless she is stopped by an appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals:

Dan Woods: The federal judge in any federal court has the power to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional, and that's what she's done. An unconstitutional law cannot be applied anywhere. It doesn't apply just in California or just within the boundaries of the 9th circuit. It would apply nationwide. That's part of the checks and balances of our governmental system...Our case has uniform federal law throughout.

Signorile: So if the Obama administration does not appeal this, that's it, the "don't ask, don't tell" law is dead?

Woods: Yes, assuming she signs an injunction that has the nationwide scope, as we are suggesting it should, that would be the case, yes.

Today on the Signorile Show

The imam at the center of the ugly debate over the Islamic Center near ground zero has now given an interview, saying that backing off now could send the wrong message to extremists and perhaps cause violence. We'll go through the interview, and take calls.

At the same time the Rev. Terry Jones says he will go through with plans to burn Korans, as President Obama says it will be a "bonanza" for al qaeda. How much has the media fanned the flames of this controversy? Even the Westboro Baptist Church is complaining that they were -- perhaps rightly -- ignored when they burned Korans while the media now gives lots of coverage to Jones.

Though we've been told it was must pass bill, it's now quite possible that there won't be any vote on the Defense Authorization Bill and thus no vote on the "don't ask, don't tell" compromise amendment this year. That might mean, if Congress goes to the Republicans, don't ask, don't tell won't be lifted for years to come.

Guest / 3:30pm EST - Timothy Noah, a columnist with Slate, joins us this afternoon to talk about the income inequality this nation faces and how we arrived at this point, which he talks about in his series The United States of Inequality.

Guest / 4:30pm EST - CA Tripp made the claim that Abraham Lincoln could have had a secret gay life. Many historians didn't take this news well at first, but now, more and more are exploring the claims. Joining us today, William Hanchett, who has spent his life researching the life of Lincoln and who is one of those exploring Tripps claim.

The California Supreme Court will not force Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown to defend Prop 8, as proponents had hoped for, which means they still may not have standing in the federal appeals court to challenge Judge Walker's ruling.

The former Log Cabin leader Rich Tafel is now saying he can't really believe Ken Mehlman was so confused about his sexual orientation that he couldn't refrain from bashing gays.

These stories and so much more, today on The Michelangelo Signorile Show!

And, don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter and Facebook!

Listen to The Michelangelo Signorile Show weekdays live from 2-6 pm ET on Sirius XM's OutQ: Sirius 109, XM 98 and on the Sirius XM iPhone app. Not a subscriber? Not a problem! Listen online any time with a free seven-day pass or, if you have an iPhone or Blackberry, go to the app store and download Sirius XM for free, for a 7-day trial, and listen on your phone.

Audio: Outing 20 Years Later

Here is the full audio, in two parts, of our special live show from San Francisco at the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association convention, "Outing 20 Years Later: The Ethics of Reporting on the Sexual Orientation of Public Figures."

Patraeus Condemns Pastor Burning Q'urans

General Patraeus has spoken out against the Rev. Terry Jones, the Florida preacher who is planning to burn Q'urans. You might remember I had interviewed Terry Jones about his protest, his views of Muslims and his stance on homosexuality, which he wound up getting all tripped up on.

Weekend Back Talk

Here are some of the listener survey comments from last week which I read on the show. If you're a listener to the show and haven't taken the survey please do so by scrolling down and clicking through on the right. Thanks!


Kansas City, MO (XM)
I used to enjoy your show, but since you have taken up the cause for the NY mosque, I've lost a lot of respect for you. It isn't as cut and dried as you make it out to be. It's turned into a pro Islamic rant fest. Also, just because one is gay doesn't mean they agree with you on this issue. Move on to things relevant to the gay community!

Colorado Springs, CO (Sirius)
I started listening in the months leading to the last election. Almost immediately, I knew this was a different radio talk show. Michelangelo definitely welcomes differing viewpoints and opinions. Equal time (sometimes more than equal) is given to the guests/callers who disagree. I honestly don't have any complaints about the show – at least no complaints about things over which you have control. I'm referring to the recent callers against the Islamic Center near ground zero who really don't have a valid argument. It's been said before, but I agree that you truly do have the patience of a saint to listen to them parrot the same tired talking points and still keep your cool. Keep up the good work.

Orlando, FL (XM)
It's time to stop complaining about what Obama has NOT done, and start cheering about what he has. As a gay "leader", stop contributing to the enthusiasm gap!

Arlington, TX (Sirius)
I've been listening to your show for about 4 years and really enjoy it. I don't know how you are able to keep your cool with some of the idiots that call in. I'm a cross country truck driver and I experience the prejudice of the closed minds and bigots all over the country. I'm not a flamboyant queen, but I don't hide it either. I do get looks and stares and sometimes comments all the time. I find it best to ignore the closed minds most of the time.

Glastonbury, CT (Sirius)
I tell everyone I know to listen to Michelangelo before deciding anything. His opinions are always underpinned by a keen sense of right vs. wrong and articulated with a passionate clarity that is so persuasive, one finds oneself being pulled along, nodding in agreement. Thank you, Michelangelo.

Indianapolis, IN (Sirius)
OMG you are gonna caused your own city to get blown up! i love your show but please! arent you OUT Q RAdio GAY RADIO? i blame you and the other media for the violence happening around and to the Muslum Center! My God the Media will Not let it go away!!! quit talking about it and the violence will go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marion, MA (Sirius)
I love it when you patiently yet powerfully engage opposition voices on the radio. Your interview with WorldNetDaily's Joseph Farah was a model of restraint and illumination. By the way, I called in recently, attempting to explain that those who assert Obama is a Muslim are bearing false witness. Isn't bearing false witness a sin for self-professed Christians? Unfortunately, I stumbled in my explanation and got cut off as a result. Just wanted to correct the record.

Evanston, IL (Sirius)
Michael I hate to say this but I think you are the weakness part of OutQ. The rest of the shows on OutQ actually care about their listeners and try to bring topics of interest that their listeners are interested in. You on the other hand expect your listeners to be interested in only the things you are interested in and if they don't have the exact opinion that you have you put them down. You need to get over yourself and make the focus about your listeners and not just about yourself.

Potosi, MO (XM)
I love the show. Since I have started listening I have begun to pay more attention to the news and news that affects the gay community. Also I am wanting to get more involved in supporting gay rights.

Dallas, TX (XM)
ENOUGH of Ken Mehlman. Seriously? Three days of wall-to-wall Mehlman? There's NOTHING else in the world going on?

Hayward, CA (XM)
This is my personal way to show my appreciation by taking your listener survey. I enjoy your show and I will admit that I have wanted to call you off and on in the last 2 years that I have listened but didn't have the nerve!....and I am gay! Your show topics have opened a dialogue between me and my partner Chris, on those timely topics that not only affect gay life but within our society in general. You are one handsome, intelligent young man, thank-you for all that you do for our community.

Doylstown, PA (Sirius)
Often when your read these comments on the air, many listeners protest your "passion" which some view as "aggression" to the callers -- however, some may lose sight that this is your show. In turn, you dutifully poll your audience on these observations. However, if there is any assessment, from someone who appreciates your no-nonsense handling of the uneducated, misinformed, or confused, it's this: the power of your convictions may cause some bright, yet, timid, individuals who have excellent contributions to hold back from calling. I have learned as a diversity and inclusion trainer that these voices often provide some of the best fodder for discussion.

Lizz Winstead Guest-Hosting Today

Have fun with Lizz today, always love having her sit-in and I know you do too. I'll be on on the show on Friday for our live broadcast from San Francisco.

Outing: 20 Years Later

Though we’d planned it for months, the timing of our special show on Friday, live from San Francisco, couldn’t be more perfect. In the wake of national discussions about former Bush-Cheney '04 campaign manager and RNC chairman Ken Mehlman (who recently came out as gay), federal Judge Vaughn Walker (who overturned Prop 8) and Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan (who, in the end, had a friend come forward to confirm she is straight), “The Michelangelo Signorile Show” hosts a special live broadcast and panel discussion: “Outing, 20 Years Later: The Ethics of Reporting on the Sexual Orientation of Public Figures.”

The two-hour event takes place at the National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association (NLGJA) 20th annual convention at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco, as a plenary discussion on Friday, September 3rd, 11 PT, 2 ET and broacasts live on Sirius XM OutQ (Sirius 109, XM 98). It will air live for the first two hours of our regular show (it will rebroadcast during the last two ours of our regular show).

Our panel includes Mike Rogers of Blogactive, who was at the forefront of reporting on Senator Larry Craig, Congressman Mark Foley, Ken Mehlman and many others; LZ Granderson, columnist for ESPN Page 2, host of the web-based ESPN360 talk show “Game Night” and a frequent commentator for CNN.com; and Michael Triplett, a contributor for the media analysis site Mediaite, assistant chief of correspondents for the Bureau of National Affairs, and a board member of NLGJA. They and other gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender NLGJA members in the audience, journalists from across the country, will be participating, asking questions and commenting, as will be listeners from coast to coast calling in.

It was 20 years ago when the issue of “outing” first exploded on the national scene, shortly after I wrote a cover story for OutWeek magazine, titled “The Secret Gay Live of Malcolm Forbes,” within weeks of the multimillionaire’s death. The issue dominated the 1st convention of NLGJA in 1992, as newly out journalists in the mainstream media grappled with how to report on gays and lesbians in public life.

The late Randy Shilts, the groundbreaking reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle and author of the acclaimed "And the Band Played On," spoke out against reporting on the sexual orientation of public figures and dubbed gay journalists who promoted such reporting as "lavender fascists," while the late Advocate editor Richard Roulard defended outing antigay hypocrites in government. Gay conservative Andrew Sullivan, then the editor of The New Republic, came out forcefully against outing, battling with me and others at the convention. The New York Times published a terrible and biased report on the convention and on the outing debate, which actually claimed to be able to delineate our positions by the way we dressed! (Honestly, don’t believe much in this bad article, though it is an interesting artifact to take a look at.)

Twenty years later, positions have changed dramatically: Andrew Sullivan, for one, formerly attacking “the gay left” for outing, focused a great deal of time and effort in early 2010 trying to get the corporate media to report on the sexual orientation of Supreme Court Justice nominee Elena Kagan – to the consternation of many, including those who normally support reporting on closeted hypocrites. Openly gay journalist Marc Ambinder of The Atlantic, to whom Ken Mehlman came out, now says he would have outed Mehlman years ago if he had the evidence. California State Senator Roy Ashburn was outed on Facebook by the mayor of West Sacramento, but no one in the media took notice. Not until he was arrested on a DUI after leaving a gay bar did the truth come out though editors and reporters had known for a long time. Meanwhile, Judge Vaughn Walker was reported on as gay based on nothing but an “open secret,” something which media from across the country would pick up on months later, spurred by antigay zealots after he handed down his decision overturning Proposition 8.

All of these and many other revelations over the past 20 years – from Congressman Mark Foley to Senator Larry Craig -- show that the ethics and standards for reporting are still very uneven even if such reporting has moved forward. And so, we’ll exchange ideas and raise many of the questions that need to be raised in this ongoing discussion and debate. I hope you’ll all join us, Friday, 2 East, 11 West.

Listen to The Michelangelo Signorile Show weekdays live from 2-6 pm ET on Sirius XM's OutQ: Sirius 109, XM 98 and on the Sirius XM iPhone, Blackberry and Android apps. Not a subscriber? Not a problem! Listen online any time with a free seven-day pass or, if you have an iPhone, Blackberry, or Android-based phone go to the app store and download Sirius XM for free, for a 7-day trial, and listen on your phone.