Don’t Be Dumb at Brunch: Is Marriage Equality Safe Under Brett Kavanaugh?

Happy Sunday! It’s brunch time. Don’t be Dumb. This week, the Brett Kavanaugh hearings have us wondering, “Is marriage equality safe?”  At least there’s great news out of India. We’ve also got a great study about LGBTQ-led companies and, of course, our Whack Jobs of the Week.

Here are the week’s 5 news stories that’ll keep you looking well-informed at brunch:

1. Is Marriage Equality Safe?

If you’ve not yet seen this exchange between Senator Kamala Harris and U.S. Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, it is a must-watch. His avoidance of a true answer should scare us all. Reach out to your senator to vote no on Kavanaugh.

2. A Win for Human Rights in India

In a win for human rights — not just gay rights — the Supreme Court of India has decriminalized homosexuality by striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, a holdover from British rule. Section 377 criminalized “voluntarily carnal intercourse against the order of nature” with any man, woman or animal, and levied punishments ranging from a fine to 10 years in prison for consensual same-sex relations.

Manvendra Singh Gohil, the first openly gay royal in India, who came out in 2006 said the ruling was just the beginning. “Gay rights cannot just be in the courtroom, but in the hearts and minds of the people.”

3. Put LGBTs in Charge

A new study released by Marquette University in Wisconsin has shown that companies perform at higher levels with LGBT people in senior leadership positions. Of the 88 companies that participated, a whopping 61% had one or more LGBT people in a top position.

In addition to higher overall performance, the report concluded that businesses with senior LGBT leadership scored better in other areas, including corporate social responsibility, HR practices, and workforce quality. So never give up on getting that promotion you’ve been eyeing — just show your boss this study.

4. Our Political Culture…Club

Who hasn’t had Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon” stuck in their head all day? Well the Boy George-led group is back with a new album and video that dips its toe in the political waters. The new song is a reggae-influenced slow jam called “Let Somebody Love You,” and the new video evokes something between a Pride rally and a protest march. The band, which officially reunited in 2014 will release its new album, Life, on Oct. 26, 2018.

5. Whack Job of the Week: The Nike Haters

Nike just released a new ad featuring former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a player widely known for kneeling during the national anthem in protest of police brutality, in its new “Just Do It” campaign. The protests have been an ongoing issue that has caused passionate opinions on both sides and drawn some sharp criticism from President Trump. But with the release of the new Nike ads, a #boycottnike campaign has started with people posting videos cutting up their Nike clothes and burning their Nike sneakers. You know, instead of giving them away to a homeless shelter to help those less fortunate.

What do you think — is marriage equality safe?

Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo were one of two plaintiff couples in California’s 2013 challenge of Proposition 8, which brought marriage equality back to the state after being ruled on by the U.S. Supreme Court. These activists also host the weekly podcast The Husbands. Catch them there or follow them on Instagram @JeffZandPaulK.

Featured image by Andrew Harnik via the Associated Press.