A Virgina state Representative (called “Delegates” in local parlance) takes a really brave stand and tries to force a floor vote on a law banning discrimination on the basis of sexuality. Why ‘brave’? First, GOP Governor Bob McDonnell did not renew an executive order barring such employment discrimination in the state workforce and right-wing state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli recently ordered state colleges and universities to stop considering gays, bisexuals, and lesbians a “protected class” under their non-discrimination policies (below, Jon Stewart points out the “circlejerk of responsibility” whereby both governor and AG can claim they’re “just following the law”). Second, the measure had languished in committee, showing the legislative leadership was dead-set against it, and a similar bill was killed earlier this year, following McDonnell’s refusal to renew employment protections. Delegate Ken Plum, you are today’s Hero Of The Day for fighting back when it would earn you zero political points.

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Elsewhere…

D.C. – Former New York Representative Eric Massa implodes on Glenn Beck’s TV show:

“Not only did I grope him, I tickled him until he couldn’t breathe and four guys jumped on top of me. It was my 50th birthday and it was kill the old guy.”

The Advocate has the video, The Washington Post has a post-mortem on Massa’s career plus details on allegations that he created a “hostile work environment” for male staffers, and Towleroad has video of Massa blowing up on CNN’s Larry King Live when King asks Massa if he’s gay. (The Advocate, Washington Post, Towleroad)

D.C. – Are military men opposed to a DADT repeal afraid they will be sexually assaulted and raped as regularly as their female counterparts are if the law is repealed, because no-one is addressing this monstrous, well-known issue? In other news, Servicemembers United announces an open forum on repeal strategy, an army chaplain fights a DADT inquiry, and the repeal measure picks up nine more co-sponsors, bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 22. Most of these guys are well-known progressive figures like Russ Feingold (D-WI), though, so it’s not horribly significant. (Time/via Pam’s House Blend, The Advocate)

New York – In Brooklyn, New York Citiy, five men severely beat a 22-year-old man while shouting anti-gay slurs. It’s being treated by police as a probable hate crime – the young man had just left an LGBT event at a local pizzeria. (Towleroad)

Connecticut – Jury in an internet date murder case hears video confession from the accused, and it sounds like he’s claiming a little “gay panic.” One wonders, if he told police he’s not gay or bi, why did he set the date up in the first place? (Towleroad)

South Carolina – File in the Department of What The F*ck: legislators condemn 3,000 people to misery and early death by axing state assistance to HIV/AIDS patients. (The Advocate)

Teh Interwebs – File in the Dept. of Over My Dead Body: Christianist leaders pray for control of the national media. (Towleroad)

California – File in the Dept. of I Was Five When He Was Hot: Actor Corey Haim OD’s, dies. Haim had struggled with crippling dual addictions for his entire adult life – to drugs and bad hairstyles. (Joe.My.God)

Uganda – ABC’s Nightline to focus on Uganda’s “Kill Gays” bill in tonight’s show. Meanwhile, Pope Benedict XVI did not raise the issue with Ugandan Catholic officials when he met with them last Friday. Andrew Sullivan gives him the benefit of the doubt, but forgets to note that an ascendant faction in the Church holds teh gays in utter contempt, to the point of denying communion to the openly homosexual – a message of strong condemnation in the Church. (Box Turtle Bulletin, Daily Dish, BBC)