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Brendon Ayanbadejo to Use Super Bowl as a Platform for Equality

Very nice. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo wants to leverage his upcoming appearance at the Super Bowl into a platform for gay rights and marriage equality. That's according to an email Ayanbadejo sent to New York Times columnist Frank Bruni only hours after his team won the AFC Championship.

He tapped out an email to Brian Ellner, a leading marriage-equality advocate with whom he had worked before, and Michael Skolnik, the political director for Russell Simmons, a hip-hop mogul who has become involved in many issues, including same-sex marriage.

Ayanbadejo wrote: “Is there anything I can do for marriage equality or anti- bullying over the next couple of weeks to harness this Super Bowl media?” The time stamp on the email was 3:40:35 A.M.

The weeks leading up to Superbowl XLVII in New Orleans will be key to building Ayanbadejo's "super" platform.

Throughout his week, Ayanbadejo has been—and will be—talking to gay-rights advocates about how to seize this moment. For example, he’s been swapping emails with Hudson Taylor, the founder and executive director of Athlete Ally, a group dedicated to ridding sports at all levels—high school, college, professional—of homophobia. "He’s so excited and ready to take a stand in whatever way he can," said Taylor. "He is leveraging the biggest sports stage in the world."

He’s also in conversations with Ellner and Skolnik specifically about marriage equality. Said Ellner: “He understands that as a straight biracial player in the Super Bowl, he can have a huge impact on the future of this issue.”

Ayanbadejo says his ultimate goal is to bring his message—and a Super Bowl Ring—on Ellen Degeneres' show.  Yaassss.

Ayanbadejo has emerged as one of the most articulate supporters of gay rights in professional sport. The three-time Pro Bowler—who became an internet phenom due to a few strategically-placed accessories—was profiled by the Washington Post for his strong support of gay rights.

Maryland voters made history last November when they chose to uphold the state’s same-sex marriage law. Brendon Ayanbadejo was a vocal advocate for the pro-equality side. Same-sex couples can now legally marry in nine states and the District of Columbia.

Brendon Ayanbadejo Coverage on R20:
Brendon Ayanbadejo Models Nipple Rings on the Field
Ravens LB Brendon Ayanbadejo Supports Marriage Equality
WaPo on Brendon Ayanbadejo's Support for Gay Marriage
Ravens LB Ayanbadejo for Maryland Marriage Equality
Ayanbadejo: "Being Gay is No Big Deal"

Jamar Rogers Discusses Being HIV+ and Recovery from Addiction

Millions of people were captivated by the voice of Jamar Rogers on The Voice and it was unfortunate that he was eliminated in the semi-finals. What's even more inspiring about Rogers is his own personal story: Rogers is HIV positive and a recovering crystal meth addict.

The 30-year-old New Yorker talks more about his decision to reveal his status—as well as the stigma of being positive—with journalist Janice Rhoshalle Littlejohn for the Black AIDS Institute.

Six years ago the recovering drug addict from the Bronx, N.Y., was near death in a hospital emergency room in Atlanta. "I had made the decision to stop using crystal meth about two to three months before I discovered I was HIV positive," he says. "I got really sick, and it felt like it came out of nowhere--but obviously it didn't just come out of nowhere."

Coming out as HIV positive to a national television audience wasn't in his plans when he decided to make a run on The Voice. "Initially, when I decided to audition, I just wanted to shake Cee Lo's hand," he says with a laugh. Then Rogers made it past the audition--and to his surprise survived each battle round, week after week. The higher his profile got on the show, the more [he] wrestled with the decision to come forward, determined to prove to everyone watching that you can accomplish anything if you put your mind to it.

"I felt like I wanted to do my part to eradicate prejudice and stigma," Rogers says, "and finally I called the producers and said, 'Hey, there's something I'd like to talk about,' and they were completely receptive and treated me with so much respect."

"Viewers embraced him, too. "I've had people private-message me [on Facebook and Twitter] and tell me that they're talking about the disease with their families for the first time," he says, acknowledging a particular young lady who told him that she had been living with HIV for years and no one knew. "I can just imagine the heaviness, the burden," he sighs heavily. "I know what that feels like."

Jamar's story is super-inspirational. Read it HERE.

Rogers auditioned for American Idol in 2009 with his friend Danny Gokey. Rogers revealed his status to producers but they chose not to tell the audience. Rogers did not make the Top 12 but came close.

Jamar Rogers talked more about his journey two weeks ago on Ellen. "I got to actually give people hope no matter where they are in life," he told Ellen Degeneres. "There is no pit too deep that you can't climb out of if you're willing to dream again. I'm looking forward to activism and working in the community."

AFTER THE JUMP Rogers talks and performs on Ellen and shares his story on The VOICE ...

VIDEO: Clinton Outlines New Policy to Focus on Global HIV Treatment

PHOTOS: Getty

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a new direction for the nation's global HIV/AIDS strategy, emphasizing life-saving anti-retroviral medications that can prevent new infections to "create an AIDS-free generation".

"[This] is an ambitious goal, and I recognize that I am not the first person to envision it," Clinton said in speech at the National Institutes of Health. "But creating an AIDS-free generation has never been a policy priority for the United States government—until today."

Also: Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres was named as America’s "special envoy" for global AIDS awareness. “The enormous platform of your television show and your social media channels will enable you to reach millions of people with the strong and hopeful message that we can win this fight," said the Secretary of State.

Video and transcript of Clinton's speech AFTER THE JUMP ...

FIRST LOOK: Jennifer Hudson's "Where You At" Video + "Ellen"

Your first look at a stunning Jennifer Hudson in the music video for "Where You At", the first single from her sophomore album I Remember Me due March 22. The singer traveled home to Chicago during this month's blizzard to shoot the video with director Anthony Mandler.

The music video will debut on BET’s 106th & Park and Vevo.com on February 24th.

The Grammy and Oscar-winning Hudson delivered an incredible performance of  "Where You At" on The Ellen Show. More stills from the video and watch the performance AFTER THE JUMP ...

WATCH: Ellen Talks to Graeme Taylor, 14 Year Old Openly Gay Student Who Defended Teacher

By now, many people have seen the video of Graeme Taylor, the 14-year-old openly gay Ann Arbor student whose impassioned defense of a Howell High School teacher at a school board meeting went viral across the internet. Taylor was defending teacher Jay McDowell, who was suspended without pay for one day after telling a student making anti-gay remarks to leave his class.

If you haven't seen it, the video is phenomenal, watch it HERE.

The wunderkind activist spoke with Ellen DeGeneres about his brilliant speech. Graeme also shared a hilariously inspirational story about coming out of the closet—literally—at a very young age. Watch it AFTER THE JUMP ...

Constance McMillen Receives $30K Scholarship on "Ellen"

Constance McMillen, the 18-year-old Mississippi lesbian high school student whose prom was canceled because she wanted to take her girlfriend, appeared on The Ellen Show. Ellen presented the student and budding gay youth activist with a $30,000 scholarship from Tonic.com and the offer of a summer internship with them in New York City.

Meanwhile: A hearing has been set for Monday in the lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Mississippi against the Itawamba School District on behalf of McMillen. And the Facebook group launched in support of McMillen has more than 371,000 fans.

The segment was brilliant. Watch it WHEN YOU JUMP ...

Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover's Mother Speaks Against Bullying on "Ellen"

The tragic consequences of schoolyard bullying and anti-gay taunts remains in the news. On the same day the Boston Globe publishes an editorial on the Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover tragedy, the boy's mother, Sirdeaner L. Walker, appeares on Ellen to tell her story and raise awareness on bullying.

"They were saying the same thing to Carl all the time," the grieving mother tells the openly gay talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. "'You act like you're gay. You must be gay. We think you're gay.' That's what they were calling him. All the time."

The video AFTER THE JUMP.

News: Interest Rates, Orlando DPs, Marriage, Kanye West, Will Demps

· In "a rare coordinated move", the Federal Reserve and other major central banks from around the world slashed interest rates "to prevent a mushrooming financial crisis from becoming a global economic meltdown." The central banks of Britain, China, Canada, Sweden, and Switzerland also cut rates. The Bank of Japan said it strongly supported the actions. U.S. stocks fell for a sixth straight session and most overseas markets plunged.

· Orlando becomes the latest city to offer domestic partner benefits to gay and lesbian city employees.

· Super producer, rapper and fashionista Kanye West salutes Ellen Degeneres' style. " 'You have really great style,' the rapper told DeGeneres on her talk show Tuesday. He then addressed the audience, advising, 'Seriously, this is one of the people you should look at whenever you're trying to figure out how to put together an outfit, especially for guys.' DeGeneres, wearing one of her usual menswear-inspired looks, laughed as he insisted, 'I would completely wear [that].' "

· E! Online's Ted Casablanca on Kanye: "Gotta say, it's really refreshing to see a tough rapper so at home with the gay stuff. ... Pretty sad if his über-success suffers any simply cause of his frequent associations with the homo boys 'n' girls. Could happen, especially when a person like Sarah Palin can make an entire career out of denouncing the same.

· Awww. Rod 2.0 fave and Texan starting free safety Will Demps is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. Demps missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, and, Sunday's game against the Colts.

· More gay couples have married in California in the first three months since same-sex marriages become legal than in Massachusetts over the past four years.

· Supporters of California’s proposed same-sex marriage ban are out-raising their opponents—and that means there is a higher chance the amendment will pass. Both sides are wooing Latinos. "The Yes on 8 side began airing a commercial on dozens of Spanish television stations that warned that children would be taught about gay marriage if the proposition was not approved. The spot features a little girl whose class reads a fairy tale about a prince who can't find a princess to marry—so instead he marries a prince. Campaign officials said the ad would begin airing in English soon too."

· Poll "Florida Marriage Protection Amendment'" enjoys "wide support" with 55 percent in support and 34 percent opposed. (Thanks Andres)

· Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Poll: Barack Obama leads John McCain 47 percent to 45 percent. This is within the MOE of 2.8 points. Four percent of voters say they are still undecided.

McCain to Ellen DeGeneres: You Do Not Have the "Right" to Get Married

John McCain continues his "kinder, gentler" rebranding tour and today appears on the set with Ellen DeGenres, who recently announced that she will take advantage of the California Supreme Court’s same sex marriage ruling and wed her longtime girlfriend, actress Portia di Rossi. The openly lesbian talk show host pressed the presumptive Republican presidential nominee on his shifting stance on gay marriage.

Via Think Progress is video. McCain says he is opposed to gay marriage, but, believes same sex couples "should be able to allowed to enter into legal agreements." Whatever that means.

McCAIN: Well, my thoughts are that I think people should be able to enter into legal agreements, and I think that is something that we should encourage, particularly in the case of insurance and other areas, decisions that have to be made. I just believe in the unique status of marriage between man and woman. And I know that we have a respectful disagreement on that issue.

DEGENERES: Yeah, I mean, I think that it is looked at, and some people are saying that blacks and women did not have the right to vote. Women just got the right to vote in 1920, blacks didn’t have the right to vote until 1870, and it just feels like there’s this old way of thinking that we’re not all the same. We are all the same people. All of us. You’re no different than I am. Our love is the same.

(APPLAUSE)

Ellen Degeneres asked Sen. McCain if he would walk her "down the aisle." McCain smiled and said "touche" and wished her the best with her nuptials.

McCain has a shifting stance on gay rights and marriage. Although he initially opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment, the senator actively campaigned for a state marriage amendment in Arizona, which, ironically, was the only marriage amendment ever rejected by the voters. Think Progress adds, "In 2006, he also told the late Rev. Jerry Falwell that would support a federal constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, even though he opposed such a measure in 2004.

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