EL PASO: Hate Group Loses Bid To Recall Mayor Over Domestic Partners Law

A coalition of anti-gay Christian groups headed by Pastor Tom Brown (above) has lost their bid to recall El Paso Mayor John Cook over the domestic partners insurance provision he ordered reinstated. The reason that the haters lost? They cheated.

The Eighth Court of Appeals on Friday unanimously ruled that the recall group had violated the law in its petition drive. The court ordered Municipal Clerk Richarda Momsen to decertify the recall petitions and ruled that no recall election using them can be held. The order states, "Having instructed the City Clerk to decertify the petitions, no election thereon may be called or held." The court also ruled that County Court 3 Judge Javier Alvarez abused his discretion in denying Cook's request for an injunction. "The trial court was required to apply the law to the facts. We find the trial court failed to do so here," the order states. Pastor Tom Brown, Word of Life Church and others are trying to recall Cook and City Reps. Susie Byrd and Steve Ortega because all three officials voted to restore health benefits for gay and unmarried partners of city employees after voters passed a ballot initiative in November 2010 repealing them.

The 2010 ballot initiative was so badly worded that it not only rescinded domestic partners provisions, it ended such benefits for retired police and fire department employees.

HOUSTON: Wingnut Radio Host Michael Berry Found On Gay Bar Security Videos

Conservative Houston radio host Michael Berry has been identified on the security videos of a local drag bar shortly before he fled a hit-and-run incident in the club's parking lot. As I reported yesterday, Berry is known for fiery condemnations of minorities, with "crackheads and welfare queens" his most commonly-used expression to describe Houston's poor. Berry claims that his employers won't let him discuss the incident. Some say he fled the scene in order to avoid a DUI arrest, others say he left because he'd been in a gay nightclub.

On his radio broadcast Thursday, which was posted online as a podcast, Berry alluded to the controversy. "I've always said when you do what I do, the way I do it, you make enemies. When you poke your finger in as many people's eye as I do every day, you make enemies," said Berry. He said that his detractors "will accuse you of most anything" and he added, "You have to trust that in the end, the system works itself out, that there are checks and balances, there are people who will verify. But you also recognize that there are some people who want you to be crushed. There's some people who hate you. There are some people who privately would benefit from you not being on the air." He said he does not respond to reporters who question him "on their turf" because it is subject to editing. However, at no point in his broadcast did he deny being behind the wheel and at no point did he address his presence in the club. "You simply cannot go out there and chase down every nasty thing that is said about you. Just because someone says something nasty about you doesn't make it true," he said.

Local activists have demanded that the Houston police charge Berry after public outcry that his fame had allowed him to evade investigation.

UPDATE: Berry has deleted his Facebook and Twitter accounts, the latter of which he reportedly used to make homophobic comments about some Grammy performers.

RELATED: In 2008, the then Houston City Councilman Berry claimed to have been carjacked by a band of knife-wielding Mexicans as he departed another nightclub.

ALSO RELATED: Berry's name is the latest entry on Gay Homophobes.

TEXAS: Anti-Gay Radio Host Accused Of Hit & Run After Leaving Houston Drag Show

Conservative talk radio host Michael Berry has been accused of leaving the scene of a fender bender after departing a drag show he attended at a popular Houston gay bar. Berry is known for ranting against same-sex marriage and related LGBT issues.

Local 2 Investigates e-mailed Berry for his response to the hit-and-run allegations and the videotape showing him inside the club during that drag show, and Berry replied, "I don't respond to such things." Houston police said the hit-and-run was still under investigation, adding that Berry was not listed as being charged with a crime at this point. If additional witnesses are found, or if prosecutors change their minds about the video and the witness account, Berry could be charged with a misdemeanor crime of Failure to Stop and Give Information (FSGI).

The victim told Local 2 Investigates he believes the conservative activist is trying to avoid the issue entirely because of his public stances involving gay people. "If you're going to stand up and say anti-gay things and be conservative and be Mr. Good Guy, and then when something happens that points you out and puts you in a place with the exact business that you aim to shut down, it kind of makes it seem like I need this to go away and I need it to go away quickly," said Bennett.

How about this story, Houston? Will this be a big deal? (Tipped by JMG reader Sai)

Texas Judge Hits Back At Gingrich

Due to his ruling that student-led prayers are unconstitutional, Texas federal Judge Fred Biery is regularly the target of stump speeches by Newt Gingrich, who has vowed to arrest judges that rule to his disliking. Due to Gingrich's fiery condemnation, God's Gentle People have rained down abuse on Judge Beiry. And here's how Biery has responded via a statement attached to a just-settled lawsuit related to the original case.

To the United States Marshal Service and local police who have provided heightened security: Thank you. To those Christians who have venomously and vomitously cursed the Court family and threatened bodily harm and assassination: In His name, I forgive you. To those who have prayed for my death: Your prayers will someday be answered, as inevitably trumps probability. To those in the executive and legislative branches of government who have demagogued this case for their own political goals: You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Think Progress notes the best part of Biery's dig: "Any American can pray, silently or verbally, seven days a week, twenty four hours a day, in private as Jesus taught or in large public events as Mohammed instructed."

Valentine's Day: Request Marriage

GetEQUAL Texas and Marriage Equality USA are joining for actions across Texas on Valentine's Day. Hit the link for cities and information.