Updated Sunday, 7:50 a.m. PST

With a Sunday night deadline looming, Gov. Jerry Brown did the right thing for LGBT youth and signed SB 1172 making California the first state in the country to ban ex-gay/reparative therapy for minors.

More after the jump.

We weren't the only ones with our butt-enhancing tighty-whities in a bunch after the Log Cabin Republicans resoundingly applauded Romney's selection of Rep. Paul Ryan while turning a blind queer eye to the VP contestant's horrible anti-gay history. The Courage Campaign was paying attention, too, and has started a petition asking that the LCR withdraw its support for one of the most anti-gay tickets in decades. Details and a new plea from LCR to Mitt Romney, after the jump!

Ed Watson, the marriage equality activist we told you about in March who briefly flushed our cold, black hearts with signs of life, has passed away—without being able to realize a decades-long dream: the simple ability to marry his partner of 40 years, Derence Kernek.

Earlier this month we learned that signature-gatherers for a petition opposing California's SB 48 (a.k.a. FAIR Education Act, a.k.a. LGBT History Bill) were deceiving voters into adding their John Hancocks by telling them they were signing a bill opposing child molestation. Evil! Thankfully, where there is deceit there is Courage Campaign. (Details follow.)

Many of us remember former Army lieutenant Dan Choi (and former Instinct Leading Man) being arrested for handcuffing himself to a White House fence protesting DADT, well his trial is well underway and so is the support for him. Details after the jump.

With the Senate set to begin the DOMA hearing tomorrow, the Courage Campaign is asking the community to help get the urgency across by participating in a new viral campaign. But no signatures here! Find out how to get involved after the jump.

Last week, on Harvey Milk Day nonetheless, Oscar-winning filmmaker Dustin Lance Black announced the Testimony video contest, a project that harnesses his prolific talent to share the stories of everyday LGBTQ people. We had to learn more about Testimony, so we asked the artistic activist to share with Instinct more details about the project.

Head to our web-exclusives area to read what Dustin Lance Black testifies to Instinct! 

He brought the story of Harvey Milk to the American mainstream and will soon do the same with J. Edgar Hoover; now, iconic gay filmmaker Dustin Lance Black is ready to give those who may feel like they don't have a voice a chance to be heard with the Testimony Video Contest. Details follow.

In the first move of Media Matters' DropFox campaign, a coalition of LGBT groups including Courage Campaign, GLAAD and Equality Matters have asked online-travel site Orbitz to stop advertising on the Fox News channel. 

There is renewed vigor in the fight against Prop. 8 this week, but nothing makes the call for the immediate return of full equality in California quite like Ed Watson's plea to Courage Campagin. Watch the video, read his letter, then head to Courage Campaign's website to sign a petition asking the Ninth Circuit Court to lift the stay.

Dear Courage Campaigner,

Yesterday I found out the California Supreme Court denied a motion to speed up the Prop 8 trial. They're going to take their summer recess and come back in around 6 months or so. It must be nice for them.

Thing is, I am 78 years old, and I have Alzheimer's disease. I have been with my partner, Derence, for over 40 years. And if the courts drag this out for months and months, I fear...

Another day, another DADT twist in Congress.

Sens Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins have apparently reignited DADT repeal in the Senate by introducing S. 4022, a stand-alone bill that makes the debate and possible passage of repeal a bit clearer.

The Courage Campaign reminds us of the key Senators we need to call to make this happen before they go on their holiday break (though plenty are saying they shouldn't be able to go home for the holidays UNTIL they do as the majority of Americans wish and end the ban on gays serving in the military.)

Lisa Murkowski (R-AK): 202-224-6665
George Voinovich (R-OH): 202-224-3353
Olympia Snowe (R-ME): 202-224-5344
Richard Lugar (R-IN): 202-224-4814
Judd Gregg (R-NH): 202-224-3324
Scott Brown (R-MA): 202...

Finally! A political ad that speaks in language we find relatable. (Note: if the Right sweeps the midterms, a Bloody Mary's curative effects won't work, though that won't stop us from drinking them the morning after...)

(Via The Courage Campaign)