The White House has just released a video message from Ambassador Susan Rice—U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations—addressing today's International Day Against Homophobia (as they address it, minus transphobia mentions). See the video and read the transcript below.

Earlier this week we saw an updated marriage equality map for the U.S., but today ILGA is giving us a glimpse of LGBT rights across Europe—ranging from full equality to gross violations of human rights. Check out the color-coded findings below.

If the fast track to state-level marriage equality we've been on so far this year hasn't been enough to excite you about the state of LGBT rights in America, the latest poll from ABC News/WaPo will surely put a smile on that gorgeous face. 

Rep. Brian Sims, one of Pennsylvania's first out lawmakers, praises Philadelphia today for passing an extensive LGBT health bill that may be groundbreaking for a large American city. 

Need a cheat sheet on this week's hottest stories? You can look off our paper! Well, our Flipboard, at least! 

Head here to have the magazine link sent to your email (or simply search Flipboard for "Instinct Magazine") for our weekly "Instinct Magazine Online" publication showcasing the biggest stories from the past seven days on this here blog thingy! 

Inside this week's edition: The Vatican's porn habits, new study on the appeal of penis size, guessing tops and bottoms, Brendon Ayanbadejo's abs for equality, the hospital drama in Kansas City and much, much more! 

The entire reason GLAAD and Jeremy Hooper's Commentator Accountability Project exists was displayed on Fox News today. In a segment about anti-gay pastor Rick Warren that included hate group leader Tony Perkins, dimwitted Fox News spokesmodel Megyn Kelly wanted to know why LGBT activists are so damn intolerant

Good question, Megyn.

As with celebrities in the past decade, politicians, too, have quietly changed the way they come out (for marriage equality). Politico gets an inside look at the "gay marriage backer's playbook" in a piece today that nicely sums up the past month of falling dominoes.

Rachel Maddow is skeptical that the Grand Ol' Party has what it takes to support let alone even appear to support LGBT rights, as advised in a landmark report released by the Republican National Committee on Monday.

The Republican National Committee has today issued a report detailing the party's path forward ... and it includes getting the LGBT community on its side.

As controversy continues to erupt over last year's passage of an LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination law in Lincoln, Nebraska, state lawmakers are once again bringing up such legislation for state-wide consideration. 

It's a historic day in the U.S. today as the House officially passes the first federal non-discrimination provision that includes the LGBT community.

You can't beat up a woman or your same-sex or trans partner without stronger repercussions thanks to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which just cleared the House after passing the Senate. 

In a 5 - 3 vote and after five hours of grueling testimony, the Phoenix City Council has approved extending its non-discrimination ordinance to include protections for LGBT residents.