Hi, y’all.

A couple LGBTQ stories of note today which haven’t made it onto the site

* Young Boy Banned From Pool Because He Has Two Dads. Virginia medical provider Carilion Clinic apparently has a history of discrimination, as with this story others have come out of the woodwork:

The fact that a couple isn’t legally wed is hardly a defense for treating them as second class citizens. According to the U.S. Census Bureau there were more than 8 million unmarried couples living together in 2010. Some are opposite sex; some are same sex. All of them deserve to be recognized as families by local businesses.

* Much like the Valentine’s Day action which I reported on earlier this year, a gay couple were arrested today at the Dallas County Clerk’s office for refusing to leave until they got a marriage license:

It was unclear at press time what charge would be filed against the couple. Last week, a sheriff’s spokesman indicated the pair likely would be charged with criminal trespass, a class-B misdemeanor. The penalty for that is up to 180 days in jail and a maximum $2,000 fine. Once in the license bureau on Thursday afternoon, Chandler and Jiminez filled out the paperwork. Chandler crossed out the word “bride” and wrote “not applicable.”

Before being called to the counter, the couple sat waiting next to a straight couple also applying for a license. Jiminez explained to them why they were there, and the couple wished them luck.

“God bless you,” Regina Johnson said to Jiminez and Chandler. “Good luck. You’re in our prayers.”

I’m off for a few days to another little campout, so I won’t be editing tomorrow. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

This is tonight’s open thread. What’s on your mind?