President Obama's speech is over and before the overpaid pundits tell us why we should love or hate it, let me give a few thoughts.
I liked it. It was on point but now it's time for him to push action.
And yes, I noticed what he said about DADT. And I know that others noticed his mention of the commitment to overturn the policy.
Now before some of us start ruminating in that particular way which we do, I would ask that you remember the faces of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They weren't exactly looking all that happy.
Maybe I am misinterpreting their desire not to show emotion, but then again, maybe I'm not.
Overturning DADT should happen and it will. But it won't be easy. We should remember that. Instead of directing venom at Obama's way because he "isn't moving fast enough," I would suggest that we continue to do what we do - and that is to exert pressure on the President. Remind him that we helped to get him elected and we lgbts as Americans deserve our rights.
But let's not get caught away with the hyperbole. Yes, we are all tired of being second class citizens but talking about how sick and tired you are may make you feel good via facebook or the blogs, but it entails more than that.
To tell the truth though, I have been very disturbed by some folks' overeagerness to paint the President as a "bigot." He is pragmatic to the point of annoyance at times, but to call him names reveals a haste that's not conducive to the community.
And if I may take it further, I especially hate how these discussions over Obama's commitment to the lgbt community have made us snipe at each other. I have different opinions about Obama's commitment to the lgbt community. I don't like some of the things he has done, but I am willing to give him credit on other things.
But sometimes I don't want to mention how I feel because I don't want to be sniped at by some (pardon the expression) self-satisfied, "righteously indignant" individual who seems to be so obsessed with his/her opinion of lgbt rights that an understanding of other opinions seems to be out of his/her mindset.
I don't think it's right that someone who doesn't know me all of the sudden feels justified to trivialize my life simply because I don't share that person's opinion.
We may disagree but no one likes being called names or having their commitment to lgbt equality minimized simply because they take different views of President Obama. Regardless of how you feel about the President, you shouldn't feel that you will be attacked by your own people.
But it's happening all of the time. And it reveals an inability to understand that while we are all lgbt, we come from different environments and different opinions on how we should take steps to get what we need in terms of equality.
We don't all come from the Castro, or any other big city metropolis. We don't all listen to Lady GaGa (until last month, I have never heard of Lady GaGa). And some of us don't follow the struggle for lgbt equality as much as others.
But at the very least, lgbts owe each other basic respect.
If we don't, then we are no better than Peter LaBarbera and the rest of the religious right.
Analyzing and refuting the inaccuracies lodged against the lgbt community by religious conservative organizations. Lies in the name of God are still lies.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Obama and DADT: What do you think the President will say?
Tonight is the night of President Obama's State Of The Union address.
If one listens to hyperbole, then it will be the most important speech of his presidency . . . until his next State of the Union address.
I wonder if Rep. Joe Wilson will open his mouth? I hope he does and I hope Michelle Obama wings him with a high heeled pump.
Seriously, tonight will be interesting on a lot of fronts, especially when it comes to Don't Ask, Don't Tell - the policy regarding gays in the military.
According to the Huffington Post, Obama is expected to call an end to it:
The article goes on to say that the pressure has been mounting for Obama to take a stance on the issue.
And why not? Maybe it's just me but the religious right as a whole seems to have abandoned this issue. Other than token opposition by Elaine Donnelly (and we all know what happened to her at the DADT hearing two years ago), there hasn't really been that much of a backlash against the notion of allowing gays in the military.
Still, if Obama does call an end to DADT, expect the customary cries about "military cohesion" and such to erupt.
It's what we have come to expect.
But seriously, what do you think he will say?
The floor is yours. BE NICE!!!
If one listens to hyperbole, then it will be the most important speech of his presidency . . . until his next State of the Union address.
I wonder if Rep. Joe Wilson will open his mouth? I hope he does and I hope Michelle Obama wings him with a high heeled pump.
Seriously, tonight will be interesting on a lot of fronts, especially when it comes to Don't Ask, Don't Tell - the policy regarding gays in the military.
According to the Huffington Post, Obama is expected to call an end to it:
President Barack Obama will directly address the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in his State of the Union address on Wednesday evening, sources on Capitol Hill and in the gay-rights community tell the Huffington Post.
What exactly he will say about it remains a topic of intense debate, however -- though the betting among plugged-in sources is that he will call for its repeal.
"It is going to happen," said a source in the gay-rights community. "And it is going to be brought up in a somewhat significant way. But what that significance is we don't know." A Hill aide confirmed that the White House communications department told congressional press colleagues that the president would discuss the policy during his prime-time speech.
The article goes on to say that the pressure has been mounting for Obama to take a stance on the issue.
And why not? Maybe it's just me but the religious right as a whole seems to have abandoned this issue. Other than token opposition by Elaine Donnelly (and we all know what happened to her at the DADT hearing two years ago), there hasn't really been that much of a backlash against the notion of allowing gays in the military.
Still, if Obama does call an end to DADT, expect the customary cries about "military cohesion" and such to erupt.
It's what we have come to expect.
But seriously, what do you think he will say?
The floor is yours. BE NICE!!!
Military wastes money on DADT and other Wednesday midday news briefs
Military Spent $500 Million Implementing Gay Ban - Where are the teabaggers? THIS is wasted money!
Maggie Gallagher: 'I'm in favor of marriage equality' - SURE you are, Maggie.
ACORN "Exposer" James O'Keefe and Buds Caught Playing "Watergate, Cajun Style" - Oh come on. It's the story everyone is talking about. You know you want to know more about it.
AIDS Rent Cap Clears Hurdle - A very interesting story.
Iowa Governor To Proclaim Gay-Straight Alliance Day - A short article but very good news.
Maggie Gallagher: 'I'm in favor of marriage equality' - SURE you are, Maggie.
ACORN "Exposer" James O'Keefe and Buds Caught Playing "Watergate, Cajun Style" - Oh come on. It's the story everyone is talking about. You know you want to know more about it.
AIDS Rent Cap Clears Hurdle - A very interesting story.
Iowa Governor To Proclaim Gay-Straight Alliance Day - A short article but very good news.
Notion of same-sex parenting debunked because Focus on the Family says so?
From Truth Wins Out comes this claim via Focus on the Family:
That's it. We don't have the name of the study, when it appeared, or anything else about it.
All we know is that it "debunks" the notion of same sex parenting because Glenn Stanton (who has already admitted that he has no expertise in issues about the lgbt community) and Focus on the Family says so.
Okay.
Well based on the track record of Focus on the Family and its tendency to distort legitimate research (especially in the cases of. Dr. Carol Gilligan Ph.D:, Kyle Pruett, M.D., Angela Phillips, and Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc), I think that I would rather wait on independent confirmation rather than anything the organization or its spokespeople says.
A study in the Journal of Marriage and Family concludes that any set of two or more compatible parents are as good for children as a married, biological mother and father. In particular, lesbians, they claim, "seem to outparent comparable married, heterosexual, biological parents."
Glenn Stanton, director of family formation studies at Focus on the Family, debunks the findings.
"They're just completely overreaching their hand," he said. "Are we to think that nature has really sent each one of us down a second-rate road of having to be raised by a man and a woman?"
The research dismisses more than two decades of studies that show a mom and a dad each contribute to their child's upbringing.
"The research is very, very clear and it backs up what God has put into process," Stanton said, "that a man and a woman are the best people to raise that child to healthy adulthood."
Stanton says the findings appear to reveal an agenda on the part of the researchers and not scientific conclusions.
That's it. We don't have the name of the study, when it appeared, or anything else about it.
All we know is that it "debunks" the notion of same sex parenting because Glenn Stanton (who has already admitted that he has no expertise in issues about the lgbt community) and Focus on the Family says so.
Okay.
Well based on the track record of Focus on the Family and its tendency to distort legitimate research (especially in the cases of. Dr. Carol Gilligan Ph.D:, Kyle Pruett, M.D., Angela Phillips, and Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc), I think that I would rather wait on independent confirmation rather than anything the organization or its spokespeople says.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Daily Show presents 'Thank You, South Carolina'
I'm sorry. I know I should write about lgbt issues but I just have to mention this.
I think my state just made history. It's the first time that a Governor, Lt. Governor, and a U.S. Representative from the same state have all made the Daily Show.
And I didn't even mention the guy who had sex with the horse.
Hey, I didn't say it was good history.
Today, Jon Stewart deservedly skewers Lt. Governor Andre Bauer on his recent comments on the poor (which really doesn't bear repeating):
Okay, why did South Carolina ban same sex marriage again?
I think my state just made history. It's the first time that a Governor, Lt. Governor, and a U.S. Representative from the same state have all made the Daily Show.
And I didn't even mention the guy who had sex with the horse.
Hey, I didn't say it was good history.
Today, Jon Stewart deservedly skewers Lt. Governor Andre Bauer on his recent comments on the poor (which really doesn't bear repeating):
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
Thank You, South Carolina - Andre Bauer | ||||
www.thedailyshow.com | ||||
|
Okay, why did South Carolina ban same sex marriage again?
Religious right trying to wash hands of Jenkins/Miller custody case and other Tuesday midday news briefs
GOPer: NH Selling Children To Gay Couples For $10,000 - Homophobia makes people lose their minds.
Obama To Discuss Gay Military Ban Wednesday - I'll believe it when I see it.
Liberty Counsel Tries to Wash Its Hands of Lisa Miller - Keep trying, folks.
More Right Wing Track-Covering in Lisa Miller Case - And the coverups continue.
Obama To Discuss Gay Military Ban Wednesday - I'll believe it when I see it.
Liberty Counsel Tries to Wash Its Hands of Lisa Miller - Keep trying, folks.
More Right Wing Track-Covering in Lisa Miller Case - And the coverups continue.
Martin Ssempa's obsession with gay sex . . . and poo?

However, Ssempa's actions caused the press conference to end rather early:
Pastor Martin Ssempa on Tuesday plumbed the depths of notoriety when he offered graphic images of gay sex as proof of the need for tough penalties against homosexuals.
But midway through his presentation, saved on a computer, most of his audience walked out, some visibly disturbed, leaving him to wonder if he had done anything wrong. The cleric seemed genuinely rattled when he asked: “Why should I be traumatised?”
One man, who was part of a group of American students invited to the press conference by Rubaga North MP Beti Kamya, was seen crying, his colleagues consoling him as the group left the National Theatre.
But this press conference is nothing compared to the one he held on Jan. 15.
According to the Huffington Post, during that particular event, Ssempa took the liberty of showing a slideshow so disgusting that one has to wonder about his mental state:
A pornographic slideshow of black and white photographs of men engaging in scatological fetishism is revealed. "I want to show you from their website", he proclaims, a devious smile forming. "I've taken the time to research what homosexuals do in the privacy of their bedroom. It is inhuman, it is animalistic, and it cannot be right. I want to show you these pictures." The audience lurches forward, leering at the pictures and groaning in disgust. Ssempa, enthusiastically goes on:
I want to say homosexuals eat each other's poop. Homosexuals stick their hands into their rectum. Homosexuals stick all sorts of deviant sexual things into their rectum. I want to show you this is from their website. So the first picture that I want to show you, you can see this man has just eaten the other person's poo poo and is rubbing it on his mouth, and I'm going to ask that we print for each of you a photocopy of this story so you get it fully.
Then, of course, they are grabbing each other's gentials, that is level number one, touching each other, grabbing each other. Then number three, now they are licking eachother's anus and are licking poop. And they call poo poo, chocolate. You see it is a change of words. I want you to see, Sheikh please forgive me but I want these people to see, they say a picture is worth one thousand words. This is a man eating the other person's poo poo, can you see that one? Please from BBC, I want you to tell them, we know what they do.
I cringe to wonder what Ssempa will "unveil" should he hold another press conference. Sometimes words aren't enough to criticize the depths that people will stoop to in order to stigmatize the lgbt community.
And by all means, don't think Ssempa's behavior merits laughter. I know that there are some out there who seek to minimize Ssempa's madness by making him an object of ridicule.
Ssempa is not like Peter LaBarbera. His words and actions are unfortunately resonating with some people.
Just ask the lgbts in Uganda.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Homosexuality and pedophilia - the false connection
This video is from Rob Tisinai and his webpage wakingupnow.com and it breaks down the lie that homosexuality and pedophilia are connected.
We have seen religious right organizations and talking heads pushing this false connection from Anita Bryant to the Proposition 8 supporters. And they only push it because we don't aggressively refute it. I think that it's high time we started:
I also strongly suggest the folks bookmark and pay attention to wakingupnow.com
It's an awesome webpage.
We have seen religious right organizations and talking heads pushing this false connection from Anita Bryant to the Proposition 8 supporters. And they only push it because we don't aggressively refute it. I think that it's high time we started:
I also strongly suggest the folks bookmark and pay attention to wakingupnow.com
It's an awesome webpage.
Study refutes religious right talking point and other Monday midday news briefs
Study asks if mom and dad are the best match for children - It's a good question and a good refutation.
Wayne Besen: Our Lazy Foes Are In Hibernation - I'll believe it when I see it. You know how those folks are.
A warning shot on 'Don't Ask' - I don't necessarily like to link from Politico, but Socarides makes a good point.
The More Moderate, Less Heated Religious Right? - Are journalists lazy?
Wayne Besen: Our Lazy Foes Are In Hibernation - I'll believe it when I see it. You know how those folks are.
A warning shot on 'Don't Ask' - I don't necessarily like to link from Politico, but Socarides makes a good point.
The More Moderate, Less Heated Religious Right? - Are journalists lazy?
South Carolina resurrects bill excluding lgbt teens
What's wrong with South Carolina?
One would think that my lovely home state, after enduring the scandal of a Governor cheating on his wife, and now dealing with a Lt. Governor with the charity of Ebenezer Scrooge, wouldn't want to compound the error by demonstrating that the entire governing body of elected officials are totally devoid of decency or common sense.
Think again. A bill against dating violence, which specifically excludes lgbt teens, is being brought back up by the Legislature.
Last year, State Rep. Janet Brady introduced a bill that was supposed to prevent violence in teen dating relationships. It would have required school districts to distribute written materials to parents and students about the dangers of teen dating violence. It sounded like an excellent bill. However another legislator, Greg Delleny, thought it necessary to add an amendment to the bill specifically saying that the bill would apply to only heterosexual couples.
Delleny said he didn't want schools to be "forced" to teach about same sex relationships.
Lgbts and our allies statewide protested and the bill was tabled.
However, it is back. Apparently it was sent to SC Senate Education Committee last week. One wonders what will happen next.
SC Equality, one of the many organizations in the state who do excellent work regarding lgbt equality and education, said the following:
Related posts:
South Carolina lgbts gain victory as discriminatory bill is tabled
Press conference justifies my faith in South Carolina
South Carolina lgbts, allies will speak against discriminatory bill
Bill with anti-gay amendment passes
SC legislator wants to exclude gays from teen dating violence bill
One would think that my lovely home state, after enduring the scandal of a Governor cheating on his wife, and now dealing with a Lt. Governor with the charity of Ebenezer Scrooge, wouldn't want to compound the error by demonstrating that the entire governing body of elected officials are totally devoid of decency or common sense.
Think again. A bill against dating violence, which specifically excludes lgbt teens, is being brought back up by the Legislature.
Last year, State Rep. Janet Brady introduced a bill that was supposed to prevent violence in teen dating relationships. It would have required school districts to distribute written materials to parents and students about the dangers of teen dating violence. It sounded like an excellent bill. However another legislator, Greg Delleny, thought it necessary to add an amendment to the bill specifically saying that the bill would apply to only heterosexual couples.
Delleny said he didn't want schools to be "forced" to teach about same sex relationships.
Lgbts and our allies statewide protested and the bill was tabled.
However, it is back. Apparently it was sent to SC Senate Education Committee last week. One wonders what will happen next.
SC Equality, one of the many organizations in the state who do excellent work regarding lgbt equality and education, said the following:
Fair-minded South Carolinians who believe in equality must help stop this discriminatory bill. Please call or email the members of the SC Senate Education Committee now, and tell them that EVERY student in the state deserves to be protected from violence.
The names of committee members are below. Their links take you to their senate pages. Please call (best option) or choose the "send message" link to tell them that all students, regardless of sexual orientation, should be included in age appropriate education on dating violence.
Courson, John E. , Chm.
Setzler, Nikki G.
Matthews, John W. , Jr.
Hayes, Robert W. , Jr.
Rankin, Luke A.
Fair, Michael L.
Peeler, Harvey S. , Jr.
Leventis, Phil P.
Jackson, Darrell
Anderson, Ralph
Ryberg, W. Greg
Grooms, Lawrence K. "Larry"
Martin, Larry A.
Malloy, Gerald
Lourie, Joel
Massey, A. Shane
Davis, Tom
Related posts:
South Carolina lgbts gain victory as discriminatory bill is tabled
Press conference justifies my faith in South Carolina
South Carolina lgbts, allies will speak against discriminatory bill
Bill with anti-gay amendment passes
SC legislator wants to exclude gays from teen dating violence bill
Saturday, January 23, 2010
You know you are doing something right when they attack you like so . . .
To the owner of this blog:
The way you get over your fascination with homosexuality is to stop sucking on other men's penises and allowing them to poke you in your Nasty Bacteria and Feces filled Ass!
That's how you get over it!
The way you get over your fascination with homosexuality is to stop sucking on other men's penises and allowing them to poke you in your Nasty Bacteria and Feces filled Ass!
That's how you get over it!
I got that message from an anonymous commentator in California who seemed to be upset that I "dare" call attention to pastor Miles McPherson's deception in trying to link homosexuality and pedophilia and also his cowardly attempts to quietly backtrack when his claims became public.
The anonymous commentator didn't try to defend McPherson or refute anything I said. He just came on spouting all sorts of ugly nonsense.
I guess when someone like McPherson tells lies, why should we be surprised about the immaturity of those who support him?
Related posts:
Does Miles McPherson want to hide his gay=pedophilia belief from Proposition 8 trial?
The reliable writer's remorse of one Miles McPherson
Friday, January 22, 2010
Know your LGBT History - Soul Plane
I hope that Monique gets the Oscar for Precious.
But if you ask me, she should have gotten some award for being the only funny spot in the movie Soul Plane (2004).
The fact that GLAAD missed raising hell about this movie will irk me until my dying day.
Soul Plane was an urban movie about a black man who sues the an airline (after his dog is killed in an accident while he was stuck on the toilet mid-flight) and proceeds to start his own airline with the proceeds.
This movie was so bad that it ruined black movie watching for me for a long time.
And the worst was the gay character, Flame, played by Gary Anthony Williams. To this day, I still ruminate over the various things about Williams' portrayal which continues to piss me off:
1. The character goes beyond being a stereotype. He crosses new dimensions of offensiveness.
2. Almost every time he is featured, he is talking about sex or having sex. It was also annoying how the other male characters would give him backwards glances as if to say "what is THAT doing here"
3. Then there is that very offensive scene where he and other various unnamed gay characters (and Catholic priests - this movie just offended everyone) mistake a request from the cockpit for one of oral sex and proceed to knock the other passengers down trying to get there.
4. But the worst is the scene at the end where he hits on another character played by bad black movie mainstay John Witherspoon. Witherspoon's character is a blind man who earlier manually copulated with a baked potato (you read that right). What gay man in his right mind would hit on him?
If I had time to analyze Flame's character, I would definitely make the cause that he is representative of how the black community as a whole sometimes view lgbts of color.
But it's Friday and I don't have that time. So I will just show you this clip (probably the tamest clip featuring Flame. It features him and the other "stewardesses" in a music video) which more than proves my point. It starts at 39 seconds. And by the way, the Osama Bin Laden joke was crass also:
Past Know Your LGBT History Posts:
Know Your LGBT History - The Player's Club
Special Know Your LGBT History - Fame
Know Your LGBT History - Welcome Home, Bobby
Know Your LGBT History - Barney Miller
Know your lgbt history - The Jerry Springer Show
Know your lgbt history - Martin Lawrence and that 'gay guy' on his show
Know your lgbt history - The Ricki Lake Show
Know your lgbt history - Which Way Is Up
Know your lgbt history - Gays in Primetime Soaps
Know your lgbt history - Boys Beware
Know your lgbt history - The Boondocks
Know your lgbt history - Mannequin
Know your lgbt history - The Warriors
Know Your LGBT History - New York Undercover
Know Your LGBT History - Low Down Dirty Shame
Know Your LGBT History - Fortune and Men's Eyes
Know your lgbt history - California Suite
Know your lgbt history - Taxi (Elaine's Strange Triangle)
Know your lgbt history - Come Back Charleston Blue
Know your lgbt history - James Bond goes gay
Know your lgbt history - Windows
Know your lgbt history - To Wong Foo and Priscilla
Know your lgbt history - Blazing Saddles
Know your lgbt history - Sanford and Son
Know your lgbt history - In Living Color
Know your lgbt history - Cleopatra Jones and her lesbian drug lords
Know your lgbt history - Norman, Is That You?
Know your lgbt history - The 'Exotic' Adrian Street
Know your lgbt history - The Choirboys
Know your lgbt history - Eddie Murphy
Know your lgbt history - The Killing of Sister George
Know your lgbt history - Hanna-Barbera cartoons pushes the 'gay agenda
'Know your lgbt history - Cruising
Know your lgbt history - Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones
Know your lgbt history - I Got Da Hook Up
Know your lgbt history - Fright Night
Know your lgbt history - Flowers of Evil
The Jeffersons and the transgender community
But if you ask me, she should have gotten some award for being the only funny spot in the movie Soul Plane (2004).
The fact that GLAAD missed raising hell about this movie will irk me until my dying day.
Soul Plane was an urban movie about a black man who sues the an airline (after his dog is killed in an accident while he was stuck on the toilet mid-flight) and proceeds to start his own airline with the proceeds.
This movie was so bad that it ruined black movie watching for me for a long time.
And the worst was the gay character, Flame, played by Gary Anthony Williams. To this day, I still ruminate over the various things about Williams' portrayal which continues to piss me off:
1. The character goes beyond being a stereotype. He crosses new dimensions of offensiveness.
2. Almost every time he is featured, he is talking about sex or having sex. It was also annoying how the other male characters would give him backwards glances as if to say "what is THAT doing here"
3. Then there is that very offensive scene where he and other various unnamed gay characters (and Catholic priests - this movie just offended everyone) mistake a request from the cockpit for one of oral sex and proceed to knock the other passengers down trying to get there.
4. But the worst is the scene at the end where he hits on another character played by bad black movie mainstay John Witherspoon. Witherspoon's character is a blind man who earlier manually copulated with a baked potato (you read that right). What gay man in his right mind would hit on him?
If I had time to analyze Flame's character, I would definitely make the cause that he is representative of how the black community as a whole sometimes view lgbts of color.
But it's Friday and I don't have that time. So I will just show you this clip (probably the tamest clip featuring Flame. It features him and the other "stewardesses" in a music video) which more than proves my point. It starts at 39 seconds. And by the way, the Osama Bin Laden joke was crass also:
Past Know Your LGBT History Posts:
Know Your LGBT History - The Player's Club
Special Know Your LGBT History - Fame
Know Your LGBT History - Welcome Home, Bobby
Know Your LGBT History - Barney Miller
Know your lgbt history - The Jerry Springer Show
Know your lgbt history - Martin Lawrence and that 'gay guy' on his show
Know your lgbt history - The Ricki Lake Show
Know your lgbt history - Which Way Is Up
Know your lgbt history - Gays in Primetime Soaps
Know your lgbt history - Boys Beware
Know your lgbt history - The Boondocks
Know your lgbt history - Mannequin
Know your lgbt history - The Warriors
Know Your LGBT History - New York Undercover
Know Your LGBT History - Low Down Dirty Shame
Know Your LGBT History - Fortune and Men's Eyes
Know your lgbt history - California Suite
Know your lgbt history - Taxi (Elaine's Strange Triangle)
Know your lgbt history - Come Back Charleston Blue
Know your lgbt history - James Bond goes gay
Know your lgbt history - Windows
Know your lgbt history - To Wong Foo and Priscilla
Know your lgbt history - Blazing Saddles
Know your lgbt history - Sanford and Son
Know your lgbt history - In Living Color
Know your lgbt history - Cleopatra Jones and her lesbian drug lords
Know your lgbt history - Norman, Is That You?
Know your lgbt history - The 'Exotic' Adrian Street
Know your lgbt history - The Choirboys
Know your lgbt history - Eddie Murphy
Know your lgbt history - The Killing of Sister George
Know your lgbt history - Hanna-Barbera cartoons pushes the 'gay agenda
'Know your lgbt history - Cruising
Know your lgbt history - Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones
Know your lgbt history - I Got Da Hook Up
Know your lgbt history - Fright Night
Know your lgbt history - Flowers of Evil
The Jeffersons and the transgender community
More backtracking from Miles McPherson and other Friday midday news briefs
The reliable writer's remorse of one Miles McPherson - Jeremy from Goodasyou.org adds more details to McPherson's habit of scrubbing away past homophobic statements.
Uganda anti-gay bill may change, says MP Bahati - He should do the right thing and get rid of the bill, period.
Who Was The Reporter The Lexington MA Wirthlins Spoke To About Their Child's Book? - Or how to gain a religious right fix in anti-lgbt initiatives.
Ruby-Sachs: Supreme Court Campaign Finance Decision Puts Gay Rights At Risk - Everyone seems to be reeling from the Supreme Court decision yesterday regarding campaign finance. This is a look on how it could harm lgbt rights.
D.C. visitors help rescue woman from Union Station Metro tracks - A little positive news for your Friday.
Uganda anti-gay bill may change, says MP Bahati - He should do the right thing and get rid of the bill, period.
Who Was The Reporter The Lexington MA Wirthlins Spoke To About Their Child's Book? - Or how to gain a religious right fix in anti-lgbt initiatives.
Ruby-Sachs: Supreme Court Campaign Finance Decision Puts Gay Rights At Risk - Everyone seems to be reeling from the Supreme Court decision yesterday regarding campaign finance. This is a look on how it could harm lgbt rights.
D.C. visitors help rescue woman from Union Station Metro tracks - A little positive news for your Friday.
Congressional leaders vocal in opposing Ugandan anti-gay bill
Yesterday, Rep. Tammy Baldwin chaired a Congressional hearing on the Ugandan anti-gay bill. Her words should be taken to heart by those who would dare to support the measure (i.e. Peter LaBarbera and Robert Knight.)
In addition, 90 U.S. Congressional leaders have denounced the bill:
In the letters, the Members of Congress call the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009 “the most extreme and hateful attempt by an African country to criminalize their LGBT community.” The Members asked President Obama to use his “personal leadership, and that of our country, in seeking to deter these legislative proposals,” and warned President Museveni that, “Should the bill be passed, any range of bilateral programs important to relations between our countries and, indeed, to the Ugandan people inevitably would be called under review.”
The Ugandan legislation would increase the penalty for same-sex sexual acts to life in prison, limit the distribution of information on HIV by criminalizing the “promotion of homosexuality,” and establish the crime of “aggravated homosexuality” punishable by death for anyone in Uganda who is HIV positive and has consensual same-sex relations. Further, the bill includes a provision that could lead to the imprisonment for up to three years of anyone who fails to report to the government within 24 hours the identities of everyone they know who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, or who supports human rights for people who are.
Hat tip to Box Turtle Bulletin.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Why are the 'moral values' groups silent about Ugandan anti-gay bill?
This morning's post about Peter LaBarbera, Robert Knight, and the Ugandan anti-gay bill is significant because other than Knight and LaBarbera, the religious right have been conveniently silent about the bill.
I half expected Matt Barber to spin some illogical nonsense about it but even he has been silent.
I think he may have spent too much capital on that feud with Exodus International, the one where he aligned himself with LaBarbera and embarrassed all parties involved, including his employer, the Liberty Counsel.
But I find it so conspicuous that these "moral values " groups in the middle of the fundraising, organizing conferences to "take back America," and huge prayer telecasts couldn't take a little time out of their busy schedules of phony doom prognosticating to give even one, albeit transparent, comment about the situation in Uganda.
How far has Christianity in this country sunk that the supposed leaders of the "moral believers of Christ" will not comment on a prospective genocide.
But who am I kidding? The religious right on the whole have been silent about Uganda for the same reason that the Liberty Counsel has been silent about the Janet Jenkins/Lisa Miller custody case.
They don't want people to be reminded that they are in part responsible for it.
It's their rhetoric and talking points about lgbts which the proponents of this bill are spouting. It was their people (i.e. Scott Lively, etc) who came over to Uganda and spread stories about "evil gays" hurting children.
And now like a cartoon character who causes a huge accident and then walks away from it whistling nonchalantly with his hands in his pockets, organizations like Concerned Women for America, the Family Research Council, the American Family Assocation, and others like them are quietly disassociating themselves from this mess that they helped to create by keeping silent.
Keep it up, guys. You won't get away scott free.
I half expected Matt Barber to spin some illogical nonsense about it but even he has been silent.
I think he may have spent too much capital on that feud with Exodus International, the one where he aligned himself with LaBarbera and embarrassed all parties involved, including his employer, the Liberty Counsel.
But I find it so conspicuous that these "moral values " groups in the middle of the fundraising, organizing conferences to "take back America," and huge prayer telecasts couldn't take a little time out of their busy schedules of phony doom prognosticating to give even one, albeit transparent, comment about the situation in Uganda.
How far has Christianity in this country sunk that the supposed leaders of the "moral believers of Christ" will not comment on a prospective genocide.
But who am I kidding? The religious right on the whole have been silent about Uganda for the same reason that the Liberty Counsel has been silent about the Janet Jenkins/Lisa Miller custody case.
They don't want people to be reminded that they are in part responsible for it.
It's their rhetoric and talking points about lgbts which the proponents of this bill are spouting. It was their people (i.e. Scott Lively, etc) who came over to Uganda and spread stories about "evil gays" hurting children.
And now like a cartoon character who causes a huge accident and then walks away from it whistling nonchalantly with his hands in his pockets, organizations like Concerned Women for America, the Family Research Council, the American Family Assocation, and others like them are quietly disassociating themselves from this mess that they helped to create by keeping silent.
Keep it up, guys. You won't get away scott free.
Ugandan anti-gay bill proceeds and other Thursday midday news briefs
Uganda’s Cabinet Rejects Withdrawal of Anti-Gay Bill - Pitiful. Just pitiful.
Hak-Shing Tam To Be Called As Hostile Witness - Having to defend statements linking lgbts with the harming of children is a fate I wish for all members of the religious right.
Gays lack clout, Prop. 8 trial witness says - But I thought we controlled the media, and Washington, and Hollywood, and Europe and . . .
Illinois Family Institute Tries to Rewrite History - Illinois religious right group caught in a HUGE lie.
Maggie's cross - Maggie Gallagher isn't happy with the Proposition 8 trial. Awwwwwww!
Jon Stewart Destroys Fox News For Reveling In Scott Brown Win (VIDEO) - I had to get this in. No one destroys liars quite like Jon Stewart.
Hak-Shing Tam To Be Called As Hostile Witness - Having to defend statements linking lgbts with the harming of children is a fate I wish for all members of the religious right.
Gays lack clout, Prop. 8 trial witness says - But I thought we controlled the media, and Washington, and Hollywood, and Europe and . . .
Illinois Family Institute Tries to Rewrite History - Illinois religious right group caught in a HUGE lie.
Maggie's cross - Maggie Gallagher isn't happy with the Proposition 8 trial. Awwwwwww!
Jon Stewart Destroys Fox News For Reveling In Scott Brown Win (VIDEO) - I had to get this in. No one destroys liars quite like Jon Stewart.
Take note, Peter LaBarbera - true Christians don't defend genocide

What Qualifies the United States to Lecture Uganda on Homosexuality?
In this piece, LaBarbera is defending another column written by fellow religious right member (and Paul Cameron enabler) Robert Knight. That piece attacked The New York Times for daring to question Uganda's wisdom in pushing the bill which criminalizes people for simply being gay.
LaBarbera, of course, felt the need to add his comments to Knight's already hateful column:
Folks, I’ve been trying to avoid the Ugandan “Culture War” on homosexuality because I figure we’re busy enough with our own here in the USA. But that hasn’t stopped American homosexual activists and fellow travelers like Professor Warren Throckmorton of the “evangelical” Grove City College from insinuating themselves into the Ugandan situation. (Sadly, Warren has lost his faith in the ability of God to radically change homosexuals through Christ, and now busily works — even in Uganda! — to promote the faithless and disheartening message that most “gays and lesbians” cannot change their basic “orientation” . . .
Here’s the question I keep asking myself about the Uganda controversy: just what is it that qualifies the United States of America to lecture the Ugandans about homosexuality? Is it our public policy that enshrines immoral sexual behavior (oops: “sexual orientation”) and gender confusion (er…”gender identity and expression”) as a “civil right”? Is it our homosexual “marriage” laws that make a mockery of this divine institution (laws about which Prof. Throckmorton is curiously silent)? How about our pro-homosexuality educational propaganda in K-12 schools that corrupts young students’ minds in the name of “tolerance”? Or the 24/7 “gay bathhouses” and sex clubs that proliferate in urban centers across the United States to facilitate quick-and-easy (and anonymous) deviant sexual hook-ups? (“Come to America: where you can have all the safe sodomy you want! Discounts for students (no joke) and free condoms available for your perverted pleasure!”)
Again with the "gay bathhouses" and "sex clubs." If I were one for innuendo, I would definitely ask why is LaBarbera so consumed with talking about "gay bathhouses" and "sex clubs."
Why doesn't he ever talk about heterosexual sex clubs and swinging groups?
I'm not saying that LaBarbera is gay. I'm just trying make a point about how this man consumes himself with stigmatizing the lgbt community.
His ramblings always read like a Nazi propaganda film on Jewish people. They are no different than a racist skinhead reading off distorted FBI statistics to claim that African-Americans are more violent than whites.
His reliance on fear stories about gays, deviant sex, and the harming of children is no different than ugly lynch mobs conjuring up stories of black men raping white women in an attempt to justify their crimes.
Earth to Peter - if you can just stop the obsession over gay sex for a second, let me give you a few facts.
The Ugandan anti-gay bill is draconian. No one in their right mind would defend it. Among other things, it punishes people with life imprisonment or death for simply being an lgbt.
It forces family members and friends to "inform on" lgbts as if they are criminals.
It unfairly and inaccurately connects the lgbt orientation with pedophilia.
It stigmatizes lgbts and causes them to fear for their lives.
You ask what qualifies America to lecture Uganda on homosexuality but a better question is why would you as a Christian defend such a bill?
By your mindboggling defense of this bill, you (and Robert Knight) justify every name that the lgbt community has given you including "bigot," "liar," "hater," and especially "hypocrite."
From time to time, you pepper your anti-gay website with Biblical quotes celebrating holidays like Christmas and Easter.
You claim to cling to the Bible as if it's your refuge and strength, but it's obvious that you have been paying so much attention to the supposed verses about homosexuality that you have forgotten the verses which talk about how you should treat your fellow man.
And you probably didn't even read the verses about "love."
Regardless of how you feel about homosexuality or how you obsess about naked gay men, you can't justify any defense of this bill.
True Christians don't defend genocide.
But frankly Peter, I don't know what you are.
Related posts:
Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate
Peter LaBarbera - the self-destruction of an anti-gay activist
Peter LaBarbera's pictures contradict his ramblings
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Words never to forget
This Massachusetts crap is bringing me down and is interfering with my usual blog posts.
We get it already. Democrats lost and got a much deserved wake up call. Lgbts are pissed and have been for a while and deservedly so (although between me and you, it seems that the only thing the community can do is not only be pissed, but think of cute little slogans to define how pissed we are).
So I want to throw out something tonight to remind us to never forget what it's all about. No matter how much we feel deserted by our supposed allies or how we feel put upon by those who will fight the idea of us living openly, proudly and with dignity, if we give in to seductive notions of self pity and anger without focus, we lose.
And that would be a shame because we are on the side of good.
And good never loses:
We get it already. Democrats lost and got a much deserved wake up call. Lgbts are pissed and have been for a while and deservedly so (although between me and you, it seems that the only thing the community can do is not only be pissed, but think of cute little slogans to define how pissed we are).
So I want to throw out something tonight to remind us to never forget what it's all about. No matter how much we feel deserted by our supposed allies or how we feel put upon by those who will fight the idea of us living openly, proudly and with dignity, if we give in to seductive notions of self pity and anger without focus, we lose.
And that would be a shame because we are on the side of good.
And good never loses:
Rush Limbaugh brings up Mary Jo Kopechne and other Tuesday midday news briefs
Limbaugh on Brown's win: "This one's for you, Mary Jo." - No matter how low progressives feel, we can always count on Rush Limbaugh to make look morally superior. Thanks Rush.
Economist: Evidence backing gay marriage is in - And the evidence is mighty interesting.
Gay Rights Bills Threatened By Democratic Senate Loss - Well that's a possible given.
Natalie: I left over lesbian plot - Too bad. So sad.
Economist: Evidence backing gay marriage is in - And the evidence is mighty interesting.
Gay Rights Bills Threatened By Democratic Senate Loss - Well that's a possible given.
Natalie: I left over lesbian plot - Too bad. So sad.
Massachusetts! Massachusetts!
Politics is called the "eternal sea" (I got that from the Omen series) in that the only constant with it is that it always changes.
One minute one party has the advantage, then another minute, the other does.
So this thing in Massachusetts was bound to happen in one form or another. And if you pardon me for saying so, I would rather have something like happen now than in November.
I like President Obama, but he needed a good shaking. I'm hoping that he and the rest of the Democrats learn from this early lesson. Think of it as a political form of A Christmas Carol where Scrooge learned that he should change before it's too late.
But DAMN, Brown's victory is going to drive me nuts.
The pundits spinning this is going to depress the hell out me. And worse of all, I just know the teabaggers are going happy crazy. I'm going to have to hear about this "Massachusetts Miracle" nonsense for longer than I can stand.
And the very thought that the folks at Fox News, particularly Glenn Beck, will probably be comparing Brown's victory to the Allies storming the beaches at Normandy is giving me stomach pains .
Lastly, I'm ducking as progressives put on the bandaleros and go all Pancho Villa on each other like we always do when faced with a loss.
But it helps to put it all in perspective.
Despite all that will be said, this situation boils down to one thing.
Martha Coakley did not deserve to win because she ran a crappy campaign.
I'm sorry but when you have an advantage like she did, you do not sit on your ass and let your opponent gain on you.
You don't win elections by making hideous missteps.
You take every campaign seriously and you define your opponent before he/she has a chance to define you.
It reminds me of a state election down here in South Carolina. The incumbent was a Republican representative (Rick Quinn) who had served in Legislature for a long time. He even had the name recognition of a prominent family.
But he took his opponent too lightly. His opponent went from door-to-door campaign while Quinn did virtually nothing.
I don't have to tell you who won.
So basically those of us who are progressives are going to have to follow the advice of Katherine Hepburn in The Lion In Winter and take our wormwood like good men and women (sue me already, I'm a gay man. It's required that I make movie references).
We lived through Reaganomics, the Republican Revolution, and eight years of Bush/Cheney.
This should be cocktail canape.
But Obama and the Democrats should take note. Scrooge learned his lesson. If they don't learn theirs, it's going to be a very cold November for them.
A sidebar (that will not be noted) is that the lgbt community should take a lesson from this loss in Massachusetts. It is all about defining your opponent before he/she has a chance to define you. And how many times have we allowed the religious right to define us and our struggle for equality because we will not put them on the defensive over their tactics.
It's something to think about.
One minute one party has the advantage, then another minute, the other does.
So this thing in Massachusetts was bound to happen in one form or another. And if you pardon me for saying so, I would rather have something like happen now than in November.
I like President Obama, but he needed a good shaking. I'm hoping that he and the rest of the Democrats learn from this early lesson. Think of it as a political form of A Christmas Carol where Scrooge learned that he should change before it's too late.
But DAMN, Brown's victory is going to drive me nuts.
The pundits spinning this is going to depress the hell out me. And worse of all, I just know the teabaggers are going happy crazy. I'm going to have to hear about this "Massachusetts Miracle" nonsense for longer than I can stand.
And the very thought that the folks at Fox News, particularly Glenn Beck, will probably be comparing Brown's victory to the Allies storming the beaches at Normandy is giving me stomach pains .
Lastly, I'm ducking as progressives put on the bandaleros and go all Pancho Villa on each other like we always do when faced with a loss.
But it helps to put it all in perspective.
Despite all that will be said, this situation boils down to one thing.
Martha Coakley did not deserve to win because she ran a crappy campaign.
I'm sorry but when you have an advantage like she did, you do not sit on your ass and let your opponent gain on you.
You don't win elections by making hideous missteps.
You take every campaign seriously and you define your opponent before he/she has a chance to define you.
It reminds me of a state election down here in South Carolina. The incumbent was a Republican representative (Rick Quinn) who had served in Legislature for a long time. He even had the name recognition of a prominent family.
But he took his opponent too lightly. His opponent went from door-to-door campaign while Quinn did virtually nothing.
I don't have to tell you who won.
So basically those of us who are progressives are going to have to follow the advice of Katherine Hepburn in The Lion In Winter and take our wormwood like good men and women (sue me already, I'm a gay man. It's required that I make movie references).
We lived through Reaganomics, the Republican Revolution, and eight years of Bush/Cheney.
This should be cocktail canape.
But Obama and the Democrats should take note. Scrooge learned his lesson. If they don't learn theirs, it's going to be a very cold November for them.
A sidebar (that will not be noted) is that the lgbt community should take a lesson from this loss in Massachusetts. It is all about defining your opponent before he/she has a chance to define you. And how many times have we allowed the religious right to define us and our struggle for equality because we will not put them on the defensive over their tactics.
It's something to think about.
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