Wayne Besen is one of my favorite writers regarding GLBT issues, and his column this week again knocks it out of the park.
Besen discusses the political strategy President Bush is following. The master planner is Karl Rove, and he has been successful enough to get Bush elected twice, but Besen believes the bloom has come off the rose.
A cornerstone of Rove's strategy has been to smear opponents and promote fear, and the GLBT community has been a favorite target. He will go to that well again on Monday, when President Bush is scheduled to hold a press conference restating his support for the Constitutional Amendment that would prohibit same-sex marriage on the eve of the scheduled vote in the senate.
Besen writes, ".....it has always been easier to scare than to care. Rendering people blind is simpler than providing a positive vision. To me, Rove is a cheater - the Barry Bonds of politics. Homophobia and hysteria are the steroids and he injects the poison into the body politic at every opportunity."
Please contact your senators and let them know that if they fall for this tactic, they are at risk of losing your vote.
May 30, 2006
May 29, 2006
Strong Opposition to Federal Marriage Amendment
I'm back from a wonderful refreshing trip to visit my brother and his partner in Rochester, NY. It was great to get away, but it's time to get back to business.
Last week, the Washington Post printed a strong editorial (free registration required) opposing the federal constitutional amendment that would prohibit same-sex marriage all across the United States.
The Post did not opine of the merits of same-sex marriage, focusing its opposition on the process of amending the Constitution. The Post feels that there is absolutely no reason to take this matter out of the hands of the individual states. Here's the key point:
"On the merits, there is simply no case for an amendment that would write into the Constitution an express command to every state and federal official to discriminate against a class of people."
Well said. Hopefully some senators will consider the wisdom of this arguement and forego pandering to the Religious Right by voting against this grievous amendment that would make discrimination a part of this nation's fundamental laws.
Last week, the Washington Post printed a strong editorial (free registration required) opposing the federal constitutional amendment that would prohibit same-sex marriage all across the United States.
The Post did not opine of the merits of same-sex marriage, focusing its opposition on the process of amending the Constitution. The Post feels that there is absolutely no reason to take this matter out of the hands of the individual states. Here's the key point:
"On the merits, there is simply no case for an amendment that would write into the Constitution an express command to every state and federal official to discriminate against a class of people."
Well said. Hopefully some senators will consider the wisdom of this arguement and forego pandering to the Religious Right by voting against this grievous amendment that would make discrimination a part of this nation's fundamental laws.
May 24, 2006
Gone Fishin'
Actually no fish will be harmed on our trip, but I'll be away for a few days visiting my brother in beautiful Rochester, NY. I'll be back blogging on Monday night.
For all my American readers, have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. For everyone else around the globe, have a wonderful time doing whatever it is you normally do.
For all my American readers, have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. For everyone else around the globe, have a wonderful time doing whatever it is you normally do.
May 23, 2006
"Even deep in Dixie, gays sense acceptance"
I ran across an interesting Associated Press story via USA Today. It focuses on the state of the GLBT community in Alabama.
On the one hand, things aren't so good. The state is certain to overwhelmingly vote to strengthen its prohibition against same-sex marriage in early June. A national gay magazine says Alabama is the worst state in America for gays and lesbians. A gubanatorial candidate has called homosexuality evil.
Not so good.
Despite that, however, the GLBT community has made some progress toward acceptance and eventually equal rights. There's a long way to go, but there is a growing feeling that more opportunities exist for gay and lesbians to have a full, happy life in Alabama. Check out the article to find out why.
On the one hand, things aren't so good. The state is certain to overwhelmingly vote to strengthen its prohibition against same-sex marriage in early June. A national gay magazine says Alabama is the worst state in America for gays and lesbians. A gubanatorial candidate has called homosexuality evil.
Not so good.
Despite that, however, the GLBT community has made some progress toward acceptance and eventually equal rights. There's a long way to go, but there is a growing feeling that more opportunities exist for gay and lesbians to have a full, happy life in Alabama. Check out the article to find out why.
May 22, 2006
A Look Inside the "Double Closet"
As many of you know, it can be challenging if you are a GLBT person living in the United States these days. Imagine in this post-9/11 society being Arab-American AND GLBT.
That, folks, in an open invitation for harassment and discrimination in today's America. This story from AlterNet tells the story of a few individuals who are dealing with that on a daily basis.
Of course, it would probably be even tougher back in their families' native lands. There are some horror stories told in this piece about treatment of GLBT people in the Middle East.
The story also tells us about a group named AL-GAMEA that has been started with the goal of acting like a PFLAG organization for Arab-Americans.
They clearly have their work cut out for them.
That, folks, in an open invitation for harassment and discrimination in today's America. This story from AlterNet tells the story of a few individuals who are dealing with that on a daily basis.
Of course, it would probably be even tougher back in their families' native lands. There are some horror stories told in this piece about treatment of GLBT people in the Middle East.
The story also tells us about a group named AL-GAMEA that has been started with the goal of acting like a PFLAG organization for Arab-Americans.
They clearly have their work cut out for them.
June 1: Blogging for LGBT Families Day
I want to let you know about a grass roots blogging event that I will be participating in on June 1. It is called "Blogging for LGBT Familes Day." The event is being driven by the blog "Mombian" (Sustenance for Lesbian Moms) and is designed to raise awareness about LGBT families. You can click through on the link for more background and details.
It's actually very simple--those of you who blog can post an entry on or before June 1 and let the folks over at Mombian know so they can get it linked up. What should you write about? Quoting from Mombian:
"The choice of topic is up to you. If you are part of an LGBT family, and normally blog about your family’s activities, you may simply do so again. You may also choose to write on broader issues of LGBT family rights, acceptance, your personal path to parenthood, being the child of an LGBT family, what you’ve learned from the LGBT family down the street, or anything else that supports the goal above. Regardless, please let me know you’re participating."
If you don't have a blog and still want to participate, you can e-mail me your piece and I'll be glad to post it under your byline, or you can contact Mombian directly.
As part of the event, I'll be sharing a very personal story about my family. I encourage all of my readers to consider participating.
It's actually very simple--those of you who blog can post an entry on or before June 1 and let the folks over at Mombian know so they can get it linked up. What should you write about? Quoting from Mombian:
"The choice of topic is up to you. If you are part of an LGBT family, and normally blog about your family’s activities, you may simply do so again. You may also choose to write on broader issues of LGBT family rights, acceptance, your personal path to parenthood, being the child of an LGBT family, what you’ve learned from the LGBT family down the street, or anything else that supports the goal above. Regardless, please let me know you’re participating."
If you don't have a blog and still want to participate, you can e-mail me your piece and I'll be glad to post it under your byline, or you can contact Mombian directly.
As part of the event, I'll be sharing a very personal story about my family. I encourage all of my readers to consider participating.
May 21, 2006
"The DaVinci Code" Fact vs. Fiction
As far as I know, there aren't any gay folks running around in "The DaVinci Code" movie just released this weekend, but I still wanted to post on it since this blog is ultimately about Jesus Christ.
I have not read the book or seen the movie, so I don't have any great depth to add to the national debate about both, but this column by Dr. R. Albert Mohler does.
Mohler is part of the "fundamentalist" leadership I write about often, usually not in a flattering way. That doesn't mean they are wrong about everything, though, and I felt Dr. Mohler knocked it out of the park with this address he gave regarding "The DaVinci Code." Oddly enough, he was speaking only a few miles away from my home in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Dr. Mohler's talk was very informative and thorough and I think it is definately worth reading if you have any questions at all about the issues raised by this book and/or movie.
Just keep in mind that if you have a choice between what a novel and movie teach about Jesus Christ vs. what the bible says, stick with the bible. The bible shows the path to the Holy Spirit, not Tom Hanks, especially not with that funky haircut.
I have not read the book or seen the movie, so I don't have any great depth to add to the national debate about both, but this column by Dr. R. Albert Mohler does.
Mohler is part of the "fundamentalist" leadership I write about often, usually not in a flattering way. That doesn't mean they are wrong about everything, though, and I felt Dr. Mohler knocked it out of the park with this address he gave regarding "The DaVinci Code." Oddly enough, he was speaking only a few miles away from my home in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Dr. Mohler's talk was very informative and thorough and I think it is definately worth reading if you have any questions at all about the issues raised by this book and/or movie.
Just keep in mind that if you have a choice between what a novel and movie teach about Jesus Christ vs. what the bible says, stick with the bible. The bible shows the path to the Holy Spirit, not Tom Hanks, especially not with that funky haircut.
May 20, 2006
Interview with Equality Maryland's Leader
A GLBT oriented magazine in the Washington, DC area, Metro Weekly, has posted an excellent interview with the head of Equality Maryland, Dan Furmansky.
I am a member of that organization, the leading GLBT advocacy group in the state of Maryland. As you will see in the interview, Equality Maryland has experienced excellent growth in both size and influence during Furmansky's two years as head honcho.
Last fall, I watched him more than hold his own with Fox News blowhard Bill O'Reilly during an interview on O'Reilly's prime-time program. Furmanksy has accomplished a lot at a relatively young age. He's worth getting to know more about.
I am a member of that organization, the leading GLBT advocacy group in the state of Maryland. As you will see in the interview, Equality Maryland has experienced excellent growth in both size and influence during Furmansky's two years as head honcho.
Last fall, I watched him more than hold his own with Fox News blowhard Bill O'Reilly during an interview on O'Reilly's prime-time program. Furmanksy has accomplished a lot at a relatively young age. He's worth getting to know more about.
May 19, 2006
What God Hath Joined Together
If you're a regular visitor here, you know one of my pet peeves (I have several) is people who don't practice what they preach. I had the opportunity to follow my own mantra recently when I not only attended my first same-sex committment ceremony/wedding, I actually played a very small role in it.
In this week's column for Gay Christian Outreach, I share the experience. The evening only strengthed beliefs I have often stated on this blog.
In this week's column for Gay Christian Outreach, I share the experience. The evening only strengthed beliefs I have often stated on this blog.
May 18, 2006
Constitutional Amendment Moves Forward
The U. S. Constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage made it out of committee today in the Senate and will now be debated by the full Senate in June.
It didn't happen without an unusual bit of drama, at least between two straight men. As the hearing was winding down, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) stormed out after exchanging barbs with committee chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania). Specter told Feingold, "If you want to leave, good riddance." Of course, the fact that the hearing was being held in a room approximately the size of a closet may have helped fray nerves. Wouldn't want the voters to see this process at work, would they?
As with most things on Capitol Hill these days, the Judiciary Committee vote was 10-8, strictly along party lines with the Republicans holding the advantage.
The ACLU has set up a page on their web site to make it easy for concerned citizens to contact their congressmen and indicate their opposition to this discriminatory piece of legislation. I would strongly encourage anyone interested in fairness and equality for ALL Americans to click through on the link and make sure their voice is heard.
In a related item, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is still trying to do damage control following his recent interview on The 700 Club. As part of this, he gave an interview to "The Advocate".
While Dean is strongly opposed to this constitutional amendment, he won't take a stand FOR same sex-marriage.
Advocate: "Do you personally support marriage equality for same-sex couples?
Dean: "I’ve never answered that question. What I have said is that I support equal rights under the law for every single American. "
It sounds like the Democrats, or at least their leadership, will play defense and try to avoid additional restrictions to same-sex marriage, but don't count on them trying to help any gay or lesbian couples actually get legally married, at least not at this time.
It didn't happen without an unusual bit of drama, at least between two straight men. As the hearing was winding down, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) stormed out after exchanging barbs with committee chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania). Specter told Feingold, "If you want to leave, good riddance." Of course, the fact that the hearing was being held in a room approximately the size of a closet may have helped fray nerves. Wouldn't want the voters to see this process at work, would they?
As with most things on Capitol Hill these days, the Judiciary Committee vote was 10-8, strictly along party lines with the Republicans holding the advantage.
The ACLU has set up a page on their web site to make it easy for concerned citizens to contact their congressmen and indicate their opposition to this discriminatory piece of legislation. I would strongly encourage anyone interested in fairness and equality for ALL Americans to click through on the link and make sure their voice is heard.
In a related item, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is still trying to do damage control following his recent interview on The 700 Club. As part of this, he gave an interview to "The Advocate".
While Dean is strongly opposed to this constitutional amendment, he won't take a stand FOR same sex-marriage.
Advocate: "Do you personally support marriage equality for same-sex couples?
Dean: "I’ve never answered that question. What I have said is that I support equal rights under the law for every single American. "
It sounds like the Democrats, or at least their leadership, will play defense and try to avoid additional restrictions to same-sex marriage, but don't count on them trying to help any gay or lesbian couples actually get legally married, at least not at this time.
May 17, 2006
Is the HRC Acting as Howard Dean's Lapdogs?
That the question raised by Washington Blade reporter Chris Cain in this piece. Cain's answer to his own question is yes and he does a through job of supporting it.
After Dean's screw-up on The 700 Club program last week, where he misstated the Democrat's 2004 platform position on marriage, the Human Rights Campaign chief Joe Solmonese slammed Dean's "serious lack of leadship" on the issue of same-sex marriage.
This week, however, Solmonese is quoted on the issue in an HRC press release saying "Voters want candidates focused on soaring gas prices, a healthcare crisis and national security, not putting discrimination in the United States Constitution."
As Cain points out in his writeup, this mirrors a release issued earlier the same day by the Democratic National Committee. In that release, the Democrats criticize Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist for ignoring First Lady Larua Bush's suggestion over the weekend that the issue of same-sex marriage not be used as a major campaign issue. The Democrats pointed out, accurately I believe, that the Republicans are using the Federal Marriage Amendment to deflect attention from their own shortcomings as the 2006 elections approach.
Good politics is one thing but, as Cain points out, that strategy is harder to swallow when it is coming from a civil rights advocacy organization. It seems that the HRC's main strategy to oppose the Family Rights Amendment and state issues regarding same-sex marriage is to downplay their importance.
If I'm a gay or lesbian person who has been donating funds to and supporting the HRC expecting them to fight for my right to marry my same-sex partner, I would feel underserved at best and sold out at worst. I know I would want a little better approach than "Nothing to see here, we've all got bigger problems."
After Dean's screw-up on The 700 Club program last week, where he misstated the Democrat's 2004 platform position on marriage, the Human Rights Campaign chief Joe Solmonese slammed Dean's "serious lack of leadship" on the issue of same-sex marriage.
This week, however, Solmonese is quoted on the issue in an HRC press release saying "Voters want candidates focused on soaring gas prices, a healthcare crisis and national security, not putting discrimination in the United States Constitution."
As Cain points out in his writeup, this mirrors a release issued earlier the same day by the Democratic National Committee. In that release, the Democrats criticize Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist for ignoring First Lady Larua Bush's suggestion over the weekend that the issue of same-sex marriage not be used as a major campaign issue. The Democrats pointed out, accurately I believe, that the Republicans are using the Federal Marriage Amendment to deflect attention from their own shortcomings as the 2006 elections approach.
Good politics is one thing but, as Cain points out, that strategy is harder to swallow when it is coming from a civil rights advocacy organization. It seems that the HRC's main strategy to oppose the Family Rights Amendment and state issues regarding same-sex marriage is to downplay their importance.
If I'm a gay or lesbian person who has been donating funds to and supporting the HRC expecting them to fight for my right to marry my same-sex partner, I would feel underserved at best and sold out at worst. I know I would want a little better approach than "Nothing to see here, we've all got bigger problems."
May 16, 2006
"Dear Pat Robertson"
You don't get to see many photos of Rev. Pat Robertson hanging out with gay guys, but this story from The Advocate has one.
This went beyond a funny prank, however. One of the five men in the picture, Andrew Brewer, took the opportunity of their brief connection to write a letter and reach out to Robertson.
The letter is printed in full in The Advocate piece, but here's the part that really struck me:
"The hypocrisy of using his name to marginalize men like us--at times making our lives excruciatingly difficult--while directly and blatantly contradicting his very clear teachings is both bold and unfathomable. "
You'll need to click on the link to see what Brewer was referring to. I bet you'll read it and go "hmmmm."
This went beyond a funny prank, however. One of the five men in the picture, Andrew Brewer, took the opportunity of their brief connection to write a letter and reach out to Robertson.
The letter is printed in full in The Advocate piece, but here's the part that really struck me:
"The hypocrisy of using his name to marginalize men like us--at times making our lives excruciatingly difficult--while directly and blatantly contradicting his very clear teachings is both bold and unfathomable. "
You'll need to click on the link to see what Brewer was referring to. I bet you'll read it and go "hmmmm."
May 14, 2006
Could Gay Acceptance Just Be a Matter of Time?
That question is asked in this week's religion column in the Greensboro (NC) News-Record.
One of several interesting quotes in this column come from the well-known retired Bishop John Shelby Spong. He said, "There has never been a moment in the history of the human race where publicly debated prejudice continued to live." To support this, he cited slavery and rights for women as issues where public debate gradually changed our nation's society. I found that one of the more profound thoughts I have run accross in recent days.
Spong also cited poling data that shows younger people are much more comfortable with homosexuality and equal rights for GLBT people as a sign the tide is turning towards acceptance in mainstream society.
The Rev. Stanley Welch, the president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, sees it much differently. "We have stood together on this issue because it is very clearly biblical doctrine, and that's where other denominations have failed. ... They have allowed the times to dictate their doctrine," said Welch, pastor of Blackwelder Park Baptist Church in Kannapolis. "There's no way those two (same-sex marriage and biblical doctrine) are compatible."
I believe the best we can hope for in my lifetime (I'm 47 years old now) is that voices like Rev. Welch are clearly recoginzed as a minority and given less credence outside their particular circle of influence. That would be a great step forward for the GLBT community to be accepted as a full-fledged member of society.
It would also reduce (although not eliminate) scenes like this described by Rev. Julie Peeples, a Greensboro resident. "I cannot tell you how many people have sat on that couch wanting me to tell them that God doesn't hate them.....It's a real struggle for them to stop the voices they heard growing up."
People can tell you wrong and hateful things, but God is ALWAYS right, ALWAYS loving, and ALWAYS reaching out for us. We just have to ignore those who would tell us otherwise and press in toward Him, allowing His love to heal us and point our lives in the direction He has planned for us.
Many parts of society do not accept homosexual people, but God always has and always will.
One of several interesting quotes in this column come from the well-known retired Bishop John Shelby Spong. He said, "There has never been a moment in the history of the human race where publicly debated prejudice continued to live." To support this, he cited slavery and rights for women as issues where public debate gradually changed our nation's society. I found that one of the more profound thoughts I have run accross in recent days.
Spong also cited poling data that shows younger people are much more comfortable with homosexuality and equal rights for GLBT people as a sign the tide is turning towards acceptance in mainstream society.
The Rev. Stanley Welch, the president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, sees it much differently. "We have stood together on this issue because it is very clearly biblical doctrine, and that's where other denominations have failed. ... They have allowed the times to dictate their doctrine," said Welch, pastor of Blackwelder Park Baptist Church in Kannapolis. "There's no way those two (same-sex marriage and biblical doctrine) are compatible."
I believe the best we can hope for in my lifetime (I'm 47 years old now) is that voices like Rev. Welch are clearly recoginzed as a minority and given less credence outside their particular circle of influence. That would be a great step forward for the GLBT community to be accepted as a full-fledged member of society.
It would also reduce (although not eliminate) scenes like this described by Rev. Julie Peeples, a Greensboro resident. "I cannot tell you how many people have sat on that couch wanting me to tell them that God doesn't hate them.....It's a real struggle for them to stop the voices they heard growing up."
People can tell you wrong and hateful things, but God is ALWAYS right, ALWAYS loving, and ALWAYS reaching out for us. We just have to ignore those who would tell us otherwise and press in toward Him, allowing His love to heal us and point our lives in the direction He has planned for us.
Many parts of society do not accept homosexual people, but God always has and always will.
May 12, 2006
Standing Up For Civil Rights
A few days ago, I wrote about teenager Tully Satre. He writes a blog for The Advocate and shared with his readers the rough time he had been getting from people identifying themselves as Christians. I was delighted how many readers here and from the other blogs that linked to my post joined me in sending him e-mails expressing affirmation and acceptance.
This young man gets it. I ran across his personal blog and a post he made a few weeks ago. Satre showed up at a town meeting with Senator George Allen (R-VA) near his home in Culpeper, Virginia and shares that story in his blog.
Despite a crowd largely friendly towards Allen, Satre took the podium during the Q & A session and engaged in a brief debate about LGBT equality in this nation's civil rights laws. His post goes into some detail about the experience and is worth reading in full.
I post it here to use this as an example of what I was talking about yesterday. More people need to step up to the podium and express to their elected officials that the current restrictions in the legal rights of GLBT people and the move to make that part of the federal and some state constitutions in unacceptable.
If a 16-year old, albeit an exceptional youngster like Satre, can make a stand in front of a crowd full of opponents, I suspect many of us can find a venue to speak out ourselves.
It's not about special rights, it's about equal rights and the prevention of constitutional discrimination.
This young man gets it. I ran across his personal blog and a post he made a few weeks ago. Satre showed up at a town meeting with Senator George Allen (R-VA) near his home in Culpeper, Virginia and shares that story in his blog.
Despite a crowd largely friendly towards Allen, Satre took the podium during the Q & A session and engaged in a brief debate about LGBT equality in this nation's civil rights laws. His post goes into some detail about the experience and is worth reading in full.
I post it here to use this as an example of what I was talking about yesterday. More people need to step up to the podium and express to their elected officials that the current restrictions in the legal rights of GLBT people and the move to make that part of the federal and some state constitutions in unacceptable.
If a 16-year old, albeit an exceptional youngster like Satre, can make a stand in front of a crowd full of opponents, I suspect many of us can find a venue to speak out ourselves.
It's not about special rights, it's about equal rights and the prevention of constitutional discrimination.
With Friends Like This.....
The chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean, says it was a mistake when he threw the GLBT community under the bus in an interview on The 700 Club Wednesday.
During this interview, Dean said "The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says that marriage is between a man and a woman."
Actually, it did not say anything about marriage.
Dean issued the following statement on Thursday, "I misstated the Democratic Party's platform, which does not say that marriage should be limited to a man and a woman but says the party is committed to full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and leaves the issue to the states to decide. The Democratic Party remains committed to equal protection under the law for all Americans. How we achieve that goal continues to be the subject of a contentious debate, but our party continues to oppose constitutional amendments that seek to short-circuit the debate on how to achieve equality for all Americans."
First, let me say I applaud Dean for going into hostile territory to sell the Democratic message, and it doesn't get much more hostile than Pat Robertson's TV show. It is fair to ask, however, if he was pandering to The 700 Club's conservative audience or just made an honest mistake.
It is hard for me to believe that the chairman of a political party could make such a clear mistake on their most recent presidential platform. Could Dean and the Deomcratic leadership believe that they can get away with alternately ignoring and antagonizing their GLBT supporters, taking for granted the fact that they wouldn't vote Republican under any circumstances?
Are they willing to sell out on GLBT issues during campaigns, rationalizing that they need to do whatever is necessary to get elected, then address those concerns?
Is the GLBT community willing to take that chance, supporting Democrats at the polls on faith and as the lesser of the evils compared to Republicans?
There is still time for voters to let their candidates know this is not an acceptable course of action for them to take.
During this interview, Dean said "The Democratic Party platform from 2004 says that marriage is between a man and a woman."
Actually, it did not say anything about marriage.
Dean issued the following statement on Thursday, "I misstated the Democratic Party's platform, which does not say that marriage should be limited to a man and a woman but says the party is committed to full inclusion of gay and lesbian families in the life of our nation and leaves the issue to the states to decide. The Democratic Party remains committed to equal protection under the law for all Americans. How we achieve that goal continues to be the subject of a contentious debate, but our party continues to oppose constitutional amendments that seek to short-circuit the debate on how to achieve equality for all Americans."
First, let me say I applaud Dean for going into hostile territory to sell the Democratic message, and it doesn't get much more hostile than Pat Robertson's TV show. It is fair to ask, however, if he was pandering to The 700 Club's conservative audience or just made an honest mistake.
It is hard for me to believe that the chairman of a political party could make such a clear mistake on their most recent presidential platform. Could Dean and the Deomcratic leadership believe that they can get away with alternately ignoring and antagonizing their GLBT supporters, taking for granted the fact that they wouldn't vote Republican under any circumstances?
Are they willing to sell out on GLBT issues during campaigns, rationalizing that they need to do whatever is necessary to get elected, then address those concerns?
Is the GLBT community willing to take that chance, supporting Democrats at the polls on faith and as the lesser of the evils compared to Republicans?
There is still time for voters to let their candidates know this is not an acceptable course of action for them to take.
May 11, 2006
Pops Says Gay Love is "Weak"
No, I'm not reading between the lines with that headline. In this report from Bloomberg.com, Pope Benedict XVI, speaking at the John Paul II Pontifical Institute, said, "Only the foundation of complete and irrevocable love between man and woman is capable of forming the basis of a society that becomes the home of all men.....''
He added, "confusing marriage with other types of weak love'' should be avoided.
Weak love?!
I bet Apostle Dale and Garrey, partners for 19 years, would be shocked to know their love is weak. With crap like that spouted by one of the most (if not the most) influential religious leaders in the world, it HAS to be strong to survive. Without the legal protections afforded couples like me and my wife Brenda, it CAN'T be weak and last.
I wonder how the Pontiff would classify Brittney Spears' marriage to her friend Jason Alexander. It may have only lasted 55 hours before it was annulled, but since they were a man and a woman and did get married, at least they didn't have the type of weak love that he warned us against.
People who don't know what they are talking about should just keep quiet, even if they are supposed to be "infalible" like the Pope.
He added, "confusing marriage with other types of weak love'' should be avoided.
Weak love?!
I bet Apostle Dale and Garrey, partners for 19 years, would be shocked to know their love is weak. With crap like that spouted by one of the most (if not the most) influential religious leaders in the world, it HAS to be strong to survive. Without the legal protections afforded couples like me and my wife Brenda, it CAN'T be weak and last.
I wonder how the Pontiff would classify Brittney Spears' marriage to her friend Jason Alexander. It may have only lasted 55 hours before it was annulled, but since they were a man and a woman and did get married, at least they didn't have the type of weak love that he warned us against.
People who don't know what they are talking about should just keep quiet, even if they are supposed to be "infalible" like the Pope.
May 10, 2006
Mary Cheney: Stepping Up or Selling Out?
If you ask conservative columnist Andrew Sullivan, she is stepping out. Cheney, the lesbian daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, has written a new book titled "Now It's My Turn," and is making the tour of talk shows promoting it. On ABC's Good Morning America, she strongly opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment and said her father does also. Sullivan wrote on his blog:
"Mary's relationship with her spouse, Heather, is testimony to the endurance and dignity of gay relationships - and their presence in Republican families as well as Democratic ones. Here's a thought: maybe Mary can build on her opposition to the "Marriage Protection Amendment" by agreeing to testify against it when the Senate holds hearings next month. We need you, Mary. Help reclaim the Republican party as the party of freedom, not intolerance. You could make a real difference in humanizing this issue for your own party."
On the other hand, liberal columnist Wayne Besen writes:
"For six long years, Mary Cheney backpedaled from speaking out against Republican attempts to write her out of the Constitution, yet emerged from the musty closet just in time to peddle her new book, which hits stores this week. Cowed Mary now wants to be Proud Mary, but it's too late, for she has already sold us down the river.....she has gathered contempt for her meek attempt to justify her silence. She and her family had a unique opportunity to use the bully pulpit to educate Americans, and they failed miserably."
Besen supports his points in some detail, and his post has attracted numerous comments that are also quite negative toward the Vice President's daughter.
I have not read her book yet, but I think both Sullivan and Besen make good points. Cheney could be a very positive role model and spokesperson for GLBT issues, but I also understand those who resent the fact that she waited until she was selling a book to speak out. It does make one think that at least part of her motivation is to draw attention to herself and her book.
The bottom line, at least in my view, is that the GLBT community would be wise to put resentment aside and welcome Mary Cheney's support. With opposition to GLBT equality so loud and well-financed, any high profile ally, regardless of their motivation, is a good thing.
"Mary's relationship with her spouse, Heather, is testimony to the endurance and dignity of gay relationships - and their presence in Republican families as well as Democratic ones. Here's a thought: maybe Mary can build on her opposition to the "Marriage Protection Amendment" by agreeing to testify against it when the Senate holds hearings next month. We need you, Mary. Help reclaim the Republican party as the party of freedom, not intolerance. You could make a real difference in humanizing this issue for your own party."
On the other hand, liberal columnist Wayne Besen writes:
"For six long years, Mary Cheney backpedaled from speaking out against Republican attempts to write her out of the Constitution, yet emerged from the musty closet just in time to peddle her new book, which hits stores this week. Cowed Mary now wants to be Proud Mary, but it's too late, for she has already sold us down the river.....she has gathered contempt for her meek attempt to justify her silence. She and her family had a unique opportunity to use the bully pulpit to educate Americans, and they failed miserably."
Besen supports his points in some detail, and his post has attracted numerous comments that are also quite negative toward the Vice President's daughter.
I have not read her book yet, but I think both Sullivan and Besen make good points. Cheney could be a very positive role model and spokesperson for GLBT issues, but I also understand those who resent the fact that she waited until she was selling a book to speak out. It does make one think that at least part of her motivation is to draw attention to herself and her book.
The bottom line, at least in my view, is that the GLBT community would be wise to put resentment aside and welcome Mary Cheney's support. With opposition to GLBT equality so loud and well-financed, any high profile ally, regardless of their motivation, is a good thing.
May 09, 2006
Help Out ChristianGays.com
I received this e-mail from a posting in the Yahoo group supporting the site ChristianGays.com.
Dear friends,The enemy is at work! ChristianGays.com has been “hammered” so badly by hackers that they have totally shut down the server and have taken the other forty websites on that server with them.
Jeff has just written:
We have managed to delete your site and the server has come back to life. Not sure where we go from here but, I have a security guy on the case who will give some advice. Possibly we need to move servers as these guys may not be providing us enough security. I'll let you know when I know more but, at least for the foreseeable future, it looks like the site will be down.
Jeff
I have mentioned to you before that Jeff wants to move to a new server (which would also solve our intermittent chat problems) but at this time they just can’t afford it.
If anyone knows anyone with expertise regarding security and hackers on servers, please ask them to contact me at mary@cogeco.ca.
This could be the end of ChristianGays.com unless
1. We find a solution to the security issues, or
2. We find the extra money to move to a new/better server for Jeff (about $100/mo more than what he pays now). It is not an option for me to move to another host for many reasons.
Along with the website went my email address, so from now on, if you need to contact me, please use mary@cogeco.ca. Please pray that God will intervene in this matter if it His will that ChristianGays.com should survive.
Thanks!
God bless,
Mary
ChristianGays.com was one of the first sites that linked to this blog and is a valuable resource for anyone investigating the possibility of being both gay and Christian. If you can help these folks put their site back together, I would strongly encourage you to.
Dear friends,The enemy is at work! ChristianGays.com has been “hammered” so badly by hackers that they have totally shut down the server and have taken the other forty websites on that server with them.
Jeff has just written:
We have managed to delete your site and the server has come back to life. Not sure where we go from here but, I have a security guy on the case who will give some advice. Possibly we need to move servers as these guys may not be providing us enough security. I'll let you know when I know more but, at least for the foreseeable future, it looks like the site will be down.
Jeff
I have mentioned to you before that Jeff wants to move to a new server (which would also solve our intermittent chat problems) but at this time they just can’t afford it.
If anyone knows anyone with expertise regarding security and hackers on servers, please ask them to contact me at mary@cogeco.ca.
This could be the end of ChristianGays.com unless
1. We find a solution to the security issues, or
2. We find the extra money to move to a new/better server for Jeff (about $100/mo more than what he pays now). It is not an option for me to move to another host for many reasons.
Along with the website went my email address, so from now on, if you need to contact me, please use mary@cogeco.ca. Please pray that God will intervene in this matter if it His will that ChristianGays.com should survive.
Thanks!
God bless,
Mary
ChristianGays.com was one of the first sites that linked to this blog and is a valuable resource for anyone investigating the possibility of being both gay and Christian. If you can help these folks put their site back together, I would strongly encourage you to.
"What Was Once a Truly Beautifully Represented Religion"
Those were the indicting words of Tully Satre, a contributor to "The Advocate" and the founder of Equality Fauquier-Culpepper in Virginia. He's also a junior in high school.
Satre received a lot of feedback recently from Christians, none of it good according to him. Here are a couple of the most disturbing quotes from his column:
"I have seen—more often than not—Christians as a people whose sole purpose and mission in life is to “help” people be unaccepting of themselves, give up their own truths, and trade them in for a fake life. "
".....nearly every single letter and act toward me in the name of Christianity or by a Christian person has been hateful, isolating, and completely focused on my “self-destructive actions.”
Satre closes with this:
"I am not asking for an explanation; I am asking for a reason: Why have I not received a single letter from anyone saying they accept me because they are a Christian? "
I know he's received at least one because I sent him an e-mail. I suggest you do the same. Show Tully that God loves him as he is and that he is accepted by Christians who understand that. His e-mail address is tully@efcva.org
Folks, this is what we are up against when we reach out to our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. We've got a lot of work ahead of us. We need to reach out futher because of those who have pushed them away from God.
Satre received a lot of feedback recently from Christians, none of it good according to him. Here are a couple of the most disturbing quotes from his column:
"I have seen—more often than not—Christians as a people whose sole purpose and mission in life is to “help” people be unaccepting of themselves, give up their own truths, and trade them in for a fake life. "
".....nearly every single letter and act toward me in the name of Christianity or by a Christian person has been hateful, isolating, and completely focused on my “self-destructive actions.”
Satre closes with this:
"I am not asking for an explanation; I am asking for a reason: Why have I not received a single letter from anyone saying they accept me because they are a Christian? "
I know he's received at least one because I sent him an e-mail. I suggest you do the same. Show Tully that God loves him as he is and that he is accepted by Christians who understand that. His e-mail address is tully@efcva.org
Folks, this is what we are up against when we reach out to our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. We've got a lot of work ahead of us. We need to reach out futher because of those who have pushed them away from God.
May 08, 2006
Accountability: A World-Wide Problem
I saw this piece about a group that is concerned "about the lack of public accountability on the part of those exercising political and bureaucratic power. Putting a spin on things, rather than speaking the truth, has become the norm."
Sound familiar. It probably does regardless of what part of the world you live in. This particular quote came from a group of Christian leaders in Australia. The writer of this column added "Australians have good reason to be concerned about the lack of public accountability on the part of those exercising political and bureaucratic power. Putting a spin on things, rather than speaking the truth, has become the norm."
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Here in the United States, our nation is led by those who are working to restrict the rights of its citizens while waging a war for the sake of "freedom." They want to legislate adherence to Christian principles while working to make discrimination toward GLBT people a part of the Constitution, the very basis for our laws.
It is time for citizens across the globe to stand firm and hold our leaders accountable. It is time to let them know that their spin needs to be replaced with substance.
It is time to hold those who spew scripture to defend their political positions accountable when their actions go against the teachings of Christ.
It's time to stand firm in our faith for our faith.
Sound familiar. It probably does regardless of what part of the world you live in. This particular quote came from a group of Christian leaders in Australia. The writer of this column added "Australians have good reason to be concerned about the lack of public accountability on the part of those exercising political and bureaucratic power. Putting a spin on things, rather than speaking the truth, has become the norm."
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Here in the United States, our nation is led by those who are working to restrict the rights of its citizens while waging a war for the sake of "freedom." They want to legislate adherence to Christian principles while working to make discrimination toward GLBT people a part of the Constitution, the very basis for our laws.
It is time for citizens across the globe to stand firm and hold our leaders accountable. It is time to let them know that their spin needs to be replaced with substance.
It is time to hold those who spew scripture to defend their political positions accountable when their actions go against the teachings of Christ.
It's time to stand firm in our faith for our faith.
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