The National Black Justice Coalition is sponsoring the upcoming conference "Keeping Pace With God's Grace" in Philadelphia on March 10.
From the press release:
Over three hundred people from across the nation will gather to debate the issue of homosexuality and its role within the Black Church as well as provide solutions on how to create a welcoming and gay-affirming church.
Black iconic intellectuals such as the Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson plus several other religious leaders both anti-gay and gay-affirming will headline the event and facilitate discussion ranging from HIV and the Black Church to debating the legitimacy of scripture referring to homosexuality.
This is one of the few occassions that I am aware of where there will be honest, balanced debate on issues relating to GLBT people and Christianity. Hopefully minds will be open and hearts changed when the word of God is honestly studied, especially at a conference where the African-American community is actively engaged.
February 03, 2007
Speaking Out for Gay Straight Alliances in Utah
The Sale Lake Tribune has an editorial strongly condemning an effort in the Utah state legislature that would effectively ban Gay Straight Alliances in Utah schools.
Given that Utah is hardly a bastion of progressive thought, it's a good sign that the largest newspaper in the state would take such a strong stand on this issue.
Given that Utah is hardly a bastion of progressive thought, it's a good sign that the largest newspaper in the state would take such a strong stand on this issue.
February 02, 2007
Equal Access to School Facilities
As reported by the Christian Post, a federal judge recently ruled that a branch of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes must be allowed the same rights to use school facilities as other non-religious clubs. Good.
"Equal access means equal access, and the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) should not be discriminated against just because they want to have a Christian club," (plaintiff attorney Joel L.) Oster said after the hearing.
Despite the district's claims, Oster said this case was about religious issues.
"The message we want to get out there is that Christians are not second-class citizens," Oster said. "... They are entitled to their views, and they are entitled to free expression of those views."
Now if you substitute the phrase "Gay-Straight Alliance" for "Christian" in these quotes, you truly have equal access. However, the more frequent situation is for school districts to accept these Christian clubs and discriminate against the GSA clubs.
The same rules need to apply to all who wish to access public facilities.
"Equal access means equal access, and the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) should not be discriminated against just because they want to have a Christian club," (plaintiff attorney Joel L.) Oster said after the hearing.
Despite the district's claims, Oster said this case was about religious issues.
"The message we want to get out there is that Christians are not second-class citizens," Oster said. "... They are entitled to their views, and they are entitled to free expression of those views."
Now if you substitute the phrase "Gay-Straight Alliance" for "Christian" in these quotes, you truly have equal access. However, the more frequent situation is for school districts to accept these Christian clubs and discriminate against the GSA clubs.
The same rules need to apply to all who wish to access public facilities.
February 01, 2007
How About More Focus on Saving Heterosexual Marriage?
That's the theme of this op-ed piece in the Madison (Wisconsin) Times.
I've got a suggestion for Julaine Appling and her colleagues at the euphemistically named Family Research Institute of Wisconsin, the state chapter of the organization founded by Christian bomb thrower James Dobson: Quit worrying about homosexual marriage and get to work saving the heterosexual ones.
We don't need same-sex marriage to "destroy" the institution of marriage. Heterosexual couples have done a pretty good job of that already.
Of course, focusing efforts on denying homosexual couples the right to marry draws attention away from that painfully obvious fact, doesn't it? Organizations aren't going to have nearly the same level of success with their fund raising campaigning against divorce, now would they?
I've got a suggestion for Julaine Appling and her colleagues at the euphemistically named Family Research Institute of Wisconsin, the state chapter of the organization founded by Christian bomb thrower James Dobson: Quit worrying about homosexual marriage and get to work saving the heterosexual ones.
We don't need same-sex marriage to "destroy" the institution of marriage. Heterosexual couples have done a pretty good job of that already.
Of course, focusing efforts on denying homosexual couples the right to marry draws attention away from that painfully obvious fact, doesn't it? Organizations aren't going to have nearly the same level of success with their fund raising campaigning against divorce, now would they?
January 31, 2007
Anti-Gay Measures Stirring up GLBT Activists in "Red" States
A while back, I posted about a story telling how anti-gay initiatives in Kansas had stirred up more visible and active support for GLBT equality than had ever been present in the state. According to this report in the Washington Blade, this situation has also developed in numerous so-called "red" states across the Midwest.
“The silver lining from these ballot measures is that they triggered the building of a GLBT movement in these states,” (Equality Federation executive director Toni) Broaddus said. “We may be losing these fights now, but we are building our capacity to grow and build more public support in the long run.”
The fight for equality will not be won in the short-term, but merely having more people engage in the battle pushes the issues closer to resolution.
“The silver lining from these ballot measures is that they triggered the building of a GLBT movement in these states,” (Equality Federation executive director Toni) Broaddus said. “We may be losing these fights now, but we are building our capacity to grow and build more public support in the long run.”
The fight for equality will not be won in the short-term, but merely having more people engage in the battle pushes the issues closer to resolution.
January 30, 2007
Do They Really Need This?
According to this report in the Casper, Wyoming Star-Tribune, a bill has been introduced in the Wyoming state legislature that would void same-sex marriages legally performed in another state or country for couples who moved to Wyoming.
Are there gay and lesbian couples lining up to relocate into Wyoming? Doubtful.
Carrie Evans, state legislative director for the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights group, echoed that: "Surely the Wyoming legislature has real problems to deal with.
"But a co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. Owen Petersen, R-Mountain View, said the measure is extremely important. "In the past 30 years, most of the statistics support the fact that with the loss of marriage and a stable home environment there are more adverse impacts on society with crime and with various other things that cause a deterioration of our whole country," Petersen said.
This representative uses curious logic, because to protect the deterioration of the whole country, he is proposing to do exactly what he says is the cause by dissolving marriages.
Of course, if rules of logic applied to this debate there would be a whole lot less people on the other side.
Are there gay and lesbian couples lining up to relocate into Wyoming? Doubtful.
Carrie Evans, state legislative director for the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights group, echoed that: "Surely the Wyoming legislature has real problems to deal with.
"But a co-sponsor of the bill, Rep. Owen Petersen, R-Mountain View, said the measure is extremely important. "In the past 30 years, most of the statistics support the fact that with the loss of marriage and a stable home environment there are more adverse impacts on society with crime and with various other things that cause a deterioration of our whole country," Petersen said.
This representative uses curious logic, because to protect the deterioration of the whole country, he is proposing to do exactly what he says is the cause by dissolving marriages.
Of course, if rules of logic applied to this debate there would be a whole lot less people on the other side.
January 29, 2007
Equality is Great, But Safety Comes First
GLBT activists and their allies are focused on issues like same-sex marriage, acceptance of gays and lesbians in the church, and the prevention of discrimination. There are more basic issues we can lose sight of, however. One of them is the personal safety of a GLBT person who is out in a hostile environment, like, say, South Dakota.
Here is the story of one such person published in the Washington Blade. While the fight for equal rights is important, let's not lose sight of those who have to deal with concerns for their very survival on a daily basis.
Here is the story of one such person published in the Washington Blade. While the fight for equal rights is important, let's not lose sight of those who have to deal with concerns for their very survival on a daily basis.
January 28, 2007
GLAAD Lobbying For Equality in Wedding Announcements
GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, has been working hard lobbying newspapers to carry announcemtns of same-sex weddings, civil unions, and committment ceremonies. According to this report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, editors at 883 daily newspapers across the United States have agreed to publish these notices.
So far, however, only 319 papers have actually printed them, and GLAAD is now trying to encourage same-sex couples to take advantage of this opportunity and announce themselves to their community. Information is posted in GLAAD's website regarding which newspapers have agreed to participate.
If you are part of a couple that is stepping forward and making a committment to each other, please allow me to encourage you to make this public declaration and let everyone know just how serious you are.
So far, however, only 319 papers have actually printed them, and GLAAD is now trying to encourage same-sex couples to take advantage of this opportunity and announce themselves to their community. Information is posted in GLAAD's website regarding which newspapers have agreed to participate.
If you are part of a couple that is stepping forward and making a committment to each other, please allow me to encourage you to make this public declaration and let everyone know just how serious you are.
January 27, 2007
New Hampshire Considering Regulating Church Weddings
When campaigning against legalizing same-sex marriage, one of the points the right wing likes to use is the fear that this legistlation would force churches whose doctrine does not believe in this right to perform these ceremonies anyway.
There is legislation under consideration in New Hampshire that takes just the opposite approach. According to this report in the Concord Monitor, this law would require wedding ceremonies within churches to comply with current state laws. In other words, until same-sex marriage would be legalized in the state, a church would not be allowed to hold a committment ceremony.
Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be a lot of support for this, but it just shows how far some people are willing to go to discriminate against GLBT people. Hopefully the legislators in New Hampshire won't let it happen.
There is legislation under consideration in New Hampshire that takes just the opposite approach. According to this report in the Concord Monitor, this law would require wedding ceremonies within churches to comply with current state laws. In other words, until same-sex marriage would be legalized in the state, a church would not be allowed to hold a committment ceremony.
Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be a lot of support for this, but it just shows how far some people are willing to go to discriminate against GLBT people. Hopefully the legislators in New Hampshire won't let it happen.
January 26, 2007
Not a Redefinition, Just Equal Access
That's the arguement that Dan Furmansky, executive director of Equality Maryland, makes about same-sex marriage in an op-ed piece for The Gazette, a group of local weekly newspapers in the DC suburbs of Maryland.
One of the primary arguements used against this is the alleged redefinition of marriage this would cause. As Furmansky points out:
".....all gays and lesbians — simply seek access to a universally recognized legal institution that will create stability and peace of mind for our families. More importantly, we seek to share in the joy and commitment that should be the hallmark of any loving relationship.
Same-sex couples express love in the same ways straight couples do. We bring our loved ones chicken soup when they sneeze. We listen intently when they complain about work. We look for ways to make them happy, with a gesture, with a card, with a kiss. We let them have the remote control — sometimes. We try to make them laugh, and we cook their favorite foods for their birthdays. We make homes together, build families together, and keep each other warm at night.
Allowing us to marry legally is just plain fair. No one chooses to be gay or lesbian, and being gay or lesbian is not a moral deficiency. Now, as the dark cloud of the closet that steals our souls is lifted for more and more of us, more Americans are understanding that ending discrimination against gays and lesbians means ending discrimination in marriage."
It's important to emphasize that no straight people would be harmed in the passing of these laws.
One of the primary arguements used against this is the alleged redefinition of marriage this would cause. As Furmansky points out:
".....all gays and lesbians — simply seek access to a universally recognized legal institution that will create stability and peace of mind for our families. More importantly, we seek to share in the joy and commitment that should be the hallmark of any loving relationship.
Same-sex couples express love in the same ways straight couples do. We bring our loved ones chicken soup when they sneeze. We listen intently when they complain about work. We look for ways to make them happy, with a gesture, with a card, with a kiss. We let them have the remote control — sometimes. We try to make them laugh, and we cook their favorite foods for their birthdays. We make homes together, build families together, and keep each other warm at night.
Allowing us to marry legally is just plain fair. No one chooses to be gay or lesbian, and being gay or lesbian is not a moral deficiency. Now, as the dark cloud of the closet that steals our souls is lifted for more and more of us, more Americans are understanding that ending discrimination against gays and lesbians means ending discrimination in marriage."
It's important to emphasize that no straight people would be harmed in the passing of these laws.
January 25, 2007
Keeping Religion Out of Politics--On Both Sides of the Isle
I've frequently written here about why I believe the insertion of the religious right into the political arena has corrupted both parts of society. In this entry on the Washington Post blog "On Faith," writer Susan Jacoby points out the need for the emerging religous left not to follow the same path. I couldn't agree more.
I would be hypocrytical if I endorsed the idea of democrats inserting their religious views into policy making simply because I might agree with them. I have maintained my issue is as much with the blurring of the line between church and state as it is the specific policies the right wing has shoved down America's throats over the past few years.
Ms. Jacoby writes:
I believe, after years of nauseating sanctimony from Christian soldiers in government, that this nation is hungry for candidates who speak about morality in an inclusionary rather than an exclusionary way--who appeal to and for a public and a civic morality that can be subscribed to by Americans of any or no religious belief.
No group of people has been more victimized by this than the GLBT community. It clearly needs to stop, but this country desperately needs a balance to be struck and not for the pendulum to swing just as far the other way.
I would be hypocrytical if I endorsed the idea of democrats inserting their religious views into policy making simply because I might agree with them. I have maintained my issue is as much with the blurring of the line between church and state as it is the specific policies the right wing has shoved down America's throats over the past few years.
Ms. Jacoby writes:
I believe, after years of nauseating sanctimony from Christian soldiers in government, that this nation is hungry for candidates who speak about morality in an inclusionary rather than an exclusionary way--who appeal to and for a public and a civic morality that can be subscribed to by Americans of any or no religious belief.
No group of people has been more victimized by this than the GLBT community. It clearly needs to stop, but this country desperately needs a balance to be struck and not for the pendulum to swing just as far the other way.
January 24, 2007
Get Out and Lobby!
This is the time of year that state legislatures all across the nation are conveining and considering legislation. There are still states that are entertaining constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage, while others are considering progressive initiatives that would insure equal rights in the workplace and other areas of society and establish harsher penalties for hate crimes committed against GLBT people.
My point is that this is the time for the GLBT community and its allies to stand up and have their voices heard. There are many state and local organizations that adovcate for GLBT issues like the one in my home state, Equality Maryland, which will have their annual lobby day in the state capitol of Annapolis on February 12.
I participated in last year's event, the first time I had ever done anything like that. I was proud to represent a cause I deeply believe in and will do so again next month.
I believe you 'll feel the same way if you join the voices speaking out for equality.
My point is that this is the time for the GLBT community and its allies to stand up and have their voices heard. There are many state and local organizations that adovcate for GLBT issues like the one in my home state, Equality Maryland, which will have their annual lobby day in the state capitol of Annapolis on February 12.
I participated in last year's event, the first time I had ever done anything like that. I was proud to represent a cause I deeply believe in and will do so again next month.
I believe you 'll feel the same way if you join the voices speaking out for equality.
January 23, 2007
Connecticut Newspaper Comes Out For Same-Sex Marriage
The Hartford Courant, the most influential newspaper in Connecticut, has published an editorial taking a very strong stance in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. Here is an excerpt:
Connecticut can be proud that it took a step toward ending this discrimination by granting gay and lesbian couples the right to form civil unions, the first state to do so without pressure from the courts. Now, it is time to continue the conversation with a goal of making same-sex marriage a reality.
The editorial makes the case for the significance of the difference between a civil union and marriage. Mirroring the way a lot of folks in New Jersey felt following the recent legalization of civil unions in that state, the Courant points out how a civil union is somewhat of a second class version of marriage. The newspaper states, and I wholeheartedly agree, that GLBT people deserve to stand with their heterosexual counterparts and enjoy the fullness of marriage in every aspect.
Connecticut can be proud that it took a step toward ending this discrimination by granting gay and lesbian couples the right to form civil unions, the first state to do so without pressure from the courts. Now, it is time to continue the conversation with a goal of making same-sex marriage a reality.
The editorial makes the case for the significance of the difference between a civil union and marriage. Mirroring the way a lot of folks in New Jersey felt following the recent legalization of civil unions in that state, the Courant points out how a civil union is somewhat of a second class version of marriage. The newspaper states, and I wholeheartedly agree, that GLBT people deserve to stand with their heterosexual counterparts and enjoy the fullness of marriage in every aspect.
January 22, 2007
"Whose Side Is God On, Anyway?"
This is a theme I post on periodically, but I don't think it can be emphasized often enough. In recent years, the religious right has hammered home their version of what God wants our society and laws to be and condemning as ungodly any people who hold different views.
An editorial in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel written by O. Ricardo Pimentel questions that approach:
Let's see. When God is on your side, who precisely is on the other side? See what I mean?
Implicit in these circumstances is that the other side is anti-God, though there are thankfully those in the faith movements who have far more ecumenical views about this.
My own view is that the Bible is a handy tool if it is viewed in the context of what in it is contingent and what is coherent.
In other words, stoning adulterers and a host of other practices and beliefs were contingent on a set of circumstances in a distinct culture and historical period.
No one is advocating we do these things today.
But virtues like kindness, charity, peace and justice are coherent throughout the Bible, not limited to any particular culture or era.
There's more good stuff in the column, including the concept of making value decisions with an open mind.
Now there's an idea that is timeless.
An editorial in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel written by O. Ricardo Pimentel questions that approach:
Let's see. When God is on your side, who precisely is on the other side? See what I mean?
Implicit in these circumstances is that the other side is anti-God, though there are thankfully those in the faith movements who have far more ecumenical views about this.
My own view is that the Bible is a handy tool if it is viewed in the context of what in it is contingent and what is coherent.
In other words, stoning adulterers and a host of other practices and beliefs were contingent on a set of circumstances in a distinct culture and historical period.
No one is advocating we do these things today.
But virtues like kindness, charity, peace and justice are coherent throughout the Bible, not limited to any particular culture or era.
There's more good stuff in the column, including the concept of making value decisions with an open mind.
Now there's an idea that is timeless.
January 21, 2007
Same-Sex Unions NOT Destroying Marriage in Canada
Don't take my word for it, though. This report provided by Equal Marriage Canada has the statistics that show the institution of marriage is STRONGER, not weaker, since same-sex marriages were legalized in that nation. The conclusion is:
Rather than undermining marriage as opponents of equality make in their extreme and bizarre hysteria, the arrival of gays and lesbians, and their children, in the institute has given a new breath of life to what would have been an otherwise diminished year in Canada for marriage.
That's worth keeping in mind the next time you hear a dose of the right-wing hysteria in this nation about how same-sex marriage in the United States.
Rather than undermining marriage as opponents of equality make in their extreme and bizarre hysteria, the arrival of gays and lesbians, and their children, in the institute has given a new breath of life to what would have been an otherwise diminished year in Canada for marriage.
That's worth keeping in mind the next time you hear a dose of the right-wing hysteria in this nation about how same-sex marriage in the United States.
January 20, 2007
Exodus Has a New Branch in Texas
B. Joe Cline, a 75-year old grandfather, has started Lighthouse Freedom Ministry in Waco Texas. He has announced the ministry with billboards near interestate highways in Waco and the Houston area that has messages like, "I questioned homosexuality. Change is possible. Discover how."
Sadly, there will be homosexuals who have been browbeaten by their churches and/or family and grown to hate themselves enough to drive them to Cline's "ministry." This from the report in the Waco Tribune:
The Rev. Charley Garrison, pastor of the gay-friendly Central Texas Metropolitan Community Church From the Heart, said he was relieved to hear from a reporter that Cline’s ministry is not geared toward those who are comfortable with their orientation, only those who want to change it.
“Because that means I won’t have to worry about him picketing my church or supporting others to do the same,” Garrison said. “You see, we worship a God who loves unconditionally, with no strings attached.”
Central Texas MCC is part of the almost 40-year-old gay-friendly Christian denomination founded because so many churches rejected homosexual worshippers.
“Unfortunately, there are people who claim to speak on behalf of Jesus Christ, when in fact, our Savior had nothing to say about homosexuality. However, Jesus did condemn those people who have a predisposition to point out the speck in other people’s eyes when there is a log in their own (Matthew 7:1-5) ,” Garrison said.
Very well stated Rev. Garrison.
Sadly, there will be homosexuals who have been browbeaten by their churches and/or family and grown to hate themselves enough to drive them to Cline's "ministry." This from the report in the Waco Tribune:
The Rev. Charley Garrison, pastor of the gay-friendly Central Texas Metropolitan Community Church From the Heart, said he was relieved to hear from a reporter that Cline’s ministry is not geared toward those who are comfortable with their orientation, only those who want to change it.
“Because that means I won’t have to worry about him picketing my church or supporting others to do the same,” Garrison said. “You see, we worship a God who loves unconditionally, with no strings attached.”
Central Texas MCC is part of the almost 40-year-old gay-friendly Christian denomination founded because so many churches rejected homosexual worshippers.
“Unfortunately, there are people who claim to speak on behalf of Jesus Christ, when in fact, our Savior had nothing to say about homosexuality. However, Jesus did condemn those people who have a predisposition to point out the speck in other people’s eyes when there is a log in their own (Matthew 7:1-5) ,” Garrison said.
Very well stated Rev. Garrison.
January 19, 2007
Seminary To Host Transgender Conference
From Beliefnet.com:
BERKELEY, Calif. (RNS) The first Transgender Religious Summit to be held at a Christian seminary will bring together 50 activists, transgender members of faith communities, academics and religious leaders this weekend (Jan. 19-21) at the Pacific School of Religion here.
"Transgender people are emerging from the spiritual closet," said Justin Tanis, program manager for the National Center for Transgender Equality, a Washington-based advocacy group that is co-sponsoring the summit with the seminary's Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry.
The summit is designed to create dialogue among transgender people and their allies in faith communities who are concerned with human rights and social justice issues. Tanis said the program will empower people to speak about transgender matters in churches and the public sphere. Participants come from Jewish, Christian, Buddhist and pagan faith communities.
"Something like this conference would have been unheard of 12 years ago," said the Rev. Erin Swenson, a transgender Presbyterian pastoral counselor.
Organizers said the transgender community is gaining momentum and is organizing itself as a movement. In addition, more religious communities are realizing that transgender people are part of their congregations, Swenson said.
Response, however, has been mixed. In 2003, the Catholic Church banned transgender people from religious orders while Unitarian Universalists and the United Church of Christ have begun ordaining transgender ministers. Swenson said transgender people have many gifts to offer to their congregations and society at large. She said these gifts include having a deep sense of personal integrity and an ability to be honest about who they are.
Transgender people also can help faith communities emphasize love, self-respect and human dignity as "central core values."
While conservative religious groups have opposed steps to protect against gender discrimination, none were invited to the summit. Tanis, however, said dialogue between transgender people of faith and conservative groups is a "worthy goal."
BERKELEY, Calif. (RNS) The first Transgender Religious Summit to be held at a Christian seminary will bring together 50 activists, transgender members of faith communities, academics and religious leaders this weekend (Jan. 19-21) at the Pacific School of Religion here.
"Transgender people are emerging from the spiritual closet," said Justin Tanis, program manager for the National Center for Transgender Equality, a Washington-based advocacy group that is co-sponsoring the summit with the seminary's Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry.
The summit is designed to create dialogue among transgender people and their allies in faith communities who are concerned with human rights and social justice issues. Tanis said the program will empower people to speak about transgender matters in churches and the public sphere. Participants come from Jewish, Christian, Buddhist and pagan faith communities.
"Something like this conference would have been unheard of 12 years ago," said the Rev. Erin Swenson, a transgender Presbyterian pastoral counselor.
Organizers said the transgender community is gaining momentum and is organizing itself as a movement. In addition, more religious communities are realizing that transgender people are part of their congregations, Swenson said.
Response, however, has been mixed. In 2003, the Catholic Church banned transgender people from religious orders while Unitarian Universalists and the United Church of Christ have begun ordaining transgender ministers. Swenson said transgender people have many gifts to offer to their congregations and society at large. She said these gifts include having a deep sense of personal integrity and an ability to be honest about who they are.
Transgender people also can help faith communities emphasize love, self-respect and human dignity as "central core values."
While conservative religious groups have opposed steps to protect against gender discrimination, none were invited to the summit. Tanis, however, said dialogue between transgender people of faith and conservative groups is a "worthy goal."
January 17, 2007
"A Dangerous Fraud"
Wayne Besen continues to reveal the manipulative lies so often propigated by "ex-gay ministries." His latest piece tells this story:
The anti-gay gro ups, the American Family Association and Americans for Truth should be immediately shut down for committing wanton and craven acts of fraud. They are unabashed con artists duping their own members by selling a product both groups have admitted was misleading.
The first question tactics like this bring to mind is, why do aleged Christain organizations, especially one with the word truth in its name, have to lie to influence people? I believe the answer is because what they are trying to sell is itself a lie.
What twisted version of Christianity do these folks subscribe to, then? Or is that description just another lie to gain influence and relieve people of their money?
How do you think God feels about that? I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that one--he's pissed!
The anti-gay gro ups, the American Family Association and Americans for Truth should be immediately shut down for committing wanton and craven acts of fraud. They are unabashed con artists duping their own members by selling a product both groups have admitted was misleading.
The first question tactics like this bring to mind is, why do aleged Christain organizations, especially one with the word truth in its name, have to lie to influence people? I believe the answer is because what they are trying to sell is itself a lie.
What twisted version of Christianity do these folks subscribe to, then? Or is that description just another lie to gain influence and relieve people of their money?
How do you think God feels about that? I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that one--he's pissed!
January 16, 2007
Seminars on Civil Unions in New Jersey
Garden State Equality, a GLBT advocacy group in New Jersey, is offering two seminars to help people understand all of the legal implications of the new legislation passed in the state legalizing same-sex civil unions.
The first one will be held on January 23 at 7:oo PM at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick. The seminar is free, but you must call 1-800-FREE-LAW to register or ask any questions.
For those New Jersey citizens unable to attend the seminar on the 23rd, Lambada Legal is offering a conference call on February 6th at 7:00 PM.
Please check the Garden State Equality website for more information. Please remember the information pertains only to the state of New Jersey.
The first one will be held on January 23 at 7:oo PM at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick. The seminar is free, but you must call 1-800-FREE-LAW to register or ask any questions.
For those New Jersey citizens unable to attend the seminar on the 23rd, Lambada Legal is offering a conference call on February 6th at 7:00 PM.
Please check the Garden State Equality website for more information. Please remember the information pertains only to the state of New Jersey.
"Wide Berth Allowed on Teaching About Homosexuality"
Montgomery County, Maryland (where I live) is moving forward this spring with field tests of a new sex education cirriculum that introduces students to sexual orientation and transgenderism in grade eight and ten. Since the teaching will not be an outright condemnation, there are legal challenges already in the works.
Congratulations to the school board for having the courage to take this step forward, and the activist group "Teach The Facts" that has tirelessly lobbied and made this progress forward. They still have a lot of work ahead of them as this cirriculum is rolled out, but I'm proud to live in one of the more progressive counties in the nation.
Here is the Washington Post article on this development.
Congratulations to the school board for having the courage to take this step forward, and the activist group "Teach The Facts" that has tirelessly lobbied and made this progress forward. They still have a lot of work ahead of them as this cirriculum is rolled out, but I'm proud to live in one of the more progressive counties in the nation.
Here is the Washington Post article on this development.
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