Hunger Games' Josh Hutcherson Speaks Against Homophobia At L.A. High School

 

Josh Hutcherson, star of The Hunger Games, took a break from his promotional duties to speak with the Gay Straight Alliance at a Los Angeles high school, reports Celebuzz.

The 19-year-old actor, who plays Peeta in the highly anticipated movie franchise, is reported to have made a surprise appearance at a high school in South Central Los Angeles. Hutcherson, who is closely associated the the anitbullying organization Straight But Not Narrow, spoke with the Gay Straight Alliance about the importance of straight allies for gay youth.


 

Catholic Diocese Defunds Homeless Group Over Director’s Gay Marriage Views

 

The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento has decided to stop funding a nonprofit agency that serves homeless people because its director made statements in support of same-sex marriage and abortion rights.
The Sacramento Bee reports that the diocese’s head of social services sent a letter last month to the Rev. Faith Whitmore, the director of Francis House, to say that her public statements clashed with Church teaching. The letter said it would be “impossible for the diocese to continue funding Francis House" in its annual Catholic Appeal specifically because of Whitmore’s involvement.

Whitmore, a United Methodist minister, took over the directorship of Francis House last April. She married same-sex couples in defiance of her denomination in 2008, during the time such marriages could legally be performed under California law, and she has publicly expressed support for abortion. However, she maintains that she held those positions as an individual, and never as a representative of Francis House. The nonprofit’s board of directors backs Whitmore.

Complicating matters somewhat, Francis House is nondenominational and no longer part of the Church in which it was founded. A spokesman for the diocese said there was a concern that some parishioners still perceive Francis House as a Catholic charity, which could lead to complaints about the fundraising, although he was unaware of any concerns raised by parishioners at this time.

According to the Bee, Francis House is one of the largest agencies serving the homeless in the Sacramento region, with upwards of 25,000 clients and an annual budget of around $500,000. The diocese has contributed between $7,5000 to $10,000 to the agency every year for at least two decades, a significant amount in a struggling economy.

Who isn't talking about Kirk Cameron? Now 'The View'

George Takei Calmly Eviscerates Anti-Gay Tennessee Lawmakers in New 'Fireside Chat'

Tennessee Lawmakers: We Need To Chat from Allegiance - A New Musical on Vimeo.

Fox News On Gas Prices In 2008

Following GOP strategy, Fox News is again blaming the Obama Administration for rising gas prices -- a claim that has been repeatedly debunked by energy analysts. But back in the summer of 2008 when the average U.S. gasoline price hit a record high of $4.11, Fox said that "no President has the power to increase or to lower gas prices" and the only way to reduce our vulnerability to gas price spikes is to use less oil.

What People Are Saying About HRC’s Incoming President, Chad Griffin

HRC has chosen Chad Griffin as its new president, the talking heads have been weighing in with their opinions. And they’re almost universally positive, with Griffin being praised as a fresh face and a strong choice for the job.

HuffPo Gay Voices editor Michelangelo Signorile is a strong contender for the “Most Glowing Praise” prize:

The choice of Griffin was an inspired, bold, and ultimately necessary move for a group that was becoming increasingly irrelevant and even counterproductive in the eyes of many in the broader LGBT activist community. It’s not inaccurate to say that while HRC certainly has its many supporters and has done critical work, many have viewed the group for years, rightly or wrong, as a lackey to the Democratic establishment and the Obama administration.

GLAAD’s acting president, Mike Thompson, took a break from blasting Kirk Cameron to chime in:

Chad has led LGBT families to new levels of visibility through his work at the American Foundation for Equal Rights. His commitment to all members of our community and proven track record of advancing LGBT issues are instrumental assets to our movement. We look forward to continue working with HRC and with Chad as partners in the march to equality.

David Boies, who helped defeat Prop 8 in Perry vs. Schwarzenegger:

Time after time over the past several years, Chad has proven that he is easily one of the most skilled strategists and tacticians in American politics today. That is a rare combination of skill sets for one person to have. His diplomacy, his intellect and his passion for issues of equality are second to none. I cannot think of a better person to lead HRC into the future.

Meanwhile activist Michael Petrelis gave Griffin something of a backhanded compliment:

Chad is cool and a damn fine strategist; however, the Human Rights Campaign still sucks. It will take more than a new executive director with great qualifications to undo the decades of waste, political laziness and hardcore elitism.”

Transvaginal Ultrasound Margaritas & Republican Salsa

Kirk Cameron Responds to Criticism, Says Gay Friends Support Him

Kirk Cameron has responded to critics of his antigay remarks, saying he spoke honestly and has been encouraged by the support he's received from friends, including gay people.

Last week Cameron told talk show host Piers Morgan that he thinks homosexuality is "unnatural. I think that it's detrimental and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization." The remarks created an immediate uproar among equality advocates, and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation quickly took action, creating a page for people to express their disapproval.

The sometime actor sent an exclusive statement to ABCNews.com today, to reply to his critics. “I spoke as honestly as I could, but some people believe my responses were not loving toward those in the gay community," Cameron says. "That is not true. I can assuredly say that it’s my life’s mission to love all people. I should be able to express moral views on social issues, especially those that have been the underpinning of Western civilization for 2,000 years — without being slandered, accused of hate speech, and told from those who preach ‘tolerance’ that I need to either bend my beliefs to their moral standards or be silent when I’m in the public square.”

Cameron adds, “I believe we need to learn how to debate these things with greater love and respect. I’ve been encouraged by the support of many friends (including gay friends, incidentally).”

LGBT advocate Randy Roberts Potts, who is grandson of the late televangelist, Oral Roberts, has released a statement to Cameron’s response, saying, “Increasingly, Christians understand that loving their gay and lesbian family and friends means supporting them and advocating for protections for their families. Kirk may feel that he is defending the ‘underpinning of Western civilization’ through his words, but in reality they are harming those whom he claims to love. I hope that he will continue to study and pray on how he can demonstrate true Christian love toward gay and lesbian people.”

Piers Morgan was interviewed by website TMZ and asked if he considers Cameron's opinions outdated."I think he was pretty brave to say what he said," Morgan replied. "Many would argue [it's] an antiquated view."

Gold, who played Cameron's sister in the hit sitcom Growing Pains, immediately distanced herself from her former costar's derogatory comments, tweeting, "I am a strong supporter of the #LGBT Community, and I believe in equal rights for all. #NOH8 #LOVE"

Actor Baldwin, who describes himself as a "Jesus freak" in his Twitter profile, appears to be the only celebrity who is publicly defending Cameron. Baldwin tweeted, "GREAT JOB Kirk !!! Let's pray one day Piers Morgan finds true Salvation, God Bless!"

GCB star Kristin Chenoweth, a 2011 GLAAD Media Award winner, gave an interview to ABC in which she discussed being a Christian who supports LGBT equality. "The Bible tells us that we're not supposed to judge, and people shouldn't judge before seeing the show," Chenoweth says. "Even as a young child, I thought, 'Why is being gay bad?’ I didn't understand it. So I asked my grandma, who is the best Christian I ever knew. I'd say, 'What about my friend Denny, he's gay, is he going to hell?' She told me, 'I read the Bible like I eat fish. I take the meat that serves me well, but I don't choke on the bone.'"

Statements released by other celebrities in response to Cameron's remarks:

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, actor
"The only unnatural thing about me being gay is that I had a crush on Kirk Cameron until about 24 hours ago."

Alan Thicke, actor
"I'm getting him some new books. The Old Testament simply can't be expected to explain everything."

Sarah Colonna, comedian
"Wish I could go to the 80s & un-buy that Kirk Cameron poster. Loving God but spreading hate has never made sense to me."

Jordan Knight, musician
"Ted Haggard vehemently opposed gays as well. Wonder why? He couldn’t accept himself ... in my opinion. #justsayin"

Debra Messing
"I want to thank Piers Morgan for his response to what he wud say to HIS child if (s)he came out: "Great, as long as you’re happy."

Nick Stadler, comedian
"Amazing how many idiots feel empowered by Kirk Cameron. It'll be even better after he's caught sucking [expletive] in a public toilet."

Zach Braff, actor
"If Kirk Cameron hates gay people, why was he best friends with Boner?"

Tony Tripoli, comedian
"I now blame Kirk Cameron for poor Tracy Gold's eating issues. He's made ME want to puke all day, too."

Matt Doyle, actor
"Sad shame about Kirk Cameron. Takes some serious fear and insecurity to make hateful comments about things that have nothing to do with you."

Billy Eichner, comedian
"So great to hear what Kirk Cameron thinks about gay people. Anybody know where Tina Yothers stands on the death penalty?"

Josh Charles, actor
"I know Growing Pains was only a TV show, but I have to think both Alan Thicke & Joanna Kerns must feel they failed as parents tonight."

Christopher Rice, novelist
"Kirk Cameron says marriage was defined by God in the Garden of Eden. No response from Cameron on why the world isn't full of talking snakes."

Roseanne Barr, actress-comedian
"Kirk or Kurt or whatever Cameron is an accomplice to murder with his hate speech. so is Rick Warren. Their peers r killing gays in Uganda."

Craig Ferguson, talk show host
"Rush makes me ashamed to be a middleaged white man and Kirk Cameron makes me ashamed to be a failed actor. We don't all think like that NoH8."

Kirk Cameron's Remarks Might Impact LGBT Teen Suicide Rate

During today's episode of CBS's The Talk, Sara Gilbert suggests that the antigay remarks made by Kirk Cameron could have a negative effect on kids who are confused about their sexual orientation, while La Toya Jackson says people who love each other should be respected.

Gilbert, herself a teen actress on the sitcom Roseanne, first jokes that "the tragedy of this is that Growing Pains will never be the same to me."

The actress then drives home the potentially serious consequences of Cameron's antigay rhetoric. “You really have to think about who you are hurting ... the kids out there who aren’t OK with who they are," Gilbert says. "In lesbian, gay, and transgender youth, the suicide attempt rate is 30 to 40 percent, and those kids hearing that message. ... He just needs to think about that. And when he’s saying we’re taking apart foundations in society, I would argue that there is no one who fights for marriage more than gay people.”

La Toya Jackson says that, although she was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, her eyes were opened when she left the religion, which disapproves of homosexuality, in her late 20s. "[Cameron] is sending the wrong message to children," Jackson says. "We need to try to get along as much as possible."

22 Senate Democrats back marriage equality in party platform

A campaign to add support for marriage equality to the Democratic Party platform has gainedthe support of 22 members of the U.S. Senate, according to the Washington Blade. “Two people who want to enter into a lovingcommitted relationship should be afforded the same legally recognized rights and benefits Ienjoy with my wife,” Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said in a statement. While the campaignhas gained other high-profile supporters, it’s unclear whether the issue will make it into the partyplatform, which has traditionally opposed anti-LGBT initiatives while stopping short of offering outright support for LGBT causes such as marriage equality

'He Is A Terrible Person'

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U.S. Fired 5,000 Gays in 1953 'Witch Hunt'

Joan Cassidy, 84, has the U.S. Navy in her blood. Her father and mother, a proud Yeomanette, served active duty in World War I. Her brother and sister were in World War II.

By 1953, Lt. j.g. Cassidy, then 26, was head of a Navy intelligence division with highest-level security clearances.

But while serving in Pearl Harbor, she resigned from a promising career and joined the Navy Reserve, forced to throw away her dreams because she was a lesbian.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower that year declared homosexuals a threat to national security and ordered the immediate firing of every gay man and lesbian working for the U.S. government.

Prop 8 Engaged New Generation of Activists

In the hours after the passage of California’s voter-approved ban on marriage for same-sex couples, thousands of people marched down Santa Monica and Sunset Boulevards in West Hollywood to express their outrage. Others in neighboring Los Angeles, New York City and other cities across the country took part in similar protests.

Did Proposition 8 inspire a new generation of LGBT activists to fight for LGBT rights?

"When Prop 8 passed, at least here in California, a whole new group of activists were born because they felt the sting of discrimination and that’s often what it takes," said West Hollywood Mayor John Duran during a Feb. 27 interview at a Starbucks along Santa Monica Boulevard.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams faces defeat on gay deal

The Church of England is facing a damaging rift over the appointment of gay bishops.

 

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has given his backing to a deal intended to prevent a split between the Church’s traditionalist and liberal wings, by effectively preventing openly gay clergy from becoming bishops.

 

However, last night the proposed Anglican Covenant stood on the brink of failure, after worshippers and clergy rejected it in votes up and down England. Two bishops voted against it.

Supporters of Dr Williams said that a defeat would be a “devastating” blow to him after he staked so much of his authority on the Covenant.

When Dr Williams unveiled the document in 2010, he urged the church to endorse it or risk seeing the “piece-by-piece dissolution” of the Anglican Communion.

The Bishop of Sherborne, the Rt Rev Dr Graham Kings, warned that rejection of the Covenant would cause the worldwide church to “disintegrate”, and added: “Rowan Williams has put his whole weight behind this ... For anyone in his position it would be devastating [if it failed].”

In 2003, a split in the church emerged when Gene Robinson was appointed as the first openly gay Anglican bishop, elected by the liberal-leaning Episcopal Church in the US.

Conservative clergy, including Anglican leaders in Africa, protested against the move, leading Dr Williams to set up a commission to find ways to heal the divisions.

The 2004 Windsor Report recommended that ties between Anglican churches around the world should be made “explicit and forceful”.

The Covenant, drafted in 2009, does not deal explicitly with the question of gay bishops, but says branches should take into account the views of the wider Anglican church when doing anything that “may provoke controversy”.

Under the proposed regime, a branch of the church that breached the rules could suffer sanctions, including suspension from Church bodies.

Branches of the Anglican church around the world are considering whether the Covenant should be adopted.

In the Church of England it requires the approval of a majority of the 44 dioceses in order to proceed to a final vote at the General Synod.

However, by last night, 13 dioceses had voted against it, with only eight in favour. More votes will be held in coming weeks. Opposition is being led by figures on the Church’s liberal wing. They say the Covenant would penalise branches of the Church which have adopted liberal positions.

Dr Kings said: “If we don’t pass the Covenant we will disintegrate into a vortex of more splits and more fragmentation. It’s between increasing fragmentation or intensifying our relationships - that’s the choice.

“The ridiculous situation we could be in if it doesn’t go through the dioceses is that the Communion could agree to the Covenant while the Church of England doesn’t.”

Another supporter, the Rt Rev Robert Paterson, Bishop of Sodor and Man, said a defeat of the Covenant should not be seen as a personal rebuke to Dr Williams, who has been “thrust” into an “impossible” position.

Opponents argue that the Covenant would penalise branches of the church which have adopted liberal positions on sexuality.

The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Rev Nicholas Holtam, who last month became the first senior cleric to publicly support gay marriage, said of the Covenant: “I have thought long and hard about my own position which, as a matter of public record prior to my appointment as bishop, is against.”
He told his diocesan synod: “It seems to me that the Covenant will indeed create a different set of relationships in the Communion but that this will on balance be unhelpful and un-Anglican, like a piece of unshrunk cloth sewn on to an old cloak.”

Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch, professor of the history of the Church at Oxford University, described the Covenant as a “witch hunt” against the US and Canadian Churches.

Gay Virginia High School Student Suspended for High Heels

Asante Cotman, a 17-year-old student who wore high heels to class and was suspended for three days after being ordered to remove them for disrupting the school, says the real reason he was suspended is because he's gay, NBC12 reports:

Students Protest and Gather 10,000 signatures to Remove Chick-Fil-A from New York University

Hillary Dworkoski thinks it's ridiculous that there's a Chick-fil-A located on New York University's campus.

Dworkoski, a freshman at NYU, launched a petition to get rid of the Chick-fil-A on campus -- the only Chick-fil-A location in Manhattan -- because of the restaurant chain's financial support of anti-gay groups.

"NYU prides itself on being a diverse, open and inclusive campus community," Dworski writes in her petition. "That's one of the major reasons why I enrolled at NYU as a freshman last fall. Unfortunately, maintaining a contract with an anti-gay vendor like Chick-fil-A undermines what makes this university so great."

Dworkoski said she got upset after reading several articles about donations from Chick-fil-A's charitable arm, WinShape, to anti-gay groups. In 2009, WinShape donated $1.7 million to conservative groups that actively work against LGBT rights and marriage equality laws. WinShape gave more than $3 million since 2003 to groups and campaigns with anti-gay agendas.

WinShape has also explicitly stated they do not allow "homosexual couples" at a retreat center they run.

Dworkoski says all this seemed to contradict NYU's ranking as one of the most LGBT friendly campuses in the nation, and she decided to take action.

So far, Dworkoski's online petition has gained more than 10,000 signatures. This is the first time she's gotten involved in any kind of activism, but she says she has found a welcomed reception by students and Change.org, where she is hosting her petition.

Kirk Cameron: Homosexuality is unnatural and destructive

Former “Growing Pains” actor and self-proclaimed born again Christian Kirk Cameron, appearing Friday on CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight,” and said marriage was “defined by God,” and that homosexuality is “unnatural” and “destructive” to the foundations of civilization.



Cameron, 41, best known for his role as Mike Seaver on the ABC television series from 1985 to 1992, is an active Christian evangelist in the ministry he founded, The Way of the Master, and also co-founded The Firefly Foundation with his wife, actress Chelsea Noble.

From Cameron:

“Marriage is almost as old as dirt, and it was defined in the garden between Adam and Eve. One man, one woman for life till death do you part. So I would never attempt to try to redefine marriage. And I don’t think anyone else should either,” explains Cameron. “So do I support the idea of gay marriage? No, I don’t.”

And on homosexuality, Cameron added:

“I think that it’s – it’s – it’s unnatural. I think that it’s – it’s detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.”

Piers Morgan: Kirk Cameron Was "Brave" to Make Antigay Remarks



Kirk Cameron was "pretty brave" to stick to his beliefs and make antigay remarks, CNN talk show host Piers Morgan tells TMZ.



Kirk Cameron's Growing Pains co-star Tracey Gold tweeted her response to Cameron's homophobic remarks to Piers Morgan this weekend:

Colorado Springs First Presbyterian Church May Leave Denomination Over Gay Marriage Tension

The 4,000-member First Presbyterian Church in Colorado church plans to ask members Sunday whether to proceed with efforts to leave their denomination.

The Gazette reports ( http://bit.ly/zqXpnm ) the Colorado Springs church is considering leaving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), possibly for the conservative Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians. The congregation plans a "non-technical" vote Sunday, which could be followed by an official vote.

The Colorado Springs church says the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is moving to a more liberal interpretation of the Bible, causing tension around topics including the definition of marriage.

Regional bodies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) last year agreed to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy in committed relationships. Church leaders are expected to vote this summer on whether to allow ministers to officiate at same-sex weddings.

"8": A Play about the Fight for Marriage Equality

Featuring an all-star cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Martin Sheen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jane Lynch, Kevin Bacon and others, "8" is a play written by Academy Award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and directed by acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner. It is a powerful account of the case filed by the American Federation for Equal Rights (AFER ) in the U.S. District Court in 2010 to overturn Proposition 8 [LINK], a constitutional amendment that eliminated the rights of same-sex couples to marry in the state of California. Framed around the trial's historic closing arguments in June 2010, 8 provides an intimate look what unfolded when the issue of same-sex marriage was on trial.

Marriage Equality Is Not About ‘Gay Rights’

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) told a student at a Fort Lee high school this morning that “gay marriage” is not about extending rights to gay and lesbian Americans and insisted that it would “change the way we’ve governed our society”:



Q: Hi, Chris Christie, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Recently you passed an anti-bullying law, which I really am appreciative for, because bullying should not be allowed in the state of New Jersey, so i really thank you for that. However, one of the main reasons why kids even do get bullied in school is whether or not they’re homosexual. And recently there has been a bill to allow gay rights in the state of New Jersey. Can you tell me what was your decision to veto the bill, because I heard that you had vetoed the bill.

CHRISTIE: I did veto a bill on gay marriage, not on gay rights. And gay rights are protected and protected aggressively in New Jersey. But listen, this is something I feel strongly about. I think marriage is between one man and one woman, but I also know that people have very different opinions about that in our state. So what I’ve said to folks after vetoing the bill, let’s put it on the ballot. If a majority of people in New Jersey want to have same-sex marriage, then vote for it and I’ll be governed by it. But I don’t think that’s a decision that should be made by 121 people in Trenton alone. It’s a major change in the way we’ve governed our society.

Congressman Challenges Anti-Gay Group For Girl Scouts Cookies During Committee Hearing

Watch Girl Scouts in Activism & Non-Profit  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) sought to challenge the Family Research Council’s campaign to link the Girl Scouts to abortion and the “homosexual” agenda, during Tuesday’s House Judiciary Committee hearing on contraception, but was repeatedly rebuffed by Republicans on the panel. “I love thin mints, Girl Scout cookies, what’s your gripe about Girl Scout cookies,” Johnson asked Jeanne Monahan of Family Research Council — who was testifying on behalf of the organization — in the middle of a discussion about religious conscience and birth control. Monahan tried to dismiss the question, but Johnson persisted: “Your organization has sponsored a prayer vigil to stop people from buying Girl Scout cookies, because you allege Girl Scout cookies is affiliated with Planned Parenthood, isn’t that correct?” The GOP objected to the line of questioning and Monahan never fully addressed the issue.

I Want to Know What It's Like

Gay Marriage Is 'Inevitable' In Delaware

Gay marriage in Delaware is inevitable, the state's Governor Jack Markell said on Friday, a day after neighboring Maryland became the eighth state to legalize marriage for same-sex couples.
In an interview with Reuters Insider TV, Markell, a Democrat, said he expects that Delaware will take up same-sex marriage legislation "probably within the next few years."

Delaware began allowing civil unions -- an institution set up to give the same rights as civil marriage, while reserving marriage for heterosexual couples -- last year.

Markell noted that until three years ago it was legal in Delaware "to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation," and said the state was moving towards greater acceptance of homosexuality.
"I think it's inevitable," he said of gay marriage.

'Cut Rich People's Taxes Completely'

Google Wipes 'Spreading Santorum' from Top Search Results

After eight years, Rick Santorum may be getting rid of the 'Google problem' started as a prank by Dan Savage in 2003 which linked Santorum's name to a website offering a definition:

"the frothy mix of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex."

The webpage, which appeared as the top search result when one Googled "Santorum", no longer appears in the top search results (although the blog, connected to the site currently ranks sixth), according to Savage.

This, of course, is what Rick Santorum asked Google to do months ago. Google told Santorum they couldn't, they told Santorum they wouldn't, because www.spreadingsantorum.com was the legit #1 search result when you Googled his last name. It wasn't a Google bomb, we weren't gaming Google's algoribbons or whatever. We were legit.

But tonight we're gone. I'm not too sad about it—hey, we had a good run!—but I am a little mystified. Why now? Was it intentional? Did Google cave to the pressure?

Unfortunately for Rick, the new top-ranking result is the Urban Dictionary's definition of the term, which Savage notes is even cruder. Savage launched the site after Santorum made remarks comparing homosexuality to "man on dog" sex.

It's unclear why the ranking has changed, and could be because of recent changes to Google's search algorithms. 'Spreading Santorum' still ranks in the top spots on Bing and Yahoo!