Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Don't Be 'Brainwashed' Into Thinking Homosexuality Is 'Equally Valid'
New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino spoke on gay rights to a group of orthodox Jewish leaders in Brooklyn today, promising to veto marriage equality legislation and touting the fact that he didn't march in this year's gay pride parade.
In his remarks, Paldadino said:
We must stop pandering to the pornographers and the perverts, who seek to target our children and destroy their lives. I didn't march in the gay parade parade this year -- the gay pride parade this year. My opponent did. And that's not the example that we should be showing our children, certainly not in our schools. And don't misquote me as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way; that would be a dastardly lie. My approach is live and let live. I just think my children, and your children, will be much better off, and much more successful getting married and raising a family. And I don't want them to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option. It isn't.
In his remarks, Paldadino said:
We must stop pandering to the pornographers and the perverts, who seek to target our children and destroy their lives. I didn't march in the gay parade parade this year -- the gay pride parade this year. My opponent did. And that's not the example that we should be showing our children, certainly not in our schools. And don't misquote me as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way; that would be a dastardly lie. My approach is live and let live. I just think my children, and your children, will be much better off, and much more successful getting married and raising a family. And I don't want them to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option. It isn't.
N.Y. Republican: Gays Are "Dysfunctional"
Carl Paladino, the Republican candidate for governor in New York, said Sunday that children should not be “brainwashed” into thinking that homosexuality was acceptable, and attacked his Democratic opponent, Atty. Gen. Andrew Cuomo, for marching in the gay pride parade this year.
According to The New York Times, Paladino made the comments to a gathering of Orthodox Jewish leaders at Congregation Shaarei Chaim in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. The remarks were first reported on Twitter by correspondents for WNYC and Newsday, which reported that Paladino had omitted the remark, “There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual,” included in his prepared text.
“I just think my children and your children would be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family, and I don’t want them brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option — it isn’t,” said Paladino.
He added, to applause in the synagogue, “I didn't march in the gay parade this year — the gay pride parade this year. My opponent did, and that’s not the example we should be showing our children.”
According to The New York Times, Paladino made the comments to a gathering of Orthodox Jewish leaders at Congregation Shaarei Chaim in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. The remarks were first reported on Twitter by correspondents for WNYC and Newsday, which reported that Paladino had omitted the remark, “There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual,” included in his prepared text.
“I just think my children and your children would be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family, and I don’t want them brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option — it isn’t,” said Paladino.
He added, to applause in the synagogue, “I didn't march in the gay parade this year — the gay pride parade this year. My opponent did, and that’s not the example we should be showing our children.”
Gay Oklahoma Teen Commits Suicide
Zach Harrington The parents of Zach Harrington, a young gay man from Norman, Okla., who took his own life this month, say that an antigay municipal meeting may have driven their son to suicide.According to the Dallas Voice, “On Sept. 28, Harrington attended a three-hour public hearing on a proposal to declare October gay history month in the city. Although the council ultimately approved the proposal, Harrington’s parents described the meeting as potentially ‘toxic’ for their son, a private person who internalized his feelings.”
Harrington, 19, struggled with his sexual orientation at his conservative high school in Norman, according to the Voice. He took his own life at his family’s home seven days after he attended the city council meeting.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Gaga to Deliver New Gay Anthem
Entertainment Weekly spoke with John, who described the forthcoming Gaga album as “f—ing amazing.” Despite speculation he may appear on the album, John said that seems unlikely because the album is more or less finished.
"‘Born This Way,’ which is the title song, will completely get rid of Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive,’" he said. "This is the new ‘I Will Survive.’ That was the gay anthem. This is the new gay anthem. Actually, it’s not a gay anthem — it can apply to anybody.”
Pink on Her Gay Marriage Video
In a radio interview, Pink whetted appetites for her new video, which centers around a same-sex marriage.
The video for "Raise Your Glass" will celebrate both marriage equality and "the underdog," declares the pop star. The idea for the video came after Pink attended her best friend's same-sex wedding.
"I threw my best friend's wedding in my backyard who is gay and she married her wife and it was absolutely beautiful," Pink said in the radio interview. "At the end of it her mum said, 'Why can't this be legal?' and started crying. It was just the most heartbreaking thing I've ever seen, so that's why I'm doing it in the video."
The video for "Raise Your Glass" will celebrate both marriage equality and "the underdog," declares the pop star. The idea for the video came after Pink attended her best friend's same-sex wedding.
"I threw my best friend's wedding in my backyard who is gay and she married her wife and it was absolutely beautiful," Pink said in the radio interview. "At the end of it her mum said, 'Why can't this be legal?' and started crying. It was just the most heartbreaking thing I've ever seen, so that's why I'm doing it in the video."
Mexico Upset By California Efforts To Legalize Pot
President Felipe Calderon said Thursday that a California ballot measure to legalize marijuana represents hypocrisy in U.S. drug policy for encouraging consumption while at the same time demanding that Mexico and other countries crack down on drug trafficking.
"For me, it reflects a terrible inconsistency in government policies in the United States," the Mexican leader said late Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press.
California voters will decide on Nov. 2 whether to allow possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana. Proposition 19 would also clear the way for local governments to permit retail sales of pot.
Calderon said he was certain that legalizing marijuana will lead to an increase in drug consumption.
"It's very sad to see how drug consumption is, little by little, tearing apart American society and, if we don't watch ourselves, it will tear apart ours," the president said.
"For me, it reflects a terrible inconsistency in government policies in the United States," the Mexican leader said late Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press.
California voters will decide on Nov. 2 whether to allow possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana. Proposition 19 would also clear the way for local governments to permit retail sales of pot.
Calderon said he was certain that legalizing marijuana will lead to an increase in drug consumption.
"It's very sad to see how drug consumption is, little by little, tearing apart American society and, if we don't watch ourselves, it will tear apart ours," the president said.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Tutu hasn't just been a leading voice on race relations, but all human rights: He's long opposed laws criminalizing homosexuality and championed efforts to fight HIV/AIDS.
And Tutu never drew a distinction between The Gays and the pious: "To penalize someone because of their sexual orientation is like what used to happen to us; to be penalized for something which we could do nothing (about) — our ethnicity, our race," Tutu told the BBC in 2007. "I would find it quite unacceptable to condemn, persecute a minority that has already been persecuted. If God, as they say, is homophobic, I wouldn't worship that God."
'The Daily Show' Takes On O'Donnell's 'Not A Witch' Ad & Delaware's North Vs. South Battle
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Indecision 2010 - Divided Delaware | ||||
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Ex-Gay Group Exodus Quits Conservative 'Day of Truth'
The "ex-gay" group Exodus International announced today that it will no longer participate in the anti-equality "Day of Truth," dealing the social conservative movement a small but important blow.
Founded in 2005, the Day of Truth is the right wing's way of countering the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's Day of Silence, an annual event started in 1996 to combat anti-gay bullying and violence in schools.
Conservatives calls the Day of Silence "the promotion of homosexual behavior" and use the Day of Truth to oppose it "from a Christian perspective," which apparently includes calling homosexuality "shameful." In light of recent gay suicides, Exodus has decided that DOT's perspective has become too incendiary.
"All the recent attention to bullying helped us realize that we need to equip kids to live out biblical tolerance and grace while treating their neighbors as they'd like to be treated, whether they agree with them or not," explained Exodus president Alan Chambers to CNN's Dan Gilgoff.
"I don't think [the event is] necessary anymore," said Chambers. "We want to help the church to be respectful of all its neighbors, to help those who want help and to be compassionate toward people who may hold a different worldview from us." Regardless of the group's new approach, Exodus still claims it can "cure" people of homosexuality, a dangerous idea in and of itself.
Founded in 2005, the Day of Truth is the right wing's way of countering the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's Day of Silence, an annual event started in 1996 to combat anti-gay bullying and violence in schools.
Conservatives calls the Day of Silence "the promotion of homosexual behavior" and use the Day of Truth to oppose it "from a Christian perspective," which apparently includes calling homosexuality "shameful." In light of recent gay suicides, Exodus has decided that DOT's perspective has become too incendiary.
"All the recent attention to bullying helped us realize that we need to equip kids to live out biblical tolerance and grace while treating their neighbors as they'd like to be treated, whether they agree with them or not," explained Exodus president Alan Chambers to CNN's Dan Gilgoff.
"I don't think [the event is] necessary anymore," said Chambers. "We want to help the church to be respectful of all its neighbors, to help those who want help and to be compassionate toward people who may hold a different worldview from us." Regardless of the group's new approach, Exodus still claims it can "cure" people of homosexuality, a dangerous idea in and of itself.
"It Gets Better" Site Maxes Out
The video submissions to the YouTube channel launched by Dan Savage, in response to a sharp increase in media reports of suicides by LGBT youths, have exceeded the channel's capacity.
Savage launched the “It Gets Better” channel September 21 with a video in which he and his husband, Terry Miller, discuss their experience of how difficult it was to be a gay teenager, to be mocked, ostracized, and harassed by teachers, parents, or classmates. Savage and Miller said that they, like so many other LGBT adults, have been able to escape the difficulties of their childhoods.
“We reserved the video channel on September 15. We didn’t post the video until September 21, but my column about it didn’t come out until the 22nd, but in just in a week, we have gotten probably 1,000 videos,” Savage told the McClatchy-Tribune News Service. “The limit you can post on YouTube is 650, and we’ve hit that. We didn’t post every one we got, and there are more coming in — every day, every minute.”
Notables who have recorded “It Gets Better” video messages to gay youth have included actor-comedians Sarah Silverman and Kathy Griffin, Project Runway mentor Tim Gunn (pictured), musician Joel Madden, and actors Michael Urie and Chris Colfer.
Because the video submissions have exceeded the YouTube channel’s maximum allowance, Savage says he’s working with a social media site to host the videos, and it will have a place to make donations to the Trevor Project.
Savage launched the “It Gets Better” channel September 21 with a video in which he and his husband, Terry Miller, discuss their experience of how difficult it was to be a gay teenager, to be mocked, ostracized, and harassed by teachers, parents, or classmates. Savage and Miller said that they, like so many other LGBT adults, have been able to escape the difficulties of their childhoods.
“We reserved the video channel on September 15. We didn’t post the video until September 21, but my column about it didn’t come out until the 22nd, but in just in a week, we have gotten probably 1,000 videos,” Savage told the McClatchy-Tribune News Service. “The limit you can post on YouTube is 650, and we’ve hit that. We didn’t post every one we got, and there are more coming in — every day, every minute.”
Notables who have recorded “It Gets Better” video messages to gay youth have included actor-comedians Sarah Silverman and Kathy Griffin, Project Runway mentor Tim Gunn (pictured), musician Joel Madden, and actors Michael Urie and Chris Colfer.
Because the video submissions have exceeded the YouTube channel’s maximum allowance, Savage says he’s working with a social media site to host the videos, and it will have a place to make donations to the Trevor Project.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
U Mich Student President Breaks Silence
Chris Armstrong, the first openly gay student body president at the University of Michigan, said that the recent suicides of LGBT youths prompted him to break his silence about being bullied online by Michigan assistant attorney general Andrew Shirvell.
Armstrong appeared on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, where he described his experience as intensely personal but said, “Given what’s happened in the past week, and given the suicides that have happened in the past few weeks, it’s hard not to say something.”
Armstrong said he has not interacted with Shirvell, a University of Michigan alum who created the blog, Chris Armstrong Watch. to monitor the student leader's “radical agenda”, which called for extended cafeteria hours, gender-neutral bathrooms, and lower tuition costs. Although Michigan attorney general Mike Cox has maintained that the blog is an off-hours concern, Shirvell has taken a voluntary leave of absence from his job and the university has barred him from campus. Armstrong is seeking a personal protection order against his tormentor.
“Honestly, I didn’t really ask to be put in this position in a lot of ways,” said Armstrong. “But I felt that, seeing these kids feel like they needed to take their life, it’s important to understand that things can get better and it’s important to know that you can reach out in your community, you can reach out to friends and they can support you.”
Armstrong appeared on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, where he described his experience as intensely personal but said, “Given what’s happened in the past week, and given the suicides that have happened in the past few weeks, it’s hard not to say something.”
Armstrong said he has not interacted with Shirvell, a University of Michigan alum who created the blog, Chris Armstrong Watch. to monitor the student leader's “radical agenda”, which called for extended cafeteria hours, gender-neutral bathrooms, and lower tuition costs. Although Michigan attorney general Mike Cox has maintained that the blog is an off-hours concern, Shirvell has taken a voluntary leave of absence from his job and the university has barred him from campus. Armstrong is seeking a personal protection order against his tormentor.
“Honestly, I didn’t really ask to be put in this position in a lot of ways,” said Armstrong. “But I felt that, seeing these kids feel like they needed to take their life, it’s important to understand that things can get better and it’s important to know that you can reach out in your community, you can reach out to friends and they can support you.”
Fruitloops
Larry Brown, a state representative from North Carolina, accidentally sent an email last week in which he referred to gay people as "queers" and "fruitloops." "I hope all the queers are thrilled to see him," Republican Brown wrote in an email about how Democratic House Speaker Joe Hackney was receiving an award from the LGBT group Equality NC. "I am sure there will be a couple legislative fruitloops there in the audience."Schwarzenegger expands unemployment benefits for gay couples
Governor Schwarzenegger signed the Unemployment Benefits Act (AB 2055), which ensures that same-sex couples in California have access to unemployment benefits. The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) and sponsored by Equality California.
“We thank the governor for signing this bill, which will provide same-sex couples who plan to enter into a domestic partnership with access to benefits that heterosexual couples who are engaged already enjoy and that affect the wellbeing and security of their families,” said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California.
“Although this legislation helps chip away at the discrimination same-sex couples face, the fact is that domestic partnerships are not the same as marriage, and the only real solution is to restore the freedom to marry in California so that same-sex couples are truly equal under the law. We thank Assemblymember De La Torre for his advocacy and leadership.”
Currently, couples who are engaged to be married are eligible for unemployment benefits if one of the partners must leave his or her job in order to move closer to his or her future spouse. This bill would extend the same rights to couples who plan on entering into a domestic partnership. The bill is especially beneficial for same-sex couples because they are prohibited from legally marrying and therefore unable to receive these benefits.
“AB 2055 will bring equity to imminent domestic partners and help keep families and couples together,” Assemblymember De La Torre. “By guaranteeing this right to imminent domestic partners fairness under the law will be enforced, family unity will be preserved, and all committed relationships will be given equal opportunity to unemployment benefits.”
“We thank the governor for signing this bill, which will provide same-sex couples who plan to enter into a domestic partnership with access to benefits that heterosexual couples who are engaged already enjoy and that affect the wellbeing and security of their families,” said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California.
“Although this legislation helps chip away at the discrimination same-sex couples face, the fact is that domestic partnerships are not the same as marriage, and the only real solution is to restore the freedom to marry in California so that same-sex couples are truly equal under the law. We thank Assemblymember De La Torre for his advocacy and leadership.”
Currently, couples who are engaged to be married are eligible for unemployment benefits if one of the partners must leave his or her job in order to move closer to his or her future spouse. This bill would extend the same rights to couples who plan on entering into a domestic partnership. The bill is especially beneficial for same-sex couples because they are prohibited from legally marrying and therefore unable to receive these benefits.
“AB 2055 will bring equity to imminent domestic partners and help keep families and couples together,” Assemblymember De La Torre. “By guaranteeing this right to imminent domestic partners fairness under the law will be enforced, family unity will be preserved, and all committed relationships will be given equal opportunity to unemployment benefits.”
Larry Flynt: “We’ve Got a Gay Senator”
According to Talking Points Memo, Flynt spoke with CNN’s Don Lemon in the context of the publisher’s standing offer to give $1 million to anyone who can prove they were sexually involved with a high-ranking official. Lemon asked Flynt whether he could describe details about his latest tips.
“We know we’ve got a gay senator, you know, we’d just like to see him come out of the closet,” said Flynt. “I think we’ll be exposing him in the next few months if he doesn’t.”
'The Daily Show' Takes On The Education Crisis
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Back in Black - Education Crisis | ||||
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Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Archbishop Nienstedt refuses communion to gay activists at college mass
Twin Cities Archbishop John C. Nienstedt, leading a student mass at St. John's Abbey recently, refused to give communion to members of a gay and lesbian college student group who were wearing rainbow buttons in a sign of solidarity.The conflict between the archbishop and students from the Roman Catholic St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict occurred during Sunday night mass in Collegeville, Minn., on Sept. 26.
The action came as Catholics throughout Minnesota have been sent hundreds of thousands of DVDs from the state's bishops in support of a ban on gay marriage.
Mormon Leader Reaffirms Prop. 8 Support
Boyd K. Packer A statement from Mormon leader Boyd K. Packer reaffirms the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ opposition to marriage equality, which a recent apology from another Mormon leader seemed to soften.
According to AOL News, which reported via conservative gay blogger Andrew Sullivan, Packer, the president of the Church’s Quorum of Twelve Apostles, spoke to 20,000 people at the LDS conference center in Salt Lake City and millions more tuned in via satellite.
“There are those today who not only tolerate but advocate voting to change laws that would legalize immorality, as if a vote would somehow alter the designs of God's laws and nature,” Packer said. “A law against nature would be impossible to enforce. Do you think a vote to repeal the law of gravity would do any good?”
Last month Marlin K. Jensen, the church’s historian and a prominent member of the general authorities leadership hierarchy, told a group of Mormons gathered in Oakland, Calif., that he was sorry for the pain caused by the church’s substantial involvement in the Proposition 8 campaign.
According to the report from Fox 13 in Utah, the timing and severity of the words from Packer caught some critics off guard.
According to AOL News, which reported via conservative gay blogger Andrew Sullivan, Packer, the president of the Church’s Quorum of Twelve Apostles, spoke to 20,000 people at the LDS conference center in Salt Lake City and millions more tuned in via satellite.
“There are those today who not only tolerate but advocate voting to change laws that would legalize immorality, as if a vote would somehow alter the designs of God's laws and nature,” Packer said. “A law against nature would be impossible to enforce. Do you think a vote to repeal the law of gravity would do any good?”
Last month Marlin K. Jensen, the church’s historian and a prominent member of the general authorities leadership hierarchy, told a group of Mormons gathered in Oakland, Calif., that he was sorry for the pain caused by the church’s substantial involvement in the Proposition 8 campaign.
According to the report from Fox 13 in Utah, the timing and severity of the words from Packer caught some critics off guard.
Daniel Radclife Speaks Out Against Homophobia After Teenage Suicides
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe said he was "heartbroken" over the suicides of Tyler Clementi and Seth Walsh, two gay teenagers who were bullied by their peers. Radcliffe is involved with the Trevor Project, a free 24-hour GLBT youth suicide hotline, and told MTV news how important being a part of this cause is to him.
"Learning about the suicide deaths of Tyler Clementi, Seth Walsh, Asher Walker, Billy Lucas and Justin Aaberg has been heartbreaking for me. These young people were bullied and tormented by people that should have been their friends," Radcliffe said, pictured at the Framers Gallery in London on Sept. 9. "We have a responsibility to be better to each other, and accept each others' differences regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ability, or religion and stand up for someone when they're bullied."
Radcliffe said in a video interview that he grew up around gay men and never realized the extent of discrimination that existed in the community until he got older.
"Now I'm in a position where I can help an amazing thing like the Trevor Project," Radcliffe said.
Holly Stuckey, 12, Dies In Father's Arms After Kids Torment Her With Lesbian Bullying
A note written in pink biro read: ‘I hate you for what you have done to me. I feel like no one.’ Mr Stuckey has since given the names of 13 teenagers to police who are investigating his daughter’s death for the coroner. Holly, who was an only child, was described as innocent, quiet and timid by her grieving family. Her father said: ‘People made fun of her because she did not know much about sex education. 'She was an innocent girl but kids turned on her and started to call her a lesbian because she didn't know as much as them.'
[...] Holly, who lived in Maesteg, was an asthmatic but the problem was under control and not thought to be related. Mr Stuckey, who lives in Maesteg with his 47-year-old wife Lee, said: ‘We just don’t know but it could have been the emotional strain of what she was going through which brought on a heart attack. ’I have been contacted by several other parents who have told me that their children are being bullied. ’I want other parents to stand up for their children. I want to protect them.’
And while we may never know what caused Holly's sudden death, unquestionably the torment she suffered through wasn't improving her quality of life. The bullying alone is problematic; that kids continue to resort to calling kids queer as the ultimate of insults is even more devastating.
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