Is it Really That Hard to Understand?

Rick Santorum recently said this:

Is anyone saying same-sex couples can't love each other? I love my children. I love my friends, my brother. Heck, I even love my mother-in-law. Should we call these relationships marriage, too? Marriage is and always has been more than the acknowledgment of the love between two people.

I really want to know.

Are people really this stupid?

Is it really that hard? Every straight person already knows, intuitively, the difference between the love for a child, a brother, a sister, etc. and that of a spouse.

Why would anyone think it would be different for gay and lesbians?


.

Fred Phelps in Massachusetts?

From Jay Guillette's website Defend the Faith:

"A comment is only mean if it is both hurtful and untrue. However, if a thing looks like a duck, acts like a duck, sounds like a duck....the thing is probably a duck.

Maybe he didn't sign the petition because homosexual activists like you seem hell-bent on publishing mailing addresses and issuing veiled threats such as "Your public support of hatred has been noted."

I doubt very much JayG wants you or others like you to possess his home address so that you can terrorize him and his family.

Just out of curiosity John, are you a member of NAMBLA? And why should we believe you if you claim that you are not? A prominent feature of the homosexual "community" (you people really are generous to yourselves, community indeed) is man-boy sex.

Have you had sex with boys John? Is this really what drives your perversion? Has your "partner" ever had sex with boys? How many sexual "partners" have you had John? Studies have shown that the average homosexual male has some 200 sexual "partners" during his lifetime. Do you fit this profile John?

How about the physical trauma and various health problems associated with rectal sex John? Do you suffer from Kaposi's Sarcoma? AIDS? or any other STD's? Have you ever consumed fecal material while performing what is known in the homosexual "community" as a rim job?

Don't just ask questions John. Try answering some. I realize the questions seem ugly. But then, the "lifestyle" you have chosen is ugly. Not to mention Hellish and demonic."

Despite my repeated attempts to show grace and love towards the followers of this sect they seem Hell bent on demonizing any GLBT person no matter their true nature. The thought that there are loving productive worthwhile people who just happen to be GLBT is too much for them to handle.

As a side note Jay Guillette is a proud supporter of massresistance..com, a hate group listed with the Southern Poverty Law Center, which was a group formed to help combat the Klu Klux Klan. My friends over at MassresistanceWatch have formed their own similar group that keeps an eye on their dishonesties while doing so with a little humor at Massresistance's expense.

My real question is whether or not we have our own Fred Phelps type group here in Massachusetts, and are people like Jay Guilette responsible for it? Read on for your self at the links provided and see what you think.

Paul Melanson is another person who supports hate as seen in his latest article:

Homosexuals in the Third Reich

For better understanding on how close this hits home let me make clear that Jay Guilette teaches Bible study on Wednesdays over at The Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester, and Paul Melanson is a member of the New Hampshire Catholic diocese.

OMGWTFBBQ, I Might be GAY!!!

Ed Brayton's blog brought this seriously demented article to my attention.


In this article from Mission America, among other pieces of bizarre, outlandish bullshit, there is the answer do how people become gay:

People, especially the young, can be seduced into homosexual behavior and have their identity molded around the homosexual lifestyle, through a combination of persuasion and circumstances which may include the following:

• Being convinced homosexuality is acceptable;
• Reading or viewing explicit homosexual pornography;
• A close relationship with a peer who is practicing homosexuality;
• Admiring an older teacher or mentor who is homosexual;
• Attending homosexual social venues (a “gay” club, bar, church youth group);
• Being homosexually molested;
• Having parents who espouse liberal values;
• No strong ties to a conservative church, and hostility toward traditional views.

Based on this, I might be gay. The article doesn't say how many of the above bullets points one needs, but here is my score:

• Being convinced homosexuality is acceptable;

Yep, guilty as charged.

• Reading or viewing explicit homosexual pornography;

I've done that. albeit only briefly. But then, I don't read (Danielle Steele notwithstanding) or view heterosexual pornography either. (OMG!!!!, what is wrong with me????)

• A close relationship with a peer who is practicing homosexuality;

Uh-oh. I'm in real trouble now; I have several gay friends with whom I am quite close, some even in my own family. But then again, maybe it doesn't count because the article says a peer who is "practicing homosexuality". I'm off the hook on this one. Some of the gay people I know are married, so I know they don't have sex, and other are not practicing (they've long since perfected the art).

• Admiring an older teacher or mentor who is homosexual;

Hmmm, this is tough. I had a mentor who was a gay man. He taught me the tricks of my trade, but I didn't know he was gay. What does that mean? Do I have know that a mentor is gay in order for it to be contagious?

• Attending homosexual social venues (a “gay” club, bar, church youth group);

Uh-oh more trouble. I went to a nightclub years ago (twice) that was frequented by lots of gay people. I didn't know that the first time I went; I didn't figure it out until a man bought me a beer. I talked with him for almost an hour, but I think I'm OK on this point because all we talked about was baseball. You can't catch the gay unless you talk about gay stuff, right? And baseball isn't gay, is it?

• Being homosexually molested;

Do teenage group masturbation sessions count? It is still homosexual if a girl is helping?

• Having parents who espouse liberal values;

Well, my parents were FDR Democrats.

• No strong ties to a conservative church, and hostility toward traditional views.

You might say that. My church was VCII all the way, but then again, even the Pope was hostile to traditional views then.

So, the preponderance of the evidence says I'm gay.

Revisionist History at LifeSiteNews

Revisionist History at LifeSiteNews

Life Site News may well be the most dishonest Right-Wing Extremist site, but this article jumps out at me, not only for its obvious revisionist view of the Holocaust, but because its argument simply defies common sense in the most spectacular of ways:

BERLIN, Germany, May 28, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Berlin unveiled a monument yesterday to honor homosexuals as victims of Nazi persecution, despite a growing body of research suggesting that many prominent Nazi authorities, including Adolph Hitler, were themselves actively homosexual.

A report yesterday from the Associated Press on the new Berlin concrete monument, which features a video of two men kissing, claimed that up to 15,000 active homosexuals were killed in Nazi concentration camps.

"This is symptomatic for a society... that did not abolish unjust verdicts, but partially continued to implement them; a society which did not acknowledge a group of people as victims, only because they chose another way of life," said actively homosexual Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit.

The latest push to portray active homosexuals as victims of systematic Nazi attack contrasted with a recently growing body of evidence indicating wide-scale Nazi embrace of homosexuality.

Thy then go on to report on research from a 2006 study, “The Pink Swastika as Holocaust Revisionist History."

You can read the study and believe whatever you want to believe, but to do so, you must believe this:

That a tiny and oppressed minority was so influential that it seized control of the most murderous regime of the 20th century, lost, and then, with its awesome power to rewrite history, (History is written by the losers, right?) did so with such a thorough attention to detail, that it has escaped the notice of all serious historians.

Somehow, I doubt it.


.

New York Makes it Official

ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson has directed all state agencies to begin to revise their policies and regulations to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, like Massachusetts, California and Canada.

In a directive issued on May 14, the governor's legal counsel, David Nocenti, instructed the agencies that gay couples married elsewhere "should be afforded the same recognition as any other legally performed union."

The revisions are most likely to involve as many as 1,300 statutes and regulations in New York governing everything from joint filing of income tax returns to transferring fishing licenses between spouses.

..."Very shortly, there will be hundreds and hundreds and hundreds, and probably thousands and thousands and thousands of gay people who have their marriages recognized by the state," said Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, a Democrat who represents the Upper West Side and has pushed for legalization of gay unions.

Now, it is only a matter of time before New York allows its own citizens to marry.

There will likely soon be be thousands of New York residents flying out to California and Canada to marry.

How long will it take New York to come to the obvious conclusion that the status quo is ridiculous?

New York Times Story is here:


.

Wayne Besen on the Peter Collins Radio Show

Wayne Besen is a gay rights advocate in the United States. He is a former spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign.

Besen, a gay man, was never personally involved in the ex-gay movement, but says he has interviewed hundreds of former and current ex-gays.

In 2000, he photographed ex-gay activist John Paulk in a Washington D.C. gay bar called Mr. P's. Paulk said he was simply there to use the washroom, but Besen and other witnesses allege he was drinking and flirting for over twenty minutes. Besen went public with the story, and wrote about it in his book Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth. The book was nominated for two Lambda Literary Awards in 2003. [1]

Besen's photograph of Paulk (and subsequent release of the story) was instrumental in the ultimate removal of Paulk as Chair of Exodus International, a major organization in the "Ex-gay movement". As noted by The Washington Post in October 2002: "[John Paulk] had been the most famous success story of the Christian ex- gay movement, which seeks to persuade gay men and lesbians to accept Jesus and renounce homosexuality. He had appeared on "60 Minutes," "Oprah" and the cover of Newsweek." [1]


In June 2006, Besen founded Truth Wins Out, a non-profit organization to counter ex-gay ministries. He also launched www.RespectMyResearch.org, to document right wing distortions of science, particularly by Focus on the Family.

Here is the link for the PodCast

Oddly enough when visiting Besen's sites to research this article I came across yet another instance where an "ex-gay" man has admitted he was not turned straight at all. Be sure to check out his website for yourself and see just how much information he has available to refute mistruths against GLBT people, it's quite an amazing collection.

"Making the River" Endorsed by Dr. Pat Gozemba

Friends,

I want you to see (asap) a compelling and heart-rending film, Making the River, about my good friend Jimi Simmons a full-blooded Native American who was unjustly accused of killing a prison guard and put on death row in Washington. Like so many people of color.

Fortunately the renowned social justice lawyer Lennie Weinglass of the Center for Constitutional Rights (also defended Angela Davis, Hurricane Carter, and Mumia) got him off.

Making the River will get shown at the Seattle Film Festival if it gets enough votes from viewers. See the email below for how to sign up to make the film available to you for screening and VOTING to get it into the festival. I and Jimi would really appreciate your vote.

You can vote during the time of the festival May 23-June 8th Midnight. See below.

Go to:
indieflix.com

At the top right of the front page see “My Festival”
Sign up to be invited to see the film.


Please spread the word via email about the film.

Please follow the link and see why Dr. Professor Emeritus Pat Gozemba has taken time from her book tour to promote this cause, and thank you for caring enough to try and make a difference through your own actions. It is as Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world", the effort alone yields it's own reward.

SENATOR BARACK OBAMA TO DELIVER WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

Press Release:

Chicago, IL – On Sunday, May 25, 2008, United States Senator Barack Obama will deliver the Commencement Address at the 176th Commencement Ceremony at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. Senator Obama is honored to speak on behalf of United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who was previously scheduled to deliver the address. “Ted and I talked about me filling in for him at Wesleyan University earlier this week. Considering what he's done for me and for our country, there's nothing I wouldn't do for him. So I'm looking forward to standing in his place on Sunday even though I know I won't be able to fill his shoes," Senator Obama said. Wesleyan University is handling media logistics for this event. For more information, please contact: David Pesci: dpesci@wesleyan.edu or 860-685-5612.

It filled my heart with such great sadness to hear the news of Senator Kennedy's condition that I have only recently began to speak about it to others. I am reminded of all those people who say they remember where and what they were doing when President Kennedy was assassinated. This time at least the tragedy falls after a full life, and Senator Kennedy has time to put his affairs in order while he hears the praise and thanks of the entire world. Even in the hardest of times this great man is thinking of our future, and not his own. We should take this for the endorsement it is and support Barak Obama as the next generation of leaders like Senator Ted Kennedy.

Is the Principal Smarter than a Fifth Grader?

Well, maybe, but this principal is not smarter than the kids he was hired to educate.

Irmo High School principal Eddie Walker says he will quit a year from now, citing a conflict between his religious beliefs and the potential formation of a club for gay awareness.

In a letter to the school and the Irmo community, Walker said the Gay/Straight Alliance Club “conflicted with my professional beliefs in that we do not have any other clubs at Irmo High School based on sexual orientation, sexual preference, or sexual activity.”

He added that the school teaches abstinence and a gay-straight club implies students joining the club would “engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex, opposite sex, or members of both sexes.”

He added that the school teaches abstinence and a gay-straight club implies students joining the club would “engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex, opposite sex, or members of both sexes.

Good grief, and if he makes good on his promise, good riddance. We do not need ignoramuses teaching our children.

Why would he, or anyone for that matter, assume that by forming a club where gay and straight students can work together to further their understanding of each other and the issues facing them, that they would “engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex, opposite sex, or members of both sexes"?

I really want to know. Where does this obsession with sex come from? Why do people assume that gay people are all about sex, but somehow straight people are not?

How do we educate the educators?

If Mr. Walker would just sit down and talk to these kids he would get his answer. Gay teenagers are exactly the same as straight teenagers in every way that really matters.

I am a huge fan of teenagers. The teen years are difficult, but they are exciting. It is the teen years when their minds shift into overdrive. They are trying to figure what their futures hold, they are dealing with what will be their place in the adult world. They are trying to make sense of complicated world filled with contradictions and mixed media messages. Their relationships with their the parents and their understanding of their parents values are changing.

They need our help; they need our guidance; they need our unconditional love and support.

The gay teenager does, of course, face additional challenges. What better way to help them face these challenges than to join with their straight friends and stand together in solidarity, with a decent respect for where they differ, but nurture the understanding that we all have more in common that we have in conflict?

As I have said before, "The Kids are Alright".

But they need us on their side.

They are not served well by bigoted, ignorant educators.


.

Opinion Polls on SSM

Public support for SSM is fickle, but the overall trend is positive.

While I am of the opinion that the majority view is irrelevant to the question, and indeed the majority is often wrong, the pattern in the marriage equality battle is nearly identical to previous civil rights battles.

First, the majority must be dragged along, kicking and screaming if need be, and then after it becomes obvious that the sky is still there and sun still rises every day, acceptance follows.

The latest opinion polls are here.

Bottom line though, is good news indeed.

If we rely on that first poll alone, in 1985 82% of the public opposed same sex marriage, while only 11% supported it. By the early 1990s, when the data become richer, opposition was at about 65% while support stood at about 28%. Congress passed, and President Clinton signed, the federal "Defense of Marriage Act" in September 1996, but public opinion trends seem not to have noticed at all, neither rising nor falling around that time. By the week of the California ruling, May 15, 2008, opposition had declined to about 55% while support had grown to 40%. The net effect of some 16 years of public debate was a 10 point decline in opposition and a 12 point rise in support.

Consider the public opinion polls regarding interracial marriage and you will see the same pattern:

In 1948, about 90% of American Adults opposed interracial marriage when the Supreme Court of California legalized it, and California became the first state that allowed loving, committed interracial couples to marry.

In 1967, about 72% were opposed to interracial marriage. This was the year when the U.S. Supreme Court legalized interracial marriage everywhere in the U.S.

In 1991, those adults opposed to interracial marriage became a minority for the first time.

The change averaged slightly less than 1 percentage point per year.

SOURCE:

The acceptance of SSM is trending way ahead of the acceptance level for interracial marriage.

WE ARE WINNING!!!!!

Will there be a backlash as we saw after the Massachusetts decision?

Personally, I think not; but we have work to do.


.

Coalition for Marriage and Family Inc. Uses Hate and Fear in Soliciting Donations

An email that someone intercepted is being passed around by the radical right here in our state that asks we stop the showing of "For the Bible Tells Me So", then asks for money. First and foremost this group is a business and needs money to stay alive. As one of my friends said on another blog "I look forward to the day when groups like this can't fool enough people to stay in business."


I will write commentary in italics to coincide with what is said:


Help us stop the indoctrination in our schools

Indoctrination refers to the concept that there is an organised conspiracy by all GLBT people to turn children homosexual by teaching them that violence and hatred is wrong. Research has shown that discrimination is a learned problem and that the best way to counter that problem is by education. Notice that people seldom talk about what is being taught since that would take away from the fear factor.

Dear Suckers Friends,

Every once in a while, something comes up that reminds us why we fight, and why the tireless work that we do is so important.

The film, "For the Bible tells me so," played last week at Belmont High School, co-sponsored by the Belmont High School Gay Straight Alliance and the First Church of Belmont.

Now we can't view voluntarily what we want? This seems akin to the days of book burning.

This piece of homosexual propaganda asks, "Is the Bible an excuse to hate?" as it attempts to reconcile homosexuality and biblical scripture. Activities like these in schools are why we fight this fight, and we need your help.

Here is a review of the Movie. Note that true bigots always uses the word "homosexual" instead of "gay" which is the preferred vernacular. This is similar to calling a black person a nigger, and they know that. They also pretend that demonizing the entire GLBT community by saying we have a "Gay Agenda" to "indoctrinate" children is not hateful. Bigot is a word use often questioned, so let's review it's meaning:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Main Entry: big·ot
Pronunciation: \ˈbi-gət\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, hypocrite, bigot
Date: 1660
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance

The filmmakers suggest that only those with a fifth grade understanding of God would perceive homosexuality to be wrong. It calls using the Bible to condemn homosexuality as an "old trick," and even compares living a homosexual lifestyle to eating shrimp. It portrays anyone who opposes same-sex marriage as a hateful bigot.

The next time some Christian tells you that treating GLBT people with dignity, respect, and giving them equality is wrong, ask where Christ said this. The truth is He never did, not once. Those who came after His death like Paul said things that are under serious scrutiny. One thing Christ said that does not need translating is we should treat our neighbors like brothers and sisters. When you call your neighbors names they don't appreciate and lobby against them in the community spreading false accusations of harm, then the shoes fits, and you ARE the hateful bigot you pretend not to be.

Click here to watch a short trailer for this atrocious video:

For the Bible Tells Me So

Help us stop these untruths from being spread to even more high schools.

Help us fight programs like these from spreading by donating now!

Notice that they don't suggest how they would use the money? This organization's funding has all but dried up, so it seems they are looking to the only way they know how to create funds; scare more people.

If you can donate $30, $50, or $100 today, it will help us organize and build grassroots pressure stop this in other schools. We cannot do this without your support.

Whether you're a longtime supporter or stepping forward to help financially for the first time, we urge you to help us keep up the fight. Our organization is supported 100% by gifts from individuals like you.

Please click on the link below to give if you are able. You can donate via mail at the address provided, or online through our secure server.

http://www.coalitionformarrixxxxxxx/xxxxxx.xxxx

Sorry, but I am not going to allow my website to further their efforts.

Thank you and God Bless.

Thank you good people who have allowed me your time in reading this. Hopefully you will pass this message on to your friends and make sure they don't get fooled into giving money in support of bigotry.

To those of you who are so convinced that your opposition to my equality is right I have but one question; if you're right whatcha got to hide? Since you have the obvious correct point of view people will of course see your point once all is said and done, right? ;)

Fact Sheet for S. 2637, The Anti-Bully Bill

From Don Gorton we learn:

Enacted by Senate, Pending in House Ways and Means

Bullying defined as “any unwelcome written or verbal expressions, physical acts or gestures directed at a student … with the intent to intimidate, frighten, humiliate, or cause physical or emotional harm to that person.”

Bill would require school districts to develop “a bullying prevention and intervention plan” including these components:

Policy statement against bullying;

Developmentally appropriate training for students about the consequences of bullying;

Procedures for reporting, investigating, and responding to complaints of bullying;

Disciplinary sanctions for bullying;

Designation of school official responsible for implementation of the Plan;

Annual faculty and staff trainings covering the Plan.

No private cause of action for students and parents is either created or abrogated.

Dept. of Education to develop “model bullying and prevention and intervention plan” for school districts, in collaboration with the Depts. of Public Health, Mental Health, and the Attorney General

Department of Education to compile, in consultation with the Depts. of Public Health, Mental Health, and the Attorney General, a list of bullying prevention and intervention resources, existing evidence-based programs, best practices, and academic research for use of school districts

Please join me and others in supporting this bill with your legislators. I can't imagine why anyone would be against such a bill, but I am sure that someone will have a beef with it. I think it was Robert Kennedy that said, "Twenty percent of the public will be against anything."

In passing a will say that our thoughts and prayers go out to Senator Ted Kennedy and his family. Get well soon sir, and continue to lead us as is your gifted talent.

Tom Lang Celebrates 4 Years of Marriage Equality in Massacusetts

Tom Lang and his spouse Alexander Westerhoff were married on May 17th 2004, the first day they were legally able to. They have come back every year since then on their anniversary to hold a sing on the statehouse steps which simply thanks people for their equality. Friends came out with them to show support and help celebrate this important day in the history of civil rights.

Happy Anniversary my dear friends, and thank you for sharing your important day with the public in such a selfless act of love for your fellow man. You are an example for others to follow.

(From right to left are Alex, Tom , Myself, Raymond, Liz, Andrew, and Scott.)

See also:
Boston.com
Last Year
OutTakeOnline

Rev. Dr. Professor Emeritus Jerry Maneker: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA

Use this link to hear what Father Jerry Maneker has to say on this joyous event:

A CHRISTIAN VOICE FOR GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER RIGHTS: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN CALIFORNIA

Kris Mineau on California Gay Marriage

This media statement was released today by our partner organization Massachusetts Family Institute:

Woburn, MA - The California Supreme Court, seemingly taking its lead from the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, legalized same-sex marriage in a 4-3 decision today.

In 2000, the voters of California approved Proposition 22 by 61 percent, which said that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California." Four judges have now ruled that the vote of the people does not matter.

"We empathize with the people of California in this direct attack on democracy and the rule of law," said MFI President Kris Mineau. "We have been fighting for years to allow the people of Massachusetts to vote on marriage. Today, the California Supreme Court went a step further than our own SJC and directly overturned the will of the people."

The California Supreme Court rejected the state's marriage laws as discriminatory, ruling that same-sex couples should be permitted to marry. The long-awaited court decision stems from the same-sex marriages that took place in San Francisco in 2004. The court's decision stands in contrast to rulings in New York, Washington and New Jersey that refused to grant same-sex couples marriage rights.

"The voters of California, though, have a luxury that Massachusetts voters do not have and that is a direct initiative petition process," continued Mineau. "Thanks to the hard work of our counterparts in California, who anticipated this decision, there will be a constitutional amendment on the ballot this November and the people will be able to protect traditional marriage from activist judges."

Initially in 2005, a San Francisco trial judge ruled that homosexuals should be allowed to marry, but that ruling was later overturned by a 2-1 vote by an appeals court, sending the case to the state Supreme Court. As in Massachusetts, one of the first couples to wed in San Francisco and the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit challenging the marriage laws have since separated and they are no longer part of the case.

"We must change the political climate on Beacon Hill so that the citizens of Massachusetts can vote on the definition of marriage," Mineau concluded.

No Kris Mineau, what we need to do is learn how to live as one people in a diverse population. We don't need to conform to the will of others unless by our exercise of liberty we curtail someone else's right to happiness. That accusation has been brought but never actualized in evidence, much like when you accused the legislators of being bribed last year at the June 14Th Constitutional Convention. You lack proof and therefore you also lack credibility.

Inalienable rights like the pursuit of happiness via marriage don't get voted away, end of story. It is thinking like yours that prevents America from being as strong as it once was and can still be. Ever hear of a motto, "United we stand, divided we fall"? We are all brothers and sisters under the flag of the United States of America, and not the selective teachings from the Bible. Fear of our fellow citizens is not an American value, nor is it productive to focus on fear to motivate your base support against those who have never done you any harm.

I pray for a day when people like you, James Dobson, Ted Haggard and the like can't fool enough people to stay in the Hate business.

California Supreme Court Validates Gay Marriage

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The California Supreme Court ruled on Thursday the state cannot bar same-sex marriages, marking a major victory for gay rights advocates that may have national implications.

"Under these circumstances, we cannot find that retention of the traditional definition of marriage constitutes a compelling state interest," the court said in a majority decision.

"Accordingly, we conclude that to the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional."

Read the rest of the report here.

For the legal eagles who want the full decision here is a link to all 178 pages of it.

For those of us who want an abridged version, here is the gist of things:

Page 107:

In the present case, the question before us is whether the state has a constitutionally compelling interest in reserving the designation of marriage only for opposite-sex couples and excluding same-sex couples from access to that designation, and whether this statutory restriction is necessary to serve a compelling state interest.

page 108:

"throughout this state’s history the Legislature, of course, has effected numerous fundamental changes in the institution of marriage, dramatically altering its nature from how it existed at common law."

In contrast to the position advanced by the Proposition 22 Legal Defense Fund and the Campaign, the Attorney General and the Governor recognize that the California Constitution does not define or limit the marriage relationship to a union of a man and a woman.

on Page 111 we find some legaleze I have had translated for me:

"By the same token, the circumstance that the limitation of marriage to a union between a man and a woman embodied in section 308.5 was enacted as an initiative measure by a vote of the electorate similarly neither exempts the statutory provision from constitutional scrutiny nor justifies a more deferential standard of review. Although California decisions consistently and vigorously have safeguarded the right of voters to exercise the authority afforded by the initiative process (see, e.g., Associated Home Builders, etc., Inc. v. City of Livermore (1976) 18 Cal.3d 582, 591), our past cases at the same time uniformly establish that initiative measures adopted by the electorate are subject to the same constitutional limitations that apply to statutes adopted by the Legislature, and our courts have not hesitated to invalidate measures enacted through the initiative process when they run afoul of constitutional guarantees provided by either the federal or California Constitution."

Translation:

"It is my belief that the statement holds that a constitutional amendment motivated by voter referendum has the same constitutionally mandated burden of judicial review and due process as any there legistlature motivated statute."
~Raymond A. Grinnell IV

In a nutshell this means were this petition to change the constitution to be approved by voters it will bring the process back to the same judicial body that just said they approved marriage equality. This of course will send the opponents of equality to find relief from the federal government, setting the stage for a federal court fight where the Supreme Court will have to rule for all states at once. This is something they are desperately hoping to avoid.

"Instead of presuming the validity of the statutes defining marriage and establishing domestic partnership, in effect the majority presumes them to be constitutionally invalid by characterizing domestic partnership as a 'mark of second-class citizenship.'" - California Supreme Court

"An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is likely. " - CNN
(Both above quoted from queertoday.com)

Opponents of marriage equality in Califonia are pressing on with their petition to put discrimination in their constitution, but the their supreme court, legislators, and governator against them someone needs to call in the fat lady.

Thank you California, and welcome to the land of the free!

For more reading on this subject visit:

KnowThyNeighbor.org
MassMarrier

Moldova Government Creates GLBT Danger

Safety, Lives of LGBT Moldovans Under Immediate Threat; Action Needed Now!
A C T I O N A L E R T | Your Help Urgently Needed

The safety and human rights of LGBT people in the Eastern European nation of Moldova are under threat right now.

The government of Moldova is threatening to arrest Rev. Elder Diane Fisher and Eastern European LGBT activist Florin Buhuceanu if they hold worship services for the LGBT community this weekend.

And they are refusing to provide police protection, despite numerous death threats made against Diane and Florin and the LGBT community there.

The government is also refusing police protection for this weekend's LGBT Pride March in Moldova's capital city of Chisinau, where members of the International Lesbian and Gay Association of Europe and Romania's human rights organization, ACCEPT, are also gathered. All legal procedures were followed to obtain the appropriate permits, and despite early promises, the mayor of Chisinau has withdrawn approval for the march permits.

At last report, the government will allow a maximum of 50 LGBT people and their supporters to march -- but will allow an unlimited number of anti-gay protestors to gather -- all without police protection.

Moldova's government urgently needs to hear -- NOW! -- from people of goodwill around the globe!

Your e-mails will help to protect LGBT Moldovans and their supporters who are taking the first bold steps toward forming a community and seeking equality under the law.

And your e-mails can help stop the threats of arrest and harassment made against Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, activist Florin Buhuceanu, and Moldova's growing, fledgling LGBT community.

Here are four steps you can take to make an immediate difference:

1. Write a brief e-mail to the Moldovan government. Ask them to honor their nation's laws and to allow the peaceful gathering of LGBT people and their supporters. Ask that the rights of LGBT people be protected. Let them know the eyes of the world are focused on Moldova this week.

2. Send your e-mail to as many of the following contacts as possible:

-- Moldovan Ministry of Justice -- secretariat@justice.gov.md

-- Moldovan Ministry of Social Protection -- lucia.gavrilita@mpsfc.gov.md

-- Moldovan Advocate for Human Rights -- cpdom@mdl.net

-- Moldova's Embassy in Washington, DC -- washington@mfa.md

-- Chisinau City Hall (Moldova's Capital City) - primaria@pmc.md

3. Forward this Action Alert to friends, LGBT groups, and listservs.

4. All people of faith are encouraged to hold LGBT Moldovans and their supporters in your prayers, and to pray for a breakthrough from the Moldovan government.

The situation is critical. Time is of the essence. Your help can make a difference. Please, please take action now.

From the MCC Global Justice Team
The Reverend Pat Bumgardner, Chair
CONTACT:
Moldovan Ministry of Justice -- secretariat@justice.gov.md

Moldovan Ministry of Social Protection -- lucia.gavrilita@mpsfc.gov.md

Moldovan Advocate for Human Rights -- cpdom@mdl.net

Moldova's Embassy in Washington, DC -- washington@mfa.md

Chisinau City Hall (Moldova's Capital City) - primaria@pmc.md



METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES
PO Box 1374 • Abilene, Texas 79604 • Phone: 310-360-8640 • Fax: 325-690-6328

May Seems the Month of Gay Equality

Gay-marriage amendment likely dead for year in Pennsylvania

Wednesday, May 07, 2008BY JAN MURPHY Of The Patriot-News:

An effort to add an amendment to Pennsylvania's Constitution banning gay marriage was dealt a major setback in the state Senate on Tuesday.

The Senate was expected to consider legislation to limit marriage to a union between one man and one woman, and not recognize any other "functional equivalent of marriage," such as civil unions.

The Senate tabled the bill, signaling it is unlikely to move anywhere this year. The Democratic-controlled House has shown no interest in taking up the measure.

A majority of Democratic senators and enough Republican senators struggled with the proposal's inclusion of "functional equivalent." Some considered it discriminatory. Others, such as Sen. Patricia Vance, R-Cumberland County, found it to be too nebulous.

"If you say marriage will be between a man and a woman, that's not hard to understand. But if you say functional equivalent, I'm not sure what that means," Vance said.

She said she was prepared to offer an amendment on the Senate floor striking the term "functional equivalent" from the proposal.

Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia County, a staunch opponent of the amendment, and others predicted Vance's amendment would have garnered at least the 26 votes needed to pass.

They claimed that was the real reason why the measure was tabled and not the excuse offered on the Senate floor. Sen. Michael Brubaker, R-Lancaster County, the bill's sponsor, said there was no point in passing the bill, since the House leaders indicated they had no plans of moving it if it came to that chamber.

Read the rest of the story at the link provided above.

I Love New York

Baby steps, yes, but the move toward equality takes a step forward today as New York officially acknowledges the obvious:

Couples married outside of New York are recognized as married under New York Law.

Gay marriage advocates have won a partial victory in New York, as the state's highest court has left in place a lower court ruling that recognized a lesbian couple as being married.

The Court of Appeals declined yesterday to review the mid-level appellate court's decision to recognize the couple's Canadian marriage, the first such ruling by an appellate court in New York State.

For now, that lower court decision remains binding across the state.

In 2006, the state's Court of Appeals found that there was no right to same-sex marriages under the state constitution, leaving unanswered the question of whether the state would recognize same-sex marriages and civil unions performed in other states and abroad. So far, lower courts around the state have mostly said yes.

It is only a matter of time now. New York will, I guarantee, soon realize the frivolity of recognizing marriages that take place in other states and countries while denying it's own citizens the right to marry within the state.

Read the rest of the story here.
..

Stage Set for Vote on Gay Marriage Ban

In Capitol, more than 200 foes rally against amendment after its approval by Senate panel

Tuesday, May 06, 2008
By Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau

HARRISBURG -- Minutes after a Senate committee approved a bill to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage yesterday, Democratic legislators from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia vociferously attacked the proposal, calling it "disgraceful, morally wrong and unnecessary."

Senate Bill 1250, which is meant to bolster the state's 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which already prohibits same-sex marriage, "is disheartening and discriminatory," said Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park.

"It's marriage mischief -- an attempt to enshrine bigotry in the state constitution," he told an angry crowd of 200 protesters gathered in the Capitol rotunda.

"Politicians always want to get into your wallet, but now many politicians, some Democrats as well as Republicans, want to get into your bedroom."

Other opponents of the constitutional amendment included Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, and Democratic Sens. Vincent Fumo of Philadelphia and Connie Williams of Delaware County.

"When the basic rights of any group are threatened, then no one's rights are safe," said Mr. Fumo, amid echoing chants of "Stop this bill! Stop this bill!"

Read the rest of this article at it's origin with the provided link above.

"If the good people in the kindness of their hearts see it fot to leave me in the background, I am too familiar with disappointment to be chagrin." ~Abraham Lincoln

People of Pennsilvania, you have an opportunity to show your love for your neighbor here, don't let youselves down.

Yearning for Zion Update: 41 Children Have Had Broken Bones

Texas Reports Added Signs of Abuse at Sect’s Ranch


By DAN FROSCH
Published: May 1, 2008
New York Times

At least 41 children seized from a polygamist ranch in West Texas in April have had broken bones, and some young boys may have been sexually abused, Texas officials said Wednesday.

Those details and others about the 464 children removed from the Yearning for Zion ranch in Eldorado were part of an update by Carey Cockerell, commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Mr. Cockerell testified before a legislative committee in Austin.

Although the investigation into the sect, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was set off by accusations of marriages between under-age girls and older men, this was the first indication that boys might have been victimized.

“Based on interviews with the children and journal entries found at the ranch, we are continuing to look into the possible sexual abuse of some young boys,” a synopsis of the update on the agency’s Web site said.

Medical examinations and reviews show the broken bones, including injuries suffered by very young children, Mr. Cockerell said in prepared testimony to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Officials did not offer evidence to support their assertions.

State officials cautioned that medical reports on the children were incomplete.

A spokesman for the department, Patrick Crimmins, said that the contention that boys might have been sexually abused was preliminary and that no conclusions had been drawn. Asked who might have abused the boys, Mr. Crimmins would say only the department was investigating what occurred on the ranch.

Rod Parker, a lawyer in Salt Lake City and a spokesman for the sect, called the accusations “half truths and implications without foundation.”

Mr. Parker said officials had floated the reports of broken bones to “malign these people and their culture, in order to insulate themselves from criticism of what they’re doing.”

Injured children, he added, were routinely treated by doctors outside the ranch and those doctors would have subsequently been legally obligated to report signs of abuse.

As for the possible sexual abuse of boys, Mr. Parker said it was an accusation with “no more validity than if there was a Sarah.”

That was a reference to the caller who set off the raid on April 3 who identified herself as Sarah, 16, and said she was being abused by her 49-year-old husband. The caller has not been found.

After the raid, confusion was widespread as investigators tried to identify children and parents and discern the children’s lineage.

That process, as described on Wednesday, quickly became muddled as investigators were given conflicting information.

“The women share parenting duties,” the update synopsis said. “They care for, console, discipline and breast feed each other’s children. When we ask a child who his mother is, he will tell us several names, because the children think of all the women in a house as their mothers, and all the children are considered their siblings.”

In other cases, women and children removed identification bracelets given to them by the state, or rubbed the wording off.

Mr. Cockerell said many girls, under pressure from the older women, refused pregnancy tests.

State officials have said that more than 30 of the 53 girls from 14 to 17 who were at the ranch are pregnant or have children. On Tuesday, one of them gave birth.

FORMER DNC CHAIR, MASSACHUSETTS SUPERDELEGTATE ENDORSES BARACK OBAMA

Chicago, IL – Today, Former Democratic National Committee Chair and Massachusetts supderdelegate Paul G. Kirk, Jr. endorsed Barack Obama.
The endorsement brings the total number of superdelegates to endorse Barack Obama to 253. Senator Obama is 279 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.
His statement is below:

“It is with a great sense of pride and confidence in his leadership that I am delighted to publicly endorse Senator Barack Obama and pledge my support to him as former National Democratic Chairman and as a superdelegate. Senator Obama is the one candidate who has and will continue to expand the electorate beyond the traditional Democratic party base and bring young and new and Independent voters to the Democratic banner in November, an essential ingredient to a Democratic victory.

Throughout his life and public career, has fought the tough fights to advance the quality of life of the working families of Illinois, not with election year gimmicks like the gas tax holiday espoused by others, but by hard headed, common sense solutions, and that’s what he will do as President of the United States.

America never turns back. America always marches forward to seize the future. 8 of 10 Americans believe their country is on the wrong track. Senator Obama is the one candidate who, in the best tradition of American history, will not take us back but will lead us to a new future.

Senator Obama is the one candidate best able to quickly restore America’s respect and reputation globally. Senator Obama is the one candidate best able to set the tone at the top for the unity and reconciliation needed in this country, to bring us together, to define our common goals and to provide the inspiration to move us forward.

After the attention paid to the poisonous and polarizing diatribe of recent days, Senator Obama’s clear and compelling message which appeals to our best instincts as Americans is more important than ever. For all these reasons, I heartily endorse Senator Obama and hope my colleagues will do the same.”

Daughter of Fred Phelps Making an Ass of Herself

This may not be the face of most homophobics, but you have to ask yourself what is wrong when you have anything in common with this woman. What an insane tirade!

This is What Homophobia Does

As you can see for yourself, hate does not stop with words, it continues into actions and violence. This is why we need education action homophobia and why we need to do it in our schools. Children should not be victims.

Califonia Gay Marriage Opponents on Ropes

From the Ventura County Star:

Herdt: Gay-marriage turning point?
New ballot measure may reveal a shift in state
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

If it is true, as gay-rights advocates have proclaimed for years, that obtaining equal rights for gays and lesbians is the civil rights issue of our time, then 2008 in California is shaping up as a potential turning point for the movement.

In early June, the state Supreme Court will issue its decision on whether gays have a constitutional right to marry. Although it seems unlikely that this rather conservative court — all but one of the seven justices was appointed by a Republican governor — will find such a right to marriage per se, it's a good guess that the court will acknowledge that same-sex couples have the civil right to enter into committed relationships sanctioned by the state.

Maybe the court will go further, but it will almost certainly go at least that far.

In his questioning of attorneys during oral arguments in March, Justice Ming Chin may have offered a preview of the legal justification for a split-the-baby decision: "Aren't the rights and responsibilities of domestic partners and marriage partners substantially the same?"

A separate-but-equal decision wouldn't satisfy proponents of same-sex marriages, of course, but it would further institutionalize the foundation for domestic-partner relationships: that gays and lesbians cannot be denied the personal fulfillment of family life based upon their sexual orientation.

Come November, it appears that civil-rights advocates will have the opportunity to build upon that foundation in the public arena

Read the rest from the link provided above. It seems eventual that people will understand that discrimination is wrong no matter the form. For that realization to actualize we need people of good conscience to stand up and state their opinions. In the absence of their voice the public will hear whomever is speaking no matter what is said. That is not acceptable for me, I hope others feel the same way.

APA Quack Forum May Be Cancelled

New York - Sources have informed TruthWinsOut.org that Monday's symposium featuring infamous "ex-gay" therapist Dr. Warren Throckmorton may be cancelled. The forum, "A Pastoral Approach for Gay & Lesbian People Troubled by Homosexuality," suffered a major blow when panelist, Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, pulled out of the event. Robinson expressed concern that the symposium, scheduled to take place the same week as the APA's annual meeting in Washington, would be used as a public relations gimmick for Focus on the Family.

"The cancellation of this forum is welcome news because it gave the wrong impression that the American Psychiatric Association endorsed 'ex-gay' therapy, when, in fact, the organization soundly rejects such therapies," said TWO Executive Director Wayne Besen.

Predictably, on his blog, Throckmorton claimed that the APA is "apparently afraid of a conversation." What he conveniently failed to mention was that this discussion ended three decades ago and his side was defeated because they lacked scientific credibility. They have yet to provide a shred of evidence supporting the efficacy of ex-gay therapy, while there is evidence that such methods cause a great deal of harm.

"Throckmorton 'counsels' vulnerable gay people to either live a lifetime of loneliness or a lifetime of lies.This is neither healthy nor therapeutic and it's a diagnosis for disaster," said Besen.

David Scasta, the openly gay psychiatrist who shamelessly promoted the seminar, has not publicly confirmed the events cancellation.




TruthWinsOut.org is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the "ex-gay" myth and educates America about gay life. For more information, visit www.TruthWinsOut.org.

Focus on the Family Should Focus on the Facts

Our friend Wayne Besen over at TruthWinsOut.org sent us an email alert over this recent development. It seems our friends over at Focus on the Family are doing their usual best trying to fabricate what others say into what they want to hear. Here is a letter sent from Gary Remafedi, M.D., M.P.H. Professor, Department of Pediatrics University of Minnesota who is irrate over being misquoted:

Dr. James Dobson
Focus on the Family
Colorado Springs, CO 80995

April 30, 2008

Dear Dr. Dobson,

I want to draw your attention to a gross misrepresentation of our research at the website of “Focus on the Family” (see http://www.family.org/socialissues/A000000682.cfm). In the third paragraph of the article, “Myths and Facts,” our research is cited in support of the statement: “During early adolescence, many children experience a period of sexual-identity confusion when they can easily be influenced in either direction.”

First, please note that the citation itself is incorrect. The original article was published in Pediatrics, not Journal of Pediatrics. The correct reference is: Remafedi G, Resnick M, Blum R, Harris L. Demography of sexual orientation in adolescents. Pediatrics. 89(4):714-721, 1992. More important, had the authors of “Myths and Facts” actually read the article, they would have found no support for their contention that “many children experience a period of sexual-identity confusion when they can be influenced in either direction.” The word confusion does not appear in our article; nor did we find that anyone can influence a young person’s sexual identity.

The purpose of our study was to explore patterns of sexual orientation in a representative sample of more than 34,000 Minnesota students in grades 7 to 12. We found that the percentage of student who reported being “unsure” about their orientation steadily declined with age from 25.9% in 12-year-old persons to 5% in 18 year-old students (p. 716). Youth who were “unsure” were more likely than others to entertain homosexual fantasies and attractions and less likely to have had heterosexual experiences (p. 720). These and other data suggested that uncertainty about sexual orientation “gradually gives way to heterosexual or homosexual identification with the passage of time and/or with increasing sexual experience” (p. 720).

Please ask the authors of the misstatements to correct them as soon as possible. In the interest of accurate translation of research into practice, a copy of this letter will be posted at www.truthwinsout.org. Thank you for your attention.
Respectfully yours,


428 Oak Grove St.
Minneapolis, MN 55403

cc: Truth Wins Out

If you read nothing else in this letter find this statement:

More important, had the authors of “Myths and Facts” actually read the article, they would have found no support for their contention that “many children experience a period of sexual-identity confusion when they can be influenced in either direction.” The word confusion does not appear in our article; nor did we find that anyone can influence a young person’s sexual identity.

Minnesota Justice Paralyzed By "Facial"

This seems like the hands of time were turned back to when the pilgrims first ventured here, but this is the honest truth they are currently debating over in Minnisota as reported on Marty Klein's blog sexualintelligence.org.

Former University of Minnesota football player Dominic Jones is accused of sexually assaulting a woman by, among other things, ejaculating on her face while she was drunk.

Despite eyewitness accounts that the woman asked to be "rained on," the State says it must be rape because no sane, sober woman would actually consent to such a perversion.

Please read the rest from the original article, but feel free to comment here as to your thoughts.

GOVERNOR PATRICK APPOINTS CURTIS WOOD TO DIRECT THE CRIMINAL HISTORY SYSTEMS BOARD

New Director Brings Vast Array of Experience to Commonwealth Post:

BOSTON – Thursday, May 1, 2008 – Governor Deval Patrick announced today he has appointed Curtis M. Wood as the new Executive Director of the Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB).

“Curtis Wood joins my administration with 33 years of practical experience in public safety operations and criminal justice policy management,” said Governor Patrick. “His credentials and his experience will serve the Commonwealth well.”

Wood had served as CHSB’s Deputy Executive Director since 2002, overseeing Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) services, the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and the daily operation of the agency.

“Mr. Wood understands the important nexus of public safety and information sharing,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Kevin M. Burke. “We’re privileged to have and keep someone of his caliber for such a vitally important position.”

During his professional career, Wood has been the commanding officer of the Department of Correction (DOC) Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Governor’s Warrant Task Force, the DOC Director of Information Resources and the Director of a private public safety consulting practice.

In his new role, Wood has management control over the Commonwealth’s law enforcement data communications network and 24 hours data center which is currently, among other things, developing a statewide system to provide information on gangs and individual gang members.

Wood, a Winthrop resident, will manage a $6.3 million annual operational budget, multi-million dollar information technology projects, a diverse work staff, represent the agency and its business agenda throughout the Commonwealth and nation.

Religious Right Endorses the "Day of Silence"

Religious organizations which had previously decried the Day of Silence have changed their minds.

They are now actively encouraging students to remain silent for a day as a display of Solidarity.

.

Age of Consent

The post on Yearning for Zion has generated a fair amount of response. I thank those readers for their thoughtful commentary.

But the question of at what age may minors consent to sex and/or marriage is indeed an interesting one.

While I maintain that the FLDS sect is an abomination because I can't imagine how a modern society can accept the concept of arranged marriage and by extension, the forced pregnancy of young girls, I do not think that teenagers are necessarily unable to consent to sex.

There is a HUGE difference between teenagers freely choosing to express their sexuality with peers and being forced by tradition to accept a role they would not choose in a modern 21st century environment.

Marty Klein of Sexual Intelligence is a strong supporter of teen's rights and had this to report on his recent guest appearance on 20/20.

20/20, Age of Consent--and Me

A few weeks ago, 20/20 did an hour on various aspects of Age of Consent laws. I'm pleased to say they really got it right.

I was on screen for almost a minute (that's a year in TV time), pointing out how fear of sexuality is driving public policy about teens--who society trusts to drive and to work, but not to have sex. 20/20 showed the cover of my current book, with a voiceover describing the War On Sex. Very cool.

The program interviewed a number of teens who were arrested for having consenting sex with "underage" partners--that is, other teens who can't legally consent to sex. The boys' punishments ranged from probation to jail to lifetime registration as sex offenders.

Host John Stossel was appropriately indignant about this horrible injustice. The show gave airtime to lawmakers, the fathers of teen girls whose boyfriends had been arrested, and even vigilantes devoted to publicizing the home addresses of people busted for consenting sex with teens.

Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council said the solution to teen sex was for people to not have sex before they marry. It's an idea rejected by virtually all Americans (who now typically marry for the first time at 25), but various policy-makers on the show said that criminalizing sex that isn't wise may deter a few young people from making mistakes. As for the boyfriends and fiancés who can't get jobs or housing because they've been busted for sleeping with their girlfriends, one state lawmaker described that as "a necessary evil."

That's probably not the phrase he would use if it were his son whose life was destroyed for having sex with the girl who loved him.

ABC's article about this is pretty thoughtful, and even quotes me with facts about how rates of rape and teen pregnancy are declining--contrary to the predictions of those terrified or enraged by the increasing sexualization of our culture.

Some say you can judge a society by how it treats animals. Maybe we should also judge a society by how it treats human beings with adult bodies acting on adult feelings in private--who happen to be under 18.

"Reprinted from Sexual Intelligence, copyright © Marty Klein, Ph.D. (www.SexualIntelligence.org)."

Teenagers have rights, and it our duty to respect them.