My first vlog. I comment on Bryan Fischer

This is my first attempt to make a vlog. I am planning on doing more video commentary so I am sure they will get better with time. The image will link you to my facebook. Enjoy.

BRITAIN: Leading Christian Homophobe Stephen Green Unmasked As Wife Beater

It is nice to see it is not just the US that is full of BIG A HOLES.

Infamous anti-gay activist Stephen Green, who is well known as a British version of Peter LaBarbera, is being divorced by his wife. Because he's been beating her with a piece of wood.

Caroline Green was often punished by her husband Stephen for failing to be a dutiful, compliant wife, but his final act of violence against her — the one that prompted her long-overdue decision to divorce him — was all the more chilling because it was coldly premeditated. Stephen Green wrote a list of his wife’s ­failings then described the weapon he would make to beat her with. ‘He told me he’d make a piece of wood into a sort of witch’s broom and hit me with it, which he did,’ she recalls, her voice tentative and quiet. ‘He hit me until I bled. I was terrified. I can still remember the pain. ‘Stephen listed my misdemeanours: I was disrespectful and disobedient; I wasn’t loving or submissive enough and I was undermining him. He also said I wasn’t giving him his ­conjugal rights. ‘He even framed our marriage vows — he always put particular emphasis on my promise to obey him — and hung them over our bed. He believed there was no such thing as marital rape and for years I’d been reluctant to have sex with him, but he said it was my duty and was angry if I refused him.

Green's wife also claims that their son had to be hospitalized after a beating from him.

RELATED: Last month the BBC raised the ire of LGBT activists when they interviewed Green as an "opposing voice" in a story about the birth of Elton John's son. Green has publicly endorsed Uganda's plan to execute homosexuals and his group, Christian Voice, has advocated for the overturn of Britain's laws against marital rape, saying that the Bible demands that all women must submit sexually to their husbands. Green has been the subject of numerous praising posts on Peter LaBarbera's site.

Transforming Anger

                This is a must READ! It is a great piece on how and why we relate to others.

Go read then come back and read my response.

Transforming Anger

It is simple and I often use this exercise when teaching art . Brainstorming. Having everyone in the group spend 5 minutes writing down their ideas then narrowing the list until every one is satisfied with the end result. By using inclusive language such as "yes and " we begin to add ideas together instead of the divisive either/or where we separate and compete.

Applying it to how we relate to issues and interaction with those that do not agree could work if all are open to the collaboration.

The problem pointed out in the article is we are breed to be competitive. Our parents begin competition before we are born and we compete for and about everything after.

 Sometimes it is a clear case of misunderstanding that a round table can quickly come to conclusions and resolve. Sometimes the information is interpreted differently that creates opposing points of view that again could benefit from a brainstorming session where a compromise could be reached.
Often we are faced with not just simple misunderstanding or interpretation, but misinformation which is undocumented and/or disproven by modern science and study. If all involved were to approach the table with documented facts based on scientific method and an open mind, I am sure that some conclusions could be reached and a compromise could be made to satisfy all.
The biggest hurtle is when those that believe the misinformation, create misinformation, and stand on their religious convictions as the truth. I  believe that if a person hears or says something often enough, it becomes the truth to them even if it's a lie. If you tell a child they are stupid long enough, they will begin to believe they are stupid. It is very hard to convince them otherwise even with proof such as good grades or positive decision making.
The same goes for for those who believe  the lies they were told, and/or created, and claim to have God on their side. No amount of documentation, no scientific data, and no real look at what is going on will convince this group that they are mistaken. Sometimes real facts get in the way so the data is down played as insignificant or blown off as "against Gods will". Even when they fall into the minority this group does not give up. Groups like the KKK are good examples of flawed thinking that is truly a minority yet continues to thrive.
As the public discourse and opinions change on matters of discrimination, the misinformation is replaced with fact and reflect the need for anti-discriminatory laws to help guide the governed.
This is where we stand on the subject of equal rights in general and LGBT equality in specific.
One side has the support against discrimination based on scientific research and study backed up by creditable organizations and about 50% of the total population. Freedom, justice, and equality under secular law for everyone is their goal. This side is offering a respect for differences as part of the solution.
The other side supports their argument for discrimination based on proven flawed research, gross misinformation, and the heart felt belief that "God said so".
The current debate is ugly. It is bringing out the best and worst in folks on both sides. While it would be interesting to bring both to the round table and see if they could come to any satisfying compromise, I don't see this happening. Passion will get the best of both sides due to our competitive natures and breeding.
My hope is that equality will be a reality in my lifetime and the fringe groups will sink into history as good examples of how not to treat other humans. I believe God, how ever you perceive her/him to be, loves us all equally. Until then, I pray I keep my cool in the face of discrimination.


To quote from Alvin McEwen, owner of the great blog Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters,

"Lies in the name of God are still lies."

What Will You Lose?

In The Life Media

From gaycast.net. More on Censorship.

Sumsing Turbo 3000 Cellphone

Another very funny from brother Jim.

This is cool!

My brother sent a bunch of videos in an email and this is one I would save my pennys for.
Thanks Jim.

Touching Story from Maryland

From the Chicago SunTimes comes a surprising story at the Navel Academy In Annapolis, Maryland.

John Fliszar had a heart attack in 2006 and was rushed to Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

“When I was in the emergency room with him, he asked me to promise him, if he died, to make sure his ashes were interred in the Naval Academy,” said Mark Ketterson. “He loved that place. He very much wanted to be there.”

Fliszar, a Marine aviator who served two tours in Vietnam, survived that heart attack. But last July the Albany Park resident suffered another one that killed him at age 61.

Hoping to fulfill Fliszar’s wishes, Ketterson contacted the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and told them that Fliszar, Class of ’71, had wanted to have his ashes interred at the USNA’s Columbarium, a serene white marble waterside crypt next to the school’s cemetery.

The memorial coordinator asked about his relationship to the deceased. Ketterson said that John Fliszar was his husband.

“They were always polite, but there was this moment of hesitation,” Ketterson recalled. “They said they’re going to need something in writing from a blood relative. They asked, ‘Are you listed on the death certificate?’ ‘Do you have a marriage license?’ ”

He was and they did, the couple having been married in Des Moines when gay marriage became legal in Iowa two years ago.

Ketterson sent a copy of the marriage license. That changed everything.

“I was respected,” he said. “From that moment on, I was next of kin. They were amazing.”

The USNA alumni association sent Ketterson a letter expressing condolence for the loss of his husband.

The USNA says Fliszar’s interment followed standard operating procedure.

“His next of kin was treated with the same dignity and respect afforded to the next of kin of all USNA grads who desire interment at the Columbarium,” said Jennifer Erickson, a spokesperson for the academy. “We didn’t do anything differently.”

Shipmate magazine, the publication of the USNA’s alumni association, ran Fliszar’s obituary. It noted his two Purple Hearts for “having been shot down from the sky twice in military missions.” It noted “for the rest of his life he would joke about his ‘government issued ankle.’ ” It noted “his burly but warmly gentle manner.” It noted he was “survived by his husband, Mark Thomas Ketterson.”

“The word ‘husband’ in the obituary has created a bit of a stir,” said Ketterson, a Chicago social worker. “I’ve heard from a number of officers. It’s been amazing. This has not been absolutely confirmed, but I think I’m the first legal same-sex spouse who planned a memorial.”

The memorial service was held in October, in “the beautiful, beautiful Naval Academy chapel,” said Ketterson. A uniformed officer stood in the back and played taps.

“They did the standard military funeral, a wonderful service,” said Ketterson. “Since I was the designated next of kin, they were going to present the flag to me, but I deferred to his mom. She gave it to me.”

One of the groups Ketterson heard from afterward was USNA-Out, the organization for gay graduates of the naval academy.

“From my perspective, attitudes and actions are changing at the Naval Academy and certainly at the alumni association,” said Brian Bender, chair of USNA-Out, observing that while he “can’t speak for the Navy as a whole, we do interact with active-duty Navy folks, and they check in with their chain of command.”

I tried to find someone who could speak for the Navy as a whole, but with whatever era replaces “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’’ still in its infancy, well, let’s say that Navy communications specialists are not jostling each other for the chance to address this subject.

While the public generally approved of the official end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’’ in the U.S. military, the details still need to be worked out. The thorny issue isn’t ending the costly and counterproductive practice of forcing gays out of military services — that cost $40 million a year to enforce and deprived the armed services of thousands of qualified personnel. A bigger challenge is the question of entitlements: Who is a survivor? Who gets military benefits?

A marriage certificate was the key that let the USNA know how to treat Ketterson in relation to his husband’s service. Gays in the military and gay marriage are thought of as separate issues, but without legal gay marriage, or at least civil unions, how can the military know who gets the folded flag?

Such practical concerns were far from Ketterson’s mind when he and Fliszar got married after dating for six years — “because I loved him and he asked me,” Ketterson said, adding that the USNA alumni he’s heard from have made grieving more bearable.

“It’s been some months. I’m still doing mourning,” Ketterson said. “As a gay man who grew up in a military family, getting communications from USNA, having heard from alumni who say, ‘You will always be one of us’ — that’s powerful, and healing.”

“One of the e-mails said that I was a ‘trailblazer,’ ’’ said Ketterson. “I didn’t blaze any trail. I buried my husband.”

That said, he still finds himself marveling at how it all unfolded.

“I am a patriotic American, but I know this is not a perfect world,” he said. “The point is, when the chips are down, when the issue was patriotism and honor for a veteran, they were wonderful. Whatever their private feelings, they made me proud to be an American. We really do get it right sometimes.”

Marriage in Maryland Update

This spells out what is going on pretty good. I will be in Annapolis in front of the state house at 5 pm on Monday to help the cause.

WHO RUNS THIS ADMINISTRATION?

Crosspost from Americanbloggay
This isn't even separate but equal. It's separate and unequal.

I'll let the ACLU describe the hideous position the Pentagon - that would be Barack Obama's Pentagon - just reiterated today:

Congress made a judgment that military personnel who serve their country for at least six years and are honorably discharged should get separation pay. The Department of Defense decided to cut that separation pay in half for any service member who is discharged for "homosexuality." The ACLU has filed a class action lawsuit challenging that discriminatory internal policy of the Department of Defense as unconstitutional. The separation-pay policy is not part of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the Department can change it immediately without waiting for congressional approval.

The lead plaintiff in the case is Richard Collins, a decorated former staff-sergeant in the U.S. Air Force who served for nine years until he was discharged from service under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Mr. Collins's superiors learned that he is gay when two civilian co-workers observed him exchange a kiss with his civilian boyfriend. Mr. Collins received an honorable discharge from the Air Force but discovered after the discharge had been completed that his separation pay had been cut in half on the grounds of "homosexuality."

How hard is it for someone in the White House to stand up and run this country? President Obama is commander in chief. He has the power to change this bigoted policy. And for some reason, he won't. And coming on the news that Dan Choi and other gay vets are basically being fined for their own discharges, you really have to ask yourself what is wrong with this administration?

Please sign our letter to Secretary Gates demanding that he stop punishing DADT veterans.

More from the ACLU today:

The Department of Defense (DOD) today issued a memo stating that it will not offer any type of compensation, including full separation pay, for any service members discharged under the discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Under DOD policy, anyone discharged for being gay has been only entitled to half of the sum paid to other honorably discharged service members to ease their transition into civilian life. The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of New Mexico filed a lawsuit in November seeking full compensation for those discharged under the policy over the past six years.

The following can be attributed to Joshua Block, staff attorney with the ACLU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Project:

"We are disappointed that the Department of Defense has stated that it will not provide full separation pay to service members who were unconstitutionally separated from the military under the soon-to-be repealed Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. A study conducted by the Defense Department itself established beyond a doubt that the policy was not only unfair, but also unnecessary. The least that the government can do is make the victims of this discriminatory policy whole. Service members who have been unconstitutionally discharged because of Don't Ask, Don't Tell should receive the separation pay to which they are entitled."

The following can be attributed to Laura Ives, staff attorney with the ACLU of New Mexico:

"It is hard to imagine what possible justification the government could present for continuing to withhold full separation pay benefits from anyone dismissed from the armed forces due to Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The government must do the right thing and pay these men and women who have served our country honorably the full separation pay they deserve."

BACKGROUND: Evidence Of Scott Lively's Complicity In The Murder Of David Kato

This is a crosspost from joemygod.com.

I want to thank Joe Jervis for this comprehensive article on how the evangelical ministers have stired hate in Uganda. These are the same people who have spent their lives trying to do the same thing here in the USA. Their lies and hate are a big part of why LGBT people still are not equal here and are the reason some of our youth take their own lives rather than live under this oppression.Yesterday Ugandan LGBT activist David Kato was bludgeoned to death in his home just weeks after his photo was emblazoned on the cover of a local newspaper with the accompanying headline "HANG THEM!" The newspaper articles and Kato's murder came after months of international outrage over Uganda's proposed and still-pending "kill gays" bill, legislation that orders the death penalty for homosexuals in some cases and life imprisonment in others.
The inspiration for Uganda's gay death penalty bill, and surely, Kato's murder, arises from the work of American evangelists, chief among them the repulsive anti-gay activist Scott Lively, whose infamous book The Pink Swastika blames the rise of the Nazi Party and the Holocaust on gay men. One year ago, the New York Times profiled Lively's hand in Uganda's burgeoning pogrom against homosexuals, which began after Lively hosted a three-day meeting attended by thousands of Ugandan police, teachers, and politicians.

The three Americans who spoke at the conference — Scott Lively, a missionary who has written several books against homosexuality, including “7 Steps to Recruit-Proof Your Child”; Caleb Lee Brundidge, a self-described former gay man who leads “healing seminars”; and Don Schmierer, a board member of Exodus International, whose mission is “mobilizing the body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality” — are now trying to distance themselves from the bill.

“I feel duped,” Mr. Schmierer said, arguing that he had been invited to speak on “parenting skills” for families with gay children. He acknowledged telling audiences how homosexuals could be converted into heterosexuals, but he said he had no idea some Ugandans were contemplating the death penalty for homosexuality. “That’s horrible, absolutely horrible,” he said. “Some of the nicest people I have ever met are gay people.”
Mr. Lively and Mr. Brundidge have made similar remarks in interviews or statements issued by their organizations. But the Ugandan organizers of the conference admit helping draft the bill, and Mr. Lively has acknowledged meeting with Ugandan lawmakers to discuss it. He even wrote on his blog in March that someone had likened their campaign to “a nuclear bomb against the gay agenda in Uganda.” Later, when confronted with criticism, Mr. Lively said he was very disappointed that the legislation was so harsh. Human rights advocates in Uganda say the visit by the three Americans helped set in motion what could be a very dangerous cycle. Gay Ugandans already describe a world of beatings, blackmail, death threats like “Die Sodomite!” scrawled on their homes, constant harassment and even so-called correctional rape.

Yesterday Scott Lively's "nuclear bomb" against Ugandan gays went off in the form of the iron bar which crushed the skull of David Kato. In some countries, it's possible that Lively would be under arrest today. Also complicit in this murder is Peter LaBarbera, who for years has worked to publicize and praise Scott Lively's evil agenda. Then there's Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council, who last year paid lobbyists $25,000 to convince members of Congress to block a planned resolution denouncing Uganda's gay death penalty bill. And let's not forget Pastor Rick Warren, who supported, funded, appeared with, and publicized the work of Uganda's leading anti-gay activist, Pastor Martin Ssempa.


Today we mourn David Kato, a brave LGBT activist who paid the ultimate price in defense of his brothers and sisters. But we've also got start looking at some serious legal remedies to the actions of American anti-gay activists in other countries. Outside of the United States, many legals systems are not so constrained by the American concept of freedom of speech. What can we do to leverage that difference to end this madness? Lawsuits? The Hague?

Labels: bigotry, Christian Love, hate crimes, hate groups, hate speech, justice, murder, Peter LaBarbera, religion, Rick Warren, Scott Lively, Uganda

My Issue with Our Leaders’ Response to Uganda.

After the news of the brutal killing of LGBT activist David Kato, President Obama and Hillary Clinton made these comments.

Obama: "LGBT rights are not special rights; they are human rights. My Administration will continue to strongly support human rights and assistance work on behalf of LGBT persons abroad. We do this because we recognize the threat faced by leaders like David Kato, and we share their commitment to advancing freedom, fairness, and equality for all." - President Barack Obama, via White House press release.

Clinton: “...And as we reflect on his life, it is also an occasion to reaffirm that human rights apply to everyone, no exceptions, and that the human rights of LGBT individuals cannot be separated from the human rights of all persons.”

While their words are kind and try to make the USA appear we are all free and happy, they lie.

Yes, we are not as bad off as the nation of Uganda in many ways but we are not all equal.

As a legally married lesbian, I am not protected and receive no benefits. Maryland says they recognize our marriage as they would other legal marriages from outside the state but it is very limited in benefits and make filing taxes a pain. We are not recognized by the federal government so we are screwed out of over 1300 benefits which include tax breaks, Social Security, and insurance.

For over 40 years we have tried to pass an Equal Rights Amendment that would make females equal to males in pay scale, housing, and loans.

DADT is still not over and may not be for some time.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) are still sitting dormant.

If we were truly equal in this country, the LGBT population would not have to jump thru hoops and expensive lawyer fees to cover each other.  Even as a legally married couple, we have to make sure when one of us dies, that the other is not going to lose everything because of the lack of the same protections. The spouse automatically gets the estate without taxes, makes arrangements for the deceased, and collects SS benefits. NOT IF YOU ARE A SAME SEX COUPLE.

Even with wills and power of attorney, other family members and the government can take away everything left by the deceased including the kids. Children can lose both parents. Some families have been torn apart and gone broke while grieving for a lost loved one just because they are the same gender.

I am still a legal stranger to my wife.

So  When I hear Obama state, “My Administration will continue to strongly support human rights and assistance work on behalf of LGBT persons abroad.”, it grinds me.

I wish he would use his power to make our nation the example of how LGBT people ARE equal, not just working on it.

Great Support for Our Troops Coming Home In Pieces.

You will have to go directly to the link because I could not find the code.
This is a video my Mom sent and like she said,
"This WILL BE the best 8 minutes of your day!"
Thanks Mom 

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/human-energy/?

Where were you 25 years ago today?

I was back in the kitchen of my folks place and I heard a scream from the bar. I ran out to see what was going on and everyone was crying. I turned around to watch the TV when they played it again. My heart sank.
My whole family are big space fans and we all took it hard. I remember holding my 5 year old son while we watched the news later that night. He had just gotten a telescope and big book on space travel.
This is as hard to watch as the day it happened. Blessed are those who gave their lives for space exploration.

Maryland Moves Toward Marriage Equality but......

While Equality Maryland is working hard for civil rights for the LGBT population, the conservative Christians are getting read for a fight.
The new bill will give LGBT couples the right to marry as well as give the religious freedom to those who do not wish to marry them in there place of worship.
I think that is fair, but I am bias. We are talking about secular rights . I do not wish to step on anyone beliefs but I don't see how gays getting married and have the same rights and responsibility's have to do with them.
I don't see how the meaning of marriage will change either. I hope it doesn't.
Finding that person you want to spend your life with and making a commitment in front of family and friends is something we all want.
I do not believe we should put it up to a vote for several reasons.
First, it would not be a fair vote in that alot of people don't vote.
Next, the wording of some of the questions can be tricky and often people vote the opposite of what they want.
Then, this is about an agreement with the government not a church. We are asking the government to treat us with the same rights and benefits as other couples. If our church wants to go with it fine. If a church doesn't want to, that is fine also.
Civil rights have almost never been put to a vote. If they had, we would still have slavery and woman could not vote.
We are not "imposing" anything on anybody. Marriage has been in the state of Massachusetts since 2006 and they are fine. The kids are fine and the state has not exploded or vanished. As a matter of fact they have one of the lowest rates of divorce in the nation.
Gay marriage will not stop str8s from getting married. They will not stop them from having kids or anything else.
Frankly, it is sad that both sides have to spend so much time and money to fight for something as simple as marriage when there are so many other real problems in the world that can use the money and energy we all put out.

Bryan Fischer, Hatemonger

This is a crosspost from goodasyou.org

**FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR WITH FISCHER: He's the guy who's said that "homosexuals in the military gave us...six million dead Jews," who's said "homosexuals should be disqualified from public office," who has called on Christian conservatives to breed gays and progressives out of existence, has called gay sex a "form of domestic terrorism," who's said only gays were savage enough for Hitler, has compared gays to heroin abusers, has directly compared laws against gay soldiers to those that apply to bank robbers, who once invoked a Biblical story about stabbing "sexually immoral" people with spears, saying we need this kind of action in modern day, who has spoken out against gays serving as public school teachers, has questioned why Medals of Honor are given to people who save lives (rather than take lives), who says that open service will "assign the United States to the scrap heap of history," and who has blamed gay activists for dead gay kids, saying that: "If we want to see fewer students commit suicide, we want fewer homosexual students." His words pretty much single-handedly landed the American Family Association on the Southern Poverty Law Center's hate groups list.

'And there is no problem with a Christian terminating any filthy person who endangers his family. That includes any filthy fag...'

Some of you might who follow the "culture wars" on these here Internet might be aware of a personality who operates under the name GodGunsGutsGlory. In December we showed you the following video, wherein the aforementioned GGG uses all kinds of imagery from sites like Peter LaBarbera's Americans For Truth (including a graphic of fellow blogger Joe Jervis) to lash out against the "filthy f*ggots":

*Source: Actually I just showered (though I need another after watching this) [G-A-Y]

Well today, Mr. GGG has taken it all a step further. In an email to YouTuber "Aidan0128," he suggests that he could feasibly use his guts to gun down gays for the glory of God:

*SEE ALSO: GGG's startling website
*ALSO: GGG seems to be a congregant of Pastor Steven L. Anderson's Arizona church! In a couple of videos, he refers to Anderson as his pastor.

Please pass this around! 

Crosspost from goodasyou.org 

'And there is no problem with a Christian terminating any filthy person who endangers his family. That includes any filthy fag...'

Pointless, Abused, Faked Terrorism Threat Level System To Be Abolished

Crosspost from joemygod.com

Remember in 2009 when former Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge confessed that he'd been pressured to raise the terrorism threat level in order to help Dubya's 2004 campaign? And how that totally worked? Today Homeland Security announced that they are doing away with the color-coded system, effective in March. The new system will only announce known threats to specific locations, so they say.

Eat no' mo' chikin: Chick-fil-A - We Explicitly Do Not Like Same-Sex Couples

Those of you who have followed our couple-of-weeks-old Chick_Fil-A coverage will know that this is the same retreat center that hosts an annual Marriage Comission seminar, featuring invited guests like Maggie Gallagher, Jennifer Roback Morse, Focus on the Family president Jim Daly, and many more who fight in the public square against equality for gay people. A seminar where Chick-Fil-A higher ups both speak and receive personal shout outs (see videos of that here). At a retreat that was born out of Chick-Fil-A profits: Profits you contribute to anytime you eat at one of the chain's many locations.
So why are we bringing up more Chick-Fil-A stuff here and now? Well, we honestly didn't want to. But to be perfectly honest: We're pretty tired of the disingenuous way the company and its defenders keep acting like we were wacky and out-of-line for simply letting people know about the company's ties to anti-gay advocacy. And we're also getting annoyed with the way they keep making it all about the one Pennsylvania Family Institute sponsorship that started this ball rolling, when we brought out soooooooooo much more than just that in subsequent days (and have also clearly shown why even that particular sponsorship does have demonstrable anti-gay advocacy attached to it via both its local and national parents).  Okay so this is going to take a little explanation. But stick with it. It's a good find, especially in light of the recent Chick-Fil-A/Pennsylvania Family Institute sponsorship controversy and Chick-Fil-A's corporate silence on the matter.
So alright, let's begin with some background on the two players we'll be discussing:

• The Winshape Foundation is the charitable of Chick-Fil-A and its founder Truett Cathy. The foundation has several Christian focuses, all focused on strengthening certain values. Fair enough. In a perfect world we would all be able to come together and jointly work for some of their very valid goals.

• The Ruth Institute is a spinoff project of the National Organization For Marriage. The group is all about opposing gay marriage, with a particular focus on young people. You might know Ruth's visible head, Jennifer Roback Morse, who we've featured on here a number of times. She's also the one who caught national headlines recently when she talked about wearing a rainbow scarf (that wasn't really rainbow) to the Prop 8 trial as a way of reclaiming the rainbow from the gay rights movement.

Okay, so Ruth has been pushing something called The Reel Love Video Challenge. We showed you a promo for the contest back in December. Basically, the idea is for young people to make :30 second videos telling what lifelong love means to them. And again, just like with the Winshape Foundation's work, the whole contest would be totally benign and even positive, if not for Ruth/NOM's agenda towards LGBT people.
Right, so today we were mindlessly knocking around the Reel Love video site, primarily as a distraction. However, through our bored surfing we happened to catch note of a few new references to something unfamiliar to our "culture war" eyes. Something called LoveIsHere.com:

Chick-Fil-A's WinShape Foundation: Now partnering with NOM's Ruth Institute

Portia Sends A Birthday Wish To Her Wife

Fun Info for Str8s

Why are people gay? If this cartoon does not spell it out for you in simple terms then you may be suffering from the same disorder that has afflicts Tony Perkins, Brian Brown, Maggie Gallagher, Bryan Fischer, and all the people that believe them and throw their hard earned money at them.

I wish NOM would do like the law says and show us who is helping them out with their bills.

I think they may want to see this.

All the links lead you to a library for each person at my favorite place to go. Joemygod.com is up to date and organized. Thank you Joe and congrats on your GLADD nomination!

Dangers of Environmentalism?

I am not sure what this is about. They really don't give real problems related to environmentalism but they sure make it seem like it is a huge issue.
It is full of some of our favs from several Hate Groups that are known for twisting and inventing the truth.
I don't have a problem with taking care of the earth and helping to keep the trash we humans toss around to a minimum. I would think God would be pleased that we want to take care of Mother Earth as well as each other.

Limbaugh Says Democrats “Support” Tucson Killer

Here is another one who should fall off the edge of his flat earth.

Crosspost from People for the American Way

On his show today, right-wing talk radio host Rush Limbaugh accused the Democratic Party of lending its “full support” to Jared Loughner, the man accused of murdering six people, critically wounding Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and injuring 14 others in Tucson this weekend.

In response to calls for increased responsibility in political discourse, Limbaugh said the Democratic Party “is attempting to find anybody but [Loughner] to blame” and that Loughner “understands he's got a political party doing everything it can, plus a local sheriff doing everything they can to make sure he's not convicted of murder."  

Michael Keegan, President of People For the American Way, issued the following statement:

“As people across the country grieve and reflect, Rush Limbaugh has accused an entire political party and a respected law enforcement officer of supporting a mass murderer. This offensive and irresponsible claim deserves to be met with harsh condemnation by Democrats and Republicans alike.

“Many of us have called in recent days for the toning down of the irresponsible and dishonest rhetoric that has become pervasive in our political debate. Limbaugh’s ridiculous reaction to this tragedy is proof of the need for a return to responsibility.”

Praying Ellen's Gay Away

This is sooo.......well.....funny that this guy thinks this will work and sad because this guy thinks it will work.
 Don't you think he could use all that air to do something more productive in the world  instead of trying to change something he can't.
To Quote a comment made on another blog about this subject, " Some days you just wish these idiots could fall off the edge of their flat earth.

Mom Makes Ad For Gay Son

This is cute. A mother down under made an ad for her gay son. Simple and sweet.

The Birds Fell because of Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal

Cindy Jacobs explains why the birds fell from the sky. Now could be f

Letter to Jim Jordan

After blowing up and posting just how I feel about having my marriage and job attacked, I wrote this letter and just sent it to Mr. Jim Jordan.

Jim Jordan,

I am an artist and legally married lesbian living in Maryland. For 49 years I was a resident of Ohio. Your proposed cutting of all funds for the arts and proposed banning of same sex marriage in DC directly affects my life.

While you may believe the arts are non-essential, it is my livelihood. Seven years of college and 15 years of creating and teaching art has shown me what an important part art is to the learning process and creative problem solving.  Cutting all federal funding will have an enormous impact on our children. Teaching and creating is not just a job and I can train for something else. It is who I am. 

As for banning same sex marriage in DC, I was married to a wonderful woman in our nation’s capital. You understand what that means and how it feels. I am a daughter, sister, mother, artist, wife, educated, teacher, patriot, spiritual, hard working, taxpaying American just like you and your friends and family.  Why on earth would you want to rob me of my marriage?

 Your lack of cultural enrichment and compassion for others hurts not just me. It hurts our nation as a whole. I pray that your life’s work and love are never attacked. How would you respond if someone wanted to rob you of your marriage and job? You would fight back.

 It is a shame I have to fight a fellow American to have the same rights and responsibilities, but I will.

You will not rob me of my marriage or my job.

Sincerely BJ  Jackson Lincoln

My Home State is Attacking Me

Now Ohio wants to mess with my marriage!  WTF!!   Ohio elected a huge bunch of asshats that want to erase cultural funding and take back my marriage! 
NOM and the FRC are both listed as hate groups and the people of Ohio are listening to them! How would you like it if your marriage was in danger of being canceled?
I am an artist and a legally married lesbian and I am being attacked by a bunch of A holes from my home state.
If Ohio wants to be the worst place in the US for gays to live in, that is fine but keep your uncultured, backwoods, hillbilly, backwards, closeted, fundamentalist nose out of other peoples business.

Upon the urging of anti-gay groups such as NOM and the Family Research Council, a coalition of GOP House members plan to introduce a bill to repeal same-sex marriage in Washington, DC.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC), told The Hill that he will push for a vote on the controversial issue in the 112th Congress. The RSC has 175 members. “I think RSC will push for it, and I’m certainly strongly for it. I don’t know if we’ve made a decision if I’ll do it or let another member do it, but I’m 100 percent for it,” Jordan said.

Last year Jordan was the chief sponsor of a similar bill.

This is Great!

By a 13-8 vote, twelve Republicans and one Democrat...

Kurt Swaim, D-Bloomfield

...voted to move forward with an amendment that would not only roll back the same-sex marriage right that earned the unanimous support of the state Supreme Court, but one that would also ban civil unions and domestic partnerships:

Proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage gets first OK in House [Des Moines Register]

Rep. Swaim said he voted with the GOP because "It’s time for the public debate to begin in earnest." So here, let's get earnestly started:

"What makes you think your taxes entitle you to equal citizenship,
Mr. Swaim?" "Why should we be forced to support your heterosexual lifestyle
choices, Mr. Swaim?" "Why should kids of gay parents have to learn about a limited marriage law in the state's
public schools, Mr. Swaim?" "When do I get to vote on whether you and your wife have to legally
divorce, Mr. Swaim?" "What other Equal Protection/Due Process matters do you think should be left
to majority whims, Mr. Swaim?" "In your bio, you say you want to "develop long range solutions to the challenges facing the people of Iowa" and
that you wish to ensure "opportunities are expanded for all Iowans." Why shouldn't gays be part of your "all"
or "the people" categories, Mr. Swaim?" "Should your wife, one of your four children, or one of your five grandchildren need you in a time of emergency,
Mr. Swaim, what makes you think you deserve the kind of easy, benign,
instantly recognizable protections that secure your family bond?" "Why do you deserve special rights, Mr. Swaim, simply because a fair and independent high court determined
them not to be special, but rather equal?" "If we allow heterosexual marriage, then what next?" "Marriage is under attack from radical divorce activists. Why should opposite-sex couples be allowed to marry,
when there are so many doing damage to the institution?"

Not so fun, is it?

This if from goodasyou.org and it kicks ass!

Iowa marriage ban moves forward (but we refuse to use the word 'advances')

Trying to Understand

I am trying to come to some logical conclusion about gay marriage. So work with me. I did not do well in logic class but I think I have a better handle on it than some of our opponents.

There is documented proof that homosexuality can be found in many different species including Homo Sapiens Sapiens (humans). It is believed that homosexuality has been a part of human life for as long as we have been here. It sounds like homosexuality has always been a part of the bigger picture, maybe as some anomaly of natural selection or just the natural order of things.

So we have always been here. I’m going to go out on a limb here and believe they have formed families, worked hard, raised kids, and in some cultures, revered as having an understanding of both genders.

As time moved forward, gays have continued to work hard, have families, and pay taxes. They also had to hide from the cruelty that came when labeling everything became popular in science around the time of the age of Enlightenment. Funny how we seemed to get smarter and more analytical yet no understanding that we are ALL humans.  We were all separated and labeled and somehow some of us were labeled sub standard.  We continued to enslave other races and fueled a hatred for anything different from the “norm”.

Keep in mind that time moved on, people got smarter, and gay people are STILL raising kids, having families, working hard, and paying taxes.

Let’s zoom in on the USA. Every race migrated to the North American continent starting with the distant ancestors of our countries Native Americans (There are gay Natives). Well, not everyone. Some were dragged from their families and homeland against their will (Some of them were gay too.)

On one hand we wanted and needed immigrants to build a nation. We became industrialized. We were the “Melting Pot” of the world and proud of it. We did have problems with each others different cultures and faiths but we grew and changed. 

Gay people still existed and the world did not fall apart.  

Modern America 2011. Wow! I feel old. Anyway….We are now a smart bunch with all kinds of science and discoveries about our world and us. We have gotten rid of slavery and are making the slow trek to understanding we are all humans and there are no sub-standards. We strive to treat each other as equal. We need to keep working on it. It takes time to change.

Now everyone is equal except gays. Frankly we got tired of hiding. We put up with being labeled sick and diseased, institutionalized, tortured, abused, and studied. The history of gays is full of horrors that rival the holocaust of which we were a part of and “studied” as well.

Gays continued to remain doing the same things they have always done.

We have now been cleared by every legitimate organization as sane and good people. Responsible parents, hard working, taxpaying, and in every way the same as everyone else with the single exception of the immutable desire to mate with the same gender.

If we have always been here doing the same things as everyone else and the world has kept spinning, then how and why would allowing us have the same advantages and protections from discrimination as the rest of the country be the end of civilization?

From my point of view as a mother and legally married lesbian, I don’t understand the hatred that has caused groups of people to spend their whole life and gobs of money to tell horrible lies to keep us from being equal to them.

Signing a piece of paper, saying the words we long to hear, and exchanging rings did not do a thing to anyone but us. We are married and everyone knows what that means. It means the same thing it always did. I hope it always will. I just don’t think wanting the same perks of marriage is asking that much. It does seem like the right thing to do.

Keep in mind that gays will continue to raise kids, have families, work hard and pay taxes and the world will keep on turning.  We would just like it without discrimination.

Breaking the Silence on MLK Day

I wish everyone could step forward like this young lady.

GEORGIA: Arson At Gay Man's House

Crosspost from joemygod.com 

Police are investigating an arson fire at the home of a Carroll County, Georgia gay man after the victim reported having a rock hurled through his window with an anti-gay death threat attached.

Chris Staples said someone threw a rock through his window with a piece of paper attached that was covered in anti-gay slurs. "I was watching TV and just finished smoking a cigarette and I heard this big thud. Boom!" Staples told Channel 2’s George Howell. The rock had a threatening note attached. "It said, ‘we know you're gay. And God hates gays. You won't be raping anybody in the county and God's going to make sure that you burn in hell.’ And something about my daddy... my daddy will make sure you burn in hell." Then hours later, he woke up to flames filling his bedroom.

Staples says he barely had time to escape before his home was destroyed. Investigators are treating the case as a possible hate crime.

No HUD for HOMOS

This guy and his org. think about sex more than we do. He can twist any subject to make everything in the world our fault. " ..hunting grounds with easy prey for homosexual pedophiles" and "confused and diseased"!!!? This is the kind of crap we are tired of hearing. THIS IS HATE SPEECH! The American Family ASS. is listed as a hate group and this is why.
Please send your comments to HUD at the link below.

"The last thing in the world young males in troubled home settings need is to be put in a situation where there is a heightened chance they will be sexually molested by their next door neighbors. These HUD housing projects will become hunting grounds with easy prey for homosexual pedophiles. These young boys have enough obstacles to overcome as it is without becoming sexually confused and diseased on top of everything else." - American Family Association radio host Bryan Fischer, objecting to proposed HUD rules banning housing discrimination against gays.

TAKE ACTION: HUD is now accepting public commentary on the proposed regulations. Hit the link and tell them why you think LGBT Americans deserve equal housing protections from the federal government.

Goodbye Jack

Jack LaLanne died at the age of 96 .
I remember watching him as a kid. He was the first to have a show about exercise  and nutrition. Youtube have some great videos from his show and much of what he said then holds up today.
Thanks for caring Jack.

The Artist

I am a starving artist. We are called that because we would rather buy supplies than eat. I could not imagine life without creating. All the funding cuts and censorship in the world will not stop us from telling our stories thru music, theatre, dance, sculpture, painting, or print.  We are the historians. It is thru art we know about our past and can see the future.  Creative problem solving is what drives us to move forward. For me, creating is like breathing. 

We don’t do it for the money. We don’t do it for the accolades. We are driven to express ourselves and when our corner gets full, we try to find a like mind that will take it home and understand.

I feel sorry for the people who have no appreciation for the arts. They live a blind life of staying inside the lines.  Their comfort zone is limited so they get frightened by our unabashed expressions.

The true artists of the world will never let anything get in the way of their expressions. We have no choice. It is what we are.

A Gay Agenda for Everyone

By DAN SAVAGE

Published: January 22, 2011

I’m not an idiot: Now that the Republicans hold the House, only wishful thinkers and the deeply delusional expect to see any movement on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legislative agenda this year or next. Nevertheless, President Obama should address gay rights in his State of the Union speech this week, and he should tackle the biggest, most meaningful right of them all: the right to marry.

 

When he was a candidate for the Illinois State Senate in 1996, Mr. Obama told a gay publication that he supported “legalizing same-sex marriages.” Twelve years later, right about the time he decided to run for president, he came out against marriage equality. But, as the president likes to say, “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” Where a Gallup poll in 1996 found that just 27 percent of the nation supported equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, a CNN poll last summer found that a majority now supports marriage equality.
The president — perhaps after introducing Daniel Hernandez Jr., the openly gay intern credited with saving Representative Gabrielle Giffords’s life — should declare that the trend is clear: this country increasingly believes that Mr. Hernandez and other lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans should have all the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens.
Gay Americans are eventually going to win on marriage just like we won on military service, the president should tell Congress, so why not save everyone on both sides of the debate a lot of time, trouble and money by approving the entire gay rights agenda? Send the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Student Non-Discrimination Act, the Uniting American Families Act and the repeal of the odious Defense of Marriage Act to his desk for his signature.
He can assure the lawmakers that, yes, there’s something in it for Americans who disapprove of homosexuality too.
Social conservatives long to raise their children in a country where they don’t have to hear about homosexuality every time they turn on the news. I’d like raise my son in a country like that too. And guess what? In countries like Canada — where the fight over gay rights is essentially over, where there is gay marriage, open military service and employment protections — homosexuality hardly ever makes the front pages of newspapers. There’s nothing much to report.
Conservatives can’t get rid of us, but they can hear less from and about us. They just have to bend toward justice.

GOP Congressional Group Plans To Cut Federal Funding For The Arts To ZERO

This is an OUTRAGE!!!

What is going on in Ohio!? They just got a new Gov. and he let the anti-discrimination law expire. When he did get around to it, he left out gender identity. That means that if you are transgender or just don't dress the part, you can be fired, kicked out of restaurants, housing,..... The new guy also appointed an all white cabinet and has decided the state will celebrate MLK day in March 17th instead of Jan. 17th...May be a typo.....
Now this guy wants to cut federal funds for the arts!
If I go home to visit my family and friends I have no protections ( my gender identity) and my LEGAL marriage is worthless. On top of that all my friends are artists and they have a hard time making a living without having all federal funds stopped.
How can the state tell their children that being the T in LGBT is open season, they can not marry the person they love, and there will not be any art. John Boehner, the new speaker of the house, is from Ohio and is half the reason for the art censorship at the Smithsonian.

"They are forecasting that this erasure of cultural funding would reduce federal spending by $2.5 trillion over the next decade."

YOU CAN"T ERASE ART! We are not just talking about a painting. This will impact music, theatre, dance, and all outreach programs that bring the arts to our kids.  The people of Ohio should be ashamed that they voted for a bunch of backwards, uncultured, discriminating representatives.

I am so glad I don't live there anymore.




A coalition of Tea Party-backed Congress members headed by wingnut Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) plans to cut 100% of all federal funding for the arts.

A group of conservative Republicans, called the Republican Study Committee, revealed a new plan on Thursday to cut federal funding for arts down to zero. This means the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities would be left in the cold. Not to mention the potential hit at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Run by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the over 150-person group's plan, the Spending Reduction Act of 2011, would "save" $167.5 million pulled from the NEA and the Humanities endowment and $445 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. They are forecasting that this erasure of cultural funding would reduce federal spending by $2.5 trillion over the next decade.

Symphony of Science

WOW!  Check out symphonyofscience.com for 7 other beautiful videos. They are full of the wonders of space and the great people who have paved the way.  I miss Carl.

Protect Marriage From What?

Here is a sneak peek at what is in store for Maryland.

We are attacking marriage! We are God defying! We hate the Lord! ... PLEASE!

After you get a good look at the posters from protectmarriage.org, check out what we are really about at Equality Maryland. There is a phone bank and party this Saturday to get the truth out about why we need and want marriage.

For myself and my legal wife, we love being married. All we want is the right to put me down as wife instead of dependant on her taxes. It is true that we do not receive the 1,300 odd rights and privileges that others do but there is more to it than that.
I love it when I can check the married box. When I am talking to a stranger in line, they understand exactly what I am and mean by being married. What is cool about Maryland is no one blinks when I talk about my wife!  I have never gotten any flack from anyone.

I like it when I correct people that call me Miss.. I am a Mrs.. I never thought I would ever become a Mrs.. The whole time I taught school, the kids called me Mrs. assuming I was married. Frankly, it hurt. Every day I was reminded that I was not allowed to get married.
After the great commitment service we had, I was still a legal stranger to the woman I loved and had just given her my heart.

On May10,2010 we were legally married in our nations capitol and the state sees us as married.  Maryland will have gay marriage. The people who just don't get it will do ANYTHING to stop and/or change it but the truth will set us free.

MARYLAND: Marriage Bill Introduced

 Yesterday lawmakers in Maryland introduced a marriage equality bill.

Maryland's gay-marriage bill, HB 55, was introduced by Delegate Luis Simmons and 16 co-sponsors. The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act uses the same language as previous bills - establishing that a marriage between "two individuals" who are otherwise permitted to marry would be "valid in the state." The bill also states that Maryland clergy need not perform marriages that violate their religion's tenets. A companion bill is expected to be introduced in the Maryland Senate, according to state Sen. Rich Magdaleno, an openly gay representative from Montgomery County. "I have never been so optimistic about getting this [gay marriage] done," he told the Washington Blade earlier this month.

Most expect the bill to pass relatively easily. Anti-gay activists are already working on setting up a repeal referendum for the 2012 ballot.

Sir Elton John

Sir Elton John

"I think I have it all. I have a wonderful career, a wonderful life. I have my health, I have a partner of 17 years, and now I have a son. I don't have everything because I don't have the respect of people like the church or like politicians who tell me that I'm not worthy, that I'm lesser because I'm gay, well FUCK YOU!" - Elton John, speaking after performing at an AFER fundraiser in Los Angeles. The event raised $3M for the overturn of Proposition 8.

HUD PROPOSES NEW RULE

 It is great that HUD is making sure that there is no discrimination based on "irrelevant criteria" like being LGBT. While this is a good thing because this kind of discrimination does happen, it is sad that they HAVE to propose new rules to cover it.
Here is an exercise.... Replace every mention of sexual orientation or gender identity with any race, nationality, disability,or religion. Seems odd?
It is not American to deny (Add race here) Americans the right to own a home just because they are  (Add religion here).

There are policies to cover discrimination of all kinds except being gay. We are the last minority to be openly discriminated against in this country and because of this we are denied services, protections, health care, and basic civil rights. Our youth are struggling to survive the bully's crap and many are homeless.

I look forward to the day when we no longer need to list all the reasons we can not discriminate because we are ALL Americans, but until then, I want on the list.
Thanks to HUD for the crumb.

HUD PROPOSES NEW RULE TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO HOUSING

REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY 

            “This is a fundamental issue of fairness,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.  “We have a responsibility to make certain that public programs are open to all Americans.  With this proposed rule, we will make clear that a person’s eligibility for federal housing programs is, and should be, based on their need and not on their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

            HUD is seeking public comment on a number of proposed areas including:

Ø Prohibiting lenders from using sexual orientation or gender identity as a basis to determine a borrower’s eligibility for FHA-insured mortgage financing.  FHA’s current regulations provide that a mortgage lender’s determination of the adequacy of a borrower’s income “shall be made in a uniform manner without regard to” specified prohibited grounds.  The proposed rule would add actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity to the prohibited grounds to ensure FHA-approved lenders do not deny or otherwise alter the terms of mortgages on the basis of irrelevant criteria.

Ø Clarifying that all otherwise eligible families, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity, have the opportunity to participate in HUD programs.  In the majority of HUD’s rental and homeownership programs the term “family” already has a broad scope, and includes a single person and families with or without children.  HUD’s proposed rule clarifies that families, otherwise eligible for HUD programs, may not be excluded because one or more members of the family may be an LGBT individual, have an LGBT relationship, or be perceived to be such an individual or in such relationship. 

Ø  Prohibiting owners and operators of HUD-assisted housing, or housing whose financing is insured by HUD, from inquiring about the sexual orientation or gender identity of an applicant for, or occupant of, the dwelling, whether renter- or owner-occupied.  HUD is proposing to institute this policy in its rental assistance and homeownership programs, which include the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance programs, community development programs, and public and assisted housing programs.