2 young men were asked to leave after they kissed in this Pub. Days later, a "Snog-o-thon" was planned at the place. While the Pub closed it's doors, the kiss-in went on outside.
News and Commentary About My Gay World
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Is "Ex-Gay" an Orientation?
Those sad people at P-FOX ( Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays) seem to think that "ex-gay" is an orientation.
"If you're going to worry about sexual orientation non-discrimination and pick a day every year to host it, shouldn't that include all sexual orientations, such as former homosexuals," the PFOX executive director questions. "Where are their rights?" So she is encouraging students to distribute her organization's literature in schools today so that the message of hope will reach a hurting community. "By providing resources and educating [students] about the ex-gay community, we are at the same time giving them options," Griggs notes. "But it is an option, and only they can make the decision." But while she does not think students should be denied any information that allows them to make decisions, she laments that that is "what's happening in America's schools."
Every study and all the scientific support says that a person can NOT change their orientation. To try can and most likely will cause mental harm. These people may have tricked themselves into believing they can live like a str8 person but deep down inside they are gay.
Ex-gay programs are run by people with little or no formal training, use physical and mental abuse, and pry on the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters.
Trying to be something you are not is NOT the message we want our kids to hear.
Being Ex-gay is NOT an option.
Being Ex-gay is no more an orientation than being Ex-str8.
If you want to live a lie or live alone, that is a choice. Being gay or str8 is not
Lil Buck & Yo-Yo Ma
This is beautiful.
cross post from joemygod.com
cross post from joemygod.com
Hypebeast says:
Often, the most inspiring and beautiful creations come about as the result of a juxtaposition between the classical and the modern, the old and the new. Such is the case in this video, which was filmed by director Spike Jonze, that captures Los Angeles street dancer Lil Buck as he performs an amazing interpretation of “The Dying Swan” from Camille Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals with a live musical accompaniment by the award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Does It Get Better?
Gabrielle Rivera doesnt think it get better but that you get stronger. She has a point.
Day of Silence
Today is the "Day of Silence". This is the day thousands of students across the country keep silent as a way of expressing themselves.
It began in 1996 with just a hand full of students at one college. Today over 3000 schools have joined the cause to bring awareness to the anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in their schools.
Last year at the Community College of Baltimore, the Rainbow club had a great display of information to share about the "Day of Silence" as well as what the club does as part of their school. Those who chose to participate wore rainbow colors and were given Speaking cards to pass out that explained why they were being silent.
About half way thru the day a few young men started to harass the club members at the display table. Other students witnessed the harassment but did not speak up.
My wife, who was president of the club, did. She broke her silence to let all that could hear her know that this is the reason for the day. That so many days go by when bullying happens and no one speaks up against the pain being inflected on others. That when you hear or see someone being bullied, speak up! Break the Silence.
Will you?
It began in 1996 with just a hand full of students at one college. Today over 3000 schools have joined the cause to bring awareness to the anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in their schools.
Last year at the Community College of Baltimore, the Rainbow club had a great display of information to share about the "Day of Silence" as well as what the club does as part of their school. Those who chose to participate wore rainbow colors and were given Speaking cards to pass out that explained why they were being silent.
About half way thru the day a few young men started to harass the club members at the display table. Other students witnessed the harassment but did not speak up.
My wife, who was president of the club, did. She broke her silence to let all that could hear her know that this is the reason for the day. That so many days go by when bullying happens and no one speaks up against the pain being inflected on others. That when you hear or see someone being bullied, speak up! Break the Silence.
Will you?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Laurie Higgins: Basic respect for gays should invoke 'righteous anger'
Cross Post from goodasyou.org
"When I think about the evil done to children by teachers who tell them that homosexuality is deserving of respect and affirmation, I become angry, and I desperately want others to experience the righteous anger that should well up in decent people who see young children taught that evil is good. We do not embody the love of Christ when we remain silent while body and soul-destroying lies are being affirmed to and in children, teens, and adults."
...
"Our depraved, carrion-devouring culture swoops down and offers them the bleakly deterministic lie that they were born homosexual. They are told that acting on homosexual impulses is a moral good. They are told that refusal to act on such impulses is an act of futility that will result in utterly unfulfilled, lonely lives. And they are told that anyone who dissents from those claims hates them."
-Illinois Family Institute's Laurie Higgins
It is kind of funny how people like this can go on and on about something they don't know a thing about. I am guessing they can't read the FACTS so they just make them up. It is crap like this that puts orgs. like this on a hate list.
I feel sad for her. I don't hate her. I do hate the lies that she vomits up.
"When I think about the evil done to children by teachers who tell them that homosexuality is deserving of respect and affirmation, I become angry, and I desperately want others to experience the righteous anger that should well up in decent people who see young children taught that evil is good. We do not embody the love of Christ when we remain silent while body and soul-destroying lies are being affirmed to and in children, teens, and adults."
...
"Our depraved, carrion-devouring culture swoops down and offers them the bleakly deterministic lie that they were born homosexual. They are told that acting on homosexual impulses is a moral good. They are told that refusal to act on such impulses is an act of futility that will result in utterly unfulfilled, lonely lives. And they are told that anyone who dissents from those claims hates them."
-Illinois Family Institute's Laurie Higgins
It is kind of funny how people like this can go on and on about something they don't know a thing about. I am guessing they can't read the FACTS so they just make them up. It is crap like this that puts orgs. like this on a hate list.
I feel sad for her. I don't hate her. I do hate the lies that she vomits up.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
A Thank You to the LGBT Military Families
The government has made it clear that until DADT is fully repealed, it is still in force, they will not acknowledge the families of LGBT service members. They were deliberately excluded from Tuesday's launch of the First Lady's Military Families Initiative where the Obamas thanked and gave honors to the families that serve and support our troops.
You will need a tissue when you read this.
Support ALL our troops and their families.
You will need a tissue when you read this.
Support ALL our troops and their families.
Keori :: Introducing and Thanking Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Military Families |
| We are the loved ones of closeted gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemembers. We come from all walks of life. We are all colors, religions, creeds, professions, and political affiliations. The one thing that unites us is that we are the same-sex partners of United States servicemembers. Because of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act," our families go unrecognized, unprotected, and hidden from necessity. We face the same challenges as straight military couples - the PCS moves every three years, the deployments, reintegration, injuries and PTSD. We also face additional challenges such as acquiring gainful employment and healthcare in each new duty station, moving families at our own expense, and teaching our children to never, ever talk with their friends or teachers about Mommy and Mama, or Daddy and Papa. Sometimes, we are left behind altogether due to a PCS move to an overseas duty station. Our goodbyes are said behind closed doors, in secrecy and silence. Our families live with little things, seemingly trivial parts of the closet all LGBT people are familiar with. When our partners' fellow troops chat about what they did over the weekend with their spouses and children, they "hung out with friends" instead. When his command has picnics or other "family days," he goes alone or not at all. When he receives an award or is promoted, no one is there to smile, take pictures, or pin on his new rank, like recognized spouses are. When she reenlists, there is no certificate of appreciation acknowledging our sacrifices as a spouse, and no handshake from her C.O. It means bigger things, like no commissary benefits, which would cut down on the grocery bill in these tighter economic times. It means we must do whatever it takes to stay employed, because there is no access to Tricare coverage for health care, like a real spouse would have. It means denying our children the healthcare to which they would otherwise be entitled. It means always having a fake second bedroom set up in the house so that if someone from the unit comes over, we're "just roommates." It means life-altering, heartrending things. It means our partners being sent away to overseas duty stations where we cannot follow. Unlike opposite-sex spouses, we cannot receive command sponsorship to live with our partners on base. They will not receive separation allowance as compensation for being taken away from their mates. It means living through year-long deployments to combat zones with no support, and no knowledge of what the unit is doing. It means sending care packages from PO boxes and signing cards with the name of another person to protect their secret. It means never saying, "I love you" on a Skype call, when they and we need to hear those words the most, and talking in code instead. If something happens to them, we will not know unless their parents call. If something happens to us, they will not be told, or be allowed to come home to be with us, as a spouse would. They will not even be allowed to acknowledge their pain lest it give them away to their chain of command. It means that we do not exist. Our families are isolated, closeted, and struggle on our own to make it through the bad times. We are ghosts, never fully manifesting our true selves. Always we hide in the shadows, our faces hidden lest we compromise our loved ones' secret identity. It is a hard road that we, the Silent Partners, have chosen to walk. Yet we do so, out of love for our country, and love for our servicemember. We live like this, endure these things, out of love. Our core values are Honor, Courage, Commitement, Integrity, and Service Before Self. I would like to personally thank every single "Silent Partner" and child out there for being a part of our military family. You are an indispensable part of our community. You love and support our troops, despite your very existence being denied by the government. You care for them, nurture their children, and keep the homefires burning while they are sent to fight other people's wars. You are amazing. I love each and every one of you.  Photo copyright Jeff Sheng 2010 and Kaycee Olsen Gallery. Used with permission. To see more of Jeff Sheng's work documenting the men and women who live under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," go to http://www.jeffsheng.com. |
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
WH initiative launched to support, honor America's service members, families - no gay fams invited
Cross Post from pamshouseblend.comby: Pam SpauldingTue Apr 12, 2011 at 12:00:00 PM EDT[subscribe] |
A national initiative to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of America's service members and their families launches today, spearheaded by President Obama, Vice President Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. The program is called Joining Forces, and there is a kick-off event today. Joining Forces is spearheaded by Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden, who have been leaders in supporting our nation's military families and advocating for their priorities. Joining Forces was created to address the unique challenges and needs of military families that Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden have heard firsthand during meetings with military spouses, briefings with military leaders, and many visits to military communities at home and abroad, and through their work on military family priorities. Building on this groundwork, the initiative will focus on key priority areas - employment, education, and wellness, while engaging in a comprehensive effort to raise awareness about the service, sacrifice, and needs of military families. "Joining Forces was created to recognize and serve our nation's extraordinary military families who, like their loved ones in uniform, serve and sacrifice so much so that we can live in freedom and security," said Mrs. Obama. "This is a challenge to every segment of American society not to simply say thank you but to mobilize, take action and make a real commitment to supporting our military families."Guess who won't be at the kickoff - gay families. Yet another reminder that DADT is still in place and the WH isn't budging on any proactive, even symbolic means to show its support before full repeal. Servicemembers United issued the following statement today on the White House's refusal to allow a civilian representative of gay and lesbian military families to be present at First Lady Michelle Obama's and Dr. Jill Biden's "Military Families Initiative" kick-off event at the White House: "It is rather unfortunate that both East Wing and West Wing staff have refused to allow a representative of gay military families to even be in the room at an event that is supposed to honor their commitment and sacrifice," said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United. "We have been trying for nearly two weeks to get just one spot for one of our community's representatives at this event. The First Lady's office has used the continued enforcement of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' as an excuse to exclude us, even though they know that 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' does not apply to the civilians who work at their advocacy and service organizations. Many straight organizational representatives have been invited to this event, including some with few or no military families in their constituencies. Yet our thousands of gay military families are shut out from being represented today because of nothing but lingering political homophobia. Gay and lesbian military families should not have to fight this hard just to stand in the back of the room in 2011."Servicemembers Legal Defense Network's (SLDN) Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis commented: "I have no doubt the First Lady shares the President's goal of seeing open military service a reality this year. Mrs. Obama, the President, and the service chiefs all recognize that gay and lesbian service members are serving today, and that they have families who should be recognized. In fact, the Comprehensive Review Working Group created an opportunity for their voices to be heard in a confidential manner. "Unfortunately, because 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is still the law, our LGB service members and their families will probably not be an official part of this week's public activities. However, the First Lady's welcomed visits to our military bases underscore why we need certification and repeal sooner rather than later, hopefully before the end of this quarter. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network looks forward to Mrs. Obama having the opportunity to sit down with LGB service members and their families later this year when Don't Ask is no longer the law. We believe the First Lady also looks forward to that opportunity once repeal is in place. In the interim, I remain confident that Mrs. Obama and the President value the unselfish contributions and sacrifices our LGB military families are making today and will find appropriate ways to acknowledge them this week." |
| Pam Spaulding :: WH initiative launched to support, honor America's service members, families - no gay fams invited |
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WH initiative launched to support, honor America's service members, families - no gay fams invited | 3 comments (3 new) | Post A Comment
More than gratitude for military families. I wrote this letter to the editor in response.
While I support "Joining Forces," I am deeply saddened by who will not be welcomed: the families of gay and lesbian servicemembers. Because of the Denial of Marriage Act, and continuing discharges under the supposedly repealed "Don't Ask Don't Tell" law, spouses and children of gay and lesbian members of the Armed Forces will continue to be ignored, denied essential support and otherwise relegated to official non-entities. Yet again, the US government demonstrates that "gratitude" is conditional upon a servicemember's orientation.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Alan Simpson On GOP: ‘We Have Homophobes In Our Party’
From thinkprogress.org
This is great.
Simpson could be referring to any number of leading Republican presidential contenders, including Newt Gingrich, who recently defended his support of the anti-gay American Family Association, Mike Huckabee, who “would love the world to be led by people who have a Biblical worldview, or Tim Pawlenty, who will never be at the point where he sees same-sex relationships as the same as traditional marriage.
This is great.
Simpson could be referring to any number of leading Republican presidential contenders, including Newt Gingrich, who recently defended his support of the anti-gay American Family Association, Mike Huckabee, who “would love the world to be led by people who have a Biblical worldview, or Tim Pawlenty, who will never be at the point where he sees same-sex relationships as the same as traditional marriage.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
This Week in Holy Crimes
cross post from joemygod.com
Over the last seven days...
Texas: Pastor Julio Perez charged with murder for hiring a hit man to shoot his wife.
Mississippi: Pastor Eddie Prince charged with downloading child porn on a public library computer.
Washington DC: Whistleblower lawsuit filed against Catholic Charities for charging the poor for flu shots meant to be free under a government-funded program.
New York: Father Francis McCloskey busted in stolen car after attempting to elude pursuing cops. McCloskey is a renowned anti-abortion activist.
California: Father Alejandro Castillo charged with seven felony counts of child molestation.
New Jersey: Rabbi Mordchai Fish pleads guilty to money laundering.
New York: Pastor Jeremy Fulton pleads guilty to molesting five girls as young as ten years old.
Pennsylvania: Archdiocese of Philadelphia sued for wrongful death in suicide of molestation victim.
Oklahoma: Pastor Tommy Pitts charged with 70 felony counts of child molestation. The victims are his adopted daughters.
Wisconsin: Father John Dahlberg charged with embezzling from church fund meant for families in crisis.
Texas: Pastor Owen Davis charged with sexual assault of an undocumented woman he had forced to sign a contract agreeing to sex on demand.
California: Pastor Joe David Nelms charged with sexual assault on a child.
New York: Pastor Joe Flowers charged with molesting an 11 year-old boy.
Illinois: Father John Regan to face trial for embezzling $400K in church funds to support his gambling addiction.
This Week's Winner
Wisconsin: The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is accused of transferring $55M into a cemetery trust account in order to shield assets from suing molestation victims. The Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in January and this week proposed settling 22 molestation suits at $700K each. In February a lawyer for the victims accused New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan of hiding $130M while assigned to Milwaukee in 2008.
Over the last seven days...
Texas: Pastor Julio Perez charged with murder for hiring a hit man to shoot his wife.
Mississippi: Pastor Eddie Prince charged with downloading child porn on a public library computer.
Washington DC: Whistleblower lawsuit filed against Catholic Charities for charging the poor for flu shots meant to be free under a government-funded program.
New York: Father Francis McCloskey busted in stolen car after attempting to elude pursuing cops. McCloskey is a renowned anti-abortion activist.
California: Father Alejandro Castillo charged with seven felony counts of child molestation.
New Jersey: Rabbi Mordchai Fish pleads guilty to money laundering.
New York: Pastor Jeremy Fulton pleads guilty to molesting five girls as young as ten years old.
Pennsylvania: Archdiocese of Philadelphia sued for wrongful death in suicide of molestation victim.
Oklahoma: Pastor Tommy Pitts charged with 70 felony counts of child molestation. The victims are his adopted daughters.
Wisconsin: Father John Dahlberg charged with embezzling from church fund meant for families in crisis.
Texas: Pastor Owen Davis charged with sexual assault of an undocumented woman he had forced to sign a contract agreeing to sex on demand.
California: Pastor Joe David Nelms charged with sexual assault on a child.
New York: Pastor Joe Flowers charged with molesting an 11 year-old boy.
Illinois: Father John Regan to face trial for embezzling $400K in church funds to support his gambling addiction.
This Week's Winner
Wisconsin: The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is accused of transferring $55M into a cemetery trust account in order to shield assets from suing molestation victims. The Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in January and this week proposed settling 22 molestation suits at $700K each. In February a lawyer for the victims accused New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan of hiding $130M while assigned to Milwaukee in 2008.
Government Shutdown - The Lament of a Tired American
This is a great piece by Alvin McEwen, owner of Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters.
Please follow the link to his blog.
Please follow the link to his blog.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Christianist Hate Group Issues Call To Pull Kids Out Of School On Day Of Silence
Cross Post from joemygod.com
The Illinois Family Institute, an SPLC-certified Christian hate group, says that parents should yank their kids out of class on the Day of Silence rather than have them exposed to the message that it's wrong to beat up gay children. "GLSEN’s end game is the eradication of conservative moral beliefs and the creation of a social and political climate in which it is impossible to express them. Their cultural vehicle of choice for this radical social experiment is public education. What a strategic coup for homosexualists: use our money to capture the hearts and minds of our children. And we do virtually nothing. Our complacence makes us complicit in the damage done to our children and our culture. Moreover, we teach our children by example to be cowardly conformists. It’s time to resist, and there’s no easier way to resist than to call your children out of school on the Day of Silence. Parents and Guardians: Call your children’s middle and high schools and ask if students and/or teachers will be permitted to refuse to speak during class on Friday, April 15. If your administration allows students and/or teachers to refuse to speak during class, call your child out of school. Every student absence costs school districts money. When administrators refuse to listen to reason and when they allow the classroom to be exploited for political purposes, parents must take action. If they don’t, the politicization of the classroom and curricula will increase."The "student walkout" has been endorsed by pretty much every hate group listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, including the American Family Association, Concernstipated Women for America, MassResistance, and pedophile-enabler Scott Lively.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tower of Babel Proves God Hates Socialism
This is the guy that Huckabee said that Americans should be "forced at gunpoint" to listen to. Seven Mountains dominionist David Barton.is the latest Guru of the hyper religious.
See below the clip for my take on the story.
See below the clip for my take on the story.
He is looking at it wrong. If we were all supposed to be unique as snowflakes which we are, finger prints, there are only so many variables to alter before he had to add orientation to the mix. There are 300,000,000 people in the United States alone. Add all the people today then add all the people before today and god HAD to play with gender, orientation, and identity to have had so many unique humans. He added twins the day he went fishing.
So, if God made me this way, I am as much a part of the human race as anybody and should be respected as the unique human I am.
This guy uses the bible and god as weapons to dominate others and force them to conform to what he believes. How does one insist you conform to his beliefs by telling you a story of how we are each created to be different?
How sad his life must be.
So, if God made me this way, I am as much a part of the human race as anybody and should be respected as the unique human I am.
This guy uses the bible and god as weapons to dominate others and force them to conform to what he believes. How does one insist you conform to his beliefs by telling you a story of how we are each created to be different?
How sad his life must be.
Anti-Gay Housing Official Gets to Keep Her Job
I agree with the guy at the end. She has been anti-gay at her job for 12 years. I wonder how it has affected cases in her charge.
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Were they awake in Nov 2010?
I talked family members into voting for Obama in 2008.
I'm already talking people out of voting for him -- or volunteering for him -- in 2012.
No more support for Barack W. Bush.