He also links to a defense from fellow right-winger Matt Barber. However based on his past statements, Barber defending LaBarbera against charges of being anti-gay is like Idi Amin defending Josef Stalin against charges of being a dictator.
But let's take a critical look at the charge. Now according to Matt Barber (who sits on the board of Americans for Truth - so much for objectivity):
AFTAH is a Christian organization that promotes biblical morality . . .
I guess that "biblical morality" includes:
1. Smearing gays via a CDC report on an increase on HIV while intentionally downplaying the part of the report which clearly places the blame on this increase on homophobia (while at the same time implying that the report "dispels the homophobia causes AIDS propaganda")
2. Defending a bill which would lead to the imprisonment and possible genocide of Ugandans simply for being gay or lesbian.
.3. Going to subcultural leather events and using the "racy" behavior of gays attending to stigmatizing the entire lgbt community while ignoring the behavior of heterosexuals at the same events.
4. Making ugly comments about a "transgender quota" in the Obama Administration simply because the president appoints a (very, very qualified) transgendered woman to an office in his administration.
5. Instigating a highly inappropriate comment about gays, lesbians, and sexual intercourse; a comment so ugly that it led to a feud between three religious right groups. And by the way, Barber was heavily involved in this one too.
6. Continuously citing the work of the discredited researcher Paul Cameron, even when made aware of his dubious history of getting kicked out of medical groups, censures and rebukes.
7. Aiding and abetting Conservapedia spread lies about gay health using the fictional term "gay bowel syndrome."
8. Freely admitting to errors when it comes to claims against the gay and lesbian community but not taking responsibility for them.
9. Falsely accusing the Democratic National Convention and the Gay and Lesbian Task Force of putting on a sadomasochistic event.
10. Attempting to imply that a staph infection was the new HIV and then lying about his implications when caught.
Those are just 10 reasons gleaned from my interactions with LaBarbera and I'm sure they only scratch the surface.
Earlier when talking about this situation, I claimed that LaBarbera's reaction would remind me of the Aesop fable of the dog and the bell. It goes like this:
A DOG used to run up quietly to the heels of everyone he met, and to bite them without notice. His master suspended a bell about his neck so that the Dog might give notice of his presence wherever he went. Thinking it a mark of distinction, the Dog grew proud of his bell and went tinkling it all over the marketplace. One day an old hound said to him: Why do you make such an exhibition of yourself? That bell that you carry is not, believe me, any order of merit, but on the contrary a mark of disgrace, a public notice to all men to avoid you as an ill mannered dog."
Notoriety is often mistaken for fame.
I think that says it all.
How did you manage to narrow it down to only ten reasons?
ReplyDeleteTRUST me when I say that it was difficult. lol
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your hard work.
ReplyDeletethanks for the compliment, gary ;p
ReplyDeleteI loved the last part, Alvin, cause that *exactly* describes teh Peter... so full of his own self-importance (not unlike the other bloviating, bloated blowhards like Lush Limburger, Bully O'Raunchy, and Glenn Dreck) that he can't see the forest for the trees.
ReplyDeletewell splc has been discredited. on numerous occasions. so dont talk what you dont know.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that you either show me proof of your claim or follow your own advice, anonymous.
ReplyDeleteThat'll never happen Alvin. Rightwing Bullshit 101; Find a pro-gay blog that makes logical points rooted in proven science and factual research, post anonymously like the coward they are to drive-by troll with the usual "Hawr hawr, your "facts" have been disproven!", but never provide a single shred of factual evidence to back it up, knowing that by posting anonymously you can't force them to follow up or back up their shit, thus preventing them from ever having to show their cards, with nary a pair or a flush to be found. It's classic Poker Bluffing, except they never seem to realize we already know what's in their hand, and we always have a royal flush waiting for them to fold when the bluff fails.
ReplyDeleteThese guys are awesome and you're lost in sin. Your sin is going to destroy you if you don't wake up
ReplyDeleteBinky, you can't fight what you call sin by stooping to lies, which are actual sin.
ReplyDeleteAids is caused by unprotected sex, and yes, that's why there's high numbers amongst men on men sex. How is that the fault of anyone other than the men having unprotected sex?
ReplyDeleteThere should be a stronger voice from the gay community for safe sex.
Sandra, there is a strong voice in the gay community for safe sex but it should be strong. but I will raise you on this - There should be a stronger voice EVERYWHERE for safe sex.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you but it is a fact that male on male sex is at higher risk for infection due to the nature of the type of sex.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, what is your take on bathhouses? Where there is unprotected anonymous sex between men? Althought straight people DO do reckless things straights dont really have establishments such as this
Actually Sandra, yes heterosexuals do. There are swingers conventions where there is a high degree of sex. And as far as I know - and I don't know that much about it - some bathhouses do have condom dispensers. The problem is when we talk about these things, we have to skirt a line between honesty and not demonizing. And if we talk about gays and bathhouses and unprotected sex, there is a tendency NOT to talk about the root cause of these things. There are some folks who talk about bathhouses and the like with the goal of demonizing gays. But have we asked ourselves why do some gays go to places like that? Is there a historical purpose. Remember, there was a time when gays were not allowed to be as out of the closet as we are now. Subsequently, sexual encounters devoid of love and commitment were a heavy release. My point is if we are going to talk about these things, let's not point fingers, but talk about the totality of it all.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple things to say
ReplyDeleteFirst off thank you for your openness. I truly appreciate someone from the gay community willing to have a civil conversation (it's rare, Often my concerns are addressed w. hate or accusations of being homophobic)
Secondly, the bathhouse issue; the majority of straight people don't even realize these places exsist and if they did, and fully understood the extent of activity (both protected & not protected) which occurs 24/7 (majority of bathhouses are 24/7) I don't think it would be as tolerated. Having said that, it almost seems like its a secert/hidden from most people. So when you start researching it, it is quit shocking. And because there is hardly info in a postitive light (for this specific issue) people like myself can only imagine what repercussions from all the male/male intercourse (diseases, anonymous sex, healthcare costs due to diseases)
Well Sandra, if I can be frank, there are times when you do come across as homophobic. You may not mean it but some may take your "concern" about gays and disease as yet another attempt to demonize gays for disease rather than provide solutions. Remember no legitimate medical group or study has ever blamed sexual orientation in itself for promiscuous behavior. Promiscuity is not a condition that comes with being gay.
ReplyDeleteAnd you do seem to obsess about bathhouses, giving an inaccurate impression that these places are a rite of passage for gay men. A majority of gay men have most likely never visited a bathhouse. And even though I have been polite to you, I really do question the "research" you looked at. Did it come from legitimate medical groups or is it second hand info from religious right groups who will either distort the information or cherry pick what the legitimate medical groups say?
No my research is first hand, I personally have gone & researched. I am an athesit.
ReplyDeleteBathhouses are only one concern I had, in preparation for a documentary, mostly regarding sex traffic from (specifically) Craigslist, both straight & gay.
An honest approach to the impact of sexual encounters on our insurance and health care in Canada.
I will be anxious to see your documentary.
ReplyDelete