If I have said it once, I have said it many times - sometimes it's best to give the religious right a proper spotlight when they spout their homophobic nonsense because given enough time, they generally show just how nasty or clueless they are.
Take for example a recent situation involving GLSEN's No Name-Calling Week.
GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network)'s No Name-Calling Week is designed to bring attention to the problem of bullying in America's schools and provide solutions to the problem.
American Family Association of Pennsylvania has a huge problem with this event.
It sent out the following action alert speaking against the event. However, the action alert was a huge failure in criticizing the event. What it does, however, is provide free publicity:
Okay, I think folks are supposed to be upset with this action alert. As to why, I don't know. The organization doesn't really say why No Name-Calling Week is a bad idea. But it does provide links for anyone wanting more material about the event.
However, where the American Family Association of Pennsylvania failed, our favorite anti-gay activist, Peter LaBarbera succeeds . . . then again, no he doesn't.
When the AFA of Pennsylvania sent out the action alert, they were rightfully criticized by Pennsylvania GOP operative Ben Wren:
Naturally this led LaBarbera to say the following:
This led to a back and forth between LaBarbera and Wren with Wren - and GLSEN - tweeting the question of why should there be a need to politicize the fight against bullying rather than solving the problem. This led LaBarbera to say the following:
First of all, the irony of LaBarbera calling someone "ignorant" for refusing to condemn a week designed to stop name-calling shouldn't escape anyone.
Secondly, let's talk about this issue of phony parity he lodged.
It's a standard argument by religious right groups and operatives when talking about lgbt issues in general. Every time something which is lgbt-positive is presented in the media, they whine that the "other side" isn't presented and therefore the argument is unfair because homosexuality is being "promoted."
But what they fail to realize is that there is no such thing as two sides to an argument if one side is backed by nothing but lies and distortions. It's simply not enough to say that "we represent the other side of the homosexual argument, so give us equal time" if you cite junk science and studies taken out of context.
Or more the point, Peter LaBarbera, you see nothing wrong with citing the research of a man who believes that gays stuff gerbils up their rectums,
who makes up stories about gay men castrating children,
who has been censured or rebuked by medical organizations and those on the left and right of the political spectrum for his bad research techniques.
You don't deserve to be "awarded" by being able to present the so-called other side of lgbt issues.
Rather, you deserved to be strapped down in a pew and given Biblical lessons on truth and integrity until it registers in your head.
For more information about GLSEN, go here.
Take for example a recent situation involving GLSEN's No Name-Calling Week.
GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network)'s No Name-Calling Week is designed to bring attention to the problem of bullying in America's schools and provide solutions to the problem.
American Family Association of Pennsylvania has a huge problem with this event.
It sent out the following action alert speaking against the event. However, the action alert was a huge failure in criticizing the event. What it does, however, is provide free publicity:
Back in 2004 the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (then under the watchful eye of Kevin Jennings – the guy who’s currently President Obama’s ‘Safe Schools Czar’) had an idea to reach into middle schools with the message that ‘gay is okay.’ Jennings had successfully infiltrated high schools for years through Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs and the annual Day of Silence each April. Using James Howe’s book The Misfits, about four friends who are teased about being overweight, being too tall, too smart and another about being ‘gay,’ as inspiration GLSEN introduced the nation’s middle schools to “No Name Calling Week.” Mr. Howe is best known for his children’s books Bunnicula (and the series that followed) and Howliday Inn. Before writing The Misfits and its sequel Totally Joe, Mr. Howe announced he was homosexual. This announcement destroyed his family.
This week is GLSEN’s “No Name Calling Week” (NNCW). It does sound benign, but a closer look reveals something else. Here’s their list of partners, supporters and allies including Planned Parenthood, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, COLAGE (Children of Lesbian and Gays Everywhere), National Education Association and PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), but especially note the educational organizations that have partnered with GLSEN!
Click here for information on their lesson plans and, as you will see, NNCW has expanded beyond middle school to K-12. Check the lessons plans and the amount of class time recommended for each lesson by clicking on the “More Info” box on the lesson plan pages. Why are our tax dollars – we pay for the school day – being used for these lessons? Click here for GLSEN’s homepage. Check this website out thoroughly; you will see how well organized they are to get the message out to our kids that ‘gay is okay.’ Scroll clear to the bottom of their homepage for a list of their sponsors to see where they get some of their funding.
Okay, I think folks are supposed to be upset with this action alert. As to why, I don't know. The organization doesn't really say why No Name-Calling Week is a bad idea. But it does provide links for anyone wanting more material about the event.
However, where the American Family Association of Pennsylvania failed, our favorite anti-gay activist, Peter LaBarbera succeeds . . . then again, no he doesn't.
When the AFA of Pennsylvania sent out the action alert, they were rightfully criticized by Pennsylvania GOP operative Ben Wren:
Naturally this led LaBarbera to say the following:
This led to a back and forth between LaBarbera and Wren with Wren - and GLSEN - tweeting the question of why should there be a need to politicize the fight against bullying rather than solving the problem. This led LaBarbera to say the following:
First of all, the irony of LaBarbera calling someone "ignorant" for refusing to condemn a week designed to stop name-calling shouldn't escape anyone.
Secondly, let's talk about this issue of phony parity he lodged.
It's a standard argument by religious right groups and operatives when talking about lgbt issues in general. Every time something which is lgbt-positive is presented in the media, they whine that the "other side" isn't presented and therefore the argument is unfair because homosexuality is being "promoted."
But what they fail to realize is that there is no such thing as two sides to an argument if one side is backed by nothing but lies and distortions. It's simply not enough to say that "we represent the other side of the homosexual argument, so give us equal time" if you cite junk science and studies taken out of context.
Or more the point, Peter LaBarbera, you see nothing wrong with citing the research of a man who believes that gays stuff gerbils up their rectums,
who makes up stories about gay men castrating children,
who has been censured or rebuked by medical organizations and those on the left and right of the political spectrum for his bad research techniques.
You don't deserve to be "awarded" by being able to present the so-called other side of lgbt issues.
Rather, you deserved to be strapped down in a pew and given Biblical lessons on truth and integrity until it registers in your head.
For more information about GLSEN, go here.
1 comment:
The Illinois Family Institute (an SPLC-designated hate group) is also in a snit about it.
http://illinoisfamily.org/news/contentview.asp?c=35147
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