The Erasure of 'Gay' From Black History & the Black Community Must Stop

Editor's note - The following post was initially exclusive to The Huffington Post, where it received much support and attention. I am now posting it here:

Your blogmaster hard at work.

As a gay African-American, I've heard the argument about how "you can't compare the gay civil rights movement to the African-American civil rights movement" more times than I care to count.

The constant so-called moral outrage of some African-American heterosexuals when the topic is mentioned has gotten me to the point where my mind automatically tunes out the monotonous drones of how supposed sinful homosexuals are "high jacking" the civil rights movement or how gays "can't compare their sin with black skin."

As such, I almost missed the epiphany which occurred over two weeks ago.

I was vaguely scanning comments on a conservative site by an anonymous African-American female as she went on and on about how gays were never subjected to slavery, segregation or declared three fifths a person. While the logical side of my mind was gathering up the customary argument of how wrong it was for disadvantaged people of any stripe to play the "Oppression Olympics," the emotional side of my mind struck immediately.

"This is the most ignorant crap I've ever heard," I thought. "Just where in the hell does she think gay black people were during slavery and segregation? On a spaceship orbiting the Earth? "

I was instantly struck by oddity of what I had thought. Not that my outrage wasn't coming from a place of truth, mind you, but how the simple fact never entered my mind that yes, gay people were subjected to slavery, segregation and racism because of our skin. Just as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people of color exist now, we existed back then. Then it suddenly struck me again that I've never recalled any acknowledgement of this fact during the myriad of discussions, I've read, listened to or seen regarding comparisons between the gay and civil rights movements.

And why is that?

There have been numerous debates, articles, columns, movies and documentaries about how the legacy of racism has had a negative effect on so many aspects of African-American community, from our families to the way we interact with each other. It stands to reason that the legacy of racism didn't leave LGBT people of color unscathed. But information about what LGBT people of color did during those awful times in our history or what effect it has had on us is practically nonexistent.

It is a subject hardly ever mentioned. No one talks about it in the black community and that includes leaders, intellectuals, journalists, authors or any other person with some type of platform.

And this leaves me feeling as if the events of black history, which are supposed to be a part of my heritage, are nothing more than hand-me-downs donated to me out of charity because there are very few, if any, events which are specific to me as an LGBT person of color.

Or at least that's what I am led to believe by the black community at large.

'Shoddy reporting from conservative media harming transgender youth' & other Friday midday news briefs

Breaking: Arizona makes 31 and there will be no stay:

HISTORIC: Federal judge strikes down #Arizona's marriage ban! RT to celebrate this historic victory! #lgbt #AZ4M pic.twitter.com/Q4b3Ox9sJ4
— Why Marriage Matters (@MarriageAZ) October 17, 2014

For more details - Arizona Is Now A Marriage Equality State 

 In other news: 

 Purple Penguins: How Conservative Media Make It Harder For Schools To Protect Transgender Youth - False accusations, hysterical claims, not even bothering to get the side of the story from advocates for protecting transgender children, the list goes on and on. There is some relative desensitization about how the conservative media will distort stories and such but this isn't the time for that. This junk is hurting our transgender kids. 

 Second N.C. magistrate resigns: ‘I know what the Bible says’ - I respect you for standing up for your beliefs. Now, let the doorknob hit ya where the good Lord split ya.  

Anti-Gay Groups Turn Spirit Day Into 'Bring Your Bible To School Day' - That didn't work out as well as OUR Spirit Day events.

NOM denied HUGE reimbursement of legal fees, is exposed for anti-gay work in Russia

If I had as bad of a season as NOM & Brian Brown, I would cry too.

The National Organization for Marriage is having what has to be called an awful season.

In addition to the multitude of states who now allow marriage equality, the organization just suffered an huge monetary defeat.

From the blog The Slowly Boiled Frog (by way of Goodasyou):

United States Circuit Court Judge James Cacheris has denied reimbursement of legal fees to National Organization for Marriage for their lawsuit against the IRS. NOM claimed that they spent over $690,000 in legal expenses. Much of that went to NOM's chairman, John Eastman. That presupposes that the sums were actually disbursed and NOM has been known to fib from time to time and Eastman is a pathological liar.

Check out Goodasyou for the juicier bit of the transcripts.  And The Slowly Boiled Frog points out how this decision is especially embarrassing for NOM. The organization has initially won a $50,000 settlement in the case from the IRS.

Now while I know folks are tempted to dance in the spray of NOM's monetary humiliation, I would ask that they hold off for a brief second because this next item is practically a cherry on top of a sundae.

From Right Wing Watch:

Joe Jervis points us to a debate on C-SPAN this weekend between the National Organization for Marriage’s Brian Brown and Freedom to Marry’s Evan Wolfson, where things got a little contentious when Wolfson confronted Brown about his anti-gay activism in Russia. 

Right Wing Watch goes into more detail regarding what Brown evaded in the debate.

And if you are interested in finding out what exactly Brown calls "lies and slurs, check out The Export of Hate, a rather accurate view by the Human Rights Campaign of anti-gay leaders who have traveled throughout the world spreading anti-gay lies and propaganda (the part about Brown begins on pg. 17).

All in all, it's been a really crappy two weeks for NOM and it's been my pleasure in helping to bring it to you.

'Happy #SpiritDay!' & other Thursday midday news briefs

Going purple for GLAAD's #SpiritDay - Happy Spirit Day! Since I don't own anything purple, I'm wearing a deep blue shirt and "perpetrating." What exactly is Spirit Day? Check out the link or the video below: 

 In other news:

 Houston’s Pastor Subpoenas: A Meme Made for Fox News - After a myriad of false alarms, it looks like the religious right may actually have a case where anti-gay pastors are being unfairly attacked.  

No, The City Of Houston Isn't Bullying Anti-Gay Pastors - This Is Basic Lawyering - This the other side to the same issue. BOTH articles make excellent points. I will leave it up to the readers to make up their mind on this situation. 

Editor's note: The following two stories have just come out about the Houston situation and demonstrates how the anti-gay right just overreached and sabotage a situation in which they actually had a legitmate complaint.  If you gave the anti-gay right five minutes, they would have you rooting for Goliath and not David:

Why Houston’s Pastor Subpoenas Have Nothing To Do With Religious Liberty 

 Is Houston’s Lesbian Mayor Really Out to Get Conservative Preachers? 


 State employees must actually perform duties state pays them to perform; shocking, I know - You mean if you are paid tax dollars to perform a duty, you must actually perform said duty? Why that's "persecution" and ranks up there with forcing people to pay for the cable they order.  

High School Cancels Popular Play Over Allusion To Same-Sex Relationship - Oh come on guys!

Lambda Legal suing South Carolina regarding 4th Circuit ruling on marriage equality

South Carolina couple Nichols Bleckley and Colleen Condon

The South Carolina lgbt community can almost taste marriage equality coming to our state. It's like tasting champagne and once you have tasted champagne you are supposed to receive, you don't necessarily feel like going back to that bitter water someone thinks that you deserve.

From Lambda Legal:

 Lambda Legal, in partnership with South Carolina Equality, filed a federal lawsuit in the United States District Court of South Carolina  on Tuesday arguing that South Carolina is obligated to allow same-sex couples to marry. Governor Haley and Attorney General Wilson vowed to continue to apply the laws banning marriage for same-sex couples even after the U.S. Supreme Court let stand the ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals striking down a similar ban in Virginia. Because South Carolina is also within the jurisdiction of the Fourth Circuit the decision in the Virginia case is binding on South Carolina.

 “The Fourth Circuit’s decision means that same-sex couples in South Carolina should be shopping for a caterer, not a lawyer. Governor Haley and Attorney General Wilson cannot continue to ignore the rule of law. Fortunately, they have run out of cards to play—we’re urging the court to allow same-sex couples in South Carolina to marry without any further delay,” said Beth Littrell, Senior Attorney in Lambda Legal’s Southern Regional Office based in Atlanta. “The state doesn’t have any credible arguments for a court in South Carolina to entertain.”

 “The Governor and Attorney General are playing politics with our families and it’s shameful,” said South Carolina Equality lawyer Nekki Shutt, partner at Callison Tighe & Robinson. “Instead of celebrating and planning weddings, same-sex couples all over South Carolina are holding their collective breath—and they have been waiting long enough.”

Lambda Legal represents Colleen Condon and Nichols Bleckley who applied, and paid, for a marriage license in Charleston County last week before the Attorney General asked the South Carolina State Supreme Court to step in and put a halt to the issuances of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The South Carolina Supreme Court effectively stopped state court judges from issuing marriage licenses or weighing in on marriage equality pending an order from federal court. Another federal case, Bradacs v. Haley, remains pending - it involves couples already legally married seeking recognition in South Carolina of their marriage, while the Condon suit seeks the issuance of a marriage license.

 “We were excited after our application was accepted on Wednesday to realize we could really start planning our wedding. We could set a date and a location and start making deposits—all that came to a screeching halt when we couldn’t get our license on Thursday. It’s terrible that the officials who are supposed to look out for the interests of all South Carolinians are instead making a political point at the expense of my family and thousands of families across the state,” said Lambda Legal client Colleen Condon.

 Lambda Legal attorneys Beth Littrell and Greg Nevins are handling the case, joined by South Carolina Equality Coalition attorneys M. Malissa Burnette and Nekki Shutt of Callison Tighe & Robinson, LLC., Thomas P. Gressette, Jr., of Pratt-Thomas Walker, P.A. and Vickie Eslinger, with Nexsen Pruett,LLC.

When it comes to lgbt equality issues, South Carolina catches a lot of flack. And the vast majority of it is somewhat deserved. But what folks don't seem to realize when they make ugly jokes about my state is that these statements of mirth causes them to miss the fact that we have a thriving and awesome lgbt community which fights tooth-and-nail for equality. That is the most important thing. Folks tend to forget that places which receives praise for being lgbt-friendly didn't necessarily start off that way.  Unheralded groups of determined folks plowed through the thick weeds of homophobia and created the clear paths of lgbt culture we hear about in places like New York or the Castro.

Instead of laughing at those of us who live places not necessarily seen as lgbt friendly, how about a little support and a little respect for the paths of equality we are attempting to create.

'Family Research Council don't know @!#& about basic civics' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

The above graphic proves that the Family Research Council either doesn't know or doesn't care about basic civics. For the record guys, people are able to challenge constitutionality of laws in courts no matter if said laws were passed by the legislature or via popular vote.

The irony is that if this wasn't the case, then no lawsuits against the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) would be legal. And we KNOW how FRC just adores THOSE lawsuits.

More info from Jeremy Hoooper

In other news:

South Carolina’s Countdown to Same-Sex Marriage - South Carolina seems to be determined to delay the inevitable of marriage equality in the state for as long as it takes. If this keeps up, aliens will be coming from Mars and getting married in same-sex ceremonies before we are able to in this state. 

Transgender Mother Responds to Being Named 'Working Mother of the Year' - Big PROPS and congratulations to Meghan Stabler. 

 Thieves Allegedly Steal Teen's Phone, Text 'I'm Gay' To His Mom - Perfect response - "I knew that but I'm gonna whip your asses for stealing my baby's cell phone."  

Schlafly: Gay Marriage Will Ruin Western Civilization - Just because Phyllis Schafly doesn't think much of her gay son's happiness doesn't mean the rest of us should value her nonsense.

Anti-gay group leader Tony Perkins attempts to spin embarrassing Fox News debate into win

Tony Perkins

By now, you know of Sunday's debate on Fox News between former Solicitor General Ted Olson and Family Research Council Tony Perkins regarding the sudden court decisions for marriage equality.

To recap, Perkins got his clocked clean. He couldn't adequately answer the questions, particularly the one regarding how would gays being allow to marry harm his marriage. All he could manage was to revert to ridiculous talking points such as "social science proves that the best place for a child is a home with a mother and a father."

The irony of that talking point is that hours after the debate, Politifact rated Perkins' claim as false and skewered a post on FRC's webpage for having equally false talking points.

However, leave it to Perkins - and other conservatives - to manufacture a "win" out of his embarrassingly bad performance. The following is from an FRC email I received:

There was no shortage of strong opinions on last weekend's "Fox News Sunday" show, where I debated former Solicitor General Ted Olson on the fallout of redefining society's oldest institution. There was one question in particular that Ted had trouble answering -- and his non-response is getting an interesting amount of attention in places like the Washington Examiner, NRO, and CNSNews. Twice, I asked Ted what the purpose of marriage is, and twice, he dodged the question. Mona Charen, writing for the Examiner, thought this was especially interesting.

"Asked about where he would draw boundaries on who should be permitted to marry if it's 'only about love,' Olson changed the subject... 'There' no heterosexual couple, (he said), that is going to decide to get divorced or not to get married or not to raise children just because another couple next to them is treated equally and with respect and decency under our Constitution.' But it does affect the larger culture. If it didn't, there would be no need for debate. Homosexuals comprise a tiny fraction of the population (just over 2 percent according to the CDC). I wish them nothing but happiness and peace, but they are a side issue. Of course they deserve 'dignity' and 'respect,' but changing marriage is not the way to get there."

When Perkins says that Olson dodged the question, he is lying. Olson did answer the question:

"The purpose of marriage is what the Supreme Court has said 14 times," Olson replies. "It's a fundamental right that involves privacy, association, liberty, and being with the person you love and forming a part of the community and being treated equally with the rest of society."

When given this answer, Perkins claimed that it was not true. In other words, Olson did answer Perkins' question, but Perkins simply didn't like the answer.

And that's not Olson's fault.

Nor is it Olson's fault that Mona Charen is attempting to spin some seriously super fuckery.  In her piece, she claims that gays are irrelevant, but if you ask me, she is the one who is beyond irrelevant in this conversation.

She gets paid to spin and that's what she is doing.  And now that she has earned her think tank salary in this situation, she should step aside, scurry to the bank, and cash her check.

And that goes for the folks from NRO and CNSNews who, while probably not cashing their checks at the same bank as Charen, most likely are getting their monies from the same wingnut sources.

The bottom line is that Perkins went on Fox and demonstrated just why his side has been losing court cases. They have no argument against marriage equality. They never had one. All they had and continue to have are slick lies, sly talking points, and shameless ways to exploit religious beliefs and fears.

And that mess only goes so far. In a court of law, we've seen that it goes nowhere.