Know your lgbt history - Cruising

Just what can I say about this monstrosity when everything else has been said.

I think I have it. Cruising is the worse anti-gay movie I have ever seen. It goes beyond offensive. There is actually an aura of sleaziness that so permeates this movie that if, after watching it, you were dipped in quick dissolving acid and your remains were sprinkled with lime, you still wouldn't be able to get rid of the essence of filth that comes from watching this movie.

Cruising tells the story of a New York City police officer(Al Pacino) who infiltrates the so-called sadomaschistic world of homosexuality in order to find a serial killer of gay men. And this serial killer doesn't just kill gay men, he butchers them slowly and painfully (a point driven unnecessarily by the first murder scene.)

There are no redeeming qualities to this movie. The gay characters are from the pit of a joint fantasy by Peter LaBarbera, Lou Sheldon, Matt Barber, and Donald Wildmon. They are pathetic individuals who, when not being murdered, are either immersing themselves in vile festishes or being intimidated into having sex with police officers.

Even the ending stinks. After Pacino's character finds the killer, we are led to believe that he is taking up the mantle of murder because he can't deal with the idea that he himself might be gay.

Of course the lgbt community raised holy hell when Cruising came out. It was a bomb for that reason and others (the movie just plain sucks).

This scene epitomizes just how bad Cruising is. It's not work safe. I don't know what's worse about this scene; the fact that is dehumanizes gay men, the fact that none of the men in the scene can dance, or the fact that you just know that none of the men are wearing deodorant.

Friday midday news briefs

Public record investigations: Apparently 'hacking' to those who hack up equality - Harry Jackson can cry a river for all I care. No one is trying to attack his personal life. Investigations into whether or not he is a legitimate resident of Washington, D.C. are appropriate seeing that he is trying to influence policy there.

California HIV Emergency: Schwarzenegger, Legislature may slash HIV funding - Pray for those in California that this does not take place.

Michigan voters shifting views on gay couples - Mark one for Michigan.

Conservatives take stand against hate-crimes bill - Uh guys, the key thing to remember about lying is that you are supposed to do it when people don't know that you are lying.

Coming later today in my Know your lgbt history post - The most vile, vomit-inducing, anti-gay movie in the history of motion pictures. I think you all know what it is. But here is something to put you in a good mood:

An excellent video on civil rights for all!!

This is one of the best videos I have ever seen. It was made by BethCA66 (on youtube). This is what she says about it:

Making this video has left me drained, speechless and sad. I am triracial: African American, Native American and various flavors of European American. Although we're triracial, my family and I primarily identify as African American. Mormonanswerman has claimed that African Americans do not like to have comparisons drawn between the GLBTQ civil rights movement and the African-American civil rights movement. Speaking as an African American, the comparison holds true. The history of discrimination may be be different, but the effects of hatred, bigotry and bias are the same.

Amen sister! I dare anyone to watch this video and not be moved:



Whew! After that serious video, here is something from my childhood to make you smile:

Mass Resistance's funny war against Massachusetts' lgbt community

While I love making fun of Peter LaBarbera's stridency when it comes to stigmatizing the lgbt community, he doesn't come close to what Mass Resistance does in Massachusetts.

Mass Resistance is the religious right group that's so strident, it has probably done more for the case of lgbt rights by alienating everyone in the state.

It's the group also behind the so-called Fistgate scandal as well as the David Parker controversy; two unfortunate moral panics and the reasons why my hit count has egrown.

You think LaBarbera goes out of his way to demonize lgbts via pictures and such? Please. Compared to Mass Resistance, he is just a child who is holding his first camera.

Mass Resistance routinely films and takes pictures of pro-lgbt events, especially those with high lgbt youth participation. The group places these films and tapes on its webpage with language so lurid and melodramatic that it would give V.C. Andrews pause.

A perfect example is the recent Massachusetts Youth Parade the group attended:

Kids (below) using the excitement of public parade to show the world how they've "come out" as homosexual, thanks to hardcore activists in the schools. This is very sad to see.

Sounds terrible but I ask you, whats wrong with the following pictures (just some on the webpage that Mass Resistance shows as proof of the so-called indoctrination of children):





How dare these gay children hold hands with their partners in the daylight hours! Someone call the Attorney General.

Mass Resistance's ramblings gets worse. Apparently there was a prom held for lgbt youth. Mass Resistance called it a "transgender prom," but knowing the group's love of hyperbole, I don't trust their description.

Mass Resistance took pictures of attendees doing nothing wrong, added lurid and insulting captions to the pictures, and made unproven charges, such as claiming that the participants were smoking marijuana.

The page is here for your perusal and amusement.

Mass Resistance has also published an "report" by an unknown, unnamed college student named "Max" who allegedly attended the event on their behalf. Of course he had nothing positive to say:

"I remained in the building for an hour and a half and found the events inside disturbing, depraved and outright criminal."

. . . This “prom” was a recruiting propaganda event. The middle-aged fetishists handing out cards, the adult transsexuals dancing with underage school kids, the lack of supervision on the part of the organizers accomplished one goal and one goal only: to recruit as many teenagers as possible to the homosexual cause.

The homosexual cause is a cult. The people with the megaphones, covered in homosexual rainbow livery screamed about “gay pride” and “unity” as tourists walked by on that warm Saturday night. It was clear that the goal of this movement, just like that of any other cult, is to isolate kids from the rest of society, their parents and their friends, leaving them with only one option: to join the gay cause.

Damn, if only I could write fiction as good as "Max."

The lgbt community in Massachusetts have long gotten used to the exploits of Mass Resistance. They treat the group like an ugly birthmark; it's there, it's unsightly, but it causes no harm.

But while you are laughing, remember something. It's bullshit like that which make it so hard for our lgbt children to be open and honest. Yesterday, I talked about how the religious right are attacking GLSEN's Kevin Jennings for not betraying the trust of a gay youth who told him about a relationship with an older person. The talking point was that Jennings should have alerted the police and the child's parents.

And while religious groups want to read Jennings the riot act for that 1988 incident, none are saying a word about Mass Resistance attacking lgbt youth. In fact, one religious right figure (Peter LaBarbera of course) is presenting Mass Resistance's nonsense front and center on his webpage while adding a bit of hyperbole of his own.

I betcha that LaBarbera and Mass Resistance would give Hansel and Gretel hell for not letting the witch eat them.

Thursday midday news briefs

Those who followed my last post by now know that the discussion between me and the "sanctified lady with the stripper hat" has taken a weird turn.

She pulled the "gay sex is harmful and gay men eat feces" card out of her stripper hat. Yeah, she went there.

So subsequently, after informing girlfriend as to how her comments are no different than those of racists against black folks, I have decided to stop responding to her nonsense. I figure I got my points across and her comments accentuate my points.

Anyway, on to news briefs:

Five alternatives to another LGBT March on Washington - a good post from a good friend Matt Comer (the guy in the picture with me) via Pams House Blend.

Lesbian senator votes against Jesse Helms resolution - Alright, girlfriend!

Gay and Lesbian Adults More Likely to Read Blogs and Use Social Networking Tools - I sincerely hope so! I've been at this thing for almost three years and my face, hair, and nonexistent social life have been suffering serious neglect.

Why Miss California really got fired - Parts 1, 2, and 3 - I know, I know. I am SUCH a tool. But this needs to be shown because you just know that NOM and company are going to make Prejean into a martyr:

Me and my reprobate mind - responses to my column on lgbts of color

Tomorrow will be the last day that my column will be on the State newspaper's online EXTRA opinion webpage.

Surprisingly, the responses have been very positive.

I was given a lot of kudos for what I wrote. And many good discussions took place.

At my job, a lot of folks gave me support. Even those who may haved disagreed with my column respected me for being honest. It reminds me about just how limited folks are when they try to predict how African-Americans behave regarding lgbt issues.

The main thing is not religious disagreement but a lack of information. The fact of the matter is that many African-Americans are not educated about lgbts of color and the gay community in general. When we are able to break through that wall of ignorance, people will realize that black folks aren't monolithic when it comes to lgbt rights

However . . .

There is always some silly people who show their asses. And there was one in an AOL forum. I submitted my columns to several African-American forums on AOL, including a religious forum because I felt that this is a religious issue. This is the one response I received from a young woman:

I live in NYC.

See them every day, insecure and disgusted with themselves....

I don't need to be reminded.

My reply:

Well I don't know about New York but I know that if your own people are stabbing you in the back, you aren't inclined to feel good about yourself.

Still homosexuality is a black issue. And lgbts of color deserve as much dignity and respect as other facets of the black community.

Her two responses to me and another person who called her out on being so negative:

1. I was only concerned for a minute.

Go on to hell as you've decided to do.

If the LORD can't reach you, I can't either.....

And that goes for every confused unhappy homosexual practitioner who has turned away from GOD.

HE's turned you over to your own reprobate spirit.....

Have fun while you can.

2. My people are the people of the ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD. Those are my brothers and sisters in CHRIST.

Homosexual practitioners are not part of that group.

My response to her nonsense:

Well you have a right to your belief my friend.

But until there is any holy book (Bible or otherwise) that say you sit on the right hand of God, I will think of your belief simply as your opinion. None of us are God so it is no one's place to condemn someone to hell.

This is the main reason why us black folks can't have a simple discussion on important issues like these.

Like I said before, we have to break through the ignorance. And it seems to be like horse manure in a stable - knee deep.

Attacks on Kevin Jennings sleazy, un-Christian

Yeah, yeah I know. Donald Trump fired Carrie Prejean as Miss California.

Cue the violins already.

But while a lot of eyes will no doubt be on that, the religious right have turned their war against GLSEN founder Kevin Jennings up a notch.

Ever since Jennings, founder of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), was appointed by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to be Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, religious right groups, bloggers, columnists, and spokespersons have been impugning him and the reputation of GLSEN.

Now the Family Research Council has sent out an email blast asking that folks tell Duncan to remove Jennings from office.

The charges lodged against Jennings have ranked from ridiculous to disgusting:

Jennings uses profanity

Big deal. Based on the audio tapes of former President Richard Nixon and what we know about former President Harry S. Truman, Jennings's use of profanity qualifies him as presidential material.

Jennings is prejudiced against religious conservatives.

Well not all religious conservatives. He only dislikes the ones who stigmatizes the lgbt community via lies, discredited studies, and anecdotes and legitimate studies taken out of context.

Jennings and GLSEN oversaw a conference where children were "instructed" how to have gay sex.

As I have said repeatedly, other than helping to sponsor this conference, neither Jennings nor GLSEN had anything to do with the alleged incident. Also because of illegal taping by a religious right group, a moderator lost her job. However, she was fully exonerated, rehired, and given back pay. In addition, the audio tape that supposedly proved the case against the conference was called misleading.

Jennings talked about counseling a high school student who was in a relationship with an older man. However, he did not alert the authorities or the child's parents.

This is from the FRC email I received:

Jennings has spoken publicly about a high school student he once counseled who was in a sexual relationship with an older man -- yet Jennings never reported this abuse to the authorities, the school, or the child's parents.

I've heard this claim made by various religious right sources and they are all vague on the incident. Through some digging, here is what I found out.

The alleged incident came from One in Ten: Gay and Lesbian Educators Tell Their Stories. Jennings was recounting an incident in 1988:

I remember Brewster, a sophomore boy who I came to know in 1987, my first year of teaching at Concord Academy, in Concord, Massachusetts. Brewster was a charming but troubled kid. His grades didn't match up with his potential, his attendance could be irregular, and he often seemed a little out of it. He was clearly using some substance regularly, and was not very happy with himself. But I didn't have a clue as to why--at least not at first.

. . . Toward the end of my first year, during the spring of 1988, Brewster appeared in my office in the tow of one of my advisees, a wonderful young woman to whom I had been "out" for a long time.

"Brewster has something he needs to talk with you about," she intoned ominously. Brewster squirmed at the prospect of telling, and we sat silently for a short while. On a hunch, I suddenly asked "What's his name?" Brewster's eyes widened briefly, and then out spilled a story about his involvement with an older man he had met in Boston. I listened, sympathized, and offered advice. He left my office with a smile on his face that I would see every time I saw him on the campus for the next two years, until he graduated.

. . . I remember April 3, 1993, when I went to Club Cafe, a gay restaurant in Boston, for the annual awards dinner of the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights. An organization I had helped found, GLSTN (the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network), was being honored that night, and I had come to accept the award on our behalf. I sat with some friends, my back to the center of the room, and soon got engaged in conversation. From behind me, I heard a familiar voice. "Care for a drink, sir?"

I turned and it was Brewster. Shocked, we were both speechless for a moment, before we hugged each other and caught up. He was now twenty-two, taking time off from college, and living with his boyfriend. His smile showed that he had found his way to a happy adulthood. In that moment, I remembered why I had gone into teaching in the first place.

So should Jennings have alerted the police and Brewster's parents?

I honestly don't know. It's a judgment call.

He only knew what Brewster had told him and didn't see any particulars. Also, 1987 was a different time when it came to lgbs. I attended high school back then and I remember that even a notion that you were gay would warrant a "beatdown."

And who knows what would have happened to Brewster? Would he have been angry at Jennings for betraying his trust? Would his parents have kicked him out for the alleged relationship? Would Brewster have gotten so depressed that he would contemplate suicide?

Jennings was in a touchy situation and he choose to act in a way that he felt would best benefit Brewster.

But here is the one thing I am sure of.

If anyone read the Jennings excerpt or the entire book in general with more in mind than scandalizing someone, they would truly understand why Jenning did what he did.

When I read the Jennings excerpt, I see a young man wanting to reach out to lgbt children and counsel them when they are going through the same hell he did as a child. He made a judgment call. That's something we all do from time to time.

And I see that there is a serious problem facing our lgbt children when they come out to an unsupportive world. It's the same thing Jennings saw, which was the reason he founded GLSEN.

In the long run, FRC and others who use the Brewster incident to demonize Jennings are proving that they don't really care about Brewster or any other lgbt child having to deal with potential violence and isolation because of their sexual orientation.

They only care about their agenda.

And to me, that's the real crime.

More on the Kevin Jennings, GLSEN situation:

'Fistgate' and President Obama - religious right pushes a pitiful attempt of guilt by association

More right wing lunacy on Kevin Jennings courtesy of Kevin McCullough

More attacks on GLSEN'S Kevin Jennings - Now the Family Research Council gets in the act

Wednesday midday news briefs

In economic downturns, anti-gay wrath seems to be the one sure bet - Hey American Family Association, I am a "radical gay activist." If I start a company, could I get you to boycott. It would be good for business.

Exclusive: 'Pregnant Man' Gives Birth to Second Child - Wait for it. The religious right will soon have a fit. I know they are foaming at the mouth at Free Republic.

NC: Stop the bullying - the School Violence Prevention Act heads to final House vote - Let's keep our fingers crossed on this one.

Woman launches legal battle after son is placed with gay foster parents - This article cheeses me off. If this woman doesn't want her son placed with gay foster parents then perhaps she should step up and take care of him herself.

GLSEN founder -- suitable for Safe Schools leader? - And the religious right continues to attack Kevin Jennings. I envision "that letter" asking President Obama to dismiss Jennings to come any day now. I will be paying attention if this story continues.

Something guaranteed to piss you off - The sequel

Months ago, I wrote a post bringing attention to a repulsive anti-gay comic book that masqueraded as correct information regarding the lgbt community.

It was a 1986 comic was created by a man named Dick Hafer.

Well the site which featured the comic book has found yet another one by Hafer and it's just as nasty, probably more repulsive. It was created just as AIDS came on the scene. Notice how the work of discredited researcher Paul Cameron is cited:







The webpage featuring this comic is not anti-gay. It's a site that looks at "problem-based comics" from the past.

But it is still an excellent look at the past of anti-gay activism and we must ask ourselves (yet again) are the messages we get from the religious right today really any different from the ones Hafer threw out?

Reposting of two entries: Matt Barber's lies and the attacks on GLSEN

Was Matt Barber's story about roaming gay hands in the military truthful? I doubt it

Something I read this morning has been bugging me so much that I have to post about it.

Anti-gay spokesperson Matt Barber wrote a press release patting the U.S. Supreme Court on the back for its recent decision not to hear a case challenging Don't Ask, Don't Tell - the policy of gays in the military.

Now in this piece, Barber says the following:

I served twelve years in the Army National Guard. During basic training a young man who later turned out to be homosexual was discharged after making unwanted advances toward other soldiers and for inappropriately touching several while they slept in the barracks.“A lengthy investigation ensued. Troops were pulled away from their regular training to answer questions. It was a tremendous distraction for our entire platoon. This incident most definitely disrupted unit cohesion and harmed troop morale.

I have a serious problem believing Barber's story and here's why:

The one thing I know about Barber is that he never misses a chance to attack the lgbt community on our supposed wrongs and proclivities. His entire career has been built on being a phony martyr of the alleged gay agenda.

But to my knowledge, this is the first time I have ever heard him recount this story. I find it hard to believe that Barber would let such an juicy anti-gay anecdote be unheard until now.

And the ironic thing is that Barber is quoted repeating the alleged incident in a One News Now article which also quotes Elaine Donnelly. Donnelly is the head of a the Center for Military Readiness and has been vocal with attacking the concept of gays in the military.

The question I have is where was Barber and this story last year when Donnelly was figuratively and deservedly butchered in front of a Congressional committee last year for her abysmal testimony against allowing gays in the military.

You will remember that one example she cited about an alleged incident in 1974 concerning a white female who was accosted by a group of lesbians.Why didn't Barber supply her with his incident, which would have been a more up-to-date story.

Let me first apologize if the concerns I have relayed are inaccurate.

But for now, I think that Barber's story of roaming gay hands in the military is a vague and skillful lie.


More attacks on GLSEN'S Kevin Jennings - Now the Family Research Council gets in the act

While the lgbt community is distracted by marriage equality, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and anger at President Obama, the religious right is attempting to play the death of a thousand cuts game on GLSEN's Kevin Jennings

There seems to be an attempt to create a rising storm regarding President Obama's pick of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) founder Kevin Jennings as Assistant Deputy Secretary in the Office of Safe Schools.

The religious right have been steadily attempting to portray Jennings as a danger to children and another cog in the so-called gay conspiracy to indoctrinate children.

The usual characters, Peter LaBarbera, Linda Harvey, and One News Now, have already cast Jennings as some sort of psychological lamia out to strip children of their innocence.

Now the Family Research Council via its blog has gotten into the act.

Let's look at the group's claims:

View of Christians

Addressing a church audience on March 20, 2000 in New York City — just days before “Fistgate” — GLSEN Executive Director Kevin Jennings offered a stinging (and quite intolerant) assessment of how to deal with religious conservatives:

Twenty percent of people are hard-core fair-minded [pro-homosexual] people. Twenty percent are hard-core [anti-homosexual] bigots. We need to ignore the hard-core bigots, get more of the hard-core fair-minded people to speak up, and we’ll pull that 60 percent [of people in the middle] … over to our side. That’s really what I think our strategy has to be. We have to quit being afraid of the religious right. We also have to quit — … I’m trying to find a way to say this. I’m trying not to say, ‘[F---] ‘em!’ which is what I want to say, because I don’t care what they think! [audience laughter] Drop dead! It should be noted that GLSEN and Jennings make heavy use of the words “respect” and “tolerance” in their public rhetoric and in descriptions of their programs.

The claim that Jennings is bigoted towards Christians is debatably inaccurate. The quote says nothing about Christians, but rather some folks who oppose lgbt equality.

And based on how these individuals and organizations have opposed lgbt equality in the past, Jennings has a point with his comments.

However that is not the point. FRC tries to imply that Jennings is bigoted towards Christians much like a racist would be bigoted towards African-Americans. And the quote the organization uses just doesn't justify that implication, despite the profanity used by Jennings.

You will notice that the example mentioned "fistgate." FRC's blog goes into detail about this alleged incident further down:

GLSEN and “Fistgate

”GLSEN, which promotes homosexual clubs and the homosexual lifestyle in high schools, middle schools and grade schools and is the driving force behind the annual “Day of Silence” celebration of homosexuality“

The most notorious education scandal involving homosexual activists is a GLSEN sponsored conference that occurred on March 25, 2000, dubbed ‘Fistgate’ by conservatives. Three homosexual activists employed by the Massachusetts Departments of Health and Education led a youth workshop titled ‘What They Didn’t Tell You about Queer Sex & Sexuality in Health Class’ — part of the annual Boston-GLSEN ‘Teach Out’ conference held at Tufts University. The ‘Queer Sex’ session, advertised to ‘youth only ages 14 to 21,’ was attended by Massachusetts family advocate Scott Whitemen, who taped it while standing in the back of the room.In the workshop, instructor Michael Gaucher, prompted by a teen’s question, verbally guided the students on the mechanics of ‘fisting’ — a homosexual slang term for a sadistic sex act in which a man inserts his hand and arm into another person’s anal cavity.

Another instructor, Margot Abels, said fisting ‘often gets a really bad rap,’ and described it innocuously as ‘an experience of letting somebody into your body that you want to be that close and intimate with.’ Abels and Gaucher also guided the students on techniques of oral sodomy and lesbian sex.”

"Fistgate," which I have talked about repeatedly, is one of those phony moral panics created by Massachusetts religious right group Mass Resistance. The group illegally entered and taped a discussion from a Massachusetts state conference on teens and sexual behavior.

My take on the so-called controversy is here.

But the most important thing about this situation regarding Jennings and GLSEN is other than helping to sponsor the conference, neither Jennings nor GLSEN had anything to do with the questions asked or the controversy that took place because of it.

One last point I want to make:

On Statutory Rape

‘In his own writings and books listed on the GLSEN [Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network] Website, I’ve reported, Kevin Jennings has given tacit nods of approval to sex between young teens and adults,’ (Linda) Harvey told WND. ‘In addition to that, the writings and books, many of which I’ve read and are incredibly graphic, seem to normalize early teen same-sex sexual behaviors.’

As I have said so many times before, Linda Harvey is a phony expert. She is the founder of Mission America and a former ad executive who became "born again." She has no credentials or expertise.

She also has a very, very negative view of anyone who is lgbt supportive. This is what she said three years ago:

When people have views supporting homosexuality, they should not be involved with youth in any way, period. Because they:
will provide inaccurate, misleading information to kids;
may limit a student's opportunity to hear warnings about the behavior;
may advocate or model inappropriate behavior;
may be directly involved in the molestation of kids themselves;
or may be in a position to allow others to do so.

I think it's safe to say that Harvey is not a credible source of information regarding lgbts.

The attacks on Jennings is important because they are taking place while the lgbt community is distracted with marriage equality, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and our anger at President Obama for allegedly not moving fast enough on our issues.

How long will it be before a letter signed by several religious right groups asking for Jennings's removal goes out to the media?

We had better get on the ball with this before we are caught with our pants down.

Past writings on the religious right attacks on Jennings and GLSEN:

'Fistgate' and President Obama - religious right pushes a pitiful attempt of guilt by association

More right wing lunacy on Kevin Jennings courtesy of Kevin McCullough

Congratulations fellow bloggers for good work

This has suddenly become a weird day.

At lunch I discovered that my add-on button does not work. Subsequently, when I got home, I spent a long time trying to fix it.

I didn't fix it but now I have two add-on buttons. And neither work.

But anyway, congratulations to my fellow bloggers who made The Advocate's list of top 15 Gayish blogs, including:

AmericaBlog.com

Gawker.com

DListed.com

HuffingtonPost.com

OhLaLaMag.com

Signorile.com

TowleRoad.com

WorldofWonder.net

PerezHilton.com

Slog.TheStranger.com

PinkIsTheNewBlog.com

Popnography.com

Rod 2.0

GoodAsYou.org

Now though Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters was not listed, I bear no malice because we are in this for the work and the community, not for renown.

However, if something should happen, say a big boat falls from the sky and just misses hitting you, a mysterious shape at your window, your pet rabbit being found boiling in a pot, a fortune teller letting you know that someone has roots on you, just know that I am not at fault ;p

All jokes aside, all of these folks deserve a lot of kudoe. Many of them are my friends and mentors. I take lessons from how they operate to make my stuff better.

And speaking of another person who I consider a role model, congratulations to Wayne Besen and Truth Wins Out on this:

NEW YORK – Truth Wins Out announced today that its Executive Director, Wayne Besen, would be in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to participate in actions to educate the public about the dangers of the “ex-gay” industry. Besen is the author of “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Ex-Gay Myth”. The educational events coincide with Love Won Out, Focus on the Family’s “pray away the gay” road show, which will be held on June 13.

“The community response has been incredible and we are looking forward to countering the misinformation that Focus on the Family will import into Grand Rapids,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “It is important that people know that you can’t pray away the gay, but you can learn to love people for who they truly are.”

Grand Valley State University departments have teamed up to host a panel discussion on religion and homophobia that will feature national and local experts. “Religion and Homophobia: Spiritual Violence in Our Community” is set for Thursday, June 11, from 7-9 p.m. in the Eberhard Center, room 215, on Grand Valley’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus at 301 W. Fulton St. The event is free and open to the public.

Besen will begin the discussion with a presentation about the validity of “ex-gay” reparative ministries or therapies. Truth Wins Out is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to defending the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community against anti-gay misinformation campaigns.

Panel members will include the following:
• John Corvino, Wayne State University professor, author and lecturer;
• Milt Ford, director of Grand Valley’s LGBT Resource Center;
• Judith Snow, Grand Rapids area forensic therapist and author;
• Doug Van Doren, pastor of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ;
• Josh Sleutel, GVSU student, previous reparative therapy patient.

The event is sponsored by Grand Valley’s Division of Inclusion and Equity, Dean of Students Office, LGBT Resource Center, Women’s Center, Women and Gender Studies Department, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Liberal Studies Department, Allies and Advocates, and the LGBT Faculty and Staff Association .

This is a much needed discussion and I want to congratulate everyone who put it together.

Now I'm going to see if I can get this add-on button situation taken care of. Pray for me.

Was Matt Barber's story about roaming gay hands in the military truthful? I doubt it

For those looking for news briefs, they are in the post before this one.

Something I read this morning has been bugging me so much that I have to post about it.

Anti-gay spokesperson Matt Barber wrote a press release patting the U.S. Supreme Court on the back for its recent decision not to hear a case challenging Don't Ask, Don't Tell - the policy of gays in the military.

Now in this piece, Barber says the following:

I served twelve years in the Army National Guard. During basic training a young man who later turned out to be homosexual was discharged after making unwanted advances toward other soldiers and for inappropriately touching several while they slept in the barracks.

“A lengthy investigation ensued. Troops were pulled away from their regular training to answer questions. It was a tremendous distraction for our entire platoon. This incident most definitely disrupted unit cohesion and harmed troop morale.

I have a serious problem believing Barber's story and here's why:

The one thing I know about Barber is that he never misses a chance to attack the lgbt community on our supposed wrongs and proclivities. His entire career has been built on being a phony martyr of the alleged gay agenda.

But to my knowledge, this is the first time I have ever heard him recount this story. I find it hard to believe that Barber would let such an juicy anti-gay anecdote be unheard until now.

And the ironic thing is that Barber is quoted repeating the alleged incident in a One News Now article which also quotes Elaine Donnelly. Donnelly is the head of a the Center for Military Readiness and has been vocal with attacking the concept of gays in the military.

The question I have is where was Barber and this story last year when Donnelly was figuratively and deservedly butchered in front of a Congressional committee last year for her abysmal testimony against allowing gays in the military.

You will remember that one example she cited about an alleged incident in 1974 concerning a white female who was accosted by a group of lesbians.

Why didn't Barber supply her with his incident, which would have been a more up-to-date story.

Let me first apologize if the concerns I have relayed are inaccurate.

But for now, I think that Barber's story of roaming gay hands in the military is a vague and skillful lie.

Tuesday midday news briefs

American Idol rocker Adam Lambert comes out to Rolling Stone - This is as big of a surprise as when Clay Aiken came out. That's all I am going to say.

10 reasons why a march on Washington is a bad idea - Preach on, brother!

KRXQ to Apologize, 11 Ads Pulled - Damn right. You had better apologize.

A Seemingly Simple Question: Where Does Harry Jackson Live? - This is a good question.

Boehlert: "Militia-style vigilante rhetoric has become a cornerstone of the conservative media movement in America" - This needs to stop before something ugly happens. What am I saying? It already has.

More attacks on GLSEN'S Kevin Jennings - Now the Family Research Council gets in the act

While the lgbt community is distracted by marriage equality, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and anger at President Obama, the religious right is attempting to play the death of a thousand cuts game on GLSEN's Kevin Jennings

There seems to be an attempt to create a rising storm regarding President Obama's pick of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) founder Kevin Jennings as Assistant Deputy Secretary in the Office of Safe Schools.

The religious right have been steadily attempting to portray Jennings as a danger to children and another cog in the so-called gay conspiracy to indoctrinate children.

The usual characters, Peter LaBarbera, Linda Harvey, and One News Now, have already cast Jennings as some sort of psychological lamia out to strip children of their innocence.

Now the Family Research Council via its blog has gotten into the act. Let's look at the group's claims:

View of Christians

Addressing a church audience on March 20, 2000 in New York City — just days before “Fistgate” — GLSEN Executive Director Kevin Jennings offered a stinging (and quite intolerant) assessment of how to deal with religious conservatives:

Twenty percent of people are hard-core fair-minded [pro-homosexual] people. Twenty percent are hard-core [anti-homosexual] bigots. We need to ignore the hard-core bigots, get more of the hard-core fair-minded people to speak up, and we’ll pull that 60 percent [of people in the middle] … over to our side. That’s really what I think our strategy has to be. We have to quit being afraid of the religious right. We also have to quit — … I’m trying to find a way to say this. I’m trying not to say, ‘[F---] ‘em!’ which is what I want to say, because I don’t care what they think! [audience laughter] Drop dead! It should be noted that GLSEN and Jennings make heavy use of the words “respect” and “tolerance” in their public rhetoric and in descriptions of their programs.

The claim that Jennings is bigoted towards Christians is debatably inaccurate. The quote says nothing about Christians, but rather some folks who oppose lgbt equality.

And based on how these individuals and organizations have opposed lgbt equality in the past, Jennings has a point with his comments.

However that is not the point. FRC tries to imply that Jennings is bigoted towards Christians much like a racist would be bigoted towards African-Americans. And the quote the organization uses just doesn't justify that implication, despite the profanity used by Jennings.

You will notice that the example mentioned "fistgate." FRC's blog goes into detail about this alleged incident further down:

GLSEN and “Fistgate”

GLSEN, which promotes homosexual clubs and the homosexual lifestyle in high schools, middle schools and grade schools and is the driving force behind the annual “Day of Silence” celebration of homosexuality

“The most notorious education scandal involving homosexual activists is a GLSEN sponsored conference that occurred on March 25, 2000, dubbed ‘Fistgate’ by conservatives. Three homosexual activists employed by the Massachusetts Departments of Health and Education led a youth workshop titled ‘What They Didn’t Tell You about Queer Sex & Sexuality in Health Class’ — part of the annual Boston-GLSEN ‘Teach Out’ conference held at Tufts University. The ‘Queer Sex’ session, advertised to ‘youth only ages 14 to 21,’ was attended by Massachusetts family advocate Scott Whitemen, who taped it while standing in the back of the room.

In the workshop, instructor Michael Gaucher, prompted by a teen’s question, verbally guided the students on the mechanics of ‘fisting’ — a homosexual slang term for a sadistic sex act in which a man inserts his hand and arm into another person’s anal cavity.

Another instructor, Margot Abels, said fisting ‘often gets a really bad rap,’ and described it innocuously as ‘an experience of letting somebody into your body that you want to be that close and intimate with.’ Abels and Gaucher also guided the students on techniques of oral sodomy and lesbian sex.”

"Fistgate," which I have talked about repeatedly, is one of those phony moral panics created by Massachusetts religious right group Mass Resistance. The group illegally entered and taped a discussion from a Massachusetts state conference on teens and sexual behavior.

My take on the so-called controversy is here. But the most important thing about this situation regarding Jennings and GLSEN is other than helping to sponsor the conference, neither Jennings nor GLSEN had anything to do with the questions asked or the controversy that took place because of it.

One last point I want to make:

On Statutory Rape

‘In his own writings and books listed on the GLSEN [Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network] Website, I’ve reported, Kevin Jennings has given tacit nods of approval to sex between young teens and adults,’ (Linda) Harvey told WND. ‘In addition to that, the writings and books, many of which I’ve read and are incredibly graphic, seem to
normalize early teen same-sex sexual behaviors.’

As I have said so many times before, Linda Harvey is a phony expert. She is the founder of Mission America and a former ad executive who became "born again." She has no credentials or expertise. She also has a very, very negative view of anyone who is lgbt supportive. This is what she said three years ago:

When people have views supporting homosexuality, they should not be involved with youth in any way, period. Because they:

will provide inaccurate, misleading information to kids;
may limit a student's opportunity to hear warnings about the behavior;
may advocate or model inappropriate behavior;
may be directly involved in the molestation of kids themselves; or
may be in a position to allow others to do so.

I think it's safe to say that Harvey is not a credible source of information regarding lgbts.

The attacks on Jennings is important because they are taking place while the lgbt community is distracted with marriage equality, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and our anger at President Obama for allegedly not moving fast enough on our issues.

How long will it be before a letter signed by several religious right groups asking for Jennings's removal goes out to the media?

We had better get on the ball with this before we are caught with our pants down.

Past writings on the religious right attacks on Jennings and GLSEN:

'Fistgate' and President Obama - religious right pushes a pitiful attempt of guilt by association

More right wing lunacy on Kevin Jennings courtesy of Kevin McCullough

Let me reiterate - we don't need another national march

I want to go into more detail about why I am totally against another march for lgbt rights.

For one thing, I am an eccentric idealist when it comes to national marches. I even refused to attend the Million March. In fact, I was set against it. The reason was that I figured why should I go to Washington, D.C. to make a commitment to my family and community when I could honor that commitment by staying home and working at my job like always. I didn't need to go to Washington to make a show of it.

The second reason is because of the memories I have of the 1993 Gay march in Washington. It was my first and last national march. I remember being disgusted by the vulgarity of some half naked individuals and mostly by the lack of a coherent plan other than demonstrating how mad we were.

I also remember the words of a gay-friendly columnist who said that based on the march, he couldn't tell what the lgbt community wanted. The problem with the 1993 March was that there were so many groups, factions, and different interpretations of lgbt rights that it was difficult to get all of those groups unified.

My guess is the same thing will happen with this march. Hell, the only folks who may benefit from this march will be religious right figures who will no doubt film the lack of discipline that many of us will probably demonstrate.

The idea that the lgbt community should have a huge march only underlines our huge problem. It seems like we are trying to end the fight for lgbt rights with a quick knockout rather than a strategic dismantling of discrimination and ignorance.

I fail to see how a public showing of our anger will do us any good if we can't articulate that anger into something productive. All a March on Washington would demonstrate is that we enjoy transitory visibility and symbolic anger but don't have the wherewithal to translate that symbolic anger into positive action.

Maybe it's time that we start looking at things on a state-by-state basis. The Christian Coalition began by taking over area school boards. Focus on the Family and Concerned Women for America are connected by statewide organizations.

Why can't we do the same thing? With so many statewide lgbt groups in existence, have we ever thought of meeting, sharing resources, and drafting plans for our individual communities?

That would make more sense than a useles public showing of anger.

Monday midday news briefs

Oklahoma: Teacher asserts he was terminated for advocating for LGBT youth - From Sally Kern land. Why doesn't this surprise me?

Gay rights activist calls for march on Washington - NO,NO, NO, a million times NO!! Why do we always pick visibility over brick-by-brick planning. I would rather work with my South Carolina community and surrounding state communities on strategies to further lgbt rights and understanding. I would rather trade resources with these communities. AND NOT UNDER THE GLARE OF CAMERAS!! Why is it that folks want to come together for a march but can't seem to be able to work with other lgbts in THEIR OWN community.

Head of San Diego Pride attacked, beaten - What the hell?

Entercom Communications Corporation: When Big Business Demonizes Innocent Children - I didn't mention this last week and I really should have. On a Sacremento radio show, the hosts made ugly uncalled for comments about our transgendered children. They are now finding out what happens when they say rude things about these babies.

Down to the Wire In Albany on Marriage, GENDA - Possible good news from New York

State Supreme Court rules in favor of same-sex foster parents - More good news from last week

More right wing lunacy on Kevin Jennings courtesy of Kevin McCullough

President Obama's decision to appoint GLSEN(Gay Straight Lesbian Education Network) founder Kevin Jennings as Assistant Deputy Secretary in the Office of Safe Schools has really brought out the wolves.

Aside from the nonsense emanating from Concerned Women for America, Peter LaBarbera, and wannabe activist and expert Linda Harvey comes more nonsense from an old friend of mine, Kevin McCullough via the conservative Town Hall.

McCullough has written a column, Why Obama's Elementary Queering Must Be Stopped, that says less about our President and Jennings and more about the lunancy of those who continue to attack Jennings.

McCullough, who, based on some of his past writings, obviously thinks of President Obama as the Second Coming of Damien Thorne (i.e. The Omen) doesn't hold anything back:

While President Obama was in Cairo preaching Islamist propaganda to the ears of Muslim students this last week, his administration was carrying out an even more sinister agenda.

McCullough of course attacks Jennings for his activities at GLSEN. It disappointed me a little that he didn't pull the "fistgate" card. But not to worry, because McCullough still doesn't disappoint those who have come to anticipate his bizarre ravings:

Kevin Jennings is not just your normal activist nominee. He is a firm advocate of mandated affirmation of approval of homosexual actions by school children, and to this end, his involvement with the GLSEN's "Day of Silence" has moved them to go beyond that to demand "Queer Proms" in the local public schools, and to lobby for legislation in each state to change the definition of marriage to make it mean something it has never meant.

With Jennings' support, the GLSEN chapter in Connecticut has begun pushing not just for "tolerance" or "acceptance" of those who choose to engage in homosexuality in the public schools, but they have actually created an "activity" for the school systems which pushes "positive levels of attitude" such as mandated "admiration" and "nurturance."

In his past, Jennings has left quite a swath of destructive choices as well. He authored the forward for the book titled Queering Elementary which argues for the teaching of sexual "identity" (what you could easily call "indoctrination", "initiation", or "brainwashing") to the children in the elementary education stage of life. The book is so disturbing that it reportedly includes a description of how to "properly" teach a seven year old girl to masturbate.

Because we all know that seven year old girls don't already have enough challenges in this world without being quickly inducted into the "get yourself off" stage of life.

McCullough also proceeds to go into detail about an alleged incident involving Jennings counseling a young boy who was molested by an older teacher. McCullough charges that Jennings should have alerted the authorities but did not.

Now I don't know what exactly happened because McCullough does not give enough details, except for ones that cast Jennings as the bad guy (surprise surprise), but I do know Kevin McCullough enough to know that before I believe anything he says, I would first want two lie detector tests and an affadavit from Jesus Christ himself.

McCullough is not above stretching the truth to fuel his own agenda, such as his behavior in the David Parker controversy. I've talked about the phony claims of Parker before. The gist is that Parker falsely claimed to be persecuted because he wouldn't allow his son's school to teach him about homosexuality. The truth is a bit more complicated.

McCullough entered the situation when he helped to spread a phony story that Parker's son was attacked by a gang of students angry at his father's stance. He wrote a column about the incident - New liberal strategy: Assault 7-year-olds

When the truth came out (Parker's son had gotten into a fight with a friend over a cafeteria seat), McCullough issued no apology for his claim.

In April of last year, McCullough claimed that ENDA(Employee Non-Discrimination Act) would protect pedophiles; a baffling lie:

So stifling would ENDA be in fact that if a Youth Pastor who works with young boys in a church program got caught in an inappropriate relationship with them, ENDA would make it nearly impossible for the church involved to fire the youth pastor. ENDA would directly challenge and seek to limit religious expression, doctrine, theology, and practice.

And then there is my favorite McCullough piece in which he slanders the entire lgbt community:

The “alphas” in homosexual relationships, be they men or women, are many times recruiting younger partners. A vast percentage of those who enter the homosexual life do so after having been sexually initiated by an older person of their sex—be it consensual or not—it usually has the feel of enticement or seduction.

For the record, Jennings has done a lot of positive stuff with GLSEN. I support his appointment and hope he carries that energy into his new job.

The question is not who will protect children from him, but who will protect all of us from the lies of McCullough and company.

The State newspaper runs my column on lgbts of color

My column about lgbts of color is up and it looks good. From what I understand, it will be on The State's webpage until next Saturday. It is the first time that the State newspaper addressed lgbt issues from an African-American gay man's perspective on its editorial pages.

Click here for the link. One of my favorite highlights:

Instead of real conversations, gays and lesbians of color are supposed to be placated by ridiculous assurances that no one has a problem with our “lifestyle” as long as we aren’t in anyone’s faces about it.”

Then we are condemned about our supposed “lifestyle” — as if homosexuality was the original sin that drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden — while over-sexualized images in African-American entertainment, fornication and out-of-wedlock births are given a virtual pass in the pulpits. (When President Obama called out homophobia in the pulpits, he was given a standing ovation while his advice went unheeded.)

Meanwhile black-oriented television shows and motion pictures consider us as persona non gratis or simpering oversexed caricatures.

Gays and lesbians of color are being pushed in a psychological closet and muzzled by our own community. We are treated like dog dirt on the front lawn of black America, something to be avoided or eliminated with the utmost efficiency.

Like I said before, I deliberately avoided the tired comparison of the "black civil rights movement" and the "gay civil rights movement."

There have been very few words or columns that center on the plight of lgbts of color, period. When there are discussions about African-Americans and lgbts, there seems to be this need to separate the two entities. I can't tell you how many times that hurts me. I feel like a rope in a vicious tug war game.

I want some attention to be focused on lgbts of color; not how the black community ignores us affects the lgbt community at large, but how the lack of attention affects us.

And I don't want patronizing comments from well-meaning supportive black heterosexuals either. For a change, I want all words to come from us and all eyes to be on us.

Yes I sound selfish when I say this but I don't care. I've seen other people talk about lgbts of color for the longest time.

Now it's time for us to do the talking. Or rather the shouting because we have been talking but no one has cared to listen.

Also, to the side, I have added a new feature - The Best of Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters, which features some of my best work. Message to the Religious Right is included.

Know your lgbt history - Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones

Everything still seems to be on deck for tomorrow regarding my column in The State newspaper.

But that's tomorrow. Let's get through today.

The blaxploitation period of American cinema was an interesting time. It was when filmmakers suddenly figured out that black folks liked movies, could write and direct films, and that black women could carry motion pictures.

The films from this period encompassed good(Blacula, the Cleopatra Jones series), bad (The Mack, Soul Vengeance), and so damned awful that you had to watch them for their campy quality (Dolemite, Truck Turner).

Still there were drawbacks. The films, for the most part, were violent and coarse. They took the stereotypes of the superstud black man and the extremely racist white man and blew them up to outrageous proportions.

And how these motion pictures portrayed lgbts were just awful. Gay men of all stripes were seen as weak.

And lesbians were portrayed as threatening. White lesbians in particular were seen as either subservient to black women or as criminals.

These two clips demonstrate my point.

The first is from Foxy Brown, a motion picture starring Pam Grier. Grier plays a woman seeking to free her neighborhood from a drug and prostitution cartel. In this scene, she is involved in a lesbian barroom brawl:




This second clip is from a more sophisticated movie, Cleopatra Jones. Tamara Dobson portrays Jones, an international super spy who is battling a lesbian drug lord named Mommy. That's right, her name is Mommy.

But it gets better. Mommy is portrayed by two-time Oscar winning actress Shelley Winters. And this performance didn't exactly hurt her career. She would later get another Oscar nomination for the Poseidon Adventure.

I'm ashamed to admit that despite how insulting it was, I enjoyed Winters's performance. It's obvious that she did not take this movie seriously. Winters doesn't just chew scenery, she grinds it into powder.

Her performance, in fact, softens the insult of the evil lesbian stereotype just a little.

In this clip, Winters explodes on the scene at 2:00 but watch the entire thing. It's entertaining as hell:

Friday midday news briefs

Pride & Prejudice - Just one state away from me comes a hot mess.

Fla. Bar support in gay adoption case upheld - I love to see the religious right lose not matter how big or small the court case.

R.I. lawmakers debate gay benefits, drop bill - Well this sucks. They want to help us when we pass away but not when we are alive.

'Ten Commandments Judge' Makes 2nd Run for Governor - Roy Moore is running for governor again and apparently it's OUR fault. Okay I will take being blamed for Bjork's dead swan dress at the Oscars before I'm going to be blamed for this.

Knoxville restores GLBT web access to schools - We win in Tennessee!!

Obama more than tolerant of homosexual lifestyle - Can someone please tell me what the "homosexual lifestyle" is. I'm a homosexual and even I don't know!

Truth Wins Out puts another nail in the coffin of the ex-gay farce

From Truth Wins Out:

For decades, anti-gay organizations have gleefully pointed to Masters & Johnson’s 1979 book, “Homosexuality in Perspective”, that claimed to cure homosexuality. Indeed, Dr. William H. Masters and Virgina E. Johnson, the husband and wife sex research team, went on Meet the Press on Sunday, April 22, 1979, to discuss their finding that homosexuals could be converted into heterosexuals. The book has since been used by the so-called “ex-gay” industry to “prove” gays could go straight, if they just tried hard enough.

In his groundbreaking new book, “Masters of Sex”, author Thomas Maier discovered through investigative reporting that the results of Masters & Johnson’s study were entirely fabricated. Virginia Johnson acknowledged that the results were fake. She had actually argued in 1978 that book should never have seen the light of day - but it was already to late in the publishing process to undo the damage.

One can not overstate the importance of Maier’s findings. They undo the very underpinnings of the so-called “ex-gay” therapy movement, further showing that there is no scientific evidence or data to support the outdated idea that gay people can become heterosexual through therapy. Indeed, many people who have undergone such “treatment” claim the experience was harmful and that they were psychologically damaged. The American Psychiatric Association says that attempts to change sexual orientation can lead to “anxiety, depression and self-destructive behavior.”



Yet another reason why Truth Wins Out is one of my favorite webpages!

My column 'drops' on Saturday

I have just received final confirmation that barring anything out of the ordinary, my column on the importance of Black prides and how the African-American community ignores lgbts of color will be appearing Saturday as a part of the State newspaper's Saturday Opinion Extra package.

This means that it will most likely appear online but not in the printed newspaper, which is okay by me. Progress is progress.

Of course I reiterate the "barring anything out of the ordinary part" because as many of you know, South Carolina is in the middle of a huge controversy regarding our Governor (Mark Sanford) and his refusal to accept $700 million of President Obama's stimulus package.

The General Assembly passed a budget including the stimulus money and Sanford vetoed it. The General Assembly overrode his veto thereby causing the situation to go to the State Supreme Court.

The court today ordered Gov. Sanford to accept the budget and thereby apply for the $700 million.

So in the middle of all of this lovely hullabaloo, my column will come out - the equivalent of finding out that you have won the Pulitzer Prize 60 seconds before Jesus comes back to Earth.

Still, my column appearing is a remarkable achievement which I will forever be proud of. As far as I know this will be the first time that the State newspaper will address lgbt issues from an African-American gay man's perspective on its editorial pages.

I've done a lot of good things with my book and this blog, but this column is special. It's personal. What I wrote isn't just for me but every lgbt of color, living or dead, who have been marginalized by an intentionally ignorant African-American community. Trust me when I say I am very proud of what I wrote. It's to the point and makes no apologies, especially about the role of God in our lives.

I have no idea what the fallout, if any, will be. I'm not going to lie about what I hope to accomplish. I want a nice controversy just in time for South Carolina Black Pride (June 18-21). I want comments both positive and negative, I want pastors to talk about it in church, and I want definitely want it to be read by as many folks as possible.

Like the proverb says, a man is like a turtle in that they both have to stick their necks out to move forward.

Thursday midday news briefs

Gay groups grow impatient with Barack Obama - I am of two minds about this.

Yes, we need to be very vocal and very pushy about our rights. But other than getting angry and bitching about how President Obama is being slow, is there anything else we can be doing?

It's as if we have surrendered all action to President Obama.

It reminds me of the small but very interesting argument the community is having about holding a national march.

Both ideas (i.e. a national march and dependence on President Obama) seem to push the notion that if something big and showy is done, then the lgbt community will be successful in getting our rights. This idea that if we all come together in a huge showy march or if President Obama does something demonstratively decisive for us then everything will be alright is simplistic.

Just like I hate the idea of a national march (when we should be building community power on a state and city level), I don't like the idea of depending too much on a "Great Father Figure" to come down from the Heavens and make things right for us. The struggle for lgbt equality does not belong to President Obama. It belongs to us.

And the struggle is not going to be won by a huge showing march nor will it be won from a legislative thunderbolt thrown from the White House. It will be won by us pushing forward and pressing on with dignity for what belongs to us. And sometimes that does take time.

Okay, I've rambled too much. If I haven't bored you or gotten you angry, read on:

Gay partner language could doom immigration reform - You cannot be serious

EXCLUSIVE: California lesbian couple allege discrimination at Fresno hospital - This is why those "court documents" are sometimes useless.

In NH and Iowa, gay marriage has political angle - Ya think?

Never fear, Chick Publications is here! or What some people really think of gay marriage

Maybe it's just me but marriage equality coming to New Hampshire seems to have left some members of the religious right a bit dazed.

One News Now has yet to report on it and my usually reliable anti-gay Peter LaBarbera hasn't said a word yet.

Even Focus on the Family have been strangely silent.

But not everyone is silent.

Someone alerted me to this tract from Chick Publications. Chick Publications is a site that publishes cartoon gospel tracts. You may have seen these various tracts in a doctor's office or at the bus stop.

It is an old tract (it was created in 2004) and while it does not address marriage equality in New Hampshire per se, it's safe to say that the creator doesn't exactly care for gay marriage at all.

The following are some snippets from the tract:










Judge for yourself but I tend to think that minus the little imps, this is exactly the argument the religious right uses against marriage equality.

It's not exactly a logical argument when drawn out, is it?