'Religious right lashes out at black voters for pro-Obama, pro-marriage equality votes' and other Friday midday news briefs

Religious right lashes out at African-Americans over pro-Obama, pro-marriage equality votes:

 Linda Harvey - Ninety-three percent of African Americans voted for Obama in this election. Where are the Christians? Where are those who choose candidates based on the content of his or her character? Is it safe to conclude that ninety-three percent of African Americans are now in favor of homosexuality as marriage, late-term and sex-selection abortions, and they love the idea of limiting opportunity be penalizing success in this country? Do all this ninety-three percent agree that people of faith should be forced to pay for other people’s abortion-causing drugs? These are drugs that kill unborn babies. This is a human rights issue of the first magnitude and I am guessing there are plenty of black women and men who would have a problem with this if they chose to open their eyes about these policies aggressively supported by Obama and his administration, and now America has signed on for four more years of this.  

Michael Brown - I simply do not understand how my black evangelical friends who so staunchly oppose same-sex marriage and who stand against abortion could cast their vote for the most radically pro-abortion, pro-gay-activist president in our history. Was there no moral compromise involved in voting for him? Are there no issues that could disqualify him in your eyes? And must Barack Obama be elected and then reelected in order to make up for past injustices, as one black evangelical woman claimed?

Well gee, maybe it's because not all African-Americans are monolithic. Maybe we have our minds and don't jump every time some religious right organization pays off a greedy pastor to undermine our support of a candidate. And to answer Mr. Brown's question, we didn't vote for Obama for revenge. We voted for him because we felt he was the better candidate. And he was, too. It's nice to see these folks show their true faces. I wonder how many other religious right groups and figures feel this way but won't publicly say so.


 In other news:

 Fox News Downplays Major Election Night LGBT Victories - Color me not surprised. Personally I think the network was too busy trying to recover from Obama's victory. 

 Boykin: Gays, the left to blame for heterosexuals' inability to keep it in their pants - So in other words, gays are mind controlling heterosexuals to cheat with each other. Okay, that's another secret revealed by some big mouthed queen. I swear it's so hard to conduct an evil plan to destroy "normal society" when your fellow gays can't keep their mouths shut! 

 Oregon Democrats Nominate Country’s First Lesbian House Speaker - Sweet! 

NOM's election losses creating division in religious right

Ken Hutcherson is mad at NOM.

The National Organization for Marriage is dealing with heavy criticism from the right after losing four ballot initiatives against marriage equality.

Two days ago, Mass Resistance, an anti-gay hate group in Massachusetts, seemingly claimed that NOM was not anti-gay enough in opposing marriage equality. Brian Camenker, Mass Resistance's president said:

 . . . both NOM and the state pro-family groups went to great lengths not to criticize homosexual behavior. They were very fearful of being perceived as "anti-gay" or "homophobic" especially in the liberal press. So they insisted on moderating everyone's messages. In Minnesota, for instance, activists were specifically told, "Don't make this a gay issue." Those who deviated from this and took a more direct approach were shunned and even publicly criticized by the pro-family establishment.

And yesterday, that sentiment was echoed by Washington state pastor Ken Hutcherson. Hutcherson has been an extremely vocal opponent of gay equality in general, opposing not just marriage equality, but also gay/straight alliances in schools.

Hutcherson said groups like NOM and Focus on the Family practically handed the victories to marriage equality supporters in Maine, Maryland, Washington state, and Minnesota - the four states who had either laws regarding marriage equality on the ballot:

"Their intention was to be moderate, non-controversial," Hutcherson told OneNewsNow in an exclusive interview, pointing out that the National Organization for Marriage, Focus on the Family and Family Policy Institute's unbiblical strategy was a severe departure from the state's churches' aggressive campaign to stop same-sex marriage using the weight of family values and Scripture. He notes that the groups essentially told him and other local Christian leaders' that their message on marriage and social issues was too offensive.
"They did not want me involved basically in the top leadership, so I took a back seat and let them run with it," Hutcherson shared. "And that really hurt our unity out here."

While it sounds like "sour grapes" on the part of Hutcherson, who he gave the interview to is significant. One News Now is the online publication owned by the American Family Association.  And while One News Now gave Hutcherson an unchallenged platform to challenge NOM, it did not seek any comment from NOM.

'Scary' video demonstrates the consequences of gay marriage in America

The above video correctly illustrates the consequences of what will happen if America allows marriage equality. And no there are no mistakes. It lays down the consequences exactly as they will be. And I happen to agree with it totally. Keep telling yourself "it's only a possibility, it's only a possibility."

'Marriage equality a plot to destroy religious liberty?' and other Thursday midday news briefs

Controversial pastor Scott Lively considers running for governor of Massachusetts - This hateful individual is part responsible for the hell Ugandan lgbts are going through right now. He isn't going to win should he choose to run, but still . . . DAMN!

 Barber: Gay Marriage is a Weapon Designed to Destroy Religious Liberty - Aw hell! Who told him? I swear dishy gay men CANNOT stop revealing our secret plans! 

 Today in religious freedom: MN Catholic church denies confirmation to 17-year-old equality backer - I suppose some folks may find this appropriate but it is probably the main reason why Christianity is losing a lot of points in America.  

Worldwide Transgender Murders Increased By 20 Percent In 2012 - This ain't good. Stay strong, brothers and sisters.  

Sharing the Stories of LGBT Youth: Izabela, 17, From Lincoln, Neb. - Let's end these news briefs on a positive note. Anytime our lgbt children can speak out and share their stories is positive. 

Obama nominates gay black man for federal court

Obama makes history for both the African-American and gay communities:

The White House announced on Wednesday that President Obama has nominated Judge William Thomas, an out gay man, to serve on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Thomas would be the first out LGBT black man to serve as a lifetime-tenured federal judge. In a statement, Obama noted the diversity of Thomas and six other nominees, saying, "They ... represent my continued commitment to ensure that the judiciary resembles the nation it serves." He added, "These individuals have demonstrated the talent, expertise, and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judicial system. I am grateful for their willingness to serve and confident that they will apply the law with the utmost impartiality and integrity. Too many of our courtrooms stand empty. I hope the Senate will promptly consider all of my nominees and ensure justice for everyday Americans."

Thomas is the first out LGBT black judge to be nominated by Obama, but, if approved by the Senate, he would be the second out LGBT black judge. The first, Judge Deborah Batts, also was the first out LGBT federal judge. She was nominated by President Clinton and sat on the Southern District of New York bench. She took "senior status," a near retirement, earlier this year. 

 Yes this is a big #^@ deal, particularly to THIS black gay man and others who are like me because rarely do we see lgbt of color role models. It's not as if they aren't out there. It's just that very few folks focuses on them.

Certainly Mr. Thomas will not be seen as the "black gay judge" and Obama did not pick him because of those designations. However, in a world where gay black men have little visibility either sometimes by accident (by the gay community) or sometimes deliberately (by the African-American community), it's nice to see a spotlight on one of us who is successful.

And speaking of those of us who are successful:


 

Hate group leader blasts NOM for not being sufficiently anti-gay

Brian Tashman at Right-Wing Watch beat me to this, but it's so hilarious that it needs more attention. Apparently Mass Resistance, a venomous SPLC-declared hate group in Massachusetts is angry at the National Organization for Marriage.

According to its founder, Brian Camenker, NOM lost the recent four ballot initiatives for several reasons, including not being anti-gay enough. Cameneker, in fact, called NOM' strategy "flawed."

 In sharp contrast to the homosexual lobby's slick, sophisticated propaganda machine, the pro-family overall approach was largely the same moderate, inoffensive, often logically incoherent approach that they've coasted on until now. A number of activists made it a point to complain to us about that. For example, most of the pro-family message was some variation of: Every child needs a father and a mother; the word "marriage" is special; marriage is about procreation; marriage is a timeless institution; gays already have all the rights marriage brings; etc.

These arguments are not emotional, fairly general, and not very compelling. In contrast, the homosexual lobby made the arguments in their ads emotional and personal. At its root, "gay marriage" is really about the forced acceptance of homosexuality as a normal part of society. But both NOM and the state pro-family groups went to great lengths not to criticize homosexual behavior. They were very fearful of being perceived as "anti-gay" or "homophobic" especially in the liberal press. So they insisted on moderating everyone's messages. In Minnesota, for instance, activists were specifically told, "Don't make this a gay issue." Those who deviated from this and took a more direct approach were shunned and even publicly criticized by the pro-family establishment.

This included some of the vocal black churches in Maryland who wanted to quote the Bible, and activists in Maine and Minnesota who felt compelled to discuss the negative aspects homosexual behavior. Except for some material posted on websites of the local pro-family groups, there were no attempts at all that we know of to persuade the public through advertising that homosexual behavior was perverse, dysfunctional, and unhealthy.

Our side basically conceded that argument completely, and even went to lengths to state that "we're not anti-gay." The homosexual lobby took full advantage of that by aggressively portraying homosexuality as just another facet of normal human behavior. This tactic is not sustainable, as it soon became clear. It certainly does not effectively counter the emotional strategies put forth by the homosexual lobby. At some point you have to engage in the real battle at hand.

It sounds to me as if that Camenker is angry that NOM didn't talk go for the jugular with the anti-gay stuff. In other words, Camenker sounds sore that NOM didn't take the route that Mass Resistance is famous for, i.e. making up horror stories about gays invading schools and harming children like so:

The "Little Black Book" - Hard-core pornographic homosexual "how-to" booklet given to kids at high school!

 

Elementary school teaching cross-dressing and transgenderism in 3rd grade

 

Politicians, corporations honor BAGLY director - cross-dresser who works with kids - as Grand Marshal of Gay Pride Parade.

Or running repulsively insulting videos like the following:



Needless to say that Mass Resistance does worse. The organization makes it a point to take pictures of and videotape youth participation at pride events to push the ridiculous "gays indoctrinate children" lie.

And this group is criticizing NOM for not partaking in this madness. Between you and me, I kinda wish NOM would have because it would have led us to win by a larger margin.

However, as it is, I doubt NOM will be taking Mass Resistance's advice any time soon. NOM believes in subtle homophobia, not the in your face kind.

'Teacher unfairly attacked for protecting gay student' and other Wednesday midday news briefs

Florida Teacher Accused Of Turning Student Into Lesbian - What kind of world do we live in when teachers are falsely attacked for protecting gay students from abuse?

 Illinois Hate Group Encourages Bullying And Rejection Of Transgender Students - Apparently a world that anti-gay hate groups would love. 

 Tony Perkins gets another mainstream media pass - This is a hot mess. What the hell is The New York Times doing spotlighting FRC's Tony Perkins without giving a good view of the lies he and his organization, the Family Research Council, undertakes against the gay community? Indeed, evil triumphs when those who have the power to expose it do nothing.  

LaBarbera: Tammy Baldwin 'Hardly a Role Model,' Lacks 'Healthy, Wholesome Behaviors' - And Tammy Baldwin is also a United States Senator, Mr. LaBarbera. Meanwhile, you are a poor, pathetic man who masks his inner turmoil with homophobia. Let that stick in your craw.

Hate group has bad priorities when it comes to the Boy Scouts

The Family Research Council can't help itself when it comes to smearing gays. Maybe it's a clinical thing.

In this particular scenario, the organization is not exactly happy that UPS has decided not to donate to the Boy Scouts due to its policy of not allowing gays to be members.  According to FRC, UPS is punishing the Boy Scouts because the organization is supposedly trying to keep boys safe from pedophiles:
 

What UPS and other corporations refuse to acknowledge is that the Scouts' policy isn't a matter of intolerance--but security. After hundreds of cases of child sex abuse plagued the organization, the BSA tried to create a membership criteria in the best interest of kids' safety and parents' rights. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have paid millions--possibly hundreds of millions--to boys victimized by same-sex predators. And the financial toll was nothing compared to the emotional trauma of these children, whose lives are forever scarred by those encounters. For more than 100 years, the Scouts have focused on instilling character and leadership into America's boys. They aren't about to compromise that mission just to placate liberal companies and activists. 

Note what FRC says here - "same sex predators," i.e. making the inaccurate point that a man who molests a boy should be automatically considered as gay. 

And the sad thing about what FRC did? Other than blaming gays for the situation with the Boy Scouts, this organization has made no comment on the scandal created when it was learned that the Boy Scouts has been shielding potential pedophiles for decades, even after barring gays to be members or serve in leadership positions..

Why is FRC even defending the Boy Scouts at all?

Sorry religious right, but the gay community isn't buying what you are selling

As far as I am concerned, it's always a good thing when religious right figures trot their hypocrisies out in the public square.

My only concern is that we as a community don't take advantage of this more. Take former Family Research Council head Janet Parshall for example:



The above excerpt is from a ridiculous documentary she filmed with the American Family Association in 2009 entitled Speechless - Silencing the Christians. The documentary, with her as the host, makes inaccurate charges that gay equality will lead to the silencing and "persecution" of Christians. As you hear her ramble, please be aware that many of her claims are false, but I am sure you already know that.

But what I take from it is the false theme of "persecution" Parshall trots out. Using it, she implies the gay community are the aggressors. That we are the ones who use threats and ugly language against those we oppose.

It's a bizarre thing to take in when one listens to the following recent interview Parshall conducted with FRC's Peter Sprigg:

In case you need to keep to itemize certain realities, Parshall believes that gays gaining any form of equality is dangerous to Christians' rights of free speech. But her calling marriage equality a tool of the devil is right on.

Parshall's hypocrisy reminds me of the Kirk Cameron controversy earlier this year when he attacked gays, was criticized heavily for it, and then pleaded victimhood while hiding behind his so-called Christian beliefs.

And it made me realize a point which we hardly discuss.

To Parshall, Cameron, and other religious right talking heads and organizations, it's not enough for them to feel the negative way they do about the gay community. They seem to not only be angling to denigrate us unchallenged but also want their world view of homosexuality to be the prevalent view.

Think about it. Every time there is something which remotely puts the gay community in a positive light, these people and their groups trot out a stupid argument in which they push offensive phraseology like:

"Americans don't want the gay agenda rammed down their throat," or "parents don't want their children indoctrinated in the homosexual lifestyle."

The way they talk, the gay community sound like we are not Americans, we don't pay taxes, we aren't raising children, and we have no say whatsoever in the making of the laws which would govern our lives.

Let me put it as succinct as possible. People like Janet Parshall and organizations like the American Family Association want to control our lives. They want to put us in a box of sadness and self-hatred, where we settle for dangerous fumblings in public restrooms and parks for good relationships. Where we are content to grow old and alone because we feel that we are not worthy of creating families. Where we accept whatever so-called "tolerance" they give us because we feel that we don't deserve dignity.

Sorry guys, but I feel safe in speaking for the vast, vast majority of the gay community when I say get over  yourselves.

You see, many of us have had that taste of sweet champagne which comes with the revelation  that we are worthy of equality. And when you taste that champagne of equality, you don't go back to the bitter, lukewarm water of low self-esteem and self-denial.

You don't settle for a place in the corner when you have just discovered that you are part owner of the castle.

So my advice to the Janet Parshalls of the worlds, the Peter Spriggs, the American Family Associations is simple:

Give it up. Turn it loose. Because sooner or later, equality will be ours, regardless of you.

Hat tip to Goodasyou.org

'Catholic Bishops, Bill Graham group in trouble for role in 2012 election' and other Tuesday midday news briefs

Billy Graham Group, Catholic Bishops Come Under Scrutiny For Blurring Election Lines - No offense to anyone of any faith, but I have SERIOUS problems with people in church leadership roles telling people that they are going to hell if hey don't vote a certain way.  

Failed SNL Comedienne Victoria Jackson Continues Being Not Racist Or Crazy At All - I would say that Victoria Jackson has lost her mind but you have to have a mind to lose it. 

 Push Expands for Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage - Good. Don't waste this momentum.

Congrats to Kyrsten Sinema - Another victory. Congress has its first bisexual member!

 United Parcel Service to Boy Scouts of America – no funds for your anti-gay org - Sorry Boy Scouts, you want our tax dollars while you seek to harm our gay children. I don't feel sorry for you.

NOM's attack on gay families subtle but dangerous

For an organization created to supposedly "defend marriage," the National Organization for Marriage seems to be going into hyper drive in an effort put the disappearing dust on same-sex families.
Check out three recent posts on its blog:

UK Survey Aims to Make Pre-School Classes "Gay Friendly"

French Primary School Kids to Get Lessons in Gay Parenting

Ontario Judge: Parents Have No Right to Know What Gay Activist Taught Their Children

The claims made by these headlines and the articles they are talking about are highly specious, coming from what appears to religious right sources. For example, take the one about UK survey attempting to make pre-school classes "gay friendly." NOM links the story from The UK Christian Institute and it is as follows:

Parents in the East End of Glasgow were shocked to be asked about their sex lives, so that their pre-school children would get “gay-friendly” lessons. Mums and Dads were offered free theatre tickets in exchange for answering a survey about their sexual orientation. The study was carried out by a local arts group which is part-run by the city council. The aim of the Platform charity’s questionnaire, was to help “monitor the degree to which our programmes are gay-friendly”. 

Please note that the article claims that parents were being asked about their sex lives but in reality, they were asked about their sexual orientation. Two other publications verify that the question asked was merely about sexual orientation, not sexual activity. Unfortunately however, both publications also featured hysterical and inaccurate headlines about sexual activity.

What's happening here is subtle but nonetheless dangerous. NOM is conflating any questions designed to help same-sex families to that of scurrilous questions about sexual activity.

Granted, I can understand a tad the trepidation some may feel about being asked about their sexual orientation. But to automatically assume that these questions are a gateway to being asked about sexual activity is an extreme stretch.

NOM's 'victim for hire' calls Obama the 'Terrorist-in-Chief'

How did I miss this one? It seems that one of the National Organization for Marriage's "victims for hire" wasn't happy with Obama's re-election.

In fact, he called the President a terrorist. Equality Matters gives us the full story:

Damian Goddard – spokesperson for NOM’s Marriage Anti-Defamation Alliance (ADA) – published a post on his blog chastising Americans considering moving to Canada as a result of President Obama’s reelection. In his November 8 post, Goddard urged conservatives to stay in America and fight against Obama, who he called “the Terrorist-in-Chief”:

[S]top your complaining.  Please.  For the love of God.

You live in the freest country ever known to mankind.  As the anthem states, America is the land of the free but freedom comes with bravery, not running and hiding.   Your job is to stay.  And fight.  For the battle is still ongoing.

You leave, the terrorists win.  And heck, isn’t that what the Terrorist-in-Chief wants, anyway?

For those who are not aware, Damian Goodard was a Canadian sportscaster who was let go from his job. Goodard claimed that it was because of a tweet he sent out against marriage equality. However, the company that fired him, Sportsnet, denied that this was the case.  The company said he was fired for personal matters which it will not reveal because of its policy to not talk about personnel matters to the press.

Since the time of his firing, Goodard has made a name for himself by teaming up with NOM as a supposed victim of marriage equality:



Goodard's vicious attack on President Obama is not surprising. Instead it rather fits in well with the hypocrisy that is NOM's Anti-Defamation Alliance.

I suppose Maggie Gallagher and company will now label Goodard a larger victim. After all, whatever happened to the good old days when one could label the president as a terrorist with impunity?

 

'Uganda to pass homophobic law as Christmas gift?' and other Monday midday news briefs

Uganda to pass anti-gay law as 'Christmas gift'? - Stop the celebration. Looks like we've got work to do.  

NOM rounds out losing week by admitting intent to stir up international animus - Just in time for NOM to exploit international homophobia.  

How the Minnesota marriage amendment was defeated -- money, passion, allies - Read and take notes. We are going to need to do this again and again. 

 Veterans Day Highlights Persisting LGBT Inequities In The Military - Let's honor our veterans for the sacrifices they have made for our freedoms. ALL of our veterans. 

Dan Savage dares Tony Perkins, Family Research Council to sue him

Say what you will about Dan Savage, he is doing what needs to be done here.  For too long, members of the lgbt community - especially those in positions of power - have dodged taking on the Family Research Council and all of the other anti-gay groups for whatever reason.

They seem to ignore the old adage that a good defense is always an offense. In other words, we tend to wait until Perkins and company call us out before engaging them in a discussion or, what I like to call, a much needed verbal war.

Our path to equality will not be shortened by ignoring FRC, NOM, or any of the other groups who deliberately peddle homophobic junk science. They are the roadblocks and sometimes you need to confront roadblocks without provocation with the expressed goal of knocking them out of the way.

Dan Savage is trying to do that here and it is my hope that others follow in his footsteps.

Know Your LGBT History - The Stonewall Riots of 1969

As we celebrate the hard-earned victories we attained this week, let's not forget those who paved the way for us to reach this point. While gay history began millenniums before the Stonewall Riots, this incident in 1969 was the beginning of the American gay rights movement, when we first learned the sweet taste of satisfaction which comes from standing up for one's self in the face of oppression.

Past Know Your LGBT History posts:

'Ex-gay counselor arrested for molesting patients' and other Friday midday news briefs

Rev. Ryan J. Muelhauser, Ex-Gay Counsellor, Arrested For Molestation Of Two Young Men - Absolutely fiendish. Something to remember the next time Linda Harvey and that bunch start whining about the CA law prohibiting the subjection of our children to ex-gay therapy.  

New NOM talking point: It wasn't a fair fight - For once NOM was right, but not in the way it thinks. They had more access to money and resources and still got their asses kicked.

 Rep. Mark Ferrandino: Colo. Democrats Pick State's 1st Gay House Speaker - Sweet! And the gold from Tuesday keeps raining down.  

How Major State Newspapers Covered The Fight For Marriage Equality - State newspapers aren't doing the job they need to when talking about anti-gay groups. And to me, the main reason this is happening is because we aren't doing a better job of exposing them. Don't wait for them to do stuff to us. Put THEM on the defensive for a change. We have enough information on these groups, i.e. how they lie and distort science. The problem is that the only folks who are pushing this info are the bloggers like myself. Where are the supposed "A-list" gay journalists?  Maybe if many of them stop disrespecting and hating on gay bloggers and work with us instead, a lot can be accomplished.

Hate group leader predicts violent revolution because of marriage equality

One of the delicious side effects to Tuesday's monumental marriage equality victories is watching the opposition freak out and prognosticate how the gay community will lead to America's destruction. In the following clip, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, still stinging from the gay community's victories in Minnesota, Maine, Maryland, and Washington state, predicts revolution if the Supreme Court ultimately rules in favor of marriage equality:



Whatever, Tony. There will be a revolution, just as sure as the passage of lgbt-inclusive hate crimes legislation led to pastors being arrested for publicly calling homosexuality a sin. Or the overturning of DADT would led to folks leaving military service because they can't fight off sexually aggressive gays and lesbians in their units.

Oh wait. Neither of those things - predicted by FRC and other anti-gay groups - never came true.

That's the thing with Perkins and FRC. They are always eager to predict negative outcomes if gay equality is advanced, but are never called to the carpet when their dire predictions don't come true. And their predictions never come true.

Most likely when the Supreme Court does declare marriage equality legal (and I hope that they do), there will be some anger, but for the most part, Americans will shrug their shoulders and go about their business. Leaving Perkins and company with egg on their faces yet again.

Video - the moment marriage equality was won in Maine

And now another video of the thrill of victory, this time coming from Maine when those for marriage equality discovered that they won the ballot initiative:




Even though I know that no explanation is needed as to why I am posting this video and the one in the post before it regarding the victory in Minnesota, I will give one anyway.

I remember the awful picture in 2008 of those celebrating the passage of Prop 8 in CA. I remember the arms raised in victories and the defiant looks of happiness even though those for Prop 8 just disenfranchised their fellow Californians.

My posting of the videos of the victories in Maine and Minnesota shouldn't be considered as payback, but just a reminder that if you hold fast in times of trouble, justice always prevails.

'Video footage of lgbt victory in Minnesota' and other 2012 election news briefs

At 2:56 of this video, all of the board members, staff, and volunteers of Minnesotans United for All Families was informed that they won the battle to keep an anti-marriage equality amendment from going on the state constitution. What followed next was much deserved jubilation.

 In other news:  

Brian Brown's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad election cycle - And in more good news, check out how much money the National Organization spent on these candidates, who ALL LOST!  

Tony Perkins Has The Sadz - And Tony Perkins is all upset over the losses FRC, NOM and the rest endured.  

Owens: If Marriage Equality Passes the 'Whole Gamut of the Family is Going to be Destroyed' - Dear Mr. Owens, from one black man to another, KISS MY ENTIRE ASS! (Editor's note - And that note is dedicated to all of the lgbts of color who have no voice thanks to people like William Owens, especially those who are no longer with us via ignorance and hate). 

 Moving Beyond The Invisibility Of Transgender People In The 2012 Elections - And let's not just celebrate the 2012 elections. Let's use our victory as a template for more awareness, more knowledge, more education, and more victories. 

Three reasons why NOM's anti-gay wedge strategy failed on election day

In regards to Tuesday's pro-marriage equality sweep, the one thing that will not be talked about but NEEDS to be talked about will be the utter failure of the National Organization for Marriage's attempt to play the black and gay communities against each other.

We've witnessed the organization garnering much success with this tactic in the past. However yesterday, the tactic failed miserably. The following are three reasons why NOM's strategy failed:


1. The wedge strategy becomes public - Ironically enough, the seeds of yesterday's embarrassment were sowed in March of this year when lgbt bloggers (myself included) published a secret memo from the National Organization of Marriage detailing how the organization plotted to specifically divide the gay and black communities by seeking out black spokespeople to publicly speak out against marriage equality in hopes of using these spokespeople as targets for the ire of gays:

3. Not a Civil Right Project 

The strategic goal of this project is to drive a wedge between gays and blacks - two key democratic constituencies. We aim to find, equip, energize and connect African American spokespeople for marriage; to develop a media campaign around their objections to gay marriage as a civil right; and to provoke the gay marriage base into responding by denouncing these spokesmen and women as bigots. No politician wants to take up and push an issue that splits the base of the party.

Marriage equality supporters long suspected that the partnership between NOM and the black leaders  who supported their cause was less noble than suspected (at least on NOM's part) and this memo confirmed it. While the revelation was too late to save NC from falling to an anti-marriage equality vote, the constant mention of this memo in later articles and interviews every time NOM trotted out a black leader to speak against marriage equality could have proved ultimately devastating because it was a constant reminder to the African-American community that NOM was using them.

2. NOM overestimated its power - Though the National Organization for Marriage never publicly declared it to be so, the organization  had a lot to do with the plan of asking African-Americans to withhold their votes. While the front organization for this plot was the Coalition of African-American Pastors, it wasn't too difficult to discover that the leader of CAAP, Bill Owens, was NOM's religious liasion and that he was on salary with NOM.  It was a plot that was doomed to failure from the start and it gave an indication of what NOM truly thought about the black community and the civil rights movement.  NOM seems to have thought that they could trot out several black pastors who would tell African-Americans what to do and that the community would follow lockstep. One of the biggest misconceptions about black people is that we are ruled by what pastors say. While we see pastors as spiritual advisors, we are not monolithic. And we are also not stupid to note simple irony. Or more specifically, allow me to reveal a few questions that ran through the mind of black Americans - What's more insulting to the legacy of the civil rights movement? Marriage equality or refusing to vote even though a hallmark of the civil rights movement was to receive the right to vote in the first place? What's more of an insult to Fannie Lou Hamer, Goodman, Chaney, and Schwerner and the thousands of people beaten or killed for American-Americans to be able to vote? Marriage equality or refusing to vote at all. These were two questions which NOM conveniently did not address, but trust me when I say that they ran through the minds of millions of African-Americans.

3. The Obama factor - Let's be honest. There was no way in the world that black people were going to miss this election. People can gripe about black people voting for Obama simply because he is black but you know what? Big deal. So what. That was only a small portion of it. The fact of the matter is that Obama is a very popular person in the black community.  He has passed legislation that many African-Americans considered important. In my church, when the Supreme Court declared Obamacare to be legal, several folks called that decision an "act of God." He has been personalized as a brother, son, or comrade by millions of African-Americans, which means  many African-Americans took what they felt disrespect given to him very personally. When AZ governor Jan Brewer had that argument with him on the tarmac, all I heard in my community, particularly from old black women, was how dare she stick her finger in his face.   To us, Obama became the personification of the trials and tribulations that African-Americans face in this country, i.e. no matter how intelligent we are or how successful we become, there will be always folks who will look at us like "niggers" and will treat us accordingly. Every time Fox News came out with something ugly  about Obama or the tea party marched with their signs, it sent a message to black folks; messages that while we didn't make any noise about, we quietly noted. And we didn't forget. To those not supporting marriage equality, standing against it played second fiddle to supporting "our president." And when he announced his support of marriage equality, it wasn't a strong enough factor for him to lose support in the black community. We either rationalized his support away or began to take a second look at the issue. In other words, Obama is so strong of a hero in the black community, NOM's plans to make him a pariah was doomed from the start.

2012 election was a gamechanger in gay history

Last night's election was such a gamechanger when it comes to lgbt equality in so many different ways. First of all, let's repeat the main victory:

Marriage equality is now law in Maine, Maryland, and Washington State. Meanwhile, Minnesota turned aside a ballot initiative which would have put a banning of marriage equality in the state constitution.

Naturally the National Organization for Marriage, which wasted over $5 million in these efforts are very disappointed. The organization issued an official statement of disappointment, but for my money, I rather enjoy the statement that its founder Maggie Gallagher made:

The Obama electorate defeated marriage. I’m guessing we lose at least three of tonight’s four races, and maybe four of the four. We were outspent eight-to-one — and no one was willing to speak for marriage, while the whole Democratic establishment and Hollywood campaigned for marriage. Last night really is a big loss, no way to spin it.

Oh Mags. I have one way to spin it. The people have spoken and you lost. Hard. And after so many losses which you threw up in our faces, these victories feel might good.

Now while our victories in marriage equality were awesome reason for celebration, they should be not the only reasons why the lgbt community should be in a party mood.

According to the Huffington Post:

Tammy Baldwin's groundbreaking Election Night victory has already been praised by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates, who said the Wisconsin Democrat's success in becoming the first openly gay person ever elected to the Senate in America's history was evidence that "candidates should be judged on their qualifications for the job and not their sexual orientation." In addition to Baldwin, 2012 proved triumphant for a number of other LGBT politicians. New York Democrat Sean Patrick Maloney won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and became his state's first openly gay member of Congress. Baldwin's vacated seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 2nd Congressional District was succeeded by Democrat Mark Pocan, making it the first time and openly LGBT member of Congress was succeeded by another in the same district.While it's too soon to tell for sure, California's Mark Takano looks poised to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in his state's 41st  Congr essional District and become the first openly gay member of Congress who’s also a person of color, the Washington Blade reports.

Not only did the lgbt community finally shut NOM's mouth (at least for now) by handing the organization a HUGE defeat, we did rather well when it comes to representation in the Senate and House of Representatives.

And NOM is not the only organization upset over last night's "shellacking." The Family Research Council held the following video bitchfest:



Bring it on guys. 

Marriage equality wins in all four ballot initiatives, NOM fails to defeat Iowa judge

Brian Brown, president of NOM, has a lot to cry about after last night.

To add to the happiness over Obama's re-election and Tammy Baldwin's election to the Senate comes another bit of good news sure to make the lgbt community shout from the rooftops.

We won ALL FOUR marriage equality initiatives in Maine, Maryland, Washington State, and Minnesota. Maine, Maryland, and Washington State all voted to approve marriage equality. And Minnesota became the first state to defeat an anti-marriage equality initiative.

All victories are sweet but three of those victories should be considered extra sweet by the lgbt community. In 2009, voters initially passed a referendum in Maine defeating the state's pro-marriage equality law. Last night, Maine became the first state to approve marriage equality through a popular vote.

Maryland was also a hard fought battle. In 2010, a marriage equality law just missed being passed by the state legislature after a coalition of religious leader and African-Americans legislators voiced a huge disapproval of it. When it was passed last year, it was almost immediately put up to vote via referendum.

Washington State was one that gay equality advocates really expected to win and as the votes slowly came in, marriage equality always led the count.

Minnesota was one many gay equality advocates expected to lose. Leaders of the Catholic Church fought tooth and nail to pass an anti-marriage equality law, including Archbishop John Nienstedt, who led the charge for the initiative by blurring the lines between politics and the church even in the face of much criticism.

At press time, the National Organization for Marriage has yet to comment on these losses, which is not surprising. The organization was involved in each initiative and has to be shocked at losing them all.

To make matters worse for the organization, NOM also lost a sparsely watched but crucial battle in Iowa to defeat a judge who voted for marriage equality in that state. Judge David S. Wiggins handily won another term  in spite of a huge campaign by NOM and other religious right figures to have him dismissed. His victory comes two years after NOM led a successful effort to defeat three other Iowa judges who ruled for marriage equality.

To many in the lgbt community, last night brought a sense of completeness that they should have had in 2008. That election night, President Obama became the first black president, but we lost the Proposition 8 vote in CA. Last night, brought a huge change from four years ago.

And it felt so right.

 

President Obama wins re-election, Tammy Baldwin makes history

They said it couldn't be done, but guess what . . . President Barack Obama just won another term as president.

Through all of the hatred and nonsense, through all of the lies and the disrespect, Obama forged forward to help the country and now the country has shown its appreciation by giving him another term.

It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy! And I am so glad he won.

But I would be remiss if I talked only about President Obama.

Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin has become the first lgbt ever to be elected to the United States Senate.

Now as for the initiatives in Minnesota, Maine, Maryland, and Washington State regarding marriage equality, votes are still be tabulated, but we are ahead. I will talk about that tomorrow morning. But for now, let's just bask in these two awesome moments in history.



Editor's note - Karl Rove is whining and hinting about a recount but if you ask me, it's probably because he fears going back to those funders he took millions of dollars from and explaining why he wasted their money.

A white woman's reason to vote for Romney

From my online buddy Pam Spaulding comes a tweet from a young woman giving the reason why she is voting for Romney. That some folks share this sentiment doesn't surprise me.

But for someone to put down a tweet like this is the main reason why I always wanted to shoot my television every time I hear a pundit ask whether or not Obama's election in 2004 would create a "post-racial" society.

It's a dumb question. A black man as president won't change the mind of a rabid racist anymore than laws outlawing racial discrimination.

People will be stupid and hateful. The trick is not to end their hate, but contain it so it does no damage.

Anyway, Obama/Biden 2012!!!!

'Maine's anti-marriage equality group: Gays have too much sex to receive equality' and other Tuesday midday news briefs

Preserve Marriage Maine: Gay People Have Too Much Sex To Deserve Civil Rights - What is with these people and gay sex? They think about gay sex more than a vast majority of us are getting any. And the most offensive part of this man's screed? He whines about being thought of as "intolerant" or "homophobic" for expressing such an opinion. Oh poor him! Whatever happened to the "good old days" when folks could make ugly charges against gays without fear of verbal reprisal?  

Audio: More extremity from Maryland Marriage Alliance allies; toleration will 'bring a curse on this nation' - And it gets more interesting in Maryland. Personally I feel that for all of this man's bleating, we don't have a think to worry about. We aren't seeking "tolerance" or "acceptance." We merely want our fair share. And we will get our fair share. 

 James Robison Compares Fighting Gay Rights to Helping Victims of Hurricane Sandy - We know this is a lie because James Robison and folks like him would never drag themselves out of their comfortable studios and get their hands dirty like the brave folks who are actually helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

How Today’s Election Could Make History For LGBT Equality - Finally, how today would be a serious hallmark in the history of gay equality. 

Plan to sabotage Obama's African-American support fails

Today is the day which so many people have been working - whether through good works or evil works - towards. For now, it looks good. We are talking about a historical presidential election here, more important than the last.

Those of us rooting and working hard for President Obama and marriage equality have our hopes up tremendously. And while we are waiting for it to be over with our fingers crossed, we can take solace in one thing.

The plan to keep African-Americans from the polls failed tremendously. It was a plan by the Coalition of African-American Pastors (CAAP) (which some believed was secretly backed by NOM) to tell black folks that Obama is pushing them over for the gay community and therefore, they shouldn't vote for him.

More specifically, that they shouldn't vote at all.

It was a plan which was doomed to fail. We all knew it and I think CAAP knew it also.

The idea that black folks would spit on the memory of those who fought to gain us the right to vote simply because of a disagreement on marriage equality was ludicrous. And it was insulting that an organization (whoever was funding CAAP) would think that greasing the palms of a few pastors with less scruples than integrity would give them the power to turn back historical mindsets.

This is what CAAP was up against and it was the reason why they failed:




 

Marriage equality and lgbt political policy - What's at stake in tomorrow election

The above video by the  Full Frontal Freedom demonstrates the importance of tomorrow's marriage equality votes.

In four states, Minnesota, Maryland, Maine, and Washington State, voters will decide the whether or not they support the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry.

It looks good right now. At least one victory would create a huge chink in the armor of the religious right's fight to stop marriage equality.

Of course why stop with one victory. Let's go for a clean sweep and I think it can happen.

Also even if you don't live in any of the above states, it is important that you vote tomorrow. You don't have to decide who you want to vote for based on a single issue, but remember what's at stake.

For better or worse, Obama has been an excellent ally to our community and we have accomplished a lot with him. If he is re-elected, we have the potential to accomplish so much more.

A vote for Romney is a vote for people like Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown and for organizations like the National Organization for Marriage and the Family Research Council.

Imagine them close to the White House and shaping policy which in turn would affect the lgbt community.

If the thought scares the hell out of you or gets you angry, then good. Get your asses up and vote tomorrow.

Don't  sit on your behind, not vote, and then talk about how angry you are at the outcome because this time, the first words out of my mouth to you will be:

"Did you vote?"

And God help you if you say "no."

'Obama responds to 10-year-old's letter about her gay dads' and other Monday midday news briefs

Obama Responds to 10-Year-Old's Heartfelt Letter About Her Dads - One of the MANY reasons why Obama should have a second term. You think Romney would do this?

 Former Gov. George Pataki Slams Rabbi's Comments That Superstorm Sandy Destruction Tied To Gay Marriage Vote - NY rabbi says Hurricane Sandy is punishment for NY over marriage equality vote. Former Gov. Pataki says "hold up!" 

 Minnesota 'traditional marriage' guy (and Bachmann friend) equates Obama with Hitler, Mussolini - Maybe it's just me but I'm sure neither Hitler nor Mussolini supported marriage equality. 

 NOM Scrambles To Distance Itself From “Worthy Of Death” Rhetoric - If we win the marriage equality vote in Maryland, expect NOM to blame anti-gay pastor Robert Anderson.  

Hurricane Sandy Devastates LGBT Homeless Youth Drop-In Center - Read this post and help however you can.  

Tea Party Group Targets Trans Voters - What the hell? What kinda crap is that?

NOM waging covert war on same-sex parents and their children

As you can see by the above video, the National Organization for Marriage is exploiting the David Parker controversy. 

The following is the story Parker and NOM wants to push - David Parker, a Massachusetts father was concerned that his son was learning about gay marriage and same-sex relationships in school. He asked that his son be opted out when there were discussions of homosexuality (i.e. same-sex families) because of an opt-out policy involving sex education. Instead of working with him, the school, Joseph Estabrook Elementary, gave him the runaround and subsequently had him arrested.

Of course the truth includes a lot of details which Parker omitted. When his son brought home a book which mentioned a same-sex family (editor's note - Parker's son was given what was called a "diversity book bag." This wouldn't have happened had Parker signed the form which would have opted his son out of receiving the book bag). When Parker informed the school of this, they assured him that "learning about homosexuality" was not a part of his son's curriculum. They also told Parker that opting his son out of discussions of same-sex families was not possible because some children in his son's class are from those environments and children talking about their families isn't the same as learning about sex education. Parker was subsequently arrested for trespassing when he would not leave the school after a meeting with school officials.

It's a story which I and others have debunked repeatedly. Not that it matters, of course because you know how religious right organizations work. Once they find a "good story" about supposedly oppressive homosexuals, they repeat it constantly no matter how many times it has been proven to be false.

But with Parker, there is a subliminal distaste which should be noted and brought to the forefront.

The message of the video seems to be thus - homosexuals want to sway your children's minds while they are young so parents have to be on guard.

The video doesn't talk derogatorily about same-sex families. It doesn't even acknowledge that they exist.

And that's the problem. Same-sex families exist in every state in the country. And there is nothing wrong or dangerous with children being told of this fact because that's what it is - a simple fact.

Same sex families exist and they are as normal as heterosexual families.

An outcome of what NOM is pushing would lead to the children in these households being given covert messages that their families are inferior. And that's wrong.

Why should a little girl or little boy with gay parents be made to feel like there something wrong with their households - and subsequently them -  just to accommodate those who think they have the patent on the word "family?"

So I am with any school who defends the rights of children to be proud of their families.

The video above seeks to erase these families from minds.

But you can't erase something you had no hand in creating.

(Editor's note - the video's like/dislike button and its comment sections are not disabled. By all means feel free to register your opinions of this trash.)