Apparently we are winning the culture war
I would be remiss if I did not mention the new item about our friend Sally Kern.
It would seem that PFLAG has a tape of its meeting with her. And this tape contradicts her claims that PFLAG took her statements out of context.
Well duh.
Still, it's good to have this thing on record. But what else can I say about this woman, who has lied, distorted, attacked an innocent group of people and then hid behind her faith when called to the carpet?
Not a thing, so I will just direct you all to the link. It's a doozy.
And on that topic, I have been ignoring our friend Peter since he has been busy with his "I wanna be just like Sally" fest.
But it would seem that he is playing the "Oh we are going to lose to those nasty homosexuals" game again:
My friend Laurie Higgins below has hit on a microcosm of why our movement is on the brink of an astounding cultural defeat — the triumph of immoral same-sex behavior as a “civil right.” In the last decade, some of our leaders, and many conservatives, chose to “downplay” the very force — homosexualism — that was leading the assault on marriage, normalcy and children in our culture.
About three years ago, I sat in a roomful of evangelical leaders at a major ministry where it was taught that you should not criticize homosexual behavior in advocating against “same-sex marriage.” The “expert” speaker cited poll data and negative audience reaction to the issue being raised.
Meanwhile, with each passing year, the other side CELEBRATES homosexual and gender-confused lifestyles with ever greater fervor, and happily promotes the same to kids, as if they are doing God’s work (when it is actually Satan’s). Their play book is simple: always stay on the offensive, even when it comes to advocating “transgender” identity/behavior to children (e.g., the 2nd-grade Colorado boy who was encouraged to come to school in a dress). We moral-minded express the requisite shock and horror; they continue to move forward.
Tell me: which side is destined to win the Culture War according to these lopsided Rules of Engagement?
So we are winning against Peter and company. Who knew?
Well all I can say is that if we are winning, then we should thank Peter and company.
If people are turning against them, it's because they are seeing through their bullshit, particular on the issue of lgbt rights.
But tell me, just how long can anyone push the following degree of propaganda before they are caught in their lies:
Religious right: Homosexuality is a sin
Okay, that is your right to believe that.
Religious right: Gay men have a short life span because of the diseases they catch.
Say what!
Religious right: Lesbians have a high rate of alcohol abuse. Generally all gays and lesbians have a high rate of alcohol abuse and suicide.
Now hold up. Where are you getting that?
Religious right: Gays and lesbians are trying to recruit children into their lifestyle.
What in the hell are you talking about?
Religious right: Gays have an organized campaign going to silence Christians and destroy marriage.
Hold it! Where is your proof of these claims about homosexuality? What’s the difference between what you are saying about gays and what the Nazis said about Jews?
Pause
Religious right: I believe that homosexuality is a sin. Why are you calling me a hater when all I am doing is speaking God’s word.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Let's talk about Mass Resistance for a second
This situation regarding Paul Ash (see yesterday's post) underscores just how bullheaded some people are.
I read that Ash, despite being threatened, will continue the curriculum. And I hope he does.
But it amazes me that throughout all the comments I read on various pages, no one wants to answer the following question:
What is wrong with teaching children the truth that other family situations exist? It has nothing to do with sexual intercourse.
I don't see the answer to this question. What I see is the following (taken verbatim):
visit www.massresistance.org. Also google Boston Children's Hospital Sex Change Clinic. See for yourself what sick people these devaints really are.
I guess I am a homophobe, It must be a good and nessecary emotion as it keeps me clean, not like the homosexuals whom deceive children about human sexuality, of the family nature and marriage. two men, two women that have intimate relations, are mutiplating the natural course of sex and family.
Children must be afforded respect and protection of their innocence and childhood. Respectful adults do not involve children in talk of devaint sexual practices, nor do they involve children in adult sexual concerns. Responsible and intelligent adults realize children are not sexual creatures, they need time to grow and mature before they learn about adult matters
Hello, Hello, Hello, James, Reality is A man and a woman, come together as one to produce children the family. This is real reality as you see life cannot be without this reality. This is the reality of life itself. So tell the children the truth, man and woman= children= family. And when man realizes this truth and bonds with woman then he will live in reality. Amen!!! Praise Jesus!!!
We seem to be dealing with people who don't want to even admit that their ideas of family aren't the only ones. They seem to want to evade the question and push the conversation into the realm of sexual intercourse.
And helping them along with the way is the group Mass Resistance.
For many who don't know, Mass Resistance is a vile group in Massachusetts whose reputation for lying is so bad that I think even our buddy Peter won't vouch for them.
They are responsible for some of the most mean-spirited attacks on lgbts that I have ever seen. The only thing that separates them from Fred Phelps group is lack of notoriety.
Yesterday, I said that they were behind the David Parker controversy but I didn't go into detail about it.
When Parker was arrested (he eventually refused to leave his son's elementary school after a meeting.) Mass Resistance members just happened to be there to take pictures of him being led away in handcuffs.
Coincidence? You tell me.
Then a year after the initial nonsense, the group sent out a press release claiming that Parker's son was attacked because of his dad's stance. Mass Resistance claimed that the child was dragged behind a building and beat up by a bunch of students who were angry at the controversy Parker started.
The press release got significant play throughout many anti-gay industry web pages and blogs.
The incident was investigated by the school, the area police, and the area social services.
The results of the investigations are here and here.
There was no gang attack.
The real story was that Parker's son had gotten into a fight with a friend over a cafeteria seat.
And furthermore, Parker was told of the incident after it happened, so he had full knowledge of the incident before Mass Resistance's press release went out.
His son and the friend made amends and even had a "play date" after the incident.
Mass Resistance conveniently omits this distortion of truth when they talk about the Parker situation. And to make matters worse, they continue to tell the lie that Parker's son was gang attacked.
Go on their page now and see the claim. When caught in that lie, they spin more lies.
And just so you know, none of the anti-gay industry groups or bloggers who ran the Mass Resistance press release issued any type of retraction.
Luckily, there are two things that work against Mass Resistance.
Their antics have pretty much alienated them from the majority of the public in Massachusetts.
Also, there is a group constantly watching them and making sure people know the truth - Mass Resistance Watch.
But still, it's sad to see a how a bunch of liars can prey on the fears and insecurities of so many.
This situation regarding Paul Ash (see yesterday's post) underscores just how bullheaded some people are.
I read that Ash, despite being threatened, will continue the curriculum. And I hope he does.
But it amazes me that throughout all the comments I read on various pages, no one wants to answer the following question:
What is wrong with teaching children the truth that other family situations exist? It has nothing to do with sexual intercourse.
I don't see the answer to this question. What I see is the following (taken verbatim):
visit www.massresistance.org. Also google Boston Children's Hospital Sex Change Clinic. See for yourself what sick people these devaints really are.
I guess I am a homophobe, It must be a good and nessecary emotion as it keeps me clean, not like the homosexuals whom deceive children about human sexuality, of the family nature and marriage. two men, two women that have intimate relations, are mutiplating the natural course of sex and family.
Children must be afforded respect and protection of their innocence and childhood. Respectful adults do not involve children in talk of devaint sexual practices, nor do they involve children in adult sexual concerns. Responsible and intelligent adults realize children are not sexual creatures, they need time to grow and mature before they learn about adult matters
Hello, Hello, Hello, James, Reality is A man and a woman, come together as one to produce children the family. This is real reality as you see life cannot be without this reality. This is the reality of life itself. So tell the children the truth, man and woman= children= family. And when man realizes this truth and bonds with woman then he will live in reality. Amen!!! Praise Jesus!!!
We seem to be dealing with people who don't want to even admit that their ideas of family aren't the only ones. They seem to want to evade the question and push the conversation into the realm of sexual intercourse.
And helping them along with the way is the group Mass Resistance.
For many who don't know, Mass Resistance is a vile group in Massachusetts whose reputation for lying is so bad that I think even our buddy Peter won't vouch for them.
They are responsible for some of the most mean-spirited attacks on lgbts that I have ever seen. The only thing that separates them from Fred Phelps group is lack of notoriety.
Yesterday, I said that they were behind the David Parker controversy but I didn't go into detail about it.
When Parker was arrested (he eventually refused to leave his son's elementary school after a meeting.) Mass Resistance members just happened to be there to take pictures of him being led away in handcuffs.
Coincidence? You tell me.
Then a year after the initial nonsense, the group sent out a press release claiming that Parker's son was attacked because of his dad's stance. Mass Resistance claimed that the child was dragged behind a building and beat up by a bunch of students who were angry at the controversy Parker started.
The press release got significant play throughout many anti-gay industry web pages and blogs.
The incident was investigated by the school, the area police, and the area social services.
The results of the investigations are here and here.
There was no gang attack.
The real story was that Parker's son had gotten into a fight with a friend over a cafeteria seat.
And furthermore, Parker was told of the incident after it happened, so he had full knowledge of the incident before Mass Resistance's press release went out.
His son and the friend made amends and even had a "play date" after the incident.
Mass Resistance conveniently omits this distortion of truth when they talk about the Parker situation. And to make matters worse, they continue to tell the lie that Parker's son was gang attacked.
Go on their page now and see the claim. When caught in that lie, they spin more lies.
And just so you know, none of the anti-gay industry groups or bloggers who ran the Mass Resistance press release issued any type of retraction.
Luckily, there are two things that work against Mass Resistance.
Their antics have pretty much alienated them from the majority of the public in Massachusetts.
Also, there is a group constantly watching them and making sure people know the truth - Mass Resistance Watch.
But still, it's sad to see a how a bunch of liars can prey on the fears and insecurities of so many.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Another attack on same-sex families and those who support them in Massachusetts
I have written on several occasions about David Parker, the parent in Massachusetts who tried to make it seem that his child was being “taught about homosexuality” in his kindergarten class.
Parker started a huge controversy several years ago, including being arrested because he claimed that the school would not give assurances that his child would not be taught about homosexuality.
In reality, he tried to push a incorrect definition of the state’s “opt-out”policy that said parents could opt-out their children when schools were teaching sex education.
Parker and his supporters tried to claim that the “opt-out” included discussions or even mentions of same-sex families.
This was not true and it has been the saving grace for the school, Joseph Estabrook Elementary, throughout the controversy, the lawsuits and all of the mess.
Let’s hope this continues because it looks like the situation is coming up again.
Apparently Mass Resistance, the group behind Parker and his controversy, is trying to start something up again.
The superintendent of schools, Paul Ash, sent out a letter to the editor to a local newspaper that in part said the following:
On March 18, we presented to the School Committee this new, formalized diversity curriculum in preparation for next year, when we plan to pilot four to five short units in each elementary grade. Some units will focus on families, including families with single parents, foster parents, and gay and lesbian parents. Other units will focus on racial and ethnic diversity and other areas in which human beings differ from one another. Resources in this curriculum include books, materials, and discussion points that help children feel welcome and allow them to talk about their families and the families of their friends. Some units will focus on stereotyping, historical roots of discrimination, and bullying.
Sounds nice, don’t it. Think again. It seems the part about same-sex parents got someone’s knickers in a dither. Allegedly a parent sent the following letter to the principal of Joseph Estabrook Elementary:
I will absolutely require prior notification to any discussion, education, training, reading or anything at all related (even remotely) to homosexuality. It is quite clear by the email I just received that you have a very specific agenda and my family will be exercising our rights to be notified and not to participate. This goes against everything we believe and practice. Thank you in advance for your expected cooperation.
The letter was forwarded to Paul Ash, who sent the following letter back:
Ms. Batten has forwarded to me your recent email. Ms. Batten told me that you are new to town and perhaps you are not aware of the lawsuit decided by the United States Court of Appeals (Parker vs. Hurley). This case established Lexington's right to teach diversity units, including stories that show same gender parents. The court decided we are not required to inform parents in advance of teaching units that include same gender parents or required to release students when such topics are discussed. The Appeals Court dismissed the claim that parents have a right to require the school provide advance notice or the right to remove their children. In addition, the School Committee has decided that teachers must be able to teach topics they feel are appropriate without the requirement parents be notified in advance.
Ash even said the following:
Based on your email, I know you strongly disagree with this policy. I can, however, offer you the opportunity to examine the curriculum. I invite you to visit the Estabrook School to look at the materials before they are piloted next year. If your child happens to be placed in a class with a teacher who will be teaching the four of five diversity units, you will then know what will be taught and will be able to talk to your son or daughter about the topics at home.
Our goal is to develop a curriculum that includes the many faces and backgrounds of all students in our community.
The parent conveniently sent the entire exchange to Mass Resistance, who gave their incorrect spin on the situation:
Ash arrogantly tells (the parent) that he will NOT be allowed to be notified when his child is taught about homosexuality, but that he may look at the broad curriculum. This is very insulting. The curriculum and the "materials" can be as general and non-specific as the school chooses.
That’s not only a lie, but it’s a blatant distortion. No one is teaching this man’s child about homosexuality. Acknowledging the existence of different families is NOT the same as teaching sex education.
And Mass Resistance has the nerve to complain when the Southern Poverty Law Center proclaims them an official "hate group."
This exchange reveals what lgbt families have to deal with. It’s one thing for people like Peter LaBarbera, Mass Resistance, Sally Kern, and the rest to have a negative idea of lgbts because that is their right.
But the line must be drawn when they attempt to codify their incorrect definitions of who we are into law. To them, we have no concept of the word family. To use the words of anti-gay activist Janet Parshall, we are “pretend families.”
To the anti-gay industry and those dense enough to support them, homosexuality is wrong not just because it is a Biblical sin. To them, we are outsiders trying to take away what they see as their country and their values.
But we can’t take away these things from them because they were never theirs alone to begin with.
They see us as outsiders because they are too ignorant to comprehend and too arrogant to share.
When they ruminate their lies about the “gay agenda” or the “gay lifestyle,” they never seem to mention same-sex families.
And this is not accidental. You see they seek to try and psychologically put a scarlet letter on us. They not only want to push the idea that we are outsiders, they want to codify the idea in laws and in our minds.
They want to make the ability of starting and having a family so difficult for us that we begin to buy into the lies of hedonistic, sex-crazed, and lonely lgbts.
But they won’t be successful, not in Massachusetts because the laws are on the side of lgbt families.
And they won’t be successful in general.
You see, the fact of the matter is that there are many same-sex families that include children. And these families deserve as much love and support as two-parent heterosexual households.
No family deserves a place on a pedestal above other families.
And no matter how many semantic gymnastics they undertake or how many studies they distort, or how many facts they omit, they can never eliminate the actuality of lgbt families.
In the end, that will be OUR saving grace.
UPDATE: Now it seems that the Ash is being threatened for his stance:
Lexington superintendent Paul Ash of Newton has been threatened by a New Jersey radio host urging listeners to “use threats and violence” against Ash for the school district's new diversity curriculum.
The radio host says “I advocate parents using FORCE AND VIOLENCE against Superintendent Paul B. Ash as a method of defending the health and safety of school children presently being endangered through his politically-correct indoctrination into deadly, disease-ridden sodomite lifestyles.” The site lists Ash’s last known addresses, a phone number, and a birth date.
The host, Hal Turner, is a virulent racist whom hardly anyone pays attention to.
But it would only take one fool to listen and cause problems.
Let's all pray for Ash and hope that this situation is taken care and above all, that no one gets hurt.
And naturally, David Parker, taking a page from Mass Resistance, spins lies:
Parker said he's not surprised by the threats. "You can put it under any guise you want but little children don't need other adults asserting sexual proclivities to them and normalizing it and parents are in an outrage," he said.
Again, teaching about different families is not the same as teaching about sex education, no matter how Parker and his cohorts try to spin the situation.
I have written on several occasions about David Parker, the parent in Massachusetts who tried to make it seem that his child was being “taught about homosexuality” in his kindergarten class.
Parker started a huge controversy several years ago, including being arrested because he claimed that the school would not give assurances that his child would not be taught about homosexuality.
In reality, he tried to push a incorrect definition of the state’s “opt-out”policy that said parents could opt-out their children when schools were teaching sex education.
Parker and his supporters tried to claim that the “opt-out” included discussions or even mentions of same-sex families.
This was not true and it has been the saving grace for the school, Joseph Estabrook Elementary, throughout the controversy, the lawsuits and all of the mess.
Let’s hope this continues because it looks like the situation is coming up again.
Apparently Mass Resistance, the group behind Parker and his controversy, is trying to start something up again.
The superintendent of schools, Paul Ash, sent out a letter to the editor to a local newspaper that in part said the following:
On March 18, we presented to the School Committee this new, formalized diversity curriculum in preparation for next year, when we plan to pilot four to five short units in each elementary grade. Some units will focus on families, including families with single parents, foster parents, and gay and lesbian parents. Other units will focus on racial and ethnic diversity and other areas in which human beings differ from one another. Resources in this curriculum include books, materials, and discussion points that help children feel welcome and allow them to talk about their families and the families of their friends. Some units will focus on stereotyping, historical roots of discrimination, and bullying.
Sounds nice, don’t it. Think again. It seems the part about same-sex parents got someone’s knickers in a dither. Allegedly a parent sent the following letter to the principal of Joseph Estabrook Elementary:
I will absolutely require prior notification to any discussion, education, training, reading or anything at all related (even remotely) to homosexuality. It is quite clear by the email I just received that you have a very specific agenda and my family will be exercising our rights to be notified and not to participate. This goes against everything we believe and practice. Thank you in advance for your expected cooperation.
The letter was forwarded to Paul Ash, who sent the following letter back:
Ms. Batten has forwarded to me your recent email. Ms. Batten told me that you are new to town and perhaps you are not aware of the lawsuit decided by the United States Court of Appeals (Parker vs. Hurley). This case established Lexington's right to teach diversity units, including stories that show same gender parents. The court decided we are not required to inform parents in advance of teaching units that include same gender parents or required to release students when such topics are discussed. The Appeals Court dismissed the claim that parents have a right to require the school provide advance notice or the right to remove their children. In addition, the School Committee has decided that teachers must be able to teach topics they feel are appropriate without the requirement parents be notified in advance.
Ash even said the following:
Based on your email, I know you strongly disagree with this policy. I can, however, offer you the opportunity to examine the curriculum. I invite you to visit the Estabrook School to look at the materials before they are piloted next year. If your child happens to be placed in a class with a teacher who will be teaching the four of five diversity units, you will then know what will be taught and will be able to talk to your son or daughter about the topics at home.
Our goal is to develop a curriculum that includes the many faces and backgrounds of all students in our community.
The parent conveniently sent the entire exchange to Mass Resistance, who gave their incorrect spin on the situation:
Ash arrogantly tells (the parent) that he will NOT be allowed to be notified when his child is taught about homosexuality, but that he may look at the broad curriculum. This is very insulting. The curriculum and the "materials" can be as general and non-specific as the school chooses.
That’s not only a lie, but it’s a blatant distortion. No one is teaching this man’s child about homosexuality. Acknowledging the existence of different families is NOT the same as teaching sex education.
And Mass Resistance has the nerve to complain when the Southern Poverty Law Center proclaims them an official "hate group."
This exchange reveals what lgbt families have to deal with. It’s one thing for people like Peter LaBarbera, Mass Resistance, Sally Kern, and the rest to have a negative idea of lgbts because that is their right.
But the line must be drawn when they attempt to codify their incorrect definitions of who we are into law. To them, we have no concept of the word family. To use the words of anti-gay activist Janet Parshall, we are “pretend families.”
To the anti-gay industry and those dense enough to support them, homosexuality is wrong not just because it is a Biblical sin. To them, we are outsiders trying to take away what they see as their country and their values.
But we can’t take away these things from them because they were never theirs alone to begin with.
They see us as outsiders because they are too ignorant to comprehend and too arrogant to share.
When they ruminate their lies about the “gay agenda” or the “gay lifestyle,” they never seem to mention same-sex families.
And this is not accidental. You see they seek to try and psychologically put a scarlet letter on us. They not only want to push the idea that we are outsiders, they want to codify the idea in laws and in our minds.
They want to make the ability of starting and having a family so difficult for us that we begin to buy into the lies of hedonistic, sex-crazed, and lonely lgbts.
But they won’t be successful, not in Massachusetts because the laws are on the side of lgbt families.
And they won’t be successful in general.
You see, the fact of the matter is that there are many same-sex families that include children. And these families deserve as much love and support as two-parent heterosexual households.
No family deserves a place on a pedestal above other families.
And no matter how many semantic gymnastics they undertake or how many studies they distort, or how many facts they omit, they can never eliminate the actuality of lgbt families.
In the end, that will be OUR saving grace.
UPDATE: Now it seems that the Ash is being threatened for his stance:
Lexington superintendent Paul Ash of Newton has been threatened by a New Jersey radio host urging listeners to “use threats and violence” against Ash for the school district's new diversity curriculum.
The radio host says “I advocate parents using FORCE AND VIOLENCE against Superintendent Paul B. Ash as a method of defending the health and safety of school children presently being endangered through his politically-correct indoctrination into deadly, disease-ridden sodomite lifestyles.” The site lists Ash’s last known addresses, a phone number, and a birth date.
The host, Hal Turner, is a virulent racist whom hardly anyone pays attention to.
But it would only take one fool to listen and cause problems.
Let's all pray for Ash and hope that this situation is taken care and above all, that no one gets hurt.
And naturally, David Parker, taking a page from Mass Resistance, spins lies:
Parker said he's not surprised by the threats. "You can put it under any guise you want but little children don't need other adults asserting sexual proclivities to them and normalizing it and parents are in an outrage," he said.
Again, teaching about different families is not the same as teaching about sex education, no matter how Parker and his cohorts try to spin the situation.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Day of Silence coming up. Let's get ready
Bet you thought I was going to post another entry on Sally Kern.
No, that little controversy is one for the ages. I'm sure it will come up again but for now, there is nothing new to add.
Especially in light of the fact that there are so many more important things to focus on.
On the 25th of this month is the annual Day of Silence. Its webpage says:
The Day of Silence (www.dayofsilence.org), a project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), is a student-led day of action where those who in which concerned students, from middle school to college, take some form of a vow of silence to bring attention to the name-calling, bullying and harassment -- in effect, the silencing -- experienced by LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) students and their allies.
Naturally the anti-gay industry will have their hooks out trying to disrupt the day. This year, they will be launching a two-prong attack.
Anti-gay industry groups are encouraging parents to keep their children out of school during the Day of Silence.
Then the day after, they hold what they call "The Day of Truth."
According to the Allied Defense Fund, the group sponsoring it, Day of Truth:
was established to counter the promotion of the homosexual agenda and express an opposing viewpoint from a Christian perspective.
This of course is a huge lie.
ADF actually encourages children to repeat Paul Cameronesque lies about lgbts during this day. One of their resources is The Ten Biggest Myths of Homosexual Behavior.
The only myth is that the information in this packet is accurate.
The handout claims that "homosexual behavior is at much higher risk for many sexually transmitted diseases, including not just HIV, but also syphilis, gonorrhea, human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis, chlamydia, and a whole group of infections called ‘gay bowel syndrome.’ But "gay bowel syndrome" is an obsolete medical term that medical practitioners do not use.
The handout also uses two bad studies put out by anti-gay industry groups. The studies, The Negative Effects of Gay Sex by John R. Diggs and The Negative Health Effects of Homosexuality by Timothy Dailey, contains a multitude of errors:
The Negative Effects of Gay Sex
Twice, John R. Diggs includes the study done by Alan Bell and Martin Weinberg in their book, Homosexualities: A Study of Diversity Among Men and Women, as indicative of the entire gay population. In one passage, he even refers to it as “a far ranging study of homosexual men . . .” But Bell and Weinberg never said that their findings were indicative of all gay men. They actually said “. . . given the variety of circumstances which discourage homosexuals from participating in research studies, it is unlikely that any investigator willever be in a position to say that this or that is true of a given percentage of all homosexuals.”
Diggs cites a Canadian study twice in order to claim that gays have a shorter lifespan than heterosexuals. But his citation of the study is a mischaracterization. In 2001, the six original researchers (Robert S. Hogg, Stefan A. Strathdee, Kevin J.P. Craib, Michael V. O’Shaughnessy, Julion Montaner, and Martin T. Schechter) who conducted that study have gone on record saying that religious conservatives (like Diggs) was distorting their work.
In another section entitled Physical Health, Diggs claims that gays are victims of “gay bowel syndrome.” The term is an obsolete medical term. exist and even the CDC does not use it. In fact, if one was to look at the endnotes of Diggs’ study, he would find that two of the sources he quoted concerning “gay bowel syndrome” were from articles in published in 1976 and 1983, which is consistent with the years that the term existed. One last source was a letter to the editor printed in 1994 but Diggs does not make it clear as to whatwere the circumstances surrounding it.
He generalizes convenience sample studies as indicative of the gay population at large. Diggs takes studies done in foreign countries and claims that they are indicative of the gay population at large.
Diggs claims that there are five distinctions between heterosexual and homosexual populations including levels of promiscuity, physical health, mental health, lifespan, and monogamy. However, he spends very little time comparing the two dynamics. He uses all of his time castigating gay populations.
He uses an out of date book, The Gay Report (published in 1979) to claim that gays are engaging in deviant sexual practices. Only once does he attempt to tie the alleged deviant practices of gays in 1979 to present day; and to do so, he cites two events that took place regarding bondage workshops. However, there is a strong indication that heterosexuals took part in these events as well as gays. Diggs ignores this dynamic.
The Negative Effects of Homosexuality
Timothy Dailey use a 1985 survey of lesbians at a Michigan music festival to claim that lesbians have a high rate of domestic violence. However, according to the reviewer of the study, Suzana Rose, Ph.D., of the 1099 lesbians participants, most were white and between the ages of 20-45. She also said: “Questions concerning perpetrating abuse need to distinguish between actions taken in self-defense and actions initiated by the aggressor. This point was not assessed here. Findings are limited by the selective recruiting of participants.”
Dailey also uses the Weinberg and Bell book to claim that all gay men are promiscuous despite the fact that both authors said their work was not indicative of all gay men.
Dailey uses the term “gay bowel syndrome”
Dailey cites a study that says young gay men are in danger of catching disease at a high rate. He omits the part of the study that said they need places to build their self esteem as homosexuals. In addition, he performs mathematical manipulation on percentages gauged in legitimate studies in order to push forth a higher image of gay men catching diseases.
He generalizes convenience sample studies as indicative of the gay population at large.
For more information, check out this excellent video by Wayne Besen who breaks it down on a level we can all understand.
The Day of Truth is anything but truth.
Bet you thought I was going to post another entry on Sally Kern.
No, that little controversy is one for the ages. I'm sure it will come up again but for now, there is nothing new to add.
Especially in light of the fact that there are so many more important things to focus on.
On the 25th of this month is the annual Day of Silence. Its webpage says:
The Day of Silence (www.dayofsilence.org), a project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), is a student-led day of action where those who in which concerned students, from middle school to college, take some form of a vow of silence to bring attention to the name-calling, bullying and harassment -- in effect, the silencing -- experienced by LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) students and their allies.
Naturally the anti-gay industry will have their hooks out trying to disrupt the day. This year, they will be launching a two-prong attack.
Anti-gay industry groups are encouraging parents to keep their children out of school during the Day of Silence.
Then the day after, they hold what they call "The Day of Truth."
According to the Allied Defense Fund, the group sponsoring it, Day of Truth:
was established to counter the promotion of the homosexual agenda and express an opposing viewpoint from a Christian perspective.
This of course is a huge lie.
ADF actually encourages children to repeat Paul Cameronesque lies about lgbts during this day. One of their resources is The Ten Biggest Myths of Homosexual Behavior.
The only myth is that the information in this packet is accurate.
The handout claims that "homosexual behavior is at much higher risk for many sexually transmitted diseases, including not just HIV, but also syphilis, gonorrhea, human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis, chlamydia, and a whole group of infections called ‘gay bowel syndrome.’ But "gay bowel syndrome" is an obsolete medical term that medical practitioners do not use.
The handout also uses two bad studies put out by anti-gay industry groups. The studies, The Negative Effects of Gay Sex by John R. Diggs and The Negative Health Effects of Homosexuality by Timothy Dailey, contains a multitude of errors:
The Negative Effects of Gay Sex
Twice, John R. Diggs includes the study done by Alan Bell and Martin Weinberg in their book, Homosexualities: A Study of Diversity Among Men and Women, as indicative of the entire gay population. In one passage, he even refers to it as “a far ranging study of homosexual men . . .” But Bell and Weinberg never said that their findings were indicative of all gay men. They actually said “. . . given the variety of circumstances which discourage homosexuals from participating in research studies, it is unlikely that any investigator willever be in a position to say that this or that is true of a given percentage of all homosexuals.”
Diggs cites a Canadian study twice in order to claim that gays have a shorter lifespan than heterosexuals. But his citation of the study is a mischaracterization. In 2001, the six original researchers (Robert S. Hogg, Stefan A. Strathdee, Kevin J.P. Craib, Michael V. O’Shaughnessy, Julion Montaner, and Martin T. Schechter) who conducted that study have gone on record saying that religious conservatives (like Diggs) was distorting their work.
In another section entitled Physical Health, Diggs claims that gays are victims of “gay bowel syndrome.” The term is an obsolete medical term. exist and even the CDC does not use it. In fact, if one was to look at the endnotes of Diggs’ study, he would find that two of the sources he quoted concerning “gay bowel syndrome” were from articles in published in 1976 and 1983, which is consistent with the years that the term existed. One last source was a letter to the editor printed in 1994 but Diggs does not make it clear as to whatwere the circumstances surrounding it.
He generalizes convenience sample studies as indicative of the gay population at large. Diggs takes studies done in foreign countries and claims that they are indicative of the gay population at large.
Diggs claims that there are five distinctions between heterosexual and homosexual populations including levels of promiscuity, physical health, mental health, lifespan, and monogamy. However, he spends very little time comparing the two dynamics. He uses all of his time castigating gay populations.
He uses an out of date book, The Gay Report (published in 1979) to claim that gays are engaging in deviant sexual practices. Only once does he attempt to tie the alleged deviant practices of gays in 1979 to present day; and to do so, he cites two events that took place regarding bondage workshops. However, there is a strong indication that heterosexuals took part in these events as well as gays. Diggs ignores this dynamic.
The Negative Effects of Homosexuality
Timothy Dailey use a 1985 survey of lesbians at a Michigan music festival to claim that lesbians have a high rate of domestic violence. However, according to the reviewer of the study, Suzana Rose, Ph.D., of the 1099 lesbians participants, most were white and between the ages of 20-45. She also said: “Questions concerning perpetrating abuse need to distinguish between actions taken in self-defense and actions initiated by the aggressor. This point was not assessed here. Findings are limited by the selective recruiting of participants.”
Dailey also uses the Weinberg and Bell book to claim that all gay men are promiscuous despite the fact that both authors said their work was not indicative of all gay men.
Dailey uses the term “gay bowel syndrome”
Dailey cites a study that says young gay men are in danger of catching disease at a high rate. He omits the part of the study that said they need places to build their self esteem as homosexuals. In addition, he performs mathematical manipulation on percentages gauged in legitimate studies in order to push forth a higher image of gay men catching diseases.
He generalizes convenience sample studies as indicative of the gay population at large.
For more information, check out this excellent video by Wayne Besen who breaks it down on a level we can all understand.
The Day of Truth is anything but truth.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
The Rally and What We Can Learn
The Associated Press is reporting that over 1,000 people showed up for the pro-Sally Kern rally. It doesnt' surprise me.
The first rally, held in opposition of her remarks, was a bit more spontaneous and featured mostly constituents who were concerned with how an elected official was demonizing them.
This recent one was no doubt more planned to the last detail - from the groups bussed in to the guest speakers, to the pro-Kern banner, to the press releases (that were probably written before the rally took place) and pictures that are now making their way through the blogsphere.
And I noticed that Kern just happened to make an appearance at this rally.
Other than on anti-gay industry webpages, this controversy seems to be on its last leg. But as Oklahoma slowly gets back to normal, let me leave you all with some final (I hope) thoughts on the matter.
Kern has damaged her effectiveness as a legislator. She now has an unfortunate stigma attached to her as "that legislator who said gays are worse than terrorists."
No matter how many rallies are staged for her benefit, that is what people are going to remember.
And it couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.
Now the BIG lesson we must all carry from this is - KNOW your legislators and make sure they know you.
This entire controversy began because Kern gave a speech saying things she claimed were backed up with facts.
As it turns out, her statements were not backed up with facts, but anecdotes and lies she gleaned from anti-gay industry studies and propaganda films.
So the question is just how many Sally Kerns exist in legislatures across the country? I don't mean people who have a belief that homosexuality is a sin.
I mean legislators who are not only plugged into the anti-gay industry's web of lies but are willing to pass them along as fact.
And are willing to pass legislation that will harm the well-being of lgbts.
All politics is local and no matter how much press the national fights over ENDA and hate crimes legislation gets, the real story is what's happening on a state-by-state basis.
In Florida, Ronda Storms is doing all she can to make sure that lgbts cannot adopt children,
In Utah, Chris Buttars tried to ban GSAs in public schools,
In Tennessee, Stacey Campfield tried to pass legislation to keep public schools from even mentioning lgbts.
It is imperative that we get to know our local elected officials because despite what is said, things like that DO matter.
The Associated Press is reporting that over 1,000 people showed up for the pro-Sally Kern rally. It doesnt' surprise me.
The first rally, held in opposition of her remarks, was a bit more spontaneous and featured mostly constituents who were concerned with how an elected official was demonizing them.
This recent one was no doubt more planned to the last detail - from the groups bussed in to the guest speakers, to the pro-Kern banner, to the press releases (that were probably written before the rally took place) and pictures that are now making their way through the blogsphere.
And I noticed that Kern just happened to make an appearance at this rally.
Other than on anti-gay industry webpages, this controversy seems to be on its last leg. But as Oklahoma slowly gets back to normal, let me leave you all with some final (I hope) thoughts on the matter.
Kern has damaged her effectiveness as a legislator. She now has an unfortunate stigma attached to her as "that legislator who said gays are worse than terrorists."
No matter how many rallies are staged for her benefit, that is what people are going to remember.
And it couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.
Now the BIG lesson we must all carry from this is - KNOW your legislators and make sure they know you.
This entire controversy began because Kern gave a speech saying things she claimed were backed up with facts.
As it turns out, her statements were not backed up with facts, but anecdotes and lies she gleaned from anti-gay industry studies and propaganda films.
So the question is just how many Sally Kerns exist in legislatures across the country? I don't mean people who have a belief that homosexuality is a sin.
I mean legislators who are not only plugged into the anti-gay industry's web of lies but are willing to pass them along as fact.
And are willing to pass legislation that will harm the well-being of lgbts.
All politics is local and no matter how much press the national fights over ENDA and hate crimes legislation gets, the real story is what's happening on a state-by-state basis.
In Florida, Ronda Storms is doing all she can to make sure that lgbts cannot adopt children,
In Utah, Chris Buttars tried to ban GSAs in public schools,
In Tennessee, Stacey Campfield tried to pass legislation to keep public schools from even mentioning lgbts.
It is imperative that we get to know our local elected officials because despite what is said, things like that DO matter.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
It's election day in Columbia, SC
Right now in Columbia, there is a huge city council election. I'm still not sure as to why but the candidates have been pulling out all of the stops, including television commercials which is something I have never seen in a city election.
We even have one candidate running unopposed but he still put out a bunch of campaign signs. Talk about covering your bases.
Here is what I am sure of and happy about. LGBTs are not an election issue, not even with the anti-discrimination ordinance that passed unanimously through city council. We even had some candidates actually sit down and talk with us.
And to me, that is refreshing. It's equally refreshing to see candidates introduce his or her family in commercial and know that they are not doing it to distance themselves from the gay community.
Columbia isn't a bad city to live.
In contrast (and you all knew this was coming), I hear that many of the so-called main anti-gay industry talking heads will be in Oklahoma tomorrow for the Sally Kern rally. Our friends Peter LaBarbera and Matt Barber will be there.
And it amazes me that they continue to cast this as an issue of free speech. To repeat, no one thinks that Kern should be silenced, but she should be more accurate before opening her mouth.
And Peter knows exactly what I'm talking about based on email messages we sent to each other this weekend regarding Kern citing Paul Cameron as a source for her claims.
No matter. The press release has already been written by Peter and company. No matter what happens, they will use hyperbole to make Kern sound like a 21st century Joan of Arc.
This issue is slowly pettering out, being of use to no one but the anti-gay industry. If Kern is smart, she should let the issue rest. Otherwise, I'm guessing that years from now, she will be complaining as to how she was "used" by Peter and company.
Now to the issue of comedy, our friend Robert Knight, formerly of Concerned Women for America, is angry at ABC for a story on Good Morning America regarding the possible gay gene.
And check out this part of his whine:
The Good Morning America story follows the script proposed in the gay strategic manual After the Ball, by Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen. The two Harvard-trained PR experts set out to “overhaul straight America,” which was the title of an article out of which After the Ball was born as a full-length book in 1989.
That book again. How many times are we going to be inudated with the claim that the lgbt community is using that book as a blueprint to take over America? It's a consistent lie that has been used over and over again.
And what makes it funny this time is that Knight is accusing ABC of being in on the plot.
When were they made a part of our conspiracy? Welcome to the gang, guys! Now perhaps one of you can get me the number of that cutie Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Hell, I will take Jonah Hill.
Seriously though, Jeremy from Good As You tears apart Knight's nonsense. It's an excellent read.
Right now in Columbia, there is a huge city council election. I'm still not sure as to why but the candidates have been pulling out all of the stops, including television commercials which is something I have never seen in a city election.
We even have one candidate running unopposed but he still put out a bunch of campaign signs. Talk about covering your bases.
Here is what I am sure of and happy about. LGBTs are not an election issue, not even with the anti-discrimination ordinance that passed unanimously through city council. We even had some candidates actually sit down and talk with us.
And to me, that is refreshing. It's equally refreshing to see candidates introduce his or her family in commercial and know that they are not doing it to distance themselves from the gay community.
Columbia isn't a bad city to live.
In contrast (and you all knew this was coming), I hear that many of the so-called main anti-gay industry talking heads will be in Oklahoma tomorrow for the Sally Kern rally. Our friends Peter LaBarbera and Matt Barber will be there.
And it amazes me that they continue to cast this as an issue of free speech. To repeat, no one thinks that Kern should be silenced, but she should be more accurate before opening her mouth.
And Peter knows exactly what I'm talking about based on email messages we sent to each other this weekend regarding Kern citing Paul Cameron as a source for her claims.
No matter. The press release has already been written by Peter and company. No matter what happens, they will use hyperbole to make Kern sound like a 21st century Joan of Arc.
This issue is slowly pettering out, being of use to no one but the anti-gay industry. If Kern is smart, she should let the issue rest. Otherwise, I'm guessing that years from now, she will be complaining as to how she was "used" by Peter and company.
Now to the issue of comedy, our friend Robert Knight, formerly of Concerned Women for America, is angry at ABC for a story on Good Morning America regarding the possible gay gene.
And check out this part of his whine:
The Good Morning America story follows the script proposed in the gay strategic manual After the Ball, by Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen. The two Harvard-trained PR experts set out to “overhaul straight America,” which was the title of an article out of which After the Ball was born as a full-length book in 1989.
That book again. How many times are we going to be inudated with the claim that the lgbt community is using that book as a blueprint to take over America? It's a consistent lie that has been used over and over again.
And what makes it funny this time is that Knight is accusing ABC of being in on the plot.
When were they made a part of our conspiracy? Welcome to the gang, guys! Now perhaps one of you can get me the number of that cutie Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Hell, I will take Jonah Hill.
Seriously though, Jeremy from Good As You tears apart Knight's nonsense. It's an excellent read.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Now come on, y'all. Don't you think you are being just a teeny bit dishonest?
It's been one of those days.
I woke up this morning with a bad head cold. Subsequently, I missed work and have spent all day in bed watching old episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and the Alfred Hitchcock Hour on hulu.com
They are very apropo for the stuff that has been going on.
Now I know some of you are probably tired of this but it's important:
On Wednesday, April 2, Concerned Women for America (CWA) will join over 50 pastors in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to rally support for State Representative Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) and her right to free speech. Recently, Rep. Kern has been under attack from radical homosexual activists and their followers over remarks she made regarding the homosexual agenda. Rep. Kern took a Biblical stand against homosexual activism and has refused to back down from her statements despite receiving death threats.
CWA applauds Rep. Kern for continuing to be steadfast and resolute in this fight against the homosexual agenda and for shedding light on the threat it poses to our nation. Rep. Kern has been quoted as saying that the homosexual agenda is dangerous “because it destroys the basic moral fiber of this nation, which is traditional marriage and the traditional family.” She couldn’t be more right.
So they are pushing the free speech lie? Interesting. And don't think I didn't notice that other lie about death threats either.
Now this upcoming part by our friend Matt Barber is a real lulu:
“There are certainly those who hate Rep. Kern. They’ve made that perfectly clear with vicious personal attacks and even death threats. But millions of Americans proudly stand alongside Sally Kern and say, ‘Thank you. Thank you for boldly standing your ground and for unapologetically defending Biblical Truth.’
Millions of Americans? Where is he getting that? Talk about your puppets spewing talking points.
For someone who is supposed to dislike homosexuality, Barber seems to have the CWA hand waaay up his ass.
I can just imagine the award being made for Ms. Kern. No doubt, she will be sure to attend THIS function, even though she was "unable" to attend the last one featuring many of her constituents who were angry at her remarks.
We really don't have to predict how this will end do we? No matter how many people show up or don't show up, the anti-gay industry will announce that the event was a "triumph" for "Christian values" and the like:
CWA of Oklahoma State Director, Linda Caswell, said “Rep. Kern has exercised her right to free speech and has spoken boldly about the effects of homosexuality on our families and on our nation. We strongly encourage everyone to come to the rally and show your support for Rep. Kern. Let others know that we will not back down from taking a Biblical stand on the moral issues facing our state and our nation today.”
I see. Using bad studies and stereotypes (see the last post) to demonize the lgbt community are Biblical stances. Right.
I could get angry over this, but I'm too ill right now.
Also, too optimistic.
People, based upon their own personal beliefs about the situation, have been predicting whether or not this situation has been a boon or a curse for Ms. Kern.
Those who despise lgbts are saying Ms. Kern is being commended for her stance.
While those of us who are reasonable individuals seem to think that the rest of the nation is either laughing at Kern or shaking their heads at her ignorance.
It really doesn't matter right now.
Ms. Kern demonized lgbts, referred to bad studies, and out-and-out lied about a meeting she had with PFLAG (which, by the way, PFLAG gave the true story on). Sooner or later, it's all coming to come to a point.
I'm patient when it comes to things like these because you can only tell a lie so long before it bites you in the ass.
One more thing. In all of my posts, I neglected to say something very important, so let me do it now (hat tip to Pam Spaulding):
You can help fight these bigots by supporting Oklahomans for Equality and Cimarron Alliance.
Now if you have gotten this are in my post without throwing up your hands over yet another mention of Sally Kern, check out these links. They are rather good:
TWO Launches Dynamic Multi-Media Website Refuting the 'Ex-Gay' Myth
Gay idealist fights for undiluted protections
Philanthropists ensure gay community's future (I really like this one!)
It's been one of those days.
I woke up this morning with a bad head cold. Subsequently, I missed work and have spent all day in bed watching old episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and the Alfred Hitchcock Hour on hulu.com
They are very apropo for the stuff that has been going on.
Now I know some of you are probably tired of this but it's important:
On Wednesday, April 2, Concerned Women for America (CWA) will join over 50 pastors in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to rally support for State Representative Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) and her right to free speech. Recently, Rep. Kern has been under attack from radical homosexual activists and their followers over remarks she made regarding the homosexual agenda. Rep. Kern took a Biblical stand against homosexual activism and has refused to back down from her statements despite receiving death threats.
CWA applauds Rep. Kern for continuing to be steadfast and resolute in this fight against the homosexual agenda and for shedding light on the threat it poses to our nation. Rep. Kern has been quoted as saying that the homosexual agenda is dangerous “because it destroys the basic moral fiber of this nation, which is traditional marriage and the traditional family.” She couldn’t be more right.
So they are pushing the free speech lie? Interesting. And don't think I didn't notice that other lie about death threats either.
Now this upcoming part by our friend Matt Barber is a real lulu:
“There are certainly those who hate Rep. Kern. They’ve made that perfectly clear with vicious personal attacks and even death threats. But millions of Americans proudly stand alongside Sally Kern and say, ‘Thank you. Thank you for boldly standing your ground and for unapologetically defending Biblical Truth.’
Millions of Americans? Where is he getting that? Talk about your puppets spewing talking points.
For someone who is supposed to dislike homosexuality, Barber seems to have the CWA hand waaay up his ass.
I can just imagine the award being made for Ms. Kern. No doubt, she will be sure to attend THIS function, even though she was "unable" to attend the last one featuring many of her constituents who were angry at her remarks.
We really don't have to predict how this will end do we? No matter how many people show up or don't show up, the anti-gay industry will announce that the event was a "triumph" for "Christian values" and the like:
CWA of Oklahoma State Director, Linda Caswell, said “Rep. Kern has exercised her right to free speech and has spoken boldly about the effects of homosexuality on our families and on our nation. We strongly encourage everyone to come to the rally and show your support for Rep. Kern. Let others know that we will not back down from taking a Biblical stand on the moral issues facing our state and our nation today.”
I see. Using bad studies and stereotypes (see the last post) to demonize the lgbt community are Biblical stances. Right.
I could get angry over this, but I'm too ill right now.
Also, too optimistic.
People, based upon their own personal beliefs about the situation, have been predicting whether or not this situation has been a boon or a curse for Ms. Kern.
Those who despise lgbts are saying Ms. Kern is being commended for her stance.
While those of us who are reasonable individuals seem to think that the rest of the nation is either laughing at Kern or shaking their heads at her ignorance.
It really doesn't matter right now.
Ms. Kern demonized lgbts, referred to bad studies, and out-and-out lied about a meeting she had with PFLAG (which, by the way, PFLAG gave the true story on). Sooner or later, it's all coming to come to a point.
I'm patient when it comes to things like these because you can only tell a lie so long before it bites you in the ass.
One more thing. In all of my posts, I neglected to say something very important, so let me do it now (hat tip to Pam Spaulding):
You can help fight these bigots by supporting Oklahomans for Equality and Cimarron Alliance.
Now if you have gotten this are in my post without throwing up your hands over yet another mention of Sally Kern, check out these links. They are rather good:
TWO Launches Dynamic Multi-Media Website Refuting the 'Ex-Gay' Myth
Gay idealist fights for undiluted protections
Philanthropists ensure gay community's future (I really like this one!)
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