The true test of homophobia
Word just came down from Australia that a gay man infected with HIV was intentionally infecting others.
It has been said that he was bragging about it.
If these things are true, the man is vile and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
But I have a simple question to anyone or entity willing to emphasize this man's sexual orientation for personal gain.
In the coming days, you will probably be sending out blog posts, emails, and solicitations for money, using the sad episode for your own purposes.
Would you be making such a fuss over that man's orientation if he was heterosexual and attempting to infect women?
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
A Freudian slip every now and then is a good thing.
It's still copy editing central at my house. I'm half way through and it looks good. Other than a few grammatical errors, my book is not going through any drastic changes.
As I said yesterday, I am also preparing press packets to email and send out. The packets are comprised of a press release, a one-page self-interview and a four page excerpt of my book. I am also preparing a list of who I will send the packets to.
If you are interested in receiving a packet or know of someone or news entity who you think should get a packet, please email me at CharleKenghis@aol.com
Now . . .
I still have been patroling for the latest scuttlebutt from members of the anti-gay industry. Pickings are very slim, even with our friend Peter. By the way, that video of the 2006 Pride Parade that Peter linked from the American Family Association site is rather good.
And don't worry, there is nothing obscene in it. It makes me wonder if Peter and crew is getting desperate.
That thought continues to echo through my mind when I picked up the following from his site:
Homosexuality is what you do,not “who you are,”as proved by the many ex-”gays” and ex-”lesbians”now living joyful lives, whether celibate or in heterosexual marriage.
Okay, let's forget that nonsense about those "many" ex-gays. To paraphrase Wayne Besen, if there is so many of them, maybe they should march on Washington.
I will wait for it.
Whether he realizes it or not, Peter is telling a degree of truth, although I don't think he meant to.
His claim about homosexuality is not true. Peter, as far as I know, is not nor has he ever been gay. That being the case, what he knows about the lgbt community couldn't fit into the navel of a fetus.
But please notice the meaning behind his screed.
This so-called cultural battle that Peter and other members of the anti-gay industry fight was never about protecting Christians. It's not enough for Peter, James Dobson, Beverly LaHaye, and the rest to have a personal belief that homosexuality is a sin. They want everyone else to believe it also and they want the laws of this country to reflect their beliefs.
The entire plan of the anti-gay industry has been undermining and eliminating any positive reinforcement of the lgbt orientation. By doing this, they want to ensure that the options left for the lgbt community are ones that existed before we learned how to fight:
One option is to get married, live your life according to a lie, and reduce your orientation to clandestine sexual encounters in places like public bathrooms.
Another option is to be a real life representation of the play Boys in the Band; become open and unhappy until you connect being gay with being bitter, lonely, and hateful - a spiritual death debatably worse than any life taking blow from a gay basher.
No matter how they claim otherwise, the anti-gay industry wants to dictate not only our lives but the defintion of our orientation to us. And they want us to shut up, sit down, and take in what they say as if they are some type of authority.
They don't have authority. What they do have is a feeling of entitlement. It is that same feeling of entitlement that led James Dobson to attack researchers for daring to criticize him just because he miscontrued their work.
It is that same feeling of entitlement that continues to lead Peter LaBarbera into constantly trying to stigmatize our community.
It is the feeling of entitlement that allows Paul Cameron to justify his bad research techniques.
And it is the same feeling of entitlement that leads the entire anti-gay industry to say and do anything, no matter how unethical or hypocritical to their Christian principles, to ensure their way of life is enforced.
And the sad thing about the entire situation is that they actually think they are doing God's will.
Sometimes I laugh at the depths of the anti-gay industry's ignorance. And I want to help in any way I can in exposing how they have distorted our lives.
But there are times when I can't help but to feel sorry for them.
It's still copy editing central at my house. I'm half way through and it looks good. Other than a few grammatical errors, my book is not going through any drastic changes.
As I said yesterday, I am also preparing press packets to email and send out. The packets are comprised of a press release, a one-page self-interview and a four page excerpt of my book. I am also preparing a list of who I will send the packets to.
If you are interested in receiving a packet or know of someone or news entity who you think should get a packet, please email me at CharleKenghis@aol.com
Now . . .
I still have been patroling for the latest scuttlebutt from members of the anti-gay industry. Pickings are very slim, even with our friend Peter. By the way, that video of the 2006 Pride Parade that Peter linked from the American Family Association site is rather good.
And don't worry, there is nothing obscene in it. It makes me wonder if Peter and crew is getting desperate.
That thought continues to echo through my mind when I picked up the following from his site:
At Americans For Truth, we are in an ongoing and very politicially incorrect battle to restore the definition of homosexuality: homosexuality is behavior — changeable behavior, not an innate, unchangeable trait or identity.
Homosexuality is what you do,not “who you are,”as proved by the many ex-”gays” and ex-”lesbians”now living joyful lives, whether celibate or in heterosexual marriage.
Okay, let's forget that nonsense about those "many" ex-gays. To paraphrase Wayne Besen, if there is so many of them, maybe they should march on Washington.
I will wait for it.
Whether he realizes it or not, Peter is telling a degree of truth, although I don't think he meant to.
His claim about homosexuality is not true. Peter, as far as I know, is not nor has he ever been gay. That being the case, what he knows about the lgbt community couldn't fit into the navel of a fetus.
But please notice the meaning behind his screed.
This so-called cultural battle that Peter and other members of the anti-gay industry fight was never about protecting Christians. It's not enough for Peter, James Dobson, Beverly LaHaye, and the rest to have a personal belief that homosexuality is a sin. They want everyone else to believe it also and they want the laws of this country to reflect their beliefs.
The entire plan of the anti-gay industry has been undermining and eliminating any positive reinforcement of the lgbt orientation. By doing this, they want to ensure that the options left for the lgbt community are ones that existed before we learned how to fight:
One option is to get married, live your life according to a lie, and reduce your orientation to clandestine sexual encounters in places like public bathrooms.
Another option is to be a real life representation of the play Boys in the Band; become open and unhappy until you connect being gay with being bitter, lonely, and hateful - a spiritual death debatably worse than any life taking blow from a gay basher.
No matter how they claim otherwise, the anti-gay industry wants to dictate not only our lives but the defintion of our orientation to us. And they want us to shut up, sit down, and take in what they say as if they are some type of authority.
They don't have authority. What they do have is a feeling of entitlement. It is that same feeling of entitlement that led James Dobson to attack researchers for daring to criticize him just because he miscontrued their work.
It is that same feeling of entitlement that continues to lead Peter LaBarbera into constantly trying to stigmatize our community.
It is the feeling of entitlement that allows Paul Cameron to justify his bad research techniques.
And it is the same feeling of entitlement that leads the entire anti-gay industry to say and do anything, no matter how unethical or hypocritical to their Christian principles, to ensure their way of life is enforced.
And the sad thing about the entire situation is that they actually think they are doing God's will.
Sometimes I laugh at the depths of the anti-gay industry's ignorance. And I want to help in any way I can in exposing how they have distorted our lives.
But there are times when I can't help but to feel sorry for them.
Monday, March 19, 2007
That was QUICK!!!
Remember when I said "barring unexpected incidents?"
We just had one and it may blow up to be something BIG!
It seems that our friend Ken Hutcherson, the anti-gay pastor who never met a self aggrandizing adjective he didn't like, is upset at the White House over a title he was supposedly given.
According to him, he was given the title of Special Envoy for Adoptions, Family Values, Religious Freedom, and Medical Relief. He apparently used this title on a trip to Latvia where he complained about (what else) gay rights.
But . . .
The White House says he wasn't given the title.
So now he is not only pissed but claims to have proof of being bestowed the title.
The entire story is here and here
Don't tell our friend, Peter.
He may get jealous of losing attention.
I will keep following this story as it goes.
Remember when I said "barring unexpected incidents?"
We just had one and it may blow up to be something BIG!
It seems that our friend Ken Hutcherson, the anti-gay pastor who never met a self aggrandizing adjective he didn't like, is upset at the White House over a title he was supposedly given.
According to him, he was given the title of Special Envoy for Adoptions, Family Values, Religious Freedom, and Medical Relief. He apparently used this title on a trip to Latvia where he complained about (what else) gay rights.
But . . .
The White House says he wasn't given the title.
So now he is not only pissed but claims to have proof of being bestowed the title.
The entire story is here and here
Don't tell our friend, Peter.
He may get jealous of losing attention.
I will keep following this story as it goes.
My galleys are here!!!!!!!!!
I neglected to mention that the galleys to my book also arrived. I spent the entire weekend just looking at them afraid to print them out.
Why?
Because it's so damned amazing. I am closer to two of my dreams: becoming an author and exposing at least some of the lies of the anti-gay industry.
So barring any unexpected incidents (and I am sure there will be some thanks to Peter and the rest of the anti-gay industry), I will be busy editing my book this week. I will continue to post also but not as in much detail as I usually do.
The quicker I get the galleys back to my publisher, the quicker I can begin preparing press packets.
I neglected to mention that the galleys to my book also arrived. I spent the entire weekend just looking at them afraid to print them out.
Why?
Because it's so damned amazing. I am closer to two of my dreams: becoming an author and exposing at least some of the lies of the anti-gay industry.
So barring any unexpected incidents (and I am sure there will be some thanks to Peter and the rest of the anti-gay industry), I will be busy editing my book this week. I will continue to post also but not as in much detail as I usually do.
The quicker I get the galleys back to my publisher, the quicker I can begin preparing press packets.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Deerfield High School 'Confidentiality Agreement': How the anti-gay industry distorts reality
In my last post, I talked about the Deerfield High School controversy (see last post). Central to this controversy is a "confidentiality agreement" that students were supposedly made to sign.
The American for Truth (in name only)web page just posted the alleged confidentiality agreement.
And if this is the document that has been causing a lot of controversy, then Americans for Truth (in name only), Concerned Women for America, and all of the bloggers who have been hyping the Deerfield incident up as an attempt by the lgbt community to "indoctrinate" children have a LOT of explaining to do.
The so-called confidentiality agreement is a small part of the list of rules that those participating in the program agree to follow. These rules govern their conduct in the program.
No one is encouraged to keep things from their parents. In fact, they are encouraged to seek help if there is a problem.
This is what the part about confidentiality says (and I am transcribing):
Our agreements and commitments to each other
Confidentiality
Every person keeps what comes up in class confidential, unless it is dangerous to do so - that is unless a situation in class requires us to get outside help.
We do not repeat what someone says in class outside of class except if we have permission of the person that said it.
We will not continue a conversation outside of class without permission from all the people that were involved during the class.
Bottom line: What happens in our classroom stays in our classroom.
Exceptions to the confidentiality in which case (the teacher's name - I will not repeat it) will get outside help are:
If someone in the class reports being hurt;
If someone reports that they are hurting someone else; or
If someone reports that they are hurting or want to hurt themselves.
The rest of the two page document continues to give rules about respecting each other's right to talk and not making judgements on someone because his or her opinion. If students agree to abide by all of these regulations, they sign the form.
There are four other attachments to the commitment agreement that was posted. Americans for Truth (in name only) makes the claim that they are a part of the agreement.
But I doubt it.
It obvious that they were added by whoever posted the agreement on the webpage in order to enhance the lie of "gay indoctrination."
In short, the Deerfield Confidentiality Agreement controversy is yet another lie by members of the anti-gay industry.
Let me simplify the situation:
Deerfield High School has been conducting this program for years to help students adjust to high school. Five years ago, it added a panel discussion about gay students.
This parent is obviously going to repeat the lies of "gay indoctrinations" and "confidentiality agreements" until it is hyped all over talk radio. Then comes television.
And this is sad because the program that started all of this is a good idea. Students entering high schools should have some way to speak their minds and clear their heads.
More programs like this would mean less Columbine incidents.
But all because a group of parents do not like the fact gay students are encouraged to speak about their lives, the program is in danger of being misconstrued.
In pursuit of their so-called moral image, these parents have sold out their integrity.
I sincerely hope they don't regret what they have done.
In my last post, I talked about the Deerfield High School controversy (see last post). Central to this controversy is a "confidentiality agreement" that students were supposedly made to sign.
The American for Truth (in name only)web page just posted the alleged confidentiality agreement.
And if this is the document that has been causing a lot of controversy, then Americans for Truth (in name only), Concerned Women for America, and all of the bloggers who have been hyping the Deerfield incident up as an attempt by the lgbt community to "indoctrinate" children have a LOT of explaining to do.
The so-called confidentiality agreement is a small part of the list of rules that those participating in the program agree to follow. These rules govern their conduct in the program.
No one is encouraged to keep things from their parents. In fact, they are encouraged to seek help if there is a problem.
This is what the part about confidentiality says (and I am transcribing):
Our agreements and commitments to each other
Confidentiality
Every person keeps what comes up in class confidential, unless it is dangerous to do so - that is unless a situation in class requires us to get outside help.
We do not repeat what someone says in class outside of class except if we have permission of the person that said it.
We will not continue a conversation outside of class without permission from all the people that were involved during the class.
Bottom line: What happens in our classroom stays in our classroom.
Exceptions to the confidentiality in which case (the teacher's name - I will not repeat it) will get outside help are:
If someone in the class reports being hurt;
If someone reports that they are hurting someone else; or
If someone reports that they are hurting or want to hurt themselves.
The rest of the two page document continues to give rules about respecting each other's right to talk and not making judgements on someone because his or her opinion. If students agree to abide by all of these regulations, they sign the form.
There are four other attachments to the commitment agreement that was posted. Americans for Truth (in name only) makes the claim that they are a part of the agreement.
But I doubt it.
It obvious that they were added by whoever posted the agreement on the webpage in order to enhance the lie of "gay indoctrination."
In short, the Deerfield Confidentiality Agreement controversy is yet another lie by members of the anti-gay industry.
Let me simplify the situation:
Deerfield High School has been conducting this program for years to help students adjust to high school. Five years ago, it added a panel discussion about gay students.
Parents got angry over the fact that gay students are going to be open about themselves. They sought help from anti-gay industry groups to stop the panel.
Someone from the either the parents group or the anti-gay industry groups took the list of rules that the participants of the program agreed to abide by and hyped the portion about confidentiality into a lie that claimed students were "encouraged" to sign a confidentiality agreement about one particular part of the program (the gay panel discussion.)
This lie was spread by various anti-gay industry groups, web pages, and bloggers all over the internet.
Boom! You got yourself a moral panic.
Let me predict what happens next.
I noticed on the Americans for Truth (in name only), it is announced that one of the parents opposing the gay student panel discussion will appear on the Laura Ingraham Show.This parent is obviously going to repeat the lies of "gay indoctrinations" and "confidentiality agreements" until it is hyped all over talk radio. Then comes television.
And this is sad because the program that started all of this is a good idea. Students entering high schools should have some way to speak their minds and clear their heads.
More programs like this would mean less Columbine incidents.
But all because a group of parents do not like the fact gay students are encouraged to speak about their lives, the program is in danger of being misconstrued.
In pursuit of their so-called moral image, these parents have sold out their integrity.
I sincerely hope they don't regret what they have done.
A dash of inneundo, a smidgen of manipulation and you got yourself a conspiracy theory
The latest cause celebre of the anti-gay industry is occurring at Deerfield High School in Illinois. Here are the basic facts:
At Deerfield High School, there is a program that is geared to helping students adjust to high school. One component of this program is a panel discussion that includes speakers from the school's gay/straight alliance. These students talk about such things as being bullied because of their orientation.
Some parents are upset over this, claiming that their children are being "indoctrinated" by the supposed "gay agenda." These parents are demanding that the school end the gay panel discusssion. Naturally groups like Americans for Truth (in name only) and the Concerned Women for America are assisting in this effort. Now as far as it has been reported, the gay panel discussion is the only thing these parents object to.
The issue has been made stickier due to allegations that students were made to sign a confidentiality agreement. However, it is not known whether or not this agreement pertains solely to the gay panel discussion or the program in general.
In all honesty, I do not feel comfortable with the idea of students having to sign a confidentiality agreement.
However, I am made even more uncomfortable as to how the anti-gay industry and the bloggers who believe their lies have spun this story.
According to Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources for Township High School District 113 Suzan Hebson, the program has been going on for many years and five years ago, the panel discussion by the gay students was added.
She also said parents did have the choice of opting their child out of any session they feel uncomfortable with. Lastly, she said, the program was well advertised.
Members of the anti-gay industry and some bloggers still made claims that students were forced to participate in the panel discussion:
14 Year Olds Forced Into Gay Seminar and Gag Order by School
Officials at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, Ill., have ordered their 14-year-old freshman class into a "gay" indoctrination seminar, after having them sign a confidentiality agreement promising not to tell their parents.
Some teachers at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, Illinois are forcing 14-year-old freshmen to sign a confidentiality agreement saying they will not tell anyone, not even their parents, what they are taught in a pro-homosexual sensitivity training seminar. Martha Kleder spoke with Laura-Sue Hauser, head of North Shore Student Advocacy, a group of concerned area parents, and Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues
Notice how these sites link the confidentiality agreement with the panel discussion by the gay students. But again there is that question of what does the confidentiality agreement pertain to.
While I am not comfortable with the confidentiality agreement, did it pertain solely to the gay panel discussion or the entire program in general?
At first, this question may not seem like a big deal, but it really is. If the confidentiality agreement pertained to the entire program rather than just the gay student panel discussion, then all claims of "indoctrinating students into the homosexual agenda then demanding that they be silent about it" is yet another example of the conspiracy theory technique by the anti-gay industry.
By juxtaposing facts, the anti-gay industry is claiming, yet again, that gays and lesbians want "access" to children, as if we are some type of collective boogeyman cum Baba Yaga.
And speaking of manipulating, check out this allegation from One News Now (formerly Agape Press). I emphasized the connotative words:
Concerned Women for America is blasting an Illinois high school for urging students not to tell their parents about its mandatory homosexual indoctrination program. Deerfield High School in Chicago has a class called "Freshman Advisory," in which ninth-graders are required to attend a panel discussion led by the Gay-Straight Alliance Network. The panel features homosexual upperclassmen telling students about their sexual experiences.
In the interest of fairness and presenting both sides, I looked for and found a letter written by one of the students who participated in a past panel discussion:
For the last five years, the school has been giving a presentation to the freshman advisories about SAGA, the Gay-Straight Alliance at the school. During the presentation, a panel of students gives a combination of personal stories and statistics relating to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) life both in our school and in the world at large.
The stories are those of personal experiences students have had, and they are told by LGBT students and straight allies. The statistics provided are statistics from well-respected sources. Then, the panel fields questions from the students. Having seen the panel my freshman year and having spoken on it my sophomore and junior years, I can say that in no instance had anyone on the panel accused any other student of being a bigot for not agreeing with them; we present our personal stories as our personal opinions on the issue.
At no part during the presentation are kids encouraged to engage in homosexual behavior (indeed, we are of the belief that homosexuality is something you are born with, and thus it is logically impossible to ‘recruit’ people to a ‘homosexual lifestyle’) and at no point are kids told that they are wrong or deviant for having views different from those we present: we merely intend to clear up the stereotypes surrounding gays, and to encourage a tolerant environment.
. . . Just a few months back, my home was vandalized by a number of teens; this was an incredibly upsetting and hurtful experience, but despite this I have found support from friends, family, and those in the school to help me through this. There comes a point where all of us have our beliefs and morals challenged by those who believe differently from us. It is essential that we learn how to be accepting of those who disagree with us, and that we teach our children how to disagree with dignity.
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, indeed.
The latest cause celebre of the anti-gay industry is occurring at Deerfield High School in Illinois. Here are the basic facts:
At Deerfield High School, there is a program that is geared to helping students adjust to high school. One component of this program is a panel discussion that includes speakers from the school's gay/straight alliance. These students talk about such things as being bullied because of their orientation.
Some parents are upset over this, claiming that their children are being "indoctrinated" by the supposed "gay agenda." These parents are demanding that the school end the gay panel discusssion. Naturally groups like Americans for Truth (in name only) and the Concerned Women for America are assisting in this effort. Now as far as it has been reported, the gay panel discussion is the only thing these parents object to.
The issue has been made stickier due to allegations that students were made to sign a confidentiality agreement. However, it is not known whether or not this agreement pertains solely to the gay panel discussion or the program in general.
In all honesty, I do not feel comfortable with the idea of students having to sign a confidentiality agreement.
However, I am made even more uncomfortable as to how the anti-gay industry and the bloggers who believe their lies have spun this story.
According to Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources for Township High School District 113 Suzan Hebson, the program has been going on for many years and five years ago, the panel discussion by the gay students was added.
She also said parents did have the choice of opting their child out of any session they feel uncomfortable with. Lastly, she said, the program was well advertised.
Members of the anti-gay industry and some bloggers still made claims that students were forced to participate in the panel discussion:
14 Year Olds Forced Into Gay Seminar and Gag Order by School
Officials at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, Ill., have ordered their 14-year-old freshman class into a "gay" indoctrination seminar, after having them sign a confidentiality agreement promising not to tell their parents.
Some teachers at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, Illinois are forcing 14-year-old freshmen to sign a confidentiality agreement saying they will not tell anyone, not even their parents, what they are taught in a pro-homosexual sensitivity training seminar. Martha Kleder spoke with Laura-Sue Hauser, head of North Shore Student Advocacy, a group of concerned area parents, and Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues
Notice how these sites link the confidentiality agreement with the panel discussion by the gay students. But again there is that question of what does the confidentiality agreement pertain to.
While I am not comfortable with the confidentiality agreement, did it pertain solely to the gay panel discussion or the entire program in general?
At first, this question may not seem like a big deal, but it really is. If the confidentiality agreement pertained to the entire program rather than just the gay student panel discussion, then all claims of "indoctrinating students into the homosexual agenda then demanding that they be silent about it" is yet another example of the conspiracy theory technique by the anti-gay industry.
By juxtaposing facts, the anti-gay industry is claiming, yet again, that gays and lesbians want "access" to children, as if we are some type of collective boogeyman cum Baba Yaga.
And speaking of manipulating, check out this allegation from One News Now (formerly Agape Press). I emphasized the connotative words:
Concerned Women for America is blasting an Illinois high school for urging students not to tell their parents about its mandatory homosexual indoctrination program. Deerfield High School in Chicago has a class called "Freshman Advisory," in which ninth-graders are required to attend a panel discussion led by the Gay-Straight Alliance Network. The panel features homosexual upperclassmen telling students about their sexual experiences.
In the interest of fairness and presenting both sides, I looked for and found a letter written by one of the students who participated in a past panel discussion:
For the last five years, the school has been giving a presentation to the freshman advisories about SAGA, the Gay-Straight Alliance at the school. During the presentation, a panel of students gives a combination of personal stories and statistics relating to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) life both in our school and in the world at large.
The stories are those of personal experiences students have had, and they are told by LGBT students and straight allies. The statistics provided are statistics from well-respected sources. Then, the panel fields questions from the students. Having seen the panel my freshman year and having spoken on it my sophomore and junior years, I can say that in no instance had anyone on the panel accused any other student of being a bigot for not agreeing with them; we present our personal stories as our personal opinions on the issue.
At no part during the presentation are kids encouraged to engage in homosexual behavior (indeed, we are of the belief that homosexuality is something you are born with, and thus it is logically impossible to ‘recruit’ people to a ‘homosexual lifestyle’) and at no point are kids told that they are wrong or deviant for having views different from those we present: we merely intend to clear up the stereotypes surrounding gays, and to encourage a tolerant environment.
. . . Just a few months back, my home was vandalized by a number of teens; this was an incredibly upsetting and hurtful experience, but despite this I have found support from friends, family, and those in the school to help me through this. There comes a point where all of us have our beliefs and morals challenged by those who believe differently from us. It is essential that we learn how to be accepting of those who disagree with us, and that we teach our children how to disagree with dignity.
Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, indeed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)