Two anti-gay nuts for Monday afternoon

1. What's the deal with Joe The Plumber?

Joe The Plumber: I Would Never Let "Queers" Near My Children

Joe the Plumber, aka Samuel Wurzelbacher, sat down for an lengthy interview with Christianity Today to discuss his views on the future of the Republican party. Wurzelbacher took the opportunity to speak out against gay marriage, which he says is wrong. The unlikely conservative spokesman went so far as to say he doesn't allow openly gay people "anywhere near" his children.

The word "queer," Wurzelbacher noted, "means strange and unusual."

Christianity Today: In the last month, same-sex marriage has become legal in Iowa and Vermont. What do you think about same-sex marriage at a state level?

Wurzelbacher: At a state level, it's up to them. I don't want it to be a federal thing. I personally still think it's wrong. People don't understand the dictionary--it's called queer. Queer means strange and unusual. It's not like a slur, like you would call a white person a honky or something like that. You know, God is pretty explicit in what we're supposed to do--what man and woman are for. Now, at the same time, we're supposed to love everybody and accept people, and preach against the sins. I've had some friends that are actually homosexual. And, I mean, they know where I stand, and they know that I wouldn't have them anywhere near my children. But at the same time, they're people, and they're going to do their thing.

No he didn't! If I wasn't so mature, I would be going for my razor right now.

THIS is what the Republican Party is reduced to? Sad.

I'm going to put it more succinctly. I refuse to believe that Wurlzebacher has any gay friends. That's right - I think he is lying and channeling the standard I'm not really prejudice because I am friends with THOSE people line that I've heard on occasion when some whites talk about African-Americans.

But just in case he is telling the truth, someone needs to give those "gay friends" a talking to about self respect.

2. Hey Stephen Baldwin! THIS is what persecution looks like

Last weekend, former actor, born-again Christian, and dismal talking head Stephen Baldwin claimed on Larry King Live that folks like him and Carrie Prejean who are against gay marriage are being "persecuted." However, when pressed about said persecution, Baldwin couldn't give any details.

Persecution, you dipstick, looks a little like this:

‘THEY KILL PEOPLE LIKE US,’ SAYS GAY IRAQI

Widespread violence is down across Baghdad, but not for one minority group.

Iraq’s gay population is being targeted by militia groups in a wave of killings that has claimed the lives of up to 25 young men and boys in the past month.

"They know I am gay. I don’t know if I am going to be killed, this is up to God," said Moyad, a 38-year-old Baghdad resident who would not give his last name out of fear for his safety. Visibly frightened, he said that he has many friends who have been sadistically tortured, some even murdered. "They are sticking glue up their anuses; some hospitals refuse to treat them. Is it a war waged against homosexuals?" he asked.

International outrage Most of the attacks have happened in Baghdad’s Shia neighborhoods, and many believe that religious leaders have used Friday sermons in Sadr City as a platform to incite hatred and violence toward homosexuals. The bodies of three gay men were reported to have been found in Sadr City in April with pieces of paper bearing the word for "pervert" attached to them.

Posters and leaflets have been distributed in the Baghdad neighborhoods of al-Shola, al-Hurya and Sadr City with orders to, "Cleanse Iraq from the crime of homosexuality."

Baghdad police didn’t respond to inquiries from NBC News about the attacks, but the surge in violence has gained attention by the international media. In a letter to Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki in April, Amnesty International called for "urgent and concerted action" to stop the killings of men because of their sexual orientation.

More here.

Maybe it's just me but being booed at a pageant doesn' t exactly rank up there with what's happening to gays in Iraq.

Monday midday news briefs

Oh, the shameless irony - This is a huge lie. Marriage equality advocates do not want to silence those who are against it. Hell, if NOM shut up, who could I laugh at?

Is Cantor suggesting that the GOP will go pro-gay and pro-choice? - All together now - HAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!!!

Pro-LGBT clergy to hold press conference to support hate crimes legislation and ENDA - Now THIS is how it should be done.

Bill would extend medical leave law to LGBT families -Support this bill!

One News Now tries to make Prejean a hate crimes martyr

Still smarting over the U.S. House of Representatives passing lgbt inclusive hate crimes legislation, the phony news site One News Now have decided to use the quickly passing Carrie Prejean/Perez Hilton controversy to make an illogical point:

A Virginia congressman says the anti-Christian hatred and bigotry of homosexual blogger Perez Hilton and his supporters underscores one of the fallacies undergirding federal "hate crimes" legislation.

. . . Congressman Randy Forbes (R-Virginia) is a former ranking member of the Judiciary Crime Subcommittee, and founder of the Congressional Prayer Caucus. He recently took to the House floor and provided a powerful example of how the "Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act" does not ensure equality under the law.

Congressman Forbes compared the protection Miss California Carrie Prejean would receive under the bill to the special protection homosexual blogger and Miss USA judge Perez Hilton would have been afforded.

"Had [Hilton] done what he said he would do and stormed that stage and pulled that tiara off [Prejean's] head and [inflicted] bodily harm when he did it, there would not have been one ounce of protection under this piece of legislation for that young girl," Forbes stated.

First of all, the article is solely about Hilton. Whoever his "supporters" are, there is no further mention of them.

Secondly, I never believed Hilton when he made that statement. It's very easy to talk about what you would have done after the fact. But had Prejean won, Hilton would have kept his seat with his mouth open, no doubt thinking of nastier invectives to make against Prejean on youtube.

The Congressman really reaches for straws when he says this:

. . . if she had in response made a statement back about the very sexual orientation that had led him to his hatred and dislike for her, and if she had responded by slapping him or any physical injury, she would have had the potential of a ten-year federal piece of legislation coming against her."

The Virginia Republican also argued that if beauty contestant's father had rushed onto the stage at the Miss USA pageant and responded to Hilton's hatred in a physical way, he would have been open to prosecution under the hate crimes bill as well.

I take it that the Congressman is saying that if Prejean has made an anti-gay slur while slapping Hilton, she would be in trouble. I don't think so.

As much as it would have been fun to see Prejean snatch off her earrings and heels and get "ghetto" on Hilton, I seriously doubt she would be arrested on hate crimes violations no matter what she said while doing it. Hilton's actions would have clearly been assault and Prejean would merely be defending herself.

Also, as much as I hate to admit, she would have a few gays in her corner for taking care of business against someone who would dare try to "snatch her crown."

As for her father, hate crimes legislation probably wouldn't apply either.

You gotta admit though, it would be a very interesting clip on youtube.

However in all honesty, this controversy is petering out. One News Now and those on the right would do themselves a huge favor by letting it die a silent death.

Maggie Gallagher, NOM get destroyed on Larry King Live

This is just pitiful. A few thoughts:

1. Where is Carrie Prejean? Apparently her moment in the spotlight is over.

2. Maggie Gallagher got wrecked twice. First was a full speed dressing down by former Miss USA Shanna Moakler. Moakler takes Gallagher to task for exploiting Prejean. I found myself saying "get it girlfriend!" while snapping my fingers in a "Z formation."

The second wrecking was a bit more subtle by substitute host Joy Behar. Behar asked her a simple question about why focusing on gays wanting to get married rather than divorce. Gallagher hems and haws big time. Of course she pushes her tried and true diversionary argument of "they think we are bigots for defending traditional marriage."

3. Stephen Baldwin was much more useful when he was freely showing his buttcheeks in movies. "God wrote the Bible?" Come on now. And then he talks about being persecuted. Pullleaze!

4. Former Miss California, the Rev. Nicole Lamarche, defends marriage equality with intelligence, poise, and the utmost grace. Awesome lady!

But the main thing I took out of the segment is this - NOM is swiftly leaving Heaven's Gate territory and careening towards Plan 9 From Outer Space land.

Transcript added via the efforts of Pam Spaulding:

The transcript:

BEHAR: The gay marriage debate has been front and center this week.

Joining us for a debate of our own are Shanna Moakler, director of Miss California USA. She's a former Miss USA who's in a new ad slamming Proposition 8. It bans gay marriage in California.

Reverend Nicole la March. Nicole was Miss California in 2003. She supports gay marriage.

In Los Angeles, actor Stephen Baldwin, starring in "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here," joins us. He is opposed to gay marriage.

And Maggie Gallagher, president of the National Organization for Marriage, is here.

A new anti-gay marriage ad featuring Miss California, Carrie Prejean, I believe is the way you say it, was launched this week.

Listen to Carrie's remarks that reignited the issue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, COURTESY NBC)

PEREZ HILTON: Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage.

Do you think every state should follow suit?

Why or why not?

CARRIE PREJEAN: Well, I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country and in -- in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman -- no offense to anybody out there.

CARRIE PREJEAN, MISS CALIFORNIA: Well, I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And, you know what, in my country, and in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there. But that's how I was raised, and that's how I think that it should be, between a man and a woman. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BEHAR: Shanna, what's your reaction to Carrie Prejean. How do you say her name?

MOAKLER: Carrie Prejean. Prejean, Prejean. I say Prejean.

BEHAR: What's your reaction to those remarks?

MOAKLER: I'm very proud of Carrie that she stood up for what she believes in and she followed her heart. And I told her that that night. I'm not going to lie and say that it hurt my feelings a little bit. Everyone is right. Everyone has the freedom to their speech, the freedom of speech. I applaud her for that.

BEHAR: Right, OK. Maggie, you had a press conference for the National Organization of Marriage, where you released that new ad called "No Offense With Carrie Prejean." Let's take a look at that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's asked her opinion about marriage.

PREJEAN: I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Then is attacked.

PEREZ HILTON, CELEBRITY GOSSIP: She's a dumb (EXPLETIVE DELETED), OK?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A pro-marriage group talks about how gay marriage will impact religious groups.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's no longer palatable in this country or OK to be an outright bigot. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They attack if you oppose gay marriage because they don't want to debate the consequences.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BEHAR: OK. That was -- that's a harsh ad.

GALLAGHER: Is it a harsh ad? I think it's an honest ad. I think the reason Carrie's story is resonating with so many people, besides how young and nice that she is and beautiful, is that a lot of Americans who think marriage means a man and a woman are feeling like it doesn't matter how nicely you say it, how civilly you say it, you get slammed. You get treated as if you are -- you get name-called. After Prop 8, people's names were put up on the Internet, and we had people saying, go after these people.

We had a waitress who gave 100 dollars to support marriage and people were calling for her job. They wanted her to lose her job, because she supported marriage as a man and a woman. So the reality is I don't blame gay people for this. I know many gay people. No way this is the way they want this movement to be acting.

But we do have a gay marriage movement right now that if you disagree with them, they tend to treat you like you were the Ku Klux Klan or something. And that's what happened to Carrie. I think most of us think that's wrong.

BEHAR: Nicole, you've been in Carrie's position. You were a beautiful Miss California.

LAMARCHE: Thank you, thank you.

BEHAR: Then you became a reverend. I'm fascinated by that. Was she correct to speak her mind like that, do you think?

LAMARCHE: Oh, absolutely.

BEHAR: Free speech?

LAMARCHE: Absolutely. I think the place where I enter the conversation is when she went on "The Today Show" and then said that the Bible condones what she said. And that's a little tricky. The Bible -- any reading of the Bible is a selective reading. And so I always want to make sure to offer an alternative position, which is that god is the god of love, and that marriage should be something that's available for each and every loving adult committed couple.

BEHAR: Do you agree with that, Steven?

BALDWIN: Absolutely not. The Bible clearly indicates that when two of the same sex lie down together, that is sin. Now, God wrote the Bible. So, therefore, that is what God has to say and God is the judge.

The thing that's very interesting to me, Joy, is just because I believe in the Bible means that I'm now being persecuted if I believe in traditional marriage. So I'm here to --

BEHAR: How are you being persecuted?

BALDWIN: Joy, let me finish. I'm here to represent all of those people who are being persecuted for believing in traditional marriage.

BEHAR: Tell me how you're being persecuted exactly, Stephen. What's happening to you?

BALDWIN: Exactly like Miss California. Just simply because who she is and what she believes is that traditional marriage is what is right, according to who she is and what she believes. Look what's happening. She's being persecuted.

MOAKLER: I need to interject in here.

BALDWIN: She's being persecuted.

BEHAR: Go ahead, Shanna.

MOAKLER: First and foremost, Carrie didn't lose the pageant because her answer. She was behind in numbers, behind in scores. Carrie is being persecuted because she has a title, and that title is Miss California USA. She has responsibilities as Miss California USA that she has now basically kind of forgone, and has aligned herself with an organization that has -- it's already a heated and polarizing issue. So to align yourself with this right after all the heat, you can't complain of getting all this heat and then go do something so drastic.

BEHAR: OK, Maggie.

GALLAGHER: It's not drastic to say marriage means a man and a woman, nor to stand with other people who are doing that. I was going to compliment you, Shanna, on the change in your tone in respecting Carrie's rights here. But I have to say you're now sounding exactly like you did when she appeared on "The Today Show," accusing her of pursuing an opportunistic agenda. Then you released private medical information about her to the press to try to smear her.

MOAKLER: I think you're pursuing an opportunist agenda when you hire a 21-year-old that has --

(CROSS TALK)

MOAKLER: -- who has never even had a long-term relationship, and you put her in a press junket that she's unprepared for. You were not only damaging her. This is a bright, young, talented young woman that has -- is going to be left with a legacy of being an Anita Bryant. She should be back home in California, and she should be doing her responsibilities.

BEHAR: I'm going to let you talk as soon as we come back, OK?

What do you think of gay marriage. That's tonight's quick vote question. Go to CNN.com/LarryKing and tell us what you think. We'll be back after this with more.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BEHAR: OK. We're back. Maggie, what did you want to say to Shanna?

GALLAGHER: I wanted to say, first of all, that Carrie does not work for the National Organization for Marriage. She's a spokesman for her own views, as anyone watching her is perfectly clear. It's the Miss USA California officials who, instead of backing her up and dealing with this judge, who went on the Internet and videotaped himself cursing her out, saying he wanted to rip the tiara off -- for you to go around Shanna and say that her legacy is divisive and polarizing, you will not meet a better human being than Carrie.

I'm honored that she chose to stand with us at the National Organization for Marriage, as we released this ad calling for people to account.

BEHAR: I want to ask you about the National Organization for Marriage. It's set up to protect marriage, right?

GALLAGHER: Our mission is protecting marriage and the faith communities that sustain it.

BEHAR: Then why don't you focus on Mel Gibson's divorce, Bristol Palin's single parenthood, and she should be married -- maybe she should be getting married? Why are you focusing on gay marriage?

GALLAGHER: I spent 20 years on the problem of family fragmentation, divorce and married child -- there really isn't anyone who has gone around the country more.

(CROSS TALK)

GALLAGHER: The reason I cared about that is I used to go around the country and say marriage really matters because children need a mom and dad. After after Massachusetts, I think I'm not going to be able to say that anymore. The law -- you change the definition of marriage, you change it for everyone. And this ancient and honorable idea, marriage is about bringing together the two halves of humanity, male and female, so that children have a mother and father. That's going to be treated as bigotry.

MOAKLER: What's wrong with a mother and a mother and what is wrong with a father and a father? I don't think anyone can define marriage, except two people who are in a union together who love each other. -- as an organization that can do that.

BEHAR: Nicole, get in here.

LAMARCHE: Those of us who are celebrating marriage equality believe in marriage. I mean, marriage is an institution that creates healthy children, healthy families, which is why I would say that it should be an option for any adult, loving, committed couple. And it is because we're all -- we're all celebrating marriage and we believe it is so important that it should be an option for each and every couple.

(CROSS TALK)

BEHAR: I understand that, but you're sort of saying the words mother and father as a nouns. It's also a verb, to mother, to father, so you could have two women mothering a child or fathering a child. It's a role really.

GALLAGHER: No, I don't think so. I think that, in fact, there's something special about unions of husbands and wives. There's a reason marriage has been this way. Not only our own, but in almost every known human society. And that this vision of marriage -- it's your point. It's a fine point.

Famous LGBT African-Americans

With so many attempts out there to divide the lgbt and African-American communities, videos like these are very important - especially to the young lgbts of color.

It's too late to backtrack now, NOM. Enjoy your wormwood

April 21, 2009:

I would like to nominate Miss California as the new face of the marriage movement. Much better than mine! "Truth and love will prevail over lies and hate." - NOM head Maggie Gallagher

May 1, 2009:

Maggie Gallagher, president of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) released this statement today clarifying the role of Carrie Prejean at a press conference held Thursday in Washington, DC:

“A number of media sources have described Carrie Prejean as a spokesperson for the National Organization for Marriage.

As we made clear at our press conference yesterday: Carrie appeared with NOM as a private citizen; she does not work for the National Organization for Marriage. She is a spokesperson for her own views, as anyone watching her can tell.

We are grateful to Carrie Prejean for her willingness to stand up for marriage. We would love to work with Carrie in the future if she chooses, and we wish her well in all her future endeavors whatever she chooses. We're proud of her. Americans are proud of her. She is a remarkable young woman.

No matter how they try to sugarcoat the situation, it sounds like NOM is backtracking big time. Well to call it backtracking is too light.

NOM is moonwalking with the efficiency of Michael Jackson before he got "strange."

Just what could have made NOM suddenly make an about face after days of allowing the media to portray Prejean as the so-called new face of the marriage movement?

Could it have been the breast enhancement surgery controversy?

Maybe.

Could it be the fact that despite the controversy, no one was really going to take Prejean seriously because of the unfair stigma of beauty queens being shallow and airheaded?

That could be it also.

Or could it be that when all is said and done, Prejean was in fact a blond version of Sarah Palin - a person taking advantage of an incredible hype that wears down when one gets to know her; a walking, breathing one-hit wonder.

Now I may have something there. As seen via the transcript of a recent interview on Fox's On the Record with Greta, Prejean didn't exactly come across as a suitable talking head:

VAN SUSTEREN: What is your thought on civil unions?

PREJEAN: My thought on civil unions? You know what, Greta? I don't have the answers to everything. I'm not running for political office. I don't have the answers to everything, you know, in the world out there.

But I think that there should be rights for people, you know, especially in California. I think that people that are homosexual should have some rights, you know, hospital rights, and things like that.

But I would like to be more educated on that, so when I do have a better answer for you, I will get back to you on that one.

But so far I just support traditional marriage, and that's my main focus.

VAN SUSTEREN: What about adoption?

PREJEAN: Greta, I am focusing on marriage right now, not adoption, not civil unions, just traditional marriage, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to promote that.

VAN SUSTEREN: I understand, and I understand your position on traditional marriage. I'm just sort of trying to figure out where you draw the line in terms of what kind of rights that you think that a man and woman should have that maybe two men, two women, shouldn't have.

And that's why I was asking the question on civil unions and adoptions. I was just trying to sort it out for myself what you think.

PREJEAN: Well, I'm not a politician, so I can't give you an answer to that.

Geez, at least Palin had notes.

In the long run, I don't care why NOM backtracked. And you don't either.

Admit it - you all enjoyed this as much as I did. After the huge calamity of the "Gathering Storm" ad, NOM was grasping for any type of credibility. The group thought it could get that credibility with Prejean.

They were wrong.

I don't know what I enjoyed more - watching this entire thing blow up in NOM's face or taking in how the religious right was calling Prejean a modern day "Queen Esther." They beat this issue into the ground before it even had a chance to grow.

While it's true that I got my shots in talking about how her church cites Paul Cameronesque studies on lgbts, the award for the failure of this particular campaign belongs solely to NOM and other members of the religious right.

But it's starting to make me feel guilty.

Is it a sin to enjoy viewing a train wreck this bad?

Friday midday news briefs

Judy Shepard Responds To "Hoax" Comments - It speaks for itself.

Maggie Gallagher, NOM, Institute for Marriage (how to get wealthy in the hate-gay-for-pay industry) - I'm in the wrong business. I need to get paid!

Focus on the startling willingness to lie about sexual orientation - And in the end, it always comes back to comparing lgbts to pedophiles.

White House Changes LGBT Civil Rights Commitments On Web Site - There needs to be some explaining done here. Regardless though, it's our job to make sure our changes happen. Don't expect anyone to hold our hand or take our side without some prodding on our part.

Olbermann, Musto, Boob Job - Oh please. Don't even act like I wasn't going to mention this little tidbit about Carrie Prejean and her "equipment."

Fessing Up: Promiscuity & Unsafe Sex - Matt Comer, the young man in the picture with me, is writing a much needed series of articles on the problems of the lgbt community. Sometimes when we are attacked, it makes us less likely to talk about issues that plague us. That's a problem with every marginalized group. But discussions on the problems Comer mentions is vital for our survival.

Q Poll: US supports most gay rights - I love this poll!

Sin ushered in diseases like swine flu - One News Now seems to know where this swine flu came from. The article makes no sense, but then again neither does One News Now.