Oklahoma almost beats out SC in anti-gay lunacy and other Thursday afternoon news briefs

ACLU sues Mississippi school that canceled prom rather than let lesbian couple attend - What the school did was wrong, plain and simple. And I hope that the ACLU sticks it to them.

James Dobson Was Pushed Out Of Focus On The Family, Says Influential Evangelical - Only one problem with this story. How in the world is Ken Hutcherson considered as an "influential evangelical?" Does that mean that I can call myself an "influential blogger?" Hardly.


Candidate sorry for past e-mail about gays - Her first mistake? Giving that nutty homophobe James Hartline the time of day.

Oklahoma Will Destroy Evidence In Order to Thwart Federal Hate Crimes Laws - Only one positive out of this - Oklahoma almost beats out my state of South Carolina when it comes to abject lunacy.

FRC's Tony Perkins's attack on D.C. gay marriages is in line with his other false claims

To say that Family Research Council head Tony Perkins isn't happy about the fact that gays and lesbians can marry in Washington, D.C. should be considered a huge understatement.

He makes this incredibly ridiculous statement about the marriages:

 The last census counted 3,678 same-sex partner homes in D.C. Assuming that number has stayed roughly the same, then the 150 who applied for marriage licenses yesterday would amount to a whopping four percent of the local homosexual population--hardly the stuff of economic recovery. For the Post's $52.2 million projection to come true, all 3,678 of those D.C. couples would have to get married and spend over $14,000 per wedding. (I don't know about you, but my wife and I spent a LOT less!) These "marriages" (which have yet to meet financial expectations in other states) may make a fast buck in the short term, but they will do nothing but drain the economy down the road. Consider the massive health care expenses incurred by taxpayers every year to cope with the diseases spread by homosexual behavior. According to the Kaiser Foundation, federal funding grew to more than $18 billion in 2004 to deal with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Over half of all U.S. infections are in men having sex with men! That means taxpayers spend roughly $10 billion a year treating the diseases caused by a behavior celebrated in same-sex "marriage." So much for economic development!

And where is the proof of this because Perkins doesn't provide any. I guess he figures that since he "sits on the right hand of God," any comment he makes about the gay community, no matter how rude or untrue, will suddenly become true.

But in actuality, Perkins's comments doesn't surprise me because of his history of wild inaccuracies about the gay and lesbian community. For example:

In February, he implied that repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell would cause soldiers to be sexually harassed by their fellow gay service members. While Perkins didn't come out and say it, his claim echoed the discredited research of Paul Cameron who claimed (to the derision of sensible people) that a "new study" of his proves that gay service members are four to seven times more likely to rape their fellow service members.

In October of last year, Perkins spoke out against the Obama Administration's plan to create a national resource center for lgbt seniors. Perkins said at the time:

HHS has no idea how many LGBT seniors exist. No one does! The movement is only a few decades old, and people who are 80- or 90-years-old didn't grow up in a culture where it was acceptable to identify with this lifestyle.

Of course, the real tragedy here--apart from the unnecessary spending--is that, given the risks of homosexual conduct, few of these people are likely to live long enough to become senior citizens! Yet once again, the Obama administration is rushing to reward a lifestyle that poses one of the greatest public health risks in America.

Perkins's statement was contradicted by data supplied by the Obama Administration as well as the magazine Newsweek.

Of course I should also mention that in his claim, Perkins again echoed the discredited research of Paul Cameron who once (using fallacious research) claimed that gay men have short life spans.

In September of last year, Perkins submitted to testimony Congress in opposition of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. In his testimony, when he wasn't supplying anecdotal evidence, Perkins misrepresented medical research to claim that the lgbt orientation itself is indicative of dangerous health behaviors. He used pro-gay publications to "prove" this point. However, Perkins omitted the fact that the research he was citing at no time blamed the lgbt orientation for the negative health behaviors in which some gays and lesbians were partaking of. The research placed the blame solely on the effects of gays and lesbians having to deal with a homophobic society.

So basically it all comes down to this - Perkins is yet another religious right phony "expert" whose statements about the lgbt community should be viewed as a flight of fancy created by a preconceived belief that homosexuality in itself is evil, despite evidence to the contrary.

ABC's Nightline segment on the Ugandan 'Kill The Gays' bill

Words do not suffice

ABC News's complete but inaccurate coverage of Uganda's anti-gay bill

ABC News has finally given attention Uganda's anti-gay bill.

But like so many things, there is good news and bad news to the coverage.

In talking about the global effects of the bill and nailing the ugly cast of characters (i.e. Martin Ssempa, Scott Lively, etc.) for their creation and support of this genocidal bill, ABC gets an A:

Standing onstage in black velvet robes, despite the stifling heat in the open-air church, Pastor Martin Ssempa's face is a mask of disgust.

"Anal licking!," he shouts, directing the crowd's attention to the images of hardcore gay pornography that he's projecting via his laptop. "That is what they are doing in the privacy of their bedrooms."

"Everything having to do with eating of poop…heterosexuals do not eat poop," Ssempa said. "And if they do, they are misguided, they are not real heterosexuals. We don't practice, that's an abomination. It's like sex with a dog, sex with a cow; it's evil."

Homophobia In Uganda

Ssempa's animated style has made him one of the most popular preachers in the African nation of Uganda. But it's his virulent homophobia that's put him at the center of an international uproar. The pornographic images, which reduced some of the churchgoers to tears, were meant to whip up support for a bill under consideration in Uganda that would make some gays and lesbians eligible for the death penalty.

ABC News makes no bones about just who is responsible for bill, making sure to place the blame where it belongs. Furthermore, the article also casts a light on the gay Ugandans in the middle of this crisis:

Val Kalende, a lesbian, said it's dangerous just to walk down the street. "Just the other day a colleague of mine was detained and questioned by police," she said. "Every time you come back home safe, you thank God you are safe. But then you don't know what's going to happen the next day."

Kalende said that while Uganda has always been a homophobic country, things got worse after the conference the American evangelicals spoke at.

"So those guys should be held accountable for what is happening to us," she said. "And I hope that the people in America can hold these guys accountable for what is going to happen to us if this bill ever passes."

But, as I said before, there is bad news to the coverage and it has to do with the subheading of the article:


The Proposed Bill Could Punish Homosexuals Who Marry With Life In Prison

Like my online buddy Wendy, who brought the story to my attention said, that nasty bill has nothing to do wih gay marriage.

And to add a little more to her statement, this bill is about genocide; the murder of a group of people under the guise of law and order and Christianity.

The desire to marry is the least of the problems our lgbt brothers and sisters in Uganda face. We must never forget that.

And ABC News owes it to them to get the story right.

The Daily Show addresses anti-gay Virginia happenings and other Wednesday midday news briefs

Virginia's Governor and Attorney General seems to have declared war on the rights of the state's lgbts and Jon Stewart declares war on them - in his own asskicking style:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Gaywatch - Virginia Edition
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Reform

In Fourteen Words, Peter LaBarbera Loses All Credibility as a “Christian” - Between you and me, I was unaware that LaBarbera had any credibility as a human being, much less a Christian. A short background is in order here. LaBarbera is trying to get a professor fired for daring to disagree with his interpretation of homosexuality and Christianity.

Washington Post Ombudsman Sticks It to Homophobes Complaining About Same-Sex Kissing - Apparently some folks aren't happy that the Washington Post ran a picture of a kissing gay couple. Oh well, they can get over it.

Scott sticks to plan of targeting transgendered - Homophobes don't change. They just think they can run for office targeting lgbts.

'I was bullied by an entire school' - This is awful and a demonstrates a great need for GLSEN on an international stage.

CWA's Janice Crouse crams a bunch of anti-gay lies in one statement

The following is from Concerned Women for America's Janice Crouse:

"In actuality, homosexual unions have a very short lifespan; many of the same-sex “marriages” in Massachusetts are already being dissolved. Further, the health risks associated with homosexual practice are very real and very much in evidence in the emergency rooms of hospitals. There is no denying: Homosexual sex is dangerous and destructive to the human body. Both HIV and HPV are epidemic among homosexual men. Domestic violence is a common problem — twice as prevalent among homosexual couples as in heterosexual ones.

I miss the good old days when folks like Crouse used to try and back up their nonsense with "actual proof." Who knows? Maybe the lgbt blogs which look at how religious right groups distort statistics have scared them.

You will notice that Crouse doesn't even supply any proof to her statements.

Allow me to point out a couple of things:

1. Domestic violence is not twice as prevalent among gay couples as in heterosexual couples. Crouse doesn't even provide proof of this. But it is known that this lie stems from a distortion of a book by gay author Patrick Letellier called Men Who Beat the Men Who Love Them: Battered Gay Men and Domestic Violence. Letellier has gone on record  complaining about how his work was being distorted.

2. Crouse is also wrong about gay marriages dissolving in Massachusetts. According to writer Bruce Wilson, not only is gay marriage not dissolving but Massachusetts on a whole "retains the national title as the lowest divorce rate state, and the MA divorce rate is about where the US divorce rate was in 1940, prior to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor that triggered the US entrance into World War Two."

3. Where is Crouse's proof regarding her inference about gay sex causing folks to rush to emergency rooms. Her tale reminds me of the lie that gays stuff gerbils up their rectums. And the sad thing is that I suspect she meant for her statement to have that connotative effect.

4. While HIV does affect the gay community in ugly numbers (of course Crouse omits how homophobic attitudes stand in the way of HIV prevention), she is not totally honest about HPV. HPV is not an STD totally indigenous to the gay community. According to STD Facts:

Genital human papillomavirus (also called HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are more than 40 HPV types that can infect the genital areas of males and females. These HPV types can also infect the mouth and throat. Most people who become infected with HPV do not even know they have it.

 . . . Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms or health problems from it. In 90% of cases, the body’s immune system clears HPV naturally within two years

. . . Approximately 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. Another 6 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is so common that at least 50% of sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives.

What's more pathetic than the distortions which Crouse tells is the fact that some people actually consider her as some type of "expert."

Modesty and a respect for my elders precludes me from stating what I think about her "expertise."

Related post:

How religious right groups distort legitimate research to demonize the gay community



Hat tip to People for the American Way

 . . . 

Celebrate DC's First Same Sex Weddings!

Today was the day that the first same-sex couples were married in DC and brought to you by the Human Rights Campaign is the video. If it's a little long for your tastes, feel free to skim through.

And I know I am probably going to offend some folks by saying this but I don't care . . . I get a kick out of the fact that the couples are African-American.

It's so rare that lgbts of color see positive images of ourselves, especially in the fight for marriage equality, that the fact that these are black couples is as welcomed as ice cream on a slice a pie to me.

Janet Porter demands that God gives the religious right control of the media

Historically, people have prayed to God for peace, love, and guidance. But the prayer issued last week by religious right mainstay Janet Porter enters a new territory which can only be described as coming from the mind of the late Rod Serling while writing an episode of The Twilight Zone.

Porter, who has done many bizarre things such as claiming that anyone voting for Obama is going to hell and writing a fictional account of Christians forced into "re-education camps" had Hilary Clinton won the 2008 presidential election, actually prayed for the "Christian takeover" of the media. Apparently amongst other things, she wants "more influence than Oprah Winfrey, " and desires "to make CBS 'the "Christian Broadcasting System.'"

I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Porter gave this prayer in front of a huge multitude during one of those dreary we have to save American values from the forces of secular evil conferences which religious right organizations seem to hold more often than World Wrestling Entertainment hosts wrestling pay-per-views.

This one was called "Convergence 2010: A Cry to Awaken A Nation," and it was attended by such luminaries as Rev. Harry Jackson who was called a "modern day Martin Luther King, Jr" because of his failed attempt to keep marriage equality from coming to D.C. and Cindy Jacobs who took it upon herself to "cast out demons" during her speech.

But despite all of this, its Porter's prayer which stands out because it was just so surreal. And it begs the question that if Porter and her allies are successful in "saving America" then who is going to save America from them?

This just goes BEYOND any criticism I can give against Porter and the groups whom she aligns herself with. This is more than insane. It's scary. Whatever Jesus would do, I feel safe to say that He wouldn't support such madness.

While gays suffer in Uganda, the Pope stays silent on homophobic bill

Time magazine has published an excellent piece on the persecution gay Ugandans face even if that awful "Kill The Gays" bill isn't passed by focusing on one lesbian couple:

Pepe Julian Onziema looks great in a suit. Tall and lanky, she doesn't slouch to hide her height and doesn't apologize for her boyish figure. Or for anything else. She's got at least 10 suits: pinstripes, white linen, black, gray, navy and others. She buys them from a guy who runs a shop on Entebbe Road, a major Kampala thoroughfare. He knows her build, and he knows what she likes.

These days, though, Onziema doesn't wear suits nearly as often as she used to. As one of a dozen or so publicly out Ugandan homosexuals, Onziema knows that even a trip to a local shop is risky. Wearing a suit can be a death wish.

. . . Onziema and her partner met playing rugby at a local Kampala club a couple of years ago. Onziema knew "within five seconds" that she had met the one, she says. It took her partner a bit longer. Onziema has known her whole life that she's gay, but her partner is not out publicly, and the process of coming to terms with who she is took a little longer.

After they'd been friends for a few months, Onziema made her move. "There was a kiss," she grins. "She wasn't expecting it."

It's an excellent article on how the purity of love endures even in hostile settings. And it's a reminder for us lgbts in America, as we strive for equality, to not take the freedoms we do have for granted.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Pope Benedict XVI met with the Roman Catholic hierarchy of Uganda at the Vatican last Friday and delivered a speech but said nothing about the anti-gay bill.

Supposedly there are several reasons why the Pope made no mention of the bill:

There are several reasons why Benedict may not have mentioned the anti-gay bill -- or rather the broader issue of human rights and protections for homosexuals and love of the sinner, since for diplomatic reasons the pope would not target a specific piece of legislation. One is that he may not be aware of the legislation or the controversy. Another is that his aides know that if he raised the issue it would become the lead of every story. There is also concern that having religious leaders outside Uganda speak out against the popular bill would backfire and ensure its passage.

Moreover, the bishops themselves may have asked the Vatican to refrain from addressing the issue (though that has not always stopped the pope from speaking his mind) since they are in the tricky position of trying to maintain the church's position in Uganda in the face of serious challenges from conservative evangelicals and Pentecostals, as well as Muslims, who are far more severe in their approach to homosexuals than the Catholic Church is.

Of course maybe he felt it was a little too close to home. After all, the creators and supporters of the bill falsely claimed that the bill was in response to gays targeting children.
And we all know the real situation regarding molestation in the Catholic church.

Whatever the case may be, the Pope's silence on this potential genocide of gays and lesbians in Uganda reveals a serious lack of courage in a someone who is supposed to be possibly the top religious leader in the world.

There is only one word for it - sad.

South Carolina House of Representatives votes to cut ALL HIV/AIDS funding

What the hell is wrong with South Carolina?

Last Thursday, the SC House of Representatives did something so wrong that words cannot convey how I feel about it:

The South Carolina House voted Thursday to cut all HIV/AIDS funding from the budget, a funding issue that could affect thousands of South Carolinians.

The South Carolina HIV/AIDS Care Crisis Task Force reports there are more than 14,000 people living in the state who have tested positive for HIV or AIDS. About 3,000 people rely on government funds for medications.

 . . . Dr. Bambi Gaddist of the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Care Crisis Task Force says when state funding began in 2006, more than 600 people were on a waiting list for medicine. Four of those people died.

Currently South Carolina ranks 8th in newly diagnosed HIV cases and that is up from last year when it ranked  number nine. And new infections are hitting young black and bisexual gay men at an ugly rate.
But none of these things seem to be a matter of concern to the South Carolina Legislature.

Apparently it's not enough for South Carolina to be nationally embarrassed by our "Argentinian trailwalking" Governor, our Lt. Governor who doesn't know the difference between stray animals and poor folks and our national Congressman who mistakes the President's speech with Showtime At The Apollo.

We are now entering territory where thing aren't funny anymore. I sincerely doubt that The Daily Show can find anything funny about this dereliction of duty by South Carolina's government to its constituents.

Let's be honest here. The elimination of HIV funding is the culmination of piss poor management by South Carolina's governing body. And worse, it shows where the state's priorities are. It's an ugly indictment on the hypocrisy of the supposed Bible belt region.

It is written that Jesus healed the sick, but I guess things have changed to the point that those who claim to be his followers have no problems with ignoring the sick.

Big hat tip to Rod 2.0 Beta.

Wanda Sykes - the cure for a blah Monday

Even before she came out, Wanda Sykes was a favorite comedian of mine. Her coming out merely added another dimension to her immense talents. If only other famous lgbts of color who are in the closet would take the hint:

Will and Grace's Sean Hayes states the obvious and other Monday midday news briefs

Sean Hayes: I Am Who I Am - I am more shocked about this one than I was about Clay Aiken (sarcasm alert). But he is right - he was NEVER in the closet. However, cue the "he still should have made some type of statement" backlash in T-minus 10 . . . 9 . . . 8

Lisa Miller Pal/ CWA Member Linda Wall: A Modern Day Harriet Tubman?? - Harriet Tubman only if Harriet Tubman was a hypocritical, lying woman who fought to keep families apart.

Former Santa Cruz lesbian partners settle paternity suit - A happy ending is always good.

Florida Lawmaker Attempts To Deny Tax Credit To Movies Filmed With Gay Characters - Lawd, lawd, lawd!

Pundits and think tanks are giving me nightmares

I'd like to interrupt my regularly scheduled deconstruction of religious right lies for a moment to talk about this situation which has been on my mind for a few days. Please indulge me.

Recently, Fox News pundit, the perpetually inaccurate Bill Kristol admitted that he didn’t watch President Obama’s healthcare summit with Republicans claiming that “he has a life.”

However, this didn’t preclude him from giving his opinion in regards to the effectiveness of the summit.

And none of his colleagues had the temerity to ask “if you didn’t watch the summit, then how can you comment on it?” Rather they took what I thought to be an egregious error in journalistic etiquette in stride.

This little observed incident just brings into focus the fact that while all of the rage seems to be giving  hell to Washington politicians, the Washington media is escaping a much deserved scathing.

Every time I switch (very briefly) to cable news, I can’t help thinking that true journalism is dead. Or to turn a phrase in order to better emphasize my point, the Washington media is slowly being tortured to death due by a constant immersion into a self-sustaining cesspool populated by think-tank sycophants and trust fund babies so secure in their jobs that they don’t even attempt to have the decency to disguise the brand of phony goods they are trying to sell to the American people

And let's not forget the self-important newscasters who rarely call out either of these groups on their deceptions.

The problem is not all of these folks have something to say about the state of affairs in Washington but the fact that all of them seem to have an “angle” and nothing remotely looking like the truth is contained in that angle.

I’m very serious when I ask the simple question of who can you trust to give you the uncorrupted truth about our government instead of a list of talking points and phrases which you continuously hear until you find yourself repeating them in your sleep.

And while I’m asking questions, allow me to ask a few more:

Just what constitutes a “senior policy analyst” for some organization with a fancy sounding name - an organization which very few Americans have heard of but seem to have deep pockets of resources thanks to clandestine millionaires with more money than sense?

And on what grounds is there to put this same “senior policy analyst” on a show repeatedly even if the powers that be who book the show know that the self-same analyst is not going to be objective in his or her commentary?

Or in the case of Bill Kristol, going to be staggeringly inaccurate and biased.

And how can we trust political books which place high on the New York Times bestseller list when we know that they have been bought in bulk copies simply to drive up their ratings? And what’s more, how is it that more noise isn’t made about this ridiculous practice?

Americans seem to have a justifiable problem with Washington politicians and the lobbyists bending their ears for influence. But our anger isn’t going far enough. We really need to take a critical look and ask even more critical questions about the pundits and think tanks and especially news entities which are supposed to be giving us the truth about the Washington politicians and the lobbyists. Because from where I stand, they are a major part of the problem.

And I have one more question.

Is there any way we can resurrect Edward R. Murrow?

Know Your LGBT History - Midnight Cowboy

With Oscars coming up Sunday, you all probably think that I'm going to mention Brokeback Mountain.

Guess again.

I want to talk about a legendary award-winning movie strictly because it contained one of the most repulsive anti-gay scenes in the history of cinema.

Midnight Cowboy (1969) tells the story of two oddballs in the city of New York; one played by Jon Voight thinks that he has what it takes to be a gigolo. The other, played by Dustin Hoffman, is an asthmatic loser who acts as his pimp.

For some reason, this movie was a monster critical hit, winning several Oscars including Best Picture.

I found the movie to be scuzzy and squalor and one scene stands out in a horrid way.

Voight's character needs money for a bus trip to take Hoffman to a warmer climate before the New York weather kills him.

To do so, he allows himself to be picked up by a self-hating gay man played by Barnard Hughes.

The following scene, starting at 5:55 just turns my stomach.

I know many gay men and in that number there are a few which I despise. But I hope that NONE of them ever end up like Hughes's character:



Past Know Your LGBT History postings:

Know Your LGBT History - Dracula's Daughter

Know Your LGBT History - Blacula

Know Your LGBT History - 3 Strikes

Know Your LGBT History - Paris Is Burning

Know Your LGBT History - The Women

Know your LGBT History - Soul Plane

Know Your LGBT History - The Player's Club

Special Know Your LGBT History - Fame

Know Your LGBT History - Welcome Home, Bobby

Know Your LGBT History - Barney Miller

Know your lgbt history - The Jerry Springer Show

Know your lgbt history - Martin Lawrence and that 'gay guy' on his show

Know your lgbt history - The Ricki Lake Show

Know your lgbt history - Which Way Is Up

Know your lgbt history - Gays in Primetime Soaps

Know your lgbt history - Boys Beware

Know your lgbt history - The Boondocks

Know your lgbt history - Mannequin

Know your lgbt history - The Warriors

Know Your LGBT History - New York Undercover

Know Your LGBT History - Low Down Dirty Shame

Know Your LGBT History - Fortune and Men's Eyes

Know your lgbt history - California Suite

Know your lgbt history - Taxi (Elaine's Strange Triangle)

Know your lgbt history - Come Back Charleston Blue

Know your lgbt history - James Bond goes gay

Know your lgbt history - Windows

Know your lgbt history - To Wong Foo and Priscilla

Know your lgbt history - Blazing Saddles

Know your lgbt history - Sanford and Son

Know your lgbt history - In Living Color

Know your lgbt history - Cleopatra Jones and her lesbian drug lords

Know your lgbt history - Norman, Is That You?

Know your lgbt history - The 'Exotic' Adrian Street

Know your lgbt history - The Choirboys

Know your lgbt history - Eddie Murphy

Know your lgbt history - The Killing of Sister George

Know your lgbt history - Hanna-Barbera cartoons pushes the 'gay agenda

'Know your lgbt history - Cruising

Know your lgbt history - Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones

Know your lgbt history - I Got Da Hook Up

Know your lgbt history - Fright Night

Know your lgbt history - Flowers of Evil

The Jeffersons and the transgender community

Catholic sex scandal, more attacks on Kevin Jennings, and Victoria Jackson has lost her %$!@ mind

Vatican Hit By Gay Sex Scandal - And us gays and lesbians trying to live our lives in peace are the bad guys to the Catholic Church. Talk about a topsy-turvy world.

'Defamation-spouting, fallacy-supporting' - When all of their attempts to defame Kevin Jennings have failed, this is what the Family Research Council is reduced to.

SNL alumni Victoria Jackson needs prayer - the next time one of those teabaggers or annoying anti-Obamites claim that their criticism of the president has been misconstrued, show them the following video. It is NOT a parody:



And no, President Obama is NOT a communist. I sincerely doubt that Jackson even knows what that word means. But here is are words she should know the meaning of - mental patient.

Gay KKK - Funny or offensive?

This is a short clip but I want your opinion on it. Is it funny or offensive?(I'm embarrassed to say that I laughed my head off).

Jon Stewart says what the media is too chicken@#$! to say about Fox News

I've come to the conclusion that I shouldn't worry about Fox News. Everyone knows the network is biased and is trying to undermine President Obama but I guess desensitization has set in.

More than anything, Fox News being able to get away with it's nonsense simply emphasizes how corrupt the Washington media is. There are too many former campaign workers, trust fund babies and thinktank bloodsuckers masquerading as journalists.

To wit, Fox News will continue to get away with what it does until the network causes some serious damage. Then watch how these same lazy newspeople wring their hands in mock sadness as they proclaim they "never figured that Fox News's bullshit would culminate into something tragic."

But what do you think would be the end result of comparing the President to Hitler, claiming that he is make America less safe, is buying votes for health care, etc. etc.?

In the meantime, thank goodness for people like Jon Stewart who does the job that the news media is supposed to do:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Anchor Management
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Reform

Who is holding up Chai Feldblum's nomination? and other Thursday midday news briefs

Which Senator Has a Secret 'Hold' on Gay Nominee Chai Feldblum? - And the coward won't reveal him/herself. Why am I not surprised?

Peter LaBarbera Running For GOP Seat - Scary, isn't it?

Democrats vow quick end to 'don't ask, don't tell' as Senate bill is introduced - We will see what happens.

Our Nation's Policies Will Now Be Determined Solely By The FDA - This just in - Matt Barber is nuts.

Donohue: When It Comes to Gays, the GOP Gets All Jittery and Inarticulate -Oh if only that were true.

Attacks on gay students no big deal to the religious right

The American Family Association's One News Now seems to be up in arms about the bill from Congressman Jared Polis which is aimed at stopping the bullying of gay students in America's schools:

Concern is rising over a bill in Congress that would provide special protections for students who claim they are discriminated against because of their "perceived sexual orientation."

Earlier this year, Colorado representative Jared Polis introduced a bill known as The Student Non-Discrimination Act, or H.R. 4530. The Democrat claimed the legislation would put homosexual students on "equal footing" with their peers, much as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act did for minorities and Title IX did for women.

Neal McCluskey (Cato Institute)But Neal McCluskey, associate director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute, believes the government is using this bill to try and give people protective status based on their class.

"When government starts to say, 'No, because you belong to this group you get extra protection,' that's very disturbing," he comments. "We want equal protection under the law."

McCluskey adds that this legislation holds a more specific problem.

"It's such a broad definition that any student who might say anything remotely critical about homosexual lifestyles, any opinion they might have, could be punished under this law," he explains. "And if they're not punished for expressing what's a totally valid opinion, then the school could be punished, and that simply isn't acceptable in a free society because it curbs people's free speech rights."

The article is standard example of how not to write a news story on so many levels. First of all, "concern is rising" from whom? I'd venture to say no one but those guillible to take in this article as truth.

Secondly, the article does not say just what "special" or "extra" protection gay students would receive."Special protection" is another way of saying "special rights," which is an old religious right talking point about gays and lesbians

Lastly, McCluskey's statement can be seen differently if one would add just a few changes:


McCluskey adds that this legislation holds a more specific problem.

"It's such a broad definition that any student who might say anything remotely critical about homosexual lifestyles (like calling a gay student a "faggot,") any opinion they might have, could be punished under this law," he explains. "And if they're not punished for expressing what's a totally valid opinion (like threatening the gay student with violence), then the school could be punished (for not protecting the gay student), and that simply isn't acceptable in a free society because it curbs people's free speech rights. (because students should be free to call gay students derogatory names or threaten their lives)."

Okay, maybe I took too many liberties with McCluskey's words but I did so to make a point about him and One News Now.

The bullying of gay students is a huge problem in our nation's schools. There are too many stories of children getting beat up or committing suicide because of homophobia.

And those are the stories we know about. Let us not forget the children who are forced to drop out of school because of the attacks against them - students who are robbed of an education and the ability of achieving their full potential simply because of the ignorance of other students and the inability of schools to address the problem.

It is an issue that needs to be tackled with intensity instead of being minimized by a pseudo Christian publication and a thinktank syncophant.

Related article:

'Smear the Queer': Gay Students Tell Their Stories

H.R. 4530 – The “Student Non-Discrimination Act” (SNDA)

Congratulations D.C.!

Stuff like this always gives me hope for the future. We are going to win this fight: