Federal judge orders Mobile probate judge to do his job, issue same-sex marriage licenses

First gay couple to marry in Mobile, Alabama. #ALmarriage http://t.co/zRHALOGrQT pic.twitter.com/OwYU6VUDaq
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) February 12, 2015

It's a good day to be gay, particularly in Alabama. Not only did Chief Justice Roy Moore get verbally ripped from one end to another during a CNN interview with Chris Cuomo, but less than an hour ago, a federal judge ordered the probate judge in Mobile, AL to begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses:

A federal judge on Thursday afternoon ordered Mobile County, Alabama to start issuing marriage licenses to gay couples, a ruling that could pave the way for other local officials across the state to follow suit.

In an eight-page decision, U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. Granade reiterated that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage had been struck down and clarified that Mobile County’s probate judge, Don Davis, had to adhere to that decision.

Shortly afterward, the Mobile county office that issues marriage licenses opened its windows, which had remained shuttered this week, to begin serving all couples.

Though Granade’s ruling only applies to Mobile County, gay rights groups hope it will provide clarity to probate judges in all 67 Alabama counties, more than half of whom refused to give out marriage licenses to gay couples this week even though same-sex marriage became legal in the state on Monday.

 . . .  It was Roy Moore, the state’s chief justice, who prompted the defiance of many probate judges by ordering them late Sunday not to issue licenses to same-sex couples.

'CNN's Chris Cuomo 'takes Roy Moore to church' during interview' & other Thursday midday news briefs

I heard a lot of positive buzz surrounding this interview. Apparently CNN's Chris Cuomo took Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore "to church." What do you think?

In other news:  

Coming Out At School Is Worth The Risk For LGBT Youth, Study Finds - Yes it is.  

NOM directly links its anti-gay, pro-discrimination cause to 1963 March on Washington - One wonders if NOM will complete the inaccurate analogy and find its own Bayard Rustin (i.e. the gay black man who coordinated the 1963 March on Washington). 

 Mississippi KKK Chapter Backs Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore In Anti-Gay Marriage Fight - Aw that's nice! Roy Moore has his own cheering section.

 Linda Harvey: This Valentine's Day, Fight Against LGBT Rights - Damn, Linda! Can't you do what the rest of us single people do on Valentine's Day - watch horror movies and porn.

The Erasure of 'Gay' From Black History & the Black Community Must Stop

Bayard Rustin

In celebration of Black History Month, the following piece I wrote and initially published by The Huffington Post is very appropriate. Throughout the piece are photos of famous lgbts of color:

As a gay African-American, I've heard the argument about how "you can't compare the gay civil rights movement to the African-American civil rights movement" more times than I care to count.
The constant so-called moral outrage of some African-American heterosexuals when the topic is mentioned has gotten me to the point where my mind automatically tunes out the monotonous drones of how supposed sinful homosexuals are "high jacking" the civil rights movement or how gays "can't compare their sin with black skin."

As such, I almost missed the epiphany which occurred two weeks ago.

Nell Carter

I was vaguely scanning comments on a conservative site by an anonymous African-American female as she went on and on about how gays were never subjected to slavery, segregation or declared three fifths a person. While the logical side of my mind was gathering up the customary argument of how wrong it was for disadvantaged people of any stripe to play the "Oppression Olympics," the emotional side of my mind struck immediately.

"This is the most ignorant crap I've ever heard," I thought. "Just where in the hell does she think gay black people were during slavery and segregation? On a spaceship orbiting the Earth? "

I was instantly struck by oddity of what I had thought. Not that my outrage wasn't coming from a place of truth, mind you, but how the simple fact never entered my mind that yes, gay people were subjected to slavery, segregation and racism because of our skin. Just as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people of color exist now, we existed back then. Then it suddenly struck me again that I've never recalled any acknowledgement of this fact during the myriad of discussions, I've read, listened to or seen regarding comparisons between the gay and civil rights movements.

And why is that?

Older gays give advice, younger gays should pay attention

Part of the mission of this blog is to provide our lgbt children with encouragement and strength as they navigate through life. With that in mind, this video courtesy of Buzzfeed of older gays giving advice is pure awesome:

'New Jersey case could destroy 'ex-gay' therapy' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

New Jersey Judge Slaps Down Ex-Gay Group: Being Gay Is Not A ‘Mental Disorder’ - There are just so many sweet spots about this case, but the best is that it is happening slowly, therefore the humiliation of ex-gay therapy is happening in delicious slow motion. 

This court ruling could mean the end of gay conversion therapy - And the repercussions would be like "so much crushed velvet."

 Gov. Robert Bentley doesn't want same-sex marriage disputes to hurt Alabama's image like 1960s did - I got some bad news for you, Gov. Bentley. We are waaaaay past that territory.

 Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback Rescinds Anti-Discrimination Protections For LGBT State Workers - Gov. Brownback isn't exactly known for being the lgbt community's best friend so I'm surprised that it took him THIS LONG to show his true color.  

How Conservatives Are Pushing Liberals Out Of Christianity - This is an important piece because some conservatives are pushing the lgbt community out of Christianity. The final judge is always God, so Man's talk of who is or isn't a Christian is always immaterial.  

Bill O'Reilly Invites Hate Group Representative To Attack SPLC After Ben Carson Added To "Extremist Files" - And they all play dodge ball. Sooner or later, that ball will get them. You can only dodge the truth for so long. 

 Alabama Marriage Mess Shows Dangers Of Distorted 'Religious Liberty' Claims - A serious plus in this Alabama marriage equality mess.

Anti-gay groups attempting to push new, error-filled study on gay parenting

Having learned absolutely nothing from their attempts to push through a soon discredited study  during the DOMA trial two years ago, anti-gay groups and conservatives are at it again.

According to Zack Ford from Think Progress:

Conservatives are excitedly promoting a new study that supposedly reveals negative outcomes for the children of same-sex parents. Like the infamously flawed Mark Regnerus study rushed out two years ago, the new study seems timed to impact the Supreme Court’s upcoming consideration of marriage equality for same-sex couples. It suffers, however, from some of the same flaws and biases as Regnerus’ study, and doesn’t actually support the argument against marriage equality that it tries to make.

The new study comes from Donald Paul Sullins, a Catholic priest and sociology professor at Catholic University of America. Sullins is a fellow of the Marriage and Religion Research Institute, a project of the anti-LGBT Family Research Council, and a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, which has funneled millions of dollars into fighting marriage equality over the past decade.

Those facts should destroy the study's credibility from the beginning, but in this environment of headless monsters (i.e. inaccuracies which continue to be propped up as fact no matter how many times they have been refuted), it's best that the beast, or this new so-called study, is completely refuted. And Zack does a wonderful job at pointing out its errors, including:

There is no information whether or not the same-sex couples were married,

The study has the same flaws as the infamous Regnerus study,

and lastly:

As a vehicle for opposing same-sex marriage, the study severely lacks integrity, as its political positions don’t jibe with its data. “Biology matters,” Regnerus asserts, and Sullins emphasizes that his study identifies “the importance of common biological parentage for optimum child well-being.” Nowhere, however, does Sullins or Regnerus suggest that this has any policy implications for adoption or foster care by different-sex couples. It might be a hard case to make given Sullins has two adopted children of his own.

The attempt to push this flawed work underscores the simple fact that the lgbt community shouldn't take anything as a given. The feeling now is that the Supreme Court will legalize marriage equality nationwide. However, with opposition so willing to stop this from being a reality and determined to stoop to all sorts of levels of distortion, it would serve the lgbt community to not be so quick to set wedding dates and be more inclined with remaining on the lookout for more distortions, smears, and lies.

'Complaints filed against AL probate judge for refusing same-sex marriage licenses' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Complaints filed against probate judge for refusing same-sex marriage licenses - Yes! If your refusal to do your job robs folks of their hard-won rights, you pay the price.  

Jeffress: Gay Marriage Is 'The Greatest Sign Of The End Times That We See In Our Country Right Now' - Whatever happened to the good old days when doom-and-gloom prophets looked the part. Somehow appearing on television shows, radio shows and in front of scores of folks while dressed like a GQ model (and I haven't even mentioned the bank account) kinda paints you as not credible.

South Dakota Lawmaker Says It Was A ‘Significant Error’ To Allow Transgender Student Athletes - For Pete's sake, stop picking on our transgender children! 

 Alabama marriage equality tantrum slap in the face to all Americans - From time to time, I will include posts I've already written in the news briefs because I feel said post makes a point which should be shared as much as possible. This is such a post. We need to emphasize the following point continuously: "Exploiting your religious faith to get your way when you lose in federal court is not American."  

How 'Respectablity Politics' Muted The Legacy Of Black LGBT Activist Pauli Murray - Another lgbt of color historical figure we don't know about yet . . .

Alabama marriage equality tantrum slap in the face to all Americans

“I will never perform a so-called same-sex marriage. A federal court can put me in jail for life, and I will still never perform a so-called same-sex marriage. As a believer in the Word of God… I cannot in good conscience participate in a purported marriage ceremony which I strongly believe would profane the sacred institution of marriage.”

 “This is not about hating people. Each of us needs to treat every other human being with dignity and respect, regardless of our diametrically opposing viewpoints on this divisive issue. But tolerance is a two-way street. Either there is tolerance for all or there is tolerance for none. I want tolerance for my personal religious viewpoint.”

Alabama Probate Judge John Enslen  thinks that not only his personal religious beliefs supersedes federal law and the rights of United States citizens who fairly win their court cases, but also mandates that he should get away with the dereliction of his sworn duty on the taxpayer's dime, even if some of those taxpayers are the people whose rights he is deliberately ignoring.

Regardless how anyone feels about marriage equality, it is an issue which is being decided fairly by the federal courts. We are not a theocracy but a secular nation of laws - - laws whose constitutionality are generally decided in the courts. Those states who oppose marriage equality have been unable to provide proof as to the constitutionality of their laws. Plain and simple. That's why they are losing. In spite of all of their rhetoric about "activist judges" and "black robed tyrants," those against marriage equality have provided no proof that any chicanery has been going on. Heck, they can't provided proof that their policies against marriage equality is sound. That's why they are throwing tantrums now. Because they don't have any other options.

But this next step Probate Justice Enslen, and a few other judges in Alabama are taking is dangerous to not only the rights of same-sex couples, but all United States citizens.

If state judges can get away with ignoring a federal ruling simply because they do not agree with said ruling on whatever grounds, they are giving themselves precedent to ignore any and all federal rulings they do not agree with.
Today it's marriage equality. Who knows what it may be tomorrow?

If this mockery of our legal system is not contained now, we are going to see lots of trouble in the future . . . and with other things besides marriage equality.

Exploiting your religious faith to get your way when you lose in federal court is not American. And it's certainly not Christian.

AL Chief Justice Roy Moore throws facebook tantrum over success of marriage equality

For the most part (we still have to work on a couple of things), marriage equality has successfully come to Alabama.

And that leaves state chief justice Roy Moore in an ugly mood. Moore has been very vocal against the federal decision and last night, tried a last ditch effort - an unsuccessful last ditch effort - to stop it.

Seeing that his plan failed, Moore posted an unbelievably vicious post on Facebook. It has since been taken down but Right Wing Watch saved a copy of it:

And apparently he wasn't done yet:

Moore also posted a statement from his wife, Kayla, who leads the Foundation for Moral Law, a legal group founded by Moore. Kayla Moore’s statement cites Leviticus to condemn homosexuality as an abomination and slam the federal court’s ruling.

 “Founded by Chief Justice Roy Moore, The Foundation for Moral Law's goal is to be the sword of the spirit for Christians all over who don't want to see Alabama or America become the next Sodom and Gomorrah,” she said. “We will continue our battle against evil, and judicial immorality.”

 She called on gay people and their allies to turn away from their “sexual lust” and turn to God:

 “Today the sacred institution of marriage is being destroyed by the LGBT community and liberal politicians who ‘want change’ as did our President; and they make their rulings based on their emotions and not law. Every human being wants to find meaning in their life, some find it in religion, some find it in material things, certain people find it in sexual lust; however, all they need is Jesus Christ. We as Christians do not condemn homosexuals; instead we point them toward eternal life through Christ Jesus.” 

I know there is an eagerness to call Moore and his wife names and laugh at their folly. However, let's be analytical about this. Moore actually did us a favor.

People on his side of the argument have been careful to shield the simple fact that their disagreement with marriage equality is one deriving from simple homophobia.

"It's about protecting marriage," they say to us. "We have no problems with homosexuals living the way they want, but they have no right to redefine marriage for the rest of us."

Moore proves that  behind the careful rhetoric and talking points, the disagreement with marriage equality has always been about animus against the lgbt community.

Animus and homophobia can't stand up in court and that's the reason why Moore's side is losing the argument in the courts.

'Roy Moore FAILS to stop marriage equality from coming to Alabama' & other Monday midday news briefs

Supreme Court Refuses To Stop Gay Marriages In Alabama - In the words of a good friend of mine - "Roy Moore, your face is cracked . . . and on the ground." 

Same-Sex Couples Begin Marrying In Alabama After U.S. Supreme Court Action - More information regarding what just happened in Alabama, including pictures of the happy couples getting married. This is soooo cool! 

 Judge Hands Alabama Same-Sex Couple Roy Moore's Order Instead Of Marriage License - HOWEVER, there are some judges who need to get with the program.

Southern Poverty Law Center Adds Ben Carson To List As An Anti-LGBT Extremist - About time, too. Carson has been losing his mind.  

Florida Lawmaker Says Using Restroom Is A Choice For Transgender People - . . . . WHAAAAT!!!!  

 Sam Smith conquers Grammys with four top awards - Let's not forget last night's very significant moment. An openly gay young singer wins four Grammys and pretty much everyone is happy. Wouldn't have happened when I WAS Sam Smith's age.

AL Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore orders state officials to not issue same-sex couple marriage licenses

Moore

I just got this tip from Joe Jervis' site.  After clamoring for so long for someone to actively defy federal court decisions for marriage equality, the anti-gay right has found their hero. And it's an old ally of theirs:

Via Huntsville's NBC affiliate:


Late Sunday night, Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore issued an order in which he instructs state probate judges to neither issue nor recognize a marriage license for same-sex couples.

The order states, "Effective immediately, no Probate Judge of the State of Alabama nor any agent or employee of any Alabama Probate Judge shall issue or recognize a marriage license that is inconsistent with Article 1, Section 36.03, of the Alabama Constitution or § 30-1-19, Ala. Code 1975."

It continues to say that if any probate judge fails to follow the state constitution, "it would be the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer of the State of Alabama, Governor Robert Bentley... to ensure the execution of the law."

The 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta rejected the State of Alabama's request to issue a stay pending an appeal of the State's ban on gay marriage. That rejection paves the way for same-sex marriages to begin on Monday.

 WAFF has a crew working to uncover more details and is in contact with experts to determine what impact this order may have for couples preparing to wed Monday morning.

Moore's action comes a day after a small number of those opposing marriage equality gathered on the state capitol building to protest the federal court's decision.

What happens next is anyone's guess but needless to say things just got a bit hairy in Alabama. No doubt, anti-gay organizations such as the Family Research Council and the National Organization for Marriage as well as personalities such as Fox News's Todd Starnes will rally folks to Moore's side.

However, Moore cannot trump federal court decisions.  Also, what he has done just transcended marriage equality and rooted itself in stickier territory.

State judges, or anyone else for that matter, cannot just decide to defy federal court decisions simply because they disagree with them. If Moore is allowed to get away with this when it comes to marriage equality, he reduces and trivializes our very legal system.

'Anti-gay activist accuses Katy Perry of 'pushing' homosexuality, Satanism during Super Bowl halftime show' & other Friday midday news briefs

Linda Harvey: Katy Perry's 'Firework' Promotes Satanism, Super Bowl Halftime Show Pushed 'Homosexual Agenda' - Let me guess . . . it was the sharks.  

This Evangelical Radio Host Is Making The RNC's Israel Trip Pretty Awkward - The Bryan Fischer/RNC Israel trip controversy rages on. They were asked told not to do it and only Reince Preibus listened.

My Transgender Life -- Transitioning at Age 64 - A fascinating and very important story.  

'Public Discourse' helps Supreme Court see religious animus that drives anti-equality movement - Oh yeah. No animus towards lgbts here. When those who oppose you help your argument, don't interrupt.  

Duke And Steve's Story From The Let Love Define Family Series - Speaking of which, now that we have heard from the liars with regards to same-sex families, let's shed some truth on the matter with this family.

Judge knocks down anti-gay 'experts' during SPLC lawsuit

While there is so much attention focused on marriage equality and the question of 'religious liberty,' the Southern Poverty Law Center is pushing a lawsuit which could have far-reaching effects on the so-called "ex-gay" industry.

And after what happened in court yesterday, things look like they are in SPLC's favor.

According to a press release from the organization:

A New Jersey judge ruled today that several prominent proponents of gay-to-straight conversion therapy will not be allowed to testify in an SPLC consumer-fraud case against a conversion therapy organization.

Superior Court Judge Peter F. Bariso Jr. excluded Joseph Nicolosi, Christopher Doyle, Dr. James Phelan and Dr. John Diggs as witnesses for the defense, holding that their opinions are based on the false premise that homosexuality is a disorder.

Bariso wrote that “the theory that homosexuality is a disorder is not novel but – like the notion that the earth is flat and the sun revolves around it – instead is outdated and refuted.”

. . .  The 2012 SPLC lawsuit, filed on behalf of former JONAH clients and two parents of former clients, charges that JONAH, its founder Arthur Goldberg and counselor Alan Downing violated New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act. It claims JONAH used deceptive practices to lure the plaintiffs into their services, which can cost some clients more than $10,000 per year.

SPLC's press release also points out how each failed witness would have contributed to the defense's case.

'GOP leaders to appear in wacky, offensive anti-gay documentary' & other Thursday afternoon news briefs

Editor's note - Sorry about the delay on today's news briefs. Long story. Anyway . . .

Anti-gay activist Janet Porter is apparently making the anti-gay version of "Around The World in 80 Days." That is to say the documentary she is working on (in which she AGAIN claims that gays are working to criminalize Christians) will feature cameos from almost every anti-gay activist in the business and some Congressional leaders, including:

 Rep. Steve King, Rep. Trent Franks, Rep. Louie Gohmert, Rep. Tim Huelskamp, Sen. Rand Paul, Mike Huckabee, David Barton, James Dobson, Mat Staver, Phyllis Schlafly, Scott Lively, Alveda King, Brian Camenker, Frank Pavone, Robert Knight, John Stemberger, and, of course, Porter herself, who can been seen walking around in the woods with a lantern, warning that gay activists are seeking to turn Christians into criminals. 

As the above video preview shows, the documentary would be hilariously bad except for the fact that these folks are serious with their false claims.  And Porter wants churches to see it. Notice the African-American man at 2:27 who claims that gay/straight alliances are clubs about sex. He is John R. Diggs, yet another phony "expert," who published a seriously flawed, vulgarly inaccurate paper on supposed gay sex habits. Apparently,  Porter seems to also attempting to cram every homophobic stereotype in this documentary.


Republican Leaders Join Anti-Gay Extremists For Insane Documentary - As mentioned above, there will be some Congressional leaders who will be joining Porter in this documentary. And possibly some prospective Republican presidential candidates. And just who is Porter you ask? Well I've featured her many times but Right Wing Watch has this excellent break down of her "exploits." You are going to have read about her "activities and claims for yourself because all of that crazy would make my blog self-destruct. Needless to say there will be some Republican presidential candidates who may have lots of explaining to do.

Mike Huckabee had no reason to link pedophilia to homosexuality in his new book—he just did. - Speaking of Republican presidential candidates, Jeremy Hooper just gave me a good idea for a question reporters need to ask Huckabee - "Mr. Huckabee, why is it that when you talk about the gay community, often times a mention about pedophilia doesn't seem to be far behind?"

Pope Francis Announces Support For Banning Same-Sex Marriage And Adoption - Why is the Pope running hotter and colder than my last boyfriend?

The Ugly, Hateful Result Of The Anti-Gay “Religious Liberty” Debate - or how one can attempt to play the 'religious liberty' card to excuse just about any negative thing said about lgbts.

Attack on same-sex families reaches new low with so-called 'poster children'

Robert Oscar Lopez

Zack Ford from Think Progress has given us a window into the very definition of  desperation and evil.

Anti-marriage equality groups know that they failed to stop marriage equality in the courts in part because of our families. Therefore as a part of a new tactic, they drudged up four individuals who claimed that they were harmed by being raised in same-sex households.

However, there is nothing new or outstanding about these four folks. In fact, they are known, particularly Robert Oscar Lopez,  for their unsubstantiated accusations and ridiculously vindictive comments about lgbts and particularly same-sex families.

I doubt the tactic will work, but it emphasizes the desperation and unbridled ugliness that some so-called moral groups and individuals will stoop to in order to keep gays from marrying and having families:

As the Supreme Court prepares to take up the issue of same-sex marriage for perhaps the last time, opponents are scrambling to make their final stand against marriage equality in the public square. This month, they are rallying behind four individuals who had a gay parent but who argue against marriage equality. Called the “quartet of truth” and heralded by anti-LGBT groups like the Family Research Council, these adults spin a tale of trauma that they claim is representative of all children of same-sex couples.

 . . .  Each of the four, however, has a reputation that belies the LGBT-friendly facade of their connection to a gay parent. Klein uses multiple pseudonyms, including B.N. Klein, B.A. Newmark, and Rivka Edelman, to publish attacks on the LGBT community, particularly viciously anti-transgender rhetoric. Katy Faust runs a blog called, “AskTheBigot,” where she openly identifies as an evangelical Christian and espouses that “True Christianity” will “oppose the narrative that homosexuality is a ‘positive and normal’ variation of human sexuality.” Dawn Stefanowicz has happily shopped her story to anti-gay hate groups leaders like Peter LaBarbera and Matt Barber. And Robert Oscar Lopez, who identifies as bi but has disowned his same-sex attractions, regularly compares same-sex adoption to slave ownership and cultural genocide. In fact, all four indicate that their negative ideas about homosexuality presuppose their experience having a gay parent, and in some cases, the very reason they felt traumatized by having a gay parent was the idea that they would have to accept it.

 . . .  All four also tell stories of parents who divorced or separated — a parent entered a different-sex relationship, had children, then later began having same-sex relationships. Though some of them were raised for some period of time by a same-sex couple, it was only after the trauma of their birth parents’ separation. This is an identical tactic as was used in the widely-debunked study conducted by Mark Regnerus, which claimed to demonstrate inferior results for same-sex parenting by using the experiences of kids from split parents to implicate committed same-sex couples raising children together. Some of their stories also prey on anti-gay stereotypes because of experiences of physical and sexual abuse from their gay parent. In reality, because same-sex families are more likely to be planned, studies suggest those couples are actually less likely to abuse their children.

For the full story, see  The Full Story Of The ‘Poster Children’ Conservatives Are Using To Oppose Gay Marriage

Todd Starnes defusing anti-gay argument of 'religious liberty' with his numerous reporting errors

Todd Starnes

To be such a proponent of religious right bastardization of the term 'religious liberty,' Fox News personality Todd Starnes is making a litany of mistakes in his pursuit to give it credibility.

According to Media Matters, in writing about the recent case of the bakery in Oregon which got into trouble for refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex couple, Starnes made a huge error:

Fox News' Todd Starnes falsely reported that the Oregon bakers who refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple could face up to $200,000 in fines, badly misinterpreting local reports about the case, according to the state's Bureau of Labor and Industries.

On January 29, an administrative law judge in Oregon rejected a request from the lawyers representing Sweet Cakes by Melissa to dismiss a discrimination complaint filed against shop owners Aaron and Melissa Klein. The case has been ongoing since early 2013, when the bakers refused to provide a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in violation of the state's non-discrimination law. A March 10 hearing will determine what damages the couple is owed.

On February 3, Fox News reporter and serial misinformer Todd Starnes published his report on the Kleins' failed attempt to have the complaint dismissed, stating that the bakers could face $200,000 "in fines and damages"

Media Matters also points out that this led to a rebuke by Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) Communications Director Charlie Burr:

Todd Starnes is writing that the bakery owners face fines of up to $200,000 in damages. That's false. In fact, it's the Kleins who have asked for $200,000 in damages from our agency for our enforcement of the Equality Act. We rejected the request due to jurisdictional issues. The agency's prosecution unit is seeking up to $75,000 per person in damages, but no ruling on amounts has been made. [emphasis original]

Starnes has since corrected the error. However, in the same piece , he commits what can be debated to be a deliberate oversight.  The piece in question included is a listing of  how Christians are supposedly being persecuted for stances against marriage equality and the lgbt community. Of course Starnes includes the recent controversy involving former Atlanta fire chief Kelvin Cochran. Notice how he describes the situation:

Kelvin Cochran was fired from his job as the fire chief of Atlanta after he wrote a book that affirmed biblical morality. The book included references to homosexuality that angered the city’s LGBT community. The city’s mayor denied Cochran was let go because of his religious beliefs, but I believe the evidence seems to prove otherwise.

Starnes' description of the Cochran incident omitted a HUGE amount of information. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed was very detailed as to why Cochran was let go and this was reported in numerous places.  As a matter of fact, Mayor Reed's office released an internal report which said:

Cochran did not have permission to publish his book..

Cochran freely exploited his capacity as Atlanta's fire chief in the book, when in the past he disciplined firefighters for speaking in support of Chick-Fil-A while in their capacity as firefighters during the controversy in which its founder, Dan Cathy, made anti-gay comments.

While no witness could point to any incident in which Cochran unfairly treated his employees because of his religious beliefs, there was a sentiment of "distrust and disgust" and many felt that the booklet eroded trust and have compromised the ability of the chief to provide leadership in the future.

The point is Starnes felt the need to omit these details because they would have interfered with his anti-Christian persecution narrative.


This isn't the first time Starnes has gotten into trouble, even amongst Christian writers, for his penchant of omitting details and generally getting the story wrong in order to fit his narrative.

And I doubt that it will be the last.
 

'Anti-gay groups, supporters not totally unified on marriage equality tactics' & other Wednesday midday news briefs

Inside The Last-Ditch Conservative Campaign To Target LGBT Americans - Marriage equality isn't a reality yet, so I'm not dancing but this article is very interesting. The unity amongst the religious right is falling apart. 

Anti-gay group NOM: 'To deprive a child of [a mother and a father] is akin to orphaning them' - Meanwhile there has been a steady, underground attack on same-sex families. The good thing is that it isn't happening under our noses. Many of us lgbt bloggers know what's going on and we are merely observing for now. 

 If Brittany Newmark Klein wants to be a player, she should spine up and use her real name - For those who are curious about the last news brief, this one gives more detail.

Leading UK Evangelical Leader Comes Out As A Lesbian - Yet more evidence that there are some folks who are falsely appropriating the term "Christian." Being a Christian and an lgbt are identities which can overlap WITHOUT guilt or shame but with pride. 

 Manhattan Declaration’s Eric Teetsel: God May Let LGBT Equality Destroy Society - Somehow, I DOUBT that is going to happen.

LGBT History is Black History. Black History is LGBT History

Even yours truly can take time out from blogging, truth telling, and religious right spanking to note special occasions.

February is Black History Month and I love all celebrations with regards to my racial heritage . . . except for the fact that lgbts of color who have made positive historical marks are always omitted from mainstream Black History Month mentions.

Therefore, from time to time this month, I will be presenting videos, old blog posts of note, and various other things which will remind folks that lgbts of color played a huge role in the survival and progression of African Americans:



Unfortunately, as the video above demonstrates, even marginalized groups of people can accidentally practice the tactics which led to their own omission. I am aware and saddened by the fact that the video includes no African-American transgender brothers and sisters. However, rather than apologize about it, I thought I would improvise and include a few myself. My apologies to folks I may omit and please note that those below are only a very small representation of the wide variety of talent, intellect, and dignity African-American transgender brothers and sisters have brought to America:

Lucy Hicks Anderson - marriage equality pioneer

Kylar Broadus - Activist, attorney, professor

Monica Roberts - journalist, activist, good friend (I call her Cleopatra Jones behind her back).

Miss Major Griffin Gracy - participant at Stonewall

Tiq Milan - Senior Media Strategist of National News, GLAAD

Kye Allums - NCAA Divison 1 basketball star

'Why Nancy Reagan turned down Rock Hudson's plea for help before he died' & other Tuesday midday news briefs

Nancy Reagan Turned Down Rock Hudson’s Plea For Help Nine Weeks Before He Died - Easily one of the best, saddest, and most thorough stories I have ever read. And know this - regardless of your opinion after reading it, this is only the beginning.  There will be more stories like this coming out.  Whether or not HIV/AIDS is cured (and I hope that it is), future generations will view it in the same light as racism - an ugly physical manifestation brought to life by our egos, religious exploitations and ignorance; a ghost which will never be fully exorcised; an undying ravenous minotaur in a labyrinth which can never be destroyed. And the actions of those who could have slayed the beast in its infancy, but chose not to, will be put in the spotlight .  

Eleventh Circuit won’t halt Alabama same-sex marriages - Roy Moore. You are not stopping this.

Churches in Mountain Home, Ark. refuse funeral for gay man - There will more on this story in the Dallas Voice on Friday. When I hear about things like this, I don't get angry. I get sad because these folks will answer to God for their judgment.  

Jon Stewart rips into Mike Huckabee’s outrageous remarks about same-sex marriage - Thank you Jon Stewart for doing what the media should have but DID NOT do. 

 Oregon Bakery Found Culpable For Anti-Gay Discrimination, Could Face $150,000 Fine - I posted about this last night but Zack Ford from Think Progress gives a much better analysis.

Montana pastor: Why not discriminate against gays. We discriminate against child molestation

Folks who claim that we lgbts are too pushy and or can't handle "disagreement" with our supposed lifestyle don't know what we know and they certainly don't hear what we hear.

And most of all, they don't take into account how certain things which are said affects our lgbt children.

What I am talking about is this awful video below from January in which a Montana pastor spoke to lawmakers in opposition of a non-discrimination bill:

Partial Transcript:

 “I am here primarily as representative of myself and my family, most specifically my children, and that wouldn’t change if one of my children were to come forward and announce themselves as homosexual,” Steve Boettger of the First Baptist Church of Cascade said at the hearing.

“I firmly believe I do not have to agree with someone’s behavior in order to continue loving them.” “We do, as a culture and as a people, discriminate against behavior, and whether it is voluntary, innate, in-born, a choice, it is really not relevant to the point that it is indeed behavior,” he explained.

“For instance, we discriminate against incest. We discriminate against child molestation. We discriminate against a long list of behaviors that have long been believed to be wrong.”

 “I don’t understand how it is we could possibly disagree with what thousands of years have said, that most people have agreed is wrong. I think it is easy to understand that every advancement of this agenda… comes at the expense of what our founders, who I believe were right, set forth as our first right, and that is the right of religious expression.”

Mr. Boettger seems to forget that historically, segregation and the second-class status of women was thought to be a part of correct "religious expression." As for  the rest of his speech, it always amazes me when folks reduce lgbts to their fevered sexual imaginations or compare us to pedophiles and then act all shocked when we take offense.

Saying you love someone before ripping away their humanity is merely a facade. It's no different than expressing love before you proceed to punch out of your partner.

Lgbts don't need nor do we want love like that and personally if I DID want love like that, I would pay my mother to pistol whip me (apologies to Suzanne Sugarbaker).

By the way,the bill was voted down 7-5 thanks to the Republicans who were against it.

Hat tip to Raw Story.