I expect simple behaviours here. Friendship, and love. Any advice should be from the perspective of the person asking, not the person giving! We have had to make new membership moderated to combat the huge number of spammers who register
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
By Mark Singer (Washington DC) DEC 22 | This morning before a packed audience in the Sydney Yates auditorium, at the U. S. Department of the Interior building in Washington D.C., President Barack Obama signed the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" into law.
Vice President Joe Biden opened the ceremony saying, "Good morning folks-It's a great Day." The Vice-President went on to praise the fact that now "brave Gay & Lesbians" will be now be able to "openly defend this country around the globe."
Echoing the words used in the congressional testimony of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, several times over the past year, Biden called it both militarily and politically the right thing to do. He then acknowledge the Admiral who was greeted with enthusiastic applause by the audience. Then as he introduced the President of the United States, with whom he praised as providing the leadership to get the job done in removing the policy, the audience erupted into chanting of "Yes We Can" and shouts of "Thank You Mr. President" as the president stepped onto the stage.
Mr. Obama acknowledged the applause, repeating that- "it's a good day."The president in the beginning of his remarks, mentioning in historical reference of a day 66 year ago today-The Battle of The Bulge- specifically the 80th infantry division of Patton's U. S. 3rd Army. Mr. Obama spoke of one unit of the 80th which came under fire, exposing and making hundreds of soldiers vulnerable, a member of that unit, a private Lloyd Corwin tumbled down into an icy ravine during the firefight. The president said that one soldier turned back, a friend who turned back during the chaos and risked his own life to save Lloyd, Andy Lee. Lloyd gave Andy Lee full credit for saving him and it was only 40 years year later that he learned that his friend was Gay upon their being reunited for the first time, and Lloyd said that he didn't much care, he only knew what mattered was that Andy had saved his life. "Lloyd's son is in the audience" the president acknowledged as he mentioned that it was personal characteristics of bravery, integrity and willing to fight to preserve freedom, and not sexual gender that mattered.
Mr Obama told the audience that:
"I am proud to sign a law that will end Don't Ask-Don't Tell. It is a law that will strengthen our National Security. No longer will the United States be forced to lose skills and talents of thousands of people who would have to leave because they are Gay."
He then also acknowledged Admiral Mullen's words;
"Our people sacrifice a lot for our country they should not have to sacrifice their integrity, this is the right thing to do for our military, its the right thing to do for our country," he said.
The president then thanked the Congressional delegation in attendance standing on the stage behind him, praising House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, (D-CA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, (D-MD), and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, (D-NV) for their leadership. He then thanked Senators Joe Lieberman, (I-CT), Susan Collins, (R-ME), and the Chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Carl Levin, (D-MI) whom he noted was still working and not present. Then Mr. Obama made note of Representative Patrick Murphy,(D-PA), who had led the initiative in the U. S. House to pass the measure as a stand alone bill which was then passed by the Senate. The audience erupted again in cheers and applause for the Congressman.
The president singled out efforts by Defense Secretary Robert Gates as well as Admiral Mullen and praised the willingness of the five service chiefs to swiftly implement the policy. He also acknowledged the work and efforts of the Pentagon's study group, particularly its authors, without which the president said that repeal could not have been effected.
As Mr. Obama gave credit and appreciation to the veterans and active duty personnel in the room, thanking them for service, he also thanked those discharged under the policy and thanked the hard work of the LGBTQ activists present. The president then cautioned that the law was still in effect until he, the Defense Secretary, and Congress had certified that the implementation could be effected, but he also reiterated that the administration would not drag its feet to get the job done.
Mr. Obama then mentioned that there would be apprehension, but he said that as Commander In Chief there are ways to implement DADT without that much difficulty saying he had confidence in the members of the armed forces in their ability to change and work within the implementation of the repeal. He cited what he called his favorite quote from the Pentagon study whereby a participant of the study in Afghanistan on combat duty said:
"We have a Gay guy in our unit, he's big, he's mean, and he kills lots of bad guys and no one cares that he's Gay," which brought laughter and loud applause from the audience.
As President Obama addressed the Gays & Lesbians serving now, he talked about isolation, lies being lived, denial of freedoms, acknowledging the sacrifices made saying their would never be a full accounting of the contributions made by Gay servicemembers. He went on to talk about the Gays that had served in the Revolutionary War, at Gettysburg, at the front in the first world war, he spoke about those who now were at rest in Arlington National Cemetery saying that their sacrifices contributed to freedoms and liberties shared by all. They will stand as role models for those who come.
Mr. Obama made specific mention of openly Gay retired U. S. Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Alva, the first American wounded in the Iraq war, who valiantly served, followed by Captain John Hopkins, U. S. Army who earned a bronze star in Iraq and who received emails from his troops who said they knew he was Gay and didn't care after his discharge because of the DADT policy.
The president then told that those veterans discharged under the policy who wanted to serve, he wanted to invite them to reenlist and also added that all who want to serve into the ranks of the U. S. military are welcome. He finished, telling the audience:
"We are no longer a nation that says 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' we are a nation that says 'Out of many, one... and it's now my honor to sign this bill."
He then sat and signed the bill finishing to raucous applause and cheering from the audience, who chanted "USA-USA." Mr. Obama he left the stage and with the Vice-President accompanying him, greeted the audience shaking hands and posing for pictures.
Location: U.S.
Registered: November 2009
Messages: 630
Considering the debate over the posting of classified documents by Wikileaks, a story like this becomes especially disturbing once you realize how much like Swiss cheese the government computer systems are in this country:
This is not a new challenge for the American people, just a renewal of an old one. During the years of J. Edgar Hoover (head of the FBI) and Richard Nixon (a poor excuse for President in the 1970's) there were copious files kept on anyone who did a variety of things even vaguely considered subversive, and being gay was one of them.
In high school we used to write letters to the American Nazi Party in hopes that the FBI would add us to the list of subversives and thus we would not be allowed to serve in the military. It was a time when everyone was looking for a way to avoid the Vietnam War. BTW, it didn't work, damnit.
But today just having your name and personal information in a computer list somewhere is risky, Wikileaks proved that. Maybe they will write a report that says I chat on this forum. That would be nice, we could always use the publicity
[Updated on: Mon, 20 December 2010 20:25]
Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13751
http://tinyurl.com/2b2nza5 has the story of a UK member of the UK Youth Parliament (some weird idea to con kids into feeling involved with the country) who may or may not have displayed his tiny parts on a contact site and got suspended because of the allegations.
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
Wendy Walsh tells the story of how her gay thirteen year-old son, Seth, took his life after his school failed to keep other students from bullying him because of his sexual orientation.
The ACLU and Wendy Walsh are asking Seth's School, and all schools, to take steps to stop anti-LGBT harassment.
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
By Joe Jervis (New York, New York) DEC 6 | The Family Acceptance Project works to help "diverse families understand how to support their LGBT children." Here's one of their touching training videos. (There's a donation button at the link if you'd like to support their work.)
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) DEC 3 | There was once a time where it was safe to leave your front door unlocked, your kids could safely play in the neighborhood without fear or undue parental supervision, and folks were more concerned about the weather or so it seemed.
Am I waxing nostalgic? Not really, maybe yearning for a simpler time however.
A few days ago an FBI memo made the rounds here in DC among the press corps. Turns out, it was not meant for release to us but rather it was meant to go out to investigators across the spectrum of law enforcement in the United States.
What I read, absolutely sickened me and at the same time made me realise that the world we now reside in thinks the worst possible scenario first before considering anything else. My colleague at ABCNews, Emily Friedman brings this story from that FBI memo into perspective:
WASHINGTON- The FBI is warning against the potential misuse of a Barbie doll with video recording capabilities, cautioning that the popular toy could make it easier for sex offenders to surreptitiously film child pornography.
In a memo from the FBI that was mistakenly released to the press and obtained by ABC News, the FBI warned that the Barbie known as "Video Girl," which is equipped with the ability to capture thirty minutes of footage through a concealed camera in the necklace worn by the doll, could be a "pornography production method."
FBI Special Agent Steve Dupre from the Sacremento Field Office, where the memo -- dubbed a "Cyber Crime Alert" -- originated, declined to comment.
Mattel, the manufacturer of the doll, said in a written statement that the FBI has not said that there have been any incidents of this doll "being used as anything other than intended."
"Mattel products are designed with children and their best interests in mind," said the statement. "Many of Mattel's employees are parents themselves and we understand the importance of child safety – it is our number one priority."
But law enforcement sources close to the investigation into the doll tell ABC News that Barbie dolls have been known to be a used by sexual predators looking for ways to attract their young victims.
The combination of the concealed camera and the popular toy concerned officials, according to the source, who said law enforcement agencies nationwide were immediately made aware of the product.
Dr. N.G. Berrill, a forensic psychologist, said that the FBI's warning could serve to be helpful in preventing harm to unsuspecting children.
"It's the potential for surreptitious filming and the luring potential of the doll that makes this particularly insidious," said Berrill.
Berrill said that the common misperception about child molestation is that a complete stranger shows up at a school or a playground and attracts children with a toy or candy. While that is possible, Berrill said, it is not what commonly happens.
"It's a relative rare event that a complete stranger comes along and has a Barbie that gets the kid to come over," said Berrill.
Berrill says he's more concerned about the use of these dolls by individuals who are familiar to a child. The vast majority of child molestation occurs by relatives or friends of the family, or authorities in the child's life, he said.
"If we pair the doll with someone familiar to the child, a babysitter or a friend, then you have something that is fairly dangerous at play," said Berrill.
"A doll that would permit someone who is engaging a child in inappropriate sexual conduct to be able to film it using the doll?" he asked. "That's a scary idea."
Sgt. John Urquhart from the King County Sheriff's Department in Washington told ABC News' affiliate KOMO-TV that this warning will change the way his officers do their jobs.
"When we're doing a search warrant looking for media that a child pornographer may have used we're gonna have to put Barbie on the list just like any other cameras (and) computers," said Berrill.
Location: U.S.
Registered: November 2009
Messages: 630
I know the members of this forum outside the US are tired of hearing about the American miltary issue of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, but I have to comment for what I see as the current astounding response by the government.
For months now the military has conducted a survey of it's people asking if they thought repealing DADT was good, bad or in-between. The findings have now been presented revealing that the majority don't see gay persons in uniform as a problem. But it doesn't end there.
Our old nemisis John McCain (Senator Flip-Flop) thinks the survey is inaccurate and therefore invalid. His view is that it will effect the function and cohesiveness of those fighting in the Middle East because they might have to sleep and shower with an openly gay man (or woman in the case of female soldiers barracks).
I suppose my image of a stout combat ready Marine cringing in fear because some man, who may or may not be gay, might see him naked in the shower and eye his private parts is laughable. Kinda puts the word "manly" at risk in the armed forces. I can see the Taliban sitting around their campfire laughing at such insecure nonsense.
As to John McCain, is his stand so absurdly negative because the Christian Taliban supported him so much in the elections? His mental abilities have been called into question ever since he chose Sarah Palin as a running mate, and she is the darling of the American Christ-o-fascists. I'd say McCain is in the pockets of the large right wing money interests, he needs to drop dead tomorrow and make us all happy.
In all my thoughts on DADT I have come to the conclusion that it needs to end and if it doesn't....well: If this was a good time in the economy I would urge all gay troops to resign and leave the dim-witted military Christians behind as Taliban fodder. It is after all the Christian armies throughout history that Islam despises so much. I'm beginning to understand their arguement.
:-/
Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
By D. Gregory Smith (Butte, Montana) DEC 1 | Remember when World AIDS Day used to be important? I do.
I remember December 1st as a day when people gathered in terror and grief with candles and tears listening to words that couldn't begin to touch the pain and anger and sadness.
I remember when it was a time for all kinds of people to gather together, people that probably wouldn't be in the same room for any other reason. At World AIDS Day services in the early Nineties, I remember seeing queer activists, quietly closeted gay men and women, Episcopal and Catholic priests, Native American leaders, Protestant ministers, atheists, nuns and agnostics.
I saw elected officials, Republicans and Democrats, wheelchair-bound elderly, parents, children, nurses, doctors, cowboys, lawyers, accountants, little old ladies and, once, a rodeo clown. All coming together, all looking for comfort and hope and compassion among others who could maybe understand.
We don't really do that now. And maybe it's okay that we don't.
Maybe it's good that the terror I remember so vividly on the faces of friends and complete strangers is no longer there.
Maybe it's good that people aren't dying so fast and so painfully, isolated and afraid. Maybe it's good that we're not so traumatized by fear and grief and anger.
Maybe.
Is terror a good thing? Is a painful death beneficial? Is emotional trauma something to be longed for?
No. But I have to say, those scenes of suffering and bravery certainly helped capture the zeitgeist of the Eighties and Nineties. It helped keep AIDS in our collective consciousness. Drama and fear and compassion fueled activism and grassroots movements and the formation of community-based organizations. AIDS was overwhelmingly real. It was dramatic. It went to the Oscars, the Emmys, the Grammys and the Tonys. And it won. More than once.
So I'm not sure if it's a good thing that HIV isn't such a drama queen anymore. Not to say that I want people to suffer needlessly. I don't. I just happen to think we're not paying attention because it's no longer hip, sexy, avant-garde and noble to do so. I think that our short attention spans need to be constantly reminded. And, there's really not a lot of spectacular theatrics to grab our attention today. Well, not compared to the past.
But, trust me, it's still there. There are some rather dramatic facts to consider:
People are still being infected. In the U.S. there are over fifty thousand new diagnoses a year. The CDC estimates that one in five persons with HIV doesn't know it. That means they may not be protecting their sexual partners out of ignorance. That means more HIV.
Gay men, and/or Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) account for more than half of all new infections each year, and MSM is the only risk group in the country whose infections are increasing. MSM account for nearly half of all persons living with HIV in the United States today. Nearly half. And those are just the ones we know about. That means that for all the talk we hear about "AIDS is not a gay disease," it is. That means sexually active MSM are having sex with HIV+ partners statistically more often than any other members of the general population- and being infected. HIV significantly and dramatically lives in the bodies of gay men.
HIV strains the budget of every state in the Union. So much so, that states have cut or are considering cuts in funding to drug assistance programs and other HIV support and prevention services. These services keep people alive at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars a year. More money is needed with every new infection. That money comes out of your taxes.
People are still dying. Yes, the drugs help, and people with HIV are living longer lives, but the drugs don't always work, and HIV mutates. Our immune systems are under a great deal of strain and one serious opportunistic infection can kill. I lost a friend just this year.
It's not over. Families are still being traumatized and our community is being hurt by this epidemic. Here in Montana, with its relatively miniscule gay population, new members joined my HIV+ support group this year, most are gay men in their twenties- kids, really. All facing a lifetime radically different than they had hoped for.
And those are just some of the many points to consider.
Is it good that people are no longer dying and suffering in such huge numbers? Yes.
Is it good that we no longer gather in great numbers, sharing strong emotions, standing hopefully resolute in the face of pain and suffering and memory? I don't think so.
Personally, I need to remember these facts and these people, because they're part of my history, my community, my country and my world. I need to be reminded that my compassion, my voice and my heart are all still relevant. I need to be reminded that I'm not alone, I need to remind others of the same thing. And I think doing it once a year is the least I can do.
That's why I'll be going to a World AIDS Day service this year. That's why I'll be wearing a red ribbon, holding a candle in the dark, listening to words of grief, bravery and encouragement. To remember, to remind, to regroup.
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
Janet Jackson lends her voice to our cause with this special message addressed to LGBT youth:
"I want to speak to all the young people who mean so much to me. I know that sometimes life can seem insurmountable, especially during your teen years. And if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, you're probably thinking you're all alone, but you're not. There is a world of acceptance waiting for you. If you've been a target of bullying, tell a trusted adult. And if you're feeling depressed, lonely or suicidal, contact The Trevor Project. It Gets Better."
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
The French rugby club Stade Francais is out with its 2011 calendar, another in the annual flesh fest of hot rugby players and other jocks baring all for our entertainment.
42 Photos of François Rousseau, with rugby international players of Stade Français Paris (Dimitri Szarzewski (cover), Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Gonzalo Tiesi, Mathieu Bastareaud, James Haskell, Hugo Southwell, Pascal Papé, Mauro Bergamasco, Tom Palmer, etc.) and their famous guests:
French International Players (Maxime Mermoz, Alexis Palisson, Fulgence Ouedraogo, etc...),
International Players (Joe Van Niekerk, etc...), as well as the handball player Nicolas Karabatic (olympic and world champion), the internal soccer player Adil Rami.
Location: Canada
Registered: March 2010
Messages: 188
Attention all Canadians!
Today is National Child Day:
On "Child Day", Canadians honour our children and The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of The Child on November 20th, 1959, and the The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20th, 1989.
The Convention spells out the basic human rights to which children [under the age of 18] everywhere are entitled.
Don't forget to "honour" the children in your life.
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
By Mark Singer (Washington DC) NOV 19 | British Prime Minister David Cameron has added his voice to the UK version of the 'It Gets Better' video campaign. The British campaign is being run by the UK LGBTQ charity organization Stonewall, to support at risk LGBTQ youth.
In his video message the Prime Minister said:
“You don’t have to struggle on dealing with this on your own. Whether it’s your mum or your dad, or teachers, family friends or people who care about you and want to help you. Speak to them and you’ll feel so much better."
He then added:
“Britain is a diverse, open, tolerant place. This is not the sort of country where we label people for being different. Now, of course, there’s more to be done, which is why this government is working hard to drive homophobic bullying out of our schools. But overall, Britain is a place where you can be who you want to be and we should celebrate that.
Talk to someone – if you do, things really will get better today.”
British Prime Minster David Cameron Official White House Photo
My favourite part was where "A member of the public spotted the cracks in the Palace Hotel, some up to a metre long." (chortles).
Anyway, it got me thinking. Prostitution has only been legal in New Zealand for less than 10 years. It was introduced by the last government and was pushed through despite huge controversy and protest, especially from the religious right, (there's a surprise!) Now, already, it's just an accepted part of life, the friendly neighbourhood brothel is there, alongside the churches, and no-one thinks much about it, which is as it should be.
Legalising Homosexual relations, also introduced despite the opposition, happened about twice as long ago, (I can't be bothered looking the dates up). It's not as widely accepted as prostitution, but we're getting there. The Christian Taliban have not got a hold on NZ yet, i hope they never do!
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
By: Brody Levesque
With Republicans taking over the House of Representatives in the midterms and with significant GOP gains in the Senate, the prospect of advancing justice and equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgendered Americans appears bleak.
Capitol Hill staffers, speaking on background and anonymously indicated that repeal of Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell and Defense of Marriage and passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the United American Families Act are ‘Dead On Arrival,’ in the next session of Congress. One staffer was incredulous that the White House is still pursuing the idea that Majority Leader Reid would be able to get the 2011 Defense Authorization Bill through the ‘Lame-Duck’ session before January with the repeal of DADT still attached as an amendment to the final version.
“The votes aren’t there to combat a filibuster,” he said.
Within the larger context, the LGBTQ community itself is at odds. One political analyst noted that the principal reason the Democrats took this “shellacking” as the president referred to the election’s outcome, is that the base was completely disillusioned and stayed home. He went on to note that the perception was that long term Washington based LGBT PACs, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and others are completely out of touch with their core constituency.
“There’s this assumption that the Gay PACs, often referred dismissively to as Gay Inc., are only interested in lining their pockets or the pockets of the Democrats. The average everyday LGBT person has lost hope that Gay Inc. will step up to the plate and force the administration to keep its promises.”
The most noteworthy example of this discontent was the rise earlier this year of the activist group GetEqual whose singular focused activism went after both the White House and the Hill on the DADT repeal.
Another factor in the defeat of the Democrats was the powerful emergence of the various component groups collectively known as the Tea Party, representing a vocal minority in the GOP, which managed to put several of their candidates into House and Senate seats. The bad news for the LGBTQ folk is that a good deal of these extreme right conservatives are opposed to any type of recognition of equality rights for the LGBTQ citizens—in particular same-sex marriage.
Efforts must now be focused on winning support from the local and state communities by gaining recognition of equality rights. It can be said that any measured success will be now at that level versus the federal, as it becomes clear that this incoming Congress will be defined by GOP and Tea Party idealogical rhetoric and will be deadlocked in never-ending partisan fighting with the Democrats.
Leading LGBTQ activist David Mixner warns that Equality brought about by judicial fiat may inflame the passions of the GOP and its base to the point that in the case of DOMA, a constitutional amendment is likely that would forever enshrine same-sex marriage as a no-go in the United States. He said:
“If I was giving money today it would be to those pushing court cases. We seem to be doing better there than anywhere. Who knows if the shift in political climate will make judges more timid or not?”
The most important aspect for any rational LGBTQ person living in the United States evaluating the outcome of the 2010 mid-terms is this thought from Mr. Mixner:
“The LGBT struggle for civil rights is not an appendage of any political party. Freedom has no Party. Our national organizations must remember that they do not work for the President or the Democratic Party. Our LGBT leaders work for and are accountable to us and no one else. We cannot allow outsiders to continue to define the strategy and then blithely follow it. Never again should we be afraid to exercise real power and play tough when we have the opportunity to advance forward. And please, no more condescending lectures about how we don’t understand how Washington works.”
The other consideration is whether or not it’s a sound idea to put the LGBT organizations or Gay Inc. out of business. What would replace them in Washington? The fact remains that they do have access and enough prestige to communicate with the White House and Congress and have the potential for greater good. Those organizations exist to advocate for LGBTQ equality rights and to challenge the ultra-right alleged Christian PACs such as the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and the Family Research Council (FRC).
These PACs have a single issue focus and that’s the complete eradication of Gay & Lesbian, Bi and Transgendered people from American society.
Could a totally grass roots effort, on a state by state basis combat NOM or FRC or any other established and well funded Anti-Gay Lobbyist PAC? The honest answer is no. Which means as David Mixner pointed out, we need to address these valid concerns and overhaul the methods by which Gay Inc. represents the LGBTQ people in Washington to be more effective.
Let there be no mistaking this point—the gains made in the past several years in obtaining full equal rights are in danger of being undone. The fact that the vast majority of LGBT persons sat out this election cycle is most likely going to come back and haunt them. It is now time for action not reflection, as it’s already too late to Monday morning quarterback the outcome.
Brody Levesque, based in Washington, D.C., is a veteran journalist and Editor of Brody’s Notes & Scribbles
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
Its a little before 715PM Eastern & Warren's son rang me up on my mobile to let me know that his father is resting comfortably in a Toronto area hospital in preparation for the open heart surgery scheduled for 12 hours from now.
I will post, once Alan has called me, to update the folks here per Warren's request.
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
"These young people who identify as gay or lesbian, we know from the social science that they have a higher propensity to depression or suicide because of that internal conflict."
Tony Perkins, president, Family Research Council Washington DC
Homosexuality is "abnormal," Perkins says, and kids know it, which leads them to despair. That's why FRC wants to confront gay activism in public schools. For example, FRC supports the Day of Truth, when Christian high-schoolers make their case that homosexuality is a sin.
Yup, nice guy this one eh? Then today there was the video released by a pentecostal minister in New York telling folk everywhere that Christians must use the words fag, or sodomites. I see, so here's a licence from a so called minster to go forth and bully.
Lovely, well here's another voice of sanity despite those so-called Christian leaders who are little more than reprobates and douche bags:
Religious Leaders Must Preach Tolerance, Compassion Toward LGBT Community
Rabbi Jason Miller
Rabbi Without Borders
I recently saw the movie "It's Kind of a Funny Story." The movie, based on the 2006 novel by Ned Vizzini, deals with teenage depression and suicide in a very real and honest way. I might have reacted differently to this movie had I seen it before the recent wave of teen suicides in the LGBT community that have made national headlines. Each of the four teen characters in the movie suffer from depression in one way or another. And while none of them is homosexual, watching the movie I was forced to consider the responsibility that I, as a rabbi, have in preaching tolerance and compassion toward the LGBT community to eradicate this epidemic.
The high rate of suicide among gay and lesbian teens has been brought to light in the darkest way possible. Communities have been devastated by the news of gay teens being bullied to the point of taking their own lives. The reaction to these tragedies has been mixed, as have the reactions to the reactions. For example, I'm sure that Clint McCance, the vice president of the Midland, Ark. School Board, never expected the reaction he received after posting his anti-gay rant on Facebook. That a leader in a school system could make such hurtful and shameful comments publicly on the Web about his fellow human beings is outrageous. It is up to religious leaders to shift the national conversation on LGBT issues to one that prioritizes human dignity and compassion.
On Oct. 19, as Facebook users across the nation were changing their profile pictures to a purple hue to publicize the need for compassion toward the gay community and in memory of the gay teens who killed themselves, another tragedy was taking place. At Oakland University in Michigan, where I serve as a visiting professor of Jewish Studies, yet another gay teen ended his life after being bullied relentlessly since coming out a few months ago. Less than a week earlier on Oakland's campus, a lunchtime program sponsored by the Gender and Sexuality Center screened the film "Bullied," a teaching-tolerance documentary. The banner advertising the event still hung in the hallway of the student union in the days following Corey Jackson's death, as if to say, "Something more must be done."
To show my support to the LGBT community, along with millions of others, I added a purple tint to my Facebook and Twitter profile pictures on Spirit Day. All of the responses I received were positive and supportive, except for the comment left on my Facebook page by a politically conservative Orthodox Jew. He simply added the link to a New York Post article by Maggie Gallagher, president of the National Organization for Marriage titled, "Don't blame me for gay teen suicides." I read the article and then felt even sadder. Gallagher argues that she doesn't have blood on her hands when gay teens are bullied and kill themselves. She conveniently shifts the conversation to the gay marriage debate, but at issue here is allowing gay and lesbian teens to feel pride and comfort in society so they don't get bullied, fall into depression, and eventually take their own lives. Until this horrific trend ends, all Americans have blood on our collective hands.
My teacher, Rabbi Steven Greenberg, recently wrote a powerful opinion piece in The New York Jewish Week titled, "The Cost of Standing Idly By." The first article of Greenberg's I ever read was in a rabbinical school class at the Jewish Theological Seminary when he was still a closeted gay man using the pseudonym "Jacob Levado" (a reference to the patriarch Jacob of the Hebrew Scriptures feeling alone). Here, Greenberg relates what happened when he and his partner relocated from New York City to Cincinnati. Soon after they arrived, the rabbi of the local Orthodox congregation called apologetically to inform him that he and his partner were not welcome to attend the synagogue based on a ruling from another rabbi. Greenberg contacted the rabbi who issued the ruling and shared with him that "people who are gay and lesbian who want to remain true to the Torah, are in a great deal of pain. Many have just left the community. Some young gay people become so desperate they attempt suicide."
Most people would expect the religious leader to respond to that last sentence with some amount of compassion, perhaps deep sadness. However, he replied, "Maybe it's a mitzvah (commandment) for them to do so." The speechless Greenberg asked for clarification and was told that what he heard was precisely what the rabbi intended to say. In other words, since homosexuals are guilty for capital crimes according to the Torah, perhaps it might be a good idea for them to do the job themselves. Wow! I wonder how many Jewish people will read that statement and question if this is the right religion for them.
Rather than let this uncompassionate individual silence him or force him to find a more inclusive community, Greenberg came up with a list of three steps his colleagues in the Orthodox rabbinate, and leaders in Orthodox institutions, can and should take at this time. He encourages them to sign the Statement of Principles, which says that "embarrassing, harassing or demeaning someone with a homosexual orientation or same-sex attraction is a violation of Torah prohibitions that embody the deepest values of Judaism." Second, he calls on Orthodox institutions to sign a letter, initiated by the LGBT advocacy group Keshet, condemning bullying and homophobia in the Jewish community. Third, he states that Orthodox institutions must immediately cut off any support or endorsement of so-called "reparative therapy."
I would take Greenberg's call to action a step further and call upon all religious leaders, regardless of faith, to advocate for tolerance and compassion toward the LGBT community. We all stand firm in trying to eradicate the other stressors leading to teenage depression and suicide. Why should the bullying of gay teens be any different? This epidemic is only made worse by the inflammatory comments of people like the Orthodox rabbi who proposed that it's a mitzvah for gay teens to kill themselves and Clint McCance, a school board official who wrote on Facebook, "It pisses me off though that we make special purple fag day for them. I like that fags can't procreate. I also enjoy the fact that they often give each other AIDS and die."
At this stage it is no longer about the heated and divisive issues like gay marriage or "Don't Ask Don't Tell." It is now a matter of life and death. Teens being bullied until they commit suicide isn't a political issue; it's a human issue. Religious leaders across this country: Please stand up and put an end to this national tragedy.
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
By Brody Levesque (Bethesda, Maryland) NOV 7 | According to the alternative Belgian media website Mediageil, the country's ultraconservative Roman Catholic archbishop was hit by a pie in the face during an All Saints Day service.
Footage of the incident released Saturday showed a young man approaching Archbishop Andre Leonard on Monday and smacking him with a pie. A church official says the archbishop will not press charges against the unknown attacker.
The incident came amid growing turmoil within Belgium's Roman Catholic church, which faces an investigation into hundreds of cases of sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests. Leonard himself shocked Catholics by sympathizing with priests accused of pedophilia and by saying that homosexuals deserved to get AIDS.
On Tuesday last week, the church's spokesman quit his job, saying he could no longer speak for a "loose canon."
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13751
It's a collection. Some of that collection is here, some elsewhere. And one or more of the collection, one that grows each day and will continue to grow for some time, will interest you.
The circumstances seem familiar, and yet this is probably not a gay child, just a tormented one. The American culture glorifies violence and that made an impression on this young mind.
We may encourage LBGT children with "It Gets Better" and the Trevor Project links for assistance, but what do ordinary kids have?
This boy felt no love in his life, or at least no recourse to the bullying he received. Now he will be labeled a criminal and yet his actions to date are little more than a cry for help.
Too many unanswered questions: How did he obtain the weapons? Did he ever speak to school officials about the hatred he endured? We all know what happens when an animal is cornered, they fight back. The lives of many were spared in time, but to what end? This child's life is ruined, how eternally sad.
[Updated on: Sat, 30 October 2010 11:39]
Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
"Young people need to know that they shouldn't let the challenges they face in high school or college eat them up. All of these young people regardless of their race, their sexual orientation, they are gifts to us. They have so much to offer and it's just terrible to find out that kids are letting this part of their life define everything about who they are going to be."
President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Photo By Pete Souza
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13751
Guidance Targeting Harassment Outlines Local and Federal Responsibility"
Washington, D.C. — Today (October 26 2010), the Department of Education issued guidance to support educators in combating bullying in schools by clarifying when student bullying may violate federal education anti-discrimination laws. The guidance issued today also makes clear that while current laws enforced by the department do not protect against harassment based on religion or sexual orientation, they do include protection against harassment of members of religious groups based on shared ethnic characteristics as well as gender and sexual harassment of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender individuals.
The guidance, which comes in the form of a "Dear Colleague" letter - http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201010.html - sent to schools, colleges and universities, explains educators' legal obligations to protect students from student-on-student racial and national origin harassment, sexual and gender-based harassment, and disability harassment. The letter provides examples of harassment and illustrates how a school should respond in each case.
The White House and Department of Education also announced next steps to address bullying and harassment in schools. Early next year, the White House will host a conference to raise awareness and equip young people, parents, educators, coaches and other community leaders with tools to prevent bullying and harassment. This conference will build upon efforts led by the U.S. Department of Education and other federal agencies to spark a dialogue on the ways in which communities can come together to prevent bullying and harassment.
"We've got to dispel the myth that bullying is just a normal rite of passage, or an inevitable part of growing up. It's not," said President Obama. "We have an obligation to ensure that our schools are safe for all of our kids. Every single young person deserves the opportunity to learn and grow and achieve their potential, without having to worry about the constant threat of harassment."
"Bullying is a problem that shouldn't exist. No one should ever feel harassed or unsafe in a school simply because they act or think or dress differently than others," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "To every student who feels threatened or harassed—for whatever reason—please know that you are not alone. Please know that there are people who love you. And please know that we will protect you," Duncan continued.
"Students cannot learn if they feel threatened or harassed," said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Russlynn Ali. "We want to keep students safe and learning, and today's guidance will help us do that."
Following the release of today's guidance, the Department plans to hold technical assistance workshops around the country in early 2011 to help educators better understand their obligations and the resources available to take prompt and effective steps that will end harassment and bullying in schools and on college campuses.
The guidance issued today is just one of several efforts in the Department of Education's comprehensive approach to end bullying. In 2009, the Department joined the Departments of Defense, Justice, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and the Interior to form the Obama Administrations Inter-Agency Task Force on Bullying. In August of this year, the Obama administration hosted the first ever National Bullying Summit and launched both the Stop Bullying Now Campaign and http://www.bullyinginfo.org, a national database of effective anti-bullying programs.
I want to know something.
Why was this guidance even needed?
Surely even a moron can see that bullying is wholly unacceptable behaviour!
Location: U.S.
Registered: November 2009
Messages: 630
The best way for the gay community to gain acceptance is to be out there in the open doing a job for all the people in the country. The importance of being included in government at all levels speaks to the quality of those LBGT persons chosen to run the country.
"From everything we hear from inside the administration, they wanted this to be part of their efforts at diversity," said Denis Dison, spokesman for the Presidential Appointments Project of the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute.
I had no idea there was such an organization as this one, that was a surprise. It is gratifying to note that none of the radical and fanatical anti-gay idiots will find a place in the Obama administration, but they do get elected to Congress.
Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)
Location: U.S.
Registered: November 2009
Messages: 630
We are fast approaching the one year mark on the inclusion of the Matthew Shepard Act into Federal Hate Crimes law. (for those of you across the pond: there are only a handful of states, and the District of Columbia, with specific hate crimes laws that include LBGT people. says a lot about the way states treat their residents, doesn't it?)
And what do we have to show for it?
(Sorry, the HRC website wouldn't allow me to copy a link)
On October 28th 2009, President Obama signed this act into Federal Law, but you would wonder when they plan to enforce it. Keeping statistics on hate crimes is all well and good, but in this case it is like noting the color of the house as it burns down...useless.
With LBGT suicide rates making such an outcry in the land I want to know when bullying is going to become the focus of a Department of Justice investigation?
The latest suicide, Terrel Williams, is a tragic example of bullying that falls under the Hate Crimes Law, there was a major assault on his person causing bodily harm. I want to know why the FBI has not arrested the perpetrator(s) of this crime.
The only way to send a clear message to those who would harm LBGT children is to come down on the bullies like a ton of bricks. Any teacher or adult who witnesses such a crime and does not report the assailant needs to be prosecuted as an accessory to the crime.
The parents of LBGT children should fall under the same penalty. Either support your kids or go to jail. Any adult who would toss their child out on the street is guilty of negelect. Parental rights stop the minute they assault a child with the word faggot on their lips, that's a Hate Crime.
As for those parents who do support their LGBT children they deserve a hug and a medal. But they also have the right to join the Parent Teacher Associations at their child's school and attend, daily if necessary, each session of school to witness the hate. No school administrator in their right mind would ask a child's parent to leave the school. As taxpayers parents need to stand up and be heard. Enough already!>
Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)
Location: U.S.
Registered: November 2009
Messages: 630
A commentary posted about this article. Oh if only it were true!
"this is gods way of punishing the people of uganda the way they are treating the gays"
Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)
He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake since for him a spinal cord would suffice. Albert Einstein
Location: US/Canada
Registered: September 2009
Messages: 733
By Andrew Gilliver (Manchester, England) OCT 22 | On Saturday, October 23rd, 2010, people, organisations and communities from all over the world will be coming together to remember those who have been affected by hate - not just those we have lost, but all those who have felt the pain of losing someone they love.
The Lesbian & Gay Foundation's (LGF) Enough is Enough! Action Against Homophobia campaign will be involved in the Vigil Against Hate Crime taking place in Trafalgar Square on Saturday October 23rd (7pm to 9pm).
Enough is Enough! Campaign Manager Emma Peate, who is one of the speakers at the vigil says:
"We are proud to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Jenny Baynham, Stuart Milk, Peter Tatchell and many more, to remember Ian Baynham, to remember Michael Causer, to remember Tyler Clementi, and all those who should still be with us today.
The late, great Harvey Milk said “At what point do we say Enough? At what point do we stand up, as a total group, and say we will not allow it to happen anymore? Enough is Enough!” This Saturday is our chance to stand up and send a clear message to the world that homophobia and all forms of hatred are unacceptable and need to stop"
This is the 2nd Vigil Against Hate Crime to be held in London, last year over 10,000 people attended the event in Trafalgar Square. The Vigil is organised by Mark Healey and the 17-24-30 facebook group. [ Linked Here ]
Andrew Gilliver is the Communications Director for the Manchester, UK based The Lesbian & Gay Foundation. LGF is a charity offering a wide range of services to the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities in Manchester and other cities in Britain. Their campaign message is for a fair and equal society where all lesbian, gay and bisexual people can achieve their full potential, and their stated mission is: ‘Ending Homophobia, Empowering People’. For more information, visit http://www.lgf.org.uk or call 0845 3 30 30 30
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