Friday Male Beauty

Gates Orders DOD to Accelerate DADT Repeal

Expect another burst of batshitery from the usually Christianist and anti-gay hate group mouth pieces when they learn that Defense Secretary Robert Gates has ordered the Department of Defense to accelerate the implementation of DADT repeal. And, given John McCain's sudden announcement - did Cindy and Megan get to him? - that he will do all he can to make DADT repeal work, expect some additional fulminating against McCain as well. As noted before on this blog, DADT has been one of the center pieces of the Christianist agenda to keep LGBT citizens inferior under the law since it has allowed them to cite the government's anti-gay discrimination as a justification for their own bigotry. DADT is a big deal in terms of undermining their agenda and the shrieking and wailing is only bound to get more shrill. Here are highlights from Stars and Stripes on Gates' action:
*
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has instructed the Defense Department to accelerate a plan to end the “don’t ask, don’t tell” ban on openly gay military personnel and start rolling out its training within a “very few weeks.”
*
Gates in a Pentagon press conference revealed a three-step plan: finalize changes in related regulations and policies, and get clearer definitions on benefits; prepare training materials for chaplains, lawyers, commanders and troops; and then begin to train servicemembers worldwide.
*
“We’re trying to get the first two phases of that process done as quickly as possible,” Gates said, adding he has instructed Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley to accelerate his efforts. “My hope is that it can be done within a matter of a very few weeks so that we can then move on to what is the real challenge, which is providing training to 2.2 million people. And we will do that as expeditiously as we can.”
*
Advocates for repeal have insisted no such training is required, and have warned the Pentagon against slow-rolling final certification to end “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Still, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advised gay servicemembers to exercise just a bit more patience. “Now is not the time to come out,” Mullen said. “We certainly are focused on this and we won’t dawdle.”

Parents of gay Children Should Push Their Churches to Change

The Rochester Democrat-Chronicle has a story of the laudatory - although in my view, misguided - efforts of a Catholic couple who are the parents of a gay son to push the Roman Catholic Church to cease its anti-gay jihad and their effort to get other parents to do likewise. To me, there is no question that change is needed in the Catholic Church on many fronts, but given the Church's Medieval power structure tyring to advocate from within is a case of pissing into a powerful wind. The Vatican and the corrupt and pompous bishops understand ultimately two things: membership numbers and, even more importantly, contribution revenues. Anyone who remains in the Church and continues to give it financial support is tantamount to a masochist or else playing a role akin to the "good Germans" who went along with and were accomplices to the Nazi regime's policies and atrocities. Taking the initiative to walk out from the familiar isn't easy, but in my opinion, it is the ONLY thing that will ever have the potential to work real change. I laud the efforts of this couple, but they are tilting at windmills. Talk alone will not work, One needs to talk AND walk away, making it crystal clear to all in earshot why one is leaving. Here are story highlights:
*
When Casey and Mary Ellen Lopata's son Jim told them in 1983 that he is gay, the coming-out turned their world upside down. They never wavered in their love for Jim, 19 at the time, or in their love for and devotion to the Catholic Church.
*
For several years, the Lopatas worked with Catholic Gay and Lesbian Family Ministry of the Diocese of Rochester, which gradually built a network of families willing to share their stories and be a voice for compassion within the church. Casey, who has a master's of divinity degree, speaks and writes about the theological perspective. The church, he says, teaches that homosexuality, which is not a choice but an orientation, is not sinful. Only homosexual relations, which, like any sexual activity outside marriage, is sinful. But Casey says it's not that simple. The church also teaches that celibacy is a gift. Not everyone has it; must all gays live celibate lives if they do not have the gift? The church, he says, also teaches that no one is obliged to do what is impossible for them.
*
In 2004, the Lopatas formed Fortunate Families (www.fortunatefamilies.com), a resource and networking ministry for Catholic parents of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender children. The group works primarily with Catholic families, but welcomes others. The website collects and shares personal stories and includes a "listening network" of parent volunteers who lend an ear to other parents who are struggling with questions about their children's sexual orientation.
*
"There will never be change if people don't talk," Mary Ellen says. They started Fortunate Families because they wanted to "go national," Casey says. "We thought that parents — who are often pillars of the community and active in their churches — have the greatest opportunity to make a difference." But many parents are themselves "on the edge" of leaving churches where their children do not feel welcome. Parents, Mary Ellen says, "need to find their voices and be not afraid."

*

Again, in my view, until more and more "pillars of the community" walk away in a very public manner, the Caseys - while doing good for families with gay members - are fooling themselves if they think the Vatican or the bishops give a damn abut their efforts. The Church is still getting the monetary donations, and that's the bottom line of what matters to Rome.

More Male Beauty

FRC Seeks Supernatural Intervention Against Gays

The lunacy and viciousness of the Christianists - in this case the hate merchants and Kool-Aid drinkers at the registered hate group, Family Research Council - against gays truly knows no limits. As Right Wing Watch is reporting, FRC is circulating a "prayer team update" that declares that America is under God's judgment because of its embrace of "perverted sexual practices" and urges members to ask God to "supernaturally intervene" to reverse steps toward gay equality. It is disturbing that individuals who are either ignorant - often by choice - or willing bigots eat up this stuff rather than take the initiative to exercise independent thought and analysis. Here's a sampling of the trash that Tony Perkins, et al are disseminating via Right Wing Watch :
*
With the traditional American family in near statistical free fall, homosexual activists persist in their destructive agenda. Backslapping and self congratulation at President Obama's signing of the law to overturn DADT left Bucolically informed onlookers aghast. Obama and Vice President Biden say they are rethinking their position on homosexual "marriage." Yet God's plan for marriage, family, and natural sexuality is essential to the survival of our nation.
*
The Senate not only used the lame duck session to overturn Don't Ask, Don't Tell (65-31 vote), it also confirmed Chai Feldblum by "unanimous consent" to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission during Christmas week. Feldblum, an open lesbian, is infamous for her view that homosexual rights trump religious liberty.
*
Meanwhile attacks charging FRC and other Christian groups with "hate" for holding to a Biblical view of marriage and sexuality, continues. May God's people have faith to believe that laws giving those who practice homosexuality special rights, protections and privileges can be reversed! May the Lord supernaturally intervene to do so.
*
As I noted here, the true Biblical standard for marriage is polygamy, not one man and one woman. But then, true "Christians" never let the true facts get in the way of their agenda.

Why Is CNN Using Hate Groups for "Balance" On LGBT Issues

The Boston Globe - which I commented on recently for its piece on Scott Lively - is unfortunately not the only supposedly reputable news outlet that resorts to using representatives of registered hate groups in the supposed quest of being "fair and balanced" in covering LGBT issues. CNN is another such news outlet that gives the hate groups a constant platform. As noted in the post on the Globe's ass kissing of Lively, if CNN is to be consistent, then each spot on a racial civil rights issue ought to have the Klu Klux Klan as a counterpoint. GLAAD has had enough of this disingenuous bullshit and has started a petition that will be delivered to CNN demanding that this equivalent of yellow journalism cease. I encourage readers to sign the petition here. It is beyond ridiculous that individuals who would NEVER be given a venue/platform on issues of religious or racial discrimination time and time again are given a free rein on gay bashing. Particularly when the individuals represent documented hate groups with records of lies and untruths. Here are highlights from GLAAD's explanation for the petition campaign:
*

CNN has long been one of America's most respected journalistic organizations on many issues, but for several years, it has had a giant blind spot when it comes to issues that impact the LGBT community. On December 21, John King USA ran a segment featuring Peter Sprigg from Family Research Council, but there are countless other examples. Out of a desire for 'balance' on these issues, CNN turned - as they often do - to the anti-gay industry to provide the counterpoint. Except all too frequently, the network doesn't book these people because they provide any actual expertise or experience on issues that impact LGBT people; their only qualification is that they are anti-gay.
*
Sprigg's qualifications, however, came exclusively from his job at the Family Research Council. There, Sprigg has worked to advance some of the most hurtful, dangerous, and demonstrably false notions about the lives of LGBT people that our country has seen in recent years. And yet, by pairing him with Nicholson in this segment, CNN told its millions of viewers that both of these men should be seen as equally valuable to this discussion.
*
The media is elevating their hurtful messages and attitudes to the level of rational discourse. The media is saying that people like Alexander Nicholson, who can speak to real-life experience and firsthand facts, need to be "balanced" by people like Peter Sprigg, whose claim to fame is arguing that being gay should be outlawed. If CNN wants to interview a gay person who believes being straight should be outlawed, THEN Peter Sprigg would be an acceptable "balance."
*
I've signed the petition because it is far past time that CNN and other news outlets stop lending an image of credibility to those who lack ant legitimate credentials - Peter Sprigg being but one such example. I hope every reader will do so as well.

Thursday Male Beauty

James Franco: "Maybe I'm Just Gay"

I will concede that I like James Franco - besides being beautiful, he seems to show an interest in understanding gay lives and the issues that go along with not conforming to the dictates of a heterosexual dominated society which has often utilized antiquated religious beliefs and chosen ignorance to demean and stigmatize gays. In addition, he seems to enjoy making tongues wag with calculated comments such as one in an Entertainment Weekly interview where he discusses his gay movie roles. As EW notes, "“Is James Franco gay?” is a favorite query of the pop-cultural chattering classes." Hopefully, the day will come when one's sexuality is a complete non-issue. Until then, it's nice to have an actor who seems to cherish taking on gay roles that give insights to the larger public as to our common humanity. Here are some highlights:
*
Having the public ponder your sexuality is a celebrity rite of passage. But the thing that makes Franco’s case so interesting is that, unlike the loud denials from some stars and even louder silences from others, the response from the 127 Hours star (who, for the record, has been in a years-long relationship with actress Ahna O’Reilly) is actually pretty nuanced.
*
The actor definitely doesn’t let the speculation inhibit his choice of roles; Franco’s filmography is packed with gay characters, from Allen Ginsberg in Howl, to activist Scott Smith in Milk and poet Hart Crane in his just-wrapped feature The Broken Tower.
*
“There are lots of other reasons to be interested in gay characters than wanting myself to go out and have sex with guys,” he says. “And there are also lots of other aspects about these characters that I’m interested in, in addition to their sexuality. So, in some ways it’s coincidental, in other ways it’s not. I mean, I’ve played a gay man who’s living in the ’60s and ’70s, a gay man who we depicted in the ‘50s, and one being in the ‘20s. And those were all periods when to be gay, at least being gay in public, was much more difficult. Part of what I’m interested in is how these people who were living anti-normative lifestyles contended with opposition. Or, you know what, maybe I’m just gay.”

The Embrace of Ignorance

The sign pictured above is real as best I can tell and it speaks volumes of the regressive influence fundamentalist religion is in the world, regardless of whether it goes under the name of Christianity, Islam or something else. I'm sorry, but facts DO MATTER and the world would be a far better place if more individuals accepted facts and modern knowledge be it on sexual orientation, climate change and a host of other issues. In my view, fundamentalist religion - and by this I include much of the Catholic Church' 13th century mindset - is the enemy of progress and human well being. It's about time our news outlets and journalists stop giving deference to a toxic influence in the world.

Two Virginia Lawmakers Introduce Anti-Bullying Bills

As I have noted before, Virginia's current anti-bullying laws are nothing less than a joke and school personnel who fail to address bullying are pretty much given blanket immunity while the bullies face virtually no consequences - even when the bullying leads to a student's suicide as happened last May at Grafton High School in nearby York County in the case of Christian Taylor (pictured at right). In Taylor's case, his principal bully continues to strut around the school and likely bullies others still with zero consequences. Now, two members of the Virginia General Assembly - one gay and one straight have introduced bills that would address this shameful deficiency in Virginia's laws. These bills deserve passage yet I am sure will be strongly opposed by the Christo-fascists at The Family Foundation who want no conceivable constraints on their ability to denigrate and make life a living Hell for LGBT students and others who do not subscribe to their vile and perverted version of Christianity. One can only hope that all too spineless members of the General Assembly with for once stand up to Victoria Cobb and her fellow hate merchants. Here are highlights from the Washington Blade's coverage:
*
Two members of the Virginia House of Delegates — one gay, one a straight ally — have introduced two anti-bullying bills that, if successful, will be major accomplishments in the coming legislative session considering how difficult activists and elected officials there have found getting pro-LGBT legislation passed.
*
Del. Adam Ebbin, who represents Virginia’s 49th House District, which includes parts of Arlington County, Alexandria and Fairfax County, has introduced legislation that would make bullying a class one misdemeanor, give victims the right to sue bullies who are sanctioned or found guilty, provide for expulsions for bullies and require that any bullying that causes injury be reported to the state’s attorney. Ebbin is the only openly gay member of the House of Delegates.
*
Del. David Englin, who represents the state’s 45th House District which includes parts of Arlington and Fairfax counties and Alexandria, has introduced the “Anti-Bullying Responsibility Act,” which would add specificity to the codes of student conduct already required of state school districts, require schools to have procedures in place to separate victims from bullies, make bullying intervention a requirement for teachers, require incidents to be reported to superintendents and hold administrators responsible for their local policies.
*
Ebbin’s bill, for instance, adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the definition of bullying even though some districts, such as his, already have that specified. He said having those areas identified is important because in some parts of the state, educators don’t take anti-gay bullying seriously.
*
Ebbin said he was inspired to introduce the legislation in part because of the late Christian Taylor, a 16-year-old freshman at Grafton High School in Yorktown, Va., who committed suicide last May after enduring months of bullying. He hung himself in his bedroom. His mother told reporters they had reported the bullying to school administrators and police but nothing was done. Police said they looked into the situation but turned it over to the school when they determined no crime had been committed. Ebbin said one bully told Taylor, “you need to just go commit suicide and get it over with.”

Wednesday Male Beauty

Tobey, Thank you for your sweet comment.

More Christianist Batshitery: “Recruit-Proofing’’ Your Child From Gay Activists

In light of my last post on parents accepting their LGBT children, I cannot pass up the opportunity to comment on the vile bullshit coming from the mouth of Holocaust revisionist and certifiable lunatic Scott Lively (pictured at left). The Boston Globe - once again - is irresponsibly providing Lively with a platform from which to disseminate lies and documented medical and mental health care falsehoods. The largely suck-up article, while mentioning Lively's role in the "kill the gays" bill in Uganda, fails to point out other than in passing that Lively and his anti-gay organization have been registered as a hate group.

*

Sadly, one can only wonder when the Globe will be doing a puff piece that provides a platform for the Imperial Wizard of the Klu Klu Klan or some similar leader of a despicable hate group. Apparently, the Boston Globe aspires to National Enquirer status. I hope that the article's author, Michael Levinson, will be fired - but only after a thorough horse whipping. This is NOT an example of responsible reporting. Worse of all, some parents may well stupidly buy into Lively's bogus bullshit. Oh, and isn't it instructive that Lively - like so many in the anti-gay industry admits to being a "former" alcoholic and drug addict? Here are highlights from the Globe's yammering:
*
SPRINGFIELD — He gained international attention after he was accused of stoking violence against gays in Uganda. One of his books, “Pink Swastika,’’ argues that Hitler and other Nazi leaders were gay. Another provides seven steps to “recruit-proof’’ your child from gay activists. But Scott Lively says he is toning down his antigay rhetoric and shifting his focus to helping the downtrodden. And he’s found a home and a receptive audience in this struggling city where many, but not all, have embraced his mission to “re-Christianize Springfield.’’
*
But some in the city are wary. Gay rights and civil rights groups, including the Southern Poverty Law Center, have labeled Lively’s longtime organization, Abiding Truth Ministries, a hate group.
*
Lively, 53, has been a prominent activist denouncing gays for decades, mostly on the West Coast. But he leapt into the world spotlight in March 2009, when he traveled to Uganda, and addressed members of parliament at a seminar on “exposing the homosexuals’ agenda.’’
*
Lively warned the gathering that gays are a serious threat and their lifestyle “will lead to social chaos and destruction.’’ “The gay movement is an evil institution that’s goal is to defeat the marriage-based society and replace it with a culture of sexual promiscuity,’’ he told the conference, according to a video of his remarks.
*
Lively’s role in the anti-homosexuality bill was featured prominently in The New York Times, on ABC News and National Public Radio, and he was mocked on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.’’ Rick Warren, the prominent evangelical pastor, released a statement saying he had never met Lively during his own work in Uganda, and added, “I would certainly not associate with anyone who denies the Holocaust.’’
*
He says he has not changed his view that gays are “agents of America’s moral decline’’ but has refocused his approach to fit his flock in Springfield, which he said includes many homeless people, drug addicts, and alcoholics.
*
Lively continues to denounce homosexuality. Paul said that when he invited Lively to preach at his church earlier this year, Lively delivered an “old-time, hellfire message’’ condemning gays.
*
[Rev. Kapya Kaoma, an Episcopal priest from Zambia] said he doubts Lively and others who denounced gays in Uganda have truly changed. “When they are in Africa, they preach hatred; when they come to America, because they know Americans are going to hold them accountable, they become moderates,’’ he said. “Honestly, I wouldn’t believe a thing from Scott Lively. I don’t even think he’s capable of toning down his anti-gay rhetoric.’’
*
For those might want to do so, the article's author, Michael Levenson can be reached at mlevenson@globe.com,

A Parent's Wondeful Gift to An LGBT Child

My mother, Marion Hibben Phelps Hamar (pictured above with my late sister many years back on the neighborhood beach near my parents' home of 32 years in Virginia Beach) passed away a little before 2:30 PM this afternoon. She was a great lady with a dynamic life that began in Puerto Castilla, Honduras where she was born in 1927. She did so many wonderful things for me and my siblings over the years be it being there to comfort us over childhood injuries, teaching us how to canoe, snow ski and water ski, or instilling in us a love of reading and giving us the example of a loving and kind heart. In my particular case, she - and my late dad - accepted me without hesitation when I came out to them in mid-life. While so-called "friends" and law partners deserted me, my mom and my dad never wavered. Would that more parents of LGBT youths and adults followed that example. My dad did not live to meet my partner Barry, by my mother loved him - as he came to love her.

*

With constant news articles about homeless LGBT youth making up a disproportionate number of homeless youth - one 365gay.com story estimates 20-40% even though LGBT youth make up only 5-10% of the population - parental acceptance is critical. In many cases these youths are homeless because their parents threw them out of the house for being gay, with the Bible typically cited for justification. As a parent of three children myself, I just do not comprehend such a f*cked behavior. Again, my mom set the example that all true loving parents should follow. I will be thankful to my mom for the rest of my life for this additional great gift she gave to me. As for parents who disown their LGBT children (and I say this as a parent myself), they need to take a good look in the mirror and ask themselves WTF is wrong with them? Oh, and if they use religion as an excuse, then they need to find themselves a new church/faith group. God, Christ, Allah, or whatever name you use, would not want a betrayal of one's own children.

Waiting For My Mother's Impending Death

As I mentioned in a post last week, my mother's health has been deteriorating rapidly after battling cancer for over 14 years. She moved to a hospice in Charlottesville earlier in the week and has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Last night we children all received a call at 3:15 AM that things were looking grim. We don't know at this point whether she will make it through the day or not. Blogging will be spotty at best. I am putting up this post since I know that some long time readers will be on the verge of checking on me. I thank them in advance for the loyalty and concern. The photo above is from the beach at our summer home in the Adirondacks which fortunately my mother got to see one last time this past summer. It is one of her favorite places in the world.

More Tuesday Male Beauty

National Organization for Marriage's 2009 Tax Return Shows Handfull of Big Donors

Part of the smoke and mirrors PR campaign against same sex-marriage by National Organization for Marriage ("NOM") is to present the false picture that NOM is a grass roots organization with widespread support. However, NOM's much belatedly released 2009 tax return indicates that five (5) donors contributed 75% of NOM's income in that tax year. Given NOM's past conduct, it's likely the 2010 return will not be forthcoming on time either. Should 2010's return mirror the pattern of 2009, it would seem that Maggie Gallagher's self-enriching operation is actually mainly a front for a small hand full of donors. So far, I've seen nothing that identifies these donors - something that may be even more telling yet. NOM has shown that it believes that it is above the campaign finance laws of a number of states and in general behaves like most Christianist groups: thinking itself above the law and entitled to special rights not available to others. Indeed, when these organizations accuse LGBT citizens of wanting "special rights," one can only assume that they must be looking in a mirror as theaccusations are made. Here are some highlights from HRC's new page:
*
[T]he National Organization for Marriage today released its 2009 Form 990, the tax return they are required to submit to the IRS. . . . The 990 shows that three wealthy donors contributed 68% of their total donations; four donors gave 73% and five donors gave 75%.
*
“NOM’s reluctance to make their tax returns available publicly is par for the course in their pattern of secrecy and shadowy dealings,” said Kevin Nix, NOM Project Director for HRC. “While NOM claims to represent a grassroots network, it’s not surprising that they’ve tried to hide the fact that they are almost entirely beholden to a few wealthy, anti-gay donors.”
*
Most of the $7.1 million in ’09 revenue came from a few very large donors. These donors could be individuals or corporations but their identities are not required to be disclosed publicly. According to the 990, here is how NOM’s top donations break down.
*
1. $2,475,000
2. $1,230,000
3. $1,100,000
4. $400,000
5. $150,000

9th Circuit Directs Question to California Supreme Court in Prop 8 Case

As many LGBT blogs and news outlets are reporting, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has deferred to the California Supreme Court on a question of standing in the appeal from Judge Vaughan's ruling in Perry v. Schwarzenegger. The issue is whether the proponents of Proposition 8 have standing to bring the appeal where the State of California - acting through the office of Governor and Attorney General - has refused to do so. In its partial decision, the 9th Circuit did rule that Imperial County lacks any standing to bring the appeal. As noted in prior posts, federal court rulings suggest that the Proposition 8 supporters likely do not have the standing to litigate the appeal. However, since Prop 8 is a California provision, the 9th Circuit referred the issue to the California Supreme Court. As some analysis has suggested, this move may be wise since if the California Supreme finds that the Prop 8 proponents lack standing, a potential issue for appeal should Judge Vaughan's ruling is upheld will have been taken away from the anti-gay marriage crowd. Candidly, a finding that the Prop 8 supporters have standing would open the door to all kinds of crackpots and crazies bring appeals. Thus, I hope the answer of the California Supreme Court is a resounding "No!" Here are some highlights from the San Francisco Chronicle:
*
California's highest court, which has issued three rulings on same-sex marriage in less than seven years, was handed another crucial question Tuesday - whether sponsors of a voter-approved measure banning gay and lesbian weddings have the right to defend it in court.
*
Then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and ex-Attorney General Jerry Brown refused to appeal a federal judge's ruling in August that the measure unconstitutionally discriminated based on sexual orientation and gender. So the future of the case depends on whether Prop. 8's sponsor, a conservative religious coalition called Protect Marriage, has legal standing - the right to represent the interests of the state and its voters.
*
If not, the federal appeals court could uphold Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling and restore same-sex marriage in California - legalized briefly by a 2008 state Supreme Court ruling - without deciding whether Prop. 8 is constitutional.
*
The California court has allowed initiative supporters to argue in favor of a measure's validity but has never said whether they could do so if the state did not join in. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 1997 Arizona case, said it had "grave doubts" that a ballot measure's sponsors could stand in for state officials.
*
In a separate order Tuesday, the federal court denied standing to Imperial County, which had sought to enter the Prop. 8 case and defend the ballot measure that 70 percent of its voters supported. The court said the county had no independent authority over marriage, apart from carrying out state law, and noted that the elected county clerk - whose duties might be affected by the case - had not joined the appeal.

McDonnell and Marshall Spar Over Marshall's Lunatic DADT Ban Proposal

Nothing is more entertaining than watching far right wing Republicans get in sh*tstorm between each other over who can be more reactionary than the other. In this instance, the truly psychologically disturbed Del. Bob Marshall wins out over Governor Bob "Taliban Bob" McDonnell on the issue of gays in the Virginia National Guard - assuming that one is a Neanderthal knuckle dragger. By "winning," of course, Marshall embarrasses not only himself, but the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. A column in the Fredericksburg Free Lance Star roundly trashes Marshall and his unrelenting homophobia and desire to drag the Virginia back into the 19th century. Behind the scenes of all of this is Marshall's delusional ambition to win the GOP nomination to run for U. S. Senator - which Marshall apparently thinks he can win by being even more crazy than Christine O'Donnell. Meanwhile, McDonnell's ambitions for higher office dictate that he tone down his image as a Pat Robertson puppet. The Virginian Pilot looks at the McDonnell v. Marshall set to and here are some highlights:
*

During an appearance on FOX & Friends this morning to discuss his bill to ban "active homosexuals" from the Virginia National Guard, Del. Bob Marshall said that Gov. Bob McDonnell is incorrect in concluding that the Guard must abide by Defense Department regulations on gays in the military. A Prince William County Republican, Marshall has announced plans to file legislation to block gays from Guard service in Virginia.
*
McDonnell previously said that while he disagrees with the policy change he "expects the Guard to adhere to the final guidelines implemented by the Department of Defense." The governor also noted that the bulk of the "Guard’s funding is federal and any departure from federal policies may put this funding at risk."
*
Marshall argued that his bill could be enforced because the U.S. Army and the Virginia National Guard have different enlistment criteria.
*
The Free Lance Star piece looks at the history of the Virginia National Guard and demonstrates that once again Marshall is full of ignorance, bullshit and bigotry. Here are some highlights:
*
In olden times, when marauding Indians were the main threat to a community's survival, state militias could afford to operate independently. But the nature of the modern world requires the Regular military branches, the Reserves, and the National and Air Guards to function as one. As early as 1903, the Dick Act brought the state organizations under close federal supervision and authorized the War Department to establish training standards for the various National Guards.
*
Later, in 1933, the National Guard Mobilization Act explicitly made the Guard a component of the Army, while the Total Force Policy of 1973 formally blended the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard into one doctrinal entity. Finally, in 2008, President Bush signed a bill placing the National Guard Bureau under the Department of Defense.
*
Now, what would happen, in the high emergency of war, were openly gay Regular Army soldiers, or Minnesota reservists, transferred to Virginia Guard units that still clung to "don't ask"? Grudging acceptance? Flat rejection? In any case, the result would be lost efficiency when efficiency is crucial. Where now is the Marshall expertise on threats to national security?
*
Whatever in the Constitution Mr. Marshall has found that allows a National Guard to go its own way, the courts have not detected it. After some liberal governors threatened to exempt state Guard units from overseas assignment during the Reagan era, Congress in 1987 squelched those threats with the Montgomery Amendment, which the U.S. Supreme Court uphheld.
*
As is always the case, Marshall places his personal prejudice and bigotry over the U.S. Constitution and the federal laws governing the military. His idiocy may play well amongst the lobotomized Tea Party set, but in a state wide election for U.S. Senate, he's proven himself to be just as nutty as Christine O'Donnell and Sharron Angle.

Tuesday Male Beauty

Gay-Bashing Navy Video Producer Likely to See Career End

The Virginian Pilot is reporting that while no decision has yet been made, Captain Owen Honors - the man behind raunchy and anti-gay videos made and shown aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise - will likely his lose his position as commander of the aircraft carrier Enterprise, and military experts said his Navy career is almost certainly over. One question not addressed is what should/will happen to the admirals who almost certainly were aware of the videos and allowed them to continue. The Christianists are claiming that gays serving openly in the military will result in perversion, but as Honors has shown, the all too common frat boy mentality of straights is not insignificant problem. I suspect gays would do far less to undermine decorum that the good Captain Honors has done. Both Honors and his superiors need to be held to account for the outrageous conduct that went on apparently for quite some time - despite the support coming from some who believe bashing and ridiculing others is perfectly fine. Here are highlights from the Pilot's story:
*
The Virginian-Pilot reported Saturday that during his tenure as second-in-command aboard the Norfolk-based carrier, Honors produced and broadcast for the crew a series of short videos that included sexual jokes, subordinates parading in drag, anti-gay remarks, and sailors pretending to masturbate and shower together.
*
The newspaper published an edited version of one of the videos on its website over the weekend. Since then, the video has been broadcast by numerous national and international media outlets. While some have criticized Honors since the videos became public, others - especially retired and active-duty sailors - have rallied in his support.
*
U.S. Fleet Forces Command has launched an investigation into the videos. Other media outlets were reporting late Monday that Honors could be relieved of command as soon as today, but the Navy said no official call had been made. Military experts said it's unlikely Honors will stay, given that officers have been removed for far less in the past.
*
"This is very serious," said Eugene Fidell, a law professor at Yale University and president of the National Institute of Military Justice. "After watching the videos, I don't see how he could stay. He runs a warship, not a fraternity house."
*
The Enterprise and its 6,000 sailors and Marines are slated to deploy overseas this month. "Especially given the deployment, I expect he'll be removed sooner rather than later," Fidell said. The Navy hasn't announced plans to delay the deployment, and Fidell doubts it will. "They'll put someone else in his place and they'll go," he said. Honors will probably face a mast, or a Navy disciplinary hearing before an admiral, before being forced to retire, Fidell said. Honors' rank may be reduced, he added.
*
Honors has not responded to requests for an interview. Neither has the Enterprise's then-commanding officer, Larry Rice, now a rear admiral assigned to the Norfolk-based Joint Forces Command. Rear Adm. Raymond Spicer and Vice Adm. Daniel Holloway, who commanded the Enterprise carrier strike group during Honors' time as XO, could not be reached.

Obama DOJ Seeks Hold on Log Cabin DADT Lawsuit Appeal

While the legislation to repeal DADT has been signed into law, I for one believe that the appeal in Log Cabin Republicans v. United States needs to proceed. Candidly, I still have ZERO confidence in this White House and/or the powers that be at the Pentagon. We need a court ruling declaring DADT unconstitutional so that no games can be played with repealed moving forward and so that some GOP controlled Congress cannot reimpose anti-gay restrictions. Thus, I hope the Ninth Circuit ignores the request of Obama's Department of Justice. For far too long, LGBT service members have been at the mercy of the legislative whims of legislators enshrining their own religious based bigotry into the nation's laws. The DOJ filing can be found here. Chris Geidner looks at the situation at Metro Weekly and here are some highlights:
*
One week after President Barack Obama signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act into law, the Department of Justice filed a motion in the Log Cabin Republicans' challenge to DADT to put the case on hold indefinitely to allow the president and Defense Department leadership to take steps detailed in the Repeal Act to end the ban on openly gay, lesbian and bisexual service.
*
Although the government's opening brief in the appeal of U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Phillip's ruling is scheduled to be submitted to the Ninth Circuit by Jan. 24, the DOJ lawyers have asked for the case to be put on hold to conserve the court system's resources and out of "respect for determination by the political branches that the orderly process mandated by the Repeal Act is necessary and appropriate to ensure that military effectiveness is preserved."
*
LCR's executive director, Clarke Cooper, disagreed in a statement on Jan. 3, saying, "Passage of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal Act of 2010 was an important step toward open service, but until open service is a reality, our legal battle remains necessary."
*
In the filing, DOJ lawyers made clear that DADT remains in effect until then -- as does the enhanced policy that DADT-related discharges need "the personal approval of the Secretary of the Military Department concerned, in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the General Counsel of the Department of Defense." Should the court grant the motion, the government lawyers state that they are "prepared to advise the Court within 90 days as to the status of the certification process."
*
Regardless, it is the possibility of any continued enforcement of DADT in the meantime that has caused concern for LCR and its lawyers.
*
For LCR, though, continued delay of the case while the law remains in effect means continued risk to the careers of the gay, lesbian and bisexual servicemembers who are the targets of DADT investigations. LCR is expected to file a motion opposing the government's request.
*
Dan Woods, the lead attorney for LCR and a partner at the law firm of White and Case, said in a statement issued on Jan. 3, "I reached out to my counterparts at the Department of Justice and offered to accept a stay if the government would agree to immediately end all discharges under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' The Obama administration refused, and insists on continuing its enforcement of a policy that has been rejected by Congress, the military, and the American people."

More Monday Male Beauty

Father Cutié: Catholic Church Full of Gay Priests

Echoing the charges made by others formerly in the Roman Catholic priesthood, Father Alberto Cutié - now an Episcopalian because of his desire to marry the woman he loved - formerly one of the Catholic Church's most media savvy American priests and hugely popular within the Hispanic community, has blasted the Catholic Church for its pro-celibacy and anti-gay hypocrisy. As Time, the Miami Herald and the Miami News Times are both reporting, Cutié holds no punches in his new book, Dilemma: A Priest's Struggle with Faith and Love (Celebra; 320 pages; $25.95). He likewise, takes the Church hierarchy for its malfeasance in the handling of the sex abuse scandal where pedophile priests were shown far more deference and concern than did the molestation victims. Moral bankruptcy and hypocrisy are truly the main hallmarks of the Vatican and Church leadership. First this from the Miami News Times:
*
In the book, Cutié slams the Church as misogynistic, hypocritical on homosexuality, and an "institution that continues to promote old ideas." "There are so many homosexuals, both active and celibate, at all levels of clergy and Church hierarchy that the church would never be able to function if they were really to exclude all of them [gays] from ministry,'' Cutié writes.
*
Unsurprisingly, he's critical on the Church's celibacy policy and blames it partially for the string of sex abuse scandals that have plagues the church. He also take direct aim at former Miami Archbishop John Favalora "an aloof CEO'' with a "cold and rigid approach."
*

These highlights from the Miami Herald expand on this theme:
*
In several passages, Cutié blames the church's celibacy policy for the dwindling clergy pool and the child sex-abuse scandals. He also accuses church leaders of being hypocrites and says they tacitly accept secret homosexual and heterosexual relationships among priests but disapproved of his because it became public.
*
``There are so many homosexuals, both active and celibate, at all levels of clergy and Church hierarchy that the church would never be able to function if they were really to exclude all of them from ministry,'' Cutié writes. The priest's critiques -- he also expresses anger that many priests are too-quickly ``abandoned to sink or swim'' when accused of sexual crimes -- are not unique. But rare is such a public airing of grievances against the archdiocese by a former insider.
*
And then Time has this:
*
Cutié just as rightly notes that "there are much bigger problems in the church" than his otherwise healthy relationship with a consenting adult. Cutié's tell-all saves its harshest censure not for the gossip rags (which he all but thanks for outing him) but for the Catholic hierarchy's retro hypocrisies — especially celibacy, which he posits, based on a flood of letters he's since received from priests, is a promise broken by many if not most clerics (some promiscuously) as they combat the loneliness it can breed. The church is "disconnected from the very people it was meant to serve," he writes, and it acted more distressed by his peccadillo than by "the truly criminal, outrageous and blatantly immoral behavior" of pedophile priests.

Wingnuts List ENDA as "Anti-Christian" - Meanwhile Obama Gives Christianists Special Rights

This blog talks frequently about the special rights and privileges that the Christianists and professional Christians demand for themselves - rights and privileges that trump the rights and civil liberties of other citizens. Worse yet has been Barack Obama's willingness to go along with the Christianists and allow them to continue to receive government funds while enjoying an exemption from non-discrimination policies applicable to others. In short, Obama is in effect forcing taxpayers to fund Christianist faith based initiatives while allowing such organizations to openly discriminate against the same taxpayers forced to fund their oppressors. It's beyond f*cked up yet another example of Obama throwing supporters under the bus to please Christianists. My view is simple: you want government funds, there are NO exemptions from non-discrimination laws and policies. If you want to be a discriminatory bigot, fine - just don't expect to receive a dollar of government funds. Karen Ocamb looks at this disturbing situation on her blog LGBT Pov. First, here are some highlights on the Christianists anti-ENDA batshitery:
*
Defend Christians.org, a San Diego-based “ministry” of the self-styled Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, just-released a list of the “Top Ten Anti-Christian Events in 2010.”
*
Defend Christians’ Chairman and CEO Dr. Gary Cass said in a press release that the poll results “demonstrate a double standard is being applied against Christians and their faith, values and liberty.”
*
[G]iven all the choices, poll participants picked the introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) as the number one anti-Christian “event” of 2010. The group describes ENDA as “a proposed federal bill that would force ministries, including churches, to hire people who oppose their beliefs or who live in open defiance of their values.”
*
Yep, it's all about them - who cares if hard working citizens are subjected to being fired at will based on religious discrimination. A situation that leads to the continued special rights principally being afforded to Christian bigots. The LGBT Pov article continues by reviewing recent action by Obama to benefit the gay haters. Here are more highlights:
*
[L]aw professor Nan Hunter of the Williams Institute, . . . . , exposed on her blog Hunter of Justice that the Obama Administration extended the Bush Administration’s discrimination exemption for faith-based organizations that receive federal funding.
*
Hunter pointed out Monday that President Obama issued Executive Order 13559 last November that modified President Bush’s 2002 Executive Order 13279, “establishing criteria for federal agency funding of social services provided by religious organizations.” However, Hunter noted, Obama made no changes to Bush policies allowing federally funded faith-based charities to continue discrimination in hiring.
*
Hunter wrote: “Under both the Bush and Obama orders, religious organizations receiving public funds are allowed to discriminate on the basis of religion in their employment policies. Also under both orders, funding recipients are prohibited from discriminating against beneficiaries on the basis of religious affiliation or belief or the refusal to hold a belief or to attend services.
*
Under Title VII, religious organizations have long had the same kind of exemption allowing them to discriminate based on religion in their hiring and firing decisions. However, the Bush and now the Obama executive orders have extended that exemption to include organizations that are supported with government funds.
*
Personally, I am over the special rights and privileges afforded some of the worse bigots and purveyors of anti-gay prejudice. Isn't it about time Obama and others take away special handouts to those who practice religious based discrimination?

Monday Male Beauty

Worthless Tim Kaine to Remain DNC Chair

Perhaps my view of Tim Kaine is colored by his failure to do ANYTHING to support his own executive order allegedly protection gay Virginia state employees when it was challenged after the leadership of the Virginia Museum of Natural History fired a young gay man for being gay. Or maybe it's because he seemed more focused on the DNC than he did on being governor during the period that his DNC responsibilities overlapped with his term as governor. In any event, I for one am less than thrilled with Kaine remaining as DNC chair for another two years. Kaine - while giving lip service to LGBT rights - is anything but a strong ally in my view and activists in national LGBT rights organizations need to recognize that lip service will likely be all they see from Kaine - hence why I am leaving the "Don't Ask, Don't Give" link on this blog for the time being. Unless court decisions force change, I don't see either Obama or Kaine championing our equality over the next two years. These highlights from the Washigton Post look at Kaine's decision to remain DNC chair:
*
Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine said Sunday that he plans to stay at the helm of the national party another two years because that's where President Obama wants him to serve.
*
"My agreement with the president is I was going to do what he wants me to do," Kaine said on CNN's "State of the Union." "And what I know sitting here today is he wants me to continue in this spot and that's what I'm going to do with excitement, you know, traveling all around the country, going through the TSA lines like everybody else, going out and being the president's advocate and promoter. And it's a wonderful job and I intend continue it."
*
Obama campaigned for Kaine's gubernatorial bid in 2005; two years later, Kaine became the first major elected official outside of Illinois to back Obama's White House bid. He also was on Obama's vice presidential shortlist in 2008.
*
Late last year, Politico reported that senior Democratic officials were floating the possibility of White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs succeeding Kaine as DNC chairman, with Kaine potentially in line for a Cabinet job. At the time, the White House pushed back against the speculation and a Kaine aide noted that the chairmanship is a four-year term.
*
My prediction with Kaine: two more years of mealy mouthed lip service to LGBT equality, but no leadership or action at the DNC chair level. It's unfortunate, but I believe it's the true reality.

Looking Forward in 2011 - Hopes for Gay Rights Will Shift to Courts

With the pending GOP take over of control of the U. S. House of Representatives, the likelihood of more LGBT rights advances occurring legislatively - e.g., passage of ENDA - will certainly dim with a result that in states like Virginia, employment discrimination against LGBT citizens will continue to be legal and the norm. While some progress may occur on the state level, in many states such will not be the case. Certainly, here in Virginia the GOP will continue to prostitute itself to the forces of hate and bigotry that flows from The Family Foundation and similar Christo-fascist organizations that seem all too prevalent. The Boston Globe has a story that looks at this reality and what may be expected on the litigation front where DOMA in particular is under challenge. Note that hate group leader Porno Pete is lauding the advent of GOP control of the House (Note: the Globe all too typically, fails to identify LaBarbera's organization as a hate group) . Here are some highlights:
*
WASHINGTON — Gay-rights activists, acknowledging they will lose momentum for their agenda in Congress when Republicans assume control of the House this week, are pinning their hopes for further gains in 2011 on a series of incremental measures and a host of federal court cases.
*
[A]ctivists and observers caution against expecting anything as dramatic from the next Congress. For instance, a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, is virtually out of the question in the near future because of the GOP’s rise to power in the House, advocates said.
*
The retrenching comes after two years of relatively steady progress. In addition to the repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell, Congress passed a hate-crime bill in 2009 that included protections for gays and lesbians. Obama issued a memorandum extending limited benefits to federal employees with same-sex spouses, such as sick leave to care for them. And in 2010, the US Census recorded same-sex married couples for the first time.
*
Americans for Truth, an Illinois-based advocacy group for heterosexual marriage, is hailing the new Republican majority control in the House as a huge victory that it hopes will put the brakes on further progress toward what it calls “taxpayer-funded homosexuality.’’
*
Focus will once again turn to the courts, where rulings against the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers had helped create a favorable political environment for repeal. There are five lawsuits pending across the country that challenge the Defense of Marriage Act, including two key cases in Massachusetts.
*
In both cases, US District Court Judge Joseph L. Tauro ruled in the plaintiffs’ favor last summer, saying that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional because it interferes with states’ right to define marriage. The federal government is appealing and is scheduled to lay out its reasoning this month in the First Circuit Court of Appeals, where formal arguments are expected this summer.
*
“The public is ready to accept full equality,’’ said Richard Socarides, who was senior advisor to President Clinton on gay civil rights and who last month became president of Equality Matters, a new advocacy group in Washington. “But we have to bring policy makers along.’’

Pro-Proposition 8 Pastor Arrested on Child Molestation Charges

The hypocrisy of anti-gay marriage hypocrites sometimes seems to know no limits - especially since one of the tactics of the Proposition 8 proponents was to shriek and wail that gay marriage posed a threat to children. That fabricated threat, however, is nothing compared to the very real threat posed by "godly Christians" like Pastor Tom Daniels of First Baptist Church in Rio Linda, California (pictured at right), who is being held on $6 Million bail after being charged with multiple felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old and sexual conduct with a child. Why is it that the Christianists always seem to transfer their own bizarre sexual lusts and perversions and try to attribute them to LGBT citizens? KTXL-TV 40 has coverage on Daniels' arrest. Here are highlights:
*
First Baptist Church of Rio Linda senior pastor Tom Daniels was arrested December 9th. According to records at the Sacramento County Jail, he is facing one charge of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years of age, and another charge for engaging in multiple sexual assaults of a child.
*
The news that a possible pedophile was in their midst was upsetting enough to Rio Linda residents, but many are also asking why no one told them that the arrest had been made.
*
The pastor was arrested not in Rio Linda, but in Citrus Heights and the Citrus Heights Police Department says it is not ready to release any further information about the investigation...only that it is ongoing.
*
More information about the case and the threat to the Rio Linda community could be coming out as early as next week. For those that live just feet from the church's front door, these will be long days coming.

Sunday Male Beauty

Tea Party Crazies Angry at G.O.P. Leaders

There is some entertainment factor in watching the GOP leadership now have to contend with two Frankenstein monsters that it helped create by putting what was perceived as a short term tactical advantage ahead of any sound long term strategy. Opportunism can sometimes come back to bite one in the ass big time. The Christian Right wing of the GOP was bad enough and has often driven away moderates and independents. Now, the Tea Party seems poised to become the second self-inflicted monster that will drive rational and sentient voters away from the GOP. Does the GOP really need more Christine O'Donnells in future elections cycles? Personally, I think not. But craven cynicism by party leaders has set the stage for ongoing headaches as the Fruit Loops crowd tries to dictate to the party mainstream what is important and what is not. Poll after poll shows that Sarah Palin has a huge negative perception with voters at large, yet she looks relatively sane compared to some of the Tea Party loons. The New York Times looks at the unrest amongst the Tea Party crowd. Here are some highlights:
*
As Tea Party politicians prepare to take their seats when the 112th Congress convenes this week, they are already taking issue with Republicans for failing to hold the line against the flurry of legislation enacted in the waning weeks of Democratic control of the House of Representatives and for not giving some candidates backed by Tea Party groups powerful leadership positions.
*
“Do I think that they’ve recognized what happened on Election Day? I would say decisively no,” said Mark Meckler, a co-founder of Tea Party Patriots, which sent its members an alert last month urging them to call their representatives to urge them to “stop now and go home!!”
*
“We sent them a message that we expect them to go home and come back newly constituted and do something different,” Mr. Meckler said. “For them to legislate when they’ve collectively lost their mandate just shows the arrogance of the ruling elite. I can’t imagine being repudiated in the way they were and then coming back and saying ‘Now that we’ve been repudiated, let’s go pass some legislation.’ ”
*
“The Republicans, frankly, have been a disaster,” Mr. Meckler said. “They stood strong on some things, but the only reason they stood strong is because we stood behind them with a big stick.”
*
Tea Party leaders scoffed at the Republicans’ greatest victory from the lame-duck session — the extension of the Bush tax cuts as part of a compromise with the White House. Instead, Tea Party leaders complained that Republicans had abandoned a push for a full repeal of the estate tax.
*
Despite its victories in November — more than 40 candidates supported by the Tea Party were elected to the House and Senate — the Tea Party lost battles for important leadership positions. . . . . Incoming Tea Party lawmakers said they would push for drastic cuts to federal agencies whose functions they believe would be better handled at the state level, like the Department of Education.
*
While a full repeal of the estate tax would help behind the scenes backers of the Tea Party like the Koch brothers, most of the rank and file sheeple backing the Tea Party at the ballot box would receive ZERO benefit from such a repeal. But knowledge of actual facts and consequences seems to be mutually exclusive with rank and file membership in the Tea Party ranks. Instead untruths and demagoguery win the day. I hope the GOP pays dearly for encouraging this embrace of ignorance.

Carrier Enterprise's Skipper Created Raunchy Videos - Using Navy Equipment

UPDATED: As CNN is reporting, a Navy investigation has now been launched into the anti-gay and raunchy videos produced aboard the carrier Enterprise:
*

*

*

To hear the Christianists describe it, the presence of gays in the military will lead to sexual perversion and inappropriate conduct. Apparently, they haven't viewed some of the trash produced by Captain Owen Honors (pictured), the straight skipper of the aircraft carrier Enterprise. The stuff is sleazy and trashy and some was apparently filmed while the Enterprise was on deployment off of Iraq supporting Chimperator Bush's fool's errand in that nation. As a post yesterday indicated, the big problem with the military when it comes to sexual misbehavior isn't the gays, but instead the horny and perverted heterosexuals. But then, the Christianists are all about heterosexual privilege and special rights for their own religious beliefs.

*

Let's wait and see if Elaine Donnelly, Porno Pete and the rest of the usual crowd whisper even a word about this scandal. The Virginian Pilot has coverage and here are some highlights:
*
In one scene, two female Navy sailors stand in a shower stall aboard the aircraft carrier, pretending to wash each other. They joke about how they should get six minutes under the water instead of the mandated three.
*
In other skits, sailors parade in drag, use anti-gay slurs, and simulate masturbation and a rectal exam. Another scene implies that an officer is having sex in his stateroom with a donkey.
*
They're all part of a series of short movies produced aboard the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier Enterprise in 2006 and 2007 and broadcast to its nearly 6,000 sailors and Marines. The man who masterminded and starred in them is Capt. Owen Honors - now the commander of the carrier, which is weeks away from deploying.
*
The videos, obtained by The Virginian-Pilot this week, were shot and edited with government equipment, many of them while the Enterprise was deployed supporting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
*
In the videos, Honors indicates that he's trying to entertain the crew. They were shown roughly once a week on closed-circuit shipwide television, according to a handful of sailors who were assigned to the Enterprise at the time. The sailors requested anonymity for fear of retribution. One of them said he mailed a complaint about the videos to the Navy Inspector General this week. Others said crew members who raised concerns aboard the ship in 2006 and 2007 were brushed off.
*
Rear Adm. Raymond Spicer and Vice Adm. Daniel Holloway, who commanded the Enterprise carrier strike group during Honors' time as XO, could not be reached. The Navy released a written statement late Friday in response to The Pilot's inquiries. "The videos created onboard USS Enterprise in 2006-2007 were not created with the intent to offend anyone," the statement said. "The videos were intended to be humorous skits focusing the crew's attention on specific issues such as port visits, traffic safety, water conservation, ship cleanliness, etc."
*
The sailors who spoke to the newspaper said it's hard to believe that Honors' superiors on board weren't aware of the videos as soon as he began showing them in 2006, given that they were routinely broadcast for the entire crew. "People talked about them," the former ship videographer said. "People looked forward to them - at least the people who thought they were funny."
*
The sailors who spoke to The Pilot estimated that Honors made a few dozen videos for XO Movie Night. They said not all of them contained sexual jokes and anti-gay remarks. The videos were shot and edited using equipment from the ship's public affairs office, which typically spends deployments documenting and publicizing the good work of sailors. Of note is the quality of the XO Movie Night videos and the time that Honors appears to have devoted to them, even as the Enterprise was simultaneously supporting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and its air wing was dropping record numbers of bombs. The videos have plots, scripts, props and recurring characters.