More Saturday Male Beauty

What's A Gym?

I guess I missed out on the gay gym bunny gene. I'm not a clueless as Homer Simpson, but gyms and I generally do not mix. To me, going to the gym and working out is a form of torture (my preferred form of exercise is dancing to a good club beat). Nonetheless, the boyfriend has been after me with a relentless campaign to get me to start going to work out with him. His argument is that it will keep us healthier and in better shape. Today I finally succumbed to the arm twisting - previously he bought me workout shoes as a ploy - and I now have a six month YMCA membership that he bought for me to eliminate the excuse that I didn't have the money.

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On the positive side, we were allowed to get a family membership, so at least the local YMCA on the Hampton side of the water is progressive in that regard. Some local YMCA's historically have not allowed gay couples to qualify for a family membership - causing a minor uproar a few years back - and I had wondered whether or not it would be an issue.

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The long and short of it is that I've had my cardio exercise today along with a series of weight machines. Of course, he thinks he's dragging me there again tomorrow. Time will tell on that. Meanwhile, tonight the trade off is that were are going to The Wave to dance after an LGBT Pre-Oscar party at the Granby Theater in Norfolk. I'm going to dance his ass off - he's a good dancer but I've got more endurance on the dance floor.

WOAI TV Continues Gay Bashing

Last week WOAI TY in San Antonio ran a rabid anti-gay rant as pert of its alleged commentary on gays is the military. Part 2 of the series went online today and represents yet another piece of propaganda that reads like it was written by the ever frigid and delusional Elaine Donnelly - the self-styled expert on military readiness who has NO military experience herself. As with the first "comment" WOAI-TY has given a bigot a platform with apparently no comparable countering points of view with equal prominence. The author of today's piece, Merrill R. Darby, clearly comes across as someone who is probably a racist as well and he recites many of the same types of red herrings that were used to argue against allowing blacks to serve in the military. Moreover, like so many of the ranting homophobes, his fixation on gays living with straights suggests to me that he has some issues about his own sexuality. Lastly, the reality is that there are already MANY gays in the military. Mr. Darby needs to get over it. Here are some brief highlights form his rant and my responses:

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Conveniently overlooked is the real possibility that such precipitous social engineering could seriously diminish the future recruitment of young, heterosexual men and women from socially conservative “red state” families and communities. That is where the largest segment of recruits originate; not in liberal, mostly lily-white “blue state” families and communities—and certainly not with the gays themselves. (Homosexual men and women make no more than 5 percent of the U.S. population.)

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I guess since the South provides a disporportionate number of recruits, the racism that still is very wide spread in the south means that blacks should be barred from the military too.

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For many in these backbone groups, Christianity is influential and the Bible is a fundamentally important document. Scriptural condemnation of homosexuality is not just an Old Testament thing, either. It might come as a surprise to some that the New Testament also inveighs against unnatural sex. In Romans 1:18-32, no less than the Apostle Paul warned early Christians against an immoral culture in which women turned away from what was natural and men burned with lust for other men.

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The last time I read the U.S. Constitution, it did not establish Christianity as the state religion nd require that all citizens live according to Christian dictates. I'd further add that many Christians are not of the gay-hating variety which seems to be principally centered in evangelical and fundamentalist denominations. Mr. Darby ought not lump all Christians into the Neanderthal category. In addition, Mr. Darby obviously cares little about the concept of freedom of religion - except for himself and those who hold identical bigoted views.

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Few inside or outside the U.S. military would suggest that servicewomen share living quarters - including showers and toilets - with servicemen (other than temporarily in the austerity of field operations, perhaps). So, why would any rational, objective person urge that young, straight women bunk, shower, and potty with overt lesbians, month in and month out? (The predictable result is a “hostile environment” under the UCMJ.) Sexual harassment in the military is not limited to just men behaving badly against women.

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It strikes me that perhaps Mr. Darby might want to get some mental health counseling and work out his own issues before he tries to dictate how the nation's military should be operated. Lastly, I'd again remind Mr. Darby that the gays are ALREADY in the military - and many are highly decorated and supported by their commands which ignore Don'T Ask, Don't Tell to the maximum extent possible (I had one friend who outed himself and his command begged him to stay in the Navy) . Living in this area, one encounters them daily both inside and outside of gay venues. Bigotry does not belong in the military plain and simple.

Saturday Male Beauty

Drag Queen Elected Homecoming Queen

On a less serious note, George Mason University in Northern Virginia has done something remarkable for a university in a state that is the home of Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell's Liberty University and a bunch of Christianist organizations (e.g., the Arlington Group) based in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.: a drag queen has been elected Homecoming Queen of the 30,000 student university. No doubt there's more than a little angst and spittle flying amongst the fundies. The newly crowned queen is George Mason University senior Ryan Allen a/k/a Reann Ballslee who performs as a popular drag queen at local clubs. Personally, I think its a riot - especially if it upsets the fundies. It also shows that maybe there's hope for Virginia yet. Here are highlights from the Washington Post:

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Spend time with George Mason University senior Ryan Allen and it's clear why he's a Big Man on Campus. He wears size 12 pumps. Allen is now -- as of halftime at Saturday's sold-out basketball game against Northeastern at the Patriot Center -- the school's homecoming queen. He received more votes than the two women who vied for the crown.

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Allen, who is gay and performs as a popular drag queen at local clubs, assumed the title of Ms. Mason. He was wearing a green-and-gold bow, sewn for him by the theater department costume's shop, that was visible even from the cheap seats, a sequined top, a black skirt and heels. Ricky Malebranche, a junior from Woodbridge, was named Mr. Mason.

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Beyond the joyful tears and tiara, Allen's election exposed conflicting cultural currents at the sprawling campus in Fairfax County. Many see it as an expression of inclusiveness at a place where about one-third of the 30,000 students are minority. But others say it is an embarrassment at an inopportune time when Mason is trying to revamp its image from commuter school to distinguished institution of higher learning. Officially, the university is "very comfortable with it. We're fine," spokesman Daniel Walsch said. The school does not require participants in the Mr. and Ms. Mason pageant to compete along precise gender lines, he said.

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The pageant has been a part of homecoming for five years, but it often didn't register with the far-flung student body, of which only 16 percent lives on campus. Students say it was considered the province of pretty blondes and fraternity boys. Until now. "I've never been into homecoming over here. This is the first time I've actually wanted to support someone," said Melissa Benjjani, 21, from Lebanon. "He deserves to be queen.

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Allen grew up in tiny Goochland, Va., about 30 miles northwest of Richmond, and endured years of taunts from classmates after coming out during his freshman year in high school. When Allen came to Mason in 2005, his world grew wider. His drag alter ego, Reann, began performing at nightclubs including Freddie's Beach Bar in Crystal City and Apex in the District. Over the years, Allen perfected his stagecraft, learning how to apply shading makeup to look more feminine and buying gowns on a student budget from other drag queens. His fame grew as each year he emceed Mason's drag show, held during Pride Week. And with fame, acceptance.

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"When they said 'Ms. Mason 2009 is Reann Ballslee,' the crowd went wild," Allen said. "It was one of the best feelings I've felt in a long time. I had so many friends supporting me."

Lutherans Seeking to Have it Both Ways

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ("ELCA"), my own denomination currently, is continuing to struggle with the issue of openly gay clergy in committed relationships. The Church leadership is still reluctant to take on the flat earth element withing the Church that continues to reject modern medical and mental health knowledge that confirms that sexual orientation is not a choice. As a result the proposal being floated would be to allow individual congregations to choose whether to allow gays and lesbians in committed relationships to serve as clergy. In my view, at some point the leadership must confront the element in the Church that refuses to concede that just maybe the ignorant, uneducated authors of the Old Testament got it wrong in their treatment of homosexuality. Accommodating ignorance and superstition will ultimately undermine the Church just as surely as risking the exodus of the Neanderthals. How this issue is resolved is obviously important to me and will likely influence whether or not I remain in the ELCA. Here are some highlights from the Washington Post:

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The nation's largest Lutheran denomination will consider allowing individual congregations to choose whether to allow gays and lesbians in committed relationships to serve as clergy, an attempt to avoid the sort of infighting that has threatened to tear other churches apart. A task force of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recommended that course Thursday in a long-awaited report on ministry standards.

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The report, issued at the same time as a broader church social statement on human sexuality, seeks balance on an issue dividing many Protestant churches. Both documents will be considered in August in Minneapolis at the biannual convention of the 4.7-million member denomination.

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Church members on both sides of the issue, however, were dissatisfied with the proposal. Conservatives called it a rejection of Scripture and an advocate for gay clergy said some of the elements take "a step backward." Gays and lesbians can now serve as clergy in the ELCA if they remain celibate, although some congregations have challenged the system and hired pastors in gay relationships. Heterosexual clergy and professional lay workers are to abstain from sex outside marriage. The proposed change would cover those in "lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships."

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The report identifies fault lines in the church on the gay clergy question, including disagreement over the nature of sin, biblical interpretation, what's best for people with same-sex orientation and the role of social sciences and biology in forming judgments. . . . Leaders of the conservative group Lutheran CORE said they would work to defeat the proposals, describing them as a rejection of Scripture and contrary to the wishes of most church members.

Legal Liability of Ex-Gay Programs

Truth Wins Out and Lambda Legal have teamed up to produce a booklet, 'Ex-Gay & The Law', that looks at the possible harmful effects of reparative therapy utilized by "ex-gay ministries" - which is condemned by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. More importantly, the booklet lays out steps those harmed by ex-gay ministries and their "counselors" should consider taking, including one or more lawsuits against the "ministry" and its counselors. Theories of recover of damages may vary based on the facts and laws of the state where the "therapy" is administered.

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By holding ex-gay "ministries financially liable for the harm they do through successful lawsuits will do much to put an end to these bogus programs and also educate the larger public as to the witchdoctor like practices that occur in these so-called ministries. The fact that (1) reparative therapy is condemned by the legitimate experts and (2) the ex-gay ministries are aware of the position of legitimate experts sets the stage for possible negligence law suits and/or complaints against any licensed professionals who put religious fanaticism over scientific knowledge and engage in therapy regimes condemned by the true experts. A copy of the booklet is available here. Here are some highlights:

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Anyone who may have been harmed by any sort of counselor or therapist should contact Lambda Legal or a local lawyer as soon as possible. All states have a “statute of limitations” which limits the length of time for filing a lawsuit. These periods vary greatly, and may have exceptions if the patient is a minor. To best protect your legal rights, it is very important to consult an attorney sooner rather than later.

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Whether or not someone can take legal action against an “ex-gay” counselor or facility will depend on factors including the law of the state where you met with the practitioner and the specific facts. There are many reasons “ex-gay” programs or practitioners may be liable for harm. If representatives of an “ex-gay” program make false claims, they may have committed fraud, breach of contract, or violated state laws against unfair business practices. If a practitioner does not adequately describe the potential harms of an “ex-gay” program, he or she may be liable for violating the duty to get consent from a person seeking care. If a practitioner is not qualified to provide therapy for a specific mental health condition and fails to refer to a qualified doctor or psychologist, he or she may be liable for negligence or violating rules governing professional licenses. If a counselor threatens to “out” you to your community if you decide you do not want to continue therapy, he or she may be liable under state law. If a practitioner tells third parties about details of your life or your same-sex attractions, that could
violate your right to privacy.

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It is impossible to list all of the factors that might be important in evaluating whether or not someone harmed by an “exgay” program or practitioner may be able to sue in court or take other legal actions, so it is important to consult an attorney. Minors as well as adults have legal rights, including the right to consult with an attorney.

Theocrats Fear Congress Will Enact Pro-Gay Laws

The Christianist and their theocratic allies have been decidedly upping the anti-gay rhetoric over the last few months - including new claims that gays seek to destroy "the family." Why? Because they apparently are fearful that the Obama administration and the Democrat controlled Congress may pass laws that assure LGBT American equal treatment as citizens. In addition, they know that time is NOT on their side and that the younger generations - even among evangelicals - are increasingly gay tolerant and supportive of full equality for gays. For professional Christians who make a living by shaking down the ignorant and paranoid, the anti-gay industry is a big business and should ENDA and the Matthew Shepard Act be enacted and DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell be repealed, these folks will have loss the war and will be facing a serious declined in cash flow. Oh the horrors!! Therefore, expect the anti-gay propaganda to increase. Sally Kern speaking to the John Birch Society, Chris Buttars smearing gays, and the West Virginia gay sniper ad are likely only the opening salvos. Chris Johnson of the Washington Blade (who reads this blog) has a new story that largely confirms these points. The lesson for the LGBT community is that we cannot let up in our efforts to educate the general public about the lies and dishonesty of our foes. Here are some highlights:

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Anti-gay conservatives are increasing their rhetoric and activities because they fear public officials are more likely than ever to act on pro-gay initiatives. That’s the perception of at least one activist, who said he’s noticed an upswing in the ferocity of opposition to pro-gay initiatives now that social conservatives have lost power on the national stage and may be unable to stop lawmakers from approving measures like hate crimes legislation and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

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But Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said even as anti-gay forces use homophobic rhetoric, Americans are becoming more able to see through it.“Anti-gay activists have continued to recycle the same divisive rhetoric and inflammatory misconceptions in their attack on LGBT people and our families,” he said, “and I think more and more people are seeing a contrast between the inclusive, affirming rhetoric of our current administration and the divisive, politics of the past that these groups represent.”

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One ill-fated attempt at demonizing gays emerged last week, as a one-hour television special targeting gay rights was slated to air on WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Mich. The show, titled “Speechless: Silencing Christians,” was promoted as a program that would “reveal the truth about the radical homosexual agenda.”

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Grassroots activists in Michigan worked for days to convince WOOD-TV to remove the show from its schedule. Colette Beighley, assistant director of the gay resource center at Grand Valley State University, led the grassroots efforts by spearheading online networking on Facebook and speaking against the special to local news outlets. On Feb. 11, shortly after HRC issued an “action alert” urging supporters to call the station and oppose the special, WOOD-TV rescinded its offer to air it. The American Family Association, the organization that produced the show, didn’t respond to the Blade’s request for comment.

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On Feb. 12, Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality, issued a statement urging Michael Steele, the newly elected chair of the Republican National Committee, to resist giving the Log Cabin Republicans a greater voice within the GOP. LaBarbera said he has heard that “hundreds, if not thousands” of calls were made to Steele’s office in support of Americans for Truth’s statement. The RNC didn’t respond to a request to comment.

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LaBarbera acknowledged that there was fear among social conservatives because “at least politically, on the Hill, the gay side is stronger than ever.” . . . A number of organizations traditionally opposed to pro-gay initiatives wouldn’t comment on whether they shared a perception that anti-gay rhetoric and activity has increased since the election. Focus on the Family declined to comment for this article and the Family Research Council didn’t respond to a request for comment.

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[Pam] Spaulding said she didn’t know whether anti-gay forces would succeed in passing a marriage amendment in North Carolina, but she predicted that if the groups are unable to pass any more anti-gay initiatives this year or in 2010, they will fall back on the line that “they are oppressed Christians and that any pro-LGBT efforts are squashing religious freedom.”“I think that this continued theme of being victimized by the homosexual agenda is their backup plan if the public decides that [it] isn’t important enough to pass any anti-gay legislation,” she said.

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And how should gays respond when opponents speak out against them — be it through television specials, activism or online media? Solmonese said anytime that occurs, pro-gay forces need “to call the other side out” and “do whatever it takes it make sure that we counter those lies with the truth.” “That’s what we did in Michigan,” he said, “and anytime we see that happening, that’s what we as an organization have a responsibility to do.”

Friday Male Beauty

James Dobson's Poisonous Road Show to Hit Charlotte

I have been an constant opponent of the bogus "ex-gay ministries" such as Focus on the Family's "Love Won Out" for many years, but particularly since 2003 when I helped Wayne Besen expose ex-gay fraud, Michael Johnston (pictured at left). The story that largely ended Johnston's ex-gay career - even though there are some Christianist groups like AFA that are once again peddling materials including Johnston - appeared in the Southern Voice and its sister papers on August 1, 2003. One of the things that was most obscene about the whole situation was that Johnston's activities were known among some of the leading anti-gay "professional Christians," yet they continued to market videos and books featuring Johnston. In fact, Coral Ridge Ministries literally sold Johnston's materials right up to the day the Southern Voice story broke. Here are some highlights from that story:

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Five years after starring in a national advertising campaign claiming gays can change their sexual orientation, Michael Johnston experienced a “moral fall” and left behind his ministries, two conservative Christian groups that worked with Johnston confirmed this week. “I received a call from [Johnston] asking forgiveness as a Christian brother and asking for our prayers, indicating that he was working with his pastor and his church to try to find some restoration in his relationship with God,” said Buddy Smith, American Family Association administrator.

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The Mississippi-based AFA partnered with Johnston to promote ex-gay programs, including Johnston’s National Coming Out of Homosexuality Day.The annual event is unlikely to continue following Johnston’s “moral fall,” but Smith said the AFA won’t abandon its claims that gays can change.

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“He obviously had a moral failing, that’s true,” said Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth, which had been affiliated with Kerusso before a “professional parting of ways” prior to Johnston’s fall. “Many people are still behind him, and we think he did the responsible thing by closing the ministry down,” LaBarbera added.

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In 1998, a coalition of conservative religious groups — including Kerusso, Americans for Truth and AFA — launched a high-profile national print and television ad campaign preaching that gays can change.

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Now, "Love Won Out," which promotes the same old lie as Johnston did that sexual orientation can be changed - in deed is a choice - is on the road to Charlotte, North Carolina, where it will prey upon parents and self-hating LGBT youth. Never mind that ever legitimate mental health and medical association in the country disagrees with the claims of Love Won Out's propaganda. What then is the real purpose of Love Won Out? Certainly not to really change anyone. The only "ex-gays" one ever sees are the ones on church and "ministry" pay rolls. They are in fact, "ex-gay" for pay.

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No, the real reason for Love Won Out is to keep alive the choice myth which was cited just this week in Utah as justification for voting down LGBT legal protections. With a new effort to pass a "Marriage Amendment " in North Carolina on the horizon, maintaining the choice myth is crucial to our enemies. Here are some highlights from the Charlotte Observer on Daddy's coming road show (NOTE: like so much of the media, the Observer never says a word about what legitimate experts say about changing sexual orientation and thus, in effect helps promote the lies):

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The conference is Focus on the Family's Love Won Out. It's Saturday at the Central Church of God. The one-day conference caters to people who want to overcome their sexuality as well as to family members of GLBT people. About 1,000 people are expected.

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Workshops include examining homosexuality, GLBT clergy, pro-gay theology and gay marriage. This is the 11th year of the conference, which Charlotte hosted in 2002 at First Baptist Church.
For people who are dissatisfied with homosexuality, the conference offers an alternative, said Melissa Fryrear [an "ex-gay" for pay] , of Love Won Out, who said she used to be gay. “It's a message of hope and encouragement,” Fryrear said.

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Gay activists disagree. They planned counter events and a rally to offer an alternative view of homosexuality and faith. Activists say ministries, such as Love Won Out, prey on young people and give false hope. They reinforce stereotypes regarding homosexuality, said Q-Notes editor Matt Comer. Comer is part of Charlotte Rainbow Action Network for Equality (CRANE), a new grass-roots gay rights organization. CRANE, gay-friendly churches, the Lesbian & Gay Community Center and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) won't sit quietly while Love Won Out preaches its message.

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Tonight, Wayne Besen, director of TruthWinsOut.org and author of “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-gay Myth,” will speak at 7 p.m. at the Lesbian & Gay Community Center, 820 Hamilton St. in the N.C. Music Factory.

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The LGBT community needs to do a far better job in educating media talking heads and news reporters - most of whom are sadly lazy and just care about sensational stories - what the true experts say about witch doctor equivalent programs such as Love Won Out. Until that happens, the choice myth will continue to be used against LGBT Americans.

Chris Buttars- A Reminder of the Real Face of Today's GOP

Last year Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern exploded onto the national scene with her incredibly anti-gay remarks and underscored the bigotry that is a hallmark of today's Republican Party. Now, Utah State Rep. Chris Buttars (scowling at left) has taken up the baton and has taken anti-gay bigotry to an even higher level. However, gays are not the only ones that Buttars has maligned. He doesn't like blacks either and the Utah Chapter of the NAACP is on record calling for his resignation from the legislature due to past racist remarks. In a nut shell, the GOP has become a racist, homophobic, religion based party and has betrayed what ought to be true conservative values. The Party can try t use window dressing like electing Michael Steele as RNC Chair, but Kern and Buttars are the real face of the GOP today. In terms of blacks, here are some highlights from KLS-TV5 from February 4, 2008:

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Utah's chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) says Sen. Chris Buttars should resign. The group's executive committee reached that conclusion after investigating a comment Buttars made on the Senate floor two days ago. According to the NAACP, Tuesday's comment was simply the final straw. For years, they say, Buttars has been making what they call "bigoted" statements about African-Americans, gays and lesbians, and others and getting away with it.

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Tuesday's comment was quick in length, yet explosive with impact. "Senator Stevenson, this baby is black, I'll tell ya. It's a dark, ugly thing," Buttars said on Tuesday. Many people found that comment alone offensive, racist or bigoted. But Buttars has a history of such comments: referring to fellow Sen. Scott McCoy as "The Gay" one year, saying that Brown versus the Board of Education was "wrong to begin with" another time.

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In terms of gays, as the Salt Lake Tribune reports, Buttars out did himself in statements he made during the filming of a documentary for ABC 4. While Buttars is apparently trying to do some damage control - he claims he was set up - his words speak for themselves. Here are some story highlights:

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Buttars' latest remarks come from an interview with documentary filmmaker Reed Cowan that aired on ABC 4 this week. Buttars told Cowan the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community doesn't want "equality, they want superiority." "It's the beginning of the end," the West Jordan Republican said. "Oh, it's worse than that. Sure. Sodom and Gomorrah was localized. This is worldwide."

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Cowan conducted his interview with Buttars on Jan. 30, days after Buttars helped defeat the initial bill in the Common Ground Initiative, a legislative effort that would have expanded legal protections for gay and transgender Utahns. The Legislature has stopped the initiative for 2009, with a House committee voting down the final bill Wednesday. Of that first bill, Buttars boasted to Cowan, "It lost 4-2, and I killed it. I've killed every one they've brought for eight years."

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Sadly, the fact that Buttars has been consistently re-elected speaks volumes about his district. People need to take a long look at Kern and Buttars and ask themselves whether this is what any responsible political party should have among its ranks.

Thursday Male Beauty

Second Man Arrested in Murder of Gay Army Vet

More information is coming out in the brutal murder of Michael Goucher, 21 (pictured at left), earlier this month. Whether the motive for the killing was robbery or involved a hate crimes is still unclear although the initial story line of the first defendant that it was a case of a gay tryst gone bad seems to be unraveling now that another man has been arrested in the case. The parallels with the murder of Ryan Skipper that I discussed in a prior post this week appear to be strong. Goucher disappeared on the night of Feb. 3 after leaving his apartment to go meet a friend. His body was discovered more than a week later in a wooded area about a quarter mile from where his missing car was reported to police the day before. The brutality of the killing - the body was stabbed about 20 times - certainly make one pause as to why, if robbery was the motive, Goucher was so viciously killed. Here are highlights from the Pocono Record:

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A second suspect has been charged in connection with the murder of Michael Goucher, 21, of Stroudsburg, whose body was found last week. Ian Seagraves was arraigned Wednesday before Mountainhome Magisterial District Judge John Whitesell on charges of murder, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, robbery and fabricating or tampering with physical evidence. Seagraves has a MySpace page, on which he describes himself as a "hard core Juggalo." Monroe County crime experts say some Juggalo members are involved in gang activity.

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His MySpace name is "ThrOwt Stabba" and his page says he is on probation for 18 months. Goucher went missing Feb. 3 and was found dead in the woods Feb. 11 near where his car was discovered. Shawn Freemore, 19, of Upper Rock Ledge Estate was arrested Feb. 11 and charged with the murder Goucher, eight days after he was last seen alive. Freemore also has a MySpace page, which is linked to the Seagraves page.

Christianist Witch Hunt in Georgia

It seems that our Christianist enemies will use every available excuse to try to stomp out knowledge and courses of study that conflict with their flat earth mentality. A case in point is the witch hunt being spearheaded in Georgia by Christianist/GOP members of the state legislature who want to fire college professors and instructors teaching courses that the Bible thumpers dislike. As I have noted numerous times, these folks - just like Benedict XVI - want to take knowledge and investigative educational levels back to some Medieval level so that their intolerant religious views will go unchallenged. I mean, God forbid that college students be able to explore issues their Christo-fascist parents and preachers want off limits. Hopefully, some folks will investigate the GOP demagogues leading the charge (one is Charlice Byrd pictured above) to see if their lives are lily white and that they adhere to the Bible in every way, including never having divorced a spouse. Here are some highlights from the Athens Banner Herald:

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Upset House Republicans are mounting a campaign to purge Georgia's higher education system of professors with an expertise in racy sexuality topics as the state grapples with a $2.2 billion shortfall. State Rep. Charlice Byrd, R-Woodstock, took the House well on Friday to announce a "grassroots" effort to oust professors with expertise in subjects like male prostitution, oral sex and "queer theory." "This is not considered higher education," Byrd said. "If legislators are going to dole out the dollars, we should have a say-so in where they go."

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Byrd and her supporters, including state Rep. Calvin Hill, R-Canton, said they will team with the Christian Coalition and other religious groups to pressure fellow lawmakers and the University System Board of Regents to eliminate the jobs. "Our job is to educate our people in sciences, business, math," said Hill, a vice chairman of the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee. He said professors aren't going to meet those needs "by teaching a class in queer theory."

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The regents, who oversee the state's colleges and universities, has bristled at attempts by legislators to dictate who they should hire. A regents spokesman said the university system's mission - teaching, research and service - is a broad field. He said the state's schools hire faculty with expertise in a range of subjects as part of "a tradition of investigating the human experience." And he noted that they aren't teaching "how-to" courses, but rather they are experts on the sociological trends and risks.

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Georgia State spokeswoman Andrea Jones called the critics' argument "flawed." "Teaching courses in criminal justice, for example, does not mean that our students are being prepared to become criminals. Quite the opposite," said Jones. "Legitimate research and teaching are central to the development of relevant and effective policy."

Final Wednesday Male Beauty

Gays in Latin America - Growing Rights

While the gay rights movement in Latin America started to emerge later than in other parts of the world, the progress made to date has been steady and seems to be accelerating - actually making some parts of Latin America much more gay friendly than areas of the USA - Utah and Virginia being but two examples of states hostile towards LGBT citizens. Foreign Policy magazine has an article that examines the emergence of gay rights and anti-discrimination policies in Latin America. Some of the statistics are surprising and if the trend continues, the USA may become increasingly out of step in the way it treats its LGBT citizens compared to other modern societies. Here are some highlights:

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Most analysts haven't noticed, but a major social revolution is taking place in Latin America. The region is becoming gayer. It's not that there are more gays and lesbians living in Latin America (we would never know). Rather, the region is becoming more gay-friendly.

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Despite being democratic and kind-of-Western, Latin America lagged behind. Then, in the late 1990s, legislation started to change. In 1998, Ecuador's new constitution introduced protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation. In 1999, Chile decriminalized same-sex intercourse. Rio de Janeiro's state legislature banned sexual-orientation discrimination in public and private establishments in 2000. In 2002, Buenos Aires guaranteed all couples, regardless of gender, the right to register civil unions.

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The policy changes just kept coming. In 2003, Mexico passed a federal antidiscrimination law that included sexual orientation. In 2006, Mexico City approved the Societal Cohabitation Law, granting same-sex couples marital rights identical to those for common-law relationships between a man and a woman. Uruguay passed a 2007 law granting access to health benefits, inheritance, parenting, and pension rights to all couples who have cohabited for at least five years. In 2008, Nicaragua reformed its penal code to decriminalize same-sex relations.

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Change hasn't simply come on paper. Latin American cities are also becoming increasingly gay-friendly. The number of gay-owned or gay-friendly establishments (e.g., bars, support groups, services) per capita in Latin American cities is on the rise, with some cities outperforming even the most liberal Western capitals. Nobody really ever thought the region was a gay desert, but there is plenty of evidence now that Latin America -- at least legally and in urban centers -- is coming out.

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Latin American LGBT movements have overcome their political handicaps by adopting smart tactics. Rather than turning radical and desperate, they have forged pragmatic alliances with larger, more-influential social movements. . . . LGBT movements have also made smart use of the tools afforded by globalization. They have promoted gay tourism, worked with the media to change cultural tastes, and used the Internet and academic forums to learn about tactics that have successfully yielded change abroad.

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Clear challenges, of course, remain. Gay rights are still timid where they exist, and absent in many parts of the region, especially outside large cities. The most obvious reason is lingering homophobia. A recent survey in Brazil, the country with the largest gay-pride parades in the world, showed that 58 percent of respondents still agree with the statement, "Homosexuality is a sin against the laws of God," and 41 percent with "Homosexuality is an illness that should be treated." This is the paradox of advancing gay rights.

No Gays, Please, We're Americans

No Gays, Please, We're Americans - That's the title of Aubrey Sarvis' latest post over at Huffingtion Post that looks at the ridiculous lengths and amounts of money expended by the U. S. military to achieve recruiting goals rather than open the ranks of the military to gays. The reality is that millions of dollars are being squandered and questionable enlistees accepted rather than - heavens, the vapors - recruit qualified openly gay men and women. Yes, I have talked about this very topic before, but Sarvis' column demonstrates the idiocy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in even more startling terms. Of course, supporters of the ban on gays - think Elaine Donnelly, Tony Perkins, James Dobson, et al - disseminate bullshit propaganda like the poster above left. What's amazing is that the anti-gay Christianists in the military are even willing to grant foreigners (typically, not one of their favored groups) citizenship rather than allow gays to serve. Here are some highlights from the column:

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[I]n the fiscal year that ended last October the Army exceeded by 517 its goal of 80,000 recruits. That's the good news. The bad news is that it failed yet again to meet its goal of 90 percent high school graduates. That's what waivers are for. You have a weight problem? No problem. The Army has been granting waivers for that -- and for serious felony convictions, for failure to meet physical and mental standards, for age (it's now 42 for new recruits) -- thousands of waivers every year -- as well as offering such enticements as whopping sign-up bonuses, as much as $40,000 for a few. Don't let me forget the free video games to simulate the "army experience."

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Now they've come up with another idea. . . . recruit legal residents here on temporary visas with skills "vital to the national interest." . . . The bait that's being dangled is a fast track to full citizenship -- six months for some. There are certain requirements -- language skills (interestingly, Spanish is not one of them) or medical training, for example. Julia Preston writes in the Times: "Recruiters expect that the temporary immigrants will have more education, foreign language skills and professional expertise than many Americans who enlist, helping the military to fill shortages in medical care, language interpretation and field intelligence analysis.

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Sadly I can't say that I'm incredulous but I can say that I marvel at the contortions our government goes through to avoid welcoming gays and lesbians openly into the armed services, whether they be skilled, highly skilled, or not skilled at all. Are we more dangerous than a Pashto-speaking kid who arrived a couple of years ago from Afghanistan?

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It is interesting that the State Department doesn't care about sexual orientation. Even more interesting, the civilian side of the Defense Department doesn't care. Private contractors don't care. In fact, they all want them and in many cases are aggressively recruiting the talented men and women who got the axe because of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and made the military weaker as a result. . . . Of course they are going back for two or three times what they were paid when in uniform.

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It is time for Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen to draw the final curtain on this theater of the absurd and go up to the Hill and tell Congress exactly what's what: that nobody cares about the sexual orientation of the soldier next to them in the line of fire.

More Wednesday Male Beauty

Utah - All Gay-Rights Bills Killed

Well, if there was any doubt that the Mormon Church is anti-gay - as opposed to only trying to "protect marriage" as it alleged in explaining the Church's support of Proposition 8 - the debacle in the Utah Legislature should remove any lingering doubts. Every pro-gay bill, even fairly noncontroversial ones, was killed. Equally outrageous is the fact that Utah state senator Chris Buttars (R) stated that the gay-rights movement "probably the greatest threat to America," likened gay activists to Muslim radicals and dubbed same-sex relationships "abominations." In my view, it is jackasses like Mr. Buttars who are abominations and who are a mirror image of the Taliban. I guess Buttars is hoping he can spur some more murders of LGBT citizens. Here are highlights from the Salt Lake Tribune:

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On Wednesday, the Legislature dealt its final blow to this year's Common Ground Initiative, possibly the most expansive push for legal protections for gay and transgender Utahns in state history. The effort had the backing of popular Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., positive signals from the LDS Church, and, on most issues, the support of public opinion, according to a Salt Lake Tribune poll.

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Even so, a House committee Wednesday rejected Rep. Jennifer Seelig's HB160, which would have offered two, unmarried cohabiting adults -- including same-sex couples -- safeguards of inheritance rights and medical-decision making for one another.

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Despite Wednesday's defeat, the Common Ground Initiative is far from dead, said Mike Thompson, executive director of Equality Utah, the advocacy group leading the charge. Democratic lawmakers have promised to bring back their bills, with some variations, next year.
And activists scored some mini-victories. All the bills, save for one pulled by its sponsor, at least reached committee hearings. "The majority of Utahns support these basic protections," Thompson said. "We are not giving up on these issues. The Common Ground Initiative is not a 2009 legislative agenda."

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Equality Utah crafted the Common Ground Initiative in response to statements made by the LDS Church after passage of California's Proposition 8. Even though it supported the ballot measure, which banned same-sex marriage in the Golden State, the church said it "does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches." Despite those comments, the LDS Church did not endorse Equality Utah's initiative.

The Bi-Polar Republican Party

The obstructionist Republican Party seems to be careening increasingly off into delusional la la land - except that is for GOP Governors who seem to be warming to Barack Obama and the stimulus package. But then again, they have states to govern and must put pragmatic approaches ahead of lunatic ideology like the GOP Congressional members and the anti-immigrant, anti-gay, Christo-fascist party base. Backing the stimulus are governors like Jim Douglas of Vermont; M. Jodi Rell of Connecticut; Charlie Crist of Florida; and Arnold Schwarzenegger of California (pictured above). Meanwhile 55% of the GOP base still believe that Sarah "Bible Spice" Palin represents the future of the party. Personally, I believe (and sincerely hope) that until the GOP throws the Christian Right off the bus, the party will continue to drift into the political waste land. Here are some highlights from the New York Times on the GOP governors who seem to be distancing themselves from the Kool-Aid drinkers:

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President Obama must wish governors could vote in Congress: While just three of the 219 Republican lawmakers backed the $787 billion economic recovery plan that he is signing into law on Tuesday, that trifling total would have been several times greater if support among the 22 Republican state executives counted. The contrast reflects the two faces of the Republican Party these days. Leaderless after losing the White House, the party is mostly defined by its Congressional wing, which flaunted its anti-spending ideology in opposing the stimulus package.

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In the states, meanwhile, many Republican governors are practicing a pragmatic — their Congressional counterparts would say less-principled — conservatism. Governors, unlike members of Congress, have to balance their budgets each year. And that requires compromise with state legislators, including Democrats, as well as more openness to the occasional state tax increase and to deficit-spending from Washington.

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Mr. Crist even campaigned last week with Mr. Obama in Florida for the recovery package. “Whether it’s teachers or people on road crews helping our infrastructure, those in the health care arena as it might relate to Medicaid, all of these areas are important, all of them can produce jobs,” Mr. Crist said, adding, “Regardless of what your party is, Republican or Democrat, it really doesn’t matter. We have a duty and an obligation to the people who elected us, no matter what our position happens to be, to work together to get through this thing.”

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Privately, Republicans favorably contrasted Mr. Obama with the outgoing Republican president, George W. Bush, according to two participants. Though Mr. Bush had been a governor — in good economic times — his relations with state executives were distant at best.

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As for the Bible Spice lovers, the Washington Post had this to say about the GOP base:

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The latter group [the national conservative base] are far more important to Palin's political future as they will likely play an outsized role in choosing the next presidential nominee of the party. Assuming the nominating calendar stays the same as it was in 2008 (a big assumption), two of the first three contests -- the Iowa caucuses and the South Carolina primary -- will give a major edge to the most conservative candidate. And, late January polling by Rasmussen Reports shows a majority of Republican voters (55 percent) believe that Palin is the right model for the party going forward while just 24 percent said the same of 2008 nominee John McCain (Ariz.) . . . Palin polarizes. It remains to be seen whether that trait is the key to her future successes or the hurdle that holds her back.

Wednesday Male Beauty

Utah: Two More Gay-Rights Bills Killed

So much for the claims by the Mormon Church that it had no opposition to the enactment of certain legal protections for LGBT citizens of Utah. Obviously, the statements were lies and sought only to provide some cover for the LDS in the wake of the passage of Proposition 8. The proof: two more bills from the Common Ground initiative have been killed in committee in the Utah legislature - using the same tactics so loved by Virginia's anti-gay lobby. Even basic housing and employment non-discrimination protections are too much for Utah gays to expect. I'm definitely, never going to visit Utah. Yes, I admit that it makes me bitter at times that self-satisfied, self-righteous bigots don't even see us as human and entitled to basic protections. Oh, and yes, the "choice myth" so actively kept alive by James Dobson, et al, played a part in the bills' demise. Here are some highlights from the Salt Lake Tribune:

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Four down, one to go. The Utah Legislature snuffed out two more gay-rights bills Tuesday. After lengthy public hearings, House committees rejected two measures: HB288, which would have allowed same-sex couples and other unmarried pairs to adopt and foster children; and HB267, which would have protected gay and transgender Utahns from housing and employment discrimination.

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The final bill faces a test today. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. endorsed the gay-rights effort, including the bills that make up the so-called Common Ground Initiative. "We threw our support behind the initiative," . . . In rejecting the latest measures, opponents painted being gay as a "choice" rather than an innate characteristic -- contrary to a broad consensus among psychological and medical experts.

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"Adoption is not a right, it's a privilege. Those who choose alternative lifestyles suffer the consequences because they can't naturally produce between them," said Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, who joined a 5-1 vote to defeat HB288. . . . And on the anti-discrimination bill, Eagle Forum President Gayle Ruzicka made a similar case against adding sexual orientation to existing fair housing and employment laws. "What we're talking about is choice -- someone's sexual choice," she told a House panel. "Why would we put into law someone's sexual choice? … This is not the right thing to do."

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Only one Common Ground bill remains: Rep. Jennifer Seelig's bid to expand protections for same-sex couples so they can visit a partner in the hospital, inherit property and make medical decisions.

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I'm not holding my breath in terms of the remaining bill. These cited reasons for killing the bills underscore the importance of ending the "choice myth" and one can only hope that the APA will soon ban reparative therapy and start yanking the licenses of those psychologists who engage in that witch doctor like practice.

Trial Begins in Gay Man's Stabbing Death

With the current flurry of Christianist anti-gay propaganda both in West Virginia and Utah among other places, out of Florida comes a reminder of the consequences of such hate speech. In March, 2007, Ryan Skipper (pictured at left) was found brutally murdered on the side of a Florida highway. Skipper's wounds included deep cuts to both sides of his neck, and multiple stab wounds to his shoulder and back. One of the accused killers had made derogatory remarks to others about Skipper's being gay. No doubt a bigotry made acceptable in part by the constant anti-gay mantra heard compliments of Christianists and many in the GOP - much like what the Nazi regime to desensitize the German populace to violence against Jews. In my view, true Christians do not disseminate a constant message of hate and denigration - but then, our enemies are not true Christians. The sad truth is that anyone of us could become a victim like Ryan Skipper merely by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Here are some highlights from The Ledger on the trial commencement:

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Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Joseph Eli Bearden, one of two defendants charged with the 2007 murder and robbery of Ryan Skipper. A woman going to the store about 1 a.m. on March 14, 2007, discovered Skipper's body lying on Morgan Road in Wahneta, south of Winter Haven. He had been stabbed to death. Prosecutors say Bearden, 23, and William David Brown Jr. killed Skipper and stole his 2007 Chevrolet Aveo. Brown, 22, of Wahneta, is awaiting trial.

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The Winter Haven man's killing brought attention to harassment and violence directed toward gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. A documentary was filmed about Skipper's life and death. The film's director, Vicki Nantz, provided a statement Monday to reporters on behalf of Skipper's family. "We are grateful to everyone who has sent their love and support to our family from the tragic day to the beginning of this trial. We know that hate is at the root of this terrible crime," the statement said.

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Investigators have said Bearden made derogatory remarks to others about Skipper's being gay. But in opening statements, prosecutors focused on the robbery of Skipper as the motive for the killing. . . . After the killing, Bearden and Brown drove away in Skipper's vehicle, Castillo said. He said fingerprints found on the car included Skipper's, Bearden's and Brown's. The car was abandoned at a boat ramp on Lake Pansy. Papers were ignited in the car, but the fire burned out with minimal damage.

100,000 Visitor Benchmark

Some time last night the 100,000th visitor clicked onto this blog. Little did I know when I started this blog - somewhat on a whim at first after reading a few other blogs that talked about the authors' coming out journeys - that it would take on a life of its own and provide me with a vehicle to meet so many amazing people. Likewise, I never expect so much support and friendship along the way or that I be about to start writing as a contributor for another blog - Bilerico-DC - due to contacts I made at the LGBT Blogger Summit in December. For my faithful readers and cyberspace friends, I want to thank each of you for your friendship and loyalty. If the next 100,000 visits bring me as much reward as the fist 100,00, I will be blessed indeed. Sincerely, Michael

More Tuesday Male Beauty

Straight Couples in France Are Choosing Civil Unions Meant for Gays

In what is likely an unexpected consequence, in France heterosexual couples are increasingly opting for civil unions originally designed for gays rather than traditional marriage. While most of the states in the USA afford same sex couples no legal recognition - Virginia even tried to invalidate contracts between gay and lesbian couples - in those states that decide to opt for a civil union approach perhaps should realize that by ding so they may be undermining marriage more that us gays could ever do. A case of killing the institution while trying to save it. Here are some highlights from the Washington Post on the phenomenon in France:

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The PACS [Civil Solidarity Pact] was introduced a decade ago by France's then-Socialist Party government. Parliament approved the measure only after a fierce debate because, although its wording was deliberately ambiguous, the arrangement was understood mainly as a way for gay couples to legalize their unions even though under French law they are not allowed to marry.

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As a result of that ambiguity, the PACS broadened into an increasingly popular third option for heterosexual couples, who readily cite its appeal: It has the air of social independence associated with the time-honored arrangement that the French call the "free union" but with major financial and other advantages. It is also far easier to get out of than marriage. The number of PACS celebrated in France, both gay and heterosexual unions, has grown from 6,000 in its first year of operation in 1999 to more than 140,000 in 2008, according to official statistics.

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[T]he number of heterosexual men and women entering into a PACS agreement has grown from 42 percent of the total initially to 92 percent last year. That was not what conservative opponents of the measure foresaw in 1999. They viewed it as an encouragement of homosexuality and organized rallies to denounce the Socialists for undermining morality in France.

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But PACS unions are also seen as more appealing than marriage because they can be dissolved without costly divorce procedures. If one or both of the partners declares in writing to the court that he or she wants out, the PACS is ended, with neither partner having claim to the other's property or to alimony.

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As I said, the irony is that those who wanted to "protect marriage" and deny gays from marrying have unwittingly created a tool that has perhaps significantly reduced the number of traditional marriages. As Andrew Sullivan notes, the Christianists may ultimately be the biggest threat to marriage:

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In this, the gay movement, in its support for civil marriage equality, is a force right now for social conservatism; and the Christianist movement is the one fomenting the real attack on the institution of marriage. Christianist doctrine - unrelated to the social facts of our time - is, in fact, a social solvent. It helps destroy the family (ask the Haggards); it undermines civil marriage's uniqueness; and it discourages social responsibility. That's because it is about maintaining the stigma toward homosexuality rather than about supporting the important social role of marriage in keeping society together. As I have said many times, Christianism is not, properly understood, a force for social conservatism; it is a force for denial, religious neurosis and social decay.