Federal Judges Hail Gavin Grimm as Human Rights Leader

When I received my "Outstanding Virginia" award early in the month, I stood on the stage next to another honoree - Gavin Grimm, the truly amazing transgender teen from Gloucester County, Virginia.  Sadly, Gloucester has proven itself to be a bastion of backwardness and religious extremism that will do little to advance the county economically or socially.  In contrast, Grimm, whom I have known for several years now, shows the bravery and willingness to put one's self in the spotlight that is too often missing in today's society.  The consequence of such cowardice, as has always been the case, is that cowardice becomes complicity and bad things happen to people.  Some of the judges on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently noted Gavin Grimm's courage and unsought status as a civil rights leader.  Here are highlights from the Washington Post:

Federal appeals court judges on Friday hailed the Virginia transgender teen fighting to use the boy’s restroom at his high school as a courageous civil rights leader even as they lamented that the school year would end without a resolution of his case.

The praise for Gavin Grimm came from two judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, who could have issued a short, unsigned order but instead chose to post a five-page memo.

The Supreme Court in March put off a ruling in Grimm’s case after the Trump administration revoked federal guidelines that directed schools to allow transgender students to use a bathroom consistent with their gender identity. The high court sent Grimm’s case back to the Richmond-based 4th Circuit. The appeals court earlier had sided with the teen and deferred to the federal guidelines on transgender rights that had been in place under the Obama administration.

The 4th Circuit announced Friday that Grimm’s case against the Gloucester County School Board would not be heard before he is scheduled to graduate. But Judge Andre M. Davis, a senior judge appointed by Barack Obama in 2009, used a separate court order issued the same day to passionately express his support for Grimm’s legal journey and state his dismay that the legal system sometimes lags behind the realities of people’s lives.

Grimm’s case “is about much more than bathrooms. It’s about a boy asking his school to treat him just like any other boy. It’s about protecting the rights of transgender people in public spaces and not forcing them to exist on the margins,” wrote Davis, who was joined by Judge Henry F. Floyd, another Obama appointee.

Davis said Grimm would be remembered alongside of other “brave individuals,” including Dred Scott, Fred Korematsu and Mildred and Richard Loving, who “refused to accept quietly the injustices that were perpetuated against them.”

“Today, hatred, intolerance, and discrimination persist — and are sometimes even promoted,” Davis wrote, referring to Grimm by his initials, G.G.

“But by challenging unjust policies rooted in invidious discrimination, G.G. takes his place among other modern-day human rights leaders who strive to ensure that, one day, equality will prevail, and that the core dignity of every one of our brothers and sisters is respected by lawmakers and others who wield power over their lives.”

An attorney for the school board, David Corrigan, declined to comment on the court’s order.

Grimm, who was on spring break this week, said he was honored to be compared to men and women whose names feature prominently in civil rights fights.

Every One of Donald Trump’s Cabinet Picks Is Anti-Gay

I hope all of my Republican "friends" who voted for Donald Trump and religious extremist, Mike Pence, are paying attention to who Der Fuhrer is selecting for his cabinet.  Without exception, every single one so far has a documented of being hostile to LGBT rights.  That's right, every single one of them..Yet these "friends" continually assure me "that there is nothing to worry about."   Easy for them to say since they are white, heterosexual Christians.  It is a kin to such a person telling black Americans that there is nothing to fear if they are pulled over by the police.  Until one has experienced living as a constant target for haters, they really have no idea of what they are talking about or why one feels so worried as Trump parades out his cavalcade of anti-gay forces.  Not all are anti-gay zealots, but many of them are.  A piece in New York Magazine looks at the reality facing the LGBT community.  Here are excerpts:

During his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump did something unusual: He acknowledged LGBT Americans. Referring to the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Trump said, “This time, the terrorist targeted the LGBTQ community … and we’re going to stop it.” He then promised to “protect LGBTQ citizens from the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology.”

But Trump’s promise was to protect LGBT Americans from hateful ideology abroad — he didn’t mention the hatred many regularly experience at home, sometimes due to policies proposed by people with whom he surrounds himself. Because of all his cabinet and cabinet-level picks so far, not one has a history of standing up for LGBT rights.

Jeff Sessions, attorney general 

[Y]ou can pick almost any LGBT rights issue, and chances are Sessions has voted against it. He supported a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage; voted against adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the definition of hate crimes; and voted against repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

He also co-sponsored a bill that would allow Alabama’s definition of marriage to supersede the federal definition, basically ending same-sex marriage in the state. And he’s co-sponsoring the First Amendment Defense Act, which would let government-funded organizations ignore laws that conflict with their religious beliefs. His score with the Human Rights Campaign is a big, fat zero.

Mike Pompeo, Central Intelligence Agency director

Trump chose Kansas congressman Mike Pompeo to fill the post of CIA director around the same time he tapped Sessions. While serving in congress, Pompeo voted to protect anti-same-sex marriage opinions as free speech and also supported a bill saying a state’s definition of marriage should supersede the federal one. 

Betsy DeVos, Education secretary

Betsy DeVos, Trump’s pick for Education secretary, comes from a wealthy Michigan family with a long history of donating to anti-LGBT, pro-GOP causes. According to Politico, DeVos and her husband — Dick DeVos — have “given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group whose founder called the battle against LGBT rights a ‘second civil war.’” DeVos’s late father and her husband’s family were also major donors to the Family Research Council (another conservative Christian group), and they reportedly donated thousands to efforts to block the legalization of same-sex marriage in states like Florida, Michigan, and California.

Tom Price, Health and Human Services secretary

As a state representative for Georgia, Tom Price — Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services secretary —- voted against prohibiting job discrimination based on sexual orientation and in favor of defining marriage in the Constitution as between one man and one woman. He also has a zero rating from the Human Rights Campaign, and pro-LGBT advocates worry that, as secretary of Health, he could take away protections specifically for transgender Americans. Price is in favor of dismantling the Affordable Care Act, which bans sex discrimination — including discrimination against trans people — in health care.

Price has also criticized protections for transgender students in public schools, saying a “federal restroom policy” is “yet another abuse and overreach of power by the Obama administration, and a clear invasion of privacy.”

Elaine Chao, Transportation secretary

Yesterday, Trump named Elaine Chao to the post of secretary of Transportation. . . . . She has no voting record, so it’s tough to pin down where Chao stands on the issue of LGBT rights, but her family provides some clues. She’s married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who led opposition to LGBT rights in the upper house. Chao has campaigned heavily for her husband in the past, so it’s likely she shares at least some of his views on the issue.

Reince Priebus, chief of staff

True, Reince Priebus — Trump’s new chief of staff — doesn’t have a voting record either, but as chairman of the Republican Party, the guy spearheaded one of the most anti-LGBT platforms to date. Among other things, it calls for the repeal of same-sex marriage, gives states the right to choose which bathroom transgender people use, and defends businesses who deny service to LGBT Americans based on their religious beliefs. 

Mike Flynn, White House national security adviser

According to the Human Rights Campaign, retired Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn has a “history of animus toward LGBT people.” Most recently Flynn, whom Trump has named national security adviser, went on a tirade against “political correctness” in response to the Obama administration’s decision to allow transgender soldiers to serve openly in the military. 

Nikki Haley, ambassador to the United Nations

South Carolina governor Nikki Haley will serve as the ambassador to the United Nations, and although she drew fire from conservative pundits for referencing “modern families” in her response to Obama’s final State of the Union, she’s not exactly progressive when it comes to LGBT issues. In 2010 she said marriage is between “one man and one woman,” and three years later she backed her state’s ban on same-sex marriage. 

The reality is that ISIS and Islamic terrorists pose a minimal threat to LGBT Americans.  Over the course of American history, the main threat has come from right wing Christian religious extremists who seek to force their version of a Sharia Law equivalent on the nation.  These are the people Trump has named to his cabinet.  So I would ask my "friends" who voted for Trump to explain to me why I should be happy and unafraid of what we see unfolding?  Especially given Mike Pence's - Trump's COO, if you will - extensive history of anti-LGBT animus.

Religious Extremism - Words Can Be Just As Dangerous As Knives

Annette in action

One of the principal forces opposing the civil rights of LGBT citizens are the "godly folk" and the professional Christian set who live off of the ignorance and bigotry of their parishioners and, of course, the GOP base, like leeches and other parasites.  To keep the money flowing it, it is crucial that the sheeple be convinced that they are under attack and that their "rights" are threatened.  As the prior post notes, one favored target is the black community (and by extension all other non-whites).  Another favored target is the LGBT community.   And in order to fan the requisite paranoia and fear, all kinds of hate words are the principal currency.   Facebook friend and fellow activist Annette Gross looks at how dangerous such hate words can be in a piece in Huffington Post.  Here are highlights:

For the past week, the City of Goshen, Indiana has been a hot-bed of debate about whether the City Council should grant civil protections to its LGBT citizens. Goshen mayor Allan Kauffman brought up the conversation at the end of the city council meeting on Tuesday, May 19, handing out copies of the city's 2009 failed amendment.

Mayor Kauffman also said that he does not want anyone who lives outside of the city to provide input at the meeting. That can be a problem for Eric Miller, executive director of Advance America, a right-wing organization that claims it is devoted to protecting the constitution and the family.

On Tuesday, July 14, Miller spoke to a crowd of about 100 people at Calvary Assembly church. He stated that, "The homosexual agenda has now come to Elkhart County. These two ordinances (Goshen and Elkhart) are wrong. These two ordinances need to be defeated."

Eric Miller has long been a foe of LGBT Hoosiers. He was one of the proponents to have same-sex marriage banned in Indiana by way of a state constitutional amendment. He testified at every hearing at the Statehouse in order to push his agenda. He also was present in 2005 when the Marion County City Council debated inserting sexual orientation and gender identity into their Human Rights Ordinance. He was one of the people seen with Governor Pence when Pence signed RFRA behind closed doors.

Eric Miller claims that he is trying to protect families. He falsely claims that churches and businesses could face punishment or legal problems if they refused to take part in a gay marriage ceremony. We know these are scare tactics. Miller warns repeatedly of the "homosexual agenda."
He [Miller] uses religion to push his agenda. He has been known to bus people from all over the state to hearings on same-sex marriage and LGBT equality.  Miller uses words to make his points. But words hurt -- just as much as violence can hurt. So my question is -- where does this go? Last week we saw an Orthodox Jewish man stab six people at the Jerusalem Pride Parade.

There is no excuse for killing anyone in the name of religion. And there is no excuse for telling lies and mistruths in the name of religion. When I look at people like Eric Miller, I get scared. He may not be wielding a knife or a gun, but his words can have an impact on those who believe them. Words have been known to lead people to do dangerous things. How far will people go? I cannot imagine going to any house of worship to listen to words of hatred and discrimination.  

What will they say to stop LGBT Hoosiers from gaining these rights? What ideas will they put in peoples' heads?

We have to be vigilant. Not only do we have to write letters and speak with our legislators -- we have to call out the religious zealots who will deny our friends and loved ones the rights they deserve. We need to talk to our religious leaders -- those clergy who support equality and fairness. We need to urge them to call out people who hurt others in the name of religion.

I have watched Eric Miller and his friends Curt Smith (from the Indiana Family Institute) and Micah Clark (from the American Family Association of Indiana) for the past ten years as they push their messages of discrimination. It is about time we call them out and not allow them to hijack the good that religion really is. Religious extremism is dangerous -- whether by using knives and guns -- or by using words. 

People like Miller are dangerous.  And Annette is right - we need to call on the "good Christians" and other gay friendly faith leaders to get off their butts and end their silence.  Bad things happen when good people remain silent. 

Trevor Project

As longer term readers know, I am a member of the advisory board for the Old Dominion University Gay Cultural Studies Endowment which has as it goal establishing a self-sustaining endowment for a permanent full time post-doctorate position at the University focused on LGBT studies and cultural contributions. This endowed position will focus on the contributions, concerns, and challenges associated with LGBT culture, promote academic research and provides graduate and undergraduate educational course opportunities. In addition, the holder of the position would engage the local Hampton Roads LGBT community and larger business community through ongoing dialogue and community involvement.

In furtherance of our fundraising goal, last night the ODU Gay Cultural Studies Committee hosted an invitation only salon with ODU alumni David McFarland (1984) as the featured speaker. McFarland - pictured in the center of the photo above that includes myself, two other board members of HRBOR and the Executive Director of Equality Virginia - is Interim Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project (the leading national organization for awareness and prevention of suicide among LGBT youth). David did a masterful job in tying the efforts of the Trevor Project to prevent gay suicides with the educational and cultural enhancement efforts of the ODU Gay Cultural Studies Endowment.

It is so very important that LGBT youth - both teens and college students - realize that they do have a future and than LGBT individuals in the USA and elsewhere have made amazing contributions to society and civilization. If one listens to the hate merchants of the far right and the Christian Taliban, one would believe that LGBT people contribute little or nothing to society. The truth, of course, provides a very different and positive story. Fortunately, local benefactors seem to be listening and word has it that last nights effort landed a five figure donation.

Anyone who would like to donate to this worthy - and tax deductible cause - can do so here. Be sure to click on enter "Gay Cultural Studies Endowment" as your desired beneficiary.

White House Launches Politically Motivated LGBT "Charm Offensive"

Apparently the Obama campaign doesn't think the extreme homophobia of the current slate of GOP presidential nominee contenders might not be enough to drive LGBT voters to the polls in November to cast votes for Democrats. As the Washington Blade is reporting, Obama has launched what might be called a "charm offensive" seeking to endear himself with LGBT Americans without taking a strong stand on same sex marriage equality. To me, it's more of Obama's attempt to have his cake and eat it too while still supporting a "separate but equal" approach to CIVIL law recognition of same sex relationships. Stated another way, he wants out votes, but that's about the extent of things when it comes to fully equality under the civil laws.

Where's the Executive Order enforcing ENDA like protections? Where's the "evolution" on same sex marriage? LGBT Virginians currently have ZERO legal protections under state or federal law unless we are beaten to death, in which case the federal Hate Crimes Law applies, albeit too late to help us while we are living. Here are highlights from the Washington Blade story:

The White House announced on Friday it plans to host a series of LGBT conferences throughout the country in early 2012 so the public can “hear directly” from the administration on efforts “to ensure health, well-being, security, justice, and equality for LGBT Americans.”

In a statement, the White House identified the White House LGBT Conference on Health — which will be held in Philadelphia on Feb. 16 — as the inaugural event for the initiative. The conference is set to feature remarks from Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.

The statement says the events — which will take place from February to June 2012 — will be a collaboration between the White House Office of Public Engagement and other departments and agencies. Expected attendees include grassroots leaders, community organizers, advocates, students and others.

Absent from the list of planned topics for discussion at the conferences is employment discrimination. No federal law prohibits workplace discrimination against LGBT people. Advocates have been pushing President Obama to issue an executive order barring federal dollars from going to contractors that lack LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination policies.

Asked whether one of these conferences would address employment discrimination, a White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “The list of topics is not comprehensive.”

I doubt the conferences will come to Hampton Roads even thought we are more or less in Washington, D.C.'s backyard.

A High School It Get's Better Message to Gaga's "Hair"

Andy Towle picked this "It Gets Better" video up first at Towleroad and others such as fellow LGBT blogger summit attendee Joe Jervis of Joe.My.God are rightfully spreading the exposure. It's a wonderful message and I love the way Lady Gaga is indeed getting her message out to the younger generation. Would that more in the older generations and the Republican Party would get the message. Joe makes the following comments:

Lady Gaga's song, Hair. Hair is about being yourself, being true to who you are; as the song exemplifies, "you are the spirit of your hair, it's all the glory you bare", YOU are your #hair."As most of us know, growing up isn't easy. Countless young people are faced with daily tormenting and bullying, causing them to feel isolated and alone. This is an especially harsh reality for LGBT kids and teens, who often hide their sexuality for fear of bullying. In many instances, gay and lesbian adolescents are taunted, sometimes even tortured, simply for being themselves.

For a better understanding of Lady Gaga's advocacy for LGBT youth, watch the "Very Gaga Thanksgiving" version of "Hair" set out below. Yes, I will concede that I am a Gaga fan and I am moved to see the way she uses her celebrity to truly try to make things better for others. In my opinion, she gets the Gospel message of love and compassion that is so lost on the Christianists and leadership of the Catholic Church. I am happy that the Boyfriend and I were able to see her close up at the National Equality March in 2009.

Local Bigot Pat Robertson Hyperventilates Over Obama LGBT Rights Memorandum

Hardly a month goes by when local anti-gay bigot-in-chief (and in my opinion Christianist shakedown artist extraordinaire) Pat Robertson doesn't shoot off his mouth and spread his batshitery across the airwaves on the 700 Club. Thus, I guess it should have been expected that Robertson would be venting on air following Barack Obama's issuance of his memorandum directing all U.S. agencies to support LGBT rights around the world. Right Wing Watch caught Robertson's rant:

Isn’t it appalling that the United States of America would try to force the acceptance of homosexuality on other nations but at the same time we would not force them to take care of their religious minorities and they would permit discrimination and persecution of Christians? What kind of a country have we got? You know, there is a God in heaven and He is just. Thomas Jefferson, ‘I tremble when I remember that God is just.’ He is just, he is not going to allow this kind of thing to go on forever. This country cannot continue to violate God’s principles and to make a mockery of His laws and think we’re going to get away with it. And when the blow comes, it’s going to be horrible.

What's appalling is the manner in which Robertson enriches himself by demonizing other humans and asking those who can't afford to do so to send him money so that he can continue to live the comfortable good life in his mansion near Regent University. In my opinion, if anyone needs to fear God's wrath, it's Robertson and his fellow modern day Pharisees among the professional Christian set.

Want to Have Cocktails with John Waters?

As I have noted before in past posts, one of my activism activities is serving on the Gay Cultural Studies Board for Old Dominion University ("ODU") in Norfolk, Virginia. The Board's goal is to raise an endowment to fund a permanent post doctoral position in LGBT studies. The individual holding the position will not only teach courses within the LGBT studies subject area but will also work on an interdisciplinary manner with other departments at ODU and serve as a liaison to the larger community. As part of the Advisory Board's fund raising effort, we will be hosting a cocktail reception with John Waters following his presentation at ODU on November 10, 2011. Here are details (NOTE: the number of tickets to the cocktail reception is limited, so act promptly if your are interested in attending):

The Gay Cultural Studies Advisory Board of

Old Dominion University

invites you for

Cocktails with John Waters

Renowned film maker, actor, and writer

at the home of

Fred Bayersdorfer and John Wills

1202 Graydon Avenue, Norfolk

Thursday, November 10, 2011

9:30 pm Following Mr. Waters’ appearance at the ODU Presents Series

Minimum donation: $150.00

RSVP by October 30 to Cathy Craft (757) 683-4468 or ccraft@odu.edu

Limited to 40 guests

More Information on ODU Presents and John Water's appearance at ODU can be found here.

Black Marylanders Don't Get the Message that Equality Is a Two Way Street

Odds are that I will offend some folks with my following comments, but I believe that what I am saying needs to be said because I am EXTREMELY over the double standards: If African Americans want others outside their community to support their civil rights, then they need to take off the blinders of religious based bigotry and support the full equality of others. Why do I say this? Because a new Maryland Poll shows that blacks are overwhelmingly against marriage equality for same sex couples - many of whom are stridently supportive of African-American civil rights. Sadly, Maryland African-American want others to fight for them even as they kick others to the curb and act as water carriers for the anti-gay whites whose ancestors supported slavery and the Jim Crow laws. Frankly, I am personally about done giving a damn about black civil rights. If they want to get in bed with our common enemies, then let them reap what they sow. Here are highlights from the new polling results:

Among Maryland voters today, 48% would favor (38% “strongly” favor and 10% “somewhat” favor) a law in Maryland allowing same-sex couples to marry, “giving them the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples in areas such as tax exemptions, inheritance and pension coverage,” while 49% would oppose (39% “strongly” oppose and 10% “somewhat” oppose) such a law, and 3% offered no opinion.


The results by party and race: FAVOR OPPOSE

Democrats: 64% favor - 32% oppose
Republicans: 20% favor - 79% oppose
Independents: 47% favor - 51% oppose
White: 51% favor - 46% oppose
African-American: 41% favor - 59% oppose

Perhaps I am being harsh, but if blacks want LGBT support on their causes, I expect reciprocity. This is the 21st century and the day of blindly (and in my view ignorantly and stupidly) following the dictates of homophobic bigots in church pulpits should be long over. If these people refuse to support LGBT citizens, then I'm not going to lift a finger for their causes.

'NOM' Defector Louis Marinelli Launches the National Organization for Marriage Equality

Louis Marinelli continues to be a pain in the ass for his former bosses Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown who like Elaine Donnelly make anti-gay lies and bigotry a viable line of work. Marinelli who "saw the light" while serving as the bus driver on NOM's hateful 2010 "Summer for Marriage Tour", has been a font of information on the internal machinations at NOM. Now he has launched the National Organization for Marriage Equality to counter NOM's poisonous lies. The new organization's website describes it's mission as follows:

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[W]e aim to educate the public on the issue of civil marriage equality. Specifically, the organization is dedicated to the following objectives:
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to protect marriage equality in states where it exists;
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to educate the public about the importance of marriage equality in states where it does not exist;
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to grow support for civil marriage equality among conservatives, republicans and independents;
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to separate misinformation about the LGBT community from the facts.
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The new organization also plans to visit 17 states on a tour this summer. Marinelli has this to say about the upcoming tour:
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This summer we plan to travel the country from California to Maine to talk about my change of heart on the issue of marriage equality and talk with conservatives and republicans about why they should support the freedom to marry.

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Because it was these counter-protesters that led to my change of heart in support of same-sex marriage and my subsequent resignation from the National Organization for Marriage, this tour will serve as a testament to that change and I look forward to seeing many of the same faces and families I saw last year so that this year I can stand with them, not against them.

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Kudos to Marinelli. Let's hope he can opens some minds and change some hearts.

FedEx’s Multi-Pronged Attack on the LGBT Community

This morning I wrote about the efforts of a number of corporations in Tennessee to throw LGBT citizens under the bus. The story line gets worse as some of the anti-gay culprits try to cover their tracks - including some that obviously need to have their "gay- friendly" rankings severely revised by HRC. Among the worse is FedEx which as AmericaBlog Gay reports has much more anti-gay dirt on its hands - e.g., Jon Cannon (pictured at right) , senior vice president of global operations for FedEx Office and Print Services, Inc., was a major donor to the Prop 8 campaign. I did call FedEx today and let loose with my thoughts. Next week I will be dumping my not insignificant position in FedEx stock and pursuing a different courier service for the law firm since I refuse to do business with corporations that support demonizing and bigotry against the LGBT community. FedEx and other supporters of anti-LGBT bigotry need to pay a price in the form of declining revenues and plunging stock values. Here are highlights from AmericaBlog Gay's update post: for their
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We learned yesterday that FedEx, as a member of the board of directors of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, was one of the companies responsible for passage of a religious-right sponsored bill that would repeal Nashville's gay/trans civil rights ordinance AND ban any municipal civil rights laws in that state, forever.
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Today one of our intrepid readers discovered that a senior exec at FedEx was also a major donor to the Prop 8 campaign that stole marriage rights away from gay couples in California: Jonathan Cannon - Senior VP of US Operations $9,999 Who is Jonathan Cannon? He's the Senior VP for US and Global Operations of Fedex.
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FedEx's senior VP helps repeal gay rights in California. FedEx itself helps repeal gay/trans rights in Tennessee. It's difficult not to see a pattern.
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Please join the nearly 4,000 people who, in a little over 12 hours, have signed our open letter to FedEx, AT&T, Comcast, DuPont, Pfizer, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Caterpillar, KPMG, Whirlpool, Embraer, Alcoa, and United HealthCare, telling that bigotry is bad for business, and that they'd better fix this, fast.

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Seeking Stories of LGBT Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination .

The topic of anti-gay bullying has come up frequently on this blog as we time and time again have witnessed gay teens and those perceived by their tormentors as gay literally driven to suicide. It is a crime that far too many of our schools repeatedly turn a blind eye to the mistreatment of students because of the real or perceived sexual orientation. It is equally a crime that many states - Virginia being one of them - have such watered down laws that those who bully students to death and school administrators who stand by and do nothing face little consequence for their conduct. Adding to the foul mix are the "godly Christians" who want the right to make the lives of LGBT students a living Hell and claim that restrictions on bullying threaten their religious freedom. Ans a result, families continue to mourn for their sons, daughters, nieces,and nephews or grand children who were driven to a needless death. In what one can only hope is a move to cease this sicken state of affairs, the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights intends to hold hearings on anti-gay bullying. The Lesbian & Gay Community Center of New Orleans is working to spread the word on the hearings and encouraging victims of anti-gay bullying (I was called a faggot, pansy and other derogatory things in school). Please send in letters!! Here are highlights from information on the organization's Facebook page:
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[T]he U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will be holding a hearing on May 13 addressing inter-student violence targeted against LGBT youth. According to Commissioner Roberta Achtenberg, the event is historic as it will be the first time the Civil Rights Commission will host a hearing on an LGBT-related issue. Those who are scheduled to testify include Tammy Aaberg, who lost her son to suicide last July, and Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education.
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We’ve received a specific request from Alec Deull, special assistant to Commissioner Achtenberg, to encourage our members touched by inter-student violence targeted against LGBT youth (and those perceived to be so) to share their stories in writing with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights for inclusion in the public record of the Commission’s current efforts to address the issue. The Commission defines “inter-student violence,” as any verbal and physical assaults, teasing, bullying and any other form of harassment. These letters will be an invaluable means for helping the Commission understand the nature, pervasiveness, geographic spread, and negative outcomes of such violence.
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The letters need not be formal or in any particular format. Each author is encouraged to write in their own voice and to tell their story in the terms in which it was experienced. The Commission should learn of the personalities of the kids and families involved, the way things happened (or are still happening), what types of people were involved (other students, school staff, and/or others), and what outcomes are being experienced for the student and for the rest of the family. Thoughts about what types of intervention might be helpful to address the causes could be important as well.
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For your letter to be introduced into the Commission's record in advance of the May 13 hearing in D.C. it should should be addressed to:
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Kim Tolhurst, Esq., Acting General Counsel
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
624 Ninth St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001
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Please note that the envelope should be addressed and mailed to Commissioner Achtenberg’s special assistant, Alec Duell at :
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c/o Alec Deull
3102 Krueger Road
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
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If you would like more background about the hearing, or if you have any questions regarding the story solicitation request, please contact Alec Deull at duellusccr@gmail.com or 716-694-1114, cell 202-607-6900.

Dan Choi: I Won’t Vote for Obama

I suspect that Dan Choi's statement that he will not vote for Barack Obama in the future is resonating with many in the LGBT community. Indeed, give the manner in which Obama. a/k/a Liar -in-Chief, has alienated many elements of the Democratic Party base, I'm sure Obama is praying that the GOP nominates a true far right nutcase for its presidential candidate. Personally, I am 100% in agreement with Dan Choi - who I have had the privilege to speak with one on one in the past - and I believe that the lies and betrayals of the Obama administration have passed the point where anyone who hasn't had a lobotomy or hasn't been diagnosed as insane can in good conscience support him. Time and time again when given a choice, Obama has thrown LGBT citizens under the bus and sided with the gay haters like Rick Warren, and similar Christianists. Here are highlights from The Advocate:
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This week’s back-and-forth on the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy has made an angry man out of Lt. Dan Choi, who said Thursday on CNN that President Obama has lost his vote.
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“I have a message for Valerie Jarrett and all those politicians in the White House. You have lost my trust, and I am not going to vote for Barack Obama after what he did yesterday,” Choi said.

SLDN Launches Online Campaign to Help Build Momentum for Repeal

Many in the LGBT grassroots community are disgusted with President Obama's gutless lack of leadership in securing a repeal of DADT and passage of ENDA. Since I live in an area with a huge military personnel presence, I see the injustice of DADT first hand on a daily basis. I have clients and friends who have been forced out of the military under anonymously commenced witch hunts. Despite this ongoing injustice, Obama and spineless Congressional Democrats dither and brave men and women are having their careers and dreams ruined.

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Why? To cut to the chase,sSimply so that religious bigots like Elaine Donnelly and others of her ilk can have their homophobia and discrimination satisfied via discriminatory laws against LGBT Americans. Now, SLDN has launched a new campaign, "Stories from the Frontlines: Letters to President Barack Obama," in the hope of forcing President Obama to be a leader on DADT rather than a follower of cowardly Congressional Democrats. Here is the SLDN press release on the new campaign:

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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), a national, legal services and policy organization dedicated to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), today launched “Stories from the Frontlines: Letters to President Barack Obama,” a new media campaign to underscore the urgent need for congressional action and presidential leadership at this critical point in the fight to repeal DADT. Every weekday morning as we approach the markup of the Defense Authorization bill in the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, SLDN and a coalition of voices supporting repeal will share an open letter to the President from a person impacted by this discriminatory law. We are urging the President to include repeal in the Administration’s defense budget recommendations, but also to voice his support as we work to muster the 15 critical votes needed on the Senate Armed Services Committee to include repeal. To read today's letter visit: http://www.sldn.org/blog/archives/Mike-Almy/.
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"This is a critical hour as we're very close to reaching the 15 votes needed to include repeal to the Defense Authorization bill," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. "We are just two or three votes away and we urge the President to engage now and help us line up key votes still needed to get DADT repealed this year. By people sharing their personal stories on how this terrible law has impacted them, we can send a powerful message to the President and our own community as we build momentum going into this crucial vote."
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By visiting http://www.sldn.org/blog/archives/Mike-Almy/, visitors will be able to read the daily letter and take action. Specific steps visitors can take include: sending a letter to their respective Members of Congress; sharing their own personal story of how DADT has impacted them; posting the daily letter on their Facebook and Twitter; and spreading the word that we're at a critical point in repeal.
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Participating blogs (list in formation):
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http://www.americablog.com/

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/
http://www.thebilericoproject.com/

http://www.pageoneq.com/
http://www.openleft.com/

http://www.akawilliam.com/
http://www.goodasyou.org/

http://www.lgbtpov.com/
http://www.michael-in-norfolk.blogspot.com/

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/

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If this continued refusal to repeal DADT upsets you, please take the time to write your Senators and member of Congress. Write Congress HERE.

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Here is today's opening letter from Major Mike Almy, United States Air Force, who was forced from the career he loved:
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April 26, 2010
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President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20500
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Dear Mr. President,
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If you end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), I’d re-enlist the day you sign repeal into law. For thirteen years, I served in the United States Air Force where I attained the rank of major before I was discharged under DADT.*
As the Senate Armed Services Committee considers including repeal in the Defense Authorization bill, we’re very close -- just two or three votes -- to passing repeal in committee. I ask for you to voice your support to put us over the top.
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I come from a family with a rich legacy of military service. My father is a West Point graduate who taught chemistry at the Air Force Academy, flew helicopters in Vietnam, and ultimately retired as a senior officer from the Air Force. One of my uncles retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant from the Marine Corps, with service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Another uncle served in the Army in Korea.
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Growing up, I didn't really know what civilians did, I just knew I would follow in my father's footsteps and become a military officer. I joined Air Force ROTC in 1988 and was awarded a scholarship. I earned my jump wings in 1991. In 1992, I graduated from ROTC in the top 10% of all graduates nationwide. In 1993, I went on active duty, just as DADT was becoming a law.
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Stationed in Oklahoma, I was named officer of the year for my unit of nearly 1,000 people. Later, I was one of six officers selected from the entire Air force to attend Professional Military Education at Quantico, Virginia.
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During my career, I deployed to the Middle East four times. In my last deployment, I led a team of nearly 200 men and women to operate and maintain the systems used to control the air space over Iraq. We came under daily mortar attacks, one of which struck one of my Airmen and also caused significant damage to our equipment. Towards the end of this deployment to Iraq, I was named one of the top officers in my career field for the entire Air Force.
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In the stress of a war zone, the Air Force authorized us to use our work email accounts for “personal or morale purposes” because private email accounts were blocked for security. Shortly after I left Iraq -- during a routine search of my computer files -- someone found that my “morale” was supported by the person I loved -- a man. The email -- our modern day letter home -- was forwarded to my commander. I was relieved of my duties, my security clearance was suspended and part of my pay was terminated.
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In my discharge proceeding, several of my former troops wrote character reference letters for me, including one of my squadron commanders. Their letters expressed their respect for me as an officer, their hope to have me back on the job and their shock at how the Air Force was treating me.
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Approximately a year after I was relieved of my duties, my Wing Commander recommended I be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, even though the Air Force was actively pursuing my discharge. But instead, after 16 months, I was given a police escort off the base as if I were a common criminal or a threat to national security. The severance pay I received was half of what it would have been had I been separated for any other reason.
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Despite this treatment, my greatest desire is still to return to active duty as an officer and leader in the United States Air Force, protecting the freedoms of a nation that I love; freedoms that I myself was not allowed to enjoy while serving in the military.
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Mr. President, I want to serve. Please fulfill your promise to repeal DADT and give me that chance.
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Thank you,
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Major Mike Almy
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It is way past time that the codified religious based discrimination called DADT be thrown on the waste heap of history. DADT's continued existence makes a mockery of the freedom of religion that the USA supposedly embodies.

Cuccinelli: Gay "Acts" Are a Detriment to Society

Each day it seems the increasingly openly insane Virginia Attorney Generally, Ken Cuccinelli commits another anti-gay outrage. The damage to Virginia's reputation over the next four years - unless Cuccinelli manages to get himself removed from office - will be incalculable. The directors of tourism in communities around the state (other than perhaps in Lynchburg where Liberty University is located) must literally cringe every day as they check the news to see what else "Cooch" has done to make Virginia appear to be the home of racists, gun totting, gay-hating, religious fanatics. "Virginia is for Lovers" seems to only apply to self-loving folks like Cuccinelli who see themselves as a legend in their own warped minds. The following video clip from WTKR-TV shows the Cooch declaring that gay "acts" are detrimental to society:

Of course, Cuccinelli does not define "gay acts." Do they include supporting local charities they way the boyfriend and I do? What about maintaining a well tended home and yard that is a plus to our neighborhood? What about operating businesses that provide employment and tax revenues to the state? Or maybe helping those in needs through one's church? Or how about hosting a fundraiser for the local history museum that was attended by many neighbors and prominent citizens? Last I knew, the boyfriend and I we pretty well integrated into society. What exactly in our lives as LGBT citizens are "gay acts"? Personally, if anyone is not integrated into normal society, it's Cuccinelli. Here's Right Wing Watch's commentary on the Cooch's latest diarrhea of the mouth:
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Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli sat down for an interview with CBS 6 reporter Mark Holmberg where he discussed everything from his threat to sue the federal government . . . . to his letter to state universities informing them not to grant anti-discrimination protections to gay employees. . . . Cuccinelli dismissed the Birther question as a far-fetched wild goose chase, but when the question turned to whether or not he believes "the practice of homosexuality is a detriment to our culture," he was far less dismissive, saying "the acts are" because it is best when everyone is "integrated into society":

Loudoun County Enacts Nondiscrimination Protections Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

As I have noted many times, Virginia is an extremely unfriendly state if one happens to be an LGBT citizen. There are ZERO state laws that protect us from employment or housing discrimination and the newly elected statewide officials have severe difficulty understanding the concept of religious freedom for anyone other than Bible beaters and ultraconservative Catholics. Thus, the only protections one can hope for come from local municipalities that grant such employment protections. Each week I receive calls from LGBT individuals considering a move to Virginia and to be candid with them I have to tell them that they will have little protections under the law in Virginia. Indeed, I typically suggest that they look elsewhere if they want a gay friendly legal climate. Loudoun County in Northern Virginia has figured out that Virginia's unfriendly climate makes that county non-competitive in the workplace recruiting world and just passed its own local non-discrimination protections for county employees. Naturally, the Bible beaters are incensed. The Loudoun Independent has a great editorial taking the homophobes to task. Here are some highlights:

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It seems outrageous, but prior to this week it was a perfectly plausible outcome for an employee of the Loudoun County government who happened to be gay or lesbian. There will doubtless be those who become histrionic about a Jan. 5 decision by the Board of Supervisors to enact a county policy not to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity, claiming either that gays and lesbians are being given “special rights” or that the decision adds to the moral decay of the country by condoning a certain lifestyle. There is credence in neither argument.
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Talking to reporters after Tuesday's vote, Board Chairman Scott York (I-At Large) derided the motion, stating that it was unnecessary and that the discussion was “a waste of 20 minutes."
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This is the response of someone who does not understand the issue. Virginia has passed legislation banning same-sex marriage and has consistently not acted to protect the constitutional rights of gays and lesbians. (Although, Gov. Tim Kaine did mandate in 2006 that state agencies not discriminate based on sexual orientation.) In the most recent election, Virginia elected three socially conservative officials for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General. While social conservative ideals were not part of the storefront of their respective campaigns, none of them are likely to defend the rights of gays and lesbians. Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli (R) is on record with his belief that state policies should reflect his belief that “homosexual acts are wrong.”
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With that in mind, existing county employees and qualified applicants researching Virginia’s current approach to equal protection for gays and lesbians might feel that having a nondiscrimination policy in writing is extremely comforting. Those listening to the borderline-incomprehensible arguments against the proposal by Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) would likely demand that those protections be in place.
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A strong nondiscrimination policy attracts stronger applicants (gay and straight) and it allows those gays and lesbians already working for the county a sense of respect and security that will allow them to dedicate themselves to their jobs. The decision to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the county’s nondiscrimination policy tells residents and employees that so long as you do your job well and pay your taxes, then you’re welcome here. It may have been true before, but sometimes it’s nice to say it out loud. Was it a waste of time to guarantee that Loudoun continues to not discriminate?
Absolutely not.

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Virginia cities like Norfolk and Hampton need to wake up to the fact that they need to move into the 21st century and enact similar protections. Otherwise top employment candidates will continue to move elsewhere and Virginia will continue to have its most talented LGBT citizens often decide to leave the state.

Snarling, Catty Gays

One thing I have noted since coming out is how catty some in the GLBT community seem to be. They seem to almost revel in being nasty towards and critical of others. Rather than realizing that we are "all on the same side," some prefer to make personal attacks on others simply because they have led their lives differently or did not come out until later in life. On a local (or national basis) basis it can take the form of an individual or organization attacking other GLBT groups or individuals who seek to advocate in different ways or seek to focus efforts in a narrower focus. In the blogosphere it can be in the form of one GLBT blogger attacking another out of spite, envy or who knows what. A case in point: this evening a blogger friend sent me a link where another blogger from another part of the country had made a personal attack on me. Why? Simply because I had lived part of my life married and in the closet. Even though for years I had not even actually realized I was gay.

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In addition to discussing politics, religion and current events, this blog has always been aimed at discussing coming out in mid-life. From the e-mails I receive from literally every continent, there are many, many of us who came out after years of marriage. I suspect there are even far more still who remain in the closet and struggling to accept themselves and who they are. Perhaps even struggling to make the decision to" come out." The message of this blog is not necessarily aimed at those who have never been in the closet. I give them kudos for those who knew early on who they were. Not all of us were so lucky or self-intuitive.

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For the record, I do not believe in intentionally "outing" anyone unless they are hypocritically advocating or voting for measures that harm the GLBT community. Former Republican Congressman Ed Schrock - whose name was first given to Mike Rogers by me - and similar closeted members of the GOP are one prime example. But those who are out should not be afraid to live openly. Meredith Baxter now that she has come out is an example. It does make a difference despite what some may say.

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Yes, I am relatively new to GLBT activism. But my coming out has not been without cost: forced from a law firm in 2004 for not lying any more of who I am; brutalized by homophobic judges in divorce hearings that ruined me financially; two of my children no longer communicating with me. I feel I have paid my dues. Maybe not as much as some, but not insignificant. Those who don't want to read my thoughts and views - simply don't read this blog.