Dobson delivers last broadcast for Focus on Family

(Colorado Springs) James Dobson made his last radio broadcast Friday for Focus on the Family, the conservative Christian ministry he founded 33 years ago and built into an influential political and social voice.

“I have a lump in my throat, but God’s in control,” Dobson told listeners.

Dobson, an outspoken opponent of …

First openly gay member joins AF Academy board

(Colorado Springs, Col.) A Colorado Democrat who last year became the first openly gay non-incumbent elected to Congress took his place Friday on the U.S. Air Force Academy’s supervisory board.

Rep. Jared Polis was appointed earlier this month to the Academy’s Board of Visitors, which meets Friday and Saturday in Colorado …

Polis becomes first openly gay advisor to Air Force Academy

COLORADO SPRINGS — A sign gays may be inching closer to acceptance in the military: the U.S. Air Force Academy is welcoming its first openly gay member of its oversight board.

Democratic Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado was appointed earlier this month to the Academy’s Board of Visitors, which meets Friday and Saturday in Colorado Springs.

The Board of Visitors is made up mostly of members of Congress who review the nation’s service academies and suggest changes to the Pentagon and Congress.

See Polis becomes first openly gay advisor to Air Force Academy Daily Camera

* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual

Published by

Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/polis-becomes…

Colo. Springs leader supports gay, lesbian event

(Colorado Springs, Col.) An annual event in Colorado Springs organized by gays and lesbians has the ceremonial support of a city leader for the first time in years.

Vice Mayor Larry Small has issued a personal letter of support for PrideFest, which will include a parade and interfaith religious service Sunday.

Mayor …

Disgraced pastor speaks at Charlotte church

CHARLOTTE – Disgraced evangelist Ted Haggard spoke to a Charlotte congregation Sunday morning.

Haggard was the pastor of the 12,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs and the Head of the National Association of Evangelicals until a gay sex scandal in November 2006 led to his downfall.

He spoke Sunday morning to the Elevation Church as part of a series entitled “Healer.” Haggard apologized to the audience and shared details about the conflict and confusion he struggles.

“I am so sorry that I caused pain in your family,” Haggard said. “I am so ashamed that I misrepresented the body of Christ.”

In November 2006, a male prostitute claimed Haggard paid him for sex for three years and that Haggard used crystal meth. Haggard denies the drug allegations.

See Disgraced pastor speaks at Charlotte church

News14.com

Published by

Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/04/disgraced-pas…

TWO Calls on Authorities to Investigate Ted Haggard’s Former Church, Says Hush Money Scandal Emerges From New Life’s Closet

NEW YORK, NY – Truth Wins Out (TWO) today called on Colorado officials to investigate New Life Church, after the Associated Press revealed that New Life paid money to keep a male volunteer from publicly disclosing a romantic affair with the church’s former minister Ted Haggard.

According to the AP, New Life’s current Senior Pastor, Brady Boyd, said that the church reached a legal settlement to pay the man for counseling and college tuition, with one condition being that none of the parties involved discuss the relationship publicly.

“Until conservative churches stop shaming gay people and learn to accept them, we will see more tawdry scandals,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “These calamities are a direct result of the closet.”

Rev. Boyd denied that New Life paid hush money and said, “Our desire was to help him. Here was a young man who wanted to get on with his life. We considered it more compassionate assistance — certainly not hush money.”

TWO called on Colorado officials to look into the matter.

“Authorities should investigate to ensure that this volunteer was not manipulated or coerced into silence,” said Besen. “The leadership of New Life has little credibility and should not simply be taken at their word. At a minimum, Boyd should resign for using his position of power to pressure a vulnerable member of his congregation into silence.”

In 2006, Denver escort Mike Jones disclosed that he and Haggard had a three-year relationship where money was exchanged for sex. Shortly after, Haggard stepped down from New Life. Next week, HBO will air a documentary on the rise and fall of Haggard. The disgraced minister will be promoting the show in media appearances throughout the week.

There is speculation that the HBO special spurred the volunteer to contact a Colorado Springs television station to discuss the situation.

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that defends the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community against anti-gay lies. TWO also counters the so-called “ex-gay” industry and educates America about the lives of GLBT people.

Web: www.TruthWinsOut.org