Human Rights Campaign Statement on Death of San Diego Area Sailor
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, released a statement today in the death of Seaman August Provost, 29, at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA. According to local media reports, the Navy and Marine Corps confirmed that a sailor’s body was found on the base at about 3 a.m. Tuesday morning. A military spokesperson confirmed that there was evidence of foul play in the killing and that the case is a murder investigation. It is also understood a “person of interest” is in custody at Camp Pendleton but has not been charged with a crime. Local activists report the victim may have been targeted because of his sexual orientation.
“Our thoughts are with the Provost family at this time as authorities work to learn what happened in the early morning hours this past Tuesday,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “The Human Rights Campaign has confirmed Congresswoman Susan Davis has been in touch with officials at the base and is tracking the investigation. We know that every day members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are targeted for simply being who they are. Furthermore, our gay or lesbian soldiers struggle with the extra burden of not serving openly and honestly based on the discriminatory policy of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ As we monitor the investigation, our community must continue to raise awareness on a law that we know hurts military readiness and national security while putting American soldiers at risk.”
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
See Human Rights Campaign Statement on Death of San Diego Area Sailor
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/07/human-rights-…
An Exorcism of Hate
A recently posted YouTube video shows church members in southern Connecticut performing an exorcism on a 16-year-old boy in order to remove the “homosexual demons” from his body. The video is horrifying to watch — the church audience screams at the supposed evil spirits as the boy convulses on the ground.
The logic and belief set behind this act are so far beyond my comprehension that it defies comment. What I do find compelling, however, is the church’s response to the uproar that the video created. “We have nothing against homosexuals,” protested the Reverend Patricia McKinney. “I just don’t agree with their lifestyle.” I frequently hear comments such as this from those who oppose equality for homosexuals. These people say they love gay people — they even have gay friends and family! — but it’s unfortunately “against their beliefs” to treat homosexuals equally. This video, however, is a perfect example of how this explanation is a blatant lie.
The phrase “I just don’t agree with,” connotes a mild dislike. I don’t agree with mustard, but I can still enjoy my dinner to the fullest when it’s present at the table. What people such as Reverend McKinney feel toward homosexuals is nothing short of loathing. It is impossible for her to argue she respects gays when she believes that demonic spirits live inside their bodies. She could preach tolerance to her parish every Sunday, but her actions unambiguously declare that being gay is a sinful, satanic state that must be cured. McKinney clearly has something very big against homosexuals, and it’s insulting for her to suggest otherwise.
Politicians are guilty of similar dishonesty, but they tend to be more subtle. A senator who opposes gay marriage shouldn’t be able to say that he’s protecting “family values.” He should say that he believes that gay couples are incapable of raising the kinds of families that our society accepts. A congresswoman who disqualifies a lesbian couple from adopting children should proclaim that two women will irreparably damage a child should their adoption request succeed. It’s the typical political non-speak, but it’s even more damaging when those who say it can claim that they aren’t prejudiced.
Outright homophobia has become socially unacceptable in most circumstances. This is momentous progress from a hatred that had until now been painfully public. But, ironically, this political correctness is now hurting the gay rights movement.
Homophobic people, such as Reverend McKinney, should have to state their beliefs openly, without duplicitous assertions that they “have nothing against homosexuals.” What they should really be saying is that homosexuality is disgusting and perverted — that any person practicing it is a sinner who needs to be saved now before suffering an eternity in Hell. Judging from their comments and actions, that’s what they believe, and they should own up to those principles.
Polls have shown that young people as a whole have a more liberal view regarding homosexuality than their parents. It stands to reason that, as a society, we’re marching on a path towards equality and tolerance for gay people. But I hope this liberalization permeates far deeper than the blatant dishonesty of people such as Reverend McKinney and her congregation. Those of us who actually have nothing against homosexuals — who feel no need to cast the ‘homosexual demons’ from their body— should reject such flagrant duplicity.
See An Exorcism of Hate The Dartmouth
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Bigoted GOP Rep blames ABC News For Calling Matt’s Death a “Hoax”
For the second night in a row, Countdown’s Keith Olbermann has blasted North Carolina Congresswoman Virginia Foxx as the Worst Person in the World.
Last night she won for saying on the floor of the house:
“We know that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery. It wasn’t because he was gay,” Foxx said during debate. “The bill was named for him, the hate-crimes bill was named for him, but it’s really a hoax that continues to be used as an excuse for passing these bills.”
Shepard died several days after he was found tied to a remote fence in Wyoming, severely beaten and robbed of $20. Prosecutors said he was lured from a bar by two men, including one whose defense attorney said reacted violently after Shepard made a sexual advance.
Tonight Keith told Foxx to “apologize sincerely” To MAtt’s Mom - who was sitting in the gallery of the house when Fox spoke - or resign her seat in the US House of Representatives.
Who knew such bigotry as Foxx’s was alive and well in the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina?
Check out the video here.
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/04/bigoted-gop-r…
Wyoming murder “really a hoax,” congresswoman
As Congress approved legislation to expand the legal application of hate crimes, cosponsor Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., proclaimed on Wednesday that “We have
declared America to be a hate-free zone.”
It may not be that easy.
During debate on the legislation, a Republican congresswoman from North Carolina questioned the decade-old Laramie, Wyoming murder that galvanized a national drive to impose penalties on hate-driven crimes.
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., used the word “hoax” to describe the killing of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was tied crucifixion-style to a fence, repeatedly pistol whipped and left for dead. He later died in a local hospital.
“. . . We know that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery,” Foxx told the House. “It wasn’t because he was gay This — the bill was named for him, (the) hate crime bill was named for him, but it’s really a hoax that continues to be used as an excuse for passing these bills.”
The “hoax” argument is directly contradicted by court testimony by girlfriends of the two men who murdered Shepard. Both girlfriends testified that the killers set out to find and rob a gay man. They befriended Shepard in a bar. The slight Shepard asked them to give him a ride home.
Foxx was not alone in her heavy prose. “Pedophiles and other bizarre sex orientations given protection by Congress,” headlined a release by the Traditional Values Coalition.
The legislation extends to women, gays and the disabled provisions of America’s existing hate crimes law. The law already singles out for special punishment violent crime based on race, religion and/or national origin of the victim.
Asked about Rep. Foxx’s “hoax” allegation, McDermott replied with a Latin maxim: “Res ipsa loquiter.” Translated, it means: The matter speaks for itself.
See Wyoming murder “really a hoax,” congresswoman Seattle Post Intelligencer
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Baldwin Calls On Clinton For Gay Rights
Openly lesbian Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin is calling on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s promise to promote gay and lesbian rights.
Clinton has long advocated for equal rights for gays, but as First Lady and New York Senator she was not in a position to dictate change. Now, as she assumes the mantle of Secretary of State, Clinton is being asked to follow through on her pledge.
In a stirring speech – longer than most – at the DNC convention, Clinton once again included a call for equality. “I ran for president to renew the promise of America. … To rebuild the middle class … To promote a clean energy economy … To create a health care system that is universal, high quality, and affordable … To create a world class education system … To fight for an America defined by deep and meaningful equality – from civil rights to labor rights, from women’s rights to gay rights … Most of all, I ran to stand up for all those who have been invisible to their government for eight long years.”
The six-time Congresswoman from Wisconsin asked Clinton to fix inequities for gay and lesbian employees at the State Department. In a letter dated Feb. 2, Baldwin, joined by Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Florida Republican Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, asked for policy changes that would not require Congressional approval.
See Baldwin Calls On Clinton For Gay Rights
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Quinn’s US Senate Diplomacy
Unlike Mayor Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn didn’t jump to Caroline Kennedy’s defense today when asked if Kennedy had gotten a “raw deal” from Gov. David Paterson during the much-maligned US Senate selection process.
Quinn chose to diplomatically skirt the question, the DN’s Frank Lombardi reports, saying:
“Caroline decided to drop out for personal reasons. I obviously, you know, wish her and her family well as regard to whatever this personal situation is.
“And I think what we all need to do now is get back to work, focus on the large agenda in Washington right now. We’re lucky that we have two senators right now fighting for us in Washington, not one. And we all need to work together and try to make sure that New York gets its appropriate share of the federal stimulus package.
“…So I think the focus now shouldn’t be on the past and what happened; the focus should be on moving forward for the city and state of New York and working with our senators to do that.”
Quinn also confirmed she chatted on the phone with Congresswoman-turned-Senator Kirsten Gillibrand See Quinn’s US Senate Diplomacy
New York Daily News - New York,NY,USA
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/quinns-us-sen…
Van Cappelle Says Gillibrand Supports Gay Marriage
Empire State Pride Agenda Executve Director Alan Van Cappelle is firmly behind the selection of ostensibly non-liberal Democratic congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand for the senate.
“After talking to Kirsten Gillibrand, I am very happy to say that New York is poised to have its first U.S. Senator who supports marriage equality for same-sex couples,” said Van Capelle in a statement. “She also supports the full repeal of the federal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) law, repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) and passage of legislation outlawing discrimination against transgender people. While we had a productive discussion about a whole range of LGBT concerns, I was particularly happy to hear where she stands on these issues.”
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/van-cappelle-…
