Opponents of DC Gay Marriage Bill Hope Congress Intervenes
And they have allies on Capitol Hill, which has thirty days to review the matter before it becomes law. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she supports the measure and wants Congress to stay out of it. But conservatives lawmakers hope to force a vote on the bill.
“I think we should be allowed to express each of our opinions,” Utah Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz said. “I happen to represent what I think is the majority opinion, which is marriage should be defined as between one man and one woman.”
Yet for some long-time activists, who own a gay bookstore in the District, the pastors and conservatives are wrong.
“”We are, as far as we’re concerned, married 100 percent for life,” said Deacon MacCubbin, owner of Lambda Rising Bookstore. “That’s the way it is. And yet, there are people that want to stand between him and I in those personal, private matters. See Opponents of DC Gay Marriage Bill Hope Congress Intervenes
News Channel 8 – Washington,DC,USA
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Pastors lobby Congress to support LGBT bills
(Washington) More than 300 gay-positive clergy were on Capitol Hill today, urging Congress to support LGBT rights bills.
It is the second time the lobbying effort known as Clergy Call has been held on Capitol Hill – the first event was held two years ago. Both have been sponsored by the Human …
Dallas pastor to join team lobbying Congress for gay rights
The Rev. Jo Hudson of Dallas’ Cathedral of Hope will be part of a high-profile team of pastors visiting Congress to lobby for gay rights. Details below:
This is a critical time for the LGBT movement. Today, the U.S. House is marking-up the federal hate crimes bill, an important step before the bill moves to a vote. Federal legislation is necessary to ensure all citizens are safe from hate violence. Only 11 states and the District of Columbia have hate crimes laws that cover both sexual orientation and gender identity. Twenty states have hate crimes laws that cover sexual orientation but not gender identity.
The Clergy Call for Justice and Equality is organized by the HRC Foundation’s Religion & Faith Program, lead by Harry Knox, who was recently appointed by President Barack Obama to the Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. To check out this year’s program visit: www.HRC.org/ClergyCall.
Confirmed speakers: Read their bios: http://www.hrc.org/issues/religion/12294.htm
The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, NH
Bishop Yvette Flunder, San Francisco, CA
Rev. John H. Thomas , Cleveland, OH
Rev. Dr. Anthony Campolo, St. Davids, PA
Father Richard Estrada, Los Angeles, CA
Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson, Dallas, TX
Rabbi Steven Jacobs, Los Angeles, CA
Rev. Dr. Cynthia Love, Abilene, TX
Rev. Manish Mishra, St. Petersburg, FL
Rev. Drew Phoenix, Anchorage, AK
Bishop Tonyia Rawls, Charlotte, NC
Joe Solmonese, Washington, DC
Rev. Dr. Traci C. West, Madison, NJ
Updates in the movement of faith and LGBT equality:
The unanimous ruling of the seven-member Iowa Supreme Court, written by Mark Cady, a Republican appointee, explained that a state’s legalization of same-sex marriage has no effect on marriage as practiced by religions. “The only difference,” the judge wrote, is that “civil marriage will now take on a new meaning that reflects a more complete understanding of equal protection of the law.
The McCain-Palin 2008 campaign strategist, Steve Schmidt, urged his party last week to join him in endorsing same-sex marriage.
Jon Huntsman Jr., the governor of Utah, who in February endorsed civil unions for gay couples, a position seemingly indistinguishable from Obama’s. Huntsman is a Mormon presiding over what Gallup ranks as the reddest state in the country.
Rev. Rick Warren, the hugely popular megachurch leader who endorsed Proposition 8, California’s same-sex marriage ban, dropped in on Larry King to declare that he had “never” been and “never will be” an “anti-gay-marriage activist.” But, it apparently didn’t thrill his base and he cancelled on ABC’s George Stephanolopous, minutes before taking to the air on the nationally televised “This Week.” Warren’s sudden reverse remains controversial in the LGBT community: http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/10284/rick-warren-lies-about-his-homobigotry-on-larry-king-live
Faith leaders are building momentum and making clear that they support full equality for LGBT people under the law. America’s clergy are transforming our nation one congregation at a time and making it easier for Members of Congress to stand for equality. The theme for Clergy Call 2009, “Moving from Acceptance to Advocacy,” reflects the vision of a faith-based movement for LGBT equality built from the ground up: in local churches, synagogues, mosques.
See Dallas pastor to join team lobbying Congress for gay rights
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Lutheran Church takes steps toward gay ordination
(Minneapolis, Minnesota) Brad Froslee was installed as pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church at a special Sunday service attended by dozens of his fellow pastors, as well as Froslee’s proud parents and grandmother, all devoted lifelong Lutherans.
But the Minneapolis Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America officially lists Calvary’s ministry …
At one Lutheran church, gay, partnered and preaching
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregations aren’t supposed to allow gay people in committed relationships to be pastors. But it’s already happening at one Minneapolis Lutheran church.
ELCA leadership will meet at a national convention this summer in Minneapolis to consider changing the rule. The proposal would allow individual congregations to hire gay, partnered pastors – as long as they can show they’re in a lifelong, committed relationship.
But Calvary Lutheran Church already took that step. Pastor Brad Froslee took over the pulpit there in February, even though he was open about his partner of 5 and a half years.
See At one Lutheran church, gay, partnered and preaching WKBT
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Prop 8 in court today: Stop Ken Starr from divorcing loving couples!
This morning, before the California Supreme Court, Ken Starr will argue for the forcible divorce of 18,000 loving same-sex couples who married before Proposition 8 passed.
Starr has said the marriage ban should stand because of the state’s role in protecting the welfare of children.
The hypocrisy of “protecting” children by divorcing their parents is unconscionable. Yet this is just one in a parade of outrageous lies by right-wing extremists.
So HRC is launching a new campaign to expose this dishonest fear-mongering against equality – to counteract the lies with respectful dialogue and grassroots action.
Sign our first petition at EndtheLies.org – Tell Ken Starr to stop using lies about child “welfare” to divorce loving parents.
Since it’s no longer as acceptable to display open bigotry against LGBT people, the right-wing has resorted to lies and fear tactics. Take Ken Starr’s statement that same-sex marriage amounts to “seizing and hijacking the marriage relationship in order to achieve apartheid-type values.”
HRC’s EndtheLies.org campaign will help us combat these untruths in the media, in Congress, in our statehouses, schools, workplaces and faith communities. And that will be key during the brewing battle over hate crimes legislation – which the right-wing is already trying to drag into the gutter.
They say that hate crimes laws will criminalize pastors and “do away with our freedom of speech.”
They spent millions during the Prop. 8 campaign telling Californians that marriage equality was corrupting schoolchildren and eroding their “moral character.”
They’re running absurd ads that suggest transgender anti-discrimination measures will lead to men attacking women and girls in public restrooms.
We’ve exposed dozens more outrages at EndtheLies.org – check it out and sign our Ken Starr petition today.
Right-wing extremists will keep spreading these lies as long as no one holds them accountable. They will continue to raise money hand-over-fist and use lies to block hate crime and workplace protections, marriage equality, HIV/AIDS funding, and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
That’s why YOUR action is so critical. These lies aren’t just offensive – they stand in the way of basic fairness and equality.
EndtheLies – starting with Ken Starr’s!
Last night, HRC joined with other groups to sponsor Marriage Equality USA’s “Eve of Justice” vigils across California. Today, hundreds of protestors will gather outside the courthouse in San Francisco during the oral arguments. The court will issue a ruling within 90 days. This is one of those rare moments in our movement when we can shine a light and change hearts and minds – please spread the word to family and friends.
Warmly,
Joe Solmonese, HRC President
* Tags = gay men gay news lesbian news transgender bisexual
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Pastors strongly support gays
Coming in May: Marriage rights for gays, plenty of chapels to host the ceremonies.
Hannity criticized gay Episcopal bishop for “partisan hatred,” but called partisan Rev. Falwell a “very dear friend”
On the January 13 edition of Fox News’ Hannity, Sean Hannity claimed that Rev. Gene Robinson — the openly gay Episcopal bishop from New Hampshire whom President-elect Barack Obama has selected to deliver the invocation at his inauguration kickoff — “bashed President Bush” in a prayer published in GQ magazine. Hannity then stated: “You know, all along, I actually thought pastors were supposed to spread the love of God, not fan the flames of partisan hatred.” However, Hannity did not criticize his frequent guest, the late Rev. Jerry Falwell — whom Hannity called a “very dear friend”– despite Falwell’s history of inflammatory, partisan rhetoric directed at Democrats.
According to the Episcopal Church website, Robinson said he would use some of the prayers that he wrote for GQ — which do not mention Bush by name — in drafting his prayer for the inaugural event. In one prayer, titled “A Prayer for Barack Obama,” reproduced on Boston Globe religion reporter Michael Paulson’s Articles of Faith blog, Robinson wrote in part:
O God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.
Give him wisdom beyond his years, and inspire him with Lincoln’s reconciling leadership, FDR’s courageous boldness and vision, and JFK’s ability to enlist the best efforts of our people.
Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain for these times, not a fierce warrior who knee-jerk reacts to every real or perceived threat.
Give him stirring words, for we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.
But while Hannity criticized Robinson for “partisan” remarks, he frequently hosted Falwell, founder of the conservative Moral Majority and frequent critic of Democrats and progressive positions. Falwell had a history of inflammatory statements about former President Bill and Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton. For example, Falwell publicized, co-financed, and distributed The Clinton Chronicles, a video that contained anti-Clinton allegations of drug trafficking and murder. On the October 22, 2003, episode of CNN’s Crossfire, Falwell said, “I think that we needed Bill Clinton, because we turned our backs on the lord and we needed a bad president to get our attention again.” Falwell also called Hillary Clinton “a bad person with a criminal mind,” and said during the lead-up to the Democratic presidential primary, “I think Hillary would be the worst thing that would ever happen to America.” Falwell also told the Associated Press, “I don’t think anybody doubts that the Republicans have a better record and a better commitment to national security than the Democrats do.”
Despite these and other partisan remarks by Falwell, Hannity devoted an entire broadcast of Hannity & Colmes to Falwell the day after his death, during which he referred to Falwell as “a very dear friend of mine” and said, “He may have misspoke once or twice. But he devoted his life, to his religion.” Before his death, Falwell was frequently a recipient of Hannity’s praise. On the January 24, 2007, broadcast, Hannity discussed filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi’s documentary about evangelical Christians with her and said, “I hope you also capture people like Franklin Graham and the Reverend Falwell. They spend millions of dollars a year to help people in a lot of very positive ways. Did you capture that?” Pelosi responded, “Listen to you. You’re just doing P.R. for them.” Also, during a discussion of children born into poverty on the July 2, 2006, edition of Hannity & Colmes, Hannity cited Falwell as an example of people who are “charitable” and said, “Jerry Falwell has a home for any girl who’s pregnant. He’ll send them to school. He’ll give them free health care if they have their baby.” Hannity also delivered the commencement address at Falwell’s Liberty University in May 2005.
As Media Matters for America noted, Hannity applied a double standard on the January 12 broadcast of his show when he said, “I don’t like the lyrics that refer to women as ‘B’s’ and ‘ho’s,’ and we’ve had many discussions about this,” despite the fact that he previously aired concert footage of rock musician and right-wing activist Ted Nugent calling Obama a “piece of shit” and referring to Hillary Clinton as a “worthless bitch.” After airing the clip, Hannity referred to Nugent as a “friend and frequent guest on the program.”
See Hannity criticized gay Episcopal bishop for “partisan hatred,” but …
Media Matters for America
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No ballot question on Cleveland’s DP registry after signature drive falls short
A group of local pastors has come up short in an effort to trigger a referendum vote on Cleveland’s domestic-partner registry.
The group, led by the Rev. C. Jay Matthews of Mount Sinai Baptist Church, needed to submit about 11,000 signatures by Wednesday to put the issue to a citywide vote.
Matthews said only a few thousand signatures were collected. He blamed the failure on a narrow time frame over the holidays.
See No ballot question on Cleveland’s DP registry after signature drive falls short
The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (1/8)
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Ministers Oppose Cleveland’s Gay Partner Registry
A group of ministers is leading an effort to repeal Cleveland’s recently passed gay domestic partner registry, reports Cleveland daily The Plain Dealer.
United Pastors in Mission, a group of mostly black ministers led by president Rev. C. Jay Matthews of the Mount Sinai Baptist Church and director Rev. Marvin McMickle of Antioch Baptist Church, made the announcement at a Tuesday press conference at Matthews’ church. Cleveland city leaders approved the registry at a Monday December 8 session by a 13-7 vote. All of the seven lawmakers who voted against the measure were black. Ward 1 councilman Terrell Pruitt admitted he was pressured to vote against the registry: “I couldn’t risk having the ministers, who don’t have all the facts, on the pulpits preaching against me on Sunday.” Cleveland’s domestic partner registry allows gay and straight couples to seek recognition of their union from the city. Ohio passed one of the toughest gay marriage bans in the country four years ago. To ensure that the registry does not run afoul of the state’s prohibition it lacks any force of law and guarantees no protections whatsoever. Any benefits given to couples would be strictly voluntary. Over 70 cities and counties nationwide offer gay domestic partner registries. Lawmakers in the Mormon stronghold of Utah will take up the question next month.
On Top Magazine, OH -
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