tagged w/ Gay Rights
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Prop 8 campaigners said the ruling added California to the growing list of states that have ended barriers to marriage for gay and lesbian couples. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Ninth circuit court of appeals rules Proposition 8 unconstitutional and says it 'lessens human dignity of gay and lesbian people'
Gay marriage campaigners were celebrating a major victory on Tuesday after a federal appeals court ruled California's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional. The long-awaited ruling paves the way for a US supreme court decision on the voter-approved measure known as Proposition 8.
In a two-to-one decision, a three-judge panel of the ninth US circuit court of appeals in San Francisco agreed with a lower court judge who in 2010 declared the ban to be a violation of the civil rights of gay and lesbian people.
"Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California," judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote in Tuesday's ruling.
"Although the constitution permits communities to enact most laws they believe to be desirable, it requires that there be at least a legitimate reason for the passage of a law that treats different classes of people differently," the ruling states.
"There was no such reason that Proposition 8 could have been enacted."
The ruling is limited to California, which allowed gay marriage but then passed Proposition 8 in 2008.
(more at link)
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This is great news for all my gay and lesbian friends in California, I am very happy for them. There is no reason why they should not have the same rights as me. :)Prop 8 campaigners said the ruling added California to the growing list of states that... more
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CNN...
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February 5th, 2012
05:33 PM ET
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Crossing the plains and kicking up dirt, a new Mormon pioneer
PART ONE…
By Jessica Ravitz, CNN
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San Diego (CNN) – At a 1950s-style house nestled in a peaceful neighborhood nicknamed “Hanukkah Hill,” a smiling Buddha on the porch greets visitors – his arms raised as if to say all are welcome.
Affixed to the doorpost is a mezuzah, a decorative case holding blessings for a Jewish home. Inside, on the family’s refrigerator, hangs a magnet from the Feminist Mormon Housewives blog that says, “Jesus loves us. Who cares what you think?”
In the kitchen stands Joanna Brooks, an accidental, unofficial and admittedly unauthorized source for all things Mormon. She’s making “funeral potatoes,” a classic Mormon casserole, and heaped on the counter are the ingredients: a not-so-healthy dose of cheese, butter, sour cream, hash browns and chicken soup. Her Jewish husband strolls by, takes a look at what’s cooking, and grimaces. Bespectacled and freckled 6-year-old Rosa, standing atop a chair, proudly announces, “I’m Jewish and Mormon!”
The home and life Brooks has created is the product of a complicated journey.
She cannot separate The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from her identity any more than she can leave cheese out of funeral potatoes. But like her persecuted ancestors who braved the unforgiving plains to reach the promised land of what is now Utah, Brooks, 40, fights for her faith.
The battle has, at times, left her feeling beaten.
As a young feminist activist, she saw her beloved church excommunicate her intellectual heroes. She’s felt outrage and soul-crushing grief while watching her church mobilize against same-sex marriages. For about 10 years, she walked away.
But today a vintage postcard of a Mormon missionary boarding a plane sits on her desk to inspire. It reads, in part, “Dare to be different.”
She believes there’s room in the LDS Church for loving criticism and candid talk, that Latter-day Saints like her can not just belong but also serve – without fear of being cast out into the wilderness.
She’s staking her claim to Mormonism, writing about it for Religion Dispatches, debunking myths in national papers, speaking up on podcasts, radio shows and from stages, and offering advice in her column and blog, Ask Mormon Girl. She recently self-published her memoir, “The Book of Mormon Girl: Stories from an American Faith” and writes regularly for Feminist Mormon Housewives. Politico has named her, or specifically her Twitter account, one of the “50 Politicos to Watch.” All this while being an award-winning scholar, a published poet and, oh yeah, a department chair and professor of English and comparative literature at San Diego State University.
[Click the audio player for a Q&A with Joanna Brooks from CNN Radio's John Lisk ]
Amid Mitt Romney’s presidential bid, the “I’m a Mormon” ad campaign and the smash-hit Broadway musical “Book of Mormon,” this Obama supporter has emerged as a refreshing voice for media, hungry for frank discussion about her faith.
Her goal? To be her authentic self and humanize a tradition and people she couldn't love more.
“I just refuse to be ashamed of being Mormon,” she says. “Don’t talk about us like we’re not in the room.”
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CONTINUED…
.CNN...
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February 5th, 2012
05:33 PM ET
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Crossing the plains and... more
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Ron Paul is losing the GOP presidential nominating contest because he does not support a federal constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), has suggested.
In congratulating Mitt Romney for winning the Nevada caucuses on Saturday, Brown noted that the former Massachusetts governor has signed the group's anti-gay marriage pledge and Paul has not.
“NOM congratulates Mitt Romney on another impressive victory in the Nevada caucuses, just days after his big win in Florida,” Brown said in a statement. “Governor Romney, who has signed NOM's Marriage Pledge, has now won contests in three different regions of the country and has clearly established himself as the leading candidate.”
Candidates who sign NOM's 5-point pledge promise to support a federal constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court, appoint judges and an attorney general who will “respect the original meaning of the Constitution,” appoint a presidential commission to investigate the “harassment of traditional marriage supporters,” and back legislation that would allow a ballot question on the issue for voters of the District of Columbia.
While the 76-year-old Paul has said he is personally opposed to gay marriage, he has also called on the government to “butt out” of the marriage business.
“I want the government out. If you're going to have government under the constitution, the states have a lot more authority than the federal government has to define it. I'd rather see it be outside of government and then we would not be arguing about this,” he told the Des Moines Register's editorial board.
“Only Ron Paul, who has said that civil marriage should be abolished all together, has refused [to sign NOM's pledge],” the group added. “Paul is the only candidate who has failed to win a single primary or caucus. Rick Santorum won in Iowa while Newt Gingrich won in South Carolina.”
http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=10858&MediaType=1&Category=26Ron Paul is losing the GOP presidential nominating contest because he does not support... more
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Los Angeles Times...
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J.C. Penney stands behind Ellen DeGeneres as spokeswoman
February 3, 2012 | 5:45 pm
PHOTO:
Portia and Ellen DeGeneres
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As an openly gay couple, Portia and Ellen DeGeneres have faced plenty of challenges, but one worry they can safely put to bed is Ellen getting dropped by J.C. Penney.
The company has signaled that it is standing by DeGeneres as its spokeswoman, despite the group One Million Moms -- part of the American Family Assn. -- having launched a campaign to force J.C. Penney to end its association with DeGeneres and "remain neutral in the culture war."
In a statement Friday, J.C. Penney responded with support for the comedian, saying it "stands behind its partnership with Ellen DeGeneres."
GLAAD was understandably overjoyed with the news. A site the group had launched to show support for DeGeneres changed focus to show support for J.C. Penney over its decision. As of Friday afternoon, #StandUpForEllen had received more than 26,000 signatures.
"This week Americans spoke out in overwhelming support of LGBT people and J.C. Penney’s decision not to fire Ellen simply for who she happens to love," GLAAD spokesman Herndon Graddick said in a statement. "But while Ellen has the nation on her side, in 29 states today, Americans can still be legally fired just for being gay. Our elected officials should use this incident as yet another example of the support for legal protections for all hard working employees."
.Los Angeles Times...
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J.C. Penney stands behind Ellen DeGeneres as spokeswoman... more
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Can we say, Brainwashed? This is really upsetting.
My mom didn't tell me she was gay untill I was 13 because she was afraid I wouldn't love her. I'd like to help Sara learn something about what she is missing; a heart. The average 14 year old wants an iPod, iPhone, etc... what 14 year old actually cares about what government dictates about marriage? Makes me wonder what the parents have "homeschooled" her about different races. Clearly they are cowards to coach their child and hide behind her! WOW!Can we say, Brainwashed? This is really upsetting.
My mom didn't tell me she... more
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The Republican Party is probably considering giving Newt the boot today after his shellacking in the Sunshine State, but only time will tell. Newt is determined to stir things up for as long as an addicted gambler would stay at the tables to pay for it. WHACKO-TV once again brings in a new perspective with ONE GAY GUY ON GOVERNMENT with more diverse opinion on what all this election stuff means. Hope you like it. Gee, hope this is legal.The Republican Party is probably considering giving Newt the boot today after his... more
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Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is co-starring in the upcoming third installment of the Batman franchise "The Dark Knight Rises," but it's political satire video poking fun at Super PACs, corruption, conservatives and Fox News that's turning heads and has garnered more than a million views on YouTube.
http://veracitystew.com/2012/01/30/joseph-gordon-levitts-hilarious-get-money-turn-gay-video/Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is co-starring in the upcoming third installment of the... more
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After moving to Denver in the late ’80s, I sat in a hospital room with a gay friend (who was a terrific elementary teacher). He had been cornered by several young people who were trolling for a gay person to beat up. They beat him with a baseball bat and kicked him in the head until his eyes were so swollen he couldn’t see. For three days he was in a coma. I stayed with him until the swelling went down in his face and he wasn’t afraid someone would come back and kill him. He was a small man, and one of the kindest people I have ever known. His father was a Baptist preacher, and he was excommunicated from the family (with the exception of his sister). He thought moving to a bigger city would help.
The charge for nearly killing Mark was reduced to a misdemeanor. Those who beat him paid a $50 fine and were turned back out on the street to harm another day.After moving to Denver in the late ’80s, I sat in a hospital room with a gay... more
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With much of the inter-web protesting SOPA, the government's attempt to control deserts at the Mexican restaurants run by illegal immigrants, WHACKO-TV was indeed taken over by an ALIEN from another planet. Total Commander Nimrod comes down here with his carpet bag full of SPACE logic and tries to lecture America like a slime-covered Newt from another planet. He is in fact from another planet where all the ET-types wear Dayglo-green toilet seats. Get a number, take a seat.With much of the inter-web protesting SOPA, the government's attempt to control... more
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By David Edwards
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Pat Buchanan on Tuesday blamed “militant gay rights groups” and former Obama administration official Van Jones for a campaign to oust him from his commentator gig at MSNBC.
MSNBC President Phil Griffin suggested last week that the former Republican presidential candidate had been indefinitely suspended from MSNBC after the publication of his book “Suicide of a Superpower,” which contains chapters titled “The End of White America” and “The Death of Christian America.”
“The reports of my suspension are highly overrated,” Buchanan chuckled to Sean Hannity Tuesday. “In November, I had a medical condition, shakes, fever, chills, and I was in the hospital for 11 days, and pretty big hit. … There’s been no formal notification of anything like that.”
“Look, for a long period of time, the hard left, militant gay rights groups, militant — they call themselves civil rights groups, but I’m not sure they’re concerned about civil rights — people of color, Van Jones, these folks and others have been out to get Pat Buchanan off TV and deny him speeches, get his column canceled,” Buchanan noted, speaking about himself in the third person.
“This has been done for years and years and years. And it’s the usual suspects doing the same thing again. But my view is you write what you believe to be the truth.”
In an email to supporters on Tuesday, Color of Change, an organization co-founded by Jones, credited the more than 275,000 members who signed a petition demanding MSNBC fire Buchanan.
“This is a huge victory for everyone who cares about keeping hateful, racially divisive rhetoric and misinformation out of the mainstream media,” the group wrote.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/01/11/buchanan-van-jones-and-militant-gays-are-out-to-get-me/
Listen to this audio from The Sean Hannity Show, broadcast Jan. 10, 2012.
"Yes Pat!!! Everyone's Out to get You, LMFAO!!!!" =)By David Edwards
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Pat Buchanan on Tuesday blamed... more
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Weigel wonders why the homophobia in the newsletters hasn't gotten much attention. Wise words from Dan Savage:
There is no comparing Paul and Santorum, said Savage, because Paul is a leave-us-alone libertarian. "Ron is older than my father, far less toxic than Santorum, and, as he isn't beloved of religious conservatives, he isn't out there stoking the hatreds of our social and political enemies," he explained. "And Ron may not like gay people, and may not want to hang out with us or use our toilets, but he's content to leave us the fuck alone and recognizes that gay citizens are entitled to the same rights as all other citizens. Santorum, on the other hand, believes that his bigotry must be given the force of law. That's an important difference."
Agreed. The attempt by the left and the neocon right to make Paul out to be the real bigot in this race is gob-smacking. Maybe one reason the gays are not so upset is because they have a better idea of what is threatening to them than Dave Weigel. (The exception is Jamie Kirchick, but he is as motivated by Israeli issues as gay ones). But Jim Burroway complicates the story:
It’s notable that the most prominent pastor in Iowa to endorse Ron Paul (an endorsement featured on Paul’s web site) is Rev. Phil Kayser, who has deep reconstructionist (also known as theonomist) ties. At Biblical Blueprints, a reconstrucitonist web site, Kaiser posted a book (PDF: 4.1MB/60 pages) in which he justifies the death penalty for homosexuality:
(page 24): ...[I]n a society that was being converted, homosexuals could continue to be converted as they were in the church of Corinth. Even after a society implemented Biblical law and made homosexuality a crime, there are many checks and balances that would be in place. (See Appendix A page 40 for specifics.) The civil government could not round them up. Only those who were prosecuted by citizens could be punished, and the punishment could take a number of forms, including death. This would have a tendency of driving homosexuals back into their closets.
I think I have demonstrated how even capital punishment can be restorative. Other aspects of penology such as restitution, indentured servitude, etc. are certainly restorative.
I should think that those who accuse Biblicists of a theology that would cause a holocaust should be happy since we advocate standing law, not the Herem principle, and since standing law could be implemented even in a society like ours without the need for massive bloodshed. After a few speedy executions of non-repentant criminals, others would think twice before despising God’s law.
Keep trying. But remind me: which of all the candidates has refused to sign the anti-gay Marriage Pledge? Ah, yes, the real homophobe of the bunch.Weigel wonders why the homophobia in the newsletters hasn't gotten much... more
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The Guardian UK...
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Father who set up anti-gay-bullying campaign after son's suicide found dead
Roger Crouch's 15-year-old son Dominic leapt off a roof amid rumours he was gay after apparently kissing a boy for a dare
Steven Morris
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 1 December 2011 15.43 EST
PHOTO: Roger Crouch with his son Dominic, taken from the Facebook anti-bullying website.
Photograph: SWNS.com
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A father who campaigned against homophobic bullying after his son killed himself amid rumours that he was gay has been found dead.
Earlier this month Roger Crouch, 55, who launched a Facebook campaign after 15-year-old Dominic leapt off a roof after apparently kissing a boy for a dare, was named "hero of the year" by the lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall, beating the likes of Lady Gaga and Joan Armatrading.
He was pronounced dead after Gloucestershire police went to his home in Gretton, near Cheltenham, on Monday following "concerns for the welfare of a man at the address".
A police spokesperson said on Thursday that they were not treating his death as suspicious and that the coroner had been informed.
Crouch, who was clerk of Stow-on-the-Wold town council in the Cotswolds, was also a patron for Diversity Role Models, a charity campaigning against homophobic bullying. He lobbied schools to ensure anti-bullying policies are used and argued young people should be taught coping strategies, and visited the House of Commons to tell MPs what they could do about bullying.
Crouch's wife, Paola, wrote of her and daughter Giulia's heartbreak on the Facebook group she and Crouch created. She posted: "The changes you have started for young people everywhere, the work you have done against bullying, will remain as a towering monument to you."
Dominic leapt from the roof of a six-storey building near his private school, St Edwards in Cheltenham, in May last year. The inquest into his death heard that there had been rumours he might be gay after he was said to have kissed a boy during a spin-the-bottle game.
The inquest recorded a verdict of suicide, and his son's death prompted Crouch to begin his campaign against bullying.
Crouch said at the time: "It is clear that the banter and rumours were based on Dom's alleged sexuality. Some maintain that mystery still surrounds Dominic's death. There's no real mystery around why Dom was driven to take his own life.
"He was desperate that his happiness after the residential trip was punctured by rumours and being the butt of jokes. Over a single morning he felt he went from hero to zero. The real tragedy is not just that he died. It's that his death was preventable."
After receiving the Stonewall award last month, Crouch said: "I see this as an award for Dom. By choosing us for this award you've also chosen to take a stand alongside all the young people whose lives have been ended by bullying.
"We are parents who loved our son. We stood by him in life and we stand by him in death."
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A spokesman for Stonewall said: "His tireless campaigning against bullying following the death of his son was an inspiration."
Joanne Dunning, of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, said: "It seemed like he was only just getting the recognition he deserved for his anti-bullying work."
.The Guardian UK...
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Father who set up anti-gay-bullying campaign after... more
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