The Bilerico Project

WWJD? Incite Hate Crimes Against LGBT People, according to this "Pastor"

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0500

The furious explosion of nutjobs over the passage of the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act continues...

Our old fundie friend, Pastor Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission (yeah, that's clue number one about his point of view), is back at his gay hating ways. But this time he's taking it to a whole new level. Cass and crew are headed to DC on November 16th to protest the Hate Crimes Act in front of the Department of Justice. Their tactic?

They'll be calling for violence against LGBT people to try and get arrested so they can "prove" the Hate Crimes Act infringes on their God given right to beat up fags:

The "Rally for Religious Freedom" in front of the Department of Justice in Washington is intended to force Attorney General Eric Holder either to address the issues or be put in a position of ignoring those who say they are violating the provisions of the federal law, Cass said. "We're basically going to defy the law, and challenge it," Cass told WND. "We're going to declare the whole counsel of God, including those parts that some may consider 'inciting a hate crime' to see if the attorney general is going to come down and arrest a group of peaceful clergy exercising their First Amendment rights.

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Election Night Results Open Thread: Maine, WA State, Kalamazoo & Beyond

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:30:00 -0500

Tonight is a big night for LGBT rights and issues- Marriage Equality in Maine, Relationship Recognition in Washington State, and a Human Rights Ordinance in Kalamazoo. Add that to the openly gay candidates (Annise Parker in Houston) and races that effect our movement (the New Jersey Governor's Race), and you have a busy night for all things LGBT.

We're going to use this open thread to update election results, talk about the races, follow everything that matters to you. Jump in the comments, add the races you're watching, and give your commentary throughout the evening!

We'll be updating this post all night as results trickle in!

Maine Question 1 Results: 84% Reporting
NO (yay!): 47.4%
Yes (boo!): 52.6% *Winner-UGH*

The Associated Press has declared Yes On 1 the victor. We lost. A recount is expected.

Campaign Statement after the jump.

Washington State Referendum 71 Results: 100% Reporting
Approve (yay!): 51% *Winner*
Reject (boo!): 49%

We won Washington State. LGBT residents keep domestic partner benefits.

Kalamazoo Ordinance 1856 Results:

WINNING PRESS RELEASE AFTER THE JUMP

Yes (yay!): 65% *Winner!!*
No (boo!): 35%

More races (NJ, VA, Houston, St Pete FL, Chapel NC, & more!) and results as they come in after the jump!

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Sunday Funnies: InfoMania's 'Conversion'

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0500

The brilliant and irreverent satirist Bryan Safi, from my favorite nerdy show on my favorite nerdy channel - InfoMania, is back exploring more LGBT issues and stereotypes as they are portrayed by the clueless media and pop culture.

This clip is from this week's show and deals with something we've talked about a lot here on Bilerico- ex-gay conversion therapy. And don't worry, Bryan. I guess I've been doing it wrong too...

Tired of being gay? Well, Richard Cohen and his Ex-Gay cohorts can help. Join Bryan Safi as he navigates the world of conversion therapy. You never know, you might be able to rearrange that pesky DNA!

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Obama Signs Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act and Announces End of HIV Travel Ban

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0500

President Obama announced an end to the HIV Travel and Immigration Ban during the signing ceremony for the vital Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act this afternoon.

The travel ban, a legacy of Jesse Helms, has been in place since 1987. It prevented HIV+ non-U.S. citizens from traveling or immigrating to the United States unless granted a special waiver from the the Department of Homeland Security.

Here's some of what Obama had to say (Read the full transcript here):

Twenty-two years ago, in a decision rooted in fear rather than fact, the United States instituted a travel ban on entry into the country for people living with HIV/AIDS. Now, we talk about reducing the stigma of this disease -- yet we've treated a visitor living with it as a threat. We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic -- yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people from HIV from entering our own country.

If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it. And that's why, on Monday my administration will publish a final rule that eliminates the travel ban effective just after the New Year. Congress and President Bush began this process last year, and they ought to be commended for it. We are finishing the job. It's a step that will encourage people to get tested and get treatment, it's a step that will keep families together, and it's a step that will save lives.

Video & more after the jump...

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Obama Signs Matthew Shepard/James Byrd Hate Crimes Bill into Law

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0500

President Obama has just signed the first ever piece of pro-LGBT federal legislation into law.

The Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act was attached to the Defense Authorization Bill and added gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability to existing hate crimes laws.

We have a long way to go, but today is historic. By signing, the President sends a clear message that it is not okay to kill gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard for so many years on this legislation.

Reactions from the orgs - including a joint statement by 30 LGBT orgs - and Judy Shepard after the jump as they come in (check back for updates)...

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Stephen Colbert Wants You to Approve Referendum 71

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:30:00 -0500

The Colbert Report took aim at Washington State's Referendum 71 on last night's episode.

Colbert used his popular "The Word" segment to decimate the opposition to LGBT partnerships. The word was "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and looked at how the anti-LGBT forces were trying to keep the names of petition signers secret. Colbert fires away, telling them, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, that they should keep their bigotry in "the closet that the gay people have abandoned."

Classic.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

The Word - Don't Ask Don't Tell

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Michael Moore

After the jump, watch the ridiculous, fact-free ad that Colbert ripped apart. Scandinavia, indeed...

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Criticize Homophobic "No Homo" in Hip Hop and get your Pink Slip from Fox "News"

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:30:00 -0500

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, a political analyst and associate professor of education at Teachers College in New York, is learning what we all have known for awhile: Fox News doesn't like any support of "the gays" or any criticism of the network.

Hill was a talking head on Fox News. Key word being "was."

HIll had been an outspoken critic of the term "no homo" in Hip Hop, both on Faux News and in essays online like the one on Black Voices:

By punctuating even the most sexually non-suggestive sentences with a homophobic disclaimer, we reinforce the idea that gay and lesbian people are worthy of ridicule, shame, and surveillance."

How did Hill find out about his firing by Fox? By google alert. Stay Classy, Faux News...

Continue reading "Criticize Homophobic "No Homo" in Hip Hop and get your Pink Slip from Fox "News""...

Maine's "No On 1" Jesse Connolly on the Rachel Maddow Show

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0500

No On 1 Maine campaign manager Jesse Connolly appeared on the Rachel Maddow Show last night to talk about the fight to keep the fundies from doing a "Prop 8: Part Duex."

Polls show the fight in Maine is extremely close (48% say they will vote to over turn the law while 48% say they will vote to keep it with only 4% of the electorate still undecided).

We need all hands on deck as election day gets closer. Visit http://www.protectmaineequality.org/ for info on how to help!

Also, watch an 86 year-old WWII veteran describe why he supports marriage equality in Maine after the jump...

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High School Hand Holding as Punishment... with a Dash of Internalized Homophobia

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:30:00 -0500

The Advocate has a brief story up on a Colorado high school football coach who made two players hold hands and run together as punishment during a recent practice:

Officials from the Aurora Public Schools say they are investigating the claims that Coach Grant Pippert told freshmen Rafael Merced and another student to hold hands and run together after a brief altercation. The two were taunted by their teammates, who called them derogatory names. Merced told KMGH-TV News that he felt the experience was humiliating.

The other students jeered and called them gay, and the teasing continued throughout the week. The school system is investigating.

This act is bad enough- using the perceived "eww-factor" of same-sex affection and solidifying anti-gay attitudes in kids.

What caught me more off guard, however, were some of the comments from Advocate readers...

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BPFL's Michael Emanuel Rajner featured in POZ Magazine

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:30:00 -0500

We've got out very own coverboy, Projectors!

Bilerico Florida's own Michael Emanuel Rajner is featured in this month's POZ Magazine as one of the inspirational people living with HIV who make the establishment sit up and take notice.

I've had the honor of working with Michael on everything from fighting the former Mayor of Fort Lauderdale (the bigoted Jim "Gays are unhappy" Naugle) to pushing for fully-inclusive non-discrimination protections for everyone in our county in South Florida. He's the type of activist who carries a bullhorn in his trunk and has every lawmaker on speed dial. He's recently been tirelessly fighting for the extension of the Ryan White Act, to provide much needed resources for people living with HIV and AIDS.

POZ puts it best:

Openly gay and HIV positive, Rajner hides little from the world as he makes a case for better access to care and fair and nondiscriminatory treatment for all people.

Someone who isn't afraid to fight, protest, lobby, and cajole, Michael is an activist through and through.

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Need Insane Fundie GOP Congressmembers? There's an App for that!

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:30:00 -0500

This makes me me smile. And it also scares the crap out of me because it is all true.

This brilliant video parody of an iPhone App commercial takes aim at the bigoted, homophobic, fear-mongering, racist, misogynistic nut-baggery coming out of the Republicans in Congress:

From the creator of the video at the Waking Up Now Blog:

Republicans sound like they're conducting a giant experiment in saying whatever they can get away with, and I suspect they're surprised as any of us by some of the results. That's probably too harsh, though. What's worse is that a good chunk of them might believe the stuff they say. That's the difference between, for instance, Glenn Beck and Michele Bachmann. Either way, the country loses.

More after the jump...

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Sunday Funnies: InfoMania's 'No Homo'

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:30:00 -0500

The brilliant and irreverent satirist Brian Safi, from my favorite nerdy show on my favorite nerdy channel - InfoMania, is back exploring more LGBT issues and stereotypes as they are portrayed by the clueless media and pop culture.

This clip from last week's show deals with the hip hop term for not being gay: "No Homo":

Are you terrified that people may think you're gay? No worries, hip hop has coined a phrase to get you out of the stickiest situations. Just throw in a "no homo" and you can say pretty much anything you want!

Continue reading "Sunday Funnies: InfoMania's 'No Homo'"...

First Ad Hits the Air for One Kalamazoo's Anti-Discrimination Fight

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0500

In November, Kalamazoo, Michigan's ballot initiative over the LGBT-inclusive human rights ordinance will be voted on. The campaign to approve the ordinance, One Kalamazoo, has released it's new ad: "Neighbors."

From the campaign:

The ad, starring volunteers and community leaders, was shot in downtown Kalamazoo and explains why a YES vote stands for fairness and equality.

Some personal reflections after the jump...

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LGBT Strategy: "My Way or the Highway"?

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:00:00 -0500

LGBT Rights. The Gay Movement. Queer Liberation. Full Equality. The Homosexual Agenda.

All are names that get thrown around in the fight for equal right for LGBTQ people. And all have different connotations and baggage that go along with them. Ask any person what they think the "strategy" for getting rights should be and you'll get a different answer each time. As GW Bush would no doubt say, it's strategery at its best.

The National Equality March, Obama's HRC Dinner speech, lawsuits moving through the courts, Democratic Party foot dragging, and many other events have brought the debate about what the overall strategy should be as we move forward to the forefront.

Do we protest and pressure in the streets or lobby in back rooms? Do we move state by state or bypass it and go to straight to the Federal government? Do we pass pieces of legislation as we can, like a fully inclusive ENDA, or move for a Equality Omnibus Bill?

The debate is always set up as "either/or" when, in my mind, it should be "do it all."

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Personal Reflections from the National Equality March

waymon@bilerico.com (Waymon Hudson) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:30:00 -0500

Only time will tell exactly what effect the National Equality March in DC will have. Will the crowds move from the streets of the Capitol back to their home states and districts? I hope so. Will it further the divide between the beltway gays and the grassroots or build much-needed bridges? I'm not holding my breath on that one.

One thing that I don't have to "wait and see" about is the personal effect the March had on me. That's what this blog is about- the personal, emotional response I had to this event. The impact was immediate, powerful, and, at times, overwhelming.

First- let me explain where I am coming from. I live in Florida, one of the most conservative, backwards states in the union. We have one of the most far-reaching anti-equality marriage amendments in the nation, no protections for LGBT people in employment or housing, and the only blanket ban on gays and lesbians adopting, among other odious anti-LGBT laws. Fighting for change in the state can too often seem like standing in a dark room alone and screaming at the wall. It's exhausting, discouraging, and sometimes seemingly impossible work. Knowing that in a "state-by-state" strategy world we'll be one of the last to make headway can be soul crushing. But we fight on- letting the small victories, like electing our own to local offices and passing protections where we can, keep our hope alive, alone as we feel at times.

That's what the March did for me- I saw our community, in all its diverse glory, together and energized. It gave me hope and recharged my batteries to keep fighting against the odds. It reconnected me, and so many others like me, to each other.

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