Monday, December 31, 2012

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Election Results: Not as Close as they Seem

I have thought about this at length. The election results may seem that they were super close, on the surface, but there are many more variables to consider.

-How successful the voter suppression laws were in repressing the democratic vote? Intimidation, huge lines and shorter hours being just a few examples.

-How many conservatives were ignorant of the real truth of the issues, purposefully or like my sister, a single mother of two, who “doesn’t have time” to pay attention to political matters and just accepted Romney’s lies as truth.

-Racism, and the belief that voting for racist politicians are not the same thing.

I live in Naples, FL., a smaller and essentially segregated city. The only minorities we “know” have menial jobs who don’t live in the community.

There is great potential to reach many of these conservatives, not to become progressives, but to understand that being blanketly anti-democrat is anti-democratic, and by extension, anti-American.

Only about 25% of conservatives are theocratic, dominionist, 0% compromising tea-party types imbued with deeply ingrained sociopathic tendencies who would pass laws to have LGBT Americans, amongst other “sinners,” imprisoned and/or put to death.
 

The conservative party is split, reasonable Republicans who believe in facts would work with Democrats to get something rather than nothing -- an often times good thing as it gives we liberals valid perspectives that we would never conceive of on our own.

The others would rather die or kill than change.

But don’t get me wrong. Though the Obama victory has alleviated my terror of a Romney administration, the closeness of this election makes me ashamed to be an American today. Or better put, disheartened to the core that so many Americans feed on ignorance, illogic and dishonesty, and that so many more do not consider the freedom to vote to be a powerful privilege to make your convictions known and possibly matter.

Lovers of Hating Marriage Equality

To all the groups, organizations and individuals who consciously, willingly and knowingly, spread false, slanderous, scurrilous, demonizing and dehumanizing anti-gay propaganda and rhetoric in regard to the marriage amendments in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Washington, and toward the pro-gay judge in Iowa, this one goes out to you:
 

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Cannibalism Analogous to Same-Gender attraction

Brian Tashman of Right Wing Watch finds Conversion therapist, Floyd Godfrey on the Linda Harvey show with an interesting take on the nature of homosexuality.

Tashman: "Mission America president Linda Harvey this weekend hosted ex-gay therapist Floyd Godfrey, who describes his own path to “healing” his homosexuality by befriending more men..."

Godfrey: I … went on to take beginning softball, basketball, weight lifting and gymnastics … I even got a job at a Chevron gas station so I could be around guys and learn mechanics. Little by little, I felt myself growing as a man … I was becoming what I was attracted to in others ["True" heteroseuxal masculinity].

Tashman: ..."Harvey and Godfrey claimed gays and lesbians were most likely abused as children or have such envy for same-sex peers that they develop sexual feelings for them… just like cannibals who eat their own leaders."
(Just FYI, Harvey’s Mission America site should only be viewed on an empty stomach.)
To distill Godfrey's use of cannibalism as a means to describe the nature of (male) homosexuality: Gay men are devoid of true masculinity and therefore feel compelled to "consume" it from other men.

So, full picture, in order to sate one’s same-sex “appetite” for men, they should bond with them non-physically, but to bond with another man physically -- and on every other level of being -- only prolongs one’s “appetite” for them???
---
Incalculable irony notwithstanding, both believe homosexuals can fully transform into heterosexuals.

Harvey, via the Family Research Council (pdf): "Thousands of men and women have testified to experiencing a change in their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual."

And Godfrey, from his own healing homosexuality site: "There are scores of individuals who have experienced a shift in their orientation from homosexual to heterosexual."
(Those statements sound remarkably similar, not that I'm implying anything...)
Not even Exodus International “the largest informational referral ministry in the world addressing homosexual issues” makes such an absolutist claim. The president of the organization, Alan Chambers, admits he’s never even heard of such a complete, or even any sort or kind of consistent level of transformation, by a factor of 99.9%.

But Godfrey, he'll set you straight right over the phone, for a cost (not including the price):
If you are interested in contacting us about professional counseling, our offices are located in Mesa, Arizona. If you are not within distance of attending sessions, you may schedule telephone sessions. The cost is $100-$120 per session and sessions run 45-50 minutes.
Oh, and,
null
Yes, make sure your therapist knows about the lifetime of trauma caused by coming out of your mother's womb.
~~~
Godfrey: ...Dr. Elizabeth Moberly had talked about homosexuality like cannibalism because we’re so hungry. And that is what it feels like to those who struggle with homosexual feelings...
Sexual feelings are a form of hunger, Godfrey, which makes everyone with sexual feelings cannibalistic. In fact, the metaphor can be quite apropos, and when lyricized and set to music, delightfully entertaining.


Sunday, November 4, 2012

An inspirational take on Charlie Chaplin’s “The Greatest Speech Ever Made”

"One of the most important speeches in recorded history was given by a comedian by the name of Charlie Chaplin. If you like what you see please share the video any way you can and pass the message on." 


That copy links to 14 different subtitled translations.


I'm sorry but I don't want to be an Emperor, that's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible, Jew, gentile, black man, white. We all want to help one another, human beings are like that. We all want to live by each other's happiness, not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone and the earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful. But we have lost the way.

Greed has poisoned men's souls, has barricaded the world with hate;
has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed.

We have developed speed but we have shut ourselves in:
machinery that gives abundance has left us in want.
Our knowledge has made us cynical,
our cleverness hard and unkind.
We think too much and feel too little:
More than machinery we need humanity;
More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness.

Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost.

The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men, cries out for universal brotherhood for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world, millions of despairing men, women and little children, victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people. To those who can hear me I say "Do not despair".

The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed, the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress: the hate of men will pass and dictators die and the power they took from the people, will return to the people and so long as men die, liberty will never perish. . .

Soldiers: don't give yourselves to brutes, men who despise you and enslave you, who regiment your lives, tell you what to do, what to think and what to feel, who drill you, diet you, treat you as cattle, as cannon fodder.

Don't give yourselves to these unnatural men, machine men, with machine minds and machine hearts. You are not machines. You are not cattle. You are men. You have the love of humanity in your hearts. You don't hate, only the unloved hate. Only the unloved and the unnatural. Soldiers: don't fight for slavery, fight for liberty.

In the seventeenth chapter of Saint Luke it is written:
- "The kingdom of God is within man"
Not one man, nor a group of men, but in all men; in you, the people.

You the people have the power, the power to create machines, the power to create happiness. You the people have the power to make life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of democracy let's use that power, let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give you the future and old age and security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power, but they lie. They do not fulfil their promise, they never will. Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people. Now let us fight to fulfil that promise. Let us fight to free the world, to do away with national barriers, do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men's happiness.

Soldiers! In the name of democracy: let us all unite!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

PFOX Furious Over Government Support for LGBTQ Anti-bullying Efforts

This post brought to you by Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & not Gays (PFOX):
Families Ask Obama Administration to Take Down Government Links to Anti-Ex-Gay Websites

Government gives $100, 000 to gay group for schoolchildren to become “youth activists”
Those statements are basically the same complaint; That LGBTQ anti-bullying/suicide prevention resources are an assault on the so called ex-gay/formerly-homosexual community — Seriously.

That first part is self explanatory enough so I’m going to start by breaking down the second one.

The Gay Straight Alliance Network (GSAN), “empowering youth activists to fight homophobia and Transphobia in schools” has received a $100,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To help clarify the CDC’s mission (keeping in mind that “health” includes “mental health” as well):
CDC: The CDC awards nearly 85 percent of its budget [$7 billion in over 14,000 separate] grants and contracts to help accomplish its mission to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.
 
Contracts procure goods and services used directly by the agency, and grants assist other health-related and research organizations that contribute to CDC’s mission through health information dissemination, preparedness, prevention, research, and surveillance.
About GSAN:
GSAN: GSA clubs are powerful tools that can transform schools – making them safer and more welcoming for LGBTQ youth, youth with LGBTQ parents, and straight allies. GSA Network helps GSA clubs become activist clubs that can educate teachers and students to improve the school climate. GSA Network teaches GSA clubs how to work with the school administration to implement school policies that prevent harassment and violence.
It would seem that gay straight alliances are a very effective means of innoculating its participants from anti-gay influences.

PFOX, however, sees things quite differently and sent a letter, via the “United States Justice Foundation,” criticizing the CDC’s LGBTQ supportive resource links as being “anti-heterosexual” and asks:
Why is the federal government spreading intolerance against the ex-gay community and Christians who support the religious testimony of former homosexuals?
Griping that…
The CDC’s federal government website, “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health Youth Sources” at http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth-resources.htm#friends links to gay activist organizations and homosexual resources for youth and parents, but fails to include links to organizations or resources for parents who do not affirm homosexual behavior, or for youth with unwanted same-sex attractions.
(For the record, the letter PFOX sent to the CDC is dated after the CDC’s “response” letter below. Regardless, the point intended remains the same.)

The CDC’s ”response” letter includes a quote from the APA.
[T]he American Psychological Association advises parents, guardians, young people, and their families to avoid sexual orientation change efforts that portray homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental disorder and to seek psychotherapy, social support and educational services that provide accurate information on sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and school support, and reduce rejection of sexual minority youth
Regina Griggs, PFOX’s executive director, then goes on to kvetch about how these anti-bullying/suicide-prevention sites aren’t scientifically based either.
“Families Ask Obama Administration to Take Down Government Links to Anti-Ex-Gay Websites”

PFOX is asking President Obama’s administration to stop promoting websites of organizations and publications that denigrate Christian ex-gay ministries and former homosexuals.
Regina Griggs, and her invisible flock of “ex-gays” and “former-homosexuals” are, in effect, claiming that they’re victims of their victims.

The very concept of ex-gay/formerly-homosexual is meant to convince the voting public that homosexuals are just heterosexuals who engage in “homosexual behavior.” Thus, no obligation to secure us equal protection under the law, and most importantly, no obligation to legalize our right to marry.

As I see it, the federal legalization of gay marriage would legitimize the equality of our relationships with those of straight ones, effectively making the denial of our participation in virtually all areas of society, discrimination under federal law.

Whether or not this is the motive of the ex-gay movement, or any aspect/individual thereof is irrelevant, the message is the same. In short: There’s no such thing as LGBTQ.

The White House has an “It Get’s Better” page,” with anti-bullying/suicide prevention resource links. Which I assume is what, PFOX/Griggs, was referring to in that last quote.

That page also contains video after video of administration officials speaking to LGBT youth about their own challenges in youth and how it made them a better person today.

I found this one to be particularly poignant.
Inspired by President Obama’s “It Gets Better” video,” several LGBT White House staffers share their messages of hope and support for LGBT youth who are struggling with being bullied.
 

Response to “traditonal / redefinition of marriage” canard

This is in response to a regular "Anonymous" commenter at another website. I thought it worthy of further exposure.

Anonymous:
Actually, the point of my comments is that I’m not alone, there’s no bandwagon, my friend

The idea that marriage is not marriage unless it includes both genders is not some novel idea picking up steam

Trying to change the definition of words by governmental mandate is the unusual idea here

Anon: “the idea that marriage is not marriage unless it includes both genders is not some novel idea picking up steam”

Me: The definition of love is union. Thus, marriage is the uniting of two souls as being one.

Though men and women can love, platonically, members of the same gender more that that of the opposite gender, it is a world away from the reality of homosexuality.

I believe the Biblical love story between David and Jonathan was one such example:

David: “...I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women.”

“Surpassing the love of women” being the operating phrase, implying that they were heterosexuals, and thus, not attracted to each other in a sexual way.

However, if they had been born or reincarnated as women, they would still be the same people (males), just in female bodies. As males (in female bodies), they would still be attracted to women, and the sexual component would then be at play -- Ergo, lesbians.

It is your belief systems that cause you to resist the fact homosexual couples can and do experience the same depth of romantic love that heterosexuals do.

Anon: “…marriage is not marriage unless it includes both genders … trying to change the definition of words by governmental mandate is the unusual idea here”

Me: And therein lies the rub.

The idea that this has anything at all to do with words like “traditional” “redefinition of” or the ever clevers like “if we let gays marry, then what’s to stop people from marrying a banana peel?” is a propaganda tool that you’ve all bought into.

Marriage or unity = Love. “Traditionally” thought as only being capable between a male and a female. This is what is at issue.

This wordplay with “marriage” is a euphemism to hide the fact that you and you ilk are incapable of, or unwilling to accept that our love for each other is equal to that of your own, the understanding of which would obliterate the notion that if allowed, then anyone could marry anything.

Nor would it open the door to Government sanctioned incestuous and/or polygamous marriage for reasons essential to maintaining a civilized society.

Anon: “actually, the point of my comments is that I'm not alone”

Me: Alone or not, like I said, it is your belief systems that are the source of your resisting the fact that homosexual couples can and do experience the same depth of intimacy that heterosexuals do.

And the crux of those beliefs lie the addictions to your egos (superiority, supremacy, etc.).

To be fair, I have the same addiction, but I am aware of it, and so I am in better control of it, but most importantly, I don’t worship it.

It is difficult to challenge one’s own beliefs and conform to one’s that are more accurate -- you lose a part of your identity, but I’d rather be wrong in order to be right.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Citizenlink: Chaplains Detail Problems in Military Since Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal

From Focus on the Family's news magazine, Citizenlink:
September 18, 2012

CL: “This is the anniversary of the Department of Defense using our military to promote a very radical social agenda,” said Col. Ron Crews, executive director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. “It’s not a time to celebrate. It’s a time to mourn.”

ME: There’s a difference between “religious liberty” and Christian supremacy -- anti-gay or otherwise.

CL: "…threats to our troops’ freedom are mounting."

Some of the negative consequences of the repeal, according to Chaplain Alliance, include:

--A male service member sexually harassing another male service member at an officer-training school [through text messages, emails, phone calls and in-person confrontations]. The harassed service member reported the incident, but superiors took no action."

ME: For the sake of context, and I’m not just getting this from the article, over the years I’ve learned that following is the norm:

CNN: “Service members who report being sexually assaulted by a commanding officer or military colleague do so at their own peril. They face ridicule, demotion, investigation that includes a review of their sexual history and even involuntary discharge.”

CL: --A chaplain threatened with early retirement, then reassigned, because he expressed concerns about the repeal.

ME: Now, really. Just because he “expressed concerns?”

CL: --Same-sex ceremonies have been held at military chapels — including one in Louisiana, where the state constitution defines marriage as one-man and one-woman.

ME: What they “forget” to mention, is that same-sex ceremonies can and do take place on military bases in states where gay marriage is legal.

CL: “Compounding the outrage, service members are not free to speak out about these matters,” Crews said. “This ensures that distrust in the ranks will increase and morale will decrease as the number of silenced victims grows.”

ME: Yes, just like “speaking out” about how your fellow service members are niggers or kikes or wetbacks would “…ensure that distrust in the ranks will increase and morale will decrease…” So called “victims” like that shouldn’t just be silenced, they should be kicked out.

CL: “If passed, H.R. 3828 would protect members of the Armed Forces who hold religious or moral convictions concerning “the appropriate and inappropriate expression of human sexuality” from discrimination or punishment for beliefs.”

ME: But service members are already protected from the “appropriate and inappropriate ‘expression’ of human sexuality.”

CNN: "If you serve in the U.S. military and you rape or sexually assault a fellow service member … you have an estimated 86.5% chance of keeping your crime a secret and a 92% chance of avoiding a court-martial.

These disturbing statistics illustrate … an ongoing epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the military that … amounted to
19,000 incidents just in 2010."

ME: So I guess it all comes down to whether or not one’s deeply held religious beliefs view rape and sexual assault to be an “appropriate” or “inappropriate” expression of human sexuality” in need of protection.

CL: “The bill is awaiting action in both the House and the Senate.”

ME: Clearly the bill is meant to encourage the expression of anti-gay bigotry as a means of drumming up support to re-enact DADT, and ultimately, to institute a law the banning any service member deemed to be gay.

It’s discriminatory, malicious, redundant, but most of all, anti-American.
________________

Here is the entire CARL article (PDF) that FOTF via Citizenlink quoted this tripe from. There’s a few in there that surprisingly didn’t make the list, and predictably, not one footnote to be found.

Peter LaBarbera Laments Absence of Ex-Gay TV Characters

My latest @ Ex-Gay Watch.

Regarding the show "The New Normal"



Tuesdays 9:30e/8:30c

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Chuck Colson dies at 80

No tears shed here. Daily Kos has the gist of the
gory details on this one man super-duper anti-gay hate machine:
Sat Apr 21, 2012 at 03:25 PM PDT. Chrislove:
Charles (Chuck) Coleson--Watergate felon, viciously anti-gay zealot, and fundamentalist Christian theocrat--died today. He was eighty years old. His death was caused by complications after surgery following a brain hemorrhage.
I especially liked their inclusion of Jeff Sharlet's take on the matter:
Chuck Colson was a cruel, vain, and arrogant man in all phases of his life, a dissembler & a hater to the end. RIP..
One thing these Christian creeps don't count on is that God can't make them forgive themselves...or others for that matter...