Pam (the Keynoter) at NC Pride

Pam Spaulding gave the keynote speech this weekend at NC Pride. She also got to ride in the parade and wave to the crowd. The speech was excellent and Pam addressed issues that very few other people will touch, including race and religion. Here's an excerpt:

It was equally eye-opening when longtime social justice activist Mandy Carter and I, along with several black gay and lesbian attendees, visited two members of the NC legislative black caucus during Equality NC's Day of action earlier this year. I will preface this by saying that these membersare strongly there for us on other pro-LGBT issues, but the matter of the state marriage amendment bill by some members of the black caucus is clearly a land mine. To our faces we were told by respected chair Rep. Alma Adams that LGBT issues are not "the caucus's issues" -- as in social justice issues -- and another Rep. Earline Parmon, who supports the marriage amendment bill, justified it by saying she is a minister.

That last statement sucked the air out of the room. To have an elected official answer a constituent's question by indicating she doesn't understand the separation of church and state; well, that's tragic. When I blogged about this, many asked how did we maintain our composure in the face of answers like this.

Honestly, when we left and sat down to talk about what we experienced, the shared feeling was how hurtful it was to be rendered "less-than" to our faces. I think the day taught us all a valuable lesson that spending "face time" with lawmakers to share our stories is essential, and for black LGBTs it's critical -- it's not an option to be rendered silent and invisible.

Read the speech -- or watch the video. It's an important conversation to keep in mind as we move forward on the road to equality.

And, check out the pictures of the haters along the parade route. Read More...

Maine Bishop continues raising money at churches for anti-gay marriage campaign

Catholic churches in Maine have become de facto campaign headquarters for the "Yes on 1" campaign. Yesterday, the Bishop delivered a taped message to his shrinking congregations and once again held collections to raise money for the anti-gay effort:

Kelly Maltz, a member of St. Paul the Apostle Parish and St. Matthews Church, is one of many area Catholics who responded to Bishop Richard J. Malone’s plea at church on Sunday for funds to support Question 1, which would overturn the state’s same-sex marriage law.

While standing outside the church after Mass, Maltz said she believes the same-sex marriage legislation would hurt the sanctity of traditional marriage.

“It’s my belief that marriage is Christ-ordained,” she said.

Not sure what was in the Bishop's plea but it sounds like Kelly doesn't want any non-Christians getting married either. And, I don't recall Christ getting married.

This is beyond ridiculous. The Catholic Church in Maine is closing parishes. The Bishop should have other things to worry about, but he's obsessed with the gays. So many of these religious types are (and the Catholic Church has a lot of gay priests.) This effort is causing great consternation among Catholics in the state (I've heard this first-hand from devout Catholics in Maine.) In fact, as this article notes, a new group in Maine, Catholics for Marriage Equality, has formed to counter the Bishop's messaging. The Bishop is chasing people away from his church.

The No on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign is trying to raise as much money as possible before the end of the campaign finance reporting period on September 30th. They need another just under $100,000 to reach their goal. On ActBlue, that would take them over $800,000. You can donate here. The money is being spent well. And, we can't let the haters win this time. Read More...

Activists hold kiss-in in Paris

Damn, I had no idea it was taking place. I'll give them credit for doing it at Les Halles. It's kind of an edgy area - lots of folks from cultures who aren't so accepting of the gays. Andy Towle has more.

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On Bill Clinton's deliberate use of the words "wrong" and "untenable" to describe his new view of DOMA

Kerry Eleveld interviewed Richard Socarides about the new position of his former boss, Bill Clinton, on same-sex marriage. This could help the court cases against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):

Clinton said during the interview that he realized he was "hung up about the word" marriage.

"I was wrong about that," he said. "I just had too many gay friends. I saw their relationships. I just decided I couldn’t, I had an untenable position."

Richard Socarides, a special assistant and LGBT adviser to Clinton during his administration, said the remarks could help create a shift in the political winds that might reach the courts.

"Many of the lawyers I talk to don't believe that the Defense of Marriage Act is going to be repealed by Congress in the next three to four years," he said, adding that most attorneys see the legal challenges to DOMA as a more likely route to overturning the law.

"Whether it's the Olson/Boies lawsuit or the Gill case, the issue is going to be, between now and the time they reach the Supreme Court, whether there's enough of a change in the political will on this subject -- have enough hearts and minds changed?" Socarides said, referring to two DOMA challenges, one emanating from California and the other from Massachusetts. "The fact that there’s a former sitting president -- the guy who is responsible for the law -- who now says that his position was ‘untenable’ will be the best thing for that case."

Socarides added that he believes Clinton's choice of words were intentional.

"Nothing comes out of him that isn't thoughtful and deliberate," he said. "Did he consider that it would someday be used in a brief to the Supreme Court arguing that DOMA was unconstitutional? Yes, I'm sure he knew that."

Richard Socarides knows Bill Clinton and how that mind of his works. So, this is an interesting development on the political and legal fronts. Read More...

Obama mentions same-sex parents in Family Day Proclamation

And that's very good. And words are important, as they help change the culture. I'd still like to see DADT and DOMA repealed, and ENDA passed, among other priorities.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release September 28, 2009

FAMILY DAY, 2009
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Our family provides one of the strongest influences on our lives. American families from every walk of life have taught us time and again that children raised in loving, caring homes have the ability to reject negative behaviors and reach their highest potential. Whether children are raised by two parents, a single parent, grandparents, a same-sex couple, or a guardian, families encourage us to do our best and enable us to accomplish great things. Today, our children are confronting issues of drug and alcohol use with astonishing regularity. On Family Day, we honor the dedication of parents, commend the achievements of their children, and celebrate the contributions our Nation's families have made to combat substance abuse among young people.

The 21st century presents families with unprecedented challenges. Millions of women and men are struggling to balance the demands of their jobs with the needs of their families. At the same time, our youngest generation faces countless distractions in their social environment. They are coming of age in a world where electronic devices have replaced the playground, televisions have preempted conversation, and pressure to use drug and alcohol is far too prevalent. Parents bear significant stress and burdens to protect their children from harmful influences.

It is our responsibility to talk with adolescents about the risks of abusing alcohol, tobacco, or prescription and illicit drugs, and other harmful behaviors. These substances can destroy the mind, body, and spirit of a child, jeopardizing their health and limiting their potential. Active parents, voicing their disapproval of drug use, have proven themselves to be the most effective preventative method for keeping our children drug-free. A strong and engaged family can make all the difference in helping young people make healthy decisions.

By coming together as a family and discussing the events of the day, parents can foster open communication, share joy sand concerns, and help guide their children toward healthy decisionmaking. A strong nation is made up of strong families, and on this Family Day, we rededicate ourselves to ensuring that every American family has the chance to build a better, healthier future for themselves and their children.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 28, 2009, as Family Day. I call upon the people of the United States to join together in observing this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities to honor and strengthen our Nation's families.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

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If he were gay, he'd do Obama

LOL I just found this funny. And a bit odd. Read More...

Salt Lake City man calls Judy Shepard a "liar"

More Godly civility from our friends the Mormons? Attacking Matthew Shepard's mother. What's next, drowning puppies? Read More...

More on apparent NYC gay-bashing, and cops' non-response

From Towleroad:

"Walking down this usual block, a friend turned when a lit cigarette butt was thrown at him. 'Keep moving, faggot.' We all stopped, shocked to hear these words in what is normally such an accepting, gay-friendly neighborhood, in New York, such an open-minded city. We exchanged words, more and more heated, until he started to approach us, threatening violence. Before we knew it, he had thrown one friend against a car, denting it. The other took two punches to the face, cutting his lip before the bouncer at McCoy's came out and stopped him. We called the police. They arrived -- 5 cops or so, from at least 2 cars. They talked to the guy who assaulted us. They asked us what happened. We recounted the story. The cops -- the NYPD -- did NOTHING. They wouldn't even take the guy's information so we could file a claim later, or even run the plates of the car whose body was dented from him throwing my friend into it. 'They're NJ plates, we can't do anything.'"

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Air Force Hero Forced to Choose: Admit You're Gay or Accept Rape Charge

Another example of why Don't Ask Don't Tell doesn't work:

A Boise police detective sat across a conference table questioning him about an alleged crime.

Fehrenbach, stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, was in a Catch-22. To clear himself of the claim he'd raped a man, Fehrenbach could tell police his side of the story. But admitting he'd had consensual sex could get him kicked out of the Air Force he loved after 18 years.

Fehrenbach asked Detective Mark Vucinich whether his employer had a right to see his statement. Yes, replied Vucinich.

Fehrenbach then told the detective he had sex with Cameron Shaner on May 12, 2008. He'd met Shaner, 30, on a gay Web site and invited him to his southeast Boise home.... Fehrenbach's admission he'd had gay sex was a violation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law.

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