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Afronary.Net is tracking a total of 117 Black Blogs. There have been 15 total posts today.
There are 9 blogs in the category Life Style. There have been 2 posts in this category today.
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Breaking in VA: Gov. McDonnell feels the heat, signs useless directive against LGBT discrimination

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Wingnut Bob, we see right through this act. No dice. "Discrimination based on factors such as one's sexual orientation or parental status violates the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution. Therefore, discrimination against enumerated classes of persons set forth in the Virginia Human Rights Act or discrimination against any class of persons without a rational basis is prohibited," McDonnell said in his directive. We all know that signing this executive directive is meaningless; your henchman Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli stated quite boldly that there's no law on the books of the Commonwealth that protects state workers from discrimination on the job. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who says there's nothing in Virginia law to protect gay state workers from discrimination, is welcoming Gov. Bob McDonnell's decree against bias on the basis of sexual orientation. However, it's not clear from a written statement just issued by Cuccinelli whether he backs the governo

Black Barbie Sold for Less Than White Barbie at Walmart Store

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page There's nothing like a cultural cue that you're on markdown. Some things never change; or rather, change comes very slowly in some places.Walmart is raising eyebrows after cutting the price of a black Barbie doll to nearly half of that of the doll's white counterpart at one store and possibly others. A photo first posted to the humor Web site FunnyJunk.com and later to the Latino Web site Guanabee.com shows packages of Mattel's Ballerina Barbie and Ballerina Teresa dolls hanging side by side at an unidentified store. The Teresa dolls, which feature brown skin and dark hair, are marked as being on sale at $3.00. The Barbies to the right of the Teresa dolls, meanwhile, retain their original price of $5.93. The dolls look identical aside from their color. ..."To prepare for (s)pring inventory, a number of items are marked for clearance, " spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien said in an e-mail. "... Both are great dolls. The red price sticker indicates that this particular doll was on clearance whe

New Hampshire not living up to its "Live Free" motto

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Over 130 New Hampshire towns had their annual Town Meeting Tuesday. Town Meeting is an exercise in direct democracy, where voters act as citizen-legislators and vote on everything from the town budget to the location of a new stop sign. This year, most towns also voted on a non-binding resolution, called a "warrant", that asks their state legislators to put the state's constitutional definition of marriage on the statewide ballot. News is still trickling in, but of the 50 or so towns we do have results for, the vast majority have voted for the anti-equality warrant, often by overwhelming margins. Before Town Meeting, the Union Leader had characterized the state's mood as "sour" due to budgetary concerns. Common wisdom today is that only the conservatives and the cranks turn out to vote at such times, and that explains the anti-gay vote on the warrant. I'm not so sure I'd want to find solace in such an explanation, as it implies that there is nothing you can put

Homophobic and Transphobic Smears Continue in Gainesville, FL Mayor's Race

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page A few weeks ago, I covered the transphobic and homophobic scare tactics being used in the Gainesville, Florida Mayor's race. Craig Lowe was Chair of the successful campaign to stop the repeal of the Gainesville Human Rights Ordinance, which included sexual orientation and gender identity & expression. He's now running another successful campaign to become the first gay mayor of Gainesville and the only openly gay elected official in North Florida.A group called the "Concerned Citizens of Gainesville" already started a nasty and outrageous smear campaign, complete with trans panic bathroom scare flyers.Well, the smears have continued as the race has heated up. As early voting began in Gainesville and supporters like Equality Florida were phone banking for Lowe, a conservative talk show took homophobic shots at Lowe and the LGBT community. One of the male hosts had received a call and said he didn't know why because he was not a "sexual deviant."Because

Blend barista Terrance Heath and his husband take questions at the WaPo on their DC marriage

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page What a wonderful experience it must have been for Terrance Heath and his partner Rick Imirowicz as they took their vows in DC. They took questions over at the Washington Post site today to describe what it meant to them and what it means to our community.Terrance Heath: We're fortunate to live in a community where our family is treated no differently than any other family. In ten years, I can count on one hand the times we've gotten a negative reaction. The positive reactions have far outweighed the negative. As for public displays of affection, we usually have our hands full when we're out with our children. _____________________ Rockville, Md.: No question from me. Just wanted to say congratulations. I'm sorry it took this long for it to happen. I wish the federal government would repeal DOMA. You should have all the rights and benefits that I get. What two adults do is their business, and nobody else's. Rick Imirowicz: I whole heartedly agree. Thank you for your well wishes. ______

Virginia Young Democrats join in leading actions to protest Ken Cuccinelli

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page There is now a growing momentum to protest the institutionalized bigotry perpetrated by Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Cuccinelli's edict to the state's public colleges and universities had no legal standing to add sexual orientation to their nondiscrimination policies and that they must be rolled back, has left openly LGBTs on campuses sitting ducks for bigoted supervisors. The Virginia Young Democrats have issued a call to action in response, launching on March 12. there is also a searchable list of the various upcoming protests/actions on the VYD's web site. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10th, 2010Contact: Toby Quaranta, Executive DirectorToby.quaranta@vayd.org(703) 309-6556 Virginia Young Democrats join in leading actions to protest Ken CuccinelliWe are outraged by the decision to put personal prejudice ahead of good policySean Holihan, President of the Virginia Young Democrats, released

The New Jim Crow: How the War on Drugs Gave Birth to a Permanent American Undercaste

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page I work this issue every day and am well aware of the racist nature of the War on (Certain American Citizens Using Non-Pharmaceutical, Non-Alcoholic, Tobacco-Free) Drugs. But even I wasn't aware of the outrageous statistics comparing the Drug War to Jim Crow era. Michelle Alexander lays it all out in her new book, The New Jim Crow: How the War on Drugs Gave Birth to a Permanent American Undercaste: There are more African Americans under correctional control today -- in prison or jail, on probation or parole -- than were enslaved in 1850, a decade before the Civil War began. As of 2004, more African American men were disenfranchised (due to felon disenfranchisement laws) than in 1870, the year the Fifteenth Amendment was ratified, prohibiting laws that explicitly deny the right to vote on the basis of race. A black child born today is less likely to be raised by both parents than a black child born during slavery. The recent disintegration of the African America

Village Voice's UN-believable interview with Hiram Monserrate's anti-gay 'spiritual advisor

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate, who is running for the New York State Senate seat he was expelled from, after being convicted of misdemeanor assault. He was acquitted of the felony charge slashing her with a broken glass; even though the attack was captured on tape and played in court). Monserrate's big claim to fame is his virulent anti-gay stance, a position that is also pimped on behalf of the lawbreaker by Reverend Ricardo Reyes of Corona, Queens. Reyes's followers have been passing out homobigoted fliers, and Reyes has appeared at press conferences spouting against marriage equality. .The Village Voice's Steven Thrasher sat down with Reyes and it's an eye-opening look inside the non-reality based mind of ex-gaydom and denial of the savagery of Monserrate. During the interview, Reyes pulls out an ex-gay prop, a man named Jorge as proof that one can change sexual orientation. Do you try to make people 'not gay?' Not to try to make people not gay, to try free them from whatever confusi

VA: Video of Delegate David Englin urging House of Delegates to stand up to anti-gay AG

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Let's keep pounding on Virginia today...here's a bright spot. David Englin is in his third term representing the 45th District in the House of Delegates and he has been a steadfast supporter of LGBT rights in a legislature way too full of right-wing bullies (see my interview with him here). When the marriage amendmenet was before the Virginia Assembly a few years ago, he stood up and delivered a passionate addresson equality. It's worth the click. Today as Gov. McDonnell and Attorney General Cuccinelli have made it clear that re-instituting discrimination against LGBTs on campuses is how things in the Commonwealth on their watch, David Englin took the floor again.In response to Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's letter to Virginia's public colleges and universities asking them to remove language dealing with sexual orientation from their nondiscrimination policies, David urged the General Assembly and Governor McDonnell to stand up to Cuccinelli's anti-gay crusade. In his remarks, he no

VA: Statement from William & Mary President Reveley: there will be no discrimination on my campus

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Both of the directors of KnowThyNeighbor.org are William and Mary Alums and one of them, Tom Lang, contacted the Blend to let everyone know that he contacted the President's office in the aftermath of the letter issued by the Virginia Attorney General rescinding anti-discrimination policies protecting LGBTs on state campuses. Lang demanded that President W. Taylor Reveley III issue a statement. I actually told them that this is being watched very closely by national blogs like PHB and that KTN would be ready to let this country know if W&M does the right thing or not. I also called Equality Virginia and let them know that the President of W&M would be issuing a statement soon. It just happened and here you go.I don't think this was a difficult decision for Reveley at all. Its policy has not changed.No discrimination at W&Mby Taylor Reveley | March 9, 2010 William & Mary President Taylor R

Janet Porter demands that God gives the religious right control of the media

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page crossposted on Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters Historically, people have prayed to God for peace, love, and guidance. But the prayer issued last week by religious right mainstay Janet Porter enters a new territory which can only be described as coming from the mind of the late Rod Serling while writing an episode of The Twilight Zone. Porter, who has done many bizarre things such as claiming that anyone voting for Obama is going to hell and writing a fictional account of Christians forced into "re-education camps" had Hilary Clinton won the 2008 presidential election, actually prayed for the "Christian takeover" of the media. Apparently amongst other things, she wants "more influence than Oprah Winfrey, " and desires "to make CBS 'the "Christian Broadcasting System.'"I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Porter gave this prayer in front of a huge multitude during one of those dreary we have to save American values from the forces of secular evil conferences w

NC: NAACP's Ben Jealous calls for Wake County School Board chair Margiotta to step down

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page It was only a matter of time before Wake County residents would find out just exactly what they did when they elected a conservative majority to the school board, and with it a huge change in philosophy about diversity in the public school system there. Basically, the systems's nationally-regarded plan was to rework districts to promote racial diversity. This angered many parents who wanted to return to neighborhood-based school zones, which, given the propensity of many Wake residents to self-segregate either for socioeconomic reasons or, um, racial "unity" would return the system to segregation by default. In came extremist chair Ron Margiotta, who is a founding director of the fundie organization Called2Action, well-known for its anti-gay, anti-reality-based thinking. Called2Action and its leader Steve Noble have tried to ban books from Wake County Schools and led a boycott of the News & Observer for publishing a photograph of two gay men. The group was created to protest Raleigh's

Instead of men worrying about dropping the soap, pay attention to women in the military being raped

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Is this what men who are queasy about lifting DADT really worried about -- that men will be assaulted with abandon as too many women who are serving their nation, with the perpetrators going largely unpunished? (Time): What does it tell us that female soldiers deployed overseas stop drinking water after 7 p.m. to reduce the odds of being raped if they have to use the bathroom at night? Or that a soldier who was assaulted when she went out for a cigarette was afraid to report it for fear she would be demoted - for having gone out without her weapon? Or that, as Representative Jane Harman puts it, "a female soldier in Iraq is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire." The fight over "Don't ask, don't tell" made headlines this winter as an issue of justice and history and the social evolution of our military institutions. We've heard much less about another set of hearings in the House Armed Services Committee. Maybe that's because too many commanders still do

Health Reform: What Massachusetts Really Thinks

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Massachusetts' election of Scott Brown to the Senate has resulted in the ill-founded meme that Massachusetts voters don't want national health care reform. The reality is that Bay Staters with real experience with Massachusetts' comprehensive health care system firmly back the passage of the health care reform bill now before Congress. Community Catalyst:Massachusetts Patients, Doctors, Small Businesses and Scott Brown Supporters Call for National Health Care Reform in New Video BOSTON - Massachusetts patients, doctors, representatives of small business and labor, supporters of Senator Scott Brown, students and consumer advocates come together and talk about why Americans need national health reform in a new video being released today. Their emotional and personal stories convey why Massachusetts residents, who pioneered state health care reform, believe so fervently in national health care reform. They have seen how well it works in their own state, and how national ref

Kissimmee, Florida City Commission Approves DP Benefits

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Woot Kissimmee! Tonight Kissimmee, FL City Commissioners voted 4-1 to extend domestic partnership benefits to LGBT city employees. From Equality Florida:I am so proud of Kissimmee City Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, who led this effort. Mallory Wells, our Public Policy Director and I have worked side-by-side with Commissioner Grieb for months and she has never backed down from pursuing what is right. Even when anti-gay forces threatened to protest, Commissioner Grieb wouldn't be bullied. With her guidance and leadership we began the slow and tedious task of drumming up support on the commission and in the community. ... Kissimmee has now set a very high bar for community organizers and elected officials across the state. If you've ever thought, "We can never do that here," Kissimmee is here to say - Yes you can! The rest of the announcement email is below the fold. Sign Equality Florida's Thank You letter and be included in the note EQFL sends the City Commission. Dear L

Humble Hutch

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Ken Hutcherson, "Hutch" to his familiars, is pissed off. Hutcherson is the allegedly no-longer-prejudiced yet still wildly homophobic pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Kirkland, WA. Although he is fond of saying "God will get all the glory!", Hutcherson reserves the first right of refusal of said glory. Check out his latest essay in which he plays concern troll over the recent retirement of James Dobson from Focus on the Family radio. While I don't work for Focus, I definitely have an opinion. ...To be perfectly honest, what Focus should have done is give someone like me the leadership over the ministry. Someone with guts is needed to lead Focus into the next generation, someone who has the intestinal fortitude not to care what the world thinks but only wants to infuse the culture with God's righteousness. However, I have a ministry, so I would have turned it down. Call me what you want - a guy with a big ego. I have no ego, just allegiance to God. When He calls me I

Know Your Rights: Maryland Residents Who Marry In D.C

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page A hearty cheer and congratulations to those getting married in D.C. today and in the future, including our very own Terrance!! WOO HOO!!In view of marriage equality in D.C., and the recent opinion from Maryland's Attorney General on recognizing out-of-state marriage, it's important for Maryland residents to know their rights and responsiblities regarding marriage. Yesterday the National Center for Lesbian Rights posted on their blog concerning the legal questions surrounding marriage recognition in Maryland: Today, Lambda Legal, American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality Maryland, and the American Civil Liberties Union released a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide for same-sex couples in Maryland who married out of state.These leading advocacy groups have jointly released the following statement:“This FAQ follows a favorable opinion by Maryland Attorney Douglas Gansler that says recognition of out-of-state marriage

Video of couples marrying in DC today

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page You can send congratulations to the couples marrying in DC today. Via HRCBackStory: Angelisa Young and Sinjoyla Townsend Officiant: Rev. David K. North, Pastor of Holy Redeemer of Metropolitan Community Churches, College Park, MD Angelisa and Sinjoyla, both African-American women who reside in Ward 8 of the District, were the first in line to register for a marriage license, and will be the first lesbian couple to legally wed in the nation's capital. Angelisa (age 47) and Sinjoyla (age 41) have been together for 12 years and have two children. Reginald (Reggie) Stanley and Rocky Galloway Officiant: Rev Sylvia E. Sumter, Pastor of Unity of Washington, DC Reggie and Rocky, both African-American, are long-time residents of the District. They are both 50 years old and have two children. Reggie and Rocky will be married immediately following Angelisa and Sinjoyla. Participating in their ceremony will be Jim Cullion (the best man) and Cherrie McCoy (the best woman). Rev. Elder Darlene Garne

Rush promises to flee the U.S. if health care reform passes

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page You hear that Congress -- Jeebus, god almighty pass HCR pronto! Anybody willing to help jettison this piece of human excrement out of the U.S.? (Think Progress): CALLER: If the health care bill passes, where would you go for health care yourself? And the second part of that is, what would happen to the doctors, do they have to participate in the federal program, or could they opt out of it? [...]LIMBAUGH: My guess in even in Canada and even in the UK, doctors have opted out. And once they've opted, they can't see anybody Medicare, Medicaid, or what will become the exchanges. They have to have a clientele of private patients that will pay them a retainer and it'll be a very small practice. I don't know if that's been outlawed in the Senate bill. I don't know. I'll just tell you this, if this passes and it's five years from now and all that stuff gets implemented - I am leaving the country. I'll go to Costa Rica.Don't forget to take your Viagra and money for "entertainment," Rushbo.

TLDEF: "Today is Statewide GENDA Call-In Day - It's Time to Act!"

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Today (March 8, 20101) is International Women's Day. Sometimes it's easy to forget that trans women are folk that are included in the celebration of the day. Today is also a day that the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) tells us is the Statewide GENDA Call-In Day. Not all trans people are trans women (there are lots of trans men too!), but it's not too much of a stretch to say to connect these two days. It's a day that lesbian, gay, bisexual, feminist, and progressive New Yorkers to think about giving their State Senators a call in support of the trans women in their state -- to call in and support trans women on International Women's Day. In my mind, it would be a powerful way to celebrate the day. From the TLDEF: Last week, the New York State Assembly passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). The only remaining obstacle to the bill becoming law is the New York State Senate. The time is NOW to take action and make our final push to get the Senate t

MN Family Counsel Pushes for Constitutional Amendment After Marriage Equality Bills Introduced

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Marriage equality in Minnesota took two giant steps forward within the last two weeks. On Monday, February 22nd at 4:30pm the Minnesota House considered three bills for marriaqe equality. One bill would give full recognition to the marriage of same-sex couples in Minnesota, the second would recognize same-sex marriages in Minnesota that have been recognized in other places. Outfront Minnesota respectfully opposed a bill that would replace civil unions for all marriages in Minnesota. On March 2nd, companion bills were presented in the Minnesota Senate. One of those bills SF 120 to make marriage gender neutral in Minnesota was present by Sen. John Marty who is also a DFL Candidate to be the next Governor in Minnesota this upcoming November. Of all candidates for Governor John Marty is the only one who has made marriage equality for all Minnesotan's a part of his public campaign literature. Minnesota is undoubtedly ready for marriage equality, but with a governor who is hostile to LGBT p

While gays suffer in Uganda, the Pope stays silent on homophobic bill

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page crossposted on Holy Bullies and Headless MonstersTime magazine has published an excellent piece on the persecution gay Ugandans face even if that awful "Kill The Gays" bill isn't passed by focusing on one lesbian couple: Pepe Julian Onziema looks great in a suit. Tall and lanky, she doesn't slouch to hide her height and doesn't apologize for her boyish figure. Or for anything else. She's got at least 10 suits: pinstripes, white linen, black, gray, navy and others. She buys them from a guy who runs a shop on Entebbe Road, a major Kampala thoroughfare. He knows her build, and he knows what she likes. These days, though, Onziema doesn't wear suits nearly as often as she used to. As one of a dozen or so publicly out Ugandan homosexuals, Onziema knows that even a trip to a local shop is risky. Wearing a suit can be a death wish. . . . Onziema and her partner met playing rugby at a local Kampala club a couple of years ago. Onziema knew "within five seconds" that she ha

Queer the Census

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page We know it's a little clich?d - but here's what we want to tell the census: We're here. We're queer. And we want you to ask us about it. It's crazy - the U.S. Census Bureau wants an accurate count of everyone in the country - but there's no question in the survey that asks if you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. You read that right: LGBT people are basically invisible in the survey that is supposed to reflect the diversity of America's population - and that's a big problem. The data collected impacts issues critical to every American - like our health care, our economic stability, and even our safety. And when LGBT people aren't counted, then we also don't count when it comes to services, resources ... you name it. It's past time to Queer the Census!So what can you do about it? Read up on Why Queer the Census Sign the petition to demand that the census ask the question and count everyone! Seal your census envelope with the pink sticker pictured above! You can get a free

Congratulations, Terrance and Rick!

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page "The next time you see a blog post from me, I should be a legally married man. ~Terrance Heath, "The Republic of T" On my first sips of coffee this morning and watching my beloved WCSH6 morning crew, when up pop a very, very familiar face discussing being a bit nervous about his wedding in DC today! Had to explain to the family just why I was so excited and happy... T is not just another blogger/barista; I am a huge fan of his writings. The piece broadcast this morning was by CNN contributor Brook Hart; I can't find a clip yet. Phooey; it's a wonderful piece that includes many other couples (including a couple I recognize from Maine) and I hope it's available later on. Got a 280-300 mile drive day planned to start at 7am, so this is a sadly zippety-quick post... but please folks, join me in wishing Terrance and Rick, their family, and all other couples and families getting married in DC all of our best today! :)

Glenn Beck: leave churches committed to social justice because it's code for Nazism and socialism

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Now this is what I'm talking about when it comes to the crazies on the right -- the fire-breathing man of manufactured tears, Glenn Beck, telling people what they need to do about their church-going habits. On his daily radio and television shows last week, Fox News personality Glenn Beck set out to convince his audience that "social justice," the term many Christian churches use to describe their efforts to address poverty and human rights, is a "code word" for communism and Nazism. Beck urged Christians to discuss the term with their priests and to leave their churches if leaders would not reconsider their emphasis on social justice. "I'm begging you, your right to religion and freedom to exercise religion and read all of the passages of the Bible as you want to read them and as your church wants to preach them . . . are going to come under the ropes in the next year. If it lasts that long it will be the next year. I beg you, look for the words 'social justice' or 'economic justice'

South Carolina House of Representatives votes to cut ALL HIV/AIDS funding

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page crossposted on Holy Bullies and Headless MonstersWhat the hell is wrong with South Carolina? Last Thursday, the SC House of Representatives did something so wrong that words cannot convey how I feel about it: The South Carolina House voted Thursday to cut all HIV/AIDS funding from the budget, a funding issue that could affect thousands of South Carolinians. The South Carolina HIV/AIDS Care Crisis Task Force reports there are more than 14,000 people living in the state who have tested positive for HIV or AIDS. About 3,000 people rely on government funds for medications. . . . Dr. Bambi Gaddist of the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Care Crisis Task Force says when state funding began in 2006, more than 600 people were on a waiting list for medicine. Four of those people died. Currently South Carolina ranks 8th in newly diagnosed HIV cases and that is up from last year when it ranked number nine. And new infections are hitting young black and bisexual gay men at an ugly rate. But

David Mixner: 'Virginia is for haters' - and what needs to be done about it

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page The governor and attorney general think they can revoke our rights without paying a price. They hope to step on our backs and take away our freedom for their personal political careers. If we allow them to proceed without disruption, paying no price for such actions and continuing with business as usual, then we can expect others to follow in their footsteps and we should get ready to find enjoyment in being second class citizens. -- David Mixner, on the leadership in Virginia turning the civil rights clock back on higher public education institutions Over at his blog Live From Hell's Kitchen, social justice activist David Mixner is outraged, like many of us, at the situation in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which has been taken over by the fringe bigotry of the right wing, led by Governor Bob McDonnell and his agent of legal discrimination, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Rarely have we ever seen such a systematic effort to re-establish discrimination against the LGBT community as of

New Hampshire towns to vote on marriage on Tuesday

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Granite Staters, be sure to attend your Town Meeting so you can vote for equality! Most are happening on Tuesday, March 9th. If only the anti-equality activists show up to vote, it'll send the erroneous message that New Hampshire opposes marriage equality. Here is what's at stake:As of the beginning of this month, 734 of our fellow New Hampshire gay and lesbian friends, neighbors, and family members have been able to be married since the beginning of this year. That has been possible because of passage by our State Legislature of House Bill 436, which provides for marriage equality. They have been allowed to make legal commitments to share their love and caring for one another as couples. What a wonderful gift to them all. Their commitments as couples to their loved ones makes our state, and the institution of marriage and all that it represents, even stronger. On Town Meeting Day this Tuesday, a number of communities have warrant questi

Catholics for Marriage Equality launches national website

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page "As Roman Catholics, we differentiate between sacramental marriage and civil marriage. Therefore, we perceive that same-sex civil marriage poses no threat to our Church. While we respect the authority and integrity of the Church in matters of faith, our prayers and discernment have brought us to a new openness on this issue. We do not ask the Church to perform same-sex marriages. We do implore the Church to honor the States’ prerogative to authorize civil marriages for our gay and lesbian family and friends." -- From the declaration of Catholics for Marriage EqualityThis is exactly the messaging that is needed to counteract the hateful, bigoted and ignorant behavior of the leadership of the Catholic Church, which has taken a hardline stance that is arguably more damaging to the civil rights of LGBTs than the Mormon Church (there are 5.5 million in the U.S.). With 70 million Catholics in the U.S. (representing 24% of the overall US population), and still-full coffers despite mill

The URBALT Sampler- Part Deux has arrived

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: UltravioletUnderground The Maestro has done it again. Click the image to visit the download entry at the URBALT ning, and get yours. Time-limited Gratis Splendor featuring the legendary mojo of Gil Scott-Heron (yes, I said Gil Scott-Heron), CaliforniaKing, Blk Jks, Leila Adu, Mars Volta, Meshell Nedegeocello, and a glowing more.

Breaking(?!): California State Sen. Roy Ashburn comes out of the closet on radio show

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page "I am gay. Those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long. It is something that is personal, and I don't believe I felt with my heart that being gay would affect how I do my job." -- California State Sen. Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield)This is the funniest and most pathetic story of the day. I think Roy forgot that the news broke last week, and a whole lot of people already knew. That said, his official coming out on a Bakersfield radio show reveals that he's still unapologetically politically homophobic. (GayPolitics):Radio talk show host Inga Barks wanted assurances that Ashburn would continue to vote in a conservative manner on LGBT rights issues. Ashburn responded, "I believe firmly that my responsibility is to my constituents. I will take a careful look at each measure and apply that standard. How would they vote on this? How would they want me to vote on this," adding that most people understood what that means. "I don't know h

Denver Archdiocese bars child from school: lesbian moms 'not living in accord w/Catholic teaching'

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page "No person shall be admitted as a student in any Catholic school unless that person and his/her parent(s) subscribe to the school's philosophy and agree to abide by the educational policies and regulations of the school and Archdiocese. Homosexual couples living together as a couple are in disaccord with Catholic teaching... "Parents living in open discord with Catholic teaching in areas of faith and morals unfortunately choose by their actions to disqualify their children from enrollment." -- statements made by the Archdiocese of Denver. Archdiocese spokeswoman Jeanette R. De Melo didn't return calls or e-mails inquiring whether students whose parents are divorced, non-Catholic or used fertility medication also are not allowed to attend the preschool.And the church and school, Sacred Heart of Jesus preschool in Boulder, have the constitutional right to do this -- they have the religious freedom to discriminate against an innocent child. Parents are outraged and starting a petiti

Karl Rove: I don't think my father was gay; talks fear and smear on Today Show

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Just when you think Karl Rove would stay away from a camera, Turdblossom lands on the Today Show to drop a few gems. Rove: I don't think my father was gay In an exclusive interview, former Bush advisor Karl Rove tells TODAY's Matt Lauer that he never discussed sexuality with his adopted father and that he is not convinced that homosexuality was the reason for his adoptive mother's suicide. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economyAnd he incredibly, he tries to rewrite history with more damn lies. He knows perfectly well that if you repeat lies in media over and over, way too many Americans will take it as the truth. Well if negative campaigning doesn't work, why was he the king of that crap?Rove talks fear and smear In an exclusive interview with TODAY's Matt Lauer, Republican strategist Karl Rove discusses and defends tactics used during his tenure as an adviser to President Bush, saying the American public is not misled by negative campaigning. Visit

Lisa Miller Pal/ CWA Member Linda Wall: A Modern Day Harriet Tubman??

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Yep- you read it right! From WSET in Lynchburg VA: Friends of Lisa Miller say they don't know where she and her seven-year-old daughter are, but they say they support her decision to leave. A Vermont court ordered Miller's ex-partner Janet Jenkins custody of their daughter in May, and now it's been six months since Miller's friends say they've had any contact with her. It was January 1 when Linda Wall said she knew for sure her friend Miller and her seven-year-old daughter Isabella had gone into hiding. "Unbeknowing to any of us... she was doing something behind the scene," Wall said. Well, not exactly true... but let's continue. Wall has known the mother and daughter since 2004. She had been getting involved as a conservative Christian activist and a self described "former homosexual." She says about two years ago, she began talking to Lisa Miller about what would happen, if she was ordered to give up custody of Isabella. "Just knowing Virginia law wasn't going to defend he

Monday Morning This & That: Open Thread

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page It's an open thread! Pleeeeease feel free to chat, blogwhore, and link-share in the comment thread... It's been a week, so, this is what my cartoon sockpuppet Bookworm Bob have been looking at since that last This & That post. • Bristol Herald Courier's Blame the victim: Religious leaflet claims 'ungodly' dressed women provoke rape: BRISTOL, Va. - Nineteen-year-old Keshia Canter handed three burgers, fries and milkshakes to a car-load of Tuesday afternoon customers at the Hi-Lo Burger's drive-though window. A lady sitting in the backseat leaned forward, between the two men in front, and handed her a leaflet: "Women & Girls" it said across the top. "Even though nothing is showing, you're being ungodly," Canter recalled the woman telling her. "You make men want to be sinful." Keshia Canter was then handed a pamphlet by the woman. "You may have been given this leaflet because of the way you are dressed," it begins. "Have you thought about standing before the true and living God to

Pundits and think tanks are giving me nightmares

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page crossposted on Holy Bullies and Headless MonstersI'd like to interrupt my regularly scheduled deconstruction of religious right lies for a moment to talk about this situation which has been on my mind for a few days. Please indulge me. Recently, Fox News pundit, the perpetually inaccurate Bill Kristol admitted that he didn’t watch President Obama’s healthcare summit with Republicans claiming that “he has a life.” However, this didn’t preclude him from giving his opinion in regards to the effectiveness of the summit. And none of his colleagues had the temerity to ask “if you didn’t watch the summit, then how can you comment on it?” Rather they took what I thought to be an egregious error in journalistic etiquette in stride. This little observed incident just brings into focus the fact that while all of the rage seems to be giving hell to Washington politicians, the Washington media is escaping a much deserved scathing. Ever

The 9th Circuit, the Witt Standard, and That "More Humane" Application of DADT

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Air Force Reserve Maj. Margaret Witt has always been a personal hero of mine. She is an operating room nurse, and a decorated flight nurse. In 2003 she was awarded the Air Medal for her support to combat operations evacuating wounded troops. She was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for saving a Department of Defense civilian. She was featured in an Air Force brochure recruiting nurses in 1993. She was the perfect Air Force officer. She's also a casualty of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."Maj. Witt was never asked, and she never told. Her outing was every LGBT servicemember's nightmare. Maj. Witt and her civilian partner of six years lived quietly in their home, 250 miles from McChord AFB, where Maj. Witt was a Reservist with the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. In 2004, their neighbor called base authorities and said that there were two lesbians living near her, that one of them was in the Air Force, and she thought the Air Force should know that. The investigatio

Oscars open thread

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page As someone who isn't watching tonight and hasn't seen any of the nominees for Best Picture (when do I have time to go to the movies anymore), it's hard to get excited this year, but I know many of you out there will probably want to dish and gab, so feel free to do so in this thread... The Facebook webcast is up and running: http://oscar.go.com/red-carpet... Best Picture: Avatar, The Blind Side, District 9, An Education, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious, A Serious Man, Up, Up in the Air Actor in a Leading Role: Jeff Bridges, George Clooney, Colin Firth, Morgan Freeman, Jeremy Renner Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock, Helen Mirren, Carey Mulligan, Gabourey Sidibe, Meryl Streep Directing: Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Up in the Air, Precious

Right-winger in the mailbag: homo-obsessed CharMeck County Commissioner Bill James

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Bill James and I have a sort of digital love/hate thing going on, because I've been blogging about his anti-gay, frequently race-baiting activities as a Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Commissioner for years. While the Charlotte area has made some progress on LGBT issues, no thanks to him. Last December his fellow County Commissioners approved same-sex domestic partner benefits in a 6-3 vote. You really haven't lived until you've read some of the things he has emailed under his official commissioner email addy or submitted into the public record (see "The official statement of Bill "anal probe" James at the CharMeck County Commissioner's meeting, 5/17/2005"). One of the disturbing things about James is that his views are so far over the edge that you can't believe he hasn't been toppled from office, yet this is what he just wrote me this evening. From: William James Date: Sat, Mar 6, 2010 at 8:59 PM Subject: another 2 years To: tips@phblend.net I see BJames g

On Immigration, The Moment to be Heard - and Included - Is Here

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Just a few weeks ago, the likelihood of Congress and the White House tackling comprehensive immigration reform seemed to be in question. Following the defeat of a Democratic candidate in the Massachusetts Senate election, and growing doubts about a successful healthcare reform effort in both chambers, the prospects for a truly comprehensive reform effort that would fix our country's broken immigration system was called into question by many. Now, however, there is renewed energy and focus on the issue. And that, in turn, must be a wake-up call, and a rallying cry, for the LGBT community, too. Yesterday, both the Los Angeles Times and Associated Press reported that President Obama had called two key lawmakers - Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) - to the White House to discuss moving immigration reform forward. The Times also noted that Obama has begun conversations with Administration staff about the best path forward for the legislation, w

Washington State legislature unanimously passes anti-bullying law

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Thursday the Washington State Senate passed HB 2801, An act relating to anti-harassment strategies in public schools. The vote was 48-0 in the State Senate and 97-0 in the State House. Impressive. Although an anti-bullying law was passed in Washington State in 2002, a report released in 2008 showed that bullying hadn't abated. Further legislation was needed. Joshua Friedes, the new Executive Director for Equal Rights Washington (woot!) explains: Background In 2002 the Washington State legislature passed an anti-bullying law. At the time the bill that was meant to protect ALL students from bullying was controversial because it included sexual orientation. The anti-bullying law required schools to adopt an anti-bullying policy that covered, at a minimum, all the classes contained in Washington State's hate crimes law and this included sexual orientation. In 2009 the definition of sexual orientation was amended to include gender identity and expression. In 2

Meet The Latest "9/11 Truther"- Iranian President Ahmadinejad

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page This is bizarre... Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday called the September 11 attacks on the United States a "big fabrication" that was used to justify the U.S. war on terrorism, the official IRNA news agency reported. It came amid escalating tension in the long-running dispute between Iran and the West over Tehran's nuclear program, with the United States pushing for new U.N. sanctions against the major oil producer. Ahmadinejad described the destruction of the twin towers in New York on September 11, 2001 as a "complicated intelligence scenario and act," IRNA reported. He added: "The September 11 incident was a big fabrication as a pretext for the campaign against terrorism and a prelude for staging an invasion against Afghanistan." He did not elaborate. Back in January, Ahmadinejad called the September 11 attacks "suspicious". Speaking in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, Ahmadinejad asserted that many "experts" believed that the 9/11 attacks were a US-Israeli

GLAAD Alert: "Tell Life & Style That Focus On The Family Aren't 'Experts' In Raising Children"

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page GLAAD's Richard Ferraro brought this to my attention. As a trans person who cares deeply about youth -- a trans person who is by definition gender variant -- gender expression in youth is something I always find of interest. Frankly, like GLAAD I'm very unhappy and concerned about the way Life & Style magazine framed this story. I anticipate that my emails on this will go out today. The latest issue of Life & Style, a popular celebrity gossip magazine with a readership of almost 1 million, features a cover story that claims that actress Angelina Jolie is turning Shiloh, her daughter with Brad Pitt, into a boy. They cover asks "Is it harming the three-year-old?" referring to the child's short haircut, pants and polo shirt. The article cites several so-called "experts," like Glenn Stanton from the virulently anti-gay Focus on the Family who says: "They need help, they need guidance of what that looks like. It's important to teach our children that gender distinction is very healthy." Whe

Traditional Values Coalition's insane pro-DADT blast for cash - 'Our Soldiers Are Not Lab Rats!'

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Rev. Lou Sheldon, the head of the Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) is well-known for his obsession with all things he perceives as gay (with a particular hard-on for anti-trans lunacy), has an e-blast by his daughter Andrea Lafferty warning us about what's going to happen if DADT is repealed -- and how it can be stopped by giving TVC more buxxx. Actually, this epic FAIL "briefing" is a prime example of the kind of bedmates are left crowing to keep the discriminatory policy in place. What do you think John McCain thinks as the support for keeing DADT alive shrinks down to dead generals, Elaine Donnelly, Tony Perkins and this tool, Sheldon? ***Our Soldiers Are Not Lab Rats!Help Us Defend the Military From the Gay AgendaA Briefing From TVC Executive Director Andrea LaffertyMarch 2010Dear TVC Supporter:Recently, I attended a Senate panel hearing on President Obama’s plan to abolish the policy and a federal law that prevents gays from serving open

Dr. James Dobson: Credit For A Lot More Religious Right Anti-LGBT Hate Orgs Than You Knew

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page There's the 2007 book The Jesus Machine; How James Dobson, Focus On The Family, And Evangelical America Are Winning The Culture War which outlined the many religious right organizations that Focus On The Family's James Dobson had a hand in creating. Well, now Focus On The Family's CitizenLink has a FocusAction Update video up identifying those organizations themselves, entitled Dr. Dobson's Work Continues in Many Organizations This is the first time I've ever seen a Focus On The Family/CitizenLink commentary that ever gave credit to Dr. Dobson for his work at creating organizations many of us know to be antigay and antitrans. Here's a screenshot for you: The video itself is here:

Swift reactions to Virginia AG's rollback of non-discrimination policies for LGBTs

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Chris Geidner at MetroWeekly reports that the decision of Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R) to advise the Commonwealth's universities to rescind anti-discrimination protections (see letter at right) is already meeting with stiff resistance. Some of the reactions: * Dr. Karen DePauw, the vice president and dean for graduate education at Virginia Tech: 'We will continue to have an open and inclusive environment for the grad school, I am confident of that. I cannot speak for the whole university because I have not seen the letter and we haven't had a chance to talk about it. As vice president and dean for graduate education, I anticipate and am hopeful that we will have a thorough discussion before we take any final action.'' ''We send the wrong message about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by removing sexual orientation. There are a number of faculty, staff and students at Virginia Tech who are LGBT or allies, and by removing that it says we are not as welcoming a

Asking for a brain drain: Virginia's AG rescinds protections for LGBTs on university campuses

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Oh my god, the swing voters in Virginia that put Bob McDonnell into the Governor's mansion have definitely given the green light to institutionalized homophobia. Now emboldened, even more anti-gay Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II has made a sweeping declaration that all anti-discrimination policies at the Commonwealth's campuses that protect LGBTs must now be rescinded. Buh-bye recruiting goals for top talent Virginia! (WaPo): In the letter, Cuccinelli (R) wrote that only the General Assembly can extend legal protections to gay state employees -- a move the legislature has repeatedly declined to take, including as recently as this week. "It is my advice that the law and public policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia prohibit a college or university from including 'sexual orientation,' 'gender identity,' 'gender expression,' or like classification as a protected class within its non-discrimination policy absent specific authorization from the General Assembly," he

Jon Stewart says what the media is too chicken@#$! to say about Fox News

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page crossposted on Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cAnchor Managementwww.thedailyshow.comDaily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorHealth Care Reform I've come to the conclusion that I shouldn't worry about Fox News. Everyone knows the network is biased and is trying to undermine President Obama but I guess desensitization has set in. More than anything, Fox News being able to get away with it's nonsense simply emphasizes how corrupt the Washington media is. There are too many former campaign workers, trust fund babies and thinktank bloodsuckers masquerading as journalists. To wit, Fox News will continue to get away with what it does until the network causes some serious damage. Then watch how these same lazy newspeople wring their hands in mock sadness as they proclaim they "never figured that Fox News's bullshit would culminate into something tragic." But what do you think would be the end result of comparing th

Delusional Collusion - Roy Ashburn's closet was protected by newspapers, local gays

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page WTF is wrong with these self-loathing gays? That at least two California newspaper knew and didn't say that State Senator Roy Ashburn is gay is almost par for the course; after all, Rep. David Dreier's open secret is safe with local media. But how could all the guys partying with him at Faces, the bar Ashburn apparently frequented and was arrested not far from for DUI with an "unidentified man" in the car? Other homo-collusionists were obviously not perturbed by the lawmakers 100% anti-gay voting record. What does it take for some of our people to get the hint that this is NOT OK. (Joe. My. God):The Californian decided that Ashburn's sexuality wasn't "relevant." The unnamed Sacramento paper apparently did too and never published. To recap: It's not relevant that a state politician with a 100% rating from an anti-gay group is gay himself. Can you fucking BELIEVE that? And it turns out that the openly gay mayor of West Sacramento has known about Ashburn for a lo

Ken Hutcherson says he's no longer prejudiced

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Ken Hutcherson is renowned for his homophobia. Pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Kirkland, WA, Hutcherson is so bent on perpetuating discrimination against gay people that he helped organize a national anti-gay march on Washington; he has thrown his name behind referenda aimed at repealing LGBT-positive laws; he has repeatedly threatened the LGBT-friendly Microsoft company; and he speaks frequently against the rights and dignity of gay people. Yet in this new video, part of a Christian ad campaign called "I Am Second", Hutcherson declares himself to be free of prejudice! The video makes clear that Hutcherson only recognizes one form of prejudice - racial prejudice. I'll take him at his word that he's overcome that, but he is so far from overcoming his anti-gay prejudice that it is what he is best known for in Washington state. Below are a few of the "not prejudiced" things that Hutcherson has said recently about gays. Sadly, few people living outside of W

Nathaniel Frank on HuffPo: 'While the Pentagon Studies, More Gays Fall'

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Yesterday, The Palm Center's Nathaniel Frank continued his blunt criticism of the delay on addressing the repeal of DADT. He reminds us that as hands are wringing on Capitol Hill, at the Pentagon and the White House, discharges continue. (Huff Post): As the Pentagon begins its year-long study of the impact of ending "don't ask, don't tell," the unaffordable talent loss among gay troops continues to pile up. An Infantry company commander and West Point graduate who deployed three times to Iraq and Afghanistan and received three bronze stars for his service is right now facing discharge for allegations that he is gay. The officer, who commanded two 170-soldier companies, was called by his superiors "an exemplary commander" whose "desire to lead Soldiers enthusiastically and with uncompromising standards is un-matched by his peers." (He has asked for anonymity since his case is not yet resolved.) Word is also breaking over at Bilerico that a ROTC cadet is facing discharge because she refu

Irene Monroe: Black community's division on abortion ad campaign

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page NOTE FROM PAM: The New York Times has a controversial piece on this subject that's generated a lot of discussion; take a look at "To Court Blacks, Foes of Abortion Make Racial Case." Black community's division on abortion ad campaign By Rev. Irene Monroe Given the history of the exploitation of African American women's reproductive system for involuntary sterilization, medical experimentation, monetary compensation, and political gain, it's difficulty for many of us in the black community to not see an anti-abortion ad campaign specifically targeting the African-American community in Georgia with a message of "Black Children are an Endangered Species," as a form of race-baiting. With 80 billboards throughout metro Atlanta, sponsored by a coalition of pro-life organizations, like Georgia Right to Life, The Radiance Foundation, and Operation Outrage, the message they want to convey is resoundingly clear: black women disproportionately undergo abortions. The state's anti- abortion ad camp

Mexico City becomes the third American capital city to offer marriage equality

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page H/T Zeke Mexico City's marriage equality law went into effect today. Lesbian and gay couples who apply for marriage licenses today will be able to marry sometime in the next week to 10 days. Isn't it incredible to contemplate that the three northern-most American national capitals now stand unequivocally for equality? Ottawa, Canada was the first American national capital to recognize marriage equality in 2003. The rest of Canada followed suit in 2005. Yesterday the United States' federal capitol of Washington, D.C. joined the celebration. Box Turtle Bulletin reports "[A]bout 140 million Americans - about 46% of the nation's population - live where there is some form of official notice of same-sex couples." And today, Mexico City, the 10 million-strong national capital of Mexico, has become the latest and largest American national capital to honor this fundamental human right of their citizens.

DADT Presser at Capitol Hill on Virtual Lobby Day

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page If you surf over to HRC Back Story, you can see videos from today's press conference on the Hill featuring lawmakers and service members, including U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Eric Alva) US Army Veteran Kayla Williams; and US Army Veteran, HRC DADT Repeal Advocate Jarrod Chlapowski, and HRC's Joe Solmonese. Here is Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA). U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), alongside lesbian, gay and straight veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, held a press conference today in coordination with a swell of average Americans fighting for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT). The event is timed with HRC's annual spring Lobby Day where more than 300 members and supporters are expected to participate. "One of the worst things that you can hear when you are lobbying is that 'no one in my district is gay and no one in my district wants me to vote for this.' We know that's not true of any district but we have to prove it," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmone

Switzerland unveils special condoms for teens

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page According to Gay Krant, a special condom for teens has hit the market in Switzerland. Research has shown that teens 12 to 14 years old increasingly are having sex, and frequently it is unsafe sex. The new condom is 5 millimeters smaller in diameter than the standard model (1.7 inches rather than 2.0 inches). According to the Swiss research, a regular condom is too big for one in four youths of that age and can slip off. At that age, the penis is not always fully grown. The new prophylactic, produced by the Swiss-based company Lamprecht AG, is called 'Hotshot' and is available at pharmacies and on the website of the Swiss AIDS Federation. It is not currently available outside Switzerland.

Papal aide and elite men's Vatican choir caught in gay prostitution ring

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page So will Papa Ratzi turn a blind eye to one of his boyz pimping and man ho' ing around? Is there any other less-than-holy behavior this criminal pedophile priest protection enterprise hasn't engaged in as it piously hatemongers against LGBTs? (Gay News Watch):Police wiretaps are expected to result in charges against Angelo Balducci, 63, a Papal Gentleman, as lay attendant are called, and the former chairman of the Holy See's Public Works Department, which is itself caught up in a corruption investigation. According to police, Balducci regularly contacted Chinedu Ehiem Thomas, a Nigerian man who sings in St. Peter's Cappella Giulia, to engage the sexual services of young male members of the choir, along with seminarians and undocumented immigrants seeking residency status. The scandal now envelops Balducci, a well-known and powerful local figure who is married with two children, who despite all this is said to have taken remarkable risks in setting up sexual liaisons even in Chigi Palac

Michigan Womyn's Music Festival: Lesbian And Feminist Musical Artists Supporting Segregation

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Performers Shouldn't Be Too Surprised In Being Called Out For Tacitly Embracing Antitrans Hate If a whole bunch of trans people tell you that your words are transphobic, they're right. ~Allyson Robinson I'm often found quoting this statement by Allyson Robinson these days for a reason, which is to say that there are people who try to excuse themselves from having their words considered transphobic by self-proclamation. People don't like to have themselves or their words labeled as racist, sexist, ableist, homophobic...or even transphobic. Well, the word transphobic comes to mind again for a specific organization; for a specific Womyn's Music Festival. There are some sincere lesbian and feminist folk with the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival (MWMF) who seem sincerely misguided, and stuck in the feminist identity politics of the 1970's when it comes trans women's identities being fully included in the community of female identities. In all but the first two years of the festival, MWMF h

Attacks on gay students no big deal to the religious right

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page crossposted on Holy Bullies and Headless MonstersThe American Family Association's One News Now seems to be up in arms about the bill from Congressman Jared Polis which is aimed at stopping the bullying of gay students in America's schools: Concern is rising over a bill in Congress that would provide special protections for students who claim they are discriminated against because of their "perceived sexual orientation." Earlier this year, Colorado representative Jared Polis introduced a bill known as The Student Non-Discrimination Act, or H.R. 4530. The Democrat claimed the legislation would put homosexual students on "equal footing" with their peers, much as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act did for minorities and Title IX did for women. Neal McCluskey (Cato Institute)But Neal McCluskey, associate director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute, believes the government is using this bill to try and give people protective status based on their class. "W

Republican Sexual Hypocrites, 2010 edition: add anti-gay California State Senator Roy Ashburn

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page We haven't seen a new batch of Republican Sexual Hypocrites so far 2010, but in slides anti-gay California State Senator Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield), who manages a triple play. After being pulled over for driving erratically in downtown Sacramento at 2AM on Wed., he earned a DUI, reeking of alcohol, with bloodshot eyes, and blew over a .08.He was driving a state vehicle, owned by the taxpayers at the time. Ashburn immediately won't be allowed to drive any vehicle for 30 days.And the "family values" pol, who fought marriage equality, did this after leaving a gay nightclub, Faces, with an unidentified man in the state vehicle.Blender Chino Blanco sent the Blend the video... Ashburn, a father of four, is a Republican Senator representing parts of Kern, Tulare and San Bernardino Counties with a history of opposing gay rights. Ashburn issued a statement on the arrest Wednesday afternoon: "I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment. I accept complete responsib

Rachel Maddow covers the damage done by 'Don't ask, don't tell - interview with Major Mike Almy

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 -0700

From: Pam's House Blend - Front Page Major Mike Almy, a former U.S. Air Force officer who was dismissed from service under the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy talks with Rachel Maddow about the damaging consequences of DADT. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy You can read the full remarks that Major Almy delivered at today's presser during the introduction of the Senate bill to repeal DADT here.