I Didn't Say It ...

George Takei, Star Trek legend and LGBT rights activist, upon receiving the Vito Russo Award at GLAAD's New York media awards:

"[As] a closeted kid growing up in Los Angeles…all I saw of gays and lesbians in movies and television or heard on radio were caricatures of people who were mocked and laughed at, or pitied, or hated. The media stripped us of all humanity and made us into pathetic stereotypes. The media then was a soul-crushing monster. GLAAD took on this formidable beast with its media savvy, political acumen and the power of its advocacy and transformed the media into a powerful force for change. GLAAD inspired and galvanized others into action to join with in the great 21st century civil rights movement. … But as long as LGBT people can be fired from their job for simply being who they are, our work isn’t done yet. As long as young people are kicked out of their families just for being who they are, our work is not done yet. As long as people are be bullied into feeling that their lives are so hopeless that they are driven to self-destructive acts, our work is not done."

I remember those stereotypes, too, and we’ve come a long way since then, though there is still much to do, on TV and in ‘real’ life.

Bishop Gene Robinson, on his divorce from his husband, and partner, of twenty five years:

“My belief in marriage is undiminished by the reality of divorcing someone I have loved for a very long time, and will continue to love even as we separate. Love can endure, even if a marriage cannot.”

Sad news, indeed, but once again Bishop Robinson is an example, for every couple, gay and straight, that goes through a breakup.

Dwight Bullard, Democratic Florida state Senator, on an NRA-backed bill that would grant the right to carry concealed firearms during declared states of emergency:

"For me, as laughable as the amendment might seem, it's equally laughable that people who haven't gone through the proper training, the background check, the license to carry — we're saying because of a hurricane or flooding or sinkhole, these individuals have gone from gun owners to concealed carry permit holders. I'd argue a crisis is probably the last instance in which you want someone who is not a concealed permit holder to carry a weapon."

Amazing that Flori-duh has such a senator who isn't afraid to stand up to the NRA and the gun nuts.

Tom Coburn, Republican Senator from Oklahoma, on his state’s botched execution of Clayton Lockett who was slowly tortured to death for nearly an hour before dying:

"It's an unfortunate thing, but any time you're doing something with a body, things can go wrong."

It's "unfortunate" that a man is legally tortured to death by any state in this country.

Oh yeah, Coburn is also a doctor, talking about how anything can go wrong, and it’s kinda okay because it happens and what are you gonna do about it.

Howsabout ending the death penalty so we don’t become a country that tortures convicts before we kill them?

Shepard Smith, on that Gawker story that said he was demoted by the bosses at FoxNews because he’s gay and wanted to come out:

“News team- Good morning from Los Angeles. I came to Fox News 18 years ago because they agreed to hire me. I’ve stayed with Fox News because of my relationship with Roger Ailes. He’s my boss, my friend and my steadfast supporter both professionally and personally. Things you might read today are horseshit. As phony as 24-hour breaking news on The Plane Channel. Stand down. Big love. See y'all Monday. Unless breaking news changes everything."

Gawker stands by its story and Shepard is still demoted.

And still ALLEGEDLY gay.

Jason Priestley, of 90210, on former co-star Tori Spelling:

“I happened to be at home watching the local news one night, something I rarely got to do. Tori Spelling’s yard sale made the broadcast that night. I saw my very own wedding invitation on the screen. Apparently, it had gone for five bucks, including a personal autograph by Tori. She sold my wedding invitation to a stranger.”

That’s Tori, anything and everything in her life is up for sale, even her husband’s wandering penis and their televised attempts at therapy.

Matt Bomer, my Husband-In-My-Head, on his marriage to Simon Halls and their three children:

“It wasn’t anything I really endeavored to hide. But a lot of stuff I would do would be these fashion spreads where there’s one paragraph about you at the end. I don’t care about that at all. I’m completely happy and fulfilled in my personal life. [The ceremony] was very chill. Very small — only our nearest and dearest. There’s a security, a validity of knowing that it’s legal. It’s hard to put into words. It’s just a feeling, I guess — something about saying vows in front the people around you who love and support you. I think it was good for our family.”

I love him. That’s all.

Tucker Carlson, Fox News wingnut, suggesting that sexual harassment by teachers is fine as long as it's a female teacher and a male student:

"Here’s the bottom line: A 15-year-old boy is not a 15-year-old girl, and so – I got a lot of mail about this – every man understands this. A 15-year-old boy looks at this as, like, the greatest thing that ever happened, and I think for a 15-year-old girl it would be traumatic. That’s just real. I don’t know what to say – I don’t want that to be true but it is true. I’m not saying that all teachers should do lap dances at school. I’m just saying when a teacher gets so enthusiastic she breaks out into a lap dance, don’t send her to prison. That’s all I’m saying."

Further proof, as if we needed it, that the idiots at Fox News, from the top all the way down to the dregs of that network, are completely and utterly idiotic.

Van Hansis, EastSiders and As The World Turns star, on why he only recently came out publicly:

“I guess it was a combination of a lot of things—[As The World Turns] was my first job, it was a different time back then in regards to LGBT stories being told—I mean, the Luke story was groundbreaking at the time. Now, I think every remaining soap has a gay storyline. I was completely green, fresh out of college, and honestly, I was scared. … I’ve been out since I was sixteen, but when I first came to LA my agents were a bunch of Hollywood bro guys and I was afraid they wouldn’t be able to see me in straight roles. It’s a fear I still harbor, and it’s not necessarily paranoia. I met with a manager a couple of years back who told me I was “fey” and that I would need to “work on that” to be her client. On the flip side of things, I was once fired from a movie because I wasn’t “gay enough.”

Funny that, he’s too gay and maybe too straight.

Howsabout just going on his talent?

I Didn't Say It ...

Guillermo Diaz, Huck on Scandal, on being out in Hollywood:

“I don’t even think about it, I’m an actor. I’ve been out since I started acting and I’ve worked my whole life. I think people get too caught up in it. I don’t stress about it. If somebody doesn’t want to work with me because I’m gay, I don’t want to work with them either.”

I have that same view about people who may not like me because I’m gay: I wouldn’t want to be your friend anyway.

Still, who knew Huck was gay!??!

Gene Robinson, openly gay retired Episcopal Bishop, on the religious-based opposition to ENDA:

"Can you imagine what Jesus might have said to St. Peter if the disciple had requested an exemption from Jesus' command to "love your enemies?!" What if disciples James and John had argued with Jesus about whether or not "love your neighbor as yourself" actually should apply to them in all cases? What would Jesus have said to the good, religious people of his time when they asked for an exemption to Jesus' command to "love one another as I have loved you," based of course upon their deeply-held, religious beliefs? ...  I don't know what he would have said. But the shortest verse in all of scripture probably describes what he would have done upon hearing their request: 'Jesus wept.'"

And yet people still try to make that Jesus hates fags argument stick.

It doesn’t.

Bryan Fischer, American Family Association spokesbigot, saying that instead of phasing out trans fats we should phase out The Gays:

"Even though [trans fats] makes your frosting taste better, your doughnuts taste better, makes your crackers taste better, and improves their texture, their shelf stability, [the FDA] believe its bad for you. Bad for your heart. That's their conviction, the FDA. So we've got to ban it because it is bad for human health. Well if we were going to take that same reasoning, we would ban homosexuality. It is a hazard to human health."

Bryan, you closeted homo, show me ONE case where being gay has caused heart disease, diabetes, obesity or death.

:::crickets:::

George Clooney, on his beef with Russell Crowe:

“He picked a fight with me. He started it for no reason at all. He put out this thing saying, ‘George Clooney, Harrison Ford and Robert De Niro are sellouts’…He really went after me. And so I sent him a note going, ‘Dude, the only people who succeed when two famous people are fighting is People magazine. What the f-ck is wrong with you?”

What’s wrong with Russell Crowe is that his career looks nothing like Clooney’s or Ford’s or De Niro’s and he’s a jealous little man. 

Kaniela Ing, Hawaiian Representative, at last week’s marriage equality debate:

"Some testifiers have spoken about this bill ushering in an onslaught of 'gay lifestyle'. And they challenged your committee members: 'Mr. Speaker — would you wish homosexuality upon your own kids?' … So I really thought about this. If the gay lifestyle they speak of pertains to the highly successful physicians, attorneys, economists, a world-renowned microbiologist and psychologist that we've seen testify — if this gay lifestyle pertains to the inspiringly committed couples who have been together for decades but are still viewed as strangers in the eyes of their government, if this gay lifestyle that they're referring to pertains to these brave people boldly standing in the face of hate to fight for equal rights for all — if that's what the gay agenda will bring — if that's how my gay children will be … then hey, sign me up. I'll take three.”

Bravo, Mr. Ing; bravo.

Angela Lansbury, on the planned reboot of Murder, She Wrote:

“I think it’s a mistake to call it Murder, She Wrote, because Murder, She Wrote will always be about a Cabot Cove and this wonderful little group of people who told those lovely stories and enjoyed a piece of that place, and also enjoyed Jessica Fletcher, who is a rare and very individual kind of person. So I’m sorry that they have to use the title Murder, She Wrote,  even though they have access to it and it’s their right.”

Someone needs to build a bridge and get over it.

Gavin MacLeod, AKA Captain Stubing on The Love Boat, telling Bryan Fischer’s anti-gay American Family Association that the show's theme song is about coming to Jesus:

"'Love exciting and new, come aboard, he's expecting you'. If you listen to the lyrics it's all about Jesus. It's a whole new approach to that song. I do that whenever I get into a group of believers, because it gave me - I said, wow, the Lord didn't tell me about that until how many years we were off the air. And it's really about 'Come aboard, Jesus will take care of you. There's a new love waiting for you. A love that will never let you down'."

Um, Gavin? Maybe you spent one too many nights closing up the bar with Isaac because the line of the song actually says, "Love. Exciting and new. Come aboard, we're expecting you."

So don’t try to turn schlock in Bible passages, that’s already been done.

I Didn't Say It........

Joe Solmonese, HRC head, on the recent news that the vast majority of NOM's millions come from a handful of wealthy anonymous donors:
"This is extremely unusual--that practically the entire budget of a $9 million national organization is funded by five mysterious individuals or entities. We can only conclude that NOM’s claim to being a grassroots organization representing thousands is phony. Tax returns don’t lie. NOM speaks for a few wealthy anti-LGBT donors and does not speak for the majority of Americans who support marriage equality."


It is rather funny, when NOM lays claims to their millions of supporters, and boasts about how they represent middle America, when, in fact, they represent a handful of people with large wallets.


George Takei, on the 'Twilight' films:
"Gone is any sense of heroism, camaraderie, or epic battle. In its place we have vampires that sparkle, moan and go to high school. Now, I'm not above mixing in a little sex appeal to spice up the fantasy, but sci-fi fans be warned, there are no great stories, characters or profound life lessons to be found in 'Twilight'... In 'Twilight,' the only message that rings through loud and clear is: 'Does my boyfriend like me?'"


I'm with George.
I like my vampires sexy and brooding and dangerous.
Not pouty and sparkly.
Not morose and hangdog.
Teen angst does not make for a good vampire story.

Rick Perry, on Solynda, which is, um, not a country, but a recently bankrupt solar power company:
"I'm for pulling all of those tax credits, or subsidies or however you refer to them out of the energy industry. No greater example of it than this administration sending millions of dollars into the solar industry, and we lost that money. I want to say it was over $500 million that went to the country Solynda."


Oops.
He can't debate. He can't remember three things. He bashes and bullies LGBT people. He doesn't know the names of Supreme Court Justices--though rumor has it he can name all of The Supremes--and he can't tell the difference between a country and a business.
Oops. 

Louis C.K., on Tracey Morgan's homophobic comedy routine:
“I think the opportunity that was lost was for the gay community to ask Tracy, ‘why did you say that’ and ‘what was your dad like’ and ‘what is being a man mean to you,’ you know what I mean? It could have been a starting point of a conversation that might have actually made a difference in how people feel about homophobia.”


I kind of agree.
Whenever someone says something homophobic, we tend to snap, and demand firings and penalties and punishments.
Why not ask Why that was said.
Why not ask Why they think that way.
That's starts a dialogue which might end with enlightenment and education.

Meryl Streep, on what she hopes people learn from her role as Margaret Thatcher in 'The Iron Lady': 
"I would like to think that everybody that got on a subway and saw some old lady sitting across from them, that they would imagine that a whole huge life lay behind all those wrinkles, and that seemingly nondescript, forgettable [face]. I mean, there is almost nothing less interesting in our consumerist society than an old lady. Um ... dismissed. We don’t make movies for her. We don’t give a damn. You can’t sell her anything, she doesn’t buy anything. But just the idea that everything--the whole panoply of human experience, births, deaths, struggles, joy--everything’s in there. And just to imagine that. That’s what I would hope."


Far too often we forget our senior citizens.
And yet, without their struggles and their battles we might not be here today.
If we forget the past, and those who lived and breathed it, we'll never really learn anything, and we'll never really move forward.

Adele, on the success of 21 and her newfound fame:
"Everyone's has their heart broken, innit? And it hurts...And maybe I'm accessible. People always say to me, 'You remind me of my mum,' or 'You remind me of my sister,' as opposed to 'I wish I was you!'"


Oh, I wouldn't want to be Adele.
I simply want to sit back and listen to that Voice.
And hear those Words.

Hulk Hogan, on ex-wife Linda's claim that he has had a long-term homosexual affair with fellow boxer, Brutus Beefcake:
"After the four-year crazy divorce I thought I'd heard everything I could hear in the courtroom. Then, all of a sudden she says I abused her, that I was violent. She told everybody that I was a homosexual...If any of that was true, I would admit it, and (if) I was a homosexual I would embrace it. It's just so crazy to hear, so I have a real problem with it... If you're going to say I'm something that I'm not to try to ruin my career and my livelihood... I have to answer her back. It's so ridiculous. I don't mean to laugh about it, because it's not funny. But it's insane. It doesn't make any sense to me."


Methinks he doth protest too much.
Now, that doesn't mean that i think Hogan is gay--though, wrestling? Really? In bikini briefs? Sounds kinda stereotypically gay.
What bothers me is his rush to say he isn't gay while also saying if he was gay he'd embrace it. If he is so open and accepting of being gay, and being gay wouldn't be a problem for him why would the idea that a batty ex-wife called him gay bother him so?

Bob Garon, the gay veteran who asked GOP presidential candidate Mittsy Romney about marriage equality:
“I was undecided. But I’m totally convinced today that he’s not going to be my president, at least in my book. At least Obama will entertain the idea. This man is ‘no way, Jose.’ Well, take that ‘no way, Jose’ back to Massachusetts. Because I’m gay, alright? And I happen to love a man just like you probably love your wife. Alright? And I think that he or she or whatever are entitled to the same rights that I have....I fought for my country, I did my thing, and I think that my spouse should be entitled to the same entitlements as if I was married to a woman. What the hell is the difference? I was definitely offended. He doesn’t even open the door to a conversation. It’s just a boom! But I did ask him ‘yes or no,’ so I got what I asked for."


It is funny, that for a man who flip-flops so much, depending what he's running for, and where he's running for it, that Mittsy isn't the least bit open to change.
But, give him another four years and I imagine we'll see a whole new Mittsy trying to be president again.

David Axelrod, chief strategist for President Obama, on the increased scrutiny Newt Gingrich will face now that he's the frontrunner:
"I told my colleagues yesterday a bit of homespun wisdom that I got from an alderman in Chicago some years ago when one of his colleagues wanted to run for higher office and he was really dubious. He said, 'Just remember the higher a monkey climbs on a pole, the more you can see his butt.' So, you know, the Speaker is very high on the pole right now and we'll see how people like the view."


Oh dear.
Newt Gingrich's ass?
This will not be good.

Gene Robinson, gay Episcopal Bishop, on Rick Perry's homophobic ad:
"It is breathtaking (and not in a good way) when someone who aspires to be the Commander in Chief denigrates the soldiers he means to command. Just like all the other soldiers in our military, our gay and lesbian soldiers are dodging bullets and IED’s to preserve our rights as Americans. The right of all Americans to represent their country in our military is now the law of the land, a law that Gov. Perry apparently disagrees with and presumably would work to change if elected president.
The blood of gay and lesbian soldiers flows as readily and as readily as that of other young Americans fighting in Afghanistan, yet Gov. Perry feels free to use them as political cannon fodder for his campaign. In an attempt to garner conservative Christian votes, he would stigmatize these brave young men and women who are, as we speak, risking their lives on our behalf. If this is patriotism, count me out!"


Word.

This Makes Me Sad....

....and I am not a particularly religious man, at least not of the, ahem organized variety.

Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop ever, has announced that he will retire in 2013, due in part to the "constant strain" on him and his family from the worldwide backlash against his election seven years ago.

Seven years of death threats and insults and verbal assaults. Sounds like yet another case of bullying, though this didn't take place in a schoolyard, it took place in churches around the world.

Bishop Robinson: "The fact is, the last seven years have taken their toll on me, my family and you. Death threats, and the now-worldwide controversy surrounding your election of me as bishop have been a constant strain, not just on me, but on my beloved husband, Mark."

Yup, a man of god, and don't forget for a moment that god is love, has been receiving death threats for seven years. In fact, seven years ago, on the day he was consecrated, he was surrounded by bodyguards and wore a bulletproof vest under his vestments. Because he was gay and professed to wanting to spread the word of god.

Bishop Robinson: "New Hampshire is always the place I remain, simply, `the bishop.' This is the one place on earth where I am not `the gay bishop,' I believe that you elected me because you believed me to be the right person to lead you at this time. The world has sometimes questioned that, but I hope you never did."

Sad to say, some in the religious community were not as accepting.

You will be missed, Bishop, you will be admired, remembered,and praised for being simply the kind of man that you are.

source

Bishop Gene Robinson: It Gets Better

From A Bishop To A Pope

Openly gay Episcopalian Bishop, Gene Robinson, has penned an open letter in the Washington Post to Pope Benedict about the Catholic Church child molestation scandal.

It's worth reading to see how one church handled the same scandal.

Your Holiness, Though our churches differ in many ways, we believe in the same God. As your brother in Christ, it pains me to see Catholics struggle with your response to recent allegations of sex abuse by priests. Since my denomination has also battled these demons, I want to share with you what I have learned as a bishop of the Episcopal Church.

About 20 years ago, our church became aware of sex abuse by our clergy here in the United States. To our shame, we learned of it in lawsuits filed by victims alleging that some of our bishops had minimized the seriousness of the abuse and/or swept their claims under the rug. Some cases were related to the abuse of children; others involved male clergy who took advantage of their pastoral relationship with vulnerable women to manipulate them into sexual relationships. These men violated the sacred trust placed in clergy to focus on parishioners' needs and to separate those needs from their own. To prevent further such abuses of power, we moved quickly for the good of the victims and of our church.

Whether or not civil courts recognize a statute of limitations, the church must hold its clergy members accountable to their vows to be faithful shepherds of their people. In 1994, the Episcopal Church opened a two-year window of opportunity to hear complaints about priestly abuse of the pastoral relationship with adults. Just because an event occurred many years ago did not make it any less egregious, especially since perpetrators rarely have only one victim. We addressed all complaints through our canonical disciplinary process.

As for instances involving children, we have no statute of limitations on reporting abuse. Those suspected of committing child abuse are immediately reported to the civil authorities for investigation.

Rather than refusing to acknowledge our transgressions, we sought to change our church's culture -- an effort that took no small amount of courage. In my diocese in New Hampshire, and across the Episcopal Church, we perform a thorough background check on every bishop, priest or deacon who serves under my authority. We correspond with every employer the clergyperson has ever had and every bishop under whom the clergyperson has ever served to determine whether there is a history of complaints.

While procedures vary from diocese to diocese, we here in New Hampshire require six hours of abuse-prevention training for clergy, all other employees of the church (organists, parish administrators, maintenance workers), youth workers and elected parish leaders. A refresher course is required every five years. Events with and for children may never be conducted without two adults present and always in view of each other. This protects children from abusive behavior and protects adults who might be falsely charged. Many of our parishes have installed windows in the clergy office doors, so that no activity -- even private counseling -- may go unobserved.

We want many pairs of eyes watching for signs of abuse. We want everyone to know how to report suspected abuse of children and abuse of the pastoral relationship between clergy members and parishioners. We want to keep the issue before our church -- clergy and laity alike -- and to keep the conversation going.

But the thing victims most want to hear from the church, especially its leadership, is: "I am so sorry. This should never have happened to you, especially here. We are going to do everything in our power to see that nothing like this happens again." Victims live with their horrific experiences and know that their abuse can never be undone. And so they seek assurance that the church will change the system that allows abuse to go undetected and take action to hold perpetrators accountable. Child abusers do not deserve protection; they must be reported immediately to civil authorities and prosecuted.

The Christian church -- like any institution -- is as capable of sin as any individual. We have been wrong before, from the Inquisition and the Crusades down to our defense of slavery (using scripture) and our denigration of women. Over time, the church has repented for these sins and sought to change its ways. The discovery of sexual abuse by clergy is another situation that calls for the church's repentance and reform.

I would not presume to instruct you. That would be arrogant. Nor would I impose upon you advice you've not sought. But I do offer you the benefit of my experience as you seek to deal responsibly with these challenges to the integrity of your church. Your letter to the faithful in Ireland and your meeting in Malta with victims were a good start. I hope the future will bring more truth-telling, which will make your church a better, safer place.

However, I believe it is misguided and wrong for gay men to be scapegoated in this scandal. As a gay man, I know the pain and the verbal and physical violence that can come from the thoroughly debunked myth connecting homosexuality and the abuse of children. In the media, representatives of and advocates for the Roman Catholic Church have laid blame for sexual abuse at the feet of gay priests. These people know, or should know, that every reputable scientific study shows that homosexuals are no more or less likely to be child abusers than heterosexuals. Psychologically healthy homosexual men are no more drawn to little boys than psychologically healthy heterosexual men are drawn to little girls.

Sexual activity with children or teenagers is child abuse, pure and simple. Meaningful consent is impossible, by definition, for the underaged. You will not rid your church of sexual abuse by throwing homosexuals out of your seminaries or out of the priesthood. Homosexual priests have faithfully and responsibly served God throughout Catholic history. To scapegoat them and deprive them of their pulpits is a tragedy for the people they serve and for the church. Yours is a problem of abuse, not sexual orientation.

I will pray for your church and for you, as I hope you will pray for my church and for me. In Luke 12:2-3, Jesus tells us: "Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the rooftops."

And may God have mercy on our souls.

Your brother in Christ, Gene Robinson

Ten Years Of Progress

You know, even though we [and by We, I mean I] rant and rage about the inequities facing the LGBT community and the continuing fight we have on our hands for simple equality, we have seen some progress in the last ten years, and we ought to stop and reflect on that progress and know that we can build upon that, improve upon that.....

So, here are the Top Ten Gay Rights moments of the last ten years:

10. Bishops Who Break Glass Ceilings.

First there was the election of openly gay Bishop Eugene Robinson in 2003, which sent enough shock through the U.S. Episcopal Church that the denomination placed a hold on ordaining LGBT bishops for several years. Conservative elements within the Church responded to Bishop Robinson's ordination with contempt, and some individual dioceses broke from the U.S. Church. But Bishop Robinson remains to this day one of the most beloved LGBT religious leaders around. He'll soon be joined by another openly LGBT bishop, Rev. Mary Glasspool, who was just elected an auxiliary bishop for the Los Angeles Diocese of the Episcopal Church. Oh, and did we mention that the Lutheran Church in Sweden elected the world's first lesbian Lutheran Bishop, too?

9. From Portia to Adam, with Love.

What began as a decade with just a handful of out celebs (Ellen, Rupert....Ellen and Rupert), has become a decade where out celebrities are making a huge impact. Portia de Rossi. Adam Lambert. Neil Patrick Harris. Wanda Sykes. Clay Aiken. Rachel Maddow. Chris Colfer. Jane Lynch. Lance Bass. Mika. Suze Orman. Ron Livingston (Kidding, Ron! Don't sue us!). The list goes on and on. And when it comes to the number of LGBT-themed television shows and movies, this decade has had some of the best. Brokeback Mountain became so popular the Global Language Monitor named the phrase one of the most popular of the decade, and Milk won a whole host of Oscars last year, to name a few. And who can forget the LGBT characters in Six Feet Under, Glee, Ugly Betty, Queer as Folk, The L Word, Modern Family, and more. If the 1990s were defined by Ellen's "I'm Gay" statement, this decade of entertainment was defined by how many doors shows like Ellen opened up.

8. Goodbye to the HIV Travel Ban.

Though it's officially still in place until December 31, 2009, the Obama administration made good on its promise to do away with the HIV travel ban. The ban, which had been in effect since 1987, prevented HIV-positive foreigners from traveling into the country. For years that meant HIV-positive people being separated from their loved ones and relatives, and it also meant that important international HIV/AIDS conferences couldn't be hosted on U.S. soil. But come January 2010, that's all about to change. And in due course, this past World AIDS Day U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that once again the U.S. will host the International AIDS Conference, set for 2012. Good stuff, and an important victory for organizations like Immigration Equality who worked tirelessly to lobby for a repeal of the ban.

7. The Decade-Long Fight to Expand Hate Crimes Laws.

Judy and Denis Shepard ended the 1990s on the news that their son, Matthew Shepard, had been murdered in Wyoming because of his sexual orientation. Ten years later, after working with Congress and politicians inside the Beltway, the Shepards were at the White House the day that President Obama signed legislation expanding federal hate crimes laws to include protections for sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, and disability. That's called changing history, and changing hearts and minds. With upwards of 1,700 reported hate crimes committed last year on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, this law couldn't have been passed soon enough.

6. The Emergence of the LGBT Blogosphere.

Where would we be without Pam's House Blend? Or Towleroad? Joe.My.God. AmericaBLOG. The Bilerico Project. Open Left. Queers United. Yup, LGBT new media has shaped this decade, in part because of its expanded coverage of everything LGBT. But also in part because of its ability to jettison support, and organize quickly, to create action. This year's National Equality March is one example. But so, too, is the work to get a Tim Horton's franchise to stop sponsoring anti-gay organizations, or Live Nation to drop anti-gay performers. And let's not forget that it was LGBT bloggers who broke major political news this decade, exposing Rep. Mark Foley's page-flirting ways, or Sen. Larry Craig's penchant for Minneapolis airport bathrooms.

5. Decriminalize This.

International gay rights broke major ground these past ten years, with countries like Spain, South Africa and Canada legalizing same-sex marriage, to countries like India making major moves to decriminalize sodomy. More than five dozen countries also signed on to a UN statement calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality, one of the largest showings of support ever by the UN in regards to LGBT rights.

4. Fighting Homophobia Where it Starts.

The explosion of Gay-Straight Alliances at middle schools and high schools around the country has been a major boon for LGBT rights, fighting homophobia where it starts -- at a young age, inside classrooms, on playgrounds, and in gym locker rooms. Today, GLSEN (Gay, Straight, Lesbian Education Network) estimates that there are over 4,000 Gay-Straight Alliances throughout the country, working to improve school climates for LGBT students. Oh, and that's not to mention the dozens of queer studies programs that have popped up at universities throughout the country over the past ten years, making this a very good decade on the education front.

3. Johanna, We Love You.

She may have one of the hardest names to spell in the entire world, but Johanna Sigurdardottir is a name for the history books. After Iceland's government essentially collapsed, Sigurdardottir became the country's Prime Minister -- and in so doing, became the first openly LGBT world leader of the modern era. For all those folks wondering if an LGBT person can ever be President, look no further than Iceland. The world has taken notice, too, with Forbes Magazine ranking Sigurdardottir as one of their top 100 most powerful women in the world.

2. Lawrence v. Texas.

Who would have thought that the Supreme Court that gave us George W. Bush would also be the Supreme Court to strike down U.S. sodomy laws. But sure enough, in a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled in 2003 that laws prohibiting sodomy were a relic of the times, and inconsistent with the rights afforded all Americans. As the judges put it in their opinion, "the intimate, adult consensual conduct at issue here was part of the liberty protected by the substantive component of the Fourteenth Amendment's due process protections." In other words? The U.S. Constitution doesn't want the government regulating consensual bedroom, or even kitchen table, activity. A huge decision, with major national implications.

1. Marry Me.

No matter what your thoughts on marriage are, there's no denying that this decade was the decade of gay marriage. First Massachusetts, then Connecticut, then Iowa, Vermont, and New Hampshire. California and Maine figure in there, too, of course, though anti-gay ballot initiatives have temporarily moved them from the list. By the end of 2009, we might also be adding New Jersey (cross your fingers), and in early 2010, it looks like we'll be adding the District of Columbia. That's over ten percent of the entire country. Sure, a state-by-state strategy for marriage equality still keeps a number of federal benefits away from LGBT couples. But winning in these states have been major victories, launching national conversations about same-sex marriage. Most of us are ending this year thinking that when it comes to marriage equality, it's a matter of "when," not "if." I don't know how many of us were saying that ten years ago.

But let's not rest on these laurels, but let's feel a sense of pride and accomplishment for the things we've done and the way the world has changed in the last ten years. And let's use this momentum to carry us forward toward full equality under the law.

source Change.org

Doing The Right Thing

Well now, this is good news indeed.

The Episcopal Church voted overwhelmingly....you read that right, overwhelmingly....to consecrate more bishops who are openly gay.

Huh? What? Huh? You mean they are paving the way for more men and women like Bishop Gene Robinson?

With this new vote, opening “any ordained ministry” to openly gay men and lesbians, the Episcopal Church put an end to what had been thought of as a moratorium on ordaining gay bishops, which the church passed three years ago. This so-called moratorium was mainly seen as an effort to appease those conservatives in the church, the ones who believe God Hates Fags, though they would never carry the sign in public.

Many are looking to the Episcopal Church and it's new ruling as the first step toward true unification in the church; it may well set the standard for other denominations, as well.Many in the Episcopal Church don't see this as 'overturning' the moratorium, but simply a proclamation of who the Episcopal Church is, and the fact that they already have hundreds of openly gay laypeople, priests and deacons, and the earth has gone to hell in a handbasket.

“It’s not an attempt to fly in the face of the Anglican Communion,” said Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies, which represents laypeople and clergy members. “It’s an attempt to deepen relationships with the rest of the communion, because real relationships are built on authenticity.”

Still there are the homophobes and haters who see this as the beginning of the end of life as we know it.

People like the Reverend Shannon S. Johnston, coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, who voted against it because “I thought we would be seen as uncooperative and not a team player in the Anglican Communion.”

Uncooperative? Uniting people in their faith is uncooperative? Silly reverend.

But then we have young Zack Brown, a youth delegate from the Diocese of Upper South Carolina...is it me or is South Carolina filled with asshats? You see, young Zack begged the House of Deputies just before their final vote, “Please don’t vote in a way that makes more conservatives feel the way I do now: like I’m the only one left.”

Yes, Zack, let's not make you feel ostracized when we can keep doing it to the queers.

After all, we're used to it.

Here's To You Bishop Robinson, Jesus Loves You More Than You Will Know

"Religion in general still presents the greatest obstacles we face in full equality. Ninety-five percent of the oppression that we know in our lives comes from the religious community.'"

Bishop Gene Robinson, speaking on Capitol Hill in support of an expanded Hate Crimes Bill that would include sexual orientation and other gay rights measures.

Left Out

from JoeMyGod:
After days of controversy and outrage from the religious right, openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson opened Barack Obama's inauguration concert on the National Mall today with a request that the nation pray for "understanding that our president is a human being and not a messiah."
But only the people AT the concert heard that, because HBO did not televise Robinson's message. Who engineered this blackout of Robinson? I suspect we'll hear lots about this in days to come.
UPDATE: It turns out that a lot the people at the concert did NOT hear Robinson either. There were sound "difficulties" and most of the estimated 500,000 in the audience could not hear his invocation. Only those very close to the stage could hear.
.....
AfterElton.com has spoken to HBO, who says the decision to cut Robinson was made by the Obama transition team. Contacted Sunday night by AfterElton.com concerning the exclusion of Robinson's prayer, HBO said via email: "The producer of the concert has said that the Presidential Inaugural Committee made the decision to keep the invocation as part of the pre-show."
Uncertain as to whether or not that meant that HBO was contractually prevented from airing the pre-show, we followed up, but none of the spokespeople available Sunday night could answer that question with absolute certainty. However, it does seem that the network's position is that they had nothing to do with the decision.
__________________________
In the meantime, for those of us who missed hearing Robinson, and what he said was quite beautiful, here it is:
A Prayer for the Nation and Our Next President, Barack Obama
By The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire
Welcome to Washington! The fun is about to begin, but first, please join me in pausing for a moment, to ask God’s blessing upon our nation and our next president.


O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will…

Bless us with tears – for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women from many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.

Bless us with anger – at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Bless us with discomfort – at the easy, simplistic “answers” we’ve preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth, about ourselves and the world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.

Bless us with patience – and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be “fixed” anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah.

Bless us with humility – open to understanding that our own needs must always be balanced with those of the world.

Bless us with freedom from mere tolerance – replacing it with a genuine respect and warm embrace of our differences, and an understanding that in our diversity, we are stronger.

Bless us with compassion and generosity – remembering that every religion’s God judges us by the way we care for the most vulnerable in the human community, whether across town or across the world.

And God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.

Give him wisdom beyond his years, and inspire him with Lincoln’s reconciling leadership style, President Kennedy’s ability to enlist our best efforts, and Dr. King’s dream of a nation for ALL the people.

Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain in these times.

Give him stirring words, for we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.

Make him color-blind, reminding him of his own words that under his leadership, there will be neither red nor blue states, but the United States.

Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims.

Give him the strength to find family time and privacy, and help him remember that even though he is president, a father only gets one shot at his daughters’ childhoods.

And please, God, keep him safe. We know we ask too much of our presidents, and we’re asking FAR too much of this one. We know the risk he and his wife are taking for all of us, and we implore you, O good and great God, to keep him safe. Hold him in the palm of your hand – that he might do the work we have called him to do, that he might find joy in this impossible calling, and that in the end, he might lead us as a nation to a place of integrity, prosperity and peace.

AMEN.