I Didn't Say It

Edith Windsor, on being considered one of Time magazines People of the Year:

"I am honored that Time chose me as one of the number 3 individuals in the top 5 nominees for ‘Person of the Year,’ but I am just one person who was part of the extraordinary and on-going fight for marriage equality for all our families. There are thousands of people who helped us come this far and we still have a lot more work to do. The gay community is my ‘person of the year’ and I look forward to continuing to fight for equal rights and educate the public about our lives alongside my gay brothers and sisters and our allies. Thea would be thrilled, proud and so happy to see what we have all accomplished together."

For me, Edith is like a gay Rosa Parks.

She stood up and refused to back down because she wanted to be treated equally in this country, as is her right.

Her fight might have begun just for her but it ended up rewarding us all.

Michelangelo Signorile, on the twenty year age difference between new couple Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black:

"Let's cut the ageist crap. The 'yuk' is a display of nothing but disgust for someone older. Yes, [Dustin Lance] Black is old enough to be [Tom] Daley's father. But he's not. If Black were just a couple of years older than Daley, he could be his brother too. But he's not. Shocking news for you: You're all going to be old. And your tastes are going to evolve over time. Some younger people are attracted to older people, and vice versa. There's even a gay website called Daddyhunt. The famed novelist Armistead Maupin's 27-years-younger husband, Christopher Turner, founded it. They met on another one of Turner's sites, HotOlderMale.com. If that's not your thing, it's totally cool, but in that case just shut your mouth."

Will it last? Ain’t my biz’ness. Is Dustin Lance too old, or Tom too young? Ain’t my biz’ness.

Like Signorile says, if it ain’t your thing, don’t do it, but don’t denigrate another couple’s relationship because you don’t like it. We ought to celebrate these two men finding one another because love is a good thing.

Beau McCoy, Nebraska state Senator and Republican contender for governor, on blocking benefits for same-sex Nebraska couples legally married in other states:

"Make no mistake, every time same-sex couples get the same recognition as a married couple, the Nebraska Constitution and the will of Nebraskans gets undermined. The people of Nebraska spoke out loud and clear. As governor, I will not allow the institution of marriage or our constitution to be attacked by expanding state benefits to state employees in same-sex relationships who get married in other states."

And you probably won’t get elected because of your bassackward views.

John Scarpa, attorney for Rasheen Everett, who was found guilty of the murder of transgender prostitute Amanda Gonzalez-Andujar:

"A sentence of 25 years to life is an incredibly long period of time, judge. Shouldn’t that be reserved for people who are guilty of killing certain classes of individuals? Who is the victim in this case? Is the victim a person in the higher end of the community? Amanda was engaged in a life of prostitution, life of drug use, HIV exposure. She was having sex with other individuals knowing she had the chance of spreading diseases."

So, in Scarpa’s mind, it was a good thing she was murdered?

I guess that means we should all be able to go out and kill people in certain classes who somehow deserve to die.
PS The judge sentenced his client to 29 years in jail.

Ass.Hat.

Kanye West, the gift that keeps on giving, on the dangers of being a rap artist:

“Like, I’m just giving of my body on the stage; I’m putting my life at risk, literally! I think about when I’m on the ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing,’ and ‘Coldest Winter’ moment, like that mountain [a prop on stage] goes really, really high. And if I slipped … You never know. And I think about it, I think about my family and I’m like, ‘Wow.’ … This is like, being a police officer or something, in war or something.”

Yes, being an ego-maniacal, self-involved, self-entitled, delusional, maybe gay, rap star with a Jesus complex, performing on stage is the same thing as being a police officer protecting citizens, or military personnel protecting our country.

Wow.

Rick Warren, megachurch “pastor”, on marriage equality:

"I think historically, around the world, the vast majority of people would say marriage means one man and one woman in a commitment. Don't take a term and make it something different. Orwell talked about doublespeak, where words mean the exact opposite of what they used to mean. I cannot see [Christians supporting full equality for LGBT citizens] happening in my life. I fear the disapproval of God more than I fear your disapproval or the disapproval of society."

Historically, we also believed one time in the rights of men to physically own other human beings. Historically, and biblically, we believed that marriage made the wife a possession of the man; that the wife was property; that marriage was a power play or a land grab.

Things change, Ricky, and Christians will change and leave you standing on the side of the road spouting your bigotry.

Damian Lewis, of Showtime’s Homeland, apparently throwing shade at Sir Ian McKellen—though he doesn’t mention McKellen by name:

“[I didn't want to end up] as one of those slightly over-the-top, fruity actors who would have an illustrious career on stage, but wouldn’t start getting any kind of film work until I was 50 and then start playing wizards.”

Okay, really Damian? Fruity? Isn’t there a better gay slur to use? Was fag or queer not an option?

You’re a dick and we’ll see what happens to your career after Homeland which, by the way, is the only reason we know you while McKellen is known for much more than being a ‘wizard’.

Gods and Monsters, to name just one brilliant role.

Sir Ian McKellen, openly gay gentleman and actor, responding to Lewis’ remarks:

“So he feels sorry for me, does he? Well, I’m very happy, he needn’t worry about me. To rebut it, I wouldn’t like to have been one of those actors who hit stardom quite early on and expected it to continue and was stuck doing scripts that I didn’t particularly like just to keep the income up. I’ve always wanted to get better as an actor. And I have got better. You’ve only got to see my early work to see that. As for a fruity voice? Well, it may be a voice that is trained like an opera singer’s voice: to fill a large space. It is unnatural.”

Snap.

Get back to me, Damian, when you have half the career of McKellen.

Damian Lewis, apparently sober ... I kid ... apologizing to Ian McKellen:

"I am hugely embarrassed that comments of mine have been linked in a negative way to Sir Ian McKellen. I have always been, and continue to be, an enormous fan and admirer of Sir Ian's. He's one of the greats and one of the reasons I became an actor. My comment in the Guardian was a soundbite I've been giving since 1999 – it was a generic analogy that was never intended to demean or describe anyone else's career. I have contacted Sir Ian McKellen and have given him my sincerest apologies."

Generic? The “playing a wizard”: reference was fairly specific.

But at least it was kind of an apology. 

I Didn't Say It....

Jay Hayes, the captain of the NYU men’s volleyball team, in an "It Gets Better" video:

“Athletics is the next frontier for gay rights. When you look at the civil rights movement, it wouldn’t have been as successful if a person like Jackie Robinson hadn’t been there. I really hope that a gay athlete comes out soon. I think that professional sports these days are just a business and these players know that it could hurt the brand and the bottom line if they came out. Once we see a professional gay athlete come out and succeed, that will be monumental."

And, in my mind, it would have to be an athlete on a team, as opposed to say an individual sport athlete--gymnast or swimmer.

Then we can see how the rest of the team reacts to the openly gay player.

That'll be a big change, and I know it's coming.

Frank Bruni, on marriage equality, and homophobia:

"Voters in states with marriage equality on the ballot can tell us that we matter as much as anyone else. Or they can tell us that we don’t. Many of us--most of us, I hope--figured out long ago how not to root our self-esteem in the soil of popular opinion. But not everyone succeeds in doing that. Some people respond to the climate around them. They flourish when it’s hospitable. And when it’s hostile, they fail to, often falling prey to self-destructive behavior, and on occasion even ending their lives early. What sort of 'values,' family or otherwise, abet or turn a blind eye to that? 'Overt homosexuality' is a phrase with little currency today. But censure and condemnation of homosexuals still have traction. And a price."

More proof, though I didn't need it, that coming out is best for the entire LGBT community, and for the LGBT individual.

It's hard to demonize your co-worker, next door neighbor, or friend.

Oh, I know some people do, but it does get hard to demonize a gay person when they right next to you.

Anne Rice, on Facebook Easter Sunday:

"Happy Easter, Gay People of the World: you have indeed risen in the last few decades from centuries of persecution and oppression. May this be a great holiday for you all wherever you are. You are winning the battle for equal rights. And your victory over discrimination and hate is a victory for all oppressed persons. Happy Easter!"

It's another step in making sure that equality is for all of us.

Andrew Sullivan, on the rise of atheism: 

"What has happened since 1960 is that organized groups, like the Southern Baptist Council and other religious groups, have in fact become self-consciously political. They have become fused with one political party, the Republican Party--a party that is now defined by a particular religious faith, evangelicalism or far-right Catholic hierarchy. And that is making many people feel that faith in Jesus is about politics and power and partisanship, in ways that’s turning off an entire generation. The biggest growth in any belief sector in this country in the last ten years has been atheism."

Jesus was not a Republican.

Say it with me.

Jesus was not a Republican.

And, neither was he a Democrat.

Separation of church and state is a good thing, for these very reasons.

Rick Warren, on when he might evolve on marriage equality:

"Well, if the Bible is the word of God, then I don’t have the right to change it. Policies come and go over the years. And so if I’m unpopular for certain beliefs, well, then I’m unpopular for certain beliefs. And to me, the Bible is very clear that sex is for a man and a woman in marriage only...history shows that when the church accommodates culture, it weakens it. This is why there is a very weak church in Europe today. It’s almost non-existent in many areas."

Hmmm, I wonder if Rick realizes he shouldn't be shaving his facial hair, because, you know, the Bible, the word of God, doesn't like that.

Does he eat shellfish? God won;t be happy.

Wear clothing of mixed textiles? God won't be happy.

But then God knows that Rick Warren is a pandering hypocrite who hides his hatred in a book.

Mitt Romney, on Frothy's exit from the campaign:

"Senator Santorum is an able and worthy competitor, and I congratulate him on the campaign he ran. He has proven himself to be an important voice in our party and in the nation. We both recognize that what is most important is putting the failures of the last three years behind us and setting America back on the path to prosperity."

Mittsy comparing himself to Santorum.

Yeah, that'll get him elected.

Oh, except that he'll change his mind on that point, too, and suddenly begin distancing himself form his severely conservative rhetoric.

Hilary Rosen, apologizing to Ann Romney [sort of]:
"Let’s put the faux ‘war against stay at home moms’ to rest once and for all. As a mom, I know that raising children is the hardest job there is. As a pundit, I know my words on CNN last night were poorly chosen. In response to Mitt Romney on the campaign trail referring to his wife as a better person to answer questions about women than he is, I was discussing his poor record on the plight of women’s financial struggles. As a partner in a firm full of women who work outside of the home as well as stay-at-home mothers, all with plenty of children, gender equality is not a talking point for me. It is an issue I live every day. I apologize to Ann Romney and anyone else who was offended. Let’s declare peace in this phony war and go back to focus on the substance."

And it's just another way Mittsy will shift focus from his flip-fopping record, by keeping this spat alive.
End it.
Ann Romney was a stay-at-home Mom who worked very hard raising five sons while her millionaire husband fired people and put money in banks in the Cayman Islands.
There.....all better now?


Bev Perdue, governor of North Carolina, on her opposition to North Carolina's Amendment One that would constitutionally ban same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships:

"Whatever your personal, moral or religious views might be, writing discrimination into North Carolina’s constitution is just plain wrong...It would ban the state from recognizing civil unions, strip away domestic partner benefits and it actually could eliminate legal protections for all unmarried couples in the state. This will harm the stability and security of North Carolina families like never before....The amendment I believe is dangerous for women. There is a real risk that some laws we have on the books now to protect the victims of domestic violence may no longer apply to many women in the state."


Keeping it plain and simple.
Discrimination.Is.Wrong.
Discrimination, as law, is unconscionable.
Thanks, Governor.

Strange Bedfellows

The Choice Is Ours Now

by Melissa Etheridge

This is a message for my brothers and sisters who have fought so long and so hard for gay rights and liberty. We have spent a long time climbing up this mountain, looking at the impossible, changing a thousand year-old paradigm. We have asked for the right to love the human of our choice, and to be protected equally under the laws of this great country. The road at times has been so bloody, and so horrible, and so disheartening. From being blamed for 9/11 and Katrina, to hateful crimes committed against us, we are battle weary. We watched as our nation took a step in the right direction, against all odds and elected Barack Obama as our next leader. Then we were jerked back into the last century as we watched our rights taken away by prop 8 in California. Still sore and angry we felt another slap in the face as the man we helped get elected seemingly invited a gay-hater to address the world at his inauguration.

I hadn't heard of Pastor Rick Warren before all of this. When I heard the news, in its neat little sound bite form that we are so accustomed to, it painted the picture for me. This Pastor Rick must surely be one hate spouting, money grabbing, bad hair televangelist like all the others. He probably has his own gay little secret bathroom stall somewhere, you know. One more hater working up his congregation to hate the gays, comparing us to pedophiles and those who commit incest, blah blah blah. Same 'ole thing. Would I be boycotting the inauguration? Would we be marching again?

Well, I have to tell you my friends, the universe has a sense of humor and indeed works in mysterious ways. As I was winding down the promotion for my Christmas album I had one more stop last night. I'd agreed to play a song I'd written with my friend Salman Ahmed, a Sufi Muslim from Pakistan. The song is called "Ring The Bells," and it's a call for peace and unity in our world. We were going to perform our song for the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a group of Muslim Americans that tries to raise awareness in this country, and the world, about the majority of good, loving, Muslims. I was honored, considering some in the Muslim religion consider singing to be against God, while other Muslim countries have harsh penalties, even death for homosexuals. I felt it was a very brave gesture for them to make. I received a call the day before to inform me of the keynote speaker that night... Pastor Rick Warren. I was stunned. My fight or flight instinct took over, should I cancel? Then a calm voice inside me said, "Are you really about peace or not?"

I told my manager to reach out to Pastor Warren and say "In the spirit of unity I would like to talk to him." They gave him my phone number. On the day of the conference I received a call from Pastor Rick, and before I could say anything, he told me what a fan he was. He had most of my albums from the very first one. What? This didn't sound like a gay hater, much less a preacher. He explained in very thoughtful words that as a Christian he believed in equal rights for everyone. He believed every loving relationship should have equal protection. He struggled with proposition 8 because he didn't want to see marriage redefined as anything other than between a man and a woman. He said he regretted his choice of words in his video message to his congregation about proposition 8 when he mentioned pedophiles and those who commit incest. He said that in no way, is that how he thought about gays. He invited me to his church, I invited him to my home to meet my wife and kids. He told me of his wife's struggle with breast cancer just a year before mine.

When we met later that night, he entered the room with open arms and an open heart. We agreed to build bridges to the future.

Brothers and sisters the choice is ours now. We have the world's attention. We have the capability to create change, awesome change in this world, but before we change minds we must change hearts. Sure, there are plenty of hateful people who will always hold on to their bigotry like a child to a blanket. But there are also good people out there, Christian and otherwise that are beginning to listen. They don't hate us, they fear change. Maybe in our anger, as we consider marches and boycotts, perhaps we can consider stretching out our hands. Maybe instead of marching on his church, we can show up en mass and volunteer for one of the many organizations affiliated with his church that work for HIV/AIDS causes all around the world.

Maybe if they get to know us, they wont fear us.

I know, call me a dreamer, but I feel a new era is upon us.

I will be attending the inauguration with my family, and with hope in my heart. I know we are headed in the direction of marriage equality and equal protection for all families.

Happy Holidays my friends and a Happy New Year to you.

Peace on earth, goodwill toward all men and women... and everyone in-between.

_______________________

Dear Melissa,

First off, I, too, love your music. I love your passion, as well. I love that you speak up, and speak out. I love that you wanted to reach out to Pastor Warren.

But there are some things I don't love.

I don't love that his church website said this: "Because membership in a church is and outgrowth of accepting the lordship and leadership of Jesus in one's life, someone unwilling to repent of their homosexual lifestyle would not be accepted as a member at Saddleback Church."

And I don't love that once this news came out this anti-gay tidbit was removed from his website.

I don't love that he compared gay men and women to pedophiles and people who commit incest.

And I don't love that he now says he 'regrets' using those words.

Pastors preach. They give sermons. They talk. They spends, hours, days, weeks, on their sermons, on what they're going to say. And he now says he chose the wrong words? Of course peolle make mistakes; but you can proofread a sermon before you speak; you can edit a videotaped message before it airs; you can double-check a website for mistakes.

Were they the wrong words before he was asked to speak at the inauguration? And if so, why didn't he say something then? Or are they the wrong words now because he doesn't want to be dis-invited?

Are the words that once appeared on his website still not his sentiments? Or have they been removed because he doesn't want any more of an uproar?

Pastor Rick Warren has the right to his opinions. He has the right to speak, even at the inauguration. I may not agree with the man; I may not like Obama's 'reaching out' reasoning for the inclusion of Warren. I have the right not to listen to him.

And I have the right to hold him accountable for what he says, for what his church believes, for politicking from the pulpit. I have the right to have my say.

His church does not want gay members who don't repent their lifestyle. Words have power.

He compares us to pedophiles. Words have meaning.

He says we aren't worthy of equal protection under the law. Words are hard to take back when you keep putting the same ones out there.

Me On A Soapbox

Okay, so here I am again, on the soapbox, only I'm a little at odds with my opinion. Must be that whole split personality thing, I guess. I keep reading about Pastor Rick Warren being selected to give the invocation at President-elect Obama's inauguration and it gives me pause.

You see, Rick Warren is a big fat homophobe. There, I said it, and in nice language, too, because all sorts of profanities run through my head when I think of this bigot and his smug smile that I just wanna smack him upsi......anyway.

Pastor Warren uses his pulpit to preach. Good, that's the use of a pulpit, to speak, to educate, to enlighten, to spread the word of God. But Warren also uses his pulpit to talk politics in a land with a separation of church and state. Separation, Warren. Separation.

So I don't want Warren to speak. I don't want to look at his face while he says one thing when you know damned well he is anti-gay, and spreads the same old lies about 5,000 years of marriage, blah blah blah one-man/one-woman blah blah sanctity of marriage. Blah.

But then Warren said this, via email, in regards to Prop H8:

"For 5,000 years, EVERY culture and EVERY religion -- not just Christianity -- has defined marriage as a contract between men and women. There is no reason to change the universal, historical definition of marriage to appease 2% of our population. This is one issue that both Democrats and Republicans can agree on. Both Barack Obama and John McCain have publicly opposed the redefinition of marriage to include so-called 'gay marriage.' Even some gay leaders, like Al Rantel of KABC oppose watering down the definition of marriage...Of course, my longtime opposition is well known. This is not a political issue, it is a moral issue that God has spoken clearly about. There is no doubt where we should stand on this issue...This will be a close contest, maybe even decided by a few thousand votes. I urge you to VOTE YES on Proposition 8 -- to preserve the biblical definition of marriage. Don't forget to vote!"

THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE, he says in one breath, and follows it with, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! Who does he think he's kidding. You're a Pastor, sir, you are supposed to spread the word of God, and last time I checked God was not a registered voter.
He also released a video message. Watch this buffoon talk about the "four judges" while he holds up three fingers. I have the other finger at the ready, Rick. Listen when he talks about marriage having remained unchanged for 5,000 when we know that isn't true. Listen to him use his ministry to campaign. Moron.



Obama says he invited Warren to speak because he was asked to speak to Warren's congregation. So was John McCain; it's all political. Barney Frank, the first openly gay man to serve in Congress, is also upset, hurt, angry, by the inclusion of Warren. His words express my opinion quite well:

"I am very disappointed by President-elect Barack Obama's decision to honor Reverend Rick Warren with a prominent role in his inauguration.Religious leaders obviously have every right to speak out in opposition to anti-discrimination measures, even in the degrading terms that Rev. Warren has used with regard to same-sex marriage. But that does not confer upon them the right to a place of honor in the inauguration ceremony of a president whose stated commitment to LGBT rights won him the strong support of the great majority of those who support that cause.
"It is irrelevant that Rev. Warren invited Senator Obama to address his congregation, since he extended an equal invitation to Senator McCain. Furthermore, the President-Elect has not simply invited Rev. Warren to give a speech as part of a series in which various views are presented. The selection of a member of the clergy to occupy this uniquely elevated position has always been considered a mark of respect and approval by those who are being
inaugurated."

Time magazine Person of the year cover illustrator Shepard Fairey:

Tomorrow my illustration for Time Magazine’s “Person of The Year” hits the newsstands. While I’m very honored to be validated by a periodical that is nothing short of an American institution, the moment is bittersweet because I’m very disappointed by Obama’s appointment of Rick Warren to deliver his invocation during Obama’s inaugural address. Rick Warren is against gay marriage and reproductive rights, and he does not believe in evolution (maybe he offers himself as proof of lack of evolution). I understand that Obama is trying to appeal to conservatives and evangelicals, but this move is symbolically a slap in the face to many people. Warren is not a uniter, but a divider… he is intolerant in many of his views. I still think Obama is the best choice for president, but I can’t condone Warren’s involvement in Obama’s inauguration, no matter how insignificant it is. While I’m on the subject of gay marriage, I will be donating a chunk of the proceeds from an inauguration poster of Obama I was asked to create to the movement to overturn Prop 8. At first I was considering pulling my inauguration poster, but I think re-directing funds from it to put into a cause I care about is actually more constructive. Plus, I wouldn’t want withdrawing the image to come across as a blanket boycott of Obama. I’m sure I will ultimately disagree with Obama about many things, but I think I will agree with him on more. I think it is important to speak one’s mind, but also to not let the narcissism of petty differences sabotage our unity and progress.

And the Obama camp has offered up an explanation for the inclusion of Warren, their so-called 'talking points'--how I hate that phrase.

*Pastor Rick Warren has a long history of activism on behalf of the disadvantaged and the downtrodden. He's devoted his life to performing good works for the poor and leads the evangelical movement in addressing the global HIV/AIDS crisis. In fact, the President-elect recently addressed Rick Warren's Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health to salute Warren's leadership in the struggle against HIV/AIDS and pledge his support to the effort in the years ahead.
*The President-elect disagrees with Pastor Warren on issues that affect the LGBT community. They disagree on other issues as well. But what's important is that they agree on many issues vital to the pursuit of social justice, including poverty relief and moving toward a sustainable planet; and they share a commitment to renewing America's promise by expanding opportunity at home and restoring our moral leadership abroad.

While the inclusion of Warren makes me angry, annoyed, ill, bitter, pissed off, and a bitter, angry, annoyed, pissed off queen is a thing of beauty and a joy forever, but be afraid, be very afraid, I do agree with some of these reasons for including him. I admire Warren for his work with the "downtrodden"--unless you're gay of course, because then he considers you 'less than.'What exactly is 'less than' downtrodden? And while I applaud his work with HIV/AIDS, I still have a problem with him campaigning and using his church and pulpit to do so.

However, as if to counterbalance Warren's bigotry, the Obama inauguration will also include Reverend Joseph Lowery, one of the most prominent figures in the Civil Rights movement and a proponent of LGBT causes. Lowery is the man who stood up at Coretta Scott King's funeral, in front of George Bush and said, to a standing ovation:

We know now there were no weapons of mass destruction over there. But Coretta knew and we know that there are weapons of misdirection right down here. Millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds. For war billions more but no more for the poor!

Lowery spoke these words at the funeral of Mrs. King, a woman who said this:

"Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group."

Lowery's remarks will close the ceremony and perhaps the inclusion of one so inclusive will water down the appearance of Rick Warren. See, I do think Rick Warren has the right to say what he wants; so do I. I do believe he can preach to his congregation every Sunday from now to the end of time that homosexuality is wrong, a sin, an abomination. He has the right to talk. I don't, however, believe he has the right to use his church to campaign for anything, or to stand in the pulpit and tell his congregation how to vote.
God is not a Republican, Pastor Warren. Lest you forget.

This was posted by someone calling himself dmac at Oxdown Gazette and I think it sums up things for me quite nicely.
The aspect I keep coming back to, is that Pastor Warren is outmatched. That will be evident. His appearance won't matter as much as he thinks it does right now. Not after Reverend Lowery starts to speak and continues the thread of tolerance and civil rights for all that Coretta Scott King tried to get the Southern Baptist Convention to embrace. He won't shine like a new nickel when Reverend Lowery is done with him and the ideals of Pastor Warren's proponents will not shine in comparison to the truth-that we are all created equal and until we are all equal someone isn't doing God's work. You can bet that Reverend Lowery knows exactly what kind of demon he will be facing, he has an entire lifetime under his belt casting them out. And winning.

So Warren can speak and speak and speak, but the last word goes to Lowery.
Actually the last word goes to us, to America, who can decide for ourselves whether we want to follow a bigot like Warren, or a Civil Rights leader like Lowery.
For me, the choice is clear.