John McCain, the Republican Senator from Arizona, has always been known to disagree with his conservative colleagues on key issues. Until recently, McCain was opposed to a federal amendment that would ban gay marriage in the United States. Apparently, that is not the case anymore. Thanks Jerry Falwell!

From ABC NEWS

According to Falwell, McCain is not pushing for a federal marriage amendment at this time. But McCain "reconfirmed" to Falwell that he would support a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman if a federal court were to strike down state constitutional bans on gay marriage.

McCain will be giving the commencement address at Falwell's Liberty University in May. Everyone knows that it was the hard-right Christians that gave Bush his second term. Obviously McCain wants those votes.

Story via ThinkProgress.org

Posted by Ace

The New York Times reported earlier this month that the ACLU has filed a lawsuit against Robert K. Bowman, the police chief of Welch, West Virginia for allegedly blocking a gay man from receiving CPR.

Billy Snead was furiously trying to save the life of a friend having a heart attack on a West Virginia roadside in June when the police chief arrived. The chief, Mr. Snead recalled yesterday, ordered him to stop.

The chief, Robert K. Bowman of the small town of Welch, told Mr. Snead that his friend, red-faced and gasping for breath, had the virus that causes AIDS, according to a lawsuit filed yesterday. Chief Bowman grabbed Mr. Snead's shoulder, the suit says, pulling him away from his friend, Claude Green Jr.

Mr. Snead resisted, saying he was having success. Trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Mr. Snead tried to continue pressing and then pounding on Mr. Green's chest.

"Every time I'd do it, he'd take a breath," Mr. Snead said of Mr. Green yesterday.
But the chief was adamant, Mr. Snead said. "He just come over and told me to get off of him," Mr. Snead said.

Mr. Green, who was 43, died at Welch Community Hospital less than an hour later. Chief Bowman, the suit said, did nothing to help Mr. Green but did tell ambulance workers and hospital personnel that Mr. Green was positive for H.I.V.

from the ACLU press release:

The ACLU filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on behalf of the surviving family members of Claude Green, Jr. against the City of Welch and Robert K. Bowman, Welch's Chief of Police. The lawsuit charges that Bowman discriminated against Green by preventing others from providing life-saving medical care to Green because of his sexual orientation and/or perceived HIV status. The lawsuit also charges that Bowman violated the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) by discriminating against someone he perceived to be HIV positive.

maybe i'm missing something, but it seems like this guy should be facing criminal charges as well as a civil lawsuit. one of the many frightening aspects of this incident is that it looks like Bowman is still in his job as Police Chief! i wonder what you have to do in Welch to get fired?

posted by fournier

Californians are more and more accepting of gays, according to a new telephone field poll that was conducted recently. One of the reasons for the growing acceptance is the fact that 64% of Californians report knowing someone who is gay. The report also breaks down what groups are typically more tolerant...

From MercuryNews.com

Along with those acquainted with a gay person, the poll indicated that other groups most likely to have positive views of homosexuality included Democrats, liberals, Bay Area residents, college graduates and members of non-Christian religions.

On the contrary, those who don't personally know gay people, along with conservatives, born-again Christians and poll respondents with only high school degrees, viewed homosexuality unfavorably or coolly.

The Field Poll, conducted by telephone, surveyed 1,000 adults across the state, including 680 registered voters. The survey was conducted in February in English and Spanish.

The poll shows an evolving attitude, DiCamillo said, that seems to indicate greater acceptance. In a 1997 survey, 45 percent of adults described homosexual relations as wrong, and 38 percent said it was not wrong at all.

In the current survey, 43 percent said they did not see gay relationships as wrong, while 32 percent said they were always wrong.

Even though these numbers are good, there is still a huge portion of the population that hasn't budged - even in California, one of the most liberal states in the country.

Posted by Ace

The Washington Post is reporting that the FDA is considering a revision to its current lifetime ban on blood donations by men who have sex with men.

from the article:

The change in policy is being recommended by the American Red Cross, the American Association of Blood Banks and America's Blood Centers, which collect virtually all the blood used for transfusions nationwide.
...
recommended that men be barred from donating for onlya year after having had sex with another man, treating them the same as other groups at increased risk for spreading sexually transmitted virus through donated blood.

okay, so still nothing that has to do with actual risk behaviors. not a ban anymore, just a prescribed abstinence period. great. okay, so who doesn't have sex for a whole year? and people can have all sorts of unsafe heterosexual sex and still give blood, but one instance of gay sex and you're out?

thankfully, Lamda Legal provides a voice of reason once again.

"The blood deferral policy that exists is not based on science. It's based on inertia and in many cases stereotypes," said Jon Givner of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. "The FDA should revisit the issue and adopt a deferral policy that is based on actual risk rather than sexual orientation."

it's not like they don't test all the blood. in reality, this policy does not make the blood supply safer. what it does instead is:

1. reinforces stereotypes of sexual irresponsibility among gay men.
2. alienates a significant portion of the population from blood donation (an important cause)
3. forces men who have sex with men to lie about who they are and what they do if they want to give blood.

while that sounds a lot like the bush administration, it doesn't sound a whole lot like good science. the ban should be lifted completely, and restrictions on who can donate and when should be based on actual potential exposure to HIV/Hepatitis C. (not using condoms, etc...)

Posted by: fournier

The hype is dying, the mainstream media coverage is dwindling and the controversy isn't stirring. Yet the emotion that "Brokeback Mountain" left us feeling still remains. What now? The DVD is coming your way April 4th! It comes packed with much more than just the movie.

The "Brokeback Mountain" DVD boasts a documentary in which stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal discuss their preparations for the film, such as training for a rodeo and for wrangling. There's also a profile on Ang Lee, who won the best director Oscar for "Brokeback," as well as interviews with Oscar-winning scribes Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana as they discuss bringing Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx's short story to the screen.

Get your very own copy of the "Brokeback Mountain" DVD here.

Interesting Brokeback fact: In June of 1998 the Hollywood trades reported Brokeback to be directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting), released by Columbia Pictures, and produced by Scott Rudin? Obviously though Brokeback Mountain ended up being directed by Ang Lee, released by Universal's Focus Features and produced by James Schamus & Diana Ossana.

From New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition:

New Hampshire's House of Representatives today rejected a proposal to amend the state's constitution to restrict marriage to a man and a woman as "the only legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state." By a 207-125 supermajority vote, the House followed the Judiciary Committee's 2 to 1 recommendation that the bill would be "inexpedient to legislate." The House's action ends further legislative consideration of this proposal, signaling the end of efforts to amend the constitution to discriminate against New Hampshire's gay and lesbian citizens this legislative session.

"Fair-minded legislators agreed with their constituents that our constitution shouldn't be used to take rights away from citizens," said Mo Baxley, executive director of New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition (NHFTMC). "The debate and the vote show that we can have a thoughtful, respectful conversation about this issue and what equal citizenship means for New Hampshire's gay and lesbian citizens and their children."

Another state legislature does the right thing. Quite encouraging, especially coming from a republican controlled House.

Posted by Gavin Sandvoss

What happened to the separation of church and state? This is a very troubling story. Portland Public Schools have approved a charter school that is sponsored by the notoriously anti-gay, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Get this - they gave one of the single largest contributions to the Yes on Measure 36 campaign. Known for being so anti-gay, how could they possibly follow Portland's anti-discrimination laws? How welcome will GLBT students be there? It couldn't possibly be a safe environment for them.

At the same time why are Portland taxpayers financially supporting this school? That doesn't seem right at all. It is as if PPS did no research before approving this new charter school.

Basic Rights Oregon responded in an email to it's supporters:

The alternative high school sponsored by this Portland church that was one of the primary backers of Ballot Measure 36 has received the approval of the Portland Public School Board to in the fall of 2006 with the support of public funds.

The so-called "Academy of Character and Ethics," or ACE, proposed by Mt. Olivet Baptist Church will open at Jefferson High School in North Portland in 2006 with about 50 students and grow to 200 students, according to the Oregonian .

Mt. Olivet was a major contributor to the Yes on 36 campaign, donating $15,000 to the 2004 measure that banned same-sex marriage.

While the school district says the school will operate independently of the church, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church states clearly on its own website that the school is their project, the school's board of directors has been assembled by the church and its principal is a member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.

Basic Rights Oregon supports religious liberty and the ability of churches to open their own private schools. But we have big concerns about a "values-based" public school led by a known anti-GLBT organization and what appears to be an enormous potential breach of the separation of church and state.

In response to this news, BRO requested a meeting with district administration this morning and within hours met with school board members, the Assistant Superintendent of Schools and the Director of Alternative Education Options.
We have urged administrators to investigate our concerns and to put this school on hold until the many very important questions that are arising can be answered. A big thank you to Anne Trudeau and the Northeast Schools Alliance for bringing this to our attention!

SHARE YOUR OUTRAGE WITH PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL OFFICIALS
Tell Portland Public Schools what YOU think about its approval of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church sponsored alternative school.

Demand that Portland Public Schools investigate this issue immediately, find out the facts, make a promise to uphold the separation of church and state and ensure that no group that is affiliated with any organization with a history of prejudice gets to use the financial or physical resources of Portland Public Schools open a school.

Email your thoughts to:
Maxine Kilcrease, Assistant Superintendant of Schools
mkilcrease@pps.k12.or.us

Visit the Basic Rights Oregon Blog to discuss or feel free to discuss here as well.

PageOneQ is reporting that last week, the press reported that Merrill Kaiser, a Democratic candidate United States Senate from Ohio, believes that homosexuality should be punishable by death. Kaiser made this statement publicly on a radio show.

PageOneQ has obtained a portion of an audio interview in which Kaiser says that singer/performer Elton John should be put to death and insinuates that the same should happen to Mary Cheney, the daughter of Vice President Richard B. Cheney.

Here is a portion of the interview obtained by PageOneQ.com:
Host Chad Larson: Elton John, he comes to the state of Ohio, he's gay and proud, you want him dead? Should he be killed?

Candidate Merrill Kaiser: I would prefer that he repent

Larson: Obviously, he's not repenting, should he be killed?

Kaiser: Well he's worthy of death

The interview then turned to the subject of Mary Chemey, the Vice President's daughter. Larson inquired as to whether Ms. Cheney should be subject to the same treatment Mr. Kaiser suggested for Elton John:

Larson: How about Mary Cheney? How about the vice president's daughter? Should she be killed? Should she be killed, sir, if she does not repent?

Kaiser: You know the important thing is they are facing the second death.

Larson: Of course, but in your perfect world, should Mary Cheney be killed for her being a homosexual?

Kaiser: If she's not going to repent.

Larson: Then she should be killed?

Kaiser: She's not being killed.

Larson: If her life is no longer existing then she is being killed.

Kaiser: Well, how else are you going to do it?

Larson: So you are saying Mary Cheney... So you are saying Mary Cheney should be killed for being a homosexual.

Kaiser: Why don't we... What's wrong with drugs?

Larson: We're going to drug her?

Kaiser: Why do we have laws against drugs?

Check it out over at PageOneQ.

After a meeting with his school administrators Brandon Flyte, the West Linn High School senior, was allowed back in the school. Here is an update from his website:

Yesterday afternoon I met with the administration. They reiterated to me the fact that this was never called an expulsion. In their eyes, transferring me to CCC was in my best interest. The fact that this transfer was mandatory is what I've been protesting. They said that given my attendance record and how "things didn't seem to be working [at WLHS]", regardless of my last report card (which is the best I've ever done in high school), they thought that moving me to another school was for my benefit. The school insists that my 'transfer' was never the result of homophobia, but either way, it seems clear that they've had a change of heart regarding my situation.

The school has agreed to allow me back in and graduate with my classmates this Spring, provided that I have the credits I need and that my attendance is solid. I appreciate all the support I've received from everyone. If we can continue showing this kind of support and unity, equality will win it in the end.

I applaud Brandon for his work. If you haven't seen Brandon's movie, I've put it in below. It's just a teaser -- but it's really great work. I also applaud Brandon for taking such a strong stance. In his words, "If we can continue showing this kind of support and unity, equality will win it in the end."

[UPDATE: Click here.]

Brandon Flyte, a senior at West Linn High, has been expelled. Brandon created a video for school titled "Brokeback High" - two months left until he walks with his class on graduation day... and he's expelled, though the administration is going to pay for him to finish high school at Clackamas Community College. It's creating quite a stir...

Towerload has the story. Also check out Brandon's site here. Bradon's site also has a copy of the video.

UPDATED. That's right folks! I just got a little tip from someone 'very close' to Lou Beres. You will remember that Lou, Chairman of the Oregon Christian Coalition, had many allegations that he molested his own family members. The victims, now adults, went public back in October 2005, after years of silence.

Refer to our post at that time - click here to open in new window.

Now sources are telling us that Lou Beres NEVER actually resigned from the Oregon Christian Coalition. So now it's not only the Catholics - it's the extremist Christians who are harboring child molesters as well.

From our source:

Lou Beres held a press conference stating he was 'stepping away from public life.'

Reality was, he stepped away until the smoke cleared - due to a 6 year statute of limitation on child molestation in Oregon. He stayed on as Executive Director of the Christian Coalition in Oregon this whole time.

The suit was filed yesterday by a woman who Lou molested when she was a pre-teen - several times.

After Lou discovered she wasn't going to keep quiet -he used his church and patriarchal influence to throw her out of the family - make her an outcast.

I think we can all agree Lou is a poster child for the extreme right. Hypocrisy. Scandal. Damaging to society.

Posted by Bryan Harding

A very disturbing story from Georgia. Five soldiers, all members of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart have been charged with aggravated battery for beating the shit out of a man because he is gay (outside of a gay bar). It's always fair to have FIVE guys kicking the crap out of ONE.

365gay:

Five soldiers have been charged in the severe beating of a gay man outside a Savannah gay club.

People looked on helpless Sunday as the soldiers beat David Bennett, 37 on the street in front of Blaine's Back Door Bar. The attackers left leaving Bennett barely conscious and lying in a pool of blood.

Bennett suffered cuts and abrasions in the beating. He was released from hospital on Monday.

Based on witnesses descriptions police picked up five soldiers a short while after the beating and returned them to the scene for the witnesses to identify.

The soldiers, all members of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, have been charged with aggravated battery.

According to the police incident report, one of the men, Sidney Swift, boasted: "Yes, I beat that mother-fucking faggot up."

The report said that other soldiers at the scene told Swift to be quiet because they were "one team, and it was one fight."

The beating came as the Georgia legislature prepared to take up a bill that would stiffen sentences for defendants found to have selected their victims based on "race, religion, gender, national origin or sexual orientation."

The new bill was approved Tuesday on an 8-3 vote by the Senate's judiciary committee.

This is a horrid crime and I think the level headed among us would agree. The fact that it does come at this moment in time can only help to further push the new hate crime legislation in Georgia.

For more take a look at Pam's House Blend: Video of the gay-bashing soldiers of the Third Infantry Division

"It is time... to put ideas before ideology, to put people before party, it's time to put Oregon first."

Refreshing ain't it? That quote has become somewhat of a mantra for Senator Ben Westlund who could potentially be Oregon's next governor. As an Oregonian, that one simple statement perks my interest. As a gay Oregonian, I welcome Ben Westlund into the race.

Over the past six months I have had the chance to spend some time with Senator Westlund. Each time I get a glimpse into who this man truly is. It may sound corny, but Ben Westlund is a truly straight shooter. Often times we view politicians as simply that, politicians. This often blinds us from the human side of the person. Ben is candid and doesn't hold back when it comes to how he feels on the issues. I'm always struck by how 'real' he is.

Now don't take this the wrong way, but even though I think our country has gone to hell on account of a terrible administration, when President Bush has a position and he sticks to it more than most. He comes out and stands his ground and makes his feelings known. I certainly do not want to draw any lines between Bush and Westlund, though it is a quality that I sincerely admire in the man. The main thing with this comparison is that Ben is always willing to listen, to hear other people's opinions and can even have a change of heart on issues for the better. Bush on the other hand is not that way.

When I think of the candidates we currently have in Oregon's 2006 gubernatorial race, Ben Westlund is definitely looking like my choice. I feel that Ted has not shown proven leadership. In fact I've been incredibly disappointed. The tipping point for me was Ted's complete lack of leadership during the fight for SB1000 last session. Why was Karen Minnis allowed to rule with an iron fist with no checks or balances? The answer is simple. The problem was that we had a 'queen' ruling the Oregon House - unfortunately there was no "king" [Kulongoski] to respond to her abuse of power.

I invite you to get to know Ben Westlund. Read about him. Learn his position on the issues and how he plans on solving some of Oregon's most pressing dilemmas.
And that my friends... is my two cents.

Post by Bryan Harding