How long can things like this and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" coexist?

From 365gay:

Patrick M. High becomes the first openly gay student council president at USU. He was elected by a student body that includes uniformed personnel in the armed forces and will represent graduate students at the university.

Before coming out High served nine years in the Illinois Army National Guard and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at USU.

Although some civilians attend the university most students are either in the military or have served. Most those who graduate from the university enter jobs with the government in the public health field.

"Patrick High's election as student council president is just the latest in a series of signs that those serving in our armed forces are ready to welcome openly gay colleagues," said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

"High was elected based on his qualifications for the post, and that same criteria should be the guiding force throughout the military. His fellow students, including military students, have placed their trust in a leader who represents their ideals and goals."

High said he hopes to "change military students' perspective that gays can and have served in the military and worked well with their straight counterparts."

Posted by Ace

Today, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, signed into law SB 1441. SB 1441, which bans discrimination in state programs and activities was brought to the CA Legislature by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica).

The "Nondiscrimination in State Programs and Activities Act" prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in state operated or funded services, activities and programs. Basically if you want to receive state funding you can't be bigoted, ass-backwards and pleasured by your ignorance and hate any longer.

Governor Schwarzenegger, despite the huge blow he dealt to the gay and lesbian community by vetoing AB 849, has signed more pro-GLBT laws than any other Governor in California history--and probably in the US for that matter.

Past Related Posts:

SB 1441 Passes California Senate

Archive of Past Coverage in California (mostly AB 849)

Resources on SB 1441 (from Eqaulity California):

Official Legislative Documents for SB 1441

SB 1441 Fact Sheet

Technorati tags: california, SB 1441, gay

An art exhibit in a small Brazilian town showing Barbie in intimate poses with another female has draw the ire of toy maker Mattel. The company says if artist Karin Schwarz doesn't remove the exhibit it will go to court, according to a Sao Paulo newspaper. (FYI - that photo you see on the left is not from the art exhibit)

Schwarz, though, isn't backing down.

"Barbie is exploited by Mattel. She wears a bikini, she shows off her belly, has big breasts, and even has a boyfriend," she told the Jornal de Sao Paulo newspaper.

Her exhibit, called 'Amazing Girls', is on display at a bar in the town of Curitiba.

A Brazilian spokesperson for Mattel said that "Barbie is a very proper lady and she is not happy about being portrayed as something that she isn't."

But Barbie is no friend of conservative Christians either. Earlier this year "Concerned Women for America" accused the doll, who is now 46, of promoting gender confusion among children.

via 365gay.com

It's official. After all the drama that is the Arkansas Democratic Party, Patricia Todd was reinstated Saturday as the Democratic Party's nominee for a seat in the Alabama Legislature. The Alabama Democratic Party Executive Committee voted 95-87 to reject the ruling of a subcommittee two days ago that had voted to disqualify Todd.

From 365gay.com

Todd beat Gaynell Hendricks in the primary. But Hendricks' mother-in-law filed an appeal filed with the Democratic Party claiming that Todd timed the filing of her campaign finance report with the Secretary of State's office shortly before the deadline to keep voters from learning she was supported by the Victory Fund, a Washington DC-based organization that helps the campaigns LGBT candidates.

Todd received $25,000 contribution from the Victory Fund.

The complaint also alleged that Todd made payment of nearly $13,000 to two primary opponents who later endorsed her in the runoff against Hendricks.

On Thursday a party committee discounted the original complaint against Todd - instead ruling in a 5 - 0 decision that she had violated a party regulation that finance reports be filed five days before a primary with the party chair five days before the primary election.

The committee, however, also found that Hendricks also had failed to file with the chair in time and counted her out of the race too. In fact, no candidate in the state has followed the rule since 1988.

Observers said the dispute between the two Democrats had more to do with race than sexuality. Todd is lesbian and white. Hendricks is straight and black. Some key Democrats in Alabama were alleged to have wanted Todd out because of her color.

Party chairman Joe Turnham said that the key factor in Saturday's decision to overturn the committee ruling was that no candidate had followed the disclosure rule for nearly 20 years.

"I am relieved this is over so I can get to work helping the people of my district," Todd said after the meeting.

There is no Republican running for the seat which means Todd will become the first lesbian to sit in the Alabama legislature.

It's finally come to and end and Patricia Todd will be the first open lesbian to serve in the Alabama Legislature!

Three gay related amendments on the ballot this year--that is.

From 365gay:

Electors will get to vote on two pro-gay and one anti-gay amendments to the Colorado state constitution in November.

Secretary of State Gigi Dennis has certified that a proposed amendment by Coloradans for Fairness and Equality has enough signatures to proceed to the ballot.

The proposed amendment, to be labeled on the ballot at Amendment 45, declares that domestic partnerships are not marriages.

The measure is considered a companion to one approved by the legislature earlier this year that would legalize civil unions in Colorado. Legislature backed amendments do not need the collection of signatures and is guaranteed a place on the ballot.

It also would place limits on the third ballot measure, one that would amend the constitution to ban same-sex marriage in the state. That measure was backed by the conservative Coloradans for Marriage a group associated with Focus on the Family, the Colorado Springs group that fights LGBT issues across the country.

Coloradans for Marriage submitted an estimated 131,000 signatures to Dennis' office last week and also has been certified to appear on the ballot.

LGBT activists fearing that if the marriage amendment passes it could be used to thwart the legislature ballot question leading to the Fairness and Equality amendment.

If the civil unions amendment passes it would allow same-sex couples to jointly hold property have rights of inheritance and be jointly liable for debt. It also would mean couples would be able to have duo dependent health and life insurance policies; family leave benefits; protection under domestic-violence laws; and the right to make medical-care decisions about a partner.

Coloradans for Marriage has said that it does not believe its marriage ban amendment would affect domestic partnerships and it has not taken an official position on the same-sex partner measure.

But a legal analysis for the legislature said that the marriage amendment could be used to argue in court against partner benefits.

GayRightsWatch.com Exclusive:. In a just released police report (pdf), Lou Beres, former head of the Oregon Christian Coalition, finally confessed to the charges that he so vehemently denied last October. Sources from within the family tell us that Lou Beres told the truth because he thought the police report would stay sealed and the statute of limitations were over.

He got that part right... but not in civil court. Now we've got the report and Mr. Beres is being sued by Liz Jonas, one of the victims he admitted to molesting. You may recall his victims included his own biological daughters, their friends and his sister-in-law. Because of Oregon's 6 year statute of limitations - he didn't have to go to jail.

Sources tell us Lou Beres even went so far as to not show up for his first deposition and has now told people he is moving to Israel.

Remember this?

Beres has denied any criminal misconduct and wrote that he will "pursue the Biblical response and do all within my power to reconcile with that person."

The three women - now adults - allege they were abused by Beres as preteens. Their families called the child abuse hot line last month, after the three openly discussed the alleged abuse for the first time.

"I was molested," one of the women, now in her 50s, told The Oregonian. "I was victimized and I've suffered all my life for it. I'm still afraid to be in the same room with him [Beres]."

Beres, 70, has blamed "personal and political enemies" for the complaint.

The same sources from inside the Beres family tell us that he is still acting as the Executive Director of the Christian Coalition even after announcing that he was stepping down a little less than a year ago.

A victim in the police report recalls Beres coming into her room and "would use Vaseline and insert his finger into her vagina" when she was very young.

Another young victim recalls Mr. Beres coming into her room 2-3 times in one night. He "kissed her on the mouth and then licked her all over". Beres then "touched the young victims breasts, touched her on top of her underwear and upon her vagina".

Beres claims in the police report that he "has sinned in the past". The investigating detective recorded the phone call with Lou Beres with his permission. During this phone call Beres made admissions to three separate victims at three different times. All involved underage females.

From our source:

"Interesting angle, Officer Damon Coates who is locally known as an officer shot in the line of duty - survived - is Child Molester Lou's son-in-law.

When his sister-in-law, who Lou molested and then helped himself to her son and daughter - when she went to Officer Coates for help - he not only rebuffed - he protected Lou.

She was thrown out of the family.

[...]

Lou never thought that anybody would ever have the balls to sue him. So he figured his confession would never see the light of day.

[...]

What makes me sick it - he continues to be Executive Director of the Christian Coalition.

And when the woman he confessed to molesting showed up for her deposition - he brought half the church with him to renounce her."

Read the police report. It's ugly--but it's the truth. It's just another unfortunate case of the "higher than thou" extremist Christian Right causing horrific harm to others and hiding behind their religion. Sickening.

GAY RIGHTS WATCH EXCLUSIVE: Read the police report (pdf) here.

Post by Jenn Stewart & G.S.

Previous coverage on Lou Beres by GayRightsWatch.com:

Lou Beres: You Sick Fucker 10/09/2005

Oregon Christian Coalition: Harboring Child Molesters 3/10/06

It's For the Children!

Fort Leonard Wood, an Army base in Missouri, has used the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy to discharge 60 people in the past year, more than any other military facility. This information comes from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

From The Washington Post

The advocacy group, which advises military personnel on the gay policy, obtained the information through a Freedom of Information Act request. Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke confirmed that the Defense Department provided the information to the advocacy group.

The second-highest number of discharges were at Fort Campbell, a sprawling Army base on the Kentucky-Tennessee line. But the 49 people dismissed there, up from 19 in 2004, also represented the single-biggest increase in discharges anywhere.

The Pentagon has said there were 726 military members discharged under the policy last year, up 11 percent from the year before, but did not publicly release base-specific information.

The data provided to the legal advocacy group showed the Norfolk, Va., naval base had the third highest number of gay dismissals in 2005, with 35 people leaving under the policy. The Fort Benning Army base in Georgia was next with 31 discharges.

The Pentagon policy, which went into effect in 1994 following passage of congressional legislation, prohibits the military from inquiring about the sex lives of service members but requires those who openly acknowledge being gay to be discharged.

Neither the White House nor the Pentagon has given any indication of dropping their long-standing support for the policy.

In April, Gay Rights Watch reported on the possibility of repealing the ban. No more progress has been made.

Posted by Ace

[UPDATE: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law SB 1441]

Senate Bill 1441, sponsored by Equality California (EQCA) and authored by Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) passed the legislature Friday. The bill, which is quoted below, is designed to amend the existing Section 11135, extending the ban on discrimination in state operated or funded programs to gays - including services like police and fire protection, financial aid, social services and food stamps.

From SB 1441

This bill would add sexual orientation to these provisions and
define for these purposes "sex" and "sexual orientation."

The bill would also expand the definition of discrimination under
these provisions to include a perception that a person has any of
these enumerated characteristics or that the person is associated
with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of these
characteristics.

From Equality California

"I'm proud that SB 1441 has earned the distinction of being the first EQCA-sponsored bill to pass the Legislature this year," said Geoff Kors, EQCA executive director. "Once again, California is leading the way in providing the most comprehensive nondiscrimination protections in the country, and for that we thank the tremendous leadership of Senator Kuehl and our many partners in the legislature."

"I am very pleased that my colleagues passed this measure and supported the principle that everyone should have equal access to the programs and services provided by our government," said Senator Kuehl. "With Governor Schwarzenegger's signature, this bill will close an important gap in California's nondiscrimination laws."

Posted by Ace

Beenie Man, one of the most successful Jamaican dancehall reggae artists, recently spoke out claiming "I'm not a homophobe," following a string of protests against him.

From 365gay.com

Beenie Man tells the British newspaper The Independent that he no longer performs his hit tune, Bad Man Chi Chi Man (Bad Man, Queer Man).

The song, however, is still still sold throughout the world and LGBT rights groups say it instructs listeners to kill gays.

"If yuh nuh chi chi (queer) man wave yuh right hand and (NO!!!)/If yuh nuh lesbian wave yuh right hand and (NO!!!)Some bwoy will go a jail fi kill man tun bad man chi chi man!!!." the lyrics say in Jamaican dialect.

And in the US...

From Wikipedia

MTV had plans to include Beenie Man in their roster of performers at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, held in Miami, Florida, but due to adverse publicity, threats of protests and boycotts over the anti-homosexual lyrics in some of his songs, MTV decided to exclude Beenie Man.

Beenie Man isn't the only one who has been blamed for inciting violence against gays in Jamaica. Buju Banton, another reggae artist, had one of his concerts canceled in the UK after protests from the Brighton community.

Posted by Ace

Oh those darn straights proclaiming that gays can change. Some of the organizations advocating 'conversion therapy' include the following methods (no joke): Drinking Gatorade in an effort to make men more masculine, repossessing a client's Calvin Klein underwear because it is deemed "too gay," (sure sounds like sceince to me!), exorcisms, and taking Prozac.

Yeah I'm not joking. They think this "cures" gays. How can there be a cure when there is no illness in the first place? It's absurd. So now the drama...

The American Psychological Association issued a scathing rebuke of the self-proclaimed ex-gay movement today. This admonishment came following a demonstration by members of several organizations that claim homosexuality is a choice that can be cured. (Rumor has it heterosexuality can be cured too... but it's just a rumor.)

A small group of delusional nut jobs representing the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) and Exodus International demonstrated in front of the APA convention in New Orleans Friday.

"While the APA continues to play politics with social issues unrelated to its mission, thousands of current and potential patients are being harmed," said Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International, a national 'ex-gay' organization.

They got one thing right--the "ex-gay" movement's current patients and potential 'patients' ARE being harmed by this senseless and destructive so-called therapy.

"We represent those across the country who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction, desire the help of skilled professionals and are instead, being discriminated against because their personal beliefs do not align with that of the APA."

The protestors demanded that the APA change its current position that it has held since 1974, when the APA ceased listing homosexuality as a mental disorder.

Immediately after the protest the APA issued a statement reaffirming its stand.

"For over three decades the consensus of the mental health community has been that homosexuality is not an illness and therefore not in need of a cure," the statement said.

"The APA's concern about the positions espoused by NARTH and so-called conversion therapy is that they are not supported by the science. There is simply no sufficiently scientifically sound evidence that sexual orientation can be changed. Our further concern is that the positions espoused by NARTH and Focus on the Family create an environment in which prejudice and discrimination can flourish."

The APA statement was hailed by, Truth Wins Out, a group fighting the 'ex-gay' movement and 'conversion therapy':

"Truth Wins Out applauds the APA for taking a strong stand against quack science and not buckling to a transparent PR campaign designed to politically pressure the APA into abandoning reputable and respectable research," said TWO's Executive Director Wayne Besen.

"Conversion therapy is a contrived 'cure' that is nothing more than Scripture cloaked as science and religion masquerading as research."

From 365gay.com

A conservative pastor who is battling Staten Island for ordering the removal of a billboard containing a Biblical condemnation of homosexuality says he is prepared to take the fight all the way to the US Supreme Court.

A three judge federal appeals panel is hearing his appeal of a ruling last November dismissing his case.

The Rev. Kristopher Okwedy says the billboard message is protected under his constitutional right to practice his religion. He is being represented by a lawyer furnished by the American Family Association.

Attorney Stephen Crampton said the case highlights the conflict between gay rights and the right of Christians to publicly quote Bible passages that declare homosexuality a sin.

In 2003 New York billboard company PNE removed the sign bought by Okwedy after Staten Island Borough President Guy Molinari wrote a letter of protest to the company.

Okwedy paid PNE Media about $2,500 to design billboard signs that quoted a passage from Leviticus: "Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind. It is abomination."

Crampton couldn't be more right. How far can conservative Christians go? When do their rights to free speech and religious expression begin to infringe on another person's rights?

Posted by Ace

Ben Westlund is officially out of the race for Oregon Governor. He made the annoucement today at 2pm.

This is the best news I have heard in a very long time. It's not his time. Momentum is now very much on the side of Kulongoski especially since Westlund will endorse Kulongoski.

OregonLive.com has a little bit more here.

-Jenn Stew

Just an idea. Seems like it would fit into their company values... What do you think Troy Hake? Does it work for you?

(click image to enlarge)

I'm just saying.

-Gavin

[Update: Check out the possible new OutsidePride.com website redesign! - click here.]

TJ over at Loaded Orygun has the 'scoop' on an Oregon business that decided to use their customer database to spread 'the seed' of hate. If you haven't figured it out they sell yard and garden products.

The email, from Troy Hake, the CEO of "Outside Pride" (ironic isn't it), started off like this:

"This is not your typical newsletter from Outsidepride.com, Inc. In fact, this is the first one in six years which is not business related."

Completely OK - it's his decision that would directly effect his business. It's just not exactly a standard business practice. He continues to rant about CBS showing two males who happen to be gay. Gay people on TV? Appalling isn't it?!

"The very next show was Without A Trace. The whole last half hour of this show was about two lesbians who were struggling with their feelings of lesbianism. It ended with full acceptance from one father and the two lesbians making out. Yes, they were kissing right at the end of the show on public prime time television."

At which point Mr. Hake had to put a pillow over his lap during the above scene.

So I've seen shows in primetime that show much more than a simple kiss--though with straight people. I've seen simulated sex on a dining room table at 9pm on a Sunday night. Can you believe they show that on the very day I was at church!

Moving on. Mr. Hake says:

"Now, I am NOT trying to bash homosexuals and I am not a bigot; however, I feel homosexuality is morally wrong and should not be "promoted" as what is the norm for society. Text books are being rewritten as I am writing this to "highlight" every homosexual who has made a contribution to society. There are teachers who have been asked to make sure students know that, "This person in history was a homosexual." History is being rewritten to promote homosexuality and prime time television is doing its best to make homosexuality a "normal" behavior. If homosexuality was the norm, civilization would have ceased to exist thousands of years ago. Procreation takes a man and a woman. There was Adam and then there was Eve, not Adam and Steve.

There are literally tens of thousand of you reading this email right now. If you are tired of the way public television is going let CBS know! It will only take about 1 minute of your time. Again, just go to www.cbs.com and click the feedback link at the bottom. It is time the majority speak up and not let the minority run this country. The majority can bring back the Christian heritage this country was founded on because it is, "In God We Trust."

Thank you for your time,

Troy Hake
President
Outsidepride.com, Inc.

TJ at Loaded Orygun had this to say:

Obviously the letter's a fairly standard version of "I'm not a bigot, but here's why I hate gays for being gay" social conservativsm, but there are some curious questions that arise:

Who expects to get a gaybashing email polemic from the guy that sells you fescue? I suppose he knows his customers, and many of them will nod in agreement as they read it, but typically one of the first rules in business is don't be controversial and don't open yourself up to potentially bad publicity. Given that I pulled this from the most popular political website in the world, good luck getting the toothpaste back into the tube on that one.

Note the not-so-clever conflation of opposing same-sex marriage with being repulsed by gay affection or themes, and feeling under seige knowing gay people exist--"I know the vast majority of you will agree with me as all polls indicate."

Two men hugging is perverse, two women kissing an abomination. But apparently for Mr. Hake's kids, violence-themed shows like Cold Case and Without a Trace are just dandy!

If anyone has one of those "Great Fags in History" textbooks he's talking about, please let me know which bookstore carries them. I always wondered if Charlemagne was penetrating more than the Turks' defenses, if you know what I mean.

Why does he want us to complain to CBS about what's on "public television?"

Head on over to Loaded Orygun to read more about it.

The Conservative Agenda now has a Gay Son.

A new movie is coming out and looks to be a good one. Sex. Loyalty. Politics. Choices. Family Values. Scandal. Gay... all rolled into one movie. From the trailer it doesn't look to be one of those poorly produced queer movies. It hits a storyline that is all too familiar in the current climate of our "torn" society.

Actors Matt Newton, Jack Noseworthy and Michael Lerner play the main rolls in the film. Scroll down to view the trailer.

So what's the plot?

Henry Kray is a young and sexually active student in college, fully enjoying his life on his own. However, things are not as convenient for his father, Jack Kray, a legendary right-wing Senator in a tight race for re-election. In a strategic political move, Senator Kray enlists Henry to be the "poster boy" for his campaign, hoping to attract the young vote. Unable to stand up to his father, Henry finds himself in a dilemma since he has yet to come out to his parents as a gay son. Henry's mother offers no refuge, as she has long been quiet and loyal, standing by her husband and his political career. With no one to turn to, Henry finds comfort in a stranger, a new friend named Anthony. But there is more to Anthony than Henry realizes. Anthony is a young activist determined to bring down the Senator and prevent his re-election. When Anthony discovers the truth behind the Senator's "poster boy" gimmick, he seizes the opportunity to expose the hypocrisy by getting close to Henry. However, complicating the situation, Anthony begins to develop a genuine relationship with Henry and is forced to choose loyalties between his cause and his new friend.

Poster Boy is a timely and provocative story set against the explosive intersection of radical right-wing politics and increasing gay visibility. Inspired by the real-life story of lesbian Mary Cheney, daughter of conservative Vice President Dick Cheney, Poster Boy attempts to answer several volatile "what if" questions: What if you were the gay son of a right-wing Senator torn between family loyalty and your own moral compass? What if you were the wife of the Senator, having to choose between standing by your husband or standing by your own moral beliefs on truth, respect, and family? What if you were a gay activist holding a piece of information that would aid your cause but at the same time potentially hurt someone you have developed feelings for?

Poster Boy is that exceptional film in 2006, a film unafraid to examine the stormy cultural wars that define the times in which we live.

Poster Boy Trailer:


Click here to visit the Offical Poster Boy site.

Is this the last season of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? Jai Rodriguez (the culture queer) told AfterElton.com, in an exclusive interview, that they has not been asked back for 2007--no contract yet.

Jai Rodriguez said:

"Well, we haven't been asked back for 2007. Maybe this is how we are going out with a bang. Everyone has big new projects. I'm working on a TV show and a movie in the fall. We just had a tour of the Philippines. We are huge there. Like Michael Jackson in 1983.

Though as it turns out, they will in fact return in 2007 with a brand new season. A Bravo spokesperson contacted AfterElton.com to say that a whole new season of Queer Eye is slated for 2007, and that Queer Eye remains the core of their Tuesday night strategy.

So that's great news. With shows like Queer Eye, Work Out and Project Runway--Bravo is hot hot hot right now. They're doing something right. My TiVo is on overload.

Ann Coulter repeats and attempts to justify her comments about Clinton being "homosexual" then calls Al Gore a "total fag". Pretty disgusting language. OH. And all this said on Chris Matthew's "Hardball". Coulter yet again proves she is completely delusional. Even worse is that MSNBC seems to think that using the word "fag" is completely fine. Would MSNBC put up with Ann Coulter using the equally disgusting and disparaging word "nigger". Host Chris Matthews only perpetuates the conversation with Coulter--it takes an audience member to call her out on her use of the word "fag". Hardball?... my ass.

Ann Coulter is an absolute shame to the human race. By the looks of her--she's increased her coke use.



-Jenn S.