Em nome de Deus?

OPINIÃO
Em nome de Deus?
GILBERTO SCOFIELD JUNIOR

Em sua avaliação anual dos acontecimentos mundiais, o Papa Bento XVI tratou de condenar o que ele chama de "casamento gay", alegando que sua existência é uma "ameaça à criação". O raciocínio embutido nesta tese é tão absurdamente primário que qualquer pessoa com o mínimo de compreensão de mundo e de psicologia jamais perderia tempo tentando debatê-la não fosse por um simples fato: ela não é verdadeira. Gays e lésbicas não querem entrar de terno, véu e grinalda na igreja e receber de padres católicos ou protestantes suas bênçãos diante de Deus. O assunto nunca foi e nunca será da esfera dos conceitos religiosos. Trata-se da discussão de um tema de ordem do direito civil e das garantias individuais, direito que já há muito deveria constar dos nossos códigos civis e cujo lapso transforma gays e lésbicas, em vários países do mundo, em cidadãos de segunda categoria.

O que se prega, aqui e em outros países do planeta, é o direito à união civil, um direito que dará aos parceiros de casais estáveis do mesmo sexo benefícios civis dos quais gozam casais heterossexuais, como o direito aos bens construídos pelo casal no caso de falecimento de um deles, direito de declarar imposto de renda em conjunto, direito de usar a renda do casal para a compra de casa própria, entre outros itens. Céu? Inferno? Purgatório? Não, não. O que preocupa gays e lésbicas do mundo inteiro não é o julgamento de Deus, mas a opressão dos homens, e está no terreno dos vivos, e não dos mortos.

A Igreja Católica possui um histórico no mínimo polêmico em termos de direitos humanos, que exige do Papa e de todos os representantes desta religião uma boa dose de cautela antes de saírem pelo mundo pregando intolerância. A História está repleta de exemplos que vão dos abomináveis tribunais da inquisição até o recente caso da Igreja Católica irlandesa, que se calou diante das 320 queixas de pedofilia envolvendo 60 crianças molestadas em quatro décadas. E o que dizer de Galileu, condenado pela Igreja em 1633 por sua teoria heliocentrista (segundo a qual a Terra gravita em torno do Sol, e não o contrário), também considerada na época "uma ameaça à criação"?

Há os exemplos individuais e, neste caso, me exponho. O sonho de muitos jornalistas é, em algum momento de sua carreira, atuar como correspondente internacional, especialmente em países que são o centro das atenções mundiais, como a China e os EUA, onde passei meus últimos seis anos (quatro e meio na China e pouco mais de um ano nos EUA, onde ainda resido). Agora, vejo meu momento singular na carreira jornalística ser interrompido justamente porque não tenho, aqui ou nos EUA, a proteção da lei de um casal que está há sete anos junto.

Na China, meu parceiro possuía seu visto de trabalho individual. Eu tinha o meu de jornalista estrangeiro. Nos EUA, um país mergulhado numa crise econômica sem fim, meu parceiro tem que entrar com um visto de turista em que está anotado que seu visto se liga ao meu porque somos uma união estável há sete anos. O Consulado Americano no Rio sempre foi extremamente compreensivo e atencioso com a situação, buscando a melhor saída possível para o problema. Mas, como a entrada depende da mente mais ou menos homofóbica do funcionário da imigração americana (as leis de união civil são leis estaduais, e não se aplicam ao processo de imigração dos EUA, que é assunto federal), meu parceiro já foi parar na famosa "salinha de interrogatório da imigração americana" para explicar que ele não estava ali disposto a entrar nos EUA para ilegalmente limpar privadas. Era parte de uma união estável, união esta que não possui o amparo da lei porque não há visto de cônjuge para parceiros de mesmo sexo. Nos EUA ou no Brasil, diga-se de passagem.

O resultado é que estou voltando ao Brasil porque não quero que meu parceiro se arrisque a estes momentos de humilhação desnecessária. Momentos de humilhação que só se tornam piores à medida em que o representante maior da Igreja Católica me chama de "ameaça à criação". Isso num mundo onde as ameaças à criação de verdade andam com explosivos colados ao corpo ou sequestram aviões e os jogam sobre arranha-céus. Tudo em nome de Deus, curiosamente. Há algo estranhamente fora do contexto nisto tudo ou são apenas divagações de uma "ameaça à criação" ambulante?

GILBERTO SCOFIELD JUNIOR é jornalista.

Play it Loud...

from JMG: No Prop 8 Clips For Internet

Perry vs. Schwarzenegger Judge Vaughn Walker has abandoned his plan to post clips of the trial on YouTube. And now the cowardly bigots on the other side want all the video of the trial destroyed.

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker said Thursday he's withdrawing his application to have the landmark case video-recorded under a pilot program approved last month by the governing body for federal courts in the West. Walker says he doesn't want the issue to distract from the trial itself. He made the announcement a day after the U.S. Supreme Court indefinitely blocked his plan to record the trial so it could be transmitted to other federal courthouses. Walker rejected a defense lawyer's request to destroy any videotapes produced during the first days of the trials He says he wants the option to review them first.

Jump here to read the rest on JMG

From JMG: Petula Clark "I couldn't live without your love"

Pat Robertson's Racist Blaming of Haitian Victims; and the Televangelist Misuse of History

h/t Daily Kos: Evangelist Pat Robertson manages to blame Haitians for the earthquake, instead of a shift in tectonic plates:

And you know Christy, something happened a long time ago in Haiti and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French, uh you know Napoleon the third and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said we will serve you if you'll get us free from the French. True Story, and so the Devil said OK it's a deal. And they kicked the French out. You know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since they've been cursed by one thing after the other desperately poor. That island is Hispaniola is one island. It's cut down the middle. On one side is Haiti on the other side is the Dominican republic. Dominican Republic is prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, etc.. Haiti is in desperate poverty. Same island.

read the rest of the discussion on Informed Comment

This is the Sound of Hatred

Rachel Maddow

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908#34833785

Prop 8 Trial Tracker

Follow the Courage Campaign's Rick Jacobs live blogging from the Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial. He's typing as people speak and it can be a bit confusing, but Jacobs is doing a great job getting the gist of what everybody is saying. You'll need to refresh to see the updates. Bookmark the site for the remainder of the trial.

also: http://seminal.firedoglake.com/

Thanks to JMG for this

Today In San Francisco

JMG:

"Shouldn't there be safeguards against the majority voting on the rights of a minority? If people voted on civil rights in the 60s, it would have never happened. It took somebody like [President] Lyndon Johnson going, 'F all of you! I'm going to do this.' Obama won't do it. He's a huge disappointment to me." - GLEE star Jane Lynch, speaking to the UK's Guardian.

courtesy of JMG

Bil Browning sent a message to the members of The Bilerico Project.

Subject: Weekly Reader: Teabaggers, Sherlock Holmes, & a Catholic Rebel

The first week back after the holidays is always the hardest, isn't it? Everyone is struggling to get back into the swing of things at school, work, or around the house as we clean up after hosting a bazillion family members. On TBP, we kept plugging along to bring you our award-winning posts like these:

Sunday
Should We Scrap the Word "Transgender"?
Filed by: Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/is_it_unfair_to_define_the_transgender_community_t.php

Saxx Apparel - it's a romper room for your boys
Filed by: Nathan Strang
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/saxx_apparel_its_a_romper_room_for_your_boys.php

Monday
How a transgender prisoner gets tougher punishment because of her gender identity
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/how_a_transgender_prisoner_gets_tougher_punishment.php


Crazy tea baggers and liberal blogger friends
Filed by: Jerame Davis
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/crazy_tea_baggers_and_liberal_blogger_friends.php

Tuesday
Sherlock Holmes sequel in jeopardy after Downey's gay comment
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/sherlock_holmes_sequel_in_jeopardy_after_downeys_g.php


Marriage equality safe in Iowa until at least 2014
Filed by: Joe Mirabella
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/marriage_equality_safe_in_iowa_until_at_least_2014.php

Wednesday
Description, Affinity, Politics, and Identity
Filed by: Antonia D'orsay
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/description_affinity_politics_and_identity.php

Scott Lively doesn't want you to think he hates you
Filed by: Phil Reese
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/scott_lively_doesnt_want_you_to_think_he_hates_you.php

Thursday
Ridicule, the federal jobs site, and an ENDA prescription
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/ridicule_the_federal_jobs_site_and_an_enda_prescri.php

16 Years Old And Already A Catholic Rebel
Filed by: Father Tony
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/in_which_i_turn_a_16_year_old_into_a_rebel_catholi.php

Friday
What are the best ways to show interest in someone?
Filed by: Michele O'Mara
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/what_are_the_best_ways_to_show_interest_in_someone.php

Death of Denise King is a Call to Our Community
Filed by: Michael Emanuel Rajner
http://www.facebook.com/l/f6caa;www.bilerico.com/2010/01/death_of_denise_king_is_a_call_to_our_community.php


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Jewish Group Sets Up "Urgent Fund" To Support LGBT Ugandans

The American Jewish World Service has created a fund to help grassroots LGBT groups in Uganda. Fantastic.

Jump here to read the rest of the article on JMG

Outrage

And now for something completely different....

From JMG: #teapartypickuplines

From last night's favorite trending topic on Twitter...

• Hey baby, only my government is small.
• I wanna whisper sweet anti-immigrant, homophobic, racist, xenophobic nothings into your ear.
• How about you and me go have sex - lights out, missionary position, for the sole purpose of reproduction?
• I wanna unravel your conspiracy so my revolution can erupt all over you.
• The real reason I'm against tax increases? So I can spend all my money on you, girl.
• You're hotter than the burning cross I put in my black neighbor's front lawn.
• Is that a Glenn Beck bobblehead in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
• On the border I'm a Minuteman, but in the bedroom I'm alllll night.
• Lets go back to my place and declare independence from our clothes.
• Wanna see my paintings of an eagle crying over the New York skyline on 9/11?

Thanksfor JMG for this

From JMG: Was The Prop 8 Vote Count Corrupted?

The Electronic Defense Alliance has published a lengthy analysis comparing exit polls and the actual Prop 8 vote count in Los Angeles County, concluding that the results discrepancy "cannot be explained away by demographics or polling factors."

Although this exit poll analysis cannot provide conclusive proof of election fraud (because such proof would require access to memory cards and computer code accorded proprietary exemption from public examination) it does provide the strongest indirect proof available that election results have almost certainly been altered by manipulation of the computerized voting systems. Deviations between exit polls and official results far outside margins of error, cannot be explained away by demographics or polling factors. The facts established in these reports cannot responsibly be dismissed or evaded. Election Defense Alliance calls on legislators, secretaries of state, attorneys general, the voting public, and especially candidates in upcoming elections, to read these reports and seriously confront their implications.

Their report is here. (PDF)

(Tipped by JMG reader Sean Chapin)

lifted from JMG

From JMG: Was The Prop 8 Vote Count Corrupted?

The Electronic Defense Alliance has published a lengthy analysis comparing exit polls and the actual Prop 8 vote count in Los Angeles County, concluding that the results discrepancy "cannot be explained away by demographics or polling factors."

Although this exit poll analysis cannot provide conclusive proof of election fraud (because such proof would require access to memory cards and computer code accorded proprietary exemption from public examination) it does provide the strongest indirect proof available that election results have almost certainly been altered by manipulation of the computerized voting systems. Deviations between exit polls and official results far outside margins of error, cannot be explained away by demographics or polling factors. The facts established in these reports cannot responsibly be dismissed or evaded. Election Defense Alliance calls on legislators, secretaries of state, attorneys general, the voting public, and especially candidates in upcoming elections, to read these reports and seriously confront their implications.

Their report is here. (PDF)

(Tipped by JMG reader Sean Chapin)

lifted from JMG

Sign Up Now: Petition Campaign To Televise Olson/Boies Prop 8 Trial

The Courage Campaign urges you to sign the petition urging the televising of the Olson/Boies Prop 8 trial. The presiding judge on the case is inviting public commentary prior to the decision.

The landmark federal lawsuit challenging Prop 8, Perry v. Schwarzenegger (also known as the Olson/Boies case) is about to go to trial starting Monday, January 11. The presiding judge, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker, is holding a hearing on whether the a pool television camera should be allowed to film the trial, given the unprecedented interest in the proceedings. Judge Walker is encouraging the public to submit comments on the issue, and set a deadline of Friday to receive comments. This is your one chance to urge Judge Walker to do the right thing in the name of equality, transparency and accountability. Join the Courage Campaign Institute and CREDO Action and sign this letter to Judge Walker. Optional: Please add your own personal comments. We will personally hand-deliver your comments. DEADLINE: Friday 9 AM.

Sign the petition now or write the Court directly yourself. Here's a PDF from the Court describing how the televising would work, if approved. Focus On The Family is circulating a petition of their own demanding that Prop 8 witnesses be protected from a "violent backlash" of homosexual activists. From the wingnut Washington Times:

Attorneys for Proposition 8 backers said television coverage would expose their witnesses to further harassment and intimidation. Backers of Proposition 8 were targeted for harassment in the months after the initiative's passage in November 2008. Some donors received threatening e-mails, letters and phone calls, while churches and businesses were singled out for boycotts and protests. Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage, which campaigned for Proposition 8 but isn't a party to the case, said he is worried about the safety of witnesses, who could include contributors, campaign staff and volunteers. "The question is really whether Judge Walker can put people on the stand where they can be threatened," said Mr. Brown. "It's a question of people's safety."

From JMG: HomoQuotable - Simon Doonan

"The irony of Tinselgate is fairly breathtaking: A person donates his time and expertise—for free!—thereby saving taxpayer money. That same person then uses his ingenuity—incorporating the creativity of kids and needy folk and reusing tchotchkes from previous administrations, thereby saving even more dosh—and ends up on the receiving end of a torrent of threats and physical abuse from his fellow Americans.

"And so to you, Mr. Breitbart. Now that the dust has settled and the homicidal emails have slowed to a trickle, I realize that I owe you a debt of gratitude. By dropping the First Elf in the poop, you have unwittingly provided me with a searing insight into the pathetic and disastrous state of our comment-obsessed culture. Thanks to you, I see now that there are two kinds of people in the world: In the first group, we have those who “do,” and in the second group, we have those who sit at their computers on their ever-widening asses blogging, platforming and commenting on the not-always-perfect efforts of the first group. Tinselgate has renewed my commitment to keep my tight ass fairly and squarely plonked in that first group." Designer Simon Doonan, responding to Andrew Breitbart over the wingnut flap regarding Doonan's holiday decorations in the White House.

courtesy of JMG