Via JMG: TENNESSEE: Lesbian Couple's Home Torched, Homophobic Neighbor Suspected

A lesbian couple in rural Tennessee returned from a trip to Nashville to find their home burned to the ground and the word "QUEERS" spray-painted on their garage.

The couple feels they're victims of a hate crime, and were targeted because they're gay. They've been together for more than 15 years. Carol Stutte has an adult daughter from a previous relationship who also lived with them. At the time of the fire, they were in Nashville celebrating their fifth anniversary in Tennessee. "My daughter was supposed to be here. She was sick," Carol Stutte said. "I was grateful my baby girl didn't get killed in this fire. She would have been trapped in the basement." The couple moved to Vonore from Oklahoma. Carol Stutte says her partner is too afraid to come back to the property since the fire. She says they've been harassed all five years they've lived there by one neighbor. She also says recently the neighbor threatened to kill them and burn down their house," Stutte said. "I knew we had been threatened, but we never thought anything would be followed through."

The local police and the state arson squad are investigating the fire as a possible hate crime. PFLAG has sent out a call for donations of cash and household items for the women. The Tennessee Valley Unitarian Church is also taking donations.

Labels: hate crimes, PFLAG, Tennessee

reposted from Joe

Today's Email pass a long:

Did you know that the words "race car" spelled backwards still spells race car? 

And that "eat" is the only word that, if you take the 1st letter and move it to the last, spells its past tense -- ate.

And if you rearrange the letters in "Tea Party Republicans", and add just a few more letters, it spells: "Shut-up, you free-loading, progress-blocking, benefit-grabbing, homophobic, resource-sucking, racist, hypocritical jerks, and face the fact that you nearly capsized the country under Bush."

How weird is that? :-)

Too Gay for TV?

Rachel Maddow- ODonnell further embarrasses herself with cheap gay baiting

SUICIDE: WE GIVE A DAMN

Via JMG: White House Responds To DADT Ruling

Towleroad has received the below statement from White House spokesman Shin Inouye.

"The Justice Department is studying the decision, including the question of its scope and immediate effect and we expect them to announce their next steps after that review is completed. The President remains committed to legislative repeal of DADT, and he will continue to work with lawmakers to achieve that goal this fall. And he will continue to work closely with Secretary Gates, Admiral Mullen, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on an ongoing study of how to best implement the repeal."

Labels: Barack Obama, DADT, Towleroad, White House

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Shannon Minter Explains DADT Ruling

"Judge Phillips has not yet entered the judgment. She asked the plaintiffs to submit a proposed order including a permanent injunction by September 16. When she enters the judgment, she can either permit it to take effect immediately, stay it while the decision is on appeal, or temporarily stay it to give the Ninth Circuit an opportunity to rule on whether her decision should be stayed during the appeal. Because this is a facial challenge, not just an as-applied challenge, if the decision is upheld on appeal, it will apply to the whole country and will be the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell." - National Center for Lesbian Rights attorney Shannon Minter.

Labels: DADT, military, NCLR, Shannon Minter

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: CALIFORNIA: Federal Judge In Log Cabin Case Rules DADT To Be Unconstitutional

A federal judge in Riverside, California has ruled DADT to be a violation of the First Amendment rights of gay and lesbian soldiers. The ruling arose from a challenge filed by the Log Cabin Republicans.

U.S. District Court Judge Virginia A. Phillips said the policy banning gays did not preserve military readiness, contrary to what many supporters have argued, saying evidence shows that the policy in fact had a “direct and deleterious effect’’ on the military. Phillips said she would issue an injunction barring the government from enforcing the policy. However, the U.S. Department of Justice, which defended “don’t ask, don’t tell” during a two-week trial in Riverside, will have an opportunity to appeal that decision.

Log Cabin Republicans head R. Clarke Cooper reacts: "As an American, a veteran and an Army reserve officer, I am proud the court ruled that the arcane ‘don't ask, don't tell’ statute violates the Constitution,” said R.Clarke Cooper, executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans & Liberty Education Fund. “Today, the ruling is not just a win for Log Cabin Republican service members, but all American service members."

VIDEO: Rachel Maddow covers today's ruling.



As noted above, the federal government may appeal the decision. It is unclear what the status of DADT may be in the meantime. The Department of Justice has until September 23rd to submit objections to the judge's injunction.

Servicemembers United note that their executive director is the sole "injured party" named in the Log Cabin Republicans' suit.

"This is an historic moment and an historic ruling for the gay military community and for the readiness and integrity of our Armed Forces" said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and a former multi-lingual U.S. Army interrogator who was discharaged under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' "As the only named injured party in this case, I am exceedingly proud to have been able to represent all who have been impacted and had their lives ruined by this blatantly unconstitutional policy. We are finally on our way to vindication."

VIDEO: Anderson Cooper covers the ruling.



More on this tonight as it develops. Here is the court's ruling.

DADT -- US District, virginia phillips     
DADT -- US District, virginia phillips

Labels: California, DADT, Log Cabin Republicans, military

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG; DADT Ruling Reactions

Human Rights Campaign

“Today a federal judge affirmed what the vast majority of the American people know to be true – that it’s time for the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law to be sent to the dustbin of history. With this legal victory in hand, Congress is right now in a perfect position to strengthen our national security by ending a law that has discharged thousands of capable service members. With House passage already secured, the Senate can and should vote in the next few weeks to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and allow every qualified man and woman the chance to serve with honor.”

American Foundation for Equal Rights

"Today's court decision declaring "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" unconstitutional is yet another significant and long-overdue step toward full equality for all Americans. Along with the recent federal court decisions on DOMA and Proposition 8, it is clear that our nation is moving toward the day when every American will be treated equally under the law, as is required by our Constitution."

Stonewall Democrats

“Today’s Federal court decision calling the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy unconstitutional on grounds that it violates gay military members' rights to free speech, due process and open association is another nail in the coffin of the policy.” Mitchell continued, “We’re glad that the Federal court agrees with President Obama’s position: that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell needs to come to an end. Our Senators need to hear from their constituents demanding repeal. We also call on Senate Republicans to rise above the obstructionism they’ve been playing at for months and let a vote happen on what the vast majority of Americans want: repeal of DADT.”

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

“We’re pleased by the judge's decision, but this decision is likely to be appealed and will linger for years. Congress made the DADT law 17 years ago and Congress should repeal it. The Senate will have the opportunity to do just that this month and most Americans think the Senate should seize it.”

Labels: AFER, DADT, HRC, Log Cabin Republicans, SLDN, Stonewall Democrats

reposted from Joe

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Law Ruled Unconstitutional by Federal Judge

SU Exec. Dir. is Sole Named Injured Party in Case Brought by Log Cabin in 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

09/09/2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans, proudly hailed today's announcement that U.S. District Court Judge Virginia A. Phillips has ruled that the 17-year old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law is unconstitutional. Judge Phillips also indicated that she will issue a permanent injunction barring the Department of Defense from carrying out further discharges. 

"This is an historic moment and an historic ruling for the gay military community and for the readiness and integrity of our Armed Forces" said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and a former multi-lingual U.S. Army interrogator who was discharaged under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' "As the only named injured party in this case, I am exceedingly proud to have been able to represent all who have been impacted and had their lives ruined by this blatantly unconstitutional policy. We are finally on our way to vindication."

The case through which the law was struck down, Log Cabin Republicans vs. U.S.A., was originally filed in 2004 by the gay Republican organization Log Cabin Republicans. Servicemembers United's Executive Director, J. Alexander Nicholson, is the sole named injured party in the lawsuit.

The full 85-page ruling from Judge Phillilps can be found at:

www.ServicemembersUnited.org/lawsuit

Via JMG: CALIFORNIA: Supreme Court Refuses Bid To Force Prop 8 Defense

The California Supreme Court has refused to force the state government to defend Proposition 8.

The state officials' decision not to argue in support of Proposition 8 has raised questions about whether anyone is legally qualified to defend it in court. The Pacific Justice Institute filed suit last week, arguing that the California Constitution requires Brown to defend the state's laws. A state appeals court dismissed the suit without a hearing, and the state's high court denied review Wednesday without comment. It will now be up to a federal appeals court, and possibly the U.S. Supreme Court, to decide whether Prop. 8's sponsors have legal standing - the right to represent the state's interests in defending one of its laws. Attorney Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, said the court order was disappointing. "People on the left and right should both be mourning the fact that the attorney general and the governor are reneging on their oaths of office," Dacus said, arguing that the officials have a sworn duty to defend all state laws.

Whether you like it or not!

Labels: California, LGBT rights, Pacific Justice Institute, Proposition 8

reposted from Joe

Via Jmg: Meghan McCain Appear On Maddow

"It's OK to be a moderate Republican." Great interview.

Labels: 2010 elections, GOP, Meghan McCain, Rachel Maddow

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: BREAKING: GetEQUAL To Close Down Castro & Market In ENDA Protest

GetEQUAL plans to close down the intersection of Castro and Market streets in San Francisco this afternoon in a protest over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's inaction on ENDA. The group similarly shut down the Las Vegas strip in August during Netroots Nation. Today's action is scheduled for 5pm local time. Via press release:

"We pay taxes, contribute to the economy, and create American-paid jobs that provide products and services world-wide. Yet we continue to be treated unequal and Speaker Pelosi has the power to bring us one step closer to being fully-protected American citizens - and workers," said Dan Fotou, a California GetEQUAL supporter and participant in today's rally. "As Speaker Pelosi and other members of Congress are out campaigning to keep their jobs, they should know we have every intent of continuing our campaign to keep our jobs, too. Speaker Pelosi has said that 'our impatience is justified' - but what isn't justified is the unfulfilled promises she continues to make to the LGBT community. It's time for Speaker Pelosi to do the right thing and schedule an immediate vote on ENDA."

"GetEQUAL has promised that, as long as people's lives and livelihoods are at stake, we will not stop standing up for those LGBT workers in dozens of states across this country without a voice, without any job security," said Heather Cronk, managing director of GetEQUAL. "With the launch of our 'ENDA Summer' campaign, we told politicians that while they are back home campaigning to save their jobs, we intend on reminding them that their employment isn't the only one on the line. Millions of LGBT workers punch a clock every single day unsure if today's timecard could turn into tomorrow's discriminatory pink slip. The time to pass ENDA is now."

Another protest is underway at this writing in the offices of Rep. Chris Carney (D) in Pennsylvania. Zach Ford has more and photos of the sit-in.

Labels: activism, Castro Street Fair, ENDA, GetEQUAL, San Francisco

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Tweet Of The Day - Andy Borowitz

Labels: bimbos, illiteracy, Sarah Palin, Tweet Of The Day

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Three Dollar Bills & Harvey Milk

The bizarre Prince Poppycock advanced last night on America's Got Talent in an over the top patriotic display that included the photos of Harvey Milk and Poppycock's face on three dollar bills.

(Via - Towleroad)

Labels: America's Got Talent, television, WTF

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: CANADA: Website Fights Tax Exempt Status Of Exodus International

The website Slap Upside The Head says that the "ex-gay" group Exodus International, which recently lost its tax exempt status in New Zealand, does not deserve that status in Canada either.

All registered charities operating in Canada must provide what the Canada Revenue Agency calls a “public benefit.” This is a long legal definition that I can’t claim to fully understand, but, of particular note, a charitity’s activities must be “regarded as valuable by the common understanding of enlightened opinion,” and such value “must be weighed against any harm that may arise from the proposed activity and a net benefit must result.” Since homosexuality is not a recognised disorder by any respected medical organisation, it’s questionable as to what benefit could come out of trying to treat it as one. Moreoever, the consensus in the medical community is that all attempts to treat homosexuality as a disorder may cause serious psychological harm. With no clear benefit, and demonstrable harm from Exodus’ actions, I think there’s a strong case to argue that Exodus’ activities do not meet Canada’s criteria for charitable status.

If you are a Canadian citizen, please consider visiting the site's action page, which includes email addresses and phone numbers for the compliance department of Canada's Revenue Agency. This movement is in its early stages and the site's authors are seeking legal and medical experts willing to testify that the "ex-gay" movement is doing real demonstrable harm to the citizens of Canada.

Labels: "ex-gay", activism, Canada, Exodus International, good work, religion

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: MONTANA: Tea Party Head Fired After Facebook Joke About Killing Gays

Montana Tea Party president Tim Ravndal has been fired after making Facebook jokes about the murder of Matthew Shepard in a posting denouncing same-sex marriage and the ACLU. Ravndal's Facebook friend: "I think fruits are decorative. Hang up where they can be seen and appreciated. Call Wyoming for display instructions.” Ravndal responded: "Where can I get that Wyoming printed instruction manual?" The Montana Tea Party issued this statement announcing Ravndal's firing:

We are extremely disappointed by Mr. Ravndal’s commentary. The discussion in that Facebook conversation is entirely outside the position of the Big Sky Tea Party. Even though Mr. Ravndal was having a personal conversation and made no reference to our group, we felt strongly that swift and decisive action was required as we cannot accept that sort of behavior from within our membership, let alone from an officer of the corporation.

Labels: assholery, hate speech, Matthew Shepard, Montana, Tea Party

reposted from Joe

Ex-Gay Therapy Doesn't Work, I Tried It