Sunday, January 23, 2011

Via JMG: HomoQuotable- Dan Savage


"I’m not an idiot: Now that the Republicans hold the House, only wishful thinkers and the deeply delusional expect to see any movement on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legislative agenda this year or next. Nevertheless, President Obama should address gay rights in his State of the Union speech this week, and he should tackle the biggest, most meaningful right of them all: the right to marry. [snip]

"He can assure the lawmakers that, yes, there’s something in it for Americans who disapprove of homosexuality too. Social conservatives long to raise their children in a country where they don’t have to hear about homosexuality every time they turn on the news. I’d like raise my son in a country like that too. And guess what? In countries like Canada — where the fight over gay rights is essentially over, where there is gay marriage, open military service and employment protections — homosexuality hardly ever makes the front pages of newspapers. There’s nothing much to report. Conservatives can’t get rid of us, but they can hear less from and about us. They just have to bend toward justice." - Dan Savage, in an editorial in today's New York Times.


reposted from Joe

Dan Savage NYT op ed calls on Obama to endorse marriage in the SOTU

A snippet:
I’m not an idiot: Now that the Republicans hold the House, only wishful thinkers and the deeply delusional expect to see any movement on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legislative agenda this year or next. Nevertheless, President Obama should address gay rights in his State of the Union speech this week, and he should tackle the biggest, most meaningful right of them all: the right to marry.
The community is quickly propelling towards marriage, while politicians keep convincing themselves that if they just move forward on enough of everything else short of marriage, the community will be mollified. It clearly won't. Whether the Democrats like it or not, the gay community has its eyes set on marriage, and Democrats had better too. 

Friday, January 21, 2011

Vua JMG: HomoQuotable - Elton John


"I think I have it all. I have a wonderful career, a wonderful life. I have my health, I have a partner of 17 years, and now I have a son. I don't have everything because I don't have the respect of people like the church or like politicians who tell me that I'm not worthy, that I'm lesser because I'm gay, well FUCK YOU!" - Elton John, speaking after performing at an AFER fundraiser in Los Angeles. The event raised $3M for the overturn of Proposition 8.
posted by Joe

Via JMG: DADT Cost $200M Since 2005


According to a just-released report from the federal Government Accountability Office, in the last five years almost $200M was spent on ejecting gay troops. Most of that money went to training replacements.
That means the average expulsion under DADT cost taxpayers $52,800, partly because a significant number of those discharged held a "critical occupation or important language skill," the GAO reported. At least "1,442 (39 percent) of the servicemembers separated under the policy held critical occupations, such as infantryman and security forces, while 23 (less than 1 percent) of the servicemembers held skills in an important foreign language, such as Arabic or Spanish," the report reads. "Seven separated servicemembers held both a critical occupation and an important foreign language skill."


reposted from Joe

Via JMG: This Is Jim


(Source)


reposted from Joe

PhoboQuotable - Andrew Breitbart


"I am not endorsing gay marriage, I'm not endorsing Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I will be the harshest critic of the activist gay left, who I fear more than al-Qaida. But for these people not to exist in a two-party system, for you to tell them they're not welcome in the big tent, I have a huge problem with that and I'm going to indulge in my all '80s Depeche Mode, Cure, New Order fetish and we're going to have a big 'ol gay party at CPAC." - Wingnut commentator Andrew Breitbart, announcing that he has joined GOProud's board of directors.

That's right, folks, GOProud has hired a guy who says that gay activists are worse than the terrorists who brought down the World Trade Center. You can't make it up. Soon to join GOProud: Bryan Fischer, Tony Perkins, Peter LaBarbera.


reposted from Joe

Via JMG: HomoQuotable - Michael Musto


"Calvin, darling, you're embarrassing yourself. What's worse, you're embarrassing the whole community. You were never really that much of a gay hero in the first place. Remember when you suddenly had a wife because, as AIDS made it uncool to be gay, you took the wussy way out and closeted yourself so you could sell more T shirts and perfume? That was a hideous approach and I screamed my lungs out about it--but it was better than now! Now you've hooked up with that almost-21-year-old ex-porn star, Nick Gruber, and you're fawning over him as if this were real love and not a massive late-life crisis being acted out for the horrified masses. It's not going to work!" - Michael Musto, dishing Calvin Klein for the invitation to Gruber's birthday party, which describes the event at "the hottest ticket for New York's gay and fashion elite!"


reposted from Joe

Via JMG: HUD Proposes Regulations Banning Housing Discrimination Against Gays


From the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which notes that a 2007 study showed that 30% of same-sex couples in Michigan faced discrimination when attempting to rent or buy a home.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today proposed new regulations intended to ensure that its core housing programs are open to all eligible persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. View the proposed rule announced today. “This is a fundamental issue of fairness,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “We have a responsibility to make certain that public programs are open to all Americans. With this proposed rule, we will make clear that a person’s eligibility for federal housing programs is, and should be, based on their need and not on their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

HUD is seeking public comment on a number of proposed areas including: Prohibiting lenders from using sexual orientation or gender identity as a basis to determine a borrower’s eligibility for FHA-insured mortgage financing. FHA’s current regulations provide that a mortgage lender’s determination of the adequacy of a borrower’s income “shall be made in a uniform manner without regard to” specified prohibited grounds. The proposed rule would add actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity to the prohibited grounds to ensure FHA-approved lenders do not deny or otherwise alter the terms of mortgages on the basis of irrelevant criteria.
HUD is also launching the first-ever national study of housing discrimination against LGBT Americans. On Monday HUD begins accepting public comments on the proposed law. I'll post a reminder, you know the haters will be ALL over it.

(Tipped by JMG reader Anita)
reposted from Joe

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Celebs Weigh in on Gay Marriage

MSNBC - Hospitals Must Allow Visits For Same-Sex Partners

ViaJMG: IGLHRC Issues Statement On Iran


The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission has issued a statement on yesterday's story about the possible execution by stoning of two young men in Iran for having gay sex. At IGLHRC's request, I pulled my first post on the story while they investigated. Via email:
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has received reports of the imminent execution of two men in Piranshahr, Iran. By some media accounts, Ayub and Mosleh have been sentenced to death for raping a young man, filming their actions, and inserting images of President Ahmadinejad into the film. There have been reports that the men are scheduled to be killed by stoning on January 21. IGLHRC has been unable to confirm the allegations in this case.

This case is evidence, however, of much bigger problems in Iran: widespread abuse in the justice system and censorship of information. People, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender may be arbitrarily arrested, tortured, and convicted on baseless charges. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to know the facts that lie behind convictions.

IGLHRC condemns the use of capital punishment in all instances, including this one, regardless of the alleged acts with which the individuals have been accused or convicted. Likewise, IGLHRC condemns all forms of sexual violence and rape. We call on the Government of Iran to immediately annul any execution order related to this case, to end the practice of death by stoning, and to repeal the criminalization of same-sex activity.

"Iran has an impenetrable and opaque criminal justice system that makes knowing what is really happening inside the country impossible," said Hossein Alizadeh, Regional Coordinator for IGLHRC's Middle East and North Africa Program. "What we do know is that killing is wrong in all its forms, even when committed by the State."
I will update you at once when further information is available.


reposted from Joe

22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards Nominees Announced

Via JMG: SAN FRANCISCO: Federal Judge Signals Intent To Overturn Portion Of DOMA


A federal judge in California has ruled that state employees may sue the federal government for excluding their partners from a long-term health care program.
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken of Oakland denied an Obama administration request to dismiss the suit Tuesday and signaled that she is likely to overturn provisions of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples. But Wilken said the 1996 law actually changed the status quo by "robbing states of the power to allow same-sex civil marriages that will be recognized under federal law." She also rejected arguments that the law's sponsors put forth in 1996, that the legislation was necessary to promote procreation and preserve heterosexual marriage. The couples sued in April over the California Public Employees' Retirement System's refusal to enroll the spouses in a federally approved long-term care plan. State employees can buy coverage at below-market rates, use pretax dollars to pay premiums, and deduct future benefits from their taxes. The California agency has refused to sign up same-sex spouses because the Defense of Marriage Act denies federal tax benefits to any state that covers them.

reposted from Joe

THE BALLAD OF SARAH PALIN by LADY BUNNY

Via JMG: This Week In Entertainment Weekly


Entertainment Weekly on this week's cover:
Gay teens are suddenly popping up in major roles all over television, with Glee’s popular pairing of Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss) leading the way. How did gay teens go from marginalized outcasts and goofy sidekicks to some of the highest profile — and most beloved — characters on the likes of 90210, Pretty Little Liars, and Skins? And more importantly, how is this affecting real-life teens still facing the daily high-school realities of bullying, discrimination, and ignorance? The new issue of Entertainment Weekly investigates the history of gay teens on TV — from the angsty Rickie on My So-Called Life to sensitive-soul Jack on Dawson’s Creek to the slew of groundbreaking characters on Degrassi. We talk to the producers who fought for such progress, the actors who held the career-defining roles, and the activists who cheer recent advances — but are still pushing for more.

reposted from Joe

Via Andrei: Será que dessa vez vai?

quarta-feira, 19 de janeiro de 2011

Casamento gay será aprovado em fevereiro. E é no Brasil. Dilma apóia. Entenda o caso e compre sua aliança

19/01/2011 - 12h24
Por : Marcelo Cia 
Mix Brasil
Casamento entre pessoas do mesmo sexo tem tudo para ser arpovado no Brasil em fevereiro. 

De forma discreta, quase silenciosa, tramita no Supremo Tribunal Federal, o órgão máximo do poder judiciário brasileiro, um processo movido pelo governador do Rio de Janeiro Sergio Cabral que pede mudanças na lei do casamento para que homossexuais também possam se casar judicialmente. O pedido do governador foi feito em 2008 e é simples: ele pede que os funcionários homossexuais do Estado do Rio possam se casar para que se equipare direitos dados a casais heterossexuais (pensão, previdência, auxílio moradia, financiamentos especiais...). Ao propor tal processo, Sergio Cabral sabia que caso o Supremo aprovasse seu pedido, automaticamente TODOS os brasileiros gozariam da decisão, já que decisões do Supremo são válidas para todo território nacional sem possibilidade de recurso. O pedido está em fase final de conclusão e será votado em plenário no mês de fevereiro. E, melhor de tudo, a chance de ele ser aprovado é praticamente certa.

Tudo muito bem explicadinho

O relator do processo é o ministro Carlos Ayres Britto. Ele está finalizando seu parecer, que terá 32 páginas, sobre o assunto, em suas férias. Na real, o Ministro Carlos está usando o silêncio de suas férias para cuidar especificamente deste processo, porque, claro, é favorável a ele. Seu parecer será apresentado aos outros ministros do Supremo em fevereiro próximo, assim que as férias da Corte terminar. O parecer do Ministro será FAVORÁVEL ao casamento gay. É esta informação que corre nos corredores do Supremo. Se essa informação se confirmar, no texto que o ministro redige atualmente ele expõe os motivos pelos quais acredita que o casamento gay deve ser permitido no Brasil. O texto também norteia o votos de outros ministros. É como se Carlos Ayres Britto fosse defensor do SIM, um advogado de defesa do casamento gay na mais alta corte do país.

É o voto dos outros ministros que decidirá se o casamento passará a ser permitido ou não no país _o voto do Ministro Carlos vale tanto quanto cada um dos outros votantes. Ok, mas vários dos outros dez ministros do Supremo já se posicionaram a favor da matérias em outras ocasiões, como a Minsitra Ellen Grace. Além disso, o próprio Ministro Carlos Ayres Britto, conhecido por sua discrição, deixou sub-entendido que o casamento tem grandes chances de ser aprovado no Supremo, já que em decisões recentes e isoladas, o Tribunal sinalizou ser favorável à causa. "É um caso em que não tenho prognóstico. Quem sabe teremos uma bela surpresa?”, disse Carlos dias atrás.

É práxis entre os Ministros não darem entrevistas sobre assuntos ainda não votados, como é o caso. O que Carlos diz com essa frase faz alusão a dezenas de Tribunais regionais de primeira e segunda instância espalhados pelo país que já permitiram que homossexuais se casassem. Há decisões do tipo em praticamente todos os estados do Brasil, em especial nos estados do Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo e Mato Grosso do Sul. Essas decisões todas são levadas em conta na decisão dos Ministros do Supremo.

Carlos Ayres Britto disse ainda que “se a tese _do casamento gay_ for consagrada, pega todo mundo”, isso significa que caso o STF julgue procedente o pedido do governador do Rio de Janeiro, eu, você e todos nós poderemos nos casar.
Dilma a favor

Nos bastidores do Supremo a aposta é que a maioria dos ministros siga esse entendimento. E tem mais: o Planalto da Presidenta Dilma deu um jeitinho de mostrar-se favorável ao tema: a Advocacia Geral da União, que é montada pela presidenta, encaminhou parecer ao STF defendendo a posição do governo FAVORÁVEL ao reconhecimento da união entre pessoas do mesmo sexo. O texto oficial enviado pelo Planalto do governo Dilma aos Ministros lembra que a Constituição protege a dignidade da pessoa humana, a privacidade, a intimidade, e proíbe qualquer forma de discriminação.

Isso significa que o governo Dilma é a favor do SIM do Ministro Carlos Ayres e dos demais Ministros? Sim, significa. Essa opinião é levada em conta na decisão final? Sim, claro. Quem nomeia os Ministros do Supremo é o Presidente da República, afinal.

Vale lembrar, ainda, que o Supremo Tribunal Federal não cede à pressão de nenhuma corrente pública _nem de evangélicos, nem de católicos, nem de grupos gays. As decisões da Corte são técnicas e constitucionais. Mas é claro que se o Supremo tivesse maioria conservadora o voto pelo SIM ao casamento gay estaria ameaçado. A melhor notícia é que o Supremo ganhou maioria esmagadora progressista durante o governo Lula.

Então, querido, pode ir comprando suas alianças.

Se tudo isso se confirmar, e é claro que estamos na torcida, teremos três "heróis" do casamento gay: Sergio Cabral, Dilma e Carlos Ayres Britto.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Via JMG: More Gays Raise Kids In The South


According to a study of data released by the U.S. Census, there are more gay couples raising children in the southern states than in urban states more traditionally considered to be gay hot spots.
Child rearing among same-sex couples is more common in the South than in any other region of the country, according to Gary Gates, a demographer at the University of California, Los Angeles. Gay couples in Southern states like Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are more likely to be raising children than their counterparts on the West Coast, in New York and in New England. The pattern, identified by Mr. Gates, is also notable because the families in this region defy the stereotype of a mainstream gay America that is white, affluent, urban and living in the Northeast or on the West Coast.
One theory for the result is that southern blacks and Latinos may be more likely to have been in a heterosexual marriage with children prior to coming out.


reposted from Joe