Via JMG: Dan Savage's Reaction To President Obama's "It Gets Better" Video

thank you Mr. President!

Daniel -- Yesterday, President Obama recorded a video message for the "It Gets Better" project. Take a look: Recently, several young people took their own lives after being bullied by their peers for being gay or being perceived as gay. The President's message -- like thousands of others that have been recorded and uploaded to the project -- is one of hope and support: You are loved, you are not alone. It gets better. Please watch the video, and then share it with anyone you think may need to hear this message: http://my.barackobama.com/ItGetsBetter Thanks, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America

Via Freedom to Marry:

Daniel, NOM's Maggie Gallagher is at it again. In a New York Post column earlier this week, Maggie used made-up facts to attack LGBT youth and LGBT activists, including Freedom to Marry's Evan Wolfson, to justify NOM's relentless campaign against LGBT people and their families. Even as she and other anti-gay activists continue to use damaging rhetoric that promotes fear and bullying against LGBT youth, Maggie says, "These kids need help, real help. They should not become a mere rhetorical strategy, a plaything in our adult battles." Join Freedom to Marry and Evan Wolfson in telling Maggie she can't have it both ways. Sign our open letter to Maggie Gallagher calling on her to end her attacks against LGBT people and their families: http://freedomtomarry.org/WriteMaggie For years, Maggie has been a leading figure in the anti-gay movement. Along with activists like Brian Brown, president of NOM, and Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, she has helped create a toxic climate of prejudice that sends the message to youth that being gay is a "dysfunction" that one should work to "overcome." In light of recent anti-gay bullying and a series of tragic suicides, Maggie's continued use of anti-gay rhetoric is especially troubling. Join us in telling Maggie Gallagher to get out of the discrimination business and to stand with those of us who support equal protection and respect, for all. http://freedomtomarry.org/WriteMaggie Thanks for all you do, Michael Crawford New Media Director, Freedom to Marry © 2003-2010 Freedom to Marry | http://freedomtomarry.org/unsubscribe

It Gets Better - Turtle Creek Chorale

Via JMG: Tweet Of The Day II - Barack Obama

Labels: Barack Obama, bullying, Dan Savage, LGBT youth, suicide, Tweet Of The Day

reposted from Joe

President Obama: It Gets Better

Via JMG: Buddhists Win Google Stereotypes

Buddhists Win Google Stereotypes

When you begin a Google search with the question "Why are [Christians, Jews, Muslims] so" - you get the above suggestions. The same query regarding Buddhists yields only "happy."

UPDATE: It's not listed in the above-linked story, but I've done the same query on atheists.

Labels: Buddhism, Google, religion

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Andrew Sullivan On Homocons And GOProud: They Are Nauseating

In a video essay posted today on Big Think, Andrew Sullivan muses "How Can Anyone Be Gay And Republican?" Here's an excerpt.

You know, I used to say, we have to stay in these parties because certainly gay people do not want to become a Democratic Party constituency that is totally taken for granted, which is, of course, what has happened. When you have no leverage over the party, they don’t do anything for you—except take your money and invite you to cocktail parties, which is all that’s happened really in two years under Obama with two houses of Congress.

But at the same time, you know, this Homocon thing... it was in someone’s apartment. I mean the idea that this has been any genuine meaning out there for most people, there are plenty of gay people; many, many, many more I think than other minority groups actually, who would love a party of limited small government, prudent, strong foreign policy, balanced budgets, live and let live, like the British Tories. And if the Republican Party ever becomes that again, I think there will be plenty of places for gay people in it.

But to do so and join a party on condition that we oppose our own civil rights and our own basic civil equality seems a non-starter for me. I mean, it’s... there’s something quite nauseating about it actually. And you see even, like, Chris Barron who is the head of Homocon, or whatever they are calling themselves, GOProud, having to say that when Jim DeMint goes on and says that no gay person should be a school teacher, which is to the—which Ronald Reagan rejected in 1978—where are you left?

Watch the video on Big Think. Obviously, we agree.

Labels: Andrew Sullivan, Christopher Barron, GOP, GOProud, homocons, Quislings

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Quote Of The Day - Ted Olson

"It happens every once in awhile at the federal level when the solicitor general, on behalf of the U.S., will confess error or decline to defend a law. I don't know what is going through the [Obama] administration's thought process on 'don't ask, don't tell.' It would be appropriate for them to say 'the law has been deemed unconstitutional, we are not going to seek further review of that.'" - Former Bush administration Solicitor General Ted Olson.

Labels: DADT, Obama administration, Quote Of The Day, Ted Olson

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Tweet Of The Day - AFER

Labels: AFER, California, David Boies, marriage equality, Perry v Schwarzenengger, Proposition 8, Ted Olson

reposted from Joe