From JMG: Prop 8 Trial "Explosion": Mormon Church Tried To Cover Up Its Involvement

Calling it an "explosive afternoon" the Courage Campaign's Prop 8 live blog reported late today that according to documents revealed to the court, the Mormon Church labored hard behind the scenes to cover-up their involvement in the campaign. That's not surprise to any of us, but it's the first time physical evidence has been produced to substantiate this.

For example, one letter indicated that the LDS church had identified a volunteer for the campaign in every single zip code. This was a church document that was in the hands of a Prop 8 campaign official, and thus was discoverable. Andy Pugno, the general council for ProtectMarriage.com tried his darnedest to get Judge Walker to exclude it, but failed. From Rick’s liveblog:
Pugno: Objects because document will be revealing. Judge: Not to make light of this, but the reason people want to produce documents is that they are revealing. Boutrous: It’s from an outsider to the core group. We are attempting to show the level of coordination with groups that Protect Marriage says were not even affiliated with the campaign.
This is perhaps the most explosive bit of all, from a document between the LDS Church and the campaign:

With respect to Prop. 8 campaign, key talking points will come from campaign, but cautious, strategic, not to take the lead so as to provide plausible deniability or respectable distance so as not to show that church is directly involved.

Get that? The LDS Church intentionally worked to hide behind the scenes to disguise their involvement in the public realm. The LDS Church is well aware that the general public does not have the most favorable opinion of them. Attention on their involvement could have hurt their cause, namely passing Prop 8.

Freshly lifted from JMG

FROM JMG: SF Gay Men's Chorus To Make Concert Tour Of Proposition 8 Strongholds

The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus will conduct a tour of concerts through the heartland of Proposition 8 country in central California as part of an outreach program. Via press release:

The three-part tour will kick off at the end of January with concerts in Redding and Chico, continue in May with concerts in Fresno and Bakersfield, and end in July with a concert in Tracy. For chorus member Bud Dillon, the tour means coming home. Born and raised in Redding, Bud has a special understanding of the importance of the concerts. "So many people only hear about gay men within the context of heated controversy. The Freedom Tour will help to change that in an incredibly entertaining way. Nobody leaves our concerts without a huge smile on their face!" “It's simple." Witherington added. “We believe to accept us, you have to know us. So we tell our story through our music. Our message is one of coming together and recognizing those things we have in common.”

The chorus will perform a new original number called We Are Coming Out, which was written by JMG reader Sean Chapin.

deftly lifted from JMG

From JMG: Uganda MP David Bahati Disinvited From National Prayer Breakfast

Box Turtle Bulletin reports that Uganda MP David "Kill Gays" Behati has been disinvited from next month's National Prayer Breakfast, where President Obama is scheduled to speak. Via Advocate:

Ambassador Richard Swett, a spokesman for the breakfast, confirmed that Bahati was no longer allowed to come to the event, scheduled for February 4. He added, "The National Prayer Breakfast is an organization that builds bridges of understanding between all peoples, religions and beliefs and has never advocated the sentiments expressed in Mr. Bahati’s legislation.” Early reports from the Monitor newspaper in Uganda said that Bahati had planned to go to the even, and make a speech. The organization that puts on the National Prayer Breakfast is the Fellowship Foundation, also known as the Family, an evangelical Christian group linked to the development of the "kill the gays" bill.

Lifted from JMG

From JMG: Gavin Newsom On Obama & Marriage

Today SF Mayor Gavin Newsom talks to Maureen O'Dowd about leaving politics and his disappointment with President Obama on gay marriage.

“Oh, I can’t get in trouble here,” Newsom said with a playful wince. “I want him to succeed. But I am very upset by what he’s not done in terms of rights of gays and lesbians. I understand it tactically in a campaign, but at this point I don’t know. There is some belief that he actually doesn’t believe in same-sex marriage. But it’s fundamentally inexcusable for a member of the Democratic Party to stand on the principle that separate is now equal, but only on the basis of sexual orientation. We’ve always fought for the rights of minorities and against the whims of majorities.” He said the promise of Obama sparking an “organic movement” has faded and “there’s a growing discontent and lack of enthusiasm that I worry about. He should just stand on principle, put this behind him and move on.”

Newsom abruptly gave up his bid for California governor last fall.

lifted from JMG

From JMG: Here's What The Prop 8 Supporters Were Too "Scared" To Say In Open Court

The American Foundation For Equal Rights sends us these video depositions made by two Perry vs. Schwarzenegger defendants who later dropped off the witness list rather than face the "violent wrath of vicious homofascists" were the trial to be televised.

The Olson/Boies legal team today introduced into evidence videos of the depositions of Paul Nathanson, Ph.D. and Katherine Young, Ph.D., who are among the experts dropped by the defendants from their witness list. In the videos, Nathanson and Young make several statements that are harmful to the defendants’ case and that support the plaintiffs’ position. Both are professors at McGill University. They were questioned by David Boies.

Listening to both witnesses without knowing who they are, one would presume they were witnesses FOR the gay side, especially Paul Nathansan, who seems ready to explode into a glitter rainbow of unicorns and Hello Kitty at any moment. Please watch every minute of these clips, it's unbelievable.





Courtesy of JMG

NOTA OFICIAL DA ABGLT SOBRE O PROGRAMA NACIONAL DE DIREITOS HUMANOS

A ABGLT - Associação Brasileira de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais - é uma entidade de abrangência nacional que congrega 220 organizações congêneres e tem como objetivo a defesa e promoção da cidadania desses segmentos da população. A ABGLT também é atuante internacionalmente e tem status consultivo junto ao Conselho Econômico e Social da Organização das Nações Unidas.

Neste sentido a ABGLT vem a público manifestar o seu apoio às resoluções presentes no Programa Nacional de Direitos Humanos 3 (PNDH 3), recém-lançado pelo Governo Federal.

Compreendemos que os direitos sexuais de lésbicas, gays, bissexuais, travestis e transexuais (LGBT) são direitos humanos e por isso direitos fundamentais a serem respeitados em uma sociedade democrática.

Sabemos que, porém, o alcance da consolidação dessa democracia não se dará sem que exista o reconhecimento da importância que têm os espaços de construção de políticas públicas em conjunto com a sociedade civil.

O Programa não foi feito apenas pelo governo, mas democraticamente por milhões de brasileiros e brasileiras. Nós lésbicas, gays, bissexuais, travestis e transexuais (LGBT) participamos de em torno de 10 conferências - das mais de 50 que houve durante o governo atual - para contribuir para a elaboração do Programa Nacional de Direitos Humanos 3, incluindo a Conferência de Direitos Humanos, a Conferência LGBT, a Conferência da Igualdade Racial, a Conferência da Criança e do Adolescente, a Conferência de Saúde, a Conferência de Segurança Pública, a Conferência de Comunicação, a Conferência da Pessoa Idosa, entre outras.

Os processos das Conferências nos demonstram como é possível garantir, a partir da reunião dos mais diversos setores da sociedade civil em conjunto o poder público, a construção de políticas públicas para nosso país. Hoje vemos todo este trabalho e dedicação concretizados no Programa Nacional de Direitos Humanos 3..

Queremos referendar o apoio à busca da verdade sobre a ditadura militar. No mínimo precisamos saber a verdade, mas sem revanchismo. Devemos conhecer o passado para não repetir os mesmos erros.

Precisamos respeitar a autonomia das mulheres.

O Brasil ainda é um dos países que mais concentra renda e terra. Precisamos fazer uma reforma agrária democrática, com a participação das comunidades envolvidas.

Os meios de comunicação em nosso país precisam sim da participação cidadã da sociedade, para garantir que todos os meios de comunicação, sem distinção, respeitem os direitos humanos.
O Brasil está sendo um exemplo de democracia. Nossa nação cresceu e está ganhando reconhecimento mundialmente. Aumentaram nossos índices de desenvolvimento humano em todos os institutos e a promoção dos direitos humanos nesse contexto é fundamental.

Convocamos a sociedade para que apoie o Programa Nacional de Direitos Humanos 3, porém sabemos que projetos, planos e programas sempre podem ser dialogados e aprimorados. Isto é democracia.

No final das contas, o Programa não deve ser deste ou daquele governo, desde ou daquele partido político e deste ou daquele grupo. Deve ser de todo/as, e todos/as devem participar democraticamente para aprimorá-lo, implementá-lo, monitorá-lo e avaliá-lo.

O Programa também deve ser assumido pelo Estado, afinal os planos, projetos e programas não devem ser só do governo, e sim do Estado Brasileiro.

Desta forma, unimos as nossas vozes às diversas da sociedade que hoje estão em defesa das resoluções presentes no PNDH 3 democraticamente construídas no conjunto da sociedade civil brasileira.

A ABGLT luta e continuará lutando para garantir que as vozes de lésbicas, gays, bissexuais, travestis e transexuais, assim como de todos seus defensores(as), sejam sempre ouvidas e respeitadas, pois acreditamos que só assim poderemos garantir uma sociedade democrática como um direito de todas e todos.

Toni Reis
Presidente
ABGLT - Associação Brasileira de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais

Tedd Rall is well worth a gander... click the pic to see more

from JMG: Uganda's "Kill Gays" Bill Author To Attend U.S. National Prayer Breakfast

Box Turtle Bulletin reports that Uganda MP David Bahati, the author of the pending "kill gays" legislation, will attend the National Prayer Breakfast in DC, where President Obama is expected to speak. Via Uganda's Sunday Monitor:

In February, David Bahati, the mover of the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill is expected to attend a prayer breakfast in the American capital of DC. Mr Bahati, according to reports, may speak at the event where President Barack Obama – a gays-tolerant liberal president, is also expected to attend. On Friday, Mr Bahati said he would attend. The event is organised by The Fellowship- a conservative Christian organisation, which has deep political connections and counts several high-ranking conservative politicians in its membership. “I intend to attend the prayer breakfast,” said Mr Bahati – himself a part organiser of the Ugandan equivalent of the national prayer breakfast. This week, citing international pressure, President Yoweri Museveni advised his party’s National Executive Committee, his cabinet and the NRM parliamentary caucus to “go slow” on the Bill.

Behait was invited to the prayer breakfast by the secretive Family, a coalition of GOP leaders and evangelical pastors. Will the president have anything to say about Uganda during the event?

Courtesy of JMG

From JMG: PhoboQuotable - Maggie Gallagher

"The obvious truth, repeated over and over again in the legal history of marriage in the U.S., is that the government thought marriage mattered because marital unions produce and protect children. They do this in two ways: First, by creating faithful, exclusive, enduring sexual unions that create the best context fo conceiving children. And second, by preventing (if the man and woman are faithful) the default harms of unregulated opposite-sex union: many fatherless children, many overburdened mothers, many men disconnected from family life.

"This is the argument that Ted Olson told Newsweek 'cannot be taken seriously.' Good luck with that, Ted. Seven million Californians took it very seriously, and so do the majority of state courts that have considered it, several international human rights courts, and of course every major faith tradition.

"On Christianity and marriage, San Francisco attorney Therese Stewart worked hard to establish that Catholics’ and Baptists’ views on marriage and sex are illegitimate bigotry. She actually had Yale Prof. George Chauncey read into the record official statements by the Vatican and by the Southern Baptist Convention. I had to laugh to keep from crying. This is the city that in an official resolution condemned the Catholic Church and urged a sitting Catholic archbishop to “defy” his own faith and side with the City Council’s on gay adoption. Could gay-marriage advocates try any harder to fuel the perception that a victory for gay marriage requires the defeat of religious liberty, tolerance, and civility for Christianity and other traditional faiths?" - Maggie Gallagher, recapping the first week of Perry vs. Schwarzenegger.

another great find lifted from JMG

from JMG: Friendly Voices - Margaret Hoover

"Some Republicans support gay rights, but prefer progress through legislative action or majority rule at the ballot box, rather than judicial action. But what if a democratic election imposes mandates that violate a citizen’s constitutional freedom? In the event that majority rule insufficiently protects individual liberty, our system of checks and balances puts forth that it is the role of the courts, to guarantee and protect the rights to individual Americans.

"That’s why the Supreme Court, in 1967 Loving v. Virginia, legalized interracial marriage –six years after our current president was born to an interracial couple. At that time 73% of the population opposed “miscegenation.” How long would it have taken to change popular opinion, for the minority to democratically win their constitutional rights? As Martin Luther King, Jr. famously asserted, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

"For those of you who would label me a 'RINO' (Republican In Name Only) for taking this stand, I direct you to Vice President Cheney, whose conservative credentials are impeccable, and who answered a question on the topic before the National Press Club audience on June 1, 2009 by saying simply, 'freedom means freedom for everyone.'" - Fox News contributor Margaret Hoover, coming out for marriage equality on FoxNew.com, of all places. Hoover directs readers to the Facebook page Republicans For Marriage Equality.

another great find on JMG

FROM JMG: God's Control Panel

Joe says: RELATED: Today is Religious Freedom Day in America. Sadly, there is no Freedom FROM Religion Day.

(Via - Maneggs and JMG)

Keeping Same-Sex Marriage in the Dark

Marjorie Cohn, Jurist: "On Wednesday, a conservative majority of the Supreme Court overturned a ruling made by a federal trial judge that would have allowed limited television coverage of a trial that will decide the fate of California’s Proposition 8. The trial, which is currently proceeding in San Francisco, is one of the most significant civil rights cases of our time. The plaintiffs are seeking to overturn a ballot initiative that makes same-sex marriage illegal in California."

Jump here to read the Article

a message from Joe Solmonese / HRC:

Dear Daniel,

On Monday our nation will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, our national holiday dedicated not only to this leader but to the civil rights legacy that he and millions of other brave Americans left us. Dr. King and the civil rights movement moved us from a nation of laws to a nation of laws and rights. Each time we invoke the constitutional and human rights behind LGBT equality, economic justice, and peace, we build that legacy. It is a legacy in progress.

In America, there is work to do in underserved communities. Many will mark this day with community service. Learn more about the MLK National Day of Service. You can make a difference.

In 2008, voters in California stripped same-sex couples of equal rights when they passed Proposition 8. For many, Proposition 8 stands as an ugly symbol of how far we are from living up to our Constitution's promise and Dr. King's dream. This week in California, a federal trial court will hear a challenge to that law. We were disappointed that the Supreme Court prevented the court from making the proceedings accessible to every interested viewer. The defendants—Prop 8's supporters, had argued that broadcasting the trial would expose them to threats and harassment. As someone who debated many of these anti-equality leaders on television and in public, and who had to watch their deceptive advertisements, I am amazed that anyone would believe this. We—LGBT people and allies, activists, marchers, neighbors, are the real story. We will all continue to petition our government with honor and with the power of truth.

In the District of Columbia, the Superior Court ruled that a Prop 8-like ballot initiative cannot go forward. The D.C. Council recently passed a marriage equality law, and opponents are trying to put a repeal to the voters. On Thursday, January 14, Superior Court Judge Macaluso ruled that such a ballot measure would violate D.C.'s Human Rights Act. No one's civil rights should be subject to the popular vote. We hold equal rights as human beings, not because of a popularity contest.

The American civil rights vision has meaning around the world, but we have a long way to go to realize Dr. King's dream. In Uganda, legislators have introduced a bill to increase criminal penalties for same-sex sexual relations, including the death penalty for “serial offenders.” Anti-LGBT activists from the United States visited Uganda to spread false information about “ex-gay” therapy last year, and this legislation seems to be the bitter result of their mission of deceit. Read HRC Religion and Faith Director Harry Knox's views on the subject here.

We were heartened to learn that a Congressional commission has scheduled a hearing on this abominable legislation, and will hear testimony about it next week. Already, many in Congress are calling for the United States to ensure that the Ugandan government does not impose a de facto death sentence on its LGBT people.

Finally, on Tuesday, January 12, the world saw a devastating tragedy unfold in Haiti, the western hemisphere's poorest country. A massive earthquake shook the island nation, its epicenter near the populous capital Port au Prince. Tens of thousands are feared dead, and the nation's weak infrastructure leveled. Poverty is our world's most egregious civil rights violation, and the nation's poverty contributed enormously to the carnage in Haiti. Shoddy construction caused buildings to tumble. Limited resources affected rescue efforts, which are still ongoing. To learn how you can help, visit the Rainbow World Fund's website. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and with the many Americans who have lost or are searching for family abroad.

Have a good weekend, and a peaceful MLK holiday.

Fondly,

Joe Solmonese
President, Human Rights Campaign

P.S. If you are looking for plans this Sunday evening, consider joining us at one of our inaugural Her HRC events around the country. Building on the momentum of our L Word premiere parties of the past, thousands of women from around the country will gather for a national night of celebration. Find the event nearest you at www.hrc.org/herhrc.

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