Via JMG: INDIANA: 15 Year-Old Boy Commits Suicide Over Anti-Gay Bullying

Another dead victim of anti-gay bullying, this time in Indiana.

He was a teenager who didn't quite fit in. His classmates said Billy Lucas was bullied for being different. The 15-year-old never told anyone he was gay but students at Greensburg High School thought he was and so they picked on him. "People would call him 'fag' and stuff like that, just make fun of him because he's different basically," said student Dillen Swango. Students told Fox59 News it was common knowledge that children bullied Billy and from what they said, it was getting worse. Last Thursday, Billy's mother found him dead inside their barn. He had hung himself. Students said on that same day, some students told Billy to kill himself. "They said stuff like 'you're like a piece of crap' and 'you don't deserve to live.' Different things like that. Talked about how he was gay or whatever," said Swango.

School administrators claim to have had no knowledge of the bullying, despite many students saying that they were aware of Billy's torment. A memorial Facebook page for Billy can be found here. Indiana does not include gay youth in its anti-bullying laws, no doubt thanks to repulsive Christianist groups like Focus On The Family.

Charles Robbins, executive director of the Trevor Project, responds to Billy Lucas' death.

Currently, there is no national standard to protect all of our children from bullying and harassment at school. Yet, we know that as many as 1 in 10 sexual minority youth have been physically assaulted at school, and that when youth are threatened or get into fights, or have property stolen at school, their risk of attempting suicide more than doubles. That is why The Trevor Project supports fully inclusive federal legislation, like the Safe Schools Improvement Act currently under consideration in the Senate, to offer the protections all of our children need from torment and ridicule at school, regardless of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Only with an enforceable national standard that offers resources and support to educators and staff, no matter the size of a school district, will we be able to prevent future tragedies like Greensburg High School has experienced. The death of Billy Lucas is a tragedy, and one that might have been prevented if his school district had the support of a fully inclusive anti-harassment and anti-bullying law.

UPDATE: JMG reader Andy sends us the below news clip and notes that Billy's principal seems to blame him for his own bullying. "Sometimes he created an atmosphere around him like a little tornado, you know, because he went around doing things that made dust fly." Starts at the 2:00 mark.

Labels: bullying, education, gay youth, Indiana, suicide, Trevor Project

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Via JMG: Lady Gaga & Sen. Harry Reid Exchange Tweets About Repeal Of DADT

Lady Gaga has more Twitter followers than any person in the world. Does the above exchange bolster the theory that it was Gaga's VMA appearance Sunday night that forced Sen. Reid's hand yesterday?

Labels: DADT, Harry Reid, Lady Gaga, Twitter

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Via jmg: Evangelicals & Catholics Join Against Immigration Equality For Gay Couples

Although the nation's faith communities are largely in support of immigration reform, one group they'd like to disinclude is binational gay couples.

"It introduces a new controversial element to the issue which will divide the faith community and further jeopardize chances for a fair and bipartisan compromise," said Kevin Appleby of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which last year said the inclusion of gay couples in a House bill aimed at reuniting families made it "impossible" for the group to support the measure. "Immigration is hard enough without adding same-sex marriage to the mix."

The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, a 16-million-strong group of evangelical Latinos that could play a key political role in an immigration overhaul, is similarly opposed to including provisions for gay and lesbian families. The president of the organization, the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, said that including such a measure would prove to be the "death knell" for comprehensive change.

Visit Immigration Equality to learn about how to help keep binational LGBT couples in the comprehensive immigration reform bill.

Labels: bigotry, immigration, Immigration Equality, religion

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Lady Gaga - Interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show 2010 (Post VMA's)

Via JMG: Harry Reid Schedules Senate Vote On DADT Repeal For Next Week

It appears that the long-overdue Senate vote on the repeal of DADT will come at last next week.

A senior Democratic leadership aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Reid met with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday to inform the Republican leader that the fiscal year 2011 defense authorization bill will come to the Senate floor the week of Sept. 20. The aide said Senate leadership is anticipating the Senate won’t have unanimous consent to bring the legislation to the floor, so 60 votes will be necessary to end a filibuster and move forward with debate on the bill. “We are going to take it the floor next week to see where the votes are,” the aide said.

Was it Lady Gaga? Nah...

Labels: DADT, Harry Reid, military, Senate

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Via Servicemembers United:

Dear Servicemembers United Supporter, The Washington Blade just broke the story that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid finally intends to schedule the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for debate next week, and this news has critical implications for "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." If Senator Reid follows through with this commitment, both NDAA and DADT should get a final vote before the Senate breaks for mid-terms, saving us from the free-for-all of a lame duck session after the mid-terms. This means that our efforts to lobby the Senate are now especially critical. We're about to have one last shot to push DADT repeal over the finish line, and we need you in Washington, DC this Thursday to help with that effort. The fall DADT Lobby Day, affectionately termed "The Final Assault," is taking place this Thursday, September 16th, and we need all the extra lobbying support we can get, especially now that NDAA has finally been scheduled for debate and a vote. Please join us for "THE FINAL ASSAULT" on DADT in Washington this Thursday, Sept. 16th. If you can make it to Washington, DC this Thursday, please go here to register immediately for the DADT Lobby Day. Lobbying appointments will be scheduled for, and details will be sent to, those who register. United we can do this! Alex Nicholson Executive Director Servicemembers United ----------------- SU Press Release on Authorization Bill Scheduling ----------------- Senator Reid Schedules Defense Authorization Bill for Next Week Pressure on Majority Leader Pays Off as Thursday Lobby Day Becomes Critical FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 09/13/2010 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans, applauded today's announcement by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office that Senator Reid will finally bring the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) up for debate during the week of September 20th. The NDAA contains an important provision that would authorize the repeal of the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, in addition to authorizations for annual pay and equipment funding for the entire military. "We are both pleased and relieved that Senator Reid has decided to schedule the defense authorization bill for floor time next week," said Alexander Nicholson, founder and Executive Director of Servicemembers United. "We are fairly confident that we will have the 60 votes to break a filibuster of this bill. It would be shameful for lawmakers to vote to hold up an important and expansive piece of legislation like the defense authorization bill simply because of their opposition to one or two provisions within it." Servicemembers United has been leveling sustained, heavy pressure on Senator Reid over the delay in allowing the NDAA to move forward, including sharp criticism just this morning in the Capitol Hill newspaper The Hill ("Reid My Lips: No Forgiveness for No NDAA in September"). A Senate-focused "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" lobby day, nicknamed "The Final Assault," is scheduled for this Thursday, September 16th in Washington, DC. Anyone interested in participating in this effort should register immediately at www.ServicemembersUnited.org. ### Servicemembers United, a non-profit and non-partisan organization, is the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans and their allies. Based in Washington, DC, Servicemembers United actively engages in education and advocacy on issues affecting the gay military, veteran, and defense community.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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"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

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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

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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

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