Via AmericaBlog Gay:

Sen. Merkley, ENDA Sponsor, "deeply disappointed' by White House fail on LGBT Exec. Order 

From Greg Sargent tonight: 

Jeff Merkley reminds us that he’s an excellent Senator by hammering the White House for punting on the executive order barring discrimination by federal contractors against LGBT workers.

Here's what Greg linked to:

Washington, DC- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, the lead sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, issued the following statement after reports that the Obama Administration won’t take action to bar federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers.

“I am deeply disappointed that the Administration will allow companies that accept federal contracts to discriminate against workers on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Such discrimination in the workplace is unacceptable. There is no way that equal opportunity exists for all Americans when such discrimination is tolerated.

“I appreciate the President’s support for ENDA and will keep pushing for legislative action. However, an executive order would be a very constructive step forward and help build momentum to pass the bill. It’s disappointing that the White House is passing on an opportunity to make immediate gains for equal opportunity in America.”

Also, Greg has a post on the White House executive order debacle, warning them to "Stop playing it cute on gay rights":

There’s no denying that Obama and his advisers have a very good overall record on gay rights. But on this issue, and on gay marriage — two hugely important topics to the gay community — there’s too little clarity and too much of a whiff of excuse-making and political calculation.

Bad political calculations. Really bad.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma April 13, 2012

Every Time a Good Time

The priest Wumen once wrote, 'A hundred flowers blossom in spring, the moon shines in autumn, there is a fresh breeze in summer, and there is snow in winter. If your mind isn’t occupied with trivial matters, every time is a good time.'

- Harada Sekkei Roshi, "Zen Basics"
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Megan Mullally & Nick Offerman for Americans for Marriage Equality

Via JMG: Ex-Gay Researcher Repudiates His Own Study: I Had It All Entirely Wrong

The nation's most famous/infamous "ex-gay" researcher today renounced his best known study, work that is heavily cited by anti-gay and Christianist hate groups.

In a move that serves as a significant blow to "ex-gay" programs and anti-gay organizations, Dr. Robert Spitzer repudiated his much-criticized 2001 study that claimed some "highly motivated" homosexuals could go from gay to straight. His retraction occurred in an American Prospect magazine article that hit newsstands today. Spitzer's rejection of his own research, which was originally published in the prestigious Archives of Sexual Behavior, is a devastating blow to "ex-gay" organizations because it decisively eliminates their most potent claim that homosexuality can be reversed through therapy and prayer. "Dr. Spitzer's repudiation of his 2001 study is an earthquake that severely undermines the validity of 'ex-gay' programs," said Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen, who criticized the study in his 2003 book, Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth. "Spitzer just kicked out the final leg from the stool on which the proponents of 'ex-gay' therapy based their already shaky claims of success."

Wayne Besen: "It will be an integrity test to see which groups remove citations of his work in the coming week."

Labels: "ex-gay", religion, still totally gay, Wayne Besen

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Fred Karger Demands: Maggie Gallagher, Where Is This Mysterious Never-Seen Husband You Claim To Have?

"I was on Thomas Roberts’ show MSNBC with the founder of the National Organization for Marriage, Maggie Gallagher. We were on MSNBC so she could try and defend the treasure trove of 'confidential' NOM documents that had just been uncovered as a result of the 2009 investigation that I got launched against NOM in Maine.

"Maggie and I were in separate studios although we met afterwards for this photo and a chance to visit. I asked Maggie if she was still living in New York, and she told me that she moved to Washington, DC nearly three years ago. What about her husband Roman Srivastav? She allegedly married this East Indian man 19 years ago after living as an unwed mother for 11 years. No one has ever seen Maggie with Raman. Wonder if they really did get married? If so, maybe so he could get a green card?

"For the past 15 years Maggie has written books, columns and talked to anyone who would listen about the necessity of kids having a mother and a father (even though she didn’t follow her own advice for over a decade). According to WikiAnswers only 9.3% of American women don’t wear a wedding ring, a pretty small number. Certainly this national champion of marriage whose twitter name is @MaggieMarriage would wear a wedding ring if she was really married.

"I first became suspicious when you spoke in Rhode Island two years ago at NOM’s 'Celebrate Marriage & Family Day.' If ever there was a day to appear with your husband that was it. I even scoured Google images, not one photo of you and Raman. NOM’s Brian Brown is all over Google. There are lots of photos of Brian with his wife and family.

"I smell a rat, Maggie. Put up, or Shut up. Let’s see your marriage license, Maggie. Better yet, let’s see your husband!" - GOP presidential candidate Fred Karger, via press release.

Labels: bigotry, Fred Karger, hate groups, liars, Maggie Gallagher, marriage equality, NOM

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Congratulations, Maggie Gallagher!

Labels: FAIL, HA HA HA, NOM, Starbucks

reposted from Joe

Via AmericaBlogGay:

The two gay guys who made Hillary laugh and more...

In This Issue... The two gay guys who made Hillary laugh Gloria Allred unhappy with Donald Trump following overturn of trans ban at Miss Universe Gambia arrests 15 for "suspected homosexuality" Democratic candidate gay-baiting other Dems in Texas Chicago Trib: Obama faces pressure over same-sex marriage Imam in France marries two gay Muslims They dont have gays in Africa. Uh huh. Search Gay Politics | AMERICAblog Gay

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The two gay guys who made Hillary laugh

Hillary meeting with her two spoofers, Stacy Lambe (l) and Adam Smith (r).

've been following this Tumblr site for the past several days - we even wrote about it on the main site the other day - but didn't realize two local DC gay guys, Stacy Lambe and Adam Smith, created it. It really is brilliant. And even funnier, Hillary Clinton responded and invited the guys to her office.  Very cool story, all the way around. Click and read.

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma April 11, 2012

The Whole of the Path

I like to think that the Eightfold Path starts and ends with wise understanding and wise aspiration. When anyone asks me, 'How has practice changed you?' I reply, ‘I am kinder and happier. And I am confident that this is a universal path.’

- Sylvia Boorstein, “The Whole of the Path”
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via ॐ Thich Nhat Hanh Quote Collective ॐ:

ॐ Thich Nhat Hanh Quote Collective ॐ

 

March 13

Many of us are always in hurry. We hurry to finish one thing to do something else, and one task always follows another. If we have nothing to do we cannot bear it so we fill our time with countless projects and errands. 100 years past like a dream. I do not want to live like that. I want to live at ease and deeply every moment of my daily life. I want to practice living happily in the present moment. I want to do less work and work in such a way so that every moment of my work brings me joy.

-- Thich Nhat Hanh--

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma April 10, 2012

What Love Says

Attachment is the very opposite of love. Love says, 'I want you to be happy.' Attachment says, 'I want you to make me happy.'

- Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, "No Excuses”
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via AmericaBlogGay:

Study: Homophobes may be big old closet cases

Science Daily:





"Individuals who identify as straight but in psychological tests show a strong attraction to the same sex may be threatened by gays and lesbians because homosexuals remind them of similar tendencies within themselves," explains Netta Weinstein, a lecturer at the University of Essex and the study's lead author. 

"In many cases these are people who are at war with themselves and they are turning this internal conflict outward," adds co-author Richard Ryan, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester who helped direct the research.

Hello? Have you ever looked at the male leaders of the religious right, not to mention a few of the females as well? Gay gay gay gay gay.

Via AmericaBlogGay:

Obama opposes MN anti-gay marriage amendment 

This helps.

 There's some concern about whether the President's supposed-opposition to marriage equality will be used by the bigots to bolster support for the anti-gay amendment. Of course, it'd be easier if he just evolved already.

President Barack Obama's Minnesota campaign announced Monday that Obama opposes a state ballot initiative that would define marriage as between one man and one woman. 

"While the President does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the record is clear that the President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same sex couples," Kristen Sosanie, spokeswoman for Obama's Minnesota campaign, said in a statement. "That's what the Minnesota ballot initiative would do -- it would single out and discriminate against committed gay and lesbian couples -- and that's why the President does not support it."

Via JMG: Anti-Gay Violence Surges In Brazil

The Daily Beast reports on the surging number of anti-gay murders in Brazil:

Though the overall crime rate is down sharply in major cities, murders of gays and lesbians are on the rise. It’s especially acute in the most populous areas: Bahia, Minas Gerais, and the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo—precisely where police have made their biggest dents in criminal activity in general. Attacks against gays have climbed steadily for most of the last decade, with 272 murdered in 2011—one every 36 hours, according to Grupo Gay da Bahía, a leading gay-rights group that tracks antigay violence.

This year, GGB reports, it’s even worse, with 75 murders in just the first 10 weeks. That’s one every 24 hours. The antigay surge may come as a double surprise. After all, Brazil is not just famous for its bonhomie, it's also home to one of the best-organized gay-rights movements anywhere, whose activists pride themselves in rolling out the biggest gay-pride parade in the world. But success has its price. As homosexuals have won a place for themselves, they also have become visible targets

Read the full article.

Labels: Brazil, hate crimes, LGBT culture, murder

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Homophobes Are Gay

Nothing we didn't know, but interesting to read.

Homophobia is more pronounced in individuals with an unacknowledged attraction to the same sex and who grew up with authoritarian parents who forbade such desires, a series of psychology studies demonstrates. The study is the first to document the role that both parenting and sexual orientation play in the formation of intense and visceral fear of homosexuals, including self-reported homophobic attitudes, discriminatory bias, implicit hostility towards gays, and endorsement of anti-gay policies. Conducted by a team from the University of Rochester, the University of Essex, England, and the University of California in Santa Barbara, the research will be published the April issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. "Individuals who identify as straight but in psychological tests show a strong attraction to the same sex may be threatened by gays and lesbians because homosexuals remind them of similar tendencies within themselves," explains Netta Weinstein, a lecturer at the University of Essex and the study's lead author.

You might be amused by Free Republic comments on this story. (Tipped by JMG reader Charlie)

Labels: homophobes, science, sexuality

Reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Sen. John Kerry Advocates On Behalf Of Married Lesbian Who May Be Deported

The Washington Blade reports that Sen. John Kerry is working to block the deportation of a Pakistani woman who married her wife in Massachusetts.

In a redacted letter dated March 27 and obtained Friday by the Washington Blade, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) asks Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to hold in abeyance the I-130 marriage-based green card petition for the couple until the Defense of Marriage Act is overturned either by Congress or the courts. “I know that you and I both believe that every family is worthy and recognition and respect, and that no family should be torn apart based on a discriminatory law,” Kerry writes. “Abeyance will allow this remarkable young couple to move forward with their dream of building a life together at home in Massachusetts.”

The American half of the couple notes: "It hurts, as an American, to think that my government causes me and my wife so much distress by allowing DOMA to do so much harm. It is not what I expected of President Obama; I expected more."

Labels: DOMA, Immigration Equality, John Kerry

Reposted from Joe

"Repent & Reload" GOP Super PAC Ad

Via JMG: The Straight Liberation Movement

JMG reader Mark writes to tip us that somebody calling themselves the Straight Liberation Movement has been posting flyers around the SF Bay area. A sample posting from the group's Facebook page:

The discussion outside the anarchist bookfair yesterday entitled, "What is the Straight Agenda" was attacked by queers repeatedly. All fliers put up in the bookfair building were taken down, including by members of Homes Not Jails, who were trying to prevent the heterosexual afterparty from happening. The cardboard sign with the agenda on it was reapeatedly attacked by queers who tried to rip it... down, and managed to tear it in half at the end. The Sheriffs intervened to defend me, as did the bookfair organizers to their credit. The Straight Liberation Movement facebook group is also being sabotaged--about half a dozen people who asked to join were erased before they could be added, apparently by someone who knew my password. Straight people: overthrow the gay occupation of your society! Join the SLM.

This could be just another Poe operation. One the other hand, in 2010 somebody with the same relatively uncommon name as the group's Facebook moderator was dragged out of a Bellingham, Washington city council meeting and arrested after screaming that a local car repair shop had decapitated his mother and was keeping her head alive "in order to torture her."

Labels: crackpots, mental illness, San Francisco

Reposted from Joe

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma April 9, 2012

Polishing Our Buddhanature

Selfless service brings balance to your practice. Since it engages the body, it balances the tendency we have to think and theorize rather than act. By channeling your energy into acts of service, you transform the ideal into the real. So cleaning the inside of a temple, or picking up trash at a public park, not only cleans the space used by others (this is where the selfless part comes in); it figuratively polishes your buddhanature. It’s palpable in the joy and satisfaction you feel.

- Shinso Ito, “Unconditional Service”
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection

Via Tricycle Daily Dharma:

Tricycle Daily Dharma April 8, 2012

Taming the Monkey Mind

The biggest hindrance to our meditation is constant intrusive thoughts. This is normal for everyone and from the beginning you should expect it. The nature of our mind is to think, and it is childish to imagine that we can simply turn that process off when we wish to. Our minds have been almost completely out of control for most of our life. Recognizing this can help us to be practical and patient—it may take us some time and a lot of skillful practice to tame the crazy ‘monkey mind.’

- Bob Sharples, “Do The Thoughts Ever Stop?”
Read the entire article in the Tricycle Wisdom Collection