Via SacBee: New bill requires gay history in textbooks to fight bullying

Openly gay state Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, introduced a bill today that would require public school materials to include the historical contributions of gay people as a way to fight bullying. 

Leno's Senate Bill 48 is similar to a proposal that was approved by the Legislature in 2006 but vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Most textbooks don't include any historical information about the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) movement, which has great significance to both California and U.S. history," Leno said in a press release. Leno was recently named to prominent leadership as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee

Leno added: "Our collective silence on this issue perpetuates negative stereotypes of LGBT people and leads to increased bullying of young people."

The bill's aim is to work information about historical figures and events into materials that are up for regular review and revision by state public school authorities.

Leno said the inclusion of information about gays would mirror the steps the state has required to include information about women and ethnic minorities in school materials.

The gay rights organization Equality California is a sponsor of the Leno proposal.


"Given the number of young people who tragically took their own lives after being bullied for being LGBT - or perceived as being LGBT - it is imperative that we do more to ensure that all children feel fully welcomed, and this legislation is an important step toward that goal," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California.
 

Categories: Bills (2011-2012 session)

Read more: http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2010/12/sen-leno-hopes-gay-history-bil.html#ixzz183fDqKmT

Via JMG: PFLAG Co-Founder Dies At Age 90

Adele Starr, the co-founder and first president of PFLAG, has died in Los Angeles at the age of 90.

In 1976, Starr founded the Los Angeles chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, a gay rights and acceptance organization known then as Parent FLAG, now as PFLAG. In 1979, she spoke on the steps of the U.S. Capitol at a march for gay rights — a seminal event often credited with uniting a then-nascent movement. Two years later, she became PFLAG's first national president; she served in that capacity until 1986 and remained a forceful advocate for civil rights and, in later years, for the legalization of same-sex marriage. Starr served at the helm of PFLAG during the onset of the AIDS crisis, said her longtime friend and collaborator Terry DeCrescenzo, founder of another advocacy group formed to reach out to gay and lesbian youth. "In that time, a lot of us lost hope," said DeCrescenzo, 66, of Studio City. "Not Adele. And PFLAG became enormously important because it was rock solid.... She was a good woman. She'll be missed.

Adele Starr: "We cannot understand those arrogant people who have decided that a heterosexual lifestyle must be imposed on everyone and that they have a monopoly on morality. The American way is respect for diversity with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Labels: heroes, obituary, PFLAG, straight allies

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: 12 Gays of Christmas Relient Remix

Via JMG: Quote Of The Year - I'm Not A Witch

Yale librarian Fred Shapiro's annual list of the year's most memorable quotes is out and Christine O'Donnell lands on the top ten twice, including at #1.

1. (TIE) "I'm not a witch." Christine O'Donnell, television advertisement, Oct. 4.
1. (TIE) "I'd like my life back." Tony Hayward, comment to reporters, May 30.
3. "If you touch my junk, I'm gonna have you arrested." airline passenger John Tyner, remark to Transportation Security Administration worker at San Diego airport, Nov. 13, 2010
4. "Don't retreat. Instead — reload!" Sarah Palin, Tweet, March 23.
5. "Chi! Chi! Chi! Le! Le! Le! Los mineros de Chile!" Chant at Chilean mine rescue, Oct. 13.
6. "I hope that's not where we're going, but you know, if this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking toward those Second Amendment remedies. They're saying: My goodness, what can we do to turn this country around?" Sharron Angle, radio interview in January.
7. "We have to pass the (health care) bill so you can find out what is in it." Nancy Pelosi, speech to National Association of Counties, March 9.
8. "I'm going to take my talents to South Beach." LeBron James, television broadcast, July 8.
9. "You're telling me that the separation of church and state is found in the First Amendment?" Christine O'Donnell, Delaware senatorial debate, Oct. 19.
10. "They should never have put me with that woman. ... She was just a sort of bigoted woman who said she used to be Labour." Gordon Brown, comments about a voter he met while campaigning for British general election, Apr. 28.

Labels: 2010, politics, Sarah Palin, Sharron Angle

reposted from Joe

MontyPython Stoning

via jmg: Naples News Columnist Pamela Grothaus: "I'm Going For JMG Bigot Of The Year"

Last week we crowned Naples News columnist Pamela Grothaus our Bigot Of The Day for her shrill article complaining that "homosexuals inform me of their homosexuality within minutes of our introduction." Today Grothaus fires back in a new column that she's hoping to be named the JMG "Bigot Of The Year."

As a result of my last blog post against open homosexuality in the military, I was crowned “Bigot of the Day” on JoeMyGod—some twisted, homosexual Weblog I’d never heard of and hope to soon forget. (If you click on the above link, be warned: it’s X-rated.) Last I checked, JoeMyGod readers had left 132 comments spewing filth and hate speech at yours truly. And I’m the bigot?! How queer. [snip]

Incidentally, I am also intolerant of illegal immigrants, terrorist Muslims, militant blacks a la Reverend Wright, baby-killing abortionists, and socialists. I’m not too crazy about unions, feminists, or most politicians, either. Each of these groups — in addition to the homosexuals stated above — is in some way a threat to our nation and/or our morals. Perhaps they all have Web sites on which they’d like to plaster my photo as their particular Bigot of the Day. Bring it on! Maybe I’ll earn Bigot of the Year designation.

The inconsequential Ms. Grothaus wouldn't even make this year's Top 100, not by a long shot. But at least the word "bigot" is now the #1 Google result associated with her name. That's kinda fun.

Labels: assholism, bigotry, douchenozzles, Florida, JMG

reposted from Joe

Via Belrico: Weekly Reader: Oprah, the Male Form, & a White Lie

Filed by: Bil Browning

December 11, 2010 6:00 PM

The Senate's inability to pass legislation repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell was this weeks' hot queer news, but we brought you plenty of other posts on a variety of topics. Which posts were must-reads? Every week I pick two posts from every day that you shouldn't miss. Here are this week's picks:

Sunday

Three Trans-Focused Web Tools You Should Know About Filed by: Toshio Meronek
Idolization of the Male Form: 1890 Photo Filed by: Gloria Brame Ph.D.

Monday

Glee: Stepford Gays Filed by: Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer
Chris Colfer: The Face of Hope Filed by: Betty Greene Salwak

Tuesday

Obama admits: I was born in Morocco Filed by: Alex Blaze
Salvation Army donations down dramatically this year Filed by: Bil Browning

Wednesday

Oprah loves Gayle, but not like that Filed by: Alex Blaze
Thumbs up for 'Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys' Filed by: Rev Irene Monroe

Thursday

Nothing for the 99ers (And Not Much for Anyone Else) Filed by: Terrance Heath
The White Lie Filed by: Father Tony

Friday

Screw playing the game, let's take it all to the courts Filed by: Phil Reese
DADT Repeal is Dead, Long Live DADT Repeal Filed by: Jarrod Chlapowski

Don't forget:

• Subscribe to the Bilerico Project Report to get all of the previous day's posts sent to you every night at midnight Eastern time.
• Follow Bilerico Project on Twitter for links to new posts, breaking news and contest opportunities.
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Via Belirico: Why Tom Brokaw Is Wrong on Covering Antigay Viewpoints

Filed by: Michael Hamar

December 12, 2010 11:30 AM

I bookmarked an article in the Advocate earlier this week wherein former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw basically said it was fine to continue to air the views of hate groups like American Family Association and Family Research Council.

As is typical of the mainstream news media, Brokaw blathered about free speech, etc., as an excuse for not monitoring what lies and untruths are being given a semblance of veracity by virtue of being aired on national news shows and other network programing. We know full well - as does Brokaw - that neo-Nazi groups, white supremacy groups and the Klu Klux Klan are not afforded similar opportunities to spew poison on network news, so why the exception for Christianist anti-gay hate groups?

Oh, I forgot - religion, especially Christianity gets special rights not afforded to the rest of the public.

Continue reading "Why Tom Brokaw Is Wrong on Covering Antigay Viewpoints " »

Via Human Rights Campaign

Dear Daniel,  Yesterday, the United States Senate failed to bring up for consideration the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," by a vote of 57-40. They failed to uphold our country's principles by allowing a bigoted law to stay on the books. They failed to protect us by allowing senseless discharges of skilled service members to continue in a time of war.  They failed our troops. Not only the thousands of lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women serving in silence, in fear of discharge; they failed their fellow troops who rely upon them for their safety and effectiveness.  Our troops have never failed us, and we cannot fail them. We can still end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Yesterday, a bipartisan group of senators, led by Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a stand-alone bill to repeal the law. Repeal of DADT still enjoys broad public support, as well as support from military leaders, but make no mistake, getting this stand-alone bill over the finish line will be a heavy lift. Senate and House leadership along with the White House need to prioritize this new bill and get it passed by both chambers before the end of the year. Last night, I appeared on CNN with John King to discuss what had happened, and how we move forward. Yesterday we also made clear that ultimately the responsibility to end the discharges rests on President Obama, the commander-in-chief of our armed forces. If the Congress doesn't act, he has several tools we’ve encouraged him to use – including stopping the legal defense of the statute and ending the discharges through a stop-loss order. With this new legislative option on the table, it's even more critical that the President help get a durable solution on his desk. As we move forward, we will continue to engage our elected officials in every way that we can. In addition to our national efforts, next week we will be targeting key swing senators and engaging our membership in their constituency on the actions that they can take to keep up the pressure. The fight for open service has had many twists and turns, but until "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is left in the dustbin of history we will never give up the fight. Joe Solmonese President, Human Rights Campaign

Via Mad Professah Lectures

Gallup Poll Shows Overwhelming Support For DADT Repeal

http://buckmire.blogspot.com/2010/12/gallup-poll-shows-overwhelming-support.html 

Via Truthout: William Rivers Pitt | Back to Basics

William Rivers Pitt, Truthout: "The 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' repeal has fallen to dust. The DREAM Act has collapsed. The president is speaking perfect Republican with his talk of simplifying the tax code, freezing federal wages, and best of all, his feral attacks on his own supporters for having the gall to try and hold him to his word. Mr. Obama lavishes praise and apologies all over his opponents, even as they try to annihilate him, while attacking viciously the people who wore out shoe leather and gave money they couldn't afford to give in order to see him into the office he has thus far not graced at all."

Read the Article
 

Via JMG: Family Research Council Calls For Hate Group Solidarity Against Filthy Queers

Over at Good As You, activist Jeremy Hooper has somehow uncovered a not-yet issued press release from the Family Research Council in which they call for the nation's anti-gay hate groups to stand in solidarity against the Southern Poverty Law Center's designations of anti-gay hate groups.

In today's second death-of-irony alert, the document is titled Start Debating: Stop Hating. Because according to the Family Research Council, we are the haters in this game.

The surest sign one is losing a debate is to resort to character assassination. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a liberal fundraising machine whose tactics have been condemned by observers across the political spectrum, is doing just that.

The group, which was once known for combating racial bigotry, is now attacking several groups that uphold Judeo-Christian moral views, including marriage as the union of a man and a woman. How does the SPLC attack? By labeling its opponents “hate groups.” No discussion. No consideration of the issues. No engagement. No debate

These type of slanderous tactics have been used against voters who signed petitions and voted for marriage amendments in all thirty states that have considered them, as well as against the millions of Americans who identify with the Tea Party movement. Some on the Left have even impugned the Manhattan Declaration-which upholds the sanctity of life, the value of traditional marriage and the fundamental right of religious freedom-as an anti-gay document and have forced its removal from general communications networks.

This is intolerance pure and simple. Elements of the radical Left are trying to shut down informed discussion of policy issues that are being considered by Congress, legislatures, and the courts. Tell the radical Left it is time to stop spreading hateful rhetoric attacking individuals and organizations merely for expressing ideas with which they disagree. Our debates can and must remain civil - but they must never be suppressed through personal assaults that aim only to malign an opponents character.

You can take action by adding your name to the following statement:

We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with Family Research Council, American Family Association, Concerned Women of America, National Organization for Marriage, Liberty Counsel and other pro-family organizations that are working to protect and promote natural marriage and family. We support the vigorous but responsible exercise of the First Amendment rights of free speech and religious liberty that are the birthright of all Americans.

Over at Right Wing Watch, People For The American Way reminds us exactly who the haters are with a link farm to recent statements by the above-listed groups.

• Gays should be exported from the country;
• The federal government must be overthrown if its allows gay marriage;
• "Moral perverts" need to be kept out of the military;
• There is nothing "conservative" about "one man violently cramming his penis into another man’s lower intestine and calling it 'love'";
• Gay sex ought to carry criminal penalties;
• Gays ought to be prohibited from serving in public office;
• Gay sex is domestic terrorism;
• "Hitler recruited around him homosexuals to make up his Stormtroopers ... [because] homosexual solders basically had no limits and the savagery and brutality they were willing to inflict."

Labels: AFA, bigotry, Concerned Women Of America, Family Reseach Council, Good As You, hate groups, Jeremy Hooper, liars, Liberty Counsel, NOM, religion, Right Wing Watch

reposted from Joe

Via Organizing for America:

Daniel --

This afternoon, a discriminatory policy that deprives our military of qualified troops, endangers our national security, and violates the simple American principles of integrity, fairness, and equality was allowed to remain law.

Every Republican senator but one -- Senator Susan Collins -- voted to prevent the passage of legislation to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Several of them had previously claimed to support repeal, but voted "no" today.

It's a frustrating setback, but here's the good news: We are just three votes away from moving forward on repeal.

And Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and our allies in the Senate are promising another vote on repeal before Congress heads home for the year. There is still a chance for this to pass.

Allies in the Senate are not done fighting. The President is not done fighting. And I know you're not, either.

Write the Republicans standing in the way in the Senate -- and tell them to get on the right side of history.

There's no question that today's vote was disappointing.

But we also have a lot of reasons to be proud today.

The letters to the editor you wrote and the phone calls you made -- and the 582,000 petitions you signed -- have been crucial in building support for repeal.

This morning, OFA volunteers delivered those petitions to Senator Collins' office. And this afternoon, she voted to move this bill forward.

Now your work can help make sure we secure the votes necessary to finally put an end to this unfair policy.

One final push might be all it takes.

I know we still have a lot of fight left in us. Write Republicans now -- and tell them to stop standing in the way:

http://my.barackobama.com/DADTRepealLetters

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

Via JMG: President Reacts To Senate DADT Vote

"A minority of Senators were willing to block this important legislation largely because they oppose the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' As Commander in Chief, I have pledged to repeal this discriminatory law, a step supported by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and informed by a comprehensive study that shows overwhelming majorities of our armed forces are prepared to serve with Americans who are openly gay or lesbian. A great majority of the American people agree. This law weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates fundamental American principles of fairness, integrity and equality.

"I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Armed Services Committee Chairman Levin, and Senators Lieberman and Collins for all the work they have done on this bill. While today's vote was disappointing, it must not be the end of our efforts. I urge the Senate to revisit these important issues during the lame duck session." - President Barack Obama, in a press release expressing his "extreme disappointment."

Labels: Barack Obama, DADT, military, Senate

Senate DADT Roll Call

Democrats Voting No
Manchin (D-WV)

Republicans Voting Yes
Collins (R-ME)

Independents Voting Yes
Sanders (I-VT)
Lieberman (I-CT)

Not Voting
Brownback (R-KS)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Lincoln (D-AR)

Labels: DADT, GOP, military, Senate

posted by Joe

Uganda: Kill the gays and all their friends, too

Via Belirico Debunking The White Liberal Dog and Pony Show

http://www.bilerico.com/2010/12/debunking_the_white_liberal_dog_and_pony_show.php

Via Senator Boxer: Now is the Time to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Now is the Time to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”  
by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer

In 2003, Air Force Major Margaret Witt, a decorated flight nurse, saved the life of a critically ill Defense Department civilian who collapsed during a commercial aircraft flight coming home from Seeb Air Base in Oman.

For her actions, Major Witt received the Air Force Commendation Medal.  But, shockingly, she was later discharged from the Air Force because of the ill-advised “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.  After a lengthy court battle, Major Witt last week learned that she will be able to rejoin our military.

“The men and women in the unit are like family members to me,” she said, “and I’ve been waiting a long time to rejoin them.”  Major Witt and thousands of other brave service members have been waiting far too long.

The United States Senate has a historic opportunity right now to repeal the Pentagon’s discriminatory “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy once and for all. Now that the Pentagon has completed its comprehensive review of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” we have a chance to move our country forward toward full equality – and we must not waste it.

According to a recent CNN poll, 78 percent of the American people think we should allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in our armed forces. The vast majority of our brave men and women in uniform believe this change will not hurt our military's effectiveness. When they were asked as part of the Pentagon's just-released review of "don't ask, don't tell," 70 percent of our service members said repealing this discriminatory policy would be positive, mixed or have no impact on their ability to do their jobs.

They understand that we cannot keep expelling stellar service men and women from the military for reasons that have nothing to do with their ability to protect our nation. It harms our national security.

We know that U.S. service men and women are already fighting in Afghanistan alongside gays and lesbians who serve openly in the armed forces of our allies, such as Australia and the United Kingdom.

Not only does "don't ask, don't tell" hurt our military, it costs our nation.

At a time when our nation is confronting record deficits, American taxpayers have been forced to pay up to a half a billion dollars to replace the 13,000 service men and women discharged under this policy.

"Don't ask, don't tell" simply does not reflect who we are as Americans - which is why I have opposed the policy since it was proposed back in the 1990s. The strength of our military, just like the strength of our nation, is grounded in a fundamental belief that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights and opportunities. Denying someone the opportunity to serve our country because of who he or she may love runs counter to our values.

President Obama has said that he wants to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." The courts are increasingly striking down parts of the law. The House of Representatives has passed legislation to repeal it. And the Pentagon has extensively prepared to implement this change. As Admiral Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said, repealing "don't ask, don't tell" is simply "the right thing to do." All that remains is for the Senate to act.

 

Via JMG: Westboro To Picket Edwards Funeral

(Via - Towleroad)

Labels: Elizabeth Edwards, hate groups, religion, Westboro

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: UTAH: Parents Upset Over Gay Suicide Signs Posted Near Elementary School

Administrators and parents at a Utah elementary school are upset because a man who lives adjacent to the school has posted the above signs.

Leonard Ridley lives next to Art City Elementary in Springville. He recently posted three signs on his fence, facing the playground after he read news about the recent rash of gay suicides. "The signs of course say stop gay suicide, tell the truth, gays are born gay," Ridley said. "I realized at that point that I was in an enviable location in back of the school and this would be an opportunity to provide information to the children tat would be carried to the adults in their lives, to the teachers, to their parents in particular and carry information concerning homosexuals and homosexuality that would perhaps contradict with the mistaken ideas that they already had."

Saying that many parents had complained, school officials said that suicide was an inappropriate subject for elementary school students. The city has declared that the size of the signs exceed zoning codes and Ridley has agreed to post only one sign at a time.

(Tipped by JMG reader Alan)

Labels: education, LGBT youth, suicide, Utah

reposted from Joe