Monday, July 11, 2011

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Via JMG: PCUSA: Gay Pastors Now Welcome


Beginning today, openly gay pastors may preach in Presbyterian Church USA pulpits.
Gone will be the requirement that clergy live "in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, or chastity in singleness." Elimination of that language clears the way for ordination of clergy in same-sex relationships. The change was endorsed last year by the Presbyterian national assembly, but required approval by a majority of the denomination's 173 regional presbyteries. That threshold was crossed in May.

reposted from Joe

JMG Quote Of The Day - Gary Johnson


“This ‘pledge’ is nothing short of a promise to discriminate against everyone who makes a personal choice that doesn’t fit into a particular definition of ‘virtue’. While the Family Leader pledge covers just about every other so-called virtue they can think of, the one that is conspicuously missing is tolerance. In one concise document, they manage to condemn gays, single parents, single individuals, divorcees, Muslims, gays in the military, unmarried couples, women who choose to have abortions, and everyone else who doesn’t fit in a Norman Rockwell painting." - Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, the first 2012 GOP candidate to officially denounce the "offensive" moral pledge already signed by Crazy Eyes and Frothy Mix.


reposted from Joe

Saturday, July 9, 2011

via JMG: BREAKING: Pentagon Orders Halt To DADT Dismissals, Welcomes Openly Gay Troops


Just in from the Army Times:
The Pentagon has ordered a halt to all separations of gay troops under “don’t ask, don’t tell” and will begin accepting applications from prospective recruits who identify themselves as homosexuals. The moratorium issued Friday came after a ruling Wednesday by a federal appeals court in California ordering the Defense Department to immediately stop enforcing the law. The court said the law is unconstitutional because it treats gay Americans differently under the law. Meanwhile, defense officials will continue to prepare for the law’s formal repeal, which Congress approved in December. The law will be formally repealed 60 days after the defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs “certify” that it will not adversely impact military readiness.

reposted from Joe

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Via JMG: A Different Kind Of Hood


Submitted by JMG reader Sean Chapin.

UPDATE: For those who say the above image goes too far, let's not forget the below actual sign carried by one NOM supporter.
reposted from Joe

Via Gay Politics Report: U.S. admits "regrettable role" in discrimination against LGBT Americans

  • U.S. admits "regrettable role" in discrimination against LGBT Americans
     
  • A legal brief filed last week by the Department of Justice is being hailed by LGBT-advocates as a historic document in the legal fight for equality for LGBT Americans. The brief cites the unconstitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act in arguing that a federal employee's lawsuit over partner benefits should not be dismissed, and lays out a history of discrimination against LGBT people in the U.S. The Obama administration had earlier announced it would no longer defend DOMA, but this is the first time it has sought to convince a federal court that the law is unconstitutional. "This brief represents the concrete manifestation of a complete paradigm shift in the federal government's position on anti-gay discrimination and the constitutional rights of married same-sex couples," said Tobias Barrington Wolff, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. 
  • Google/The Associated Press (7/2), Metro Weekly (Washington, D.C.) (7/5) LinkedInFacebookTwitterEmail this Story

Via JMG: AFA To Corporations: Don't Hire Gays


In an interview with hate group head Linda Harvey, the American Family Association's Gary Glenn said that corporations should not hire any homosexuals. Right Wing Watch has the quote.
What ridiculous folly to suggest that only those individuals who engage in homosexual behavior given all of its severe medical consequences constitute the best and the brightest. It’s not really bright to engage in behavior that puts you at dramatically higher risk of mental illness and substance abuse and AIDS and cancer and hepatitis, and according to various sources, premature death. So to suggest that engaging in that type of behavior defines someone as the best and brightest, which seems to be the line coming out of corporate America, is just ridiculous.
Harvey responded: "You’re right. And higher rates of domestic violence and unstable relationships. I would not think of a homosexual person as a good employment risk, I just wouldn’t."


reposted from Joe

Monday, July 4, 2011

In support of the Baha'i prisoners in Iran

پشتیبانی مردم برزیل از زندانیان بهایی 
Brazilian people in support of the Baha'i prisoners in Iran
O povo brasileiro em apoio aos prisioneiros Baha'i no Irã
http://www.flickr.com//photos/sasgbahai/sets/72157627008875050//show/

Via American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER):


Dear Daniel,

Today, we reflect upon the memorable words Thomas Jefferson penned 235 years ago:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Taken together, these words define the essence of freedom.

For couples like Kris and Sandy, two of AFER’s plaintiffs challenging Prop. 8, freedom means raising their boys in a loving, stable home. It means not having to justify their relationship every time one of them tries to pick her son up from school. It means growing old together.

For couples like Jeff and Paul, the other two plaintiffs in our case, freedom means having their love recognized not only by each other, their friends, and family, but by the state. It means being able to take part in a sacred institution that is universally recognized in our country. It means supporting each other, in sickness and in health.

And for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, freedom means not being judged, bullied or harassed for being labeled as different, but instead being celebrated for who they are. It means going to school without the fear of being shoved or taunted. It means living in a home where they are loved, supported and nurtured.

Fourteen times the U.S. Supreme Court has said that marriage is a fundamental right of all individuals. Two loving, committed people should be able to pursue happiness through a special kind of bond.

This Fourth of July we have much to rejoice. Soon, all couples will be able to wed in New York. Prop. 8 has been ruled unconstitutional. The barriers blocking the federal recognition of the legal marriages of gay and lesbian couples are crumbling. Never before have we been closer to realizing equality for gay and lesbian Americans.

Our fight for equality is about trying to form a more perfect union—between two people who love each other and to have that bond recognized.
For too long, this country has denied equal rights to its gay and lesbian citizens. And with your help, we will achieve full equality for all.

Happy Independence Day,



Chad Griffin Portrait Chad Griffin SignatureChad GriffinBoard President
American Foundation for Equal Rights

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Via 365Gay: Culhane: But are they “bigots”?

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, Professor of Law, Widener University
It’s been much remarked lately that those who oppose marriage equality have been trying to stand the facts of the world on their heads. In a move that’s been at least partially successful, some of them claim that what we’re trying to do is to silence them, to drive their views from “the public square” (one could create a drinking game based on Maggie Gallagher’s use of that term), and to label them “bigots.”
So they are the “victims” – not those of us who are denied basic equality. Read this recent interview with Gallagher in the wake of the New York victory – it won’t take you long to find the words “bigotry”, “silenced,” and – of course – “public square.” [Glug.]

This strategy makes sense, from their perspective. As it’s become glaringly apparent that they don’t have convincing legal or policy reasons for excluding us from the benefits of and protections of marriage, they attempt to shift the terms of the debate by labeling us intolerant.

Via Central de Notícias Gays: Casal Gay de Jacareí (SP) é o primeiro a se casar oficialmente no Brasil

Luiz André Moresi e Sérgio Kauffman Sousa

O cabeleireiro Sérgio Kauffman Sousa e o comerciante Luiz André Moresi retiraram no Cartório de Registro Civil de Jacareí, a certidão do primeiro casamento civil Gay do Brasil.

O documento é consequência de uma decisão do juiz Fernando Henrique Pinto, da 2ª Vara da Família e das Sucessões do município, que converteu a união estável deles em casamento. O fato histórico ocorreu bem no Dia Mundial do Orgulho Gay, 28 de junho.

Os dois se emocionaram durante a rápida cerimônia de registro civil. A mesa colocada para assinar o documento foi adornada com a bandeira colorida símbolo do Movimento LGBT. Depois da cerimônia, eles trocaram alianças, se beijaram e abriram um champanhe.

Durante discurso, Luiz André dedicou o casamento aos militantes, à Justiça em Jacareí e aos ministros do Supremo Tribunal Federal. “Estamos fazendo história”, disse Luiz. “Desde adolescente, eu queria casar, mas não com uma mulher. É um conto de fadas realizado”, disse Sérgio.

Quem também discursou foi o promotor de registros de Jacareí José Luiz Bednarski. Ele lembrou que na Constituição homens e mulheres são iguais e têm os mesmos direitos garantidos. Durante o discurso que emocionou o casal, ele afirmou que espera “que essa semente plantada hoje no futuro se transforme em uma grande árvore”.

Segundo o Tribunal de Justiça de São Paulo e a Associação Brasileira de Gays, Lésbicas e Transgêneros (ABGLT), é o primeiro caso de casamento civil Homoafetivo no país. Com a decisão, os dois se tornaram oficialmente casados e passarão a usar o mesmo sobrenome: Sousa Moresi.

“É uma felicidade imensa. Ainda estou tentando compreender esse momento histórico. A ficha precisa cair que esse é um momento que vai ficar na história. A gente luta por tantos anos e quando acontece, a gente entra em êxtase. É por isso que eu divido e dedico essa vitória a todos os militantes”, contou Luiz André.

Segundo Kauffman, o casamento civil chega após oito anos de união estável. No dia 17 de maio, eles foram ao cartório oficializar a união. No dia 6 de junho, pediram a conversão da união em casamento civil.

Segundo o TJ, o Ministério Público deu parecer favorável ao pedido, que “foi instruído com declaração de duas testemunhas, que confirmaram que os dois ‘mantêm convivência pública, contínua e duradoura e estabelecida com o objetivo de constituir família’.”

De acordo com o TJ, a decisão do juiz Fernando Henrique Pinto tem como principal fundamento o julgamento do Supremo Tribunal Federal, de 5 de maio, que reconheceu a união estável de pessoas do mesmo sexo como entidade familiar.

O juiz disse que, com o casamento, os dois passam a ter os direitos garantidos após a morte de um deles. "Quando há a união estável, você tem de provar quando um falece que esta união valia na data da morte. Com o casamento, basta apresentar a certidão. É uma garantia. Tanto que faço a recomendação a todos os casais, Homossexuais ou heterossexuais, que vivam em união estável para que se casem."

Gay Soldier's Parents Fight Minnesota's Marriage Ban