Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Via AmericablogGay: New President could thwart DADT Repeal by reinstating ban on open service


We mentioned in an earlier post that Michele Bachmann was jabbering about reinstating DADT if she became President. She could do it by using her Executive Authority. 

The NYT's Jim Dao talked to SLDN"s Aubrey Sarvis about this:
Congress merely laid out a process under which the ban could be lifted. Under that process, the president, Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had to certify that repeal would not undermine recruiting, retention, morale and other indicators of what is commonly called military readiness.

Once that certification was made and sent to Congress, the secretary of defense then had to prepare and issue new regulations allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly. That is where the process is now: the regulations are being written and the ban will be lifted on Sept. 20.

But because Congress did not require the military to allow open service, a new president could order his or her new secretary of defense to issue new regulations that effectively reinstate the ban, said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which advocates for gay and lesbian troops.

Mr. Sarvis said that if a Republican president were to take that path, it would essentially return the military to the pre-don’t ask era, when gays were banned under regulation. In those years, which date back at least to World War II, he said, there were no federal statutes expressly prohibiting openly gay people from serving. It wasn’t until President Clinton pushed to reverse those regulations that Congress enacted don’t ask, don’t tell in the 1990s, statutorily prohibiting open service.

Aubrey thinks it would be difficult for a new President to implement a new ban on open service "because senior military leaders prefer continuity in policy and would not have much appetite for reversing course so quickly." It would sure fly in the face of public opinion, too. But, the when the haters get to hating on the gays, not much stops them.

Republicans are unabashed about using power when they have it. Yet, our side has to beg, scream and plead the Obama administration to use its power -- and they still won't. How many of the those executive actions laid out by the Task Force's New Beginnings Initiative have been implemented? Not many.

Via AmericablogGay: Basic Rights Oregon hasn’t decided on 2012 ballot measure -- yet


A clarification from Basic Rights Oregon:

Statement from Jeana Frazzini, Executive Director of Basic Rights Oregon:
An article by the Salem Statesman Journal inadvertently implied that Basic Rights Oregon has already decided to gather signatures for a 2012 ballot measure, while in fact we do not expect to make this decision until later this year. In the meantime, we continue our work to educate the public about why civil marriage matters to caring and committed same-sex couples. Last year, we launched this education campaign to engage Oregonians in conversations in person, on social media and on TV. To get involved in this effort, visit us at www.lovecommitmentmarriage.org.
I saw that report earlier and it seemed premature. I've only heard good things about the way Basic Rights Oregon is undertaking its deliberations. The advocates are not rushing into this. They're thinking it through very carefully and very strategically.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Via JMG: Photo Of The Day


Married at last after almost 40 years. Read the full story.


Via JMG: Crazy Eyes: I'll Reinstate DADT


Yesterday Rep. Michele Bachmann told CNN that if elected, she'd "probably" work to have DADT reinstated.
Bachmann, a favorite of the ultraconservative Tea Party movement, said she would revisit the policy if she reaches the White House. "The 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy has worked very well," she told CNN's "State of the Union." "I would be in consultation with our commanders, but yes, I probably will" reinstate the ban, she added. The ban was overturned in a law adopted in December 2010 that first required the top military officer, the defense secretary and the president -- who is also commander-in-chief -- to certify the change would not harm military readiness and that the armed forces were ready to carry it out.
GOProud will be thrilled.


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Via JMG: Seen At Montreal Pride


JMG reader Earl reports that Crazy Eyes was the only American to be included in a shaming of homophobes at Montreal's pride parade.


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Via JMG: Friendly Voices - Adam Levine


"I can single-handedly dispel any ideas that sexuality is acquired. Trust me, you’re born with it. My brother is gay, and we knew when he was two. We all knew. We all really wanted to provide some cushion for him and constantly let him know that it’s OK. A lot of people don’t want their kid to be gay and will fight it at all costs. But I’ve got news for you—it’s a losing fucking battle. The more you fight it, the more fucked-up your kid’s gonna be. You’ve just gotta embrace it from the beginning. That’s the only way to deal with it as a family. Otherwise, you’re just screwing yourself over, and you’re gonna make your kid miserable." - Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, speaking to Out Magazine.


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Via JMG: Abstinence Works Because It Works


Despite all the data to contradict his position, Texas Gov. Rick Perry sits there and shamelessly tells the show's moderator that "abstinence education works." Watch this clip for a horrifying preview of the next year in GOP politics. (My apologies for the ad at the beginning.)


Watch live video from texastribune on Justin.tv


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Via JMG: 2012 Candidates On LGBT Issues


Marriage Equality USA provides the above chart of the positions held on LGBT issue by declared 2012 presidential candidates. Embiggen for details or go here.


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Via JMG: GLSEN Fires Back At FRC


Last week I posted the latest lie-filled video attack on GLSEN by the shameless Christianist liars at the Family Research Council. Today GLSEN advises that they have sent a cease-and-desist letter to the FRC, demanding the removal of the video.
The false statements in the FRC video can do real and lasting harm to our work. FRC has made those false and defamatory statements in an obvious effort to raise money, undermine GLSEN’s work and maintain the status quo: school systems where LGBT students face unacceptable levels of harassment and violence and where anti-LGBT bias is a weapon of choice for bullies. We must respond forcefully and aggressively to defend our ability to fulfill our mission, and to protect ourselves and our partners in this critical work – the countless people in school communities across the country who work with GLSEN and our chapters to ensure safe and affirming schools for all students, utilizing our resources, attending our trainings, advocating with us for urgently needed change to make a positive difference in schools.
I'm betting that the FRC ignores the letter.


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It gets better - ThoughtWorks

Via AmericablogGay: Bachmann, who equated homosexuality to Satan, now claims she doesn’t judge gays


Busy weekend for GOP politics.
Michele Bachmann, the winner of the Ames straw poll, told David Gregory that of gays, "I don't judge them. I don't judge them." And, "I ascribe honor and dignity to every person...They have honor and dignity." Really? She's got a long history of homophobia, to the point of saying, "It’s a very sad life. It's part of Satan." Gregory played the clip from the 2004 speech where she made those remarks -- and actually did a good job trying to pin her down. Note how Bachmann tries to downplay her extreme hatred for gays when she speaks to broader audiences. Won't work. Her vicious homophobia and Marcus' ex-gay therapy issues will dog her campaign.

I don't think the GOPers realize how energized the LGBT community has become over the past few years. Barack Obama, who is ostensibly an ally, learned it first-hand. Right now, the Republicans are scrambling to get the right-wing homophobic vote. But, that's a shrinking group. More and more Americans are on our side. And, that's especially true for young voters. It's not 2004. And, I suspect the GOPers will be hearing a lot more from the LGBT community as they campaign.
Second-class citizenship won't sell in 2011-2012. And, that goes for civil unions, too.

Via JMG: Tweet Of The Day - Cher



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Via JMG: Crazy Eyes: I Don't Judge Gay People


She just believes we're "of Satan" and that we all need to be brainwashing into being straight Christians. Watch Meet The Press host David Gregory rip her to shreds.




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Sunday, August 14, 2011

Via JMG: Crazy Eyes Wins Iowa Straw Poll


Rick Perry got 718 write-in votes.


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Via JMG: Hate Groups Cheer Crazy Eyes


Hate groups leader, KKK fundraiser, and white supremacist Tony Perkins applauded yesterday's win by Rep. Michele Bachmann, saying it will be impossible to shrink the government if gay marriage is allowed. In the clip below, Perkins and his fellow panelist point out that the most anti-gay candidates finished the highest in the Iowa straw poll.




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Via AmericablogGay: Meet Gabe Aderhold, the 17 year old student who heckled Bachmann

Yesterday, Michele and Marcus Bachmann got heckled at the Iowa State Fair -- by 17 year old Gabe Aderhold. The Des Moines Register interviewed him:



Gabe Aderhold said before heckling Michele Bachmann at today’s Iowa State Fair that his mission was to help educate the representative about how harmful her rhetoric against gay and lesbians is to her constituents.
Aderhold, 17, is gay and said part of his reasons for speaking publicly is to bring awareness to gay issues after the death of a family friend – a 15-year-old gay boy who lived in Bachmann’s district and who committed suicide in 2009 after being bullied.
“It is her responsibility to address social issues in her area, and there have been six suicides in the last year from being bullied in her district,” Aderhold said to The Des Moines Register prior to heckling Michele Bachmann today at the Iowa State Fair.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Via AmericaBlogGay: A double loss for NOM in the First Circuit Court of Appeals


Any day that NOM loses is a good day for equality. But, when NOM loses twice, it's just so much better. From On Top Magazine

In Maine and Rhode Island, NOM has been fighting disclosure laws that require advocacy groups to report details about their work, including their donors.
But in separate rulings released yesterday by the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston, the court upheld both states' disclosure laws.
In the Rhode Island case, the court ruled that the state's law imposed little burden on the group and served a valuable government interest, the Providence Journal reported.
In the Maine case, NOM argued that the state's reporting requirements are vague and over-broad, Maine Public Broadcasting Network reported.
Maggie and Brian have to realize that their little hate-based fiefdom is disintegrating around them. They're going to have to disclose their previously hidden donors, which will probably mean their revenue sources will dry up. Public opinion is turning against them big time. The courts are moving towards equality, too.

The demise of NOM is going to be so fun to watch.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Behind the Scenes of Michele Bachmann's Newsweek Cover

Take a look at the behind the scenes video of the cover shoot for Michele Bachmann's Newsweek cover. She was joined by her husband Marcus so she could get the right look down. 

http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/5yrs