Pam Spaulding's Blog, page 45

Vote on Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill to take place on Friday

There was a lot of activity on Facebook and Twitter about the pending vote by Uganda's Parliament regarding the "kill the gays" bill. Depending on where you got your info it was supposed to be today, or that it was dropped altogether. The status was also reported inaccurately by the AP.

Thank goodness for Jim Burroway of Box Turtle Bulletin, who has been both accurate and prolific with updates on social media. Over at his blog he published the current state of things.

Uganda's Parliament has suspended business for the day without having taken up debate and a vote on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Sexual Minorities Uganda's Frank Mugisha, who has been on hand at Parliament (and enduring insults from Parliament members as a result) just posted on Facebook that Parliament will reconvene on Friday with the Anti-Homosexuality Bill back on the agenda.

...Warren Throckmorton also confirms that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill will be scheduled for Friday. While the 8th Parliament remains constitutionally in effect until May 18, a Parliament spokesperson told Throckmorton that Friday is the last day the current Parliament can act because swearing-in ceremonies for the 9th Parliament will begin on Monday.

Matt Barber, A Prepubescent Transyouth's Drug Therapy Doesn't Equal A "Sex Change Operation"

On April 27, 2011, the Melbourne Community Voice posted the article Court Rules On Australia's Youngest Sex Change:

The Family Court has allowed a 10-year-old to begin sex-change therapy to prevent self-harm.

Justice Linda Dessau ordered the child be allowed to start drug therapy to suppress puberty and reconvene when Jamie turns 16 to consider approval for the second stage.

The child, who cannot be named for legal reasons but is referred to as 'Jamie', will become the youngest Australian to have sex-change therapy.

Jamie has lived as a girl for two years, "presenting as a very attractive young girl with long, blonde hair," the court heard, dressing in feminine clothes and using the girls' toilet at school.

The court heard that Jamie identified as a girl and rejected her parents' attempts to reinforce her masculinity. Following psychiatric assessment in 2007 court permission was sought to begin stage-one.

Stage 1 intervention is a drug therapy that delays puberty. It's reversible; this is a protocol for prepubescent children whose stronly assert that their gender isn't the one that's usually associated with the shape of their genitalia at birth.

But, the horrors! Matt Barber, Vice President of the Liberty Council's Liberty Action, found out about this story, and today (May 11, 2011) gave commentary to the American Family Association's OneNewsNow "news" outlet.

Apparently, Matt Barber didn't bother to read the story, and apparently doesn't know what the intervention is going to be for the youth. In a the piece entitled Sex change of minor = 'criminal abuse', he states this:

And he argues that surgically changing the boy into a girl will not work "because we are, as scripture says, as God made us -- male and female. And man does not have the power to undo what God has done."

Barber further insists other guilty parties need help as well. "Any parent who would abuse their child in such a way and allow doctors to abuse this child through sexual mutilation surgery like this, they have a mental disorder," he contends.

And he argues that surgically changing the boy into a girl will not work "because we are, as scripture says, as God made us -- male and female. And man does not have the power to undo what God has done."

Barber further insists other guilty parties need help as well. "Any parent who would abuse their child in such a way and allow doctors to abuse this child through sexual mutilation surgery like this, they have a mental disorder," he contends.

If this actually were the gender confusion that Barber and his ilk are afraid of, and that one is worried that a 10-year-old is going to get irreversible surgical intervention that will change the shape of the child's genitalia, then, to repeat from earlier in this diary, the treatment is reversible. No lasting harm would be done to the child. Puberty will just be delayed.

Matt Barber lied about the actual treatment this youth is going to receive at this point; the youth is not getting genital reconstruction surgery at this time, but instead is going to receive drug therapy that delays puberty. Whether Matt Barber's lie was intentional or not, it's still a lie. He needs to correct the record on the basic facts on the story.

But then again, it's not like we don't know that the religious right has a habit of being loose with the facts.

As for Matt Barber's opinion -- well, we have free speech in this country. Everyone has a right to voice an opinion, even if someone else finds that opinion ill-informed or stupid...or both.

Newt joins the PHB 2012 GOP Clown Car

Newt Gingrich is throwing his hat into the ring under the Big Top to earn his seat in the PHB 2012 GOP Presidential Race Clown Car today, a crowded field of fundie-courting Republicans with exploratory committees. He announced on his Facebook page:

I have been humbled by all the encouragement you have given me to run. Thank you for your support. Be sure to watch Hannity this Wednesday at 9pm ET/8pm CT. I will be on to talk about my run for President of the United States.

You have to click over and read Tim Murphy's piece at Mother Jones, "Newt in His Own Words: 33 Years of Bomb-Throwing." A snippet:

1988 Gingrich discusses his midlife crisis: "I spent a fair length of time trying to come to grips with who I was and the habits I had, and what they did to people that I truly loved. I really spent a period of time where, I suspect, I cried three or four times a week. I read Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them and I found frightening pieces that related to...my own life."

1989 He explains to the Washington Post why he fights with his second wife, Marianne: "It's not even that it matters to me. It's just the habit of dominance, the habit of being the center of my staff and the center of the news media." Newt gives the marriage a "53-47" shot of surviving.

Well he certainly has the over-developed ego and narcissism necessary to promote himself even after a boatload of hypocritical bigotry over the years. David Mixner in his piece today, "LGBT Americans Prayer: "Oh Dear God, Please Not Newt," outlines the anti-gay record of the former House Speaker.

For the American LGBT citizens he is particularly harsh. He supports:

-an amendment to the Constitution of the United States banning same sex marriage.

-banning all adoption by LGBT parents

-banning LGBT citizens from becoming foster parents.

-stopping LGBT Americans from serving in the military at all costs.

-against the passage of ENDA

-against the repeal of DOMA

-had his political committees give $350,000 to anti-LGBT hate groups

-says Obama should be impeached for not defending DOMA in court.

-believes that all homosexuals are sinners.

-he stated that there is a 'gay and secular fascism in this country'

This, from a man who has a half-sister, Candace, who is Lesbian. Sorry, but people don't come any more despicable than this.

Ari Melber's piece in the Nation had the LOLZ quotes of the day - "Gingrich: The Most Serious Joke in the GOP Presidential Race."

If you look at the historical precedents for reaching the presidency, Gingrich is simply not positioned to be a serious candidate. He resigned from the last elected office he held, in the House 13 years ago. He has never won statewide office, held a cabinet position, or served in the military.

By contrast, every president elected in the 20th Century had previously served in the military, or held national or statewide office. Gingrich's presidential path is not just unlikely-it is unheard of in the modern era.

Gingrich is a serious joke, however, because of the silly company he joins. The speculative GOP field is packed with green room performers (Trump, Bachmann), entertaining interlopers (Paul, Cain) and thin sequels (Romney, Santorum). Almost anything looks sober by comparison.

"Gingrich will add substance to the Republican field," says former McCain strategist Mark McKinnon. That seems like the kind of faint praise that damns everyone in the equation.

Livetweets of House Armed Services Committee hearing on mark-up of the NDAA

NOM exploiting children to stop gay marriage in New York

crossposted on Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters

According to Jeremy Hooper from the blog Goodasyou.org, the National Organization for Marriage is fighting against the possibility of same-sex marriage in the state of New York by running a commercial ad it used in 2009.

The commercial claims of "dire consequences" if same-sex marriage is approved in New York.

However, one of those "dire consequences" was proven to be a lie. Starting at .07 is the following claim:

Massachusetts schools teach second graders that boys can marry other boys.

That claim is an alteration of an original claim NOM made that kindergartners were "being taught about gay marriage in Massachusetts."

In February of this year, the Pulitzer Prize winning site PolitiFact called out the National Organization for Marriage for pushing that misleading statement.

At the time, NOM was fighting the passage of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. The organization sent out brochures claiming:

"Massachusetts’ public schools teach kids as young as kindergartners about gay marriage. Parents have no legal right to object!"

During the investigation of this claim, PolitiFact talked to:
Christopher C. Plante, executive director of the Rhode Island Chapter of NOM,Kris Mineau, executive director of the Massachusetts Family Institute,Jonathan Considine of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and Thomas Gosnell, president of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts.
PolitiFact concluded that NOM's claim was inaccurate:

Bottom line: The National Organization for Marriage mailing says that Massachusetts public schools teach kindergartners about gay marriage. The wording, including the present tense verb, gives the impression this is happening now, in many schools.

But the group’s only evidence is two incidents five years ago. It’s possible that somewhere, in one of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, other kindergartners have been taught about same-sex marriage. But NOM couldn’t cite any other examples. We find its statement False.

So other than changing the grades of the children, NOM is still pushing a misleading implication that "being taught about gay marriage" is part of the Massachusetts school curriculum.

In the commercial aimed at New York, NOM also cites the story of children in California attending the gay wedding of their teacher as yet "another danger" of gay marriage. However, NOM conveniently omitted the fact that parents gave their children permission to attend this wedding.

The irony of NOM's commercial is that earlier today, the organization announced a $500,000 ad campaign geared to stopping the passage of gay marriage in New York.

NOM's tactics are more sophisticated, but they still add up to the lie told by Anita Bryant  regarding children and "gay recruitment" when she led opposition against a Florida pro-gay ordinance in the 70s

No doubt the organization figures if pushing the implication of  "gays recruiting children" worked for Bryant, then why can't it work for them.

Especially in light of the fact that NOM has more money to finance this lie.

Related posts:

NOM brags about NY finances, but omits questionable history of bad ethics

NOM's passive/aggressive exploitation of its supporters

I feel sorry for NOM and the 'defenders of marriage'

John Amaechi on Tweets by NC State basketball star CJ Leslie

Over at Outsports, Cyd Zeigler caught up with John Amaechi to see what he had to say about CJ Leslie's sad and ignorant Tweets (see the PHB earlier exclusive and a screen cap below):

"I'm not saying I hate gays, but that's sumthing that I would not wnt n my locker room."

"I'm no anti gay But I would rather not have a gay n the locker room."

and, hilariously:

"John amaechi is to big to be gay. #imjussayin"

I couldn't wait to hear what John's response was to that last one, lol. As always, John Amaechi is a classy guy --and he knows how to deftly cut right to the chase:

I would advise him to listen to the reasoned arguments of people like Brendon Ayanbadejo and educate himself; he has already and will continue to have gay people in his locker room and while he is wondering if they are looking at his genitals, they are focused on taking his minutes and his place in the NBA.

I have heard quite a few people say we shouldn't be penalising people like this kid and the hockey sports agent for expressing archaic views from a first amendment rights perspective.

However, I would suggest that as the incidence of these damaging and obtuse perspectives is ever increasing, we should remind those that can't resist spewing bigotry in 140 characters, that their right to speak exposes them to of right of balanced and educated people to rip their puny logic and hypocritical perspectives to pieces and call them out as ignorant.

Did you know NC State has a 45% graduation rate for its basketball players? You would think that would be a larger concern for their players - the vast majority of whom will never join me in pulling on an NBA jersey.

Also, "too big to be gay"? Sounds like he's put a lot of thought into that conclusion...

Cyd Zeigler also asked NC State assistant athletic director for media relations Annabelle V. Myers for a statement she said that CJ Leslie is not available to comment until after final exams.

EqualityNC has asked for an apology. We'll see if that occurs...

SLDN to House Armed Services Committee: reject anti-DADT repeal amendments linked to DOMA

Tomorrow at 10 AM ET the mark-up of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) will begin and there are amendments that will be offered that clearly show the Republicans flexing their muscle to hurt gay and lesbian servicemembers. SLDN has released a letter to members of the committee urging them to reject the amendments. From SLDN's press release:

In the letter, Sarvis directly addresses expected amendments prompted by the release of guidance by the Navy regarding same-sex marriages and the use of chapels on naval bases. Specifically, on April 13, the Navy Chief of Chaplains issued guidance to Chaplains and Religious Program Specialists regarding use of base facilities following repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) and found "base facility use is sexual orientation neutral."

"That legal advice to Chaplains was prudent and correct," wrote Sarvis. "The guidance does not mandate that a Chaplain is required to perform any marriage ceremony on or off post, and Chaplains will be free to decline to do so, just as they are free today to do so with respect to any marriage."

Sarvis noted that the Chief of Chaplains' guidance was based upon legal advice received from Navy legal counsel, which clearly took into consideration the legal requirements of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The Chief's guidance and Navy Legal counsel are wholly consistent with DOMA, he said.

"To suggest that a Chaplain would violate DOMA by voluntarily taking part in such a ceremony and, perhaps, that a service member would be acting illegally by entering into a same-sex union is an incorrect reading of the law. DOMA does not purport to restrict individual activities - it merely deals with what recognition the federal government will give to them," said Sarvis.

Anticipated amendments related to this topic are likely to be offered by Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) and Mr. Todd Akin (R-MO) to reaffirm and restate DOMA provisions should be opposed, said Sarvis.

"To bring the DOMA debate into the NDAA mark-up is an unprecedented step taken by those eager to interject cultural issues into the funding authorization for our armed forces," he said.

Sarvis urged members to oppose both amendments as well all other amendments that would undermine the repeal process.

"These amendments represent a not-so-subtle attack upon the senior leadership of the Department of Defense while, at the same time, undermine the men and women in uniform who are undertaking with the highest degree of professionalism the very assignment they were given by the previous Congress," Sarvis concluded.

And in equally interesting news, LezGetReal reports that the lily-livers at the Pentagon have decided to revoke its advice regarding chaplains and their ability to perform same-sex marriages on bases in state's where it's legal. Guess whose pressure is responsible? Tony Perkins and the professional anti-gays at the Family Research Council:

The age of instant news without a whole lot of information. Apparently, the Pentagon has decided to cave to pressure from the likes of hate monger Tony Perkins and the rest of the homophobic idiots out there and now is no longer willing to allow chaplains to act in accordance to their religious beliefs and perform same-sex unions in those states that allow them.

Guest Post by Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards: What Today's Vote Means for the Church

Big happy news!  Ten years of effort have finally paid off.  The Presbyterian Church (USA) voted today to remove the barriers to the ordination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) clergy and lay leaders put in place in 1997!  Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards explains below what this development means for the people of the denomination.  Rev. Edwards is one of the nearly 10,000 (out of 17,000 votes) Presbyterian ministers and elders that have voted "Yes" to allow for more inclusive ordination.  As co-moderator of More Light Presbyterians, a "network of people seeking the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA)", Rev. Edwards has been instrumental in helping to get this amendment passed.

What Today's Vote Means for the Church

By Rev. Janet Edwards

Cross-posted from TimeToEmbrace.com

"'Behold,' says the Lord, 'I am doing a new thing, can you not see it?'"

Isaiah 43:19

Today, Tuesday, May 10, marks the day now written in the Book of Life when it has become a certainty that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will allow ordination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender faithful Christians as elders, deacons and ministers in the church communities that wish for these candidates to become ordained.

With Twin Cities Presbytery passing Amendment 10A, the needed majority of our presbyteries (87 of the 173) from across the country have ratified the General Assembly recommendation to remove the barriers in the church rules to ordination.

Wow.  This is a step that has been decades in the making. As a long-time advocate for full inclusion in my church, the movement of the Holy Spirit in presbyteries across the country fills me with awe, gratitude, and humility.

In order to help those who may just be coming across this news, I thought it wise to break down what this means for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and how we can move forward together.

What this vote means for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Policies

On June 29, 2011, the revised requirements for ordination from Amendment 10A will go into effect.  This amendment restores historic language to the constitutional standards for ordination. Emphasis is on Scripture, the confessions of the church and the vows every candidate must take as they are ordained. And, it rightly places the responsibility for determining fitness for office on each presbytery for ministers or congregation for elders and deacons.

No community is forced to ordain a candidate. But those communities that recognize the gifts, faith, and call of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender candidate are no longer barred from ordaining that candidate.

The section of the Book of Order - which is part of our church constitution - that deals with ordination will be revised to say:

Standards for ordained service reflect the church's desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate's calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate's ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.

What this vote means for the people of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

For decades, I have seen that the ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ordination has divided and hurt the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). I have seen countless lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender faithful leave the church for other denominations, starving us of their gifts that we so need.

Today, I am filled with awe that the Holy Spirit has helped us see a way forward that will make the church stronger and more unified. With this vote, we allow communities that recognize the gifts of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender candidates to place them in positions of leadership. We also leave room for those who feel differently to do so and continue the conversation.

As Presbyterians, a cornerstone of our church life is that each community should decide. This vote allows just that.

Where the conversation will continue

This vote happened as a result of thousands of conversations over decades. And we have thousands of conversations to go.

We are all one in the Body of Christ. Through the many years leading to this moment, I have felt myself to be on the 'losing' side many times.  I expect that there may be those who feel that way today.  I am humbled by the shift of power among us if we see this only with the eyes of the world. But through the eyes of Christ and through our shared faith in Jesus Christ, we can envision together a better, stronger, and more unified Church and truly live as One.

In the coming days and weeks, you can find more thoughts and analysis of the passage of Amendment 10A at TimeToEmbrace.com or by going to http://www.amendment10a.org/.

Video Response Link

Peace,

Reverend Janet Edwards

WTF of the day: Wisconsin judge calls defendant 'gayer than a sweet-smelling jockstrap'

I don't know where to begin, other than to ask how does he know this? (Wisconsin Gazette):

Before sentencing a former school bus driver to prison for molesting young boys, the judge ridiculed the defendant for claiming to be a heterosexual.

"I think you were born gayer than a sweet smelling jock strap," Judge Philip Kirk of Waupaca told Delton Gorges, 71, before sending him to prison for seven years on counts of sexual assault of a child, repeated sexual assault of a child and two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree sexual assault. Gorges will serve 15 years of extended supervision after his prison release.

..."No one knew there was a closet to come out of in those days," the judge said. "You know you had to be very careful, because you could have found your penis floating in the Wolf as walleye bait. It was a terrible life to have to live."

Watch it:

Presbyterian Church To Allow Gay And Lesbian Ordination

Good news just in the mailbox:

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TO ALLOW GAY AND LESBIAN ORDINATION

Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards issued the following statement today upon the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) reaching the voting milestone that opens ordination to lesbian and gay candidates:

"I am both overjoyed and humbled by today's vote in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Presbyterians across the country opened up their hearts to see that Christ's love embraces us all.

"I see this as an opportunity to build a stronger church. Faithful and qualified lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Presbyterians will be able to openly serve the church with energy, intelligence, imagination and love.

"This is our chance to build a more unified church. After such a momentous decision, it is our tradition to lift each other up in prayer and a generous spirit, regardless of how we voted. No community will be forced to ordain a candidate. But those communities that recognize the gifts, faith, and call of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender candidate are no longer barred from ordaining that candidate.

"We have participated in thousands of conversations leading up to this moment.  Those conversations will continue as we reach out to those who voted against this amendment. My hope is that with God's blessed guidance, we can go forward and do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God, stronger together than we could ever imagine.

"Two years ago, I was put on trial -- and eventually unanimously acquitted -- by my church for marrying a same-gender couple. Ever since, I've felt called by God to open up a heartfelt dialogue with those conflicted about, or opposed to, the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in faith. Today is an important first step on the journey to full inclusion."

Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards is one of the nearly 10,000 (out of 17,000 votes) Presbyterian ministers and elders that have voted "Yes" to allow for more inclusive ordination.  As co-moderator of the group More Light Presbyterians, Rev. Edwards has been instrumental in helping to get this amendment passed.

You can also read her piece on what this means for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) here.

Reaction from The Task Force:

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and its Institute for Welcoming Resources congratulate the Presbyterian Church (USA), which today crossed a historic threshold to eliminate official barriers to the ordination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people as ministers and lay leaders in the 2.4 million-member denomination. Twin Cities Presbyterians became the 87th Presbytery, a regional governing body for the denomination, to vote to ratify this constitutional amendment giving the denomination the majority of votes needed to approve this landmark change.

Presbyterians join a growing Protestant movement of Lutherans, Episcopalians and members of the United Church of Christ who have eliminated official barriers to leadership for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.