Pam Spaulding's Blog, page 58

Catholic League Sets About Redefining Rape

William Donohue, President of the Catholic League has posted what is most assuredly his most sickening piece to date, no small feat for a man who once said:

"Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular."

But in Straight Talk About The Catholic Church Donohue sets about spinning the Catholic Church's record on child molestation and harboring of pedophile Priests. And this piece has it all. It's a virtual word salad of excuse-making and finger-pointing.

Also, no one got raped.
They're just a bunch of old cases:

80 percent of the cases of alleged abuse involve incidences that occurred before 2000.

And it was just Priests who got all caught up in that sexual revolution that we tried to warn you about:

most of the abuse occurred during the heyday of the sexual revolution, from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s.

There's obfuscation, the Church is the real victim, "because too often bishops have been quick to settle" they encourage fraud:

When $225,000 is dished out to a Michigan man who claims he was abused in the 1950s by a priest who died in 1983-and the diocese admits the accusation is unsubstantiated-it encourages fraud.

There's antisemitism, of course, that's a favorite topic for Donohue:

Why are priests being singled out when the sexual abuse of minors among other segments of the population is on-going today? ...there has been a slew of stories over the past few years detailing the extent of this problem in the Orthodox Jewish community; some rabbis still insist that sexual abuse cases should be handled internally.

And those pop psychologists, it's their fault we shuttled Priests from parish to parish, from country to country:

How often has the Church been ripped for following the advice of psychiatrists who thought they could "fix" molesters?

We didn't know what the law was:

Mandatory reporting of sexual crimes is not uniform in law or practice. In New York State, several attempts to blanket the clergy and other professionals have been met with resistance.

Once again, the Church is the victim:

What accounts for the relentless attacks on the Church? Let's face it: if its teachings were pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage and pro-women clergy, the dogs would have been called off years ago.

Don't forget those cursed, heathen comedians:

The assault on priests as child abusers has become a staple in the arsenal of Jay Leno, Bill Maher, Denis Leary, George Lopez, "The View" panelists, and others.

Besides, isn't that Joy Behar Jewish?



But the pi?ce de r?sistance comes here:

The refrain that child rape is a reality in the Church is twice wrong: let's get it straight-they weren't children and they weren't raped. We know from the John Jay study that most of the victims have been adolescents, and that the most common abuse has been inappropriate touching (inexcusable though this is, it is not rape). The Boston Globe correctly said of the John Jay report that "more than three-quarters of the victims were post pubescent, meaning the abuse did not meet the clinical definition of pedophilia." In other words, the issue is homosexuality, not pedophilia.



When the National Review Board, a group of notable Catholics, issued its study in 2004, the team's chief, attorney Robert S. Bennett, said that "any evaluation of the causes and context of the current crisis must be cognizant of the fact that more than 80 percent of the abuse at issue was of a homosexual nature."

Yep. Blame the gays.



He's been saying this for awhile. Commonweal magazine fact-checked Donohue's claims about the John Jay study almost a year ago:

First, John Jay researchers did not measure the pubescence of victims. They collected two sets of data about victims. One, the "Cleric Survey," recorded the victims in the following age groups: 1-7, 8-10, 11-14, and 15-17. Researchers presumed that victims aged 11 to 14 were postpubescent; according to the Cleric Survey, 50.9 percent of victims were aged 11 to 14. That's why on page 56 of the "Nature and Scope" study the researchers claim that "the majority of alleged victims were postpubescent." It's not clear to me why John Jay would make that claim, given that researchers didn't collect data on victims' pubescence and that the DSM-IV defines a pedophile as someone with recurrent sexual desires for prepubescent children "generally aged 13 or younger." The American Pediatric Society actually says that for males the onset of puberty-not its conclusion-usually occurs between the ages of 10 and 14. So why would John Jay presume that victims between 11 and 14 years of age were postpubescent? What's more, according to the Cleric Survey, nearly 73 percent of victims were 14 or younger.

Words fail. Some people just need to go away. Homophobic rape apologists to the front of the line, please.

The Bizarre Behavior Of An Apparently Hate Filled Man - Of Course It's Peter LaBarbera

On Friday, April 15, 2011, I went to the Veterans Administration for my bi-annual eye exam. In the process of having my vision checked, my eyes were dilated to check for cataracts. (My right eye has deteriorated to become a just a tad more farsighted, btw.)

So, while wearing very dark glasses to protect against San Diego's very bright, spring sun, I tweeted the following:

And thus began an twitter exchange with Peter LaBarbera of Americans For Truth About Homosexuality.

Q Of The Day: What's Your Favorite "Bad" Video?

Okay, I forgot about this 80's song, and recently rediscovered it on The YouTubes:

The song is The Europeans' The Animal Song. In the very early 80's, I remember rocking out to this song -- banging my hands on the steering wheel of my even then late-model 1970, red Toyota Corolla in beat with the electronic drums.

And the video -- Oh - My - Gawd, Gag me with a spoon! For me, this video is just so awesome in its over-the-top ridiculousness.

And saying all that, I'm so aware this song is an aquired taste. This is a very dated, "bad" song -- and equally "bad" video.

So, what's your favorite "bad" video or song that you just can't stop loving anyway?

Maryland State Senate President Mike Miller: Transgender Civil Rights Are "Anti-Family"

Society is made up of groups, and as long as the smaller groups do not have the same rights and the same protection as others -- I don't care whether you call it capitalism or communism -- it is not going to work. Somehow, the guys in power have to be reached by counterpower, or through a change in their hearts and minds, or change will not come.

~Cesar Chavez

How many of us who cared about what happened with HB 235 were aware of this attitude of the Maryland State Senate President?

"I personally believe [HB 235] is anti-family, uh, so I'm going to vote against it.

"...The problem is this: I have senators that are not going to hire, uh, people with male sexual organs who wear a dress to serve as receptionists, okay? Umm, and so if they're not going to do it, so if the senators and house members themselves wouldn't hire someone in that category, how can we say to constituents that you've got to do this?"

Maryland Senate President Mike Miller (D-District 27/Calvert & Prince George's Counties)  on the Friday, April 8, 2011 installment of Maryland Public Television's State Circle (beginning at the 7:55 mark in installment)

The Maryland State Senate President believes granting employment protections trans women is "anti-family", and believes his legislative peers don't want trans women working in their offices -- that's on the record.

Compare Senator Miller's "anti-family" language to the language of the opponents of HB 235 at the recent House of Delegates hearing:

[More below the fold.]

"And in [HB 235], employers will be required to hire transgendered adult males dressed as dressed as females as daycare, and elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Children will be encouraged to crossdress, transgendered individuals will be touted as role models for children to emulate -- this will cause major confusion for children.





"Children will then have to defend their birth femininity, or masculinity, and they will be discriminated against if they attempt to be the boy or girl they were born to be. The curriculum will tell them if they do anything which is outside of what the majority of their gender does, that they themselves are transgender -- Which is not true.

"It's ironic that this gender identity law wants to take away from our children all the be all you can be gains of the women's liberation movement."





"Children are already confused and suffering by being told that gender is insignificant. While it's important to say that gender roles should not limit a child's potential, it is harmful to children to say gender differences don't exist.

"We all agree that this gender identity nondiscrimination law will mandate tolerance training in the schools. Montgomery county school's tolerance training already equates crossdressing to transsexualism. This curriculum tells the children that just as crossdressers change their clothes, transsexuals change their body to match the way they feel. This is indoctrinating children, starting in kindergarten, and even daycare, that gender does not matter."

This is the reality that transgender people and their intra-community allies in Maryland are going to have to confront in future years regarding any antidiscrimination legislation that addresses housing, employment, and public accommodation protections based on gender identity: The Senate President is on the record as stating that he doesn't believe transgender should have ordinary equality under the law because he believes ordinary equality for transgender people is anti-family, and he and many of his legislative peers don't want transgender people working in their offices.

Looking forward towards future gender identity civil rights legislation, a question for LGBT community members and their allies in Maryland is going to be how address this real dynamic. Should we consider approaching every single Democratic and Republican lawmaker in Maryland (as well as in other states) requesting that they sign non-discrimination statements for their hired staff that specifically includes protections for sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression? I believe we should; I believe we need to know how equality minded each legislator is or isn't.

And too, as we move forward in thinking about the strategy and tactics regarding ordinary equality for transgender people in Maryland, we're actually going to have to really work and really sacrifice for the civil rights transgender people want and need. Showing up at the offices of delegates and senators, and then engaging in citizen lobbying for equality legislation, is going to be a minimum we need to do -- and that's not just in Maryland, that's wherever antidiscrimination legislation based on gender identity and expression is up for a legislative vote. And frankly, it's probably going to take a hell of a lot more than the minimum of all of us who care about civil rights if we really want civil rights for transgender people.

Hell, that's equally true if we want basic civil rights based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression -- as well as marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community members -- in the many states and localities where we don't have basic civil rights and marriage equality.

If we in LGBT community want ordinary equality for LGBT community, more of us are going to have to work and sacrifice a hell of a lot more than we as community have -- sometimes at years at a clip -- for ordinary equality. LGBT civil rights isn't an going to be an instant gratification effort, but a long slog that requires hard work and sacrifice.

How many of us are ready to say, as Cesar Chavez said:

Because we have suffered, and we are not afraid to suffer in order to survive, we are ready to give up everything -- even our lives -- in our struggle for justice.

Until we're ready for that kind of commitment, the Sen. Miller's of the world will be able to readily deny LGB-and-especially-T people ordinary equality because they consider us "anti-family," as well a minority population that they find it perfectly acceptable to personally discriminate against in the workplace.

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Endorsement of the decade: Pat Buchanan: Donald Trump Is Not A Racist

ROTFLMFAO. This is comedy gold, only Uncle Pat's not joking or doing stand-up. (TPM):

TRUMP on video: "I've always had a great relationships with the blacks. Some of my best friends are blacks."

BUCHANAN (in studio): "I don't find any malice in what he said in that statement about the black folks," Buchanan said. "I'm a Catholic, and if he said I have a great relationship with the Catholics, I don't think I'd take great offense."

Help me out here -- what year is this? Was there a bumper crop of ignorance l missed? Boy, it's so incredible that I can't help but laugh. Why does MSNBC keep this man on the air - is it for comic relief. I sure can't be because of his political savvy at this point.

From the Blend Pat Buchanan files:

* Pat Buchanan explains White Resentment

* Uncle Pat on MSNBC: America is "a country built basically by white folks"

* Pat Buchanan's latest bigot eruption: 'Losing White America'

John Amaechi in NYT op-ed: 'Kobe, stop fighting the fine'

Amidst all of the homophobia and race-baiting that has surfaced related to Kobe Bryant's 'f*cking f*g' slur (PHB posts here, here and here), I'm so grateful for the wisdom and frankness of former NBA player John Amaechi, who has a NYT Op-Ed up that speaks both to us, the audience in turmoil, as well as Bryant.

Kobe Bryant isn't some great, bigoted monster, as some have implied, but he isn't the innocent victim of some overblown one-off incident about a word that's "not even that bad," either.

...When someone with the status of Kobe Bryant, arguably the best basketball player in a generation, hurls that antigay slur at a referee or anyone else - let's call it the F-word - he is telling boys, men and anyone watching that when you are frustrated, when you are as angry as can be, the best way to demean and denigrate a person, even one in a position of power, is to make it clear that you think he is not a real man, but something less.

I challenge you to freeze-frame Bryant's face in that moment of conflict with the referee Bennie Adams. Really examine the loathing and utter contempt, and realize this is something with which almost every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender person is familiar. That is the sentiment people face in middle and high schools, in places of worship, work and even in their own homes across the United States.

Is he not correct? We've all seen that face of contempt before. Sometimes it leads to fighting words, other times outright violence, but most of the time it results in the feeling of being belittled, silenced. Amaechi notes that this is why we have seen the teen LGBT suicides, beatings and bullying. It is why we are seeing more states pass inclusive anti-bullying laws because parents and students have had enough.

And as I noted in my earlier posts, why, oh why did Kobe engage in the worst kind of apologies (the second of which was deemed acceptable by Joe Solomonese for some reason). Amaechi:

As for the original apology, I am amazed that people still think apologizing in such a way as to make it clear that it was the victims who misunderstood is acceptable. I had hoped that the sorry-if-you-are-oversensitive school of apology would by now have been thoroughly discredited.

And what has really rubbed me the wrong way has been the instant jump by some blacks and some members of the white LGBT community going ballistic, turning quickly to defensive corners, and oppression Olympics. Have we not learned anything? At least I'm not alone in saying stop the madness.

Many people balk when L.G.B.T. people, even black ones, suggest that the power and vitriol behind another awful slur - the N-word - is no different from the word used by Kobe. I make no attempt at an analogy between the historical civil rights struggle for blacks in the United States with the current human rights struggle for L.G.B.T. people, but I can say that I am frequently called both, and the indignation, anger and at times resignation that course through my body are no greater or less for either. I know with both words the intent is to let me know that no matter how big, how accomplished, philanthropic or wise I may become, to them I am not even human.

I am tired of people having this debate about the relative impact of pejorative words on their target minority group. If injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, then the relative power of an antigay gay slur is irrelevant, it is simply a threat to human dignity, and that should appall us all.

John Amaechi also repeatedly tells Bryant to stop fighting the $100K fine levied on him by the NBA, simply because he has to take the punishment like a man and take this opportunity to use his celebrity to make this a very public lesson why words do matter, and that anger is not an excuse to hurl epithets of that nature.

***

This just in from GLAAD:

Los Angeles Lakers, NBA to Work with GLAAD to Address Anti-Gay Slurs in Basketball

Los Angeles, CA, April 15, 2011 - Today the Los Angeles Lakers joined the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) in issuing a release regarding Kobe Bryant's use of the anti-gay slur f*ggot during a game this week and committing to address homophobic remarks in the sport.

"What happened in Tuesday night's game is not representative of what the Lakers stand for," said Lakers spokesman John Black. "We want to reaffirm our commitment to all our fans and our appreciation for the support we receive from all segments of society. We also understand the importance of positive messages in helping us convey this. We appreciate the input we've received from GLAAD the past two days and will look forward to working with them on ways to help educate ourselves and our fans, and to help keep language like this out of our game."

"In light of this slur, there is a real opportunity to build support for our community and educate fans of Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the NBA about the use of such words," said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. "The Los Angeles Lakers have taken a positive step and we look forward to working with them to create messages from players and coaches that combat bullying. We also suggested and will continue to advocate for zero tolerance policies for anti-gay slurs at home games, similar to what the New York Yankees adopted last year."

In addition to the LA Lakers, NBA executives have agreed to meet with GLAAD to discuss ways to send a message about the power of such words to the league's audience, many of whom are young people, parents or educators.

Recently, GLAAD worked with the New York Yankees and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to address issues of homophobia in sports. After working with GLAAD, the New York Yankees adopted a new policy that strictly prohibits anti-gay slurs in Yankee Stadium.

Oh, btw, I've received emails along the lines of "why not make the NBA deal with the rappers it partners with/works with?"

If we want to discuss misogyny and homophobia in rap, that's fine. My issue is let's deal with the situation at hand. I notice that this sense of "we need to escalate with action X" seems to pop up on these tense issues at the intersection of race and homophobia. For god's sake, do you really think any rational progress will be made if the dialog that I see is going on?

Yes, it's worthy of bringing up these topics (they are important), but until I see some clear thinking and actual commitment to cross-cultural understanding in times when the house isn't on fire, talk to the hand. Too often I write posts about race matters and see few or no comments.

NOM's Gallagher testifies at House 'Defending Marriage' hearing; given 'Bigotry Award' by GetEQUAL

We have the GOP in change in the House and so that means we have circus sideshow subcommittee hearings. This one is with special guest Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage.

Is this really a priority for the House? It's embarrassing given all of the messes that need Congress's attention. All I have to say is that someone fumegates the chamber after she belches out her hot air of hate. (The Advocate):

Maggie Gallagher, the chairman of the board for the National Organization for Marriage, is scheduled to testify Friday at a House subcommittee hearing titled "Defending Marriage."

The panel testifying before six Republicans and four Democrats on the subcommittee will also include Ethics and Public Policy Center president Edward Whelan (a fellow marriage equality opponent), and Carlos Ball, a Rutgers Law School professor who will testify that President Barack Obama and his Justice Department were correct in calling DOMA unconstitutional. In February, the administration announced it would no longer defend the 1996 law in court.

Streaming is here.

UPDATE: And look at what Maggot Here's GetEQUAL activist Michael Dixon, presenting Maggie Gallagher with the "First Annual Anita Bryant 'Unparalleled Bigotry' Award" in the hallway outside of the hearing room.

LGBT Group Confronts Maggie Gallagher in Congressional Hearing, Presents Her With "Anita Bryant Unparalleled Bigotry" Award

At a Congressional hearing on "Defending Marriage" in the Subcommittee on the Constitution, GetEQUAL - a national lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization using direct action and nonviolent civil disobedience tactics - presented Maggie Gallagher, one of those testifying at the hearing and the board chairman of the National Organization for Marriage, with the "First Annual Anita Bryant Award for Unbridled and Unparalleled Bigotry." Competition for the prize was fierce, with Ms. Gallagher out-bigoting such notable figures as Senator John McCain, Michelle Bachmann, Pastor Rick Warren, and Sarah Palin.

"In presenting this award to Ms. Gallagher, we are recognizing the bigotry that she has pioneered over the past few years - malice that has put her ahead of the pack in the world of professional bigots who draw a paycheck each day from the hatred they stir up among the 'radical right' wing of the American public," said Robin McGehee, director of GetEQUAL. "At a time when Americans overwhelmingly support marriage equality it takes a very special person like Ms. Gallagher to stand up and fight for discriminations and bigotry. It's gratifying to be able to draw attention to the unrelenting hatred that Ms. Gallagher and others at the National Organization for Marriage have been contributing to American life."

At the Congressional hearing, GetEQUAL was able to present Ms. Gallagher with an award certificate, which will be accompanied at a later date with a prize in honor of the award's namesake - a cream pie. Harkening back to an incident in 1977, the award is given in commemoration of the "pieing" of Anita Bryant - then the leader of Save Our Children. Video of the incident can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS91gT3XT_A.

"I have seen the video of the four 'self-proclaimed homosexuals' who delivered the pie to Anita Bryant in 1977," said Michael Dixon, a GetEQUAL activist. "It is truly an honor to walk in their footsteps as GetEQUAL recognizes and rewards the tireless efforts of Ms. Gallagher - the woman who has picked up the mantle of hatred and prejudice from Ms. Bryant - and worked so hard to promote bigotry and discrimination against an entire class of American citizens. I hope we can unite her with her pie as soon as possible - I have always believed that bigots should get their just desserts."

GetEQUAL will deliver the pie prize during a future public appearance by Ms. Gallagher, to ensure that she is able to celebrate the award publicly, in front of an audience. The exact moment of delivery is unknown at this time.

Also: Jeremy over at Good As You has a roundup of Maggie and NOM's "greatest hits."  

NOM's Gallagher to testify today at House 'Defending Marriage' hearing

We have the GOP in change in the House and so that means we have circus sideshow subcommittee hearings. This one is with special guest Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage.

Is this really a priority for the House? It's embarrassing given all of the messes that need Congress's attention. All I have to say is that someone fumegates the chamber after she belches out her hot air of hate. (The Advocate):

Maggie Gallagher, the chairman of the board for the National Organization for Marriage, is scheduled to testify Friday at a House subcommittee hearing titled "Defending Marriage."

The panel testifying before six Republicans and four Democrats on the subcommittee will also include Ethics and Public Policy Center president Edward Whelan (a fellow marriage equality opponent), and Carlos Ball, a Rutgers Law School professor who will testify that President Barack Obama and his Justice Department were correct in calling DOMA unconstitutional. In February, the administration announced it would no longer defend the 1996 law in court.

I'm trying to find out where it's going to be streamed. It starts at 10 AM. You can try here first.

Another 2012 GOP Clown Car candidate takes his seat

Ah, another occupant in the 2012 GOP Clown Car. It's none other than former Senator Rick "Man on Dog" Santorum, who announced this week that he's formed his Exploratory Committee ("Fighting to Make America America Again). WTF? Here's Faux News's take:

"I've been to 25 states over the past year ... and have gotten a lot of great feedback and a lot of encouragement," Santorum said on FOX News Channel's "On The Record with Greta Van Susteren" Wednesday night.

...He reportedly made a little under $100,000 a year at FOX News Channel as an on-air contributor under a three-year contract set to expire in 2013. However, the network suspended the contract last month, citing a conflict of interest as he publicly mulled a presidential run.

Santorum joins former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty as the third viable Republican candidate to form a presidential exploratory committee.

...According to the Real Clear Politics average of recent national polls, Santorum currently registers 2.2 percent support nationwide.

Image modified from the original 2008 GOP Clown Car by Liss at ShakeSis .

 

Catch your blogmistress offline...in Durham and Charlottesville, VA

Bloggers seem to get a bad rap for being only armchair activists spouting pronouncement, not really involved in community actions. The other charge is that they lack savvy about "how things work" in politics by those who are paid to "make things work."

Of course that broad brush isn't true. On my own time and dime I've spoken to high school GSAs, participated in NC lobby days, etc. And tonight you can catch me participating in a Talk Back with attendees of Duke University Theater Studies production of The Laramie Project @ Sheafer Theater (Bryan Center, West Campus), directed by Jeff Storer. It runs April 14-16 at 7:30PM, April 10, 17 at 2PM.

The Laramie Project from Alex Maness on Vimeo.

While we'll discuss the play and its relevance today, we will take up some of the sobering stats from the 2010 State of Higher Education report from Campus Pride, and the state of LGBT rights in NC. Hope to see you there tonight at 7:30 PM.

***

If you're within a hop of Charlottesville, Virginia, you can meet up with me there because I've been invited to keynote UVA's Proud To Be Out Week, on Monday April 18th, 6-7:30 PM, sponsored by its LGBTQ advocacy group, Queer & Allied Activism. The university also has a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center.

More below the fold -- the promo piece.

One of the presidents of Queer & Allied Activism, Seth Kaye, sent out this promotional piece for my appearance. I always laugh when I see stuff like this because it makes me think "Did I really accomplish all of that?" - you know, the Imposter Syndrome kind of thing. 

 

Pam Spaulding

LGBT Political Blogger and Accidental Activist

Monday April 18th, 6-7:30pm Nau 101

Facebook Event Link - Invite Your Friends!

Sponsored by: Queer & Allied Activism

Cosponsored by: Minority Squared, the LGBT Resource Center, the Office of African American Affairs, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and the Office of Diversity and Equity

with support from the Studies in Women and Gender Program and the Department of English

Questions? email: here

 

Pam Spaulding will be the keynote speaker for this semester's Proud To Be Out Week. Her talk will cover her life, her blogging, what it means to be a married queer person of color in the South - and be political, how she became an "Accidental Activist," and how you can be too!

 

Pam Spaulding is the editor and publisher of www.PamsHouseBlend.com – with 300,000+ monthly visitors. The Blend launched in July 2004 as a personal response to the anti-gay state of the political landscape. As a Southern, black, married lesbian, with a family history steeped in NC politics, Spaulding and The Blend's various "baristas" bring unique voices to the LGBTQ blogosphere directly addressing race and class issues within the LGBTQ community. Always steamin’ – The Blenders go where other blogs and news sources dare not go promptly serving up the news and poignant commentary earning Pam the title of “Lesbian Blog-Stremist” from anti-gay groups. A Durham native, Pam lives in the Bull City with her wife Kate; they legally married in Canada in 2004.

Pam has been twice honored as Best LGBT Blog in the annual '05 and '06 Weblog Awards. Spaulding has guest blogged on Firedoglake, for Glenn Greenwald on Salon, the Bilerico Project, and Americablog. Spaulding has provided commentary on CNN during the 2008 presidential election cycle and was also credentialed as part of the general press pool to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention. In 2009 she was named one of Huffington Post's Ultimate Game Changers in Politics, received the Women's Media Center Award for Online Journalism, and was named one of OUT Magazine's OUT 100 for 2009. In 2010 Pam also landed on Politics Daily's Top 25 Progressive Twitterers list, as well as ranking in the Top 50 Women's Blogs. She was a panelist at the 2010 Netroots Nation conference speaking about her activism. In the summer of 2010, Spaulding was invited to a White House to cover the first ever LGBT press briefing with the Obama administration. Pam's House Blend was nominated for the inaugural Best Blog prize at the 2011 GLAAD Media Awards.