Moab, Utah has its first Gay Pride Festival!

Knowing the area fairly well, it was a complete surprise that Moab, Utah, known for it's outdoor jeep tours, beautiful scenery, and small-town pride hosted its first Gay Pride Festival this year. Utah, predominately Mormon, has traditionally not been known for being LGBTQ friendly. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (full name of the Mormon church) has, in the past, been a large financial supporter of anti-gay legislation and movements, such as Prop 8 in California. Prop 8 repealed the legalization of  same-sex marriage, still being fought in the courts.

So for the small town of Moab this might be that "shot heard 'round the country" when it comes to LGBTQ education, equality and awareness. Time will tell but city officials, who fully supported the parade and festival, hope that next year it will grow and become an annual event, drawing in more tourists and money for the small, but  beautiful town.

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Equality California: No Return to Ballot Over Prop 8 | News | The Advocate

In a somewhat confusing move California state’s largest LGBT rights group, Equality California, will not lead any effort to repeal Proposition 8 on the 2012 ballot. This leaves a void in the fight to repeal Prop 8, a ballot initiative narrowly passed on November 8, 2008 (52.5 to 47.5) that states: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." 

On August 4, 2010 United States district court Judge Vaughn R. Walker overturned Proposition 8 on the basis that it violated both the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the United States Constitution.  He issued an injunction prohibiting enforcement of Prop 8 pending a review by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. However, on August 16, 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit indefinitely extended the District Court's stay, stopping new same-sex marriages in the state of California pending appeal. It also scheduled an accelerated time table for hearing an appeal of Walker's ruling. In February of 2011 the California Supreme Court was asked to review the appeal and stay, which it has started with oral reviews on September 6, 2011.

By dropping out of the effort to repeal Prop 8, Equality California has left a void in the effort to repeal the proposition, stating that, “[G]iven what we know about public opinion and the significant challenges of the current political and economic climate, Equality California will not lead an effort to return to the ballot in 2012 to overturn Proposition 8.”

Another advocacy group, Love Honor Cherish, said it would “fill the void” if Equality California “abdicates their responsibility to fight for equality for the LGBT Community in California and to honor their prior commitments,” according to Tom Watson, the organization's acting executive director. 

We hope that Prop 8 will eventually be overturned and same-sex marriage in California will become a positive part of the history of equality in hte LGBTQ community.

Funny how things work....just as I finished the last blog this pops up from the Advocate.com, a Gay related site reporting news from around the world concerning LGBTQ information:

     "The board of a church in Sacramento County, Calif., has issued a statement in support of a pastor arrested on suspicion of child molestation. 

Tom Daniels, Sexual Predator? Likes Prop 8!

     According to The Sacramento Bee, the board of Rio Linda Baptist Church expressed its support for pastor Tom Gene Daniels, who is charged with suspicion of a lewd or lascivious act with a child under 14 and engaging in three or more acts of sexual conduct with a child. Daniels was one of the most vocal supporters of California's Prop. 8. 

     'Until such time as the courts prove Pastor Tom Daniels guilty, we have an obligation to support him and his family,' said the statement. The Bee reported that 'the statement also said that accusations such as those facing Daniels need to be tried in the court and not the media.'

     Daniels, 48, was arrested in December and is being held at the Sacramento County jail with bail set at $6 million. He has been employed as a foster parent and day care provider, according to the Bee. "

from the Advocate.com

• How come "they" are not blasted in the media but get to be quietly tried in the courts and "we" are immediately tried and found guilty in the media and in the eyes of the almighty righteous? 
• Does the Constitution provide for a double standard between the majority and minorities of any kind? I doubt it, but in whose minds does it exist and why?
• Did the repeal of Prop 8 clear the way for closeted sexual predators to practice their sadistic "crafts" on helpless boys and girls while allowing witch hunters to accuse those "homo's" of being sexual predators?
• What psychological process does a group, such as this church board, use when supporting a church leader who has been arrested and charged with such heinous crimes go through to support him, when at the same time if one of their openly gay members was charged with the very same crimes, they would most likely NOT provide the same support?