Always good for a laugh at the expense of the ultra conservative GOP and it's mother, The Tea Party, this video will make your day just a littel brighter...watch here:
Dedicated to ending Bullying, Teen Suicide, LGBTQ hate and Homelessness.
Showing posts with label anti-gay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anti-gay. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Group Petitions Christian Magazine to Accept Pro-Equality Ad
From The Advocate online:
Faith in America, a pro-LGBT religious organization, is petitioning Christianity Today magazine to accept its ad encouraging parents to accept their LGBT children.Christianity Today, a generally conservative publication, rejected the ad two weeks ago, Faith in America officials say on Change.org, where the petition is posted. The text of the ad says, “Do you have a child who is gay or lesbian? Do you fully embrace that child just as they are? Christ does. Faith and equality. Let’s end the harm from the misuse of religious teaching.” It is illustrated by the image of a cross filled with faces.
This decision is somewhat hypocritical...what else is new...in that they readily approve ads from anti-gay organizations that expressly oppose equality and civil rights. So why not print both sides? We know the answer to that one as well.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
GOP and Their Rantings About LGBT Families
Since losing the election and several of their Senate seats, topped off with the surprising victory in the four states for same sex marriage, the Tea Party flopheads have begun to forcefully attack the gay marriage issue. Tony Perkins, well known hater and President of the Family Research Council recently went on record, and outright attack, against legalizing gay marriage.
As seen here in this video posted by the Advocate, he compares "homosexuality to abortion, saying both 'run counter to natural law,'...", followed by, "I'm telling you what, I think you will create a firestorm of opposition. I think that could be the straw that broke the camel's back.When you look at a nation that is so divided along these moral and cultural issues, that you could have — you know I hate to use the word — but, I mean, a revolt. A revolution. I mean, I think you could see Americans saying, 'You know what? Enough of this.' And I think it could explode and just break this nation apart."
So it begins anew, against the obvious wishes of the populace, and at a time when the opposition could be focusing on more pressing issues...like bipartisanship in Washington...like letting women decide for themselves when it comes to their own bodies...like a lot of issues more pressing than what's already been decided.
As seen here in this video posted by the Advocate, he compares "homosexuality to abortion, saying both 'run counter to natural law,'...", followed by, "I'm telling you what, I think you will create a firestorm of opposition. I think that could be the straw that broke the camel's back.When you look at a nation that is so divided along these moral and cultural issues, that you could have — you know I hate to use the word — but, I mean, a revolt. A revolution. I mean, I think you could see Americans saying, 'You know what? Enough of this.' And I think it could explode and just break this nation apart."
So it begins anew, against the obvious wishes of the populace, and at a time when the opposition could be focusing on more pressing issues...like bipartisanship in Washington...like letting women decide for themselves when it comes to their own bodies...like a lot of issues more pressing than what's already been decided.
Friday, November 09, 2012
Exit Polls and the role LGBT voters played...
ADVOCATE Magazine: Nov 8, 2012
Exit polls have a lot to say about the role LGBT issues played in the
election, and on how President Obama's support for marriage equality
might have resonated with the electorate.
Lesbian, gay and bisexual voters sided heavily with Obama, for example, helping to propel him to a commanding win. Exit polls conducted for The New York Times and other media outlets indicated that 5% of voters were gay, lesbian or bisexual. (Voters weren't asked whether they are transgender.) Of those, 76% voted for Obama. While that number is high, it's also a six-percentage-point increase over the 2008 election for the president.
Where marriage equality was on the ballot, exit polls offer insight into whether it helped or hurt the president. The Associated Press reports that exit polls in Maryland, where voters approved legalizing same-sex marriage, show those who sided with equality broke strongly for Obama, while those opposed joined Romney. It was Obama and marriage equality that prevailed.
The time has arrived for a change in Washington and this country. Time for equality for everyone, regardless of sexual preference, gender identity or all other labels society feels obligated to place on people. Help make those changes become a reality by becoming involved.
Exit polls have a lot to say about the role LGBT issues played in the
election, and on how President Obama's support for marriage equality
might have resonated with the electorate.Lesbian, gay and bisexual voters sided heavily with Obama, for example, helping to propel him to a commanding win. Exit polls conducted for The New York Times and other media outlets indicated that 5% of voters were gay, lesbian or bisexual. (Voters weren't asked whether they are transgender.) Of those, 76% voted for Obama. While that number is high, it's also a six-percentage-point increase over the 2008 election for the president.
Where marriage equality was on the ballot, exit polls offer insight into whether it helped or hurt the president. The Associated Press reports that exit polls in Maryland, where voters approved legalizing same-sex marriage, show those who sided with equality broke strongly for Obama, while those opposed joined Romney. It was Obama and marriage equality that prevailed.
The time has arrived for a change in Washington and this country. Time for equality for everyone, regardless of sexual preference, gender identity or all other labels society feels obligated to place on people. Help make those changes become a reality by becoming involved.
Invisible Parents
Watch this new video from the director who was behind the viral "Homecoming" video for the UK's Coalition For Equal Marriage.
From OUT magazine comes this message of love and acceptance for what many consider a "non-traditional" family structure. However, with the results of the recent election leaning towards acceptance of gay relationships and families comprised of same sex parents, the time is coming for at least a greater acceptance of these relationships and the children affected by them. Studies show that children raised in same sex relationships are no different than those brought up in what society considers "normal" situations.
Normal is no longer the norm, and a new generation of young people has demonstrated a higher acceptance of different forms of the traditional bastion of marriage. This video appeals to the masses of those that are still locked in the old societal norms of traditioon and of what is acceptable, or not.
From OUT magazine comes this message of love and acceptance for what many consider a "non-traditional" family structure. However, with the results of the recent election leaning towards acceptance of gay relationships and families comprised of same sex parents, the time is coming for at least a greater acceptance of these relationships and the children affected by them. Studies show that children raised in same sex relationships are no different than those brought up in what society considers "normal" situations.
Normal is no longer the norm, and a new generation of young people has demonstrated a higher acceptance of different forms of the traditional bastion of marriage. This video appeals to the masses of those that are still locked in the old societal norms of traditioon and of what is acceptable, or not.
Friday, January 06, 2012
Tennessee Bill: It’s OK To Bully Gay Kids If You’re A Christian Or A Republican
via TPMmuckraker:
The proposed bill would amend the state’s current anti-bullying laws to specify that the anti-bully policy should “not be construed or interpreted to infringe upon the First Amendment rights of students and shall not prohibit their expression of religious, philosophical, or political views” as long as there’s no physical threat or threat to another student’s property.I personally think that 2012 is going to be a very backward year concerning LGBTQ rights and the return to the days of open hatred, physical beating, law-enforced bullying, and so many other anti gay actions returning to life. Hopefully not, but it seems that state by state, the GOP gay-hate agenda is marching forward one step at a time.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Calif teen to be sentenced for killing gay student
After three years of legal wrangling, a mistrial, and a final plea bargaining deal, Brandon McInerney has been sentenced today to 21 years in prison for the 2008 murder of fellow student, 15-year-old Larry King at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, CA.
McInerney shot King - an openly gay student - in the classroom in front of other students after supposedly being harassed by him on several different occasions. This blatant murder raised the ire of LGBT groups across the globe when it recently ended in a mistrial (search here for the thread of this entire story for more information) over the issue of him being tried as an adult who committed a hate crime. Several jurors thought he should have been tried as a juvenile and others thought that it was not considered a hate crime.
The obvious fact is that he murdered a fellow classmate, in school, in front of other students with premeditation. At least some justice has finally been served today as he is sentenced to 11 years for voluntary manslaughter and 10 years for use of a firearm. The unfortunate thing is that it won't bring Larry King back. The flip side is that this case has brought to the forefront the issue of LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination that runs rampant through our school systems nationwide. An epidemic that is slowly becoming more in the news and hopefully, one that will eventually be tamed to the point that we don't have to talk about kids killing each other or taking their own lives because they might be gay.
Hopefully this is the end of this unfortunate saga and Larry can rest in peace. We'll see.
 |
| McInerney King |
McInerney shot King - an openly gay student - in the classroom in front of other students after supposedly being harassed by him on several different occasions. This blatant murder raised the ire of LGBT groups across the globe when it recently ended in a mistrial (search here for the thread of this entire story for more information) over the issue of him being tried as an adult who committed a hate crime. Several jurors thought he should have been tried as a juvenile and others thought that it was not considered a hate crime.
The obvious fact is that he murdered a fellow classmate, in school, in front of other students with premeditation. At least some justice has finally been served today as he is sentenced to 11 years for voluntary manslaughter and 10 years for use of a firearm. The unfortunate thing is that it won't bring Larry King back. The flip side is that this case has brought to the forefront the issue of LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination that runs rampant through our school systems nationwide. An epidemic that is slowly becoming more in the news and hopefully, one that will eventually be tamed to the point that we don't have to talk about kids killing each other or taking their own lives because they might be gay.
Hopefully this is the end of this unfortunate saga and Larry can rest in peace. We'll see.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Dharun Ravi turns down plea deal in Tyler Clementi webcam spy case | NJ.com
However, since, in the words of his attorney, "he's not guilty", now he faces, if found guilty, possible jail followed by deportation.
I'm glad he decided to plead not guilty....maybe now justice will be served.
The judge rejected the defense motion to dismiss the indictment against Dharun that charges him with invading the privacy of his former roommate at Rutgers University and bias intimidation.
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Friends say classmate killed self after bullying on sexuality
 |
| Jacob Rogers - December 7, 2011 |
Maybe if people - that means you school administrators - would start listening to these kids and take definitive action against bullying instead of sweeping it under the rug because "it's a phase...they're just kids", then maybe this will end. But adults don't like to be held accountable for their inaction. It's something they've passed on to their kids, and they in turn will pass it on to theirs.
By all account Jacob Rogers friends say that kids bullied him at Cheatham County Central High School for the past four years, but in the past few months it had become so bad he dropped out of school.
And Wednesday, December 7th, he ended his life. and I get to add another face, another name to my memories page.
Saturday, December 03, 2011
When - Will - This - End?
I'm in tears...someone needs to hug this kid so bad and let him know that he has MORE than a million reasons to hang around...US! This is what so many of us have gone through - probably always will - until the haters stop hating, the bigots stop being so hypocritical, and we as a community gain the simple respect and equality that we deserve.
Most all of the comments are nice...but from experience, when you've reached this point, they really don't carry much weight. Seems like that might be a cold statement, but it's going to take more than words to stop seeing video's like this popping up so much lately. It's going to take action, participation, and a louder voice...not words saying that "It gets better." Sometimes, it just plain doesn't until one person, then a second, then a hundred, then a thousand, then hundreds of thousands stand up and say - ENOUGH!
And of those people, some will actually reach out and touch kids like this, hold them, tell them that they are loved just the way they are. Until then these video's will continue and more hearts will be broken. I know mine is after seeing this.
I'm personally tired of the haters, the tormentors, the assholes who make kids like this go to this extreme. There are no guarantees that this will end well.
Most all of the comments are nice...but from experience, when you've reached this point, they really don't carry much weight. Seems like that might be a cold statement, but it's going to take more than words to stop seeing video's like this popping up so much lately. It's going to take action, participation, and a louder voice...not words saying that "It gets better." Sometimes, it just plain doesn't until one person, then a second, then a hundred, then a thousand, then hundreds of thousands stand up and say - ENOUGH!
And of those people, some will actually reach out and touch kids like this, hold them, tell them that they are loved just the way they are. Until then these video's will continue and more hearts will be broken. I know mine is after seeing this.
I'm personally tired of the haters, the tormentors, the assholes who make kids like this go to this extreme. There are no guarantees that this will end well.
Thursday, December 01, 2011
George Michael is Improving - Pisses off Christian Right-wingers by Living
Singer George Michael, hospitalized recently for a bout of pneumonia has done the impossible by not dying, as wished and ordered to by the "Christian" right-wingers. After his hospitalization and subsequent failing health, the "Christians for a Moral America took to Twitter on Saturday to urge followers to pray for his demise.
Yeah, yeah...we all know that the bible has taught us that anyone that doesn't meet the oh-so-strict words in the bible, and those of its always-right interpreters, has the duty to die, or at least be Twittered to death. Excused from this are those who wear clothes made from certain non-allowed materials (in the bible) and those who just don't seem to understand the difference between right and wrong as defined by these oh-so-loving bible thumpers.
Simply amazing that so many of us sinners are still alive at all after completely contradicting the letter-of-the law. Of course, we all know too well that the bible, morals, values, who lives, who should die, and of course, who should be gifted with such decisions is a little confusing lately in our "Christian" society with all the contradictions set by the fruit of the vine blowhards who have nothing better to do.
In follow-up tweets, @GodsWordIsLaw claimed Michael was HIV-positive, and blamed his "lifestyle" for his illness.
Yeah, yeah...we all know that the bible has taught us that anyone that doesn't meet the oh-so-strict words in the bible, and those of its always-right interpreters, has the duty to die, or at least be Twittered to death. Excused from this are those who wear clothes made from certain non-allowed materials (in the bible) and those who just don't seem to understand the difference between right and wrong as defined by these oh-so-loving bible thumpers.
Simply amazing that so many of us sinners are still alive at all after completely contradicting the letter-of-the law. Of course, we all know too well that the bible, morals, values, who lives, who should die, and of course, who should be gifted with such decisions is a little confusing lately in our "Christian" society with all the contradictions set by the fruit of the vine blowhards who have nothing better to do.
In follow-up tweets, @GodsWordIsLaw claimed Michael was HIV-positive, and blamed his "lifestyle" for his illness.
Two Lesbians Raised A Baby And This Is What They Got
This is another beautiful video of a presentation by Iowan student Zak, raised by lesbian parents, as he spoke before upcoming legislation that amends Iowa's constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
There are, so far, over 5911 "likes, and 4985 comments - as varied and some as idiotic as the right-wing "Christians" still use to try and justify their only answer to this controversial issue, a message of hate and intolerance for any beliefs other than their own self righteous, bible thumping screams of bigotry and hypocrisy.
There are, so far, over 5911 "likes, and 4985 comments - as varied and some as idiotic as the right-wing "Christians" still use to try and justify their only answer to this controversial issue, a message of hate and intolerance for any beliefs other than their own self righteous, bible thumping screams of bigotry and hypocrisy.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Gay Couple Called Antigay Slur by United Airlines Agent
This event is above and beyond what we as a community should have to put up with. Billy Canu and his partner said their holiday travel was disrupted when a
United Airlines agent called them “faggots” during an exchange about
access to the lounge at Denver International Airport on Saturday.
Not only did they have to put up with this hate, but from a manager of UA nonetheless. There is a time to be patient, and there is a time to stand up to a bully, nose to nose and call their bluff. This is one of those times. There are over 3 pages of comments on this article, but one it particular really raised my ire:
Name: Barry
Date posted: 11/28/2011 5:40:14 PM
Hometown: Las Vegas
Comment:
Dear Andy: Okay, so what we have here is one homophobic bully (that's you) that apparently lives under a rock. United informed them, as most bullies characteristically do that they are not equal to you nor worthy of respect, so they HAD to start some crap to get the customer service they paid for and stand up to the bullies (that's you again.) Bravo to the two guys who decided to ignore the uneducated, hate language they were forced to listen to in public and who stood up to ignorance and stupidity. Go back under your rock and stay there...those of us who did get the memo don't care much about what those of you who can't read or have any tolerance for others (once again...that's you) think. BTW: the people who did get the 'memo' read it and agreed to abide by its rules. I worked for a major airline for 11 years ... I wrote the damn thing!
Not only did they have to put up with this hate, but from a manager of UA nonetheless. There is a time to be patient, and there is a time to stand up to a bully, nose to nose and call their bluff. This is one of those times. There are over 3 pages of comments on this article, but one it particular really raised my ire:
"Name: AndyThis, again is one of those times when someone needed to stand word for word against another bully, and I replied:
Date posted: 11/28/2011 2:43:06 PM
Hometown: Northridge
Comment:
Okay so what we have here are two gays who thought they could do what they please. United informed that they couldn't. The gays started some crap and United stood up to them. Bravo to United, who decided to ignore the memo that the world revolves around gay people."
Name: Barry
Date posted: 11/28/2011 5:40:14 PM
Hometown: Las Vegas
Comment:
Dear Andy: Okay, so what we have here is one homophobic bully (that's you) that apparently lives under a rock. United informed them, as most bullies characteristically do that they are not equal to you nor worthy of respect, so they HAD to start some crap to get the customer service they paid for and stand up to the bullies (that's you again.) Bravo to the two guys who decided to ignore the uneducated, hate language they were forced to listen to in public and who stood up to ignorance and stupidity. Go back under your rock and stay there...those of us who did get the memo don't care much about what those of you who can't read or have any tolerance for others (once again...that's you) think. BTW: the people who did get the 'memo' read it and agreed to abide by its rules. I worked for a major airline for 11 years ... I wrote the damn thing!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Delinquent Under-age Bully gets a slap on the hand after video beating went viral and petitions demanded action
Zach Huston, a freshman at Unioto High School in
Chillicothe, Ohio, was the subject of a beating, caught
on video that went viral online. He says that without the October 17 attack
being filmed, faculty and administrators would have taken little action against
his assailant. Even his mother has been the subject of controversy online with people saying she is only looking to profit from her son's beating. What a bunch of low life snobs to think that a mother, defending her gay son, is more worried about money than ensuring the safety of her son.
Zach has continued back at school, refusing to give in to the bullies and taunts he endures every day, both at school and online by cyberbullying. An attorney, retained on his behalf, has issued a notice that there will be repercussions for the lack of actions taken by school administrators, the student responsible for the beating, and the apparent refusal to end the bullying of Zack and others.
I applaud his mother for not only accepting her son, but for standing against those who wish to harm him. People need to take a stand against bullying before this happens again and we lose any more teens to suicide.
I applaud his mother for not only accepting her son, but for standing against those who wish to harm him. People need to take a stand against bullying before this happens again and we lose any more teens to suicide.
What DOES the Bible say About Same-sex Marriage?
So does the Bible have anything to "say" about gay marriage? The Bible
is not specific, literate, or even concerned with what we call same-sex
orientation or gay marriage. But the state of New York recently had
quite a lot to say about gay marriage. Those that would insert the
Bible into this debate would do well to reflect upon the text itself.
If only we quit focusing on what the Bible didactically "says" and
converse with the text in its broader cultural context. Then one can
realize the multivalent value of such a book that a narrow reading
cannot service.
The anti-gay, anti same-sex marriage proponents are very quick to extrapolate verses out of context to justify their biased stand against equality. Here are a few of the most used examples as explained by Lee Jefferson, Professor at Centre College:
First, the institution of marriage is a secular and social institution. In different ancient cultures, marriage was more of a business arrangement, joining families together for mutual benefit. Under Roman law in the first centuries of the Common Era, there were proper opportunities for divorce and the dissolution of a marital union for both parties. However, as the Christian church grew, marriage became more ecclesiastically governed; the church dictated the rules of marriage (as well as the rules of dissolution, as many remember Henry VIII's desire for a papal annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon). The Christian governance of marriage fractured during the Protestant Reformation. Figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin recognized marriage as a civil matter, a worldly affair, and not under the aegis of the church. Still there are many Catholics and non-Catholics alike who recognize marriage as a Christian affair, and further, believe it is divinely endorsed as a heterosexual institution. In my local paper in Kentucky, a letter was sent in to the editor lambasting the New York vote, claiming that marriage was created by God since the story of Adam and Eve is the proof-text. Advocates of this position should note, that Adam and Eve would still need to purchase a civil marriage license if they sought to get married today.
Second, the Bible does not clearly endorse one form of marriage over another. Adam and Eve as the divine groom and bride is one Biblical arrow in the quiver of same-sex union opponents. The Yahwist creation story in Genesis (the second creation story) has God forming Eve out of Adam's rib, and Adam exclaiming their unity ("this is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh"). This is a gender creation story, not a creation of marriage story. Adam and Eve do not exchange rings, say "I do" and have a jazz band reception in Paradise.
Third, the Biblical arguments against same-sex marriage are not proffered from texts that deal with marriage, but from texts that purportedly deal with same-sex orientation. Same-sex marriage is rejected as un-Christian and immoral on the basis of a myopic reading of a very few Biblical texts. And the texts in question are scant indeed. The most referenced texts are Genesis 19; the holiness codes of Leviticus 17-26, and in the New Testament, Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:9 and his Letter to the Romans 1:26-27. Not only does one have to "hunt" for references to same-sex practices, but there are no gospel texts that treat the matter. There is nothing attributed to Jesus of Nazareth that has anything to do with same-sex orientation. According to the gospels, Jesus never commented on same-sex practices; that fact certainly bears repeating to anyone criticizing the gay community on Christian grounds. Largely, same-sex practice is a topic of little interest to the Biblical authors.
The Biblical texts that are most often cited in the same-sex debate deserve some explanation in order to reduce their citation for hurtful purposes. For example, the text of Genesis 19 centers upon the story of Lot's visitation in the city of Sodom by two angels. The men of Sodom tell Lot to hand over the male visitors so that they may "know" them, i.e. sexually know them (giving rise to the term "sodomy"). Lot bargains with the visitors, quite horribly to a contemporary reader's eyes, by offering the men his virgin daughters instead. However, any reader of ancient literature (of which the Hebrew Bible is a component) would realize the familiar motif concerning hospitality. For example, the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes would frequently disguise themselves as humans in order to ferret who among their supplicants were truly hospitable. The story is not one denigrating same-sex practice; instead it upholds the incredible (and ludicrous) hospitality of Lot as a virtue.
Similarly, the holiness codes of Leviticus thread down from an all-encompassing mandate to behave distinctly from their foreign (and depraved) neighbors. Leviticus 20:13 that proscribes the death penalty for same-sex relations is quite related to codes that condemn bestiality, invoke dietary restrictions, and order the wearing of certain fibers. The codes make the Israelites unique from their neighbors, and they reflect a particular time and place in Israelite history. Any contemporary critique must note this reality before invoking the codes as ammunition against same-sex practice.
Fourth, any reference to same-sex practice by a Biblical writer or a Greco-Roman writer has no knowledge or understanding of the concept of "same-sex orientation." There is no Hebrew or Greek cognate word in the Biblical text to reflect the modern term "same-sex orientation" or "homosexuality." Moreover, there were no discussions or arguments concerning sexual orientation in the ancient and late ancient world, conversations that would only arrive in the modern era of psychology. Instead, ancient writers believed any wanton sexual behavior of any variety is a mismanagement of one's appetites. The apostle Paul, in the New Testament, follows this pattern.
The Pauline letters that are raised in the same-sex debate are part of Paul's understanding of sexual immorality in the first century CE. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul includes in a laundry list of vices "male prostitutes" and "sodomites" (as malakoi and arsenokoitai are translated by the NRSV; 1 Cor 6:9). These terms are injected along with many other vices: "fornicators, idolaters, adulterers," and Paul is addressing the issue of a church member sleeping with his stepmother. In other words, Paul is addressing ALL deviant sexual and immoral behavior, not just that of a same-sex variety. In his address to the Romans, Paul describes the root sin of the Gentiles as idolatry, and the consequences of idolatry are vices beginning with women and men "exchanging" natural intercourse for unnatural. While Paul is describing this behavior as the result of wayward passions, the chief sin is idolatry and separation from the one true God. While the Romans text offers the longest discussion of same-sex behavior in the New Testament, it is unclear whether it truly is a condemnation of a specific practice.
The above discussions will likely never satisfy any opponent of gay rights or of same-sex marriage to any degree. When teaching Biblical material to undergraduates I am always anxious when approaching the issue of same-sex orientation and the Bible, especially teaching in the Bible Belt. But many of them question the validity of basing every aspect of their lives entirely on what the Bible "says." They realize that the Biblical material is very diverse, and also very condemnatory. For example, Jesus reflects on the Adam and Eve passage cited above to insist to his listeners that those that divorce and re-marry commit adultery (Mark 10:1-12; Matt 19:4; also Luke 16:18). The Bible "says" a lot of things but perhaps we should treat the Bible less like an authoritative contract with God and understand it more as a human-authored, divinely-inspired, document that arouses a life of faith.
The anti-gay, anti same-sex marriage proponents are very quick to extrapolate verses out of context to justify their biased stand against equality. Here are a few of the most used examples as explained by Lee Jefferson, Professor at Centre College:
First, the institution of marriage is a secular and social institution. In different ancient cultures, marriage was more of a business arrangement, joining families together for mutual benefit. Under Roman law in the first centuries of the Common Era, there were proper opportunities for divorce and the dissolution of a marital union for both parties. However, as the Christian church grew, marriage became more ecclesiastically governed; the church dictated the rules of marriage (as well as the rules of dissolution, as many remember Henry VIII's desire for a papal annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon). The Christian governance of marriage fractured during the Protestant Reformation. Figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin recognized marriage as a civil matter, a worldly affair, and not under the aegis of the church. Still there are many Catholics and non-Catholics alike who recognize marriage as a Christian affair, and further, believe it is divinely endorsed as a heterosexual institution. In my local paper in Kentucky, a letter was sent in to the editor lambasting the New York vote, claiming that marriage was created by God since the story of Adam and Eve is the proof-text. Advocates of this position should note, that Adam and Eve would still need to purchase a civil marriage license if they sought to get married today.
Second, the Bible does not clearly endorse one form of marriage over another. Adam and Eve as the divine groom and bride is one Biblical arrow in the quiver of same-sex union opponents. The Yahwist creation story in Genesis (the second creation story) has God forming Eve out of Adam's rib, and Adam exclaiming their unity ("this is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh"). This is a gender creation story, not a creation of marriage story. Adam and Eve do not exchange rings, say "I do" and have a jazz band reception in Paradise.
Third, the Biblical arguments against same-sex marriage are not proffered from texts that deal with marriage, but from texts that purportedly deal with same-sex orientation. Same-sex marriage is rejected as un-Christian and immoral on the basis of a myopic reading of a very few Biblical texts. And the texts in question are scant indeed. The most referenced texts are Genesis 19; the holiness codes of Leviticus 17-26, and in the New Testament, Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 6:9 and his Letter to the Romans 1:26-27. Not only does one have to "hunt" for references to same-sex practices, but there are no gospel texts that treat the matter. There is nothing attributed to Jesus of Nazareth that has anything to do with same-sex orientation. According to the gospels, Jesus never commented on same-sex practices; that fact certainly bears repeating to anyone criticizing the gay community on Christian grounds. Largely, same-sex practice is a topic of little interest to the Biblical authors.
The Biblical texts that are most often cited in the same-sex debate deserve some explanation in order to reduce their citation for hurtful purposes. For example, the text of Genesis 19 centers upon the story of Lot's visitation in the city of Sodom by two angels. The men of Sodom tell Lot to hand over the male visitors so that they may "know" them, i.e. sexually know them (giving rise to the term "sodomy"). Lot bargains with the visitors, quite horribly to a contemporary reader's eyes, by offering the men his virgin daughters instead. However, any reader of ancient literature (of which the Hebrew Bible is a component) would realize the familiar motif concerning hospitality. For example, the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes would frequently disguise themselves as humans in order to ferret who among their supplicants were truly hospitable. The story is not one denigrating same-sex practice; instead it upholds the incredible (and ludicrous) hospitality of Lot as a virtue.
Similarly, the holiness codes of Leviticus thread down from an all-encompassing mandate to behave distinctly from their foreign (and depraved) neighbors. Leviticus 20:13 that proscribes the death penalty for same-sex relations is quite related to codes that condemn bestiality, invoke dietary restrictions, and order the wearing of certain fibers. The codes make the Israelites unique from their neighbors, and they reflect a particular time and place in Israelite history. Any contemporary critique must note this reality before invoking the codes as ammunition against same-sex practice.
Fourth, any reference to same-sex practice by a Biblical writer or a Greco-Roman writer has no knowledge or understanding of the concept of "same-sex orientation." There is no Hebrew or Greek cognate word in the Biblical text to reflect the modern term "same-sex orientation" or "homosexuality." Moreover, there were no discussions or arguments concerning sexual orientation in the ancient and late ancient world, conversations that would only arrive in the modern era of psychology. Instead, ancient writers believed any wanton sexual behavior of any variety is a mismanagement of one's appetites. The apostle Paul, in the New Testament, follows this pattern.
The Pauline letters that are raised in the same-sex debate are part of Paul's understanding of sexual immorality in the first century CE. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul includes in a laundry list of vices "male prostitutes" and "sodomites" (as malakoi and arsenokoitai are translated by the NRSV; 1 Cor 6:9). These terms are injected along with many other vices: "fornicators, idolaters, adulterers," and Paul is addressing the issue of a church member sleeping with his stepmother. In other words, Paul is addressing ALL deviant sexual and immoral behavior, not just that of a same-sex variety. In his address to the Romans, Paul describes the root sin of the Gentiles as idolatry, and the consequences of idolatry are vices beginning with women and men "exchanging" natural intercourse for unnatural. While Paul is describing this behavior as the result of wayward passions, the chief sin is idolatry and separation from the one true God. While the Romans text offers the longest discussion of same-sex behavior in the New Testament, it is unclear whether it truly is a condemnation of a specific practice.
The above discussions will likely never satisfy any opponent of gay rights or of same-sex marriage to any degree. When teaching Biblical material to undergraduates I am always anxious when approaching the issue of same-sex orientation and the Bible, especially teaching in the Bible Belt. But many of them question the validity of basing every aspect of their lives entirely on what the Bible "says." They realize that the Biblical material is very diverse, and also very condemnatory. For example, Jesus reflects on the Adam and Eve passage cited above to insist to his listeners that those that divorce and re-marry commit adultery (Mark 10:1-12; Matt 19:4; also Luke 16:18). The Bible "says" a lot of things but perhaps we should treat the Bible less like an authoritative contract with God and understand it more as a human-authored, divinely-inspired, document that arouses a life of faith.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Young, Gay And Homeless: Fighting For Resources
Unfortunately I find that I'm writing more and more about a segment of our society deemed by many to be throwaways - homeless teens. Among this group between 30 and 40 percent fall into the LGBTQ group, many kicked out of their homes for being gay, or even for being perceived as being LGBT. As this article points out, and as I strongly feel, the race for equality we are so vehemently struggling for as adults is running over this group of high need young people.
In the struggle for equal rights and marriage equality we are leaving behind, or ignoring, some of the neediest of all. They are teens that are forced to survive in any way they can, whether it be by stealing, robbing, even giving up their bodies for sexual favors. Anything to survive all because nobody wants them.
In New York City, nearly 4,000 young people are homeless every night — many of them gay. Based upon statistics that's a potential 1,600 LGBT teens that have been kicked out or left the safety of their homes because they are gay, 24 hours of the day, 7 days of the week, 52 weeks a year. As if that wasn't shocking enough, a greater percentage of them are beaten by bullies and gay bashers and left to die in the street, victims of a society that chooses to ignore its most vulnerable in favor of material things and money. Even worse, our society encourages the bullying openly. Shame on us as parents, shame on our society, and shame on those who cut social programs in favor of budget shortfalls caused, in part, by excessive waste and greed among the politicians who are supposed to enact legislation to protect our children.
This holiday season ask yourself, what am I doing to encourage this, or help stop it?
In the struggle for equal rights and marriage equality we are leaving behind, or ignoring, some of the neediest of all. They are teens that are forced to survive in any way they can, whether it be by stealing, robbing, even giving up their bodies for sexual favors. Anything to survive all because nobody wants them.In New York City, nearly 4,000 young people are homeless every night — many of them gay. Based upon statistics that's a potential 1,600 LGBT teens that have been kicked out or left the safety of their homes because they are gay, 24 hours of the day, 7 days of the week, 52 weeks a year. As if that wasn't shocking enough, a greater percentage of them are beaten by bullies and gay bashers and left to die in the street, victims of a society that chooses to ignore its most vulnerable in favor of material things and money. Even worse, our society encourages the bullying openly. Shame on us as parents, shame on our society, and shame on those who cut social programs in favor of budget shortfalls caused, in part, by excessive waste and greed among the politicians who are supposed to enact legislation to protect our children.
This holiday season ask yourself, what am I doing to encourage this, or help stop it?
Saturday, November 12, 2011
High school coach resigns over sexist, anti-gay survey, will retain job as guidance counselor – LGBTQ Nation
From LGBTQNATION :
Here is the "survey" that his players were asked to complete under the guise of gathering information to better a diversity program:
Happy..."none of us are happy"? WTF? They let this guy get completely off the hook, AND, put him in a better position to counsel students on how to bully and what a "real man" should act like? This is no chastisement for doing something wrong, it's just another way to coverup the ignorance and anti-gay hate that is so prevalent in this country.Pat Lynch, who had been head football coach at Buffalo High School for 13 years and had led the team to two state football championships, resigned from that position earlier this week, but the school board has allowed him to retain his position as a guidance counselor at the high school under administrative supervision, reported the Casper Star-Tribune.
In the aftermath, Johnson County School District 1 superintendent Dr. Rod Kessler was supportive of Lynch and the efforts to repair his reputation.
“[Lynch] screwed up, he screwed up big time,” Kessler said.
“The coaching, we didn’t want that to be the issue anymore. We wanted him to have his priority back where it was as a counselor.
“None of us are happy that it happened. It’s a black eye to the district. And it’s a black eye to Pat.”
Here is the "survey" that his players were asked to complete under the guise of gathering information to better a diversity program:
Friday, November 11, 2011
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Taking the 'bull' out of anti-bullying programs
 |
| Linda Harvey - "Christian" |
"Among recent tragic teen suicides, some were, or were thought to be, involved in homosexuality. But the picture is mostly murky, with activists making unsupported accusations while downplaying any role played by personal struggles, peer conflicts and/or family issues." (Linda Harvey)
Linda Harvey clearly has a problem she needs to seek help for. She is a hate merchant who seeks to destroy people who are different from herself. She has zero compassion for and zero understanding of the LGBT community and what they deal with on a daily basis. People like Harvey should be the ones hiding who they really are. Her hatred, ignorance, and paranoia poisons the world and she should be ashamed to call herself a human being. I wonder what her childhood was like. It’s obvious she has some unresolved issues. Anyone who can hate like that clearly needs therapy and anger management classes.
from WorldNetDaily
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Texas Man Burke Burnett Speaks Out About Vicious Anti-Gay Attack: VIDEO
Posted by: Bobby | Nov 3, 2011 12:03:39 PM
The local bubbas are trying to dodge responsibility for simply charging it as a hate crime by pawning it off to the grand jury to decide that.
If you'd like to contact the mayor to remind him that the world is watching the backwaters of Reno, Texas, please feel free to do so at:
William (Buddy) Heuberger, Mayor
160 Blackburn St Reno, TX
75462 903-491-5867
wsh@wheuberger.com
Only ongoing attention and pressure will compel them to do the right thing. This is good old East Texas after all.
Courtesy Towleroad
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