"Stand for the Family" Rally or War Rally?

James Dobson's "Stand for the Family" 'values voter' rally at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul Tuesday night brought 2 and half hours prayer, war cries, and gay bashing. The auditorium was decked out with Stars and Stripes, the stage was crowded with houseplants, and the audience was devoid of the 'diversity' that speakers would later denounce as harmful to children. Despite being held in ethnically diverse and racially diverse St. Paul, the crowd was neither. After a half our of hymns and patriotic songs and a few words by emcee Tony Perkins, James Dobson, Gary Bauer, and Ken Hutcherson took the stage.

Their speeches were dominated by to cries for war: we're fighting one war, the "War on Terror" and another war, the "Culture War."

Without a hint of irony, Dobson belted out that 1.2 billion Muslims, the number of Muslims he personally has estimated are terrorists, are going to make sure that "God's rule is established governing all nations." Dobson then toldl the crowd that we need to elect evangelical Christians into office so they can do their work to make America 'God's country again'. And he made sure to scare the crowd, saying, "Can we afford to turn the reigns of this government over?" Presumably, he meant the Democrats.

While condemning liberals, Dobson listed the credentials of the ideal candidate. He then said, "if you can find such a person, it would be a sin not to vote for him." Presumably, he meant Republicans.

Gary Bauer spent 15 minutes reminding the crowd about 911, and to remember 911 is appropriate, especially with a 1,200 square foot Stars and Stripes draped behind you. Then Bauer took cheap shots at Clinton, and at "liberals, gays, and liberal politicians" who should "stop undermining the war effort and putting our troops in harm's way." Bauer then made the assertion that the heroes of United Airlines Flight 93 rejected "popular culture" and let family values prevail. He obviously intended the good Christians at the rally to think that those heroes came from the same mold: evangelical, conservative, heterosexual. That, despite the fact that one of the heroes of that flight was openly gay Mark Bingham.

Several minutes later, Bauer's gay bashing (particularly surrounding the Mark Foley sex scandal) would tarnish the memory of Mark Bingham, one of the heroes he had propped up just 5 minutes before in order to score points with his values voter crowd.

Ken Hutcherson rounded out the night with a major persecution complex. Ken Hutcherson passionately that Christians are oppressed much like African Americans were oppressed through much of the 20th Century. He recounted his personal experiences during segregation, and the obstacles to freedom that African Americans faced during an embarrassing chapter of American history. He said "I did not go through all that to become a Christian and do it all again." He said he's "fighting for the rights of Christians to be treated just like everybody else in the United States" and that to be a Christian today is to be "treated like a second class citizen." That, despite Christians are actually overrepresented in Congress and the Supreme Court (7 are Christian, 2 are Jewish). The President of the United States is a Methodist. It left me wondering, if it's true, why are Christians treating themselves as second class citizens.

The two and a half hour rally began to clear out around the second hour, and even more missed the post-speech worship hour. Maybe too much irony makes the mind weary.

"Stand for the Family" Brings Social Conservative Issues to St. Paul, But do Voters Care?

James Dobson, president of Focus on the Family, is bringing his evangelical roadshow, the "Stand for the Family" rally, to St. Paul today to motivate Minnesota's conservative Christians to vote values in the upcoming midterm election. He's bringing with him an ensemble of controversial religious leaders, and has sparked a demonstration from LGBT and reproductive rights advocates. But with a sex scandal rocking Congress, a controversial and neverending war, lobby and campaign finance scandals plagueing the GOP, high gas prices, and a stagnant economy, do Minnesota voters care about social wedge issues?

According to a Humphrey Institue poll, Focus on the Family's top social issue, same-sex marriage, barely registered with voters at all: only 4% of Minnesotans saw it as a top issue. Education and the economy both garnered at least 20% in the poll.

Even of the Minnesotans who care, a Pioneer Press-Minnesota Public Radio poll found that more and more reject the idea of amending our state constitution, 47% think it's a bad idea, and 40% support it. Also, a plurality of Minnesotans support civil unions at 49% and 39% rejecting the idea.

Nationally, evangelical leaders are finding their voter pools lukewarm at best, and that is before a Republican in the House of Representatives sparked a major "family values" powderkeg with sexually suggestive emails to a 16 year old Congressional page, and sexually explicit instant messages to a teenage former Congressional page. It will likely be a lively topic of conversation at the "Stand for the Family" rally. "Family values" voters are saying this about the climate:

"Conservative Christians are somewhat disenchanted with Republicans," said Kenyn Cureton, vice president for convention relations with the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination with nearly 16 million members. Religious conservatives are unhappy the Republican-led Congress hasn’t paid enough attention to "values issues," he said, noting that even a push this summer against same-sex marriage came too late. "It has not escaped our notice that they waited until just a few months from the November elections to address our agenda," Cureton said.

Even Minnesota's own evangelical crusader, Michele Bachmann, seems to have lightened up a bit about same-sex marriage during her campaign in the 6th Congressional District. In a March 20, 2004 radio interview, she said:

“This is probably the biggest issue that will impact our state and our nation in the last, at least, thirty years. I am not understating that.”- appearing as a guest on the radio program “Prophetic Views Behind The News”, hosted by Jan Markell, KKMS 980-AM

Then, in July 2006, during her fundraiser with Karl Rove, she switched to education as her "number one issue."

Despite the waning appeal of same-sex marriage and other social wedge issues during the 2006 midterms elections, tomorrow's rally promises to be a motivating experience for those who attend. Whether it motivates them to vote on social conservative causes will remain to be seen.

Religious Right Gatherings Flood Twin Cities Before Election

In the five weeks before the 2006 midterm elections, the Twin Cities will see four religious right rallies aimed at getting out the social conservative Christian vote for Republicans, and teaching conservative Christians how to inject their faith into politics and government. With speakers presenting on topics ranging from anti-gun control, anti-homosexuality, anti-reproductive rights, and creationism, the Twin Cities will see it’s share of colorful characters rallying Christians to get out the vote. Unlike the upcoming “Stand for the Family” rally on Tuesday, these rallies will happen under the radar of most Minnesotans, aside from the several thousand who will attend.

On Tuesday, Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council, two organizations created to counter what they call “the homosexual agenda,” will be holding a high-profile rally at the Xcel Energy Center, that will be protested by LGBT organizations and reproductive rights supporters. The Family Research Council came under heavy criticism last week after conference speakers hurled epithets at gays and lesbians, and spoke of gay rights advocates as originating in hell. The Stand for the Family rally in Pennsylvania drew about 3000 attendees.

The weekend following the “Stand for the Family” rally, October 6 and 7, Olive Tree Ministries will host "Understanding the Times 2006," in Arden Hills, a conference for Christians who believe we are living in the “End Times.” The conference kicks off with the owner and creator of WorldNetDaily.com, a very conservative website that frequently criticizes ‘homosexuals,’ has been criticized for plagiarism (specifically an article penned by Farah himself), and carries syndicated columnist Ann Coulter. David Reagan will also be at the conference, likely presenting his theory that the Antichrist “will be a sexual pervert, most likely a homosexual.” He also implicates gays and lesbians in bringing about the end of the world: “One of the many signs that we are living in the end times is the epidemic of homosexuality that is sweeping the world today.” Olive Tree Ministries founder, Jan Markel, is listed in the Who’s Who of Prophecy by RaptureReady.com, a site that gives a numeric value for how close the month’s events bring us to the apochalypse. Last year’s conference drew over 4000 attendees.

The next weekend, October 13 and 14, brings the EdWatch national conference in Bloomington, Minnesota. EdWatch made news earlier this year when the group chastised Governor Pawlenty for supporting the “homosexual agenda,” which came as quite a surprise to many in the LGBT community who view Pawlenty’s policies to be contrary to equal rights for LGBT people.

One speaker at the conference is Larry Pratt, a name that made headlines in 1996 when he was the co-chairman of Pat Buchannan’s presidential election campaign. When news of Pratt’s connections to white supremacy organizations came to light, he stepped down as chairman. He’s the founder of Gunowners of America, and friend to John Ashcroft, Tom Delay, and Trent Lott. He’s written many article opposing gun control including “What the Bible Says About Gun Control” and articles advocating that teachers and, perhaps students should arm themselves in public schools in light of the Littleton, Colorado shootings. He’ll be speaking about the negative effects that screening students with apparent mental illness and learning disabilities will have on gun ownership, and how such diagnosis will impact 2nd Amendment rights.

Two weeks later, October 27 and 28, the American Family Policy Institute is hosting Minnesota Worldview Weekend Homecoming in Arden Hills, Minnesota. The St. Paul based group is run by Brannon Howse who wrote a book called “One Nation Under Man? The Worldview War Between Christians and the Secular Left.” The conference features workshops such as “Put Your Beliefs To The Test: Do You Think Like A Christian or a Modern-Day Liberal?” implying that modern-day liberals can’t be Christians.

Worldview weekend is a conference to engage evangelicals in the political realm. According to Americans United for Separation of Church and State: “These events are run by far-right fundamentalist Christians for far-right fundamentalist Christians. The whole point of the conference is to learn how fundamentalists can win greater political influence, overturn the separation of church and state and bring government under religious control. The goal is "dominion," not a corner of a "big tent" or power sharing with non-believers. Worldview Weekend organizers and attendees don't want a place at the table they want the whole table.”

Creationism activist Ken Ham who praised his "very, very submissive, supportive wife" in a 1995 interview will be speaking at the conference, as will David Noebel who in 1965 wrote a pamphlet called Communism, Hypnotism And The Beatles. The “15-page diatribe contends that the Beatles were agents of communism, sent to America to subvert its youth through mass hypnosis `The Beatles' ability to make teenagers take off their clothes and riot is labouratory tested and approved', states Noebel. He supports his theory with no less than 168 footnotes.” He was a founder and leader in the Christian Crusade. Also speaking is child television star of "Full House" and brother of Kirk Cameron, Candace Cameron Bure!

These rallies may draw attendance by politicians, for the most part Republicans, even though many are attempting to present a more moderate appeal in light of high dissatisfaction among voters for the president and Congress. Minnesotans will do well to observe which politicians are courting the social conservative vote at these rallies.

Protest Religious Right Rally, Similar Rally Speaker Says "We call them Faggots"

Anti-gay leaders from Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, and a former head of the Christian Coalition will be in town next week to provide "grassroots tools" to "values voters" in order to "influence their own communities and their state.” At similar rallies around the country, the anti-gay rhetoric has reached a breaking point where the line between meaningful debate of a controversial issue and outright bigotry and hate has been crossed. OutFront Minnesota is responding with a peaceful demonstration Tuesday evening:

OutFront Minnesota is leading a demonstration at an event co-sponsored by Focus on the Family Action and Family Research Council Action. Their rally (called 'Stand for the Family') is intended to mobilize so-called "values voters" this fall. These national groups target GLBT people and GLBT families to further their political goals by openly campaigning against homosexuality, same-sex marriage, its legal equivalent, and GLBT families. Our demonstration is to show that persecuting GLBT people is not the Minnesota way and that we stand for fairness, inclusion, and equality!

The details are:

Date: Tuesday, October 3rd
Location: Corner of 7th and Kellogg, in front of the Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul.
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

At a similar rally also headed by the Family Research Council last weekend, a speaker had these words of Christian kindness to share with the crowd:

Back in the days when I was a kid, and we see guys that don’t stand strong on principle, we call them “faggots.” … [People] that don’t stand up for what’s right, we say, “You’re sissified out!” “You’re a sissy!” That means you don’t stand up for principles.

Another speaker at the rally said this:

“the gay rights movement was inspired ‘from the pit of hell itself,’ and has a ’satanic anointment.’

These words are not meant to inspire meaningful debate on topics relating to the LGBT community and the Christian community. They are meant to inspire fear, distrust and violence against LGBT people.

It's important that people attending these conferences see a different side of gay and lesbian people than the one espoused by Christian leaders at these conferences. That's why OutFront's action is so important. If attendees can see us, in person, before they hear their leaders name-call and bear false witness, maybe we can change a mind or two.

Anti-Gays Use Gays to Protest Play

A commentary written by Pat Phillips, President of the Catholic Defense League, a Roseville, Minnesota based organization had this to say about a play coming to the U of MN:

Aside from what it teaches the students at the U, the play is ridicule. If the play had been about ridicule of a person for being gay, would it have been allowed? Hate speech, which triggers mindless action, has been the cause of harassment and death of many homosexuals. If you think we have not arrived at that state regarding Catholics, do not forget about the neo-Nazis and the like. There are plenty of groups around that dislike/hate Catholics. I would think at least the university would be liable for civil and perhaps criminal damages that result from this kind of hate speech.

The irony is, Pat Phillips organization has this to say about gays:

What we ARE saying is that there are relationships which are NOT permissible in a responsible use of the God-given reproductive faculty. An adulterous relationship is wrong! A relationship based on prostitution, which denigrates or “uses” one of the persons, is wrong! Similarly, a homosexual relationship is wrong and should never have been entered into.

So, maybe by extension from his own argument, a Catholic faith is one that is wrong and should never be entered into? I'm just sayin'.

Anti-gay Rally Coming to Town

James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, will be in St. Paul in October to motivate Minnesota's "values voters." The "Stand for the Family" rally is "designed to educate and to motivate pro-family conservative Christians.”

Who are these people giving "grassroots tools" to "values voters" in order to "influence their own communities and their state?”

James Dobson is the founder of Focus on the Family. He and his group vigorously oppose reproductive rights or rights for LGBT people. One of his most famous recent remarks included calling Spongbob Squarepants a "pro-homosexual" cartoon character. He also recently compared stem cell research to Nazi experiments.

Dobson is bringing several people with him to speak at the "Stand for the Family" rally. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, is as opposed to reproductive and LGBT rights as James Dobson. Perkins caused some controversy for his ties to white supremecy organizations. He paid former KKK leader, David Duke, for his mailing list when Perkins was a GOP campaign manager. He also spoke for the Council of Conservative Citizens, a prominent white supremecy organization.

Gary Bauer will also be making an appearance at "Stand for the Family." The conservative politician shares Dobson's and Perkin's views, although scandals involving adultry and taking money from "Moonies" have made headlines recently.

It will be interesting to see which Minnesota politicians make it to "Stand for the Family."

Minnesota Family Council Blasts Twin Cities GLBT Pride

Minnesota's premier anti-gay organization, the Minnesota Family Council, visited Twin Cities Pride this June and found some troubling things: churches, corporations and children.

On the churches: "It was difficult to watch churches such as All God’s Children, United Church of Christ, St. Paul Reformation Lutheran and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church celebrate and promote homosexuality as God’s design for families."

Or maybe they just realize that using their religion to demonize a portion of the population is not what God had in mind.

On the corporations: "It was equally disappointing to witness the corporate support of the festival. Target gave each passerby a rainbow Target tattoo. 3M, IKEA, Saturn, General Mills, Chipotle and Wells Fargo were also among the strong corporate supporters of this event."

Those sponsors have large LGBT employee groups that were marching in the parade. They also realize that discriminating against a population with high disposable income doesn't make business sense. It's the free market, right?

On the children: "Perhaps the most alarming part of the Gay Pride Festival was the number of children being introduced to homosexuality and exposed to explicit and inappropriate behavior throughout the X-rated event."

I wish they would point out at least one example of X-rated content at the Twin Cities GLBT Pride Parade if they are going to make this claim. It might be hard to do, though, because there wasn't any. In fact, the Star Tribune and others commented on how bland this year's Pride Parade was. The Minnesota Family Council is more interested in scare tactics ("children at an X-rated event"), and half-truths than they actually are in debating.

You can read their full diatribe in this Google cache. The section I found this article seems to be malfunctioning.

Shopping Spree at Focus on the Family

The Seattle Stranger has a feature story up about how to shop at the Focus on the Family website for free! Because Focus on the Family is a nonprofit and doesn't want to pay sales tax on the anti-gay and ex-gay materials they have available, they simply ask for a donation in exchange for books and CDS. It's totally legal. Noel Black at the Stranger says:

When I'm feeling despondent over the state of gay rights in America—or the concurrent assaults on reproductive freedom, science, and rational thought—there's just one thing that helps me overcome my feelings of despair: getting free shit from Focus on the Family! ...Not only does ordering free stuff from Focus on the Family—sent to myself or people I don't like—satisfy a deeply juvenile impulse, it has the added benefit of taking money directly out of homo-hater Dobson's pocket.

Group Claims "Gays Have Sex With Infants"

Earlier this week, Renew America's Deputy National Grassroots Director, and analyst and columnist, Guy Adams, had this to say about gays on a radio program:

"The newest thing in Chicago, it's becoming a trend, and you're gonna find this hard to believe...sex with infants" ... "It's not enough that they have...you know when you engage in perversion, and homosexuality is perversion, we don't hate the gays mind you, we don't hate them, we hate what they're doing...pretty soon that perversion is like addiction, it's not enough, so you need to graduate to something else. You need to move on. So now they're having sex with animals, a small group that's getting bigger, sex with infants, sex in the street in Chicago out in the open, it's just getting more and more perverted."

His statements caused a bit of outcry from the LGBT community. One blogger emailed Adams asking for an apology and explanation of his remarks. This was Adams response:

From: "Guy Adams"
To: "Joe Brummer"
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 2:16 AM
Subject: Reply: From Joe

> What's your point Joe? It sex with babies the truth; it IS happening, so
> what's your point?
>
> Let's just assume that gays are not screwing babies. Okay then, what ARE
> gays doing? Can you describe it for me and the public???
>
> If you won't describe it, then I will. Openly and in a national forum.
>
> One thing you will quickly discover about me -- I CANNOT be intimidated
> nor will I retreat. I will stand my ground no matter what.
>
> YOU brought this war to me and I will finish it. And there are many, many
> more like me too.
>
> We simply don't care about you petty proclamations, not does Alan.
>
> You woke up the wrong guy.
>
> ~Guy

And guy again responds with a further call for war against LGBT Americans:

> The war is on. As Reagan said: We win, you lose.
>
> Understand that quite well, because in a true war (unlike Iraq), all means
> available to me will be used.
>
> You targeted the wrong guy, but I thank God that you did.

Click here for the full email exchange.

These are the type of statements that incite violence against LGBT people. If religious leaders say these things, people accept it as truth. If people think gays have sex with infants, then they will definitely hold hostility towards LGBT people. These statements are dangerous, and RenewAmerica would do well to distance themselves from Guy Adams as quickly as possible.

Minnesota Family Council Uses OutFront MN to Fundraise

I received this message from the Minnesota for Marriage (M4M), the group dedicated to ending domestic partnerships, and banning same-sex marriage. Their parent group, Minnesota Family Council virulently opposes homosexuality. They are now using OutFront Minnesota's words of encouragement to the community to raise money for their anti-gay causes:

"OutFront Minnesota vows to work with "allies" in Minnesota legislature to legalize same-sex marriage.

Minnesota for Marriage and Minnesota Family Institute ask for financial support to register people of faith and encourage them to vote Biblical values in November elections.

After stunning defeats for same-sex marriage in several states, OutFront Minnesota renewed their vow to work with "allies" in the Minnesota legislature to legalize same-sex marriage. A July 12th OutFront Minnesota E-News stated:

"Regardless of what happens in other states, we in Minnesota will never let up in our work for full... legal recognition for same-sex couples." "We will continue our effort... with legislative allies to begin opening legal protections to same-sex couples..."

We need to make sure that this never happens!

The best way to ensure that traditional marriage is protected in Minnesota is to register people of faith, and encourage them to vote their values in the November elections. We are working to make this happen with Election IMPACT 2006, a resource to equip, educate and register people of faith in churches across Minnesota.

Funds are needed immediately to accomplish this goal. Now is the time to organize the faith community to vote their Biblical values in November.

To make sure people of faith understand the importance of this November's election in the battle for marriage, we need your financial support right now. There's no time to waste. OutFront Minnesota, MoveOn.Org, and other radical organizations are aggressively mobilizing the other side in this battle. You can help us protect traditional marriage with a donation of $25, $50 or even $100 today."

They also don't seem to know much about email marketing since they sent this out at 6pm on a Friday. Noone reads email at 6 pm on a Friday. At any rate, this email inspired me to write a check to OutFront. I hope it will inspire you too.

Anti-Gays Take on St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis

Radical Christian right-wing online rag, AgapePress, is breathing fire over Minneapolis progressive and GLBT friendly church, St. Joan of Arc.

"The parish, states the RCF spokesman, is a 'disgrace' for promoting the homosexual agenda. 'And the homosexual agenda is the acceptance of homosexual activity, of homosexual sex -- nothing else,' he says, 'because there's nothing the homosexuals want -- outside of a recognition of gay marriage and homosexual sex -- that they can't have with the blessing of the [Catholic] Church.'

Yeah, because all we homos do is sit around and have sex, or sit around and talk about sex, or tell everyone we know about homo sex. It's a wonder we ever get anything else done! These guys are a real piece of work.

I tried to check out these Roman Catholic Faithful people to see why they're making such a stink over St. Joan's, but their website hasn't been updated since 2004.

Showing that Conservative Christian Love with Pink Paint

The Equality Riders continue their mission to Christian college campuses across the nation. After 24 people were arrested by Jerry Falwell, and 6 more arrested by Pat Robertson, allegedly a woman and teenage son painted "Fags Mobile" in pink paint on the Equality Riders bus.

The "Dykes" on the Equality Ride likely had their feelings hurt as not even the bigots take the time to harass them. I'm kidding, but it is interesting that 'fags' bear the brunt of homophobic rhetoric.

I want to be a lesbian.

Anti-Gay Rally at the Capitol

Be There and Be a Bigot!

"Let the People Vote in 2006!"
Marriage Rally at State Capitol

Tuesday, March 21st
11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Music starts at 11:00 am

Who decides?

Who decides? In 2004, a handful of state senators decided that the people of Minnesota did not have the right to define marriage - and blocked the marriage amendment. If they block it in 2006, Minnesotans will be silenced until 2008 before they get another chance to vote. This gives same-sex marriage activists two years to redefine marriage in the courts.

Rally at the State Capitol for prayer and tell your senator...

"Let the People Vote in 2006!"

Get involved before its too late.

* Pray for the passage of the marriage amendment in the 2006 legislative session.
* Attend the rally with your entire family.
* Invite friends and neighbors.
* Contact your senator and tell him/her to "Let the People Vote!"
* Click Here to download a rally flyer.
* Click Here to download a rally church bulletin.
* Click Here to organize a bus from your church.
* Click Here to download Questions to "Ask your senator."
* Schedule to meet with your legislators after the rally.

This event is sponsored by Minnesota for Marriage, a coalition of individuals and organizations working together to pass the Minnesota Marriage Amendment."

Maybe we'll see more signs that advocate killing GLBT people!

Equality Riders Arrested

In an act of 'Christian Kindness,' Jerry Falwell had Soulforce's Equality Riders arrested at Liberty University.

The Equality Ride is led by Eden Prairie native Jake Reitan. He was arrested last May, along with his mother and father, on orders from James Dobson of Focus on the Family, after the family tried to present him with a letter (read the letter here) stating how his actions and speech hurt families with gay members.

There are five Minnesotans on the approximately 30 member tour who set off on March 2nd.

They'll be visiting Bethel University in Arden Hills and North Central University in Minneapolis.

Been Caught Stealin'

Claude Allen, who was a top Bush aide at the Department of Health and Human Service before becoming BUsh's domestic policy advisor stepped down in February after being caught committing 25 counts of fraud against Target and Hecht's stores. [365gay.com]

Allen is a Christian, and as part of his faith, he has used his position in the government to harass and audit AIDS Service Organizations that target gay men and try to improve their health, to harass and audit programs that teach young adults how to prevent pregnancy, STDs, and abortions, and has used the CDC to promote the myth that condoms are not effective against HIV. He as also a press aide to Jesse Helms in the 1980s.

This high-ranking Christian was the conduit for the Religious Right in HHS. Esther Kaplan's book, "With God on Thier Side: George Bush and the Religious Right," outlines how Allen is used by anti-gay and anti-choice organizations to fullfill their goal of eliminating funding for AIDS organizations, and funnelling that money to abstinence-only until marriage programs. And besides being a Christian, he's also a theif.

If you'd like to read more about this gay-bashing Christian theif, I've reposted an article on him below.

From Eschaton:

Known as Rove’s enforcer, Allen wielded a heavy, censorious and punitive hand at HHS. In November 2001, Thompson loyally toed the Rove-Bush line when he put Allen in charge of supervising HHS’s audit of HIV-prevention spending. Allen led an HHS witch-hunt that investigated all of the AIDS service organizations (ASOs) receiving any federal funding (like New York City’s Gay Men’s Health Crisis) whose staff members had disrupted Tommy Thompson’s speech to the 14th Annual International AIDS Conference in Barcelona; they were there to protest Bush’s lethal do-nothingism about the AIDS pandemic. These audits were designed to intimidate ASOs into abandoning AIDS advocacy. A number of ASOs, like San Francisco’s Stop AIDS Project and half a dozen other California AIDS-fighting groups, were ultimately purged from receiving U.S. funding by the Allen-led witch-hunt because Allen didn’t like their science-based sex-education programs. Allen ordered Advocates for Youth, the leading national coalition for safe-sex ed, audited half a dozen times.

Moreover, Allen was the driving force to replace science-based sex ed with the failed policy of teaching that only abstinence prevents AIDS. A black conservative and religious primitive, Allen helped bludgeon the Centers for Disease Control, which reports to HHS, into purging safe-sex materials from its Web sites and into adopting mandatory new rules requiring AIDS-fighting groups to teach that condoms don’t work in preventing the spread of AIDS, as I reported in the L.A. Weekly last year ("Condom Wars," June 25–July 1). When a federal judge found that a federally funded Louisiana abstinence program "illegally handed out Bibles, staged anti-abortion prayer rallies outside women’s clinics and had students perform Bible-based skits," Allen refused to have the program audited, while continuing his repeated audit persecutions of effective AIDS-fighting groups teaching condom use.

Allen also enforced his abstinence-only line when he was commissioner of Health and Human Services for Virginia under right-wing GOP Governor Jim Gilmore. There, too, he bent public health priorities to the religious right’s agenda, and led a state-sponsored anti–safe sex crusade that he cooked up with a kooky abstinence-only Christer outfit called the Institute for Youth Development, which also claims that condoms don’t work to prevent AIDS and teaches children to fear, rather than understand, sex. As Allen said then of condom use, "It’s like telling your child, ‘Don’t use the car,’ but then leaving the keys in the Lamborghini and saying, ‘But if you do, buckle up.’"

Allen’s history as a gay-baiter goes back to his days as a top aide to the notorious homophobe Senator Jesse Helms. In 1984, Allen accused Helms’ Democratic challenger, then-Governor James Hunt, of having links to "queers," "radical feminists," socialists and unions (Hunt was, in fact, a Bible-quoting right-wing Dem.) And Allen forged his odious reputation as a black capo for the racist right when he continued working for Helms despite the senator’s militant opposition to making Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday.

Notorious for his anti-abortion stance, at HHS Allen helped use its regulatory powers to turn Title 10 of the Public Services Act — which Bush père had championed — away from family planning and the promotion of condom use and into an abstinence-only program. In his Virginia years, Allen’s Christian-right extremism led him to endanger the health of children. Then Allen worked to defeat legislation that provided health insurance for children of the working poor, largely because the program covered abortion services for rape and incest victims under the age of 18. "When the law was ultimately enacted, Allen was faulted for not enrolling children quickly enough, and admitted that ‘abortion was the sticking point’ delaying the enrollment of children," as People for the American Way (and civil rights groups like the NAACP) pointed out last fall when they successfully opposed Bush’s nomination of Allen for a federal judgeship. "In this episode, Allen proved himself to be so adamantly opposed to reproductive rights that he found it preferable for poor children to go without health coverage than to risk an underage sexual-abuse victim having access to state-funded abortion services."

Blog: Minneapolis Full of Cannibals, Demons

I can across this blog post the other day. It took me three reads to decide if this was for real, and I think it is, especially because there are a few comments. This is what happens when you spend your life with your head in a Bible, and forget about the real world around you. I think.

"Here are the present day Twin Cities' claims to fame: More than once named the murder capital of America, since 1996, with a prevalent spirit of hate! Known by many as the witchcraft capital of the USA. More reported cases of incest exist within Minnesota than anywhere else in the country. Possibly the largest homosexual community in America, rivaling San Francisco. [ed. Wouldn't that be nice!]

Hate, perversion, witchcraft - the atmostphere is weighted with the demonic. I plow through depression, despair, a feeling of worthlessness, hopelessness, sometimes feel suicidal, and fight fear constantly. I am also constantly overwhelmed by the voice of condemnation, a sense that I am damned, never good enough and pressure to make up for it. Also, in general, it has been noted numerous times by outsiders: Minneapolis has a severe lack of sense of humor.

Can you imagine the implications of being the witchcraft capital? That means there are congregations, covens, whatever where they worship Satan! And there is more! It also means there are human sacrifices, as well as sexual abuse, child abuse, animal abuse and animal sacrifice. That is not to mention astral projections and curses, etc. Oh I forgot- and cannibalism.

Yet, the city is washed clean of it, so you can't see it! Just like Satan who disguises himself as light. It comes out here and there, but again gets covered up.

( I just get too depressed relating incidences to you of my own encounters with it.) Minneapolis was rated the number one city to live in, in America, by this one source that rates cities on 44 points - good schools, good parks, etc. What a joke!"

I think this person may be suffering from mental illness, because I've been to the most perverse and satanic place in Minneapolis (the Gay 90s, hehe), and I never saw any cannibalism. Maybe this woman should give guided tours.

Oh and here's some background: she dated a witch (or warlock?) and she blames it on Harry Potter.

Feds Remove LGBT Health Website Under Pressure from Anti-gays

The website that was promoting good health for LGBT people in the realm of mental health and substance use has been removed by the US Department of Health and Human Services after pressure from the Family Research Council.

Here is where the website used to be.

The website was called "Celebrating the Pride and Diversity Among and Within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Populations," and contained educational information about substance use and mental health directly targetted to LGBT people, and I might add tax-paying LGBT people.

Minnesota's Conservative Bloggers Are like 8 year olds

My letter to the editor this week made it onto the Moron Mail Mad Libs. Instead of debating the issue or pointing out fallacies, they just make fun of your writing. It is kind of entertaining, and so incredibly pathetic.

And we get to see the intellectual capacity of conservative bloggers.

Anti-gays attack fed website helping LGBT drug users

The thing is, the LGBT community pays taxes too. So, when the Family Research Council says "The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sponsored a taxpayer-funded website that prominently features classic symbols of the pro-homosexual activist movement--an inverted triangle in rainbow colors with the word PRIDE above it" we should say "damn right!" because our tax dollars should go to health and wellness just like any other population.

Unfortunately, over the past few years, most federal websites have been cleansed of LGBT information, thanks to people like the FRC. A good resource for more info on this trend is Esther Kaplan's book, "With God on Their Side" which I'll review here in a few weeks. They are currently trying to put pressure on SAMHSA to remove the information on LGBT substance use and support for LGBT people. Following the lead of Pam and Lloydletta, I think we should send a note of thanks to SAMHSA for using our tax dollars wisely.

From Pam's House Blend: Friends, you can certainly thank Dr. Kennedy, who has 30 years of professional and personal experience in mental health, substance abuse and sexual orientation, for promoting open, clear, honest and inclusive information to the LGBT community if you have the chance; I'm sure she's getting slammed by the FRC sheeple.

Nancy J. Kennedy, DrPH
Office of the Director
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention/SAMHSA/DHHS
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockwall II, Suite 920
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone Number: 301-443-9453
Fax Number: 301-443-1548
nkennedy@samhsa.gov

*****
If you contact them with support, please say so in the comments. Even if you need to comment anonymously, it'll at least show newcomers to the site, that we actually do send support.

KKK Joins Iowa's Anti-Same-Sex Marriage Forces

The KKK jumps into the anti-gay ruckus in Iowa after 6 same-sex couples filed a lawsuit against the state.

Says the KKK leader: "We don't believe God's law should be perverted any more than it already has been." and "We don't believe they have the right to marry...In fact, we don't think they have the right to exist."

What does Iowa's KKK and Minnesota's anti-gay groups have in common? An awful lot when it comes to gays.

Minnesota Family Council, Minnesota for Marriage, and the Iowa KKK all have very similar beliefs regarding homosexuality. They believe that same-sex marriage is against God's law, and that their God should dictate our state's laws. [PDF file] They obviously don't believe that gays and lesbians should marry, which is why the Minnesota for Marriage (M4M) was set up in the first place. And they believe in 'ex-gay therapy' which implies that they wish gays did not exist. [Link]

I know MFC and M4M don't hold much of the same views that the KKK does, but maybe they should pause for a moment and reflect on how similar their rhetoric is to a known hate group. If they are truly on the 'right' side of the debate, then why is a group like the KKK standing right next to them?

Wisconsin Caller Advocates "Open Season" on Queers

Pam's House Blend has a post up about a call Senator Dave Hanson (D-Green Bay) received about the Wisconsin version of the amendment to end domestic partnerships, and ban civil unions and same-sex marriage. The call went like this:

"We gotta stop these queers. There's no question in everybody's mind that this cannot go through. Uh, we, we...this is getting ridiculous. We gotta..we gotta stop this..there's no such thing as queer marriages..we gotta stop it..in fact, no, i think we should have an amendment put on the ballot, a referendum, uh, maybe we should have an open season on those people and just let 'em know how we really think. Okay? Bye."

To his credit, Sen. Hanson, a practicing Catholic, denounced the call and told people to think closely about the amendment:

He is "concerned there are people out there . . calling themselves Christians, with this kind of attitude. This time of year to be discussing something in such a negative light as this phone call was, is just amazing to me." Hansen said he has concerns that the constitutional amendment would ban not only same sex marriage, but civil unions as well. "The way it looks today, it'll pass," said Hansen. "People will have an opportunity in November to vote on it (in a statewide referendum), but I wish they'd take a look at this very closely, because it's not as simple as one side is making it out to be."

The Minnesota Family Council, and Michele Bachmann, and Tim Pawlenty all say that passing this kind of amendment in Minnesota is not mean-spirited. I'd like to try and explain this call, or explain cab-drivers kicking gays out of their cabs. It's about not liking queers, and wanting to humiliate us and prevent us from that 'pursuit of happiness' that we were supposedly born to aspire to as Americans and Minnesotans.

U of MN Appologizes to Hate Group for Employee Email

The American Family Association is having a great week. They've convinced Ford to stop advertising in GLBT publications, a shameful move that AmericaBlog is taking them to task over. And today, Wayne Besen is calling on the AFA to stop using a video with "ex-gays" that features a man who was supposed to have been heterosexual by the grace of God two years ago, but continues to hook up with random men on the internet. Apparently, being a right-wing Christian organization excludes having to tell the truth (Commandment #9, I believe) about ex-gays and about gay people in general.

The AFA is being monitored by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group because of statements like this email message to members: "Since homosexuals cannot reproduce, the only way for them to 'breed' is to RECRUIT! And who are their targets for recruitment? Children!" and the California director of AFA: "homosexuals are the true inventors of Nazism and the guiding force behind many Nazi atrocities."

These people are clearly crazy and hateful, which makes me wonder why the University of Minnesota felt it needed to appologize for an email message from an employee that went like this:

"What a F------ A------!!! The stupidity and disgustingly ignorant comments of Randy Sharp and the AFA are appalling to say the least. You people are so obsessed with gay sex you can't think about anything else. And you call gays perverts....wow, the irony!"

The message was sent in response to an article by Randy Sharp, director of special projects for American Family Association, that claimed Wallgreens was only sponoring the Gay Games in Chicago so that people would get infected with HIV and buy their drugs. From the article:

"No doubt large numbers of gays will become exposed to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. A glance at online pictures from past Gay Games' nightlife is a clear indication that the party scene is designed for "hooking up," with casual and anonymous sex in mind. Walgreens must be salivating at the prospect of new customers this will create. And how better to become the official "drug dealer" of the Gay Games, than to donate $100,000 and become the top sponsor for incredible exposure? It's a brilliant marketing investment! I imagine the sales pitch in Walgreens' corporate board room went something like this: "We know people are going to be spreading communicable diseases and a lot of them will eventually become very sick. If we show support for gays now, we stand to reap a ton of business in the not-too-distant future. Let's call it 'Walgreens' HIV/AIDS Awareness' so they'll think of us first when they need drugs."

Kinda makes you want to write them a nasty email, right? Well, a U of MN employee did, and the AFA made a big stink and sent his name and the message out to its membership asking the U of MN for an appology. They bowed to the pressure and the employee and the University President appologized.

Lloydletta points to the AFA privacy policy that doesn't say anything about having your email communications to the AFA broadcasted to the entire AFA membership. But it doesn't say they won't do it either. And they do require an email address to send them a message in their comment form. In any case, if you're feeling like you need to swear at a anti-gay, Christian hate group any time soon, I'd suggest getting an anonymous email account.

Why did the University of Minnesota appologize to a suspected hate group? I don't know. If the Klan asked them to appologize, would they? But if you're feeling the least bit curious, please contact them and ask. Then come back and tell us all why they did it.

Doug Grow on the 'People's Summit'

The anti-gay fest in Eden Prarie earlier this month, dubbed the 'Pastor's Summit' got a lot of attention, but there was a much more uplifting event that happened this Sunday that didn't get much attention at all. Minnesota's largest Methodist congregation appologized to it's gay and lesbian members for the demonimation being so cruel to us. It just goes to show, with all my Christian-bashing, that there still is a large number of religious people that don't want to make our lives a living hell. They embody what Christianity is supposed to be.

Doug Grow covers what he calls the 'People's Summit':

"The service at the state's biggest United Methodist church was an act of protest against recent actions by the denomination's highest court, the Judicial Council. On Oct. 31, that body defrocked a lesbian minister in Philadelphia and reinstated a Virginia pastor, who had been suspended because he denied a gay man membership to a church in South Hill, Va..."We wanted to speak directly to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community," said the Rev. Bruce Robbins, pastor at the church. "We wanted to express our outrage [at the Judicial Committee] and to offer an apology."

Just goes to show, the emerging Minnesota Taliban movement doesn't represent the majority of religious people in Minnesota, just the most vocal.

Why Pay for Sex...

When you can get it for free? Or get it at church? That's what Laura Billings of the Pioneer Press asks when looking at the sex trade show in at the Minneapolis Convention Center and the Pastor's Summit from last week:

"Church is always a good place to start. Just last week, more than 300 religious leaders gathered at the Minnesota Pastors' Summit at a suburban mega-church to figure out how to keep gay people from getting married to each other. They attended interesting seminars of their own, including one led by Sen. Michele Bachmann's therapist husband, which promised to reveal "the truth of the homosexual lifestyle."

One of the organizers declared that the church was "the only thing" standing between men marrying men and women marrying women in this state, which wasn't strictly true, since same-sex marriage isn't actually legal here. This suggests that fantasy may play a bigger part in the politicization of sex than it does in anyone's actual bedroom."

Complaint: Focus on the Family Concealed Funds

"Two Cincinnati attorneys claim several pro-family, anti-gay organizations which have been active in election issues concealed more than $2 million in campaign contributions...Named in the complaint are Cincinnati-based Citizens for Community Values and its president, Phil Burress; officers of Equal Rights, No Special Rights, and Focus on the Family, of Colorado Springs, Colo."

Gosh. There sure are a lot of anti-gay organizations being accused of illegally using funds lately. Even in Minnesota, we've got EdWatch who should be investigated for illegal campaign contributions.

EdWatch and Sen. Michele Bachmann: Violation of IRS Tax laws

Bachmann and EdWatch Violate Tax Laws
Notorious anti-gay state senator, and current Repubican candidate for the 6th Congressional Distict may be involved in a situation involving a tax violation by the anti-gay non-profit, EdWatch. This is a long post, but also a good read for people who want to understand the law, and how EdWatch and Michele Bachmann's (also a tax attorney) campaign violated Internal Revenue Service laws, and probably violated Federal Elections Commission laws. In addition, I've documented several other possible violations of tax law on EdWatch's website involving both implicit and explicit endorsement. Also, at the end, I'll go into the anti-gay advocacy of EdWatch.

The Violation
According to DumpBachmann, whose readers discovered a fundraising letter "prepared and paid for by Bachmann for Congress Committee" that was written by the President of Edwatch, Renee Doyle, was sent out soliciting donations for the Bachmann campaign. At the bottom of the first page of the letter, it lists EdWatch's contact info, and on the second page it lists Bachmann for Congress Committee contact info. Doyle specifically references her position as President of EdWatch numerous times as well as points to Bachmann's work with EdWatch. Electronic copies of the letter are here.

Directors, presidents, board members, in fact anyone at a nonprofit who wants to engage in campaign work or partisan work is allowed to do so. That's a Constitutional right. However, 501(c)3 nonprofits themselves cannot endorse candidates or engage in partisan activities as a condition of their tax-exempt status, and individuals acting on behalf of their 501(c)3 also cannot endorse candidates or engage in partisan activity. Renee Doyle clearly linked EdWatch to Bachmann in a solicitation letter paid for by the Bachmann campaign.

EdWatch describes itself as a 510(c)3 and that is public information.

"The work of EdWatch continues only with the financial generosity of people like you, who are committed to the principles of intellectual and educational freedom. EdWatch is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. Cash contributions to EdWatch are tax-deductible as provided under the IRS Code.'" [Link]

The Law
The IRS looks at the 'facts and circumstances' around certain violations. Sometimes the law can be ambiguous. That is not the case with EdWatch. Here is a document from the IRS describing just this situation, and what is a violation of the law (It's a PDF. Quote is from page 30):

"E. Attribution of the Acts of Individuals to IRC 501(c)(3) Organizations. The prohibition on political campaign activity applies only to IRC 501(c)(3) organizations, not to the activities of individuals in their private capacity. The prohibition against political campaign activity does not prevent an organization's officials from being involved in a political campaign, so long as those officials do not in any way utilize the organization's financial resources, facilities, or personnel, and clearly and unambiguously indicate that the actions taken or the statements made are those of the individuals and not of the organization. ....An IRC 501(c)(3) organization acts through individuals such as its officers, directors and trustees. The officers, directors, or trustees of the organization are the ones who make the decisions for the organization and communicate those decisions to others. Officials acting in their individual capacity may be identified as officials of the organization so long as they make it clear that they are acting in their individual capacity, that they are not acting on behalf of the organization, and that their association with the organization is given for identification purposes only. If it is not made clear that the official's association with the organization is given only for purposes of identification, the individual's acts may be attributed to the IRC 501(c)(3) organization since the organization typically acts through its officials. Actions and communications by the officials of the organization that are of the same character and method as authorized acts and communications of the organization will be attributed to the organization. Therefore, when an official of an IRC 501(c)(3) organization endorses a candidate somewhere other than in the organization's publications or at its official functions, and the organization is mentioned, it should be made clear that such endorsement is being made by the individual in his or her private capacity and not on the organization's behalf. The following language would serve as a sufficient disclaimer: "Organization shown for identification purposes only; no endorsement by the organization is implied." However, as stated earlier, if the endorsement occurs in the organization's publication or at its official function, such a disclaimer is insufficient to avoid attribution of the endorsement to the organization."

This part of the IRS code is pretty unambiguous. If you endorse someone, and you use your official capacity as the head of a tax-exempt nonprofit, you better be damn sure that the audience knows that you are not speaking on behalf of the organization. In this case, Doyle is using the organization as a tool to gain support and funds for Bachmann. This is a clear violation.

Excuses
Will their be excuses for breaking the law? Tax laws are long, ambiguous, legalistic, and often difficult to understand. Fortunately for Minnesota nonprofits, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits provides ample opportunities to learn what a nonprofit, and its employees can and can't do. Also, the president of a nonprofit should be well aware of the IRS and FEC laws governing a 501(c)3 organization. Additionally, a candidate for the US House of Representatives who lists her occupation as a TAX ATTORNEY should be well aware of these laws.

Other Possible Violations
Browsing the EdWatch website for Bachmann references turns up over 60 pages. And there certainly seems to be a bit of a love-fest for Bachmann occurring there. Here are a few examples that are very close to being in violation, if they aren't in fact violations.

"On Monday, Sen. Michele Bachmann officially announced her campaign for the 2006 race for Minnesota's 6th District Congress, a seat that will be vacated by Cong. Mark Kennedy. Kennedy has announced his 2006 run for Mark Dayton's U.S. Senate seat. The Bachmann race brings No Child Left Behind into the election arena. Bachmann authored legislation to remove Minnesota from the massive federal education law. Bachmann also authored the 2004 legislation for a Minnesota constitutional amendment to define marriage between one man and one woman. Bachmann was a tireless opponent of the Profile of Learning since 1998, when most legislators were lining up to support it. Known for her articulate and populist opposition to the federal education system, Bachmann launched her remarkable political career by speaking out against the Profile of Learning and School-to-Work. Finally, as a Minnesota Senator, she saw the Profile repealed in 2003." [Link]

"EdWatch is coming forward for a Senator who has been there to support parents and taxpayers on education long before it was popular to oppose the Profile. She continues to provide clear, strong leadership in education at the Capitol." [Link]

This page links to Michele Bachmann's campaign website.

And, ironically, the EdWatch Political Action Campaign, EdAction, has this press release titled, "Bachmann calls for end to Illegal Campaigning." Seriously, I do not make this stuff up. (And I'll be looking into EdAction next to see if there are any violations there over the next few days.)

Take Action
If you received a letter from Bachmann and EdWatch, you should visit DumpBachmann and follow the steps to file a complaint.

Anti-Gay EdWatch
Surely, each year many nonprofits are guilty of this type of violation to one degree or another. But, no responsible nonprofit would actually commit such a slam-dunk violation. Unfortunately, most citizens don't pay much attention to nonprofit partisan activity. I DO pay attention to organizations that misrepresent GLBT people and outright lie about our lives and our community. This organization creates a fear of GLBT people in order to push their agenda. Here's an example of those statements made by EdWatch:

"In schools all across Minnesota and this nation, we are seeing a very aggressive plan by gay activist organizations that are boldly taking their agenda into our schools. They are undermining parental authority and putting our children at risk of sexual confusion and sexual diseases by affirming them in lifestyles that are unhealthy and dangerous...Today we are in a cultural war over two views of sexuality: our Judeo-Christian sexual ethic of monogamous heterosexual marriage and the 'gay' ethic of sexual license. The battleground is the classroom and it is the children who will be the greatest casualties if we do not respond." [Link]

It's these kind of misrepresentations, and fear-mongering that led me to research this issue so thoroughly. If breaking tax laws isn't enough to make you mistrust these people, perhaps that will.

Religious Leaders Exploit Suffering

It's not a new tactic by politico-religious leaders to exploit tragedy to justify their beliefs at the expense of others. Pharangula has even more about how religious leaders are reacting. Here's some more of what they're saying:

Rick Scarborough of Vision America and the Judeo-Christian Council for Constitutional Restoration: "After September 11, 2001, "God bless America" was on everyone's lips. But what, exactly, are we asking God to bless - a nation moving a breakneck speed toward homosexual marriage, a nation awash in pornography, a nation in which our children are indoctrinated in perversion in the public schools, a nation in which most public displays of The Ten Commandments are considered offensive to the Constitution, a nation in which the elite does all in its considerable power to efface our Biblical heritage?" He goes on to blame a laundry list of things for God's wrath in the form of a whirlwind. Via Max Blumenthal.

Rev. Bill Shanks, pastor of New Covenant Fellowship of New Orleans: "New Orleans now is abortion free. New Orleans now is Mardi Gras free. New Orleans now is free of Southern Decadence and the sodomites, the witchcraft workers, false religion -- it's free of all of those things now," Shanks says. "God simply, I believe, in His mercy purged all of that stuff out of there -- and now we're going to start over again." [Link]

Fred Phelps chimes in: "Thank God for Katrina. New Orleans, symbol of America, seen for what it is: a putrid, toxic, stinking cesspool of fag fecal matter... Pray for more dead bodies floating on the fag-semen-rancid waters of New Orleans." [Link]

Columbia Christians for Life: "The image of the hurricane ... with its eye already ashore at 12:32 p.m. Monday, August 29, looks like a fetus (unborn human baby) facing to the left (west) in the womb, in the early weeks of gestation (approx. 6 weeks)," the e-mail message says. "Even the orange color of the image is reminiscent of a commonly used pro-life picture of early prenatal development." And in case you're not getting the point, the e-mail message spells it out in black and white: "Louisiana has 10 child-murder-by-abortion centers," the groups says, and "five are in New Orleans." From War Room at Salon.com

Pastor Matt Trewhella, Missionaries to the Preborn, Milwaukee, WI: "If you feel bad that the residents in Gulfport and Biloxi had to suffer because of the sodomites and sodomite-loving magistrates in New Orleans, don't feel too bad because these towns are known as the "Gambling Capitols of the South" wherein thousands of elderly people go to blow their money, thus disinheriting their families." [Link]

That same website and pastor are urging folks NOT to donate to the Red Cross. "Why not? Because they promote the homosexual agenda in our nation, and even have "Corporate Diversity Committees" and a "Chief Diversity Officer" to help implement the agenda. To top it all off, they recently fired a Christian for simply sharing his views regarding homosexuality." Very Christian indeed.

And Christians aren't the only ones doing this:

Louis Farrakhan: "New Orleans is the first of the cities going to tumble down... unless America changes its course," Farrakhan said. "It is the wickedness of the people of America and the government of America that is bringing the wrath of God down." He sees the hurricane as divine punishment for the Iraq War. [Link reg. req'd]

And where is the outrage from religious leaders about these statements? Or do they all feel that God has punished New Orleans?

Gays to Blame for Disaster

Leave it to the radical Christian community.

Looting is because Jesus wasn't in the public schools: "I've been reading about looting and watching the pictures from New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. So here's my question: Do you think New Orleans would be better off right now if its public school system had taught all students the Ten Commandments as part of their secular education?" [Link]

God brought this disaster because of Southern Decadence and New Orleans tolerance of homosexuality: "Although the loss of lives is deeply saddening, this act of God destroyed a wicked city." Marcavage said. "From ‘Girls Gone Wild’ to ‘Southern Decadence’, New Orleans was a city that had its doors wide open to the public celebration of sin. May it never be the same. Let us pray for those ravaged by this disaster. However, we must not forget that the citizens of New Orleans tolerated and welcomed the wickedness in their city for so long," Marcavage said." [Link]

I'm so angry right now.

Fred Phelps and Duluth-Superior Pride

I know I said no posts this week, but I'm an addict. Just a head's up for those attending Duluth-Superior Pride this weekend; you may want to bring a sack of rotten tomatoes. [I completely LOVE that he called Minnesota a "homofascist regime."]

From Pam's House Blend:

"WBC to picket filthy faggot mayor of the sodomite whorehouse masquerading as Duluth, Minn., at their so-called Duluth-Superior GLBTQAI Pride Festival, and the leper colonies calling themselves churches in Duluth - Sept. 3 and 4"

The mayor of Duluth, Herb Bergson, is featured in the current issue of Lavender. As mayor of Superior, WI, twin port to Duluth, he signed a GLBT Pride proclamation, and this year he is hosting a Mayor's Reception on Thursday for this weekend's celebration.

Because of his vocal support for GLBT people in the Duluth area, he and his family have been victims of hate. He's grateful for the support of the GLBT community, and it's good to see he's not backing down.

The Lavender article talks about the intolerance he and his family have had to endure:

"As Bergson recounts, 'I was sitting there one evening at home with my son, David—I get pretty emotional when I tell this story. The call was someone, a person who professed to be a Christian. This was the worst one I've ever had. There were actually profanities. The yelling was so loud, I held the phone an arm’s length away, and I could still hear the screaming.'

Bergson continues, 'My son looked over at me, and said, 'Dad, why don't you just tell them to go to hell, and hang up the phone?' I said, 'Sir, we're just going to have to agree to disagree,' and I hung up. David, who at the time was 17, gave me a hug, and said, 'Daddy, I am proud of you.'

'The gay community has done a lot of really nice things for me, because of my public stances, but nothing they could ever do for me could be as big a reward as when my 17-year-old son told me he was proud of me for that.'"

It's a really great article, and Mayor Bergson seems like a hell of a guy. If you don't have plans this weekend, consider visiting Duluth-Superior Pride and supporting the GLBT community there and Mayor Bergson. Hopefully, the Phelps people will get lost again!

Homophobic, Patriarchal Carnival to arrive in St. Paul

That's right! The Promise Keepers are coming to the Twin Cities!

The President of Promise Keepers says: "Promise Keepers stands in support of this clarion call for covenant marriage between one man and one woman, for life, and joins ministers around the nation- in Atlanta, New York City, and now in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, in carrying out the Christian obligation to shepherd the flock and point the way," Fortson said. "Even the attempt to refer to same sex unions as 'marriage' is a non-sequitur." [PDF]

Here's a partial list and quotes of the 'Christians' that will share their insights on homos, women, and Jesus in St. Paul in September:

Brad Stine: "Over-the-edgy comic Brad Stine brought his conservative rant to Charleston, with the notion of gay marriage in his sights. 'Men who marry men are cowards. What's so hard about that? Real men marry women. That’s a challenge!' [link]

Greg Stier: "In the name of tolerance some groups are covertly advancing a strategy to make our children tolerant in their view of others regardless of their class, creeds or deeds. The pro-homosexual agenda is neatly tagged under the less incendiary 'sexual orientation' heading." And: "If you don’t think there's a radical left wing agenda to convert the minds and hearts of our children, then you need to wake up. There is. But that agenda, ultimately, is not from the homosexual activists. It is the strategy of Satan himself." [Link]

Edwin Lutzer: He wrote "The Truth About Same-sex Marriage: 6 Things You Need To Know About What's Really At Stake." I can tell you that happiness for GLBT is definitely NOT something Lutzer sees at stake. Lutzer writes: "the most damaging social experiment to ever be attempted in this country... If God's people do not act now, it might be too late."

His church has been protested by GLBT groups in Illinois who have dubbed his church a "House of Hate." [Warning: link to Peter LaBarbera]

Don't forget to head on down to the anti-gay indoctrination rally at the Xcel Energy Center in September!

The ELCA will remain anti-gay

I have very little knowledge of the ELCA or even the Lutheran church, so I'll let other writers fill you in on what the recent decision by the ELCA means.

Roseville residents wonder if it's time to leave the ELCA over their recent decision to continue anti-gay policy. From a letter to the editor in the Strib:

"Time to split?

Perhaps its time for us Lutherans who believe our God created all humankind with love and purpose to pack our (money) bags and leave ("Gay ordination defeated," Aug. 14). We used to be the ALC and the LCA, and it worked for years.

Nancy and Jerry Carroll, Roseville."

Jason at five o'clock bot remembers growing up and falling in love in the shadow of Lutheran hostility toward gay people in northern Minnesota.

And Mark at Prodigal Sheep gives us a good analysis of what 'unity' really means to Lutherans, and how it affects GLBT people.

Fred Phelps a Plant for the Fruits

"Mrs. White: Are you a cop?
Mr. Green: No, I'm a plant.
Miss Scarlet: A plant? I thought men like you were usually called a fruit." - Clue

Christian Conservatives are getting a little nervous about hate-monger Fred Phelps. It was fine when he was picketing Matthew Sheppard's funeral, and gay-friendly churches. But now that he's picketing the funerals of fallen troops, his fellow hate-mongers on the right are getting a little nervous:

"The head of an Illinois group fighting same-sex marriage and partner benefits says he wonders if militant anti-gay preacher Fred Phelps is actually a gay plant." [Link]

"Fred Phelps' curious message is hardly Christian, and only fuels societal bigotry toward those who espouse genuine Biblical views on social issues like homosexuality and abortion," says Illinois Family Institute Executive Director Peter LaBarbera.

It's bigotry you're worried about Peter? Here's a few choice quotes from Peter LaBarabera:

"Voicing concern over suicide risk for "gay youth," homosexual activists are pushing pro-homosexual programs in the schools, which will invariably ensnare vulnerable teens who might otherwise have avoided the destructive homosexual lifestyle." The Gay Youth Suicide Myth [Link]

"Homosexual behavior will always be wrong--no matter how many 'pride' parades are held or how powerful the 'gay' lobby becomes," LaBarbera said. "It is wrong for Mayor Richard M. Daley and the corporate world to celebrate sinful and changeable behavior that is often very unhealthy, as evidenced by the lives of thousands of homosexual men that have been cut short due to this high-risk lifestyle." [Link]

He's just really, really stupid. And it's fun to use his words agianst him.

"Peter Labarbera's curious message is hardly Christian, and only fuels societal bigotry toward those who don't think GLBT people sinful," says Eleventh Avenue South Blogger Andy.

For more fun, check out Pam's House Blend for a look at Peter Labarbera's 'undercover' work at the International Mr. Leather in Chicago.

More Gays to be Killed in Iran?

Doug Ireland of PageOneQ is reporting rumors of two gay men with be given the death penalty in Iran on August 28 for committing consentual homosexual acts.

Religious extremism kills, doesn't it Michele Bachmann? and James Dobson? and Fred Phelps?

Gays Need to be Stoned Say Christians and Muslims

Umar Idrisiv, head of the Muslim Board in the Nizhni Novgorod Region, made an appeal to stone the participants in the gay parade in case it is conducted in Moscow. "Homosexuals need to be stoned. I believe the propagation of homosexuality and other such like phenomena is a sign of the doomsday approaching", Idrisov said as cited at the web-site of the Union of Muslim Journalists. [Link] Umar was speaking about the GLBT parade in Moscow.

You tend to expect this kind of invective from religious leaders in little known regions of the world. It's sad, and just a little more violent than the subversive and hateful comments by America's own Jerry Falwell, Fred Phelps, and Rick Santorum, and of course Minnesota's Michele Bachmann.

But there are Americans who agree with Umar's interpretation of Islam...you find them at the FreeRepublic, a forum for conservatives, Christians, and Republicans.

Here are some Actual Freeper Quotes (trademark Pam's):

"Umar Idrisiv, head of the Muslim Board in the Nizhni Novgorod Region, made an appeal to stone the participants in the gay parade in case it is conducted in Moscow.

Homosexuals need to be stoned.

Just proves the old saying that a even a stopped clock is correct twice a day."

"If you want to maintain a soft spot for sodomites and perverts, be my guest.

As far as I'm concerned, the Old Testament and oddly enough, the muzzies are right on this."

"Every so often, I think we might actually be able to get along with the muzzies.

We don't disagree on everything."

"Heck, we could even make a sport out of it. I'd go as far as allowing the rock chuckers to use steroids (under a doctor's supervision). And sell bubblegum cards to the kids."

"I support putting laws back on the books making homosexuality a crime punishable by death.

If that offends those who advocate acceptance of perversion, so be it."

"The mufti emphasized that ‘we will never come to an agreement with homosexuals’, even if the state authorities allow them to conduct a march of gays and lesbians.

This is Islam's strong hand. It's a very good hand. As the Christians churches fall one by one to the queer crowd, Islam as crazy as it is begins to look like it makes sense."

Any conservatives, Christians, or Republicans willing to condemn these comments on FreeRepublic? It is, after all, one of the Right's signiture orgainzaing tools. Tell me again that conservatives are not bigots.

Strib readers respond to Pritchard's bile

In today's letters to the editor:

"Prichard's concerns

Specifically, what religion is Tom Prichard claiming would be harmed by allowing gay couples to have civil protections such as next-of-kin status in medical decisions and hospital visitation, the filing of joint tax returns or access to family health insurance (Counterpoint, July 30)?

He does not speak for all religions. Both the religion of my upbringing, the United Church of Christ, and that of my faith community, Twin Cities Friends Meeting (Quaker), recognize and celebrate God's love as it is lived in a faithful, lifelong relationship between two adults, be they of the same gender or different genders.

Besides, Minnesota is a long way from the civil marriage equality recently granted in Canada. The constitutional amendment Prichard and others wish to place before Minnesota voters would forever ban a gay couple or a family that has two moms or two dads from having basic legal protections.

People of faith from many religions are increasingly standing up for the dignity of gay people as beloved children of God and as Americans deserving of basic legal protections for themselves and their families.

Heather Ferguson, Minneapolis.

Free to love whomever

Like civil rights opponents 40 years ago, Tom Prichard's column ("Reject Canada's same-sex marriage error," July 30) spews bigotry and fear to justify discrimination.

Shame on Prichard for equating loving, committed relationships between same-sex partners with degrading practices of polygamy. Friends of ours who are gay -- and caring, faithful partners for 30 years -- deserve only our society's full respect and affirmation.

Prichard next tries to scare Minnesotans into thinking that same-sex marriage will harm children. Really? He should ask our neighbor, a talented and self-confident girl from China. Would she have been better off if her lesbian parents had not adopted her from the orphanage? A loving, stable home helps children become responsible adults, whether the parents are gay, lesbian or heterosexual.

Finally, Prichard invokes unnamed African-Americans to his side. But civil-rights hero Rep. John Lewis wrote this: "I've heard the reasons for opposing civil marriage for same-sex couples. Cut through the distractions, and they stink of the same fear, hatred, and intolerance I have known in racism and in bigotry."

Marriage recognizes the highest possible commitment that can be made between two adults. Gay or straight, each of us should be free to marry the person we love.

Jeremy Edes Pierotti, Minneapolis."

Keep the letters coming!

Gay Conversion Therapy in Minnesota

Zach is a gay, 16 year-old Myspace user (pre-Fox News' News Corp. takeover) who used the blog feature on the website to let his friends know that his parents were forcing him to attend a Tennessee camp called Love In Action with the purpose of 'curbing' his homosexuality. The program is a six week course and began in mid-June. He was set to be released sometime this past week. Towleroad and Law Dork have excellent background on Zach.

The story has kicked off national attention about these 'ex-gay ministries,' both the forcible kind for teenagers, such as Zach's case, and the overall phenomenon itself. The New York Times had a write-up several weeks ago, and Crooks and Liars currently has a video of the second part of a 2-part interview by Paula Zahn with a current staff member who compares 'conversion therapy' of gay teens to parents taking their kids to music lessons(!). AmericaBlog has a good analysis of both interviews, and major kudos to Zahn who really took the staff member to task.

One huge admission by the Love In Action staff member is that same-sex sexual attraction is ingrained and natural, which departs from the conservative christian argument that gays can change, and get married to heterosexual partners, and leave 'the lifestyle.' The urges will still persist, he says, and it's up to faith and god to help ex-gays stay away from hot gay sex. This idea of ingrained sexuality is, of course, something we queer folk have been saying from the beginning of time. Love isn't about choices; it's about love. Attraction happens. Deal with it, homophobes!

And let's not get caught up in the idea that this kind of forced 'anti-gay-ing' only happens in the South. Minnesota has several of these same programs set-up to prey on the oppressed, the confused, and those that don't know any good and happy GLBT people. They are oppressed and confused, because these programs and churches(!) tell them that all GLBT people are lonely, diseased, and suicidal. I wonder if these programs and churches actually realize that their rhetoric is what causes some in the GLBT community to become lonely, diseased, and suicidal. That's a book to be written on another day!

Minnesota has 5 programs (that I know of) dedicated to tearing down GLBT people by indoctrinating them with rhetoric about sin, disease, and abuse. They are Eagle's Wings Ministry in Minneapolis, Oasis Ministries in Hutchinson, Outpost Inc., in Robbinsdale, Simon Ministries in Minneapolis, and Keys Ministries in Wykoff.

If you found this page searching for one of these programs looking for help, please reconsider. There are many, many churches that welcome GLBT members, and many social and faith based groups for GLBT people statewide. Don't believe everything your church says; people make mistakes. And if you don't believe me, just ask John Evans, the co-founder of Love In Action, the camp that Zach was sent to:

"In the past 30 years since leaving the 'ex-gay' ministry I have seen nothing but shattered lives, depression and even suicide among those connected with the 'ex-gay' movement," Evans writes in his letter to John Smid, Love In Action's current director. "I challenge Christians to investigate all sides of the issue of being gay and Christian. The Church has been wrong in the past regarding moral issues and I'm sure there will be more before Christ returns."

Tom Prichard: Shut Up Gays and Marry Straight

Tom Prichard, local homophobe extraordinaire, and president of the Minnesota Family Council, the local nest of homo-obsessed social conservatives, has a response to the recent and excellent Star Tribune editorial on Canada's new same-sex marriage law:

"The editorial argues that [same-sex marriage] SSM is an issue of equality: Gays and lesbians need to be treated equally. The reality is that gay activists aren't seeking equal access to marriage. They can already marry; it just must be to a person of the opposite sex."

Umm. That's kinda the point, brainiac. We want to marry OUR PARTNERS, not someone of the opposite sex.

Norwegianity, who has increasingly been making my points for me(!):

MG: Why do they let these shit-for-brains cretins wipe their asses on their op-ed page? It’s bad enough they’re pretending that Katherine Kersten is writing a “column,” but letting this jerk waste ink with his hateful bigotry is truly beyond the pale.

But mostly, this galls:

Tom Pritchard: Where, exactly, is Canada leading with regard to religious freedom and SSM? Let’s look at the church in Canada. Catholic and evangelical leaders there now face threats of legal sanctions if they speak out against SSM. Bishop Frederick Henry of Calgary was warned by Revenue Canada that his public opposition to SSM might jeopardize his charitable tax status.

In Europe the same pattern exists, with church leaders threatened with criminal sanctions if they speak out against homosexual behavior—behavior that will be officially affirmed by society if SSM is recognized.

MG: This is what it’s really about. These tiny-minded jackasses are terrified that if same sex marriage is ever legalized by the US, they won’t be able to fire their gay choir directors anymore, but worse — they might have to shut the fuck up regarding political matters or risk losing their tax exempt status.

And that would, tragically for the haters, mean the church would have to return to leaving Caesar’s business to Caesar.

Just like it should be."

It's letters to the editor time folks. Some possible topics include:

1. Freedom FROM religion and why you shouldn't have to live your life based on Tom's choice of church.

2. Is it religious discrimination when same-sex marriages by churches such as UCC and MCC are not recognized while Catholic and Lutheran hetero marriages are?

3. Should the Star Tribune be printing editorials by the president of a hate group as defined by the Southern Poverty Law Center?

4. Or just let Tom have it!

Gay youths publicly killed by Iranian Gov't?

Five o'clock bot is where I first saw this story. Two gay teenagers were hung to death by the Iranian government.

Towleroad has been trying to get to the bottom of this. It's clear that these teens were gay, however, what still seems unclear is whether they were killed because they were gay or, as some reports have said, that they had committed sexual assault. Andrew Sullivan has a report that it may have been because the two were involved in advocacy for gay rights. Regardless of the crime, one of these boys was a minor, and was sentenced to death. And none of the reports indicated a crime worthy of death penalty (although, in my opinion, there isn't a crime worthy of the death penalty).

This is the danger of fundamentalist religion. I've got some stuff in the works looking at discrimination against GLBT people by muslims in Minneapolis, and I don't think I have to tell anyone who reads this site, about Minnesota's fundamentalist Christian problem. Fundamentalism is dangerous no matter what religion.

Hug your son, or the gays will

'Clinical psychologist' Joseph Nicolosi says that once a gay men learn to form lifelong trusting friendships with straight men "the homosexuality disappears, absolutely disappears."

He also says: "We advise that if you don't hug your son, someone else will."

Because in the anti-gay Christian mind all it takes is a hug and your child could be headed for a life of fabulous gayness.

Gay-hating Christians Return to Minnesota

How lucky we are to have Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church in Minneapolis twice in one month! We certainly are a city full of sinners. His repeat appearance might be motivated by the fact that God led him to the wrong campus last time. Instead of protesting a high school graduation at the Minneapolis campus, he ended up on the St. Paul farm campus. Fred and his crew ain't too bright, ya know?

For those who don't know, Fred Phelps and his gang are one level of hate above people like Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and Michele Bachmann.

They are in Minneapolis to protest the screening of transgender film, Call Me Malcolm. Here are the times, dates, and locations to avoid if you don't want to run into these assholes during your Pride celebrations:

10 am Sunday June 26 at the Plymouth Congregational Church, 11 am Sunday June 26 at the First Congregational Church, and the University of Minnesota-East Bank at the Bell Auditorium at 5pm and 7pm. Saturday, June 25.

If you want to counter protest, please attend the Saturday evening screening of the film. And let people know about the film. The best thing that can come from this is increased publicity for the film.

Here's the Bell Auditorium schedule:

"Call Me Malcolm

Malcolm will be present at the first screening of Call Me Malcolm. Call Me Malcolm is the story of a 27 year-old transgender seminary student and his struggle with faith, love and gender identity. In 1977, a boy is born in a girl's body. After several years of self-doubt and confusion, the boy learns that he is transgendered, and finally takes the necessary steps to externally live in the gender he'd always felt. The first of is steps was taking on his new name: Malcolm. He begins a road trip across American from a small town outside Denver.

7:15 and 9:15pm nightly with 5:15pm matinees Sats. & Suns. (no late show Tues)."

AFA and LOGO

American Family Association President, Tim Wildmon, on LOGO, the new gay and lesbian cable channel:

"I don't think most parents want their children flipping channels on their way to the Cartoon Network and running across a scene of two men kissing in bed on the LOGO network," said American Family Association president Tim Wildmon. "Most of us have enough to explain to our children nowadays." [Agape Press]

Andy, creator of Eleventh Avenue South to Tim Wildmon:

"If you don't like it, click the off button on your television."

New York Times on Gay Marriage

New York Times Magazine has an 11 page in-depth look at the anti-gay marriage machine called "What's Their Real Problem with Gay Marriage? (I's the Gay Part)." Here's an excerpt:

"Christian activists aren't vague in their opposition. For them, the issue isn't one of civil rights, because the term implies something inherent in the individual -- being black, say, or a woman -- and they deny that homosexuality is inherent. It can't be, because that would mean God had created some people who are damned from birth, morally blackened. This really is the inescapable root of the whole issue, the key to understanding those working against gay marriage as well as the engine driving their vehicle in the larger culture war: the commitment, on the part of a growing number of people, to a variety of religious belief that is so thoroughgoing it permeates every facet of life and thought, that rejects the secular, pluralistic grounding of society and that answers all questions internally."