GLBT DIGEST September 20, 2007

**IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE, CONTACT US AT rays.list@comcast.net and we'll be happy to send the full article.


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FLORIDA RED AND BLUE!!!!

Do your part to fight the right-wing state-wide anti-gay initiativeto amend the Florida constitution.

Friday, September 28, at the GLCC, Ft. Lauderdale - 11:45am to 1:30pm.

Michael and I promised to get a minimum of 10 people to attend thislow dollar boxed lunch - only $25 - to learn about Florida Red And Blue andthe multiple efforts to overcome this hateful amendment. Florida Red andBlue has already raised over $1 million, but our work is only beginning.

Will you support us with this? Every GLBT person in Florida needs to be apart of this effort.

Boxed Lunch Series
$25
Friday, September 28
Noon - 1:30pm
Networking 11:45am
GLCC - Ft. Lauderdale

Send us an e-mail and let us know if you'll join us on the 28th.

And...... If you can't attend, we'll be glad to accept your check made out to "Florida Red and Blue."

Ray and Michael
rays.list@comcast.net



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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-San-Diego-Gay-Marriage.html?pagewanted=print

September 20, 2007

SD Mayor to Back Same - Sex Marriage Fight

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 7:14 a.m. ET

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Mayor Jerry Sanders abruptly reversed his publicopposition to marriage for same-sex partners and revealed that his adultdaughter is a lesbian.

Sanders on Wednesday signed a City Council resolution supporting a challengeto California's gay marriage ban. He previously promised to veto it.

The Republican mayor said he could no longer back the position he tookduring his election campaign two years ago, when he said he favored civilunions but not full marriage rights for homosexual couples.

He fought back tears as he said he wanted his adult daughter, Lisa, andother gay people he knows to have their relationships protected equallyunder state laws.

''In the end, I could not look any of them in the face and tell them thattheir relationships -- their very lives -- were any less meaningful than themarriage that I share with my wife Rana,'' Sanders said.

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NationalGayNews.com

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2007/09/ellen-degeneres.html

Ellen DeGeneres to Receive The Trevor Life Award
News release:

Clear Channel Communications to Receive The Trevor Hope Award at
Organization's Tenth Annual Cracked Xmas Event

The Trevor Project (Trevor), the non-profit organization that operates thenation's only around-the-clock suicide prevention helpline for gay andquestioning youth, today announced the recipients of two of its majorhonorary awards. Ellen DeGeneres, host of the The Ellen DeGeneres Show,which has won 21 Emmy Awards(R), and also the host of the 57th Annual EmmyAwards(R) and the 79th Annual Academy Awards(R), will receive The TrevorLife Award. Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (Clear Channel), the globalmedia and entertainment company, will receive The Trevor Hope Award. Bothawards will be presented at The Trevor Project's tenth annual Cracked Xmasevent, to be held on December 2, 2007 at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles.

The Trevor Life Award honors an individual who, through his or her example,support, volunteerism and/or occupation, is an inspiration to gay andquestioning youth. The Trevor Hope Award honors a company or organizationthat, through its policies, initiatives and other efforts, demonstrates acommitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) causes and is aprominent, public example of corporate acceptance of individuals regardlessof sexual orientation. Past recipients of The Trevor Life Award includeRoseanne Barr (2006), Marc Cherry (2005), Debra Messing and Megan Mullally(2004), Rosie O'Donnell (2003) and Armistead Maupin (2002). Past recipientsof The Trevor Hope Award are HBO(R) (2006), LPI Media, Inc. (2005) and WellsFargo (2004).

"In the most real sense, Ellen DeGeneres has been with us from the beginningwhen she graciously agreed to provide the introduction to the firstnationally televised airing of the Academy Award(R)-winning short filmTrevor and we are enormously proud to honor her with The Trevor Life Awardduring this our tenth anniversary year," said Charles Robbins, executivedirector of The Trevor Project. "Her insightful, heartfelt and humorouswords helped draw viewers to that initial broadcast, some of whom begancalling The Trevor Helpline. Just as important, Ellen's groundbreakingcareer and her historic, extremely public, and truly courageous coming outprocess continue to inspire LGBT youth and demonstrate that their lives dohave value."

"I'm truly honored to be this year's The Trevor Life Award recipient," saidMs. DeGeneres. "I've been connected to this amazing organization since itbegan in 1998 and I'm grateful that such an important support system existsfor the many gay or questioning youth in crisis. Those of us who grew upwithout resources like these know how vital they are. I proudly accept thisaward on behalf of all the young men and women whose lives have been savedthanks to Trevor."

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NationalGayNews.com

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/view.php?id=5498

HIV prevention drug could save millions

19th September 2007 18:33
PinkNews.co.uk writer

US researchers have identified a preventative measure against HIV that coulddramatically reduce the number of new cases in high risk areas such assub-Saharan Africa.

Tenofovir is an antiviral drug that is currently used in combinationmedications given to HIV patients.

Is is being trailed on HIV negative participants of groups who areconsidered at high risk of contracting the virus, including gay and bisexualmen, sex workers and drug users.

Tenofovir is one of the group of drugs known as nucleotide analogue reversetranscriptase inhibitors (nRTIs).

The results of the five studies taking place in four continents will not beavailable until early 2008.



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid49017.asp

September 20, 2007

Bad News for "Ex-Gay" Movement

Two scholars funded by the "ex-gay" ministry Exodus reported greatly mixedresults this week in the most ambitious study yet on whether faith-basedtherapy can "cure" homosexuality, days after a counselor in another "ex-gay"program was sentenced on felony charges of sexually attacking his maleclients.

Christopher Austin, 43, was sentenced in Dallas to 10 years in prison on twocounts of felony sexual assault in connection with his work in the "ex-gay"program Renew, operated out of the Church of Christ South MacArthur inIrving, Texas. A judge last week reduced his sentence to seven years'probation, not concurrently, on each charge, a district attorney's spokesmantold Gay.com.

One of several victims who came forward, Mark Hufford, testified that Austinused "touch therapy" to ostensibly "cure" him of homosexuality, a treatmentthat progressed to include nude sessions and even oral sex.

The tale serves as a painful counterpoint to a book published this week bypsychologists Stanton Jones of Wheaton College and Mark Yarhouse of PatRobertson University, who attempted to show the extent to whichsexual-orientation change is possible though a study of 98 participants of"ex-gay" ministries over four years.

Their book, Ex-Gays? A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change inSexual Orientation (InterVarsity Press), concludes:

Fifteen percent of participants reported substantially reduced homosexualdesire and attraction.



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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid49021.asp

September 20, 2007

Episcopal Bishops Meet Ahead of Deadline on Gay Issues

The Reverend Frank Wade, a veteran of the brawling theological debates inthe Episcopal Church, said the denomination was once filled with people likehim: ''old white men.'' It was the church of the establishment, thespiritual home of more U.S. presidents than any other denomination.

Now the head of the church is a woman who says the Bible supports gayrelationships. Many Episcopal priests believe that accepting Jesus isn't theonly path to salvation. And V. Gene Robinson, who lives openly with hislongtime male partner, is the bishop of New Hampshire.

Episcopalians are hardly alone among mainline Protestants in their liberalturn, but they have been tested like no others for their views. TheEpiscopal Church is the Anglican body in the United States, and manyAnglican leaders overseas are infuriated by Episcopal left-leaning beliefs.

Starting on Thursday in New Orleans, Episcopal bishops will take up the mostdirect demand yet that they reverse course: Anglican leaders want anunequivocal pledge that Episcopalians won't consecrate another gay bishop orapprove official prayers for same-gender couples. If the church fails to doso by September 30, their full membership in the Anglican Communion could belost.

''I think the bishops are going to stand up and say, 'Going backward is notone of our options,''' said Wade of the Washington diocese, who has ledchurch legislative committees on liturgy and Anglican relations. ''I don'tthink there's going to be a backing down.''

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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid49025.asp

September 20, 2007

Yale Law School to Allow Military Recruiters Back On Campus

Yale Law School will end its policy of not working with military recruitersfollowing a court ruling this week that jeopardized about $300 million infederal funding, school officials said Wednesday.

Yale and other universities had objected to the Pentagon's ''don't ask,don't tell'' policy that allows gay men and women to serve in the militaryonly if they keep their sexual orientation to themselves. Yale Law Schoolhad refused to assist military recruiters because the Pentagon wouldn't signa nondiscrimination pledge.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Yale on Monday,rejecting its argument that its right to academic freedom was infringed byfederal law that says universities must give the military the same access asother job recruiters or forfeit federal money.

''The fact is we have been forced under enormous pressure to acquiescence ina policy that we believe is deeply offensive and harmful to our students,''said Robert Burt, a Yale law professor who was lead plaintiff in the case.

The funding loss would have devastated the university's medical researchinto cancer, heart disease and other illnesses, Burt said.

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Advocate.com

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid49029.asp

September 20, 2007

Not Judge Ito but an Advocate Employee

It was not Judge Lance Ito -- famous for presiding over the 1995 doublemurder trial of O.J. Simpson -- who declared Simpson "guilty as sin" ofcurrent charges leveled against him to gossip site TMZ.com's cameras.Actually it was The Advocate's own accounts payable supervisor, Jeff Lee, inattendance at the magazine's 40th anniversary party.

Lee was standing outside the West Hollywood, Calif., restaurant and loungeRepublic Tuesday night, where cameras loomed just feet away to capturecelebrities as they left the venue. As he and his guest waited for giftbags, camera operators asked his verdict on Simpson's being charged witharmed robbery, among other crimes, at a Las Vegas hotel last week.

"At first I thought they just wanted to take photos of celebrities," Leesaid Wednesday. "Then after a while, I thought they were interested ingetting an opinion poll. But then I heard one mention 'Judge Ito' and itjust clicked in."

Lee said he decided to play along. With the cameras rolling, he gave hisverdict and took to the street.

Wednesday morning a coworker told him he had been mistakenly identified asIto on a just-posted TMZ.com video. The post was soon taken down after theLos Angeles County superior court made the error known.

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ExpressGayNews.com

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_6920041

Focus on Family: Sexual orientation can change

By Electa Draper
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 09/18/2007 06:15:17 AM MDT

Focus on the Family, the Colorado Springs-based Christian media ministry, onMonday endorsed a recent study finding that it is possible, throughreligious mediation, to change one's sexual orientation.

"This study bolsters our position of advocating for people's right toself-determination," said Melissa Fryrear, director of Focus' Gender IssuesDepartment, in a statement.

Focus on the Family is a worldwide media ministry broadcasting in 26languages.

The results were more promising than expected, with 67 percent of studyparticipants reporting "a change toward heterosexual orientation or ...successfully continuing to work towards that goal," Fryrear said.

Study findings were first released last week in a book, "Ex-Gays? ALongitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation."


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ExpressGayNews.com

http://www.oregonlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news/1190087708237160.xml&coll=7

Fallout from rumors stirs City Hall politics

Accusations - A developer and potential mayoral candidate alleges misconductthat a city official denies

Tuesday, September 18, 2007
ANNA GRIFFIN
The Oregonian

Several weeks ago, Pearl District developer and would-be politician Bob Ballapproached Portland City Commissioner Randy Leonard with a politicalbombshell.

He'd heard rumors, Ball told Leonard, that the most likely candidate formayor, City Commissioner Sam Adams, had been in a sexual relationship with a17-year-old legislative intern.

It was among the most potentially damaging accusations that could be leveledagainst a gay politician, particularly one as high profile and ambitious asAdams. And it was coming from another gay man who also was thinking aboutrunning for the city's top job.

The problem: The story Ball told about Adams and a 17-year-old legislativeintern isn't true, according to both Adams and the young man. Adamsacknowledges trying to be a mentor, including exchanging numerous phonecalls and text messages with the young man over several months in summer2005.

But both men said that they have never been anything more than friends.

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ExpressGayNews.com

http://expressgaynews.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=14399

Gay-rights group may appeal N.J. boardwalk-bias decision
Say group was not penalized enough
NEPTUNE, N.J. (AP) | Sep 19, 3:37 PM

The state's leading gay-rights group wants to appeal a decision by stateenvironmental officials stripping a Methodist church group of a taxexemption for part of the Ocean Grove boardwalk.

Garden State Equality says the decision by state Environmental ProtectionCommissioner Lisa Jackson does not go far enough in penalizing the OceanGrove Camp Meeting Association for refusing to let same-sex couples holdcivil-union ceremonies in a boardwalk pavilion where heterosexual couplesare allowed to wed.

The ruling was more symbolic than substantive: the actual tax impact to thechurch group is likely to be about $175 per year, according to the NeptuneTownship tax assessor.

Jackson determined that the church group violated the terms of a stateprogram that grants tax breaks to private property owners who make theirproperty available for public recreation. She removed the tax exemption forthe pavilion, claiming the structure is not being made equally available toeveryone, but let it remain for the rest of the boardwalk and beach, whichis also owned by the association.

"We're looking for a bigger victory here," said Steve Goldstein, chairman ofthe gay rights group. "We have the symbolic victory of the state tellingOcean Grove they're wrong, but there is a bigger victory to be had by havingthe entire tax exemption removed. We're happy, but there's a lot morehappiness to be had."

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365gay.com

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/09/092007thompson.htm

FOF Leader: Thompson Not Anti-Gay Enough
by The Associated Press
Posted: September 20, 2007 - 9:00 am ET

(Denver, Colorado) James Dobson, one of the nation's most politicallyinfluential evangelical Christians, made it clear in a message to friendsthis week he will not support Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson.

In a private e-mail obtained by The Associated Press, Dobson accuses theformer Tennessee senator and actor of being weak on the campaign trail andwrong on issues dear to social conservatives.

"Isn't Thompson the candidate who is opposed to a Constitutional amendmentto protect marriage, believes there should be 50 different definitions ofmarriage in the U.S., favors McCain-Feingold, won't talk at all about whathe believes, and can't speak his way out of a paper bag on the campaigntrail?" Dobson wrote.

"He has no passion, no zeal, and no apparent 'want to.' And yet he isapparently the Great Hope that burns in the breasts of many conservativeChristians? Well, not for me, my brothers. Not for me!"

The founder and chairman of Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family,Dobson draws a radio audience in the millions, many of whom who first cameto trust the child psychologist for his conservative Christian advice onchild-rearing.

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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org

OCTOBER 18 NYC FILM SCREENING AND SAFE SCHOOLS PANEL

WOMEN'S EDUCATIONAL MEDIA OBSERVES 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF "IT'S ELEMENTARY" -
GROUNDBREAKING FILM ABOUT DISCUSSING GAY ISSUES IN SCHOOLS

Media contacts:

Cathy Renna, 917.757.6123, cathy@rennacommunications.com
Syd Peterson, 917.621.6411, syd@rennacommunications.com

San Francisco, NY, August 15, 2007.Women's Educational Media - a non-profitorganization making films to inspire social change since 1978 - announcesthat it will host a screening in New York of the re-released groundbreakingfilm, "It's Elementary," and a new companion documentary, "It's STILLElementary" on the evening of October 18th at Teachers College of ColumbiaUniversity in New York City.

Originally distributed in 1997, "It's Elementary" was the first documentaryfilm to make the case that all children are affected by anti-gay prejudiceand that adults have a responsibility to address it - a reality withcontinuing relevance in today's world. The new companion documentary, "It'sSTILL Elementary," explores the impact that the original film had on thelives of its participants and the changes in the educational, cultural andpolitical landscape since the film's initial release. Following thescreening of the films, the audience will have the opportunity toparticipate in a panel discussion with educators, students and activistsabout creating safe schools for all children.

more....


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Forwarded from Kenneth Sherrill - Ken's List
Kenneth.Sherrill@hunter.cuny.edu
kenslist@groups.queernet.org


The Guardian - UK

http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,2172321,00.html

Williams in showdown with US church over gay bishops

Stephen Bates, religious affairs correspondent
Wednesday September 19, 2007

Guardian

Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, will demand concessionsfrom the bishops of the US Episcopal Church tomorrow at a crisis meetingaimed at staving off the most damaging split in the church's modern history,over the issue of homosexuality.

They will be asked to give guarantees that they will not allow theelection of any more openly gay bishops or authorise public blessingservices for same-sex couples and will create a structure for separateepiscopal oversight for conservative congregations who disagree with thechurch's liberal leadership.

The continuing unity of the 77,000,000-strong worldwide Anglicancommunion, the world's third-largest Christian denomination, hangs in thebalance, not in an ancient cathedral but the incongruous surroundings of ahotel in downtown New Orleans.

The archbishop is meeting the US bishops for six hours, tomorrow andFriday, at the city's marble and glass multistorey Intercontinental Hotel,10 days ahead of a communion-imposed ultimatum, forcing the Americans to rowback on their church's liberal inclusiveness towards gays.

One senior Anglican engaged in the negotiations said: The situation isvery volatile. The time has come for the Episcopal Church to tell us wherethey stand and give unreserved commitments to the rest of the communion.

They need to respond positively and unambiguously. The time forshilly-shallying is past. This is a watershed for the future of thecommunion.


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Volokh Digest

http://volokh.com/posts/1190249963.shtml

Republican mayor says "I Do" to SSM:
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, a Republican, announced today that he'schanged his mind and now supports gay marriage:

· I am here this afternoon to announce that I will sign the resolutionthat the City Council passed yesterday directing the City Attorney to file abrief in support of gay marriage.

· My plan, as has been reported publicly, was to veto that resolution, soI feel like I owe all San Diegans an explanation for this change of heart.

· During the campaign two years ago, I announced that I did not supportgay marriage and instead supported civil unions and domestic partnerships.

· I have personally wrestled with that position ever since. My opinion onthis issue has evolved significantly - as I think have the opinions ofmillions of Americans from all walks of life.

· In order to be consistent with the position I took during the mayoralelection, I intended to veto the Council resolution. As late as yesterdayafternoon, that was my position.

· The arrival of the resolution - to sign or veto - in my office late lastnight forced me to reflect and search my soul for the right thing to do. . .
.

· As I reflected on the choices that I had before me last night, I justcould not bring myself to tell an entire group of people in our communitythat they were less important, less worthy and less deserving of the rightsand responsibilities of marriage - than anyone else - simply because oftheir sexual orientation. . . .

· I do believe that times have changed. And with changing time, and newlife experiences, come different opinions. I think that's natural, andcertainly it is true in my case. . . .

· I have close family members and friends who are members of the gay andlesbian community. These folks include my daughter Lisa and her partner, aswell as members of my personal staff.

· I want for them the same thing that we all want for our loved ones - foreach of them to find a mate whom they love deeply and who loves them back;someone with whom they can grow old together and share life's wondrousadventures.

· And I want their relationships to be protected equally under the law. Inthe end, I could not look any of them in the face and tell them that theirrelationships - their very lives - were any less meaningful than themarriage that I share with my wife Rana.

[Thanks to journalist Rex Wockner for providing the text of the mayor'smessage.]

Leave aside for now the merits of the California marriage litigation SanDiego will now support. Leave aside also the tactical question whether apro-gay marriage ruling from the California Supreme Court would be worth therisk of a backlash producing a state constitutional amendment banning bothgay marriage and civil unions.

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To Form a More Perfect Union: Marriage Equality News

http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/

Information, news, and discussion about the legal recognition of same-sexcouples and their families, including marriages, domestic partnerships,civil unions, adoptions, foster children and similar issues.

http://samesexmarriage.typepad.com/weblog/2007/09/ga-court-asked-.html

Atlanta, Georgia) The Georgia Court of Appeals was asked Wednesday todismiss a jail sentence against a lesbian mother who a county judge found incontempt during an adoption proceeding.

Elizabeth Hadaway had been caring for a little girl called Emma for almost ayear with the biological mother's blessing,

Hadaway was granted legal custody in 2006 and under Hadaway's care, thechild began making great strides in her schoolwork, self-confidence, andemotional well-being.

In January Wilkinson County Superior Court Judge John Lee Parrott appearedto be on the verge of granting Hadaway's request to permanently adopt Emmawhen he noticed in a home study report that Hadaway was living at the timewith her same-sex partner of seven years.

At that point Parrott abruptly denied the adoption, ordering that Emma besent back to her biological mother.

Hadaway complied and met with the biological mother at a truck stop to handover the girl.

After accepting custody, the biological mother saw how distraught Emma wasat being taken from Hadaway and again insisted that Hadaway should raise thegirl, accordidng to court papers.

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Contact: Wayne Besen
Phone: 917-691-5118
E-Mail: wbesen@truthwinsout.org
Web: www.TruthWinsOut.org

TRUTH WINS OUT CLAIMS THAT THE FAMILY IMPACT SUMMIT IS EXPLOITING SO-CALLED
'EX-GAYS' TO SUGARCOAT DISCRIMINATION

Barbara Leavitt, a Woman Whose Marriage Ended After 'Ex-Gay' Therapy Did NotCure Her Husband Warned Against Such Marriages

TAMPA, Fl -- Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen spoke at anEquality Florida press conference today to counter the rabidly anti-gayFamily Impact Summit. Besen, the author of "Anything But Straight: Unmaskingthe Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth," said right wing organizationswere embracing so-called ex-gay ministries to cloak their discriminatoryaims.

"The Family Impact Summit is a cynical political ploy to use gay baiting toenergize voters in a critical election year," said Wayne Besen, ExecutiveDirector of Truth Wins Out. "The red meat conservatives are using so-calledex-gays as cover for their extremist views. By exploiting these vulnerablepeople, they are pretending to love gay people, when in reality they simplylove discrimination."

Barbara Leavitt also shared her story at the press conference in front ofBell Shoals Baptist Church. She discussed how her life was upended becauseher gay husband was told that marriage could help cure him of hishomosexuality. Earlier in the year, Truth Wins Out featured her and herhusband Lester in a video that can now be seen on YouTube.

"I want you to know that when ex-gays marry straight women, it hurts boththe man and the woman and any children that come," said Leavitt.

The Family Impact Summit will include right wing stalwarts, such as GaryBauer, Katherine Harris, Dr. Richard Land, Don Wildmon, Bob Knight and AlanChambers.

Speakers at the press conference include: Nadine Smith, Equality Florida;Wayne Besen, Truth Wins Out; Rev. Irene Monroe, Faith In America; SallyPhillips, Hillsborough Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus; Rev. Phyllis Hunt,MCC Tampa; Marty Rouse, Human Rights Campaign; Barbara Leavitt, spouse offormer ex-gay; Rev. Cedric A. Harmon, Americans United for Separation ofChurch & State.

Truth Wins OUT is a non-profit organization that counters right wingpropaganda, exposes the "ex-gay" myth and educates America about gay life.For more information, visit www.TruthWinsOut.org.




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Anything But Straight
September 19, 2007
by Wayne Besen

Crazies For Christ

The Washington Post had a fascinating series last weekend discussing therise of a movement representing "nonbelievers." The trend is worldwide, butis also taking root in America, one of the most religious western nations.As radical fundamentalism has spiraled out of control, many people arestanding up and loudly declaring that there is simply too much Godpermeating our society.

According to the Post, the Atheist Alliance International's membership hasalmost doubled in the past year to 5,200. Its membership is mushrooming tothe point where its national convention in Crystal City later this month hasa 500-person waiting list.

The article also points out that five books promoting atheism have hit thebestseller lists in the past two years, outpacing even The Pope's latestbook on Jesus. That is enough to make even an atheist scream "holy cow."

Additionally, the Post states that the Council for Secular Humanism's budgethas climbed to $8 million, a 40 percent rise in two years. The group now hasa think tank in Washington to promote the humanist principles of "science,reason and secularism." This movement of nonbelievers has formed AmericanAtheists in Washington, which administers the Godless Americans PAC.

The surge in political atheism is clearly a reaction to the utterobnoxiousness of today's fundamentalists. No matter what the religion, thesefanatics have made it clear that they have a God-given right to rule theearth and subjugate anyone who does not sing from the same hymn sheet.

The Middle East, of course, is the manifestation of such sectarian madness.The Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad thinks God wants his country tohave a nuclear bomb. This may lead to George W. Bush, who has his ownmessiah complex, to bomb Tehran. In Saudi Arabia, the government lops offpeoples' heads if they are deemed to have pissed off Allah (homosexuals makethe list). In Iraq, it seems everyone is tuned into the God channel andspeaks on his behalf. In Israel, meanwhile, ultra-orthodox Jews believe thatGod has given the "chosen people" all of the land from the Mediterranean Seato the Jordan River. But, Palestinian fanatics swear that Allah intends forMuslims to eradicate Israel. With so much God, peace doesn't stand a prayer.

Either some of these people who are hearing God's voice are delusional, orGod is a diabolical troublemaker. Is He whispering it the ears of radicalJews, "hey, you're the chosen people, keep every inch of the land," and thenturning around and telling Palestinian Jihadis, "you know this is Muslimterritory, now go out and blow yourself up for it." And when the big fightGod instigated is about to break out, does he call his bookie to place bets?

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http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/07/Sept/2002.htm

Two Gay Victims of Iraqi Terror Win UK Asylum

Refusal of refugee status overturned on appeal

LONDON, September 20, 2007 - Two gay victims of attempted assassinationsby Shia Islamist death squads in Iraq have been granted asylum in the UK.

Ibaa, aged 30, worked as a cultural programmes officer for the BritishCouncil in Baghdad.

Haider, 29 years old, was a doctor at the Al-Nu'man General Hospital, alsoin Baghdad. He had lived briefly in England as a young boy, when his parentswere students at Sussex University.

Both men had their initial applications for asylum turned down by the HomeOffice, despite compelling evidence of homophobic persecution and threats tokill them.

But with the support of the gay human rights groups OutRage! and Iraqi LGBTthey appealed against the refusal of asylum and won.

Ibaa says he now wants to do Arabic-English translation work, while Haideralready has a new job as a hospital doctor in Scotland. He plans toeventually qualify as a General Practitioner.



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Green Party of England and Wales

Wednesday 19th September 2007

ARCHBISHOP 'APPEASES' ANTI-GAY ANGLICANS, SAYS TATCHELL

Rowan Williams "putting earthly authority ahead of moral principle"

Green Party human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has condemned theArchbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, following news that Williamsis to attempt to force US bishops to backtrack on gay inclusion andequality.

Under pressure from conservative groups within the Anglican Communion,Williams is to ask the Americans to ban openly gay bishops and haltthe blessing and celebration of same-sex unions [1].

Peter Tatchell, who is the Green Party's prospective parliamentarycandidate for the constituency of Oxford East, said:

"The Archbishop of Canterbury has betrayed his own principles andbetrayed the gay community by caving in to pressure from the extremeright-wing of his church.

"He would not appease a racist or an anti-Semite cleric, so why is heappeasing homophobes within the Anglican Communion? He is allowingthe church's agenda to be dictated by the voices of unreason andintolerance.

"By letting his concern for the unity of the Anglican Communion leadhim to reward homophobic tantrums, Williams is putting his own earthlyauthority ahead of moral principle."



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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com

http://edgedallas.com/index.php?ci=81&ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=23043&PHPSESSID=ee57859250b56920c14626b568266f03

Despite recent struggles, Dallas gay community will continue to advance

by John Wright
The Dallas Voice
Tuesday Sep 18, 2007

Gay Dallas County Precinct 5 Constable Mike Dupree resigns amid allegationsthat he sexually harassed young male employees in his office.

Texas Stonewall Democrats President Shannon Bailey - who leads the largestLGBT political group in the state - is arrested on a charge of publiclewdness.

Lesbian Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez and gay County Judge Jim Fosterbecome the subject of widespread criticism in the media related to their jobperformances.

Gay District 3 City Councilman Ed Oakley loses a runoff for Dallas mayorafter being targeted by anti-gay robocalls and e-mails during the campaign.And Oakley's defeat, along with that of District 3 City Council candidateJoseph Hernandez, leaves Dallas' horseshoe gay-free for the first time in 14years.

It all adds up to a difficult few months - at least politically - for thelocal LGBT community, which had been riding high following the November 2006elections. That's when Foster and District Clerk Gary Fitzsimmons joinedValdez, Dupree and Oakley in a growing contingent of openly gay officialsthat has earned Dallas national media attention.

more . . . . .



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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
dailyqueernews@yahoo.com

http://www.edgedallas.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=23120

New Head of Gay Armed Forces Group Plans to Do Plenty of Asking and Telling

by Kilian Melloy
EDGE Dallas Contributor
Wednesday Sep 19, 2007

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) announced this week that AubreySarvis has been named to replace Dixon Osburn as the organization'sexecutive director.

SLDN is a watchdog organization that provides for the legal needs of GLBTtroops, monitors the discharge of gay servicemembers, and promotes therepeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on openly gay soldiers.

Sarvis wuill officially assume his duties as executive director of SLDN onOct. 1, 2007; he succeeds Dixon Osborn, who stepped down in April.

Sarvis, whow as selected following an extensive, nationwide search, said, "Iam humbled and honored to stand side by side with America's LGBT servicemembers, and to help them achieve the full measure of dignity and equalitythey deserve."

Said SLDN Co-Chair Commander Zoe Dunning, USNR (Ret.), "We stand very talltoday and are greatly strengthened by the appointment of Aubrey Sarvis."

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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
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http://www.edgedallas.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=23099

ACLU: Gay Sex Sting Not Constitutional

by Kilian Melloy
EDGE Dallas Contributor
Tuesday Sep 18, 2007

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) submitted a friend of the courtbrief to a Minnesota District Court in support of Sen. Larry Craig's bid towithdraw his plea of guilty to lewd conduct and arguing that the stringoperation carried out in a Minneapolis Airport men's room that resulted inCraig's arrest is, in all likelihood, unconstitutional.

"The real motive behind secret sting operations like the one that resultedin Senator Craig's arrest is not to stop people from inappropriateactivity," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero.

"It is to make as many arrests as possible," Romero continued, "arrests thatsometimes unconstitutionally trap innocent people."

Continued Romero, "If the police really want to stop people from having sexin public bathrooms, they should put up a sign banning sex in the restroomand send in a uniformed officer to patrol periodically. That works."

The ACLU argues in its brief that while the state may enforce laws meant otdiscourage illegal activity, "The government may not, however, make thesolicitation of a lawful act [into] a crime."

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) submitted a friend of the courtbrief to a Minnesota District Court in support of Sen. Larry Craig's bid towithdraw his plea of guilty to lewd conduct and arguing that the stringoperation carried out in a Minneapolis Airport men's room that resulted inCraig's arrest is, in all likelihood, unconstitutional.

"The real motive behind secret sting operations like the one that resultedin Senator Craig's arrest is not to stop people from inappropriateactivity," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero.

"It is to make as many arrests as possible," Romero continued, "arrests thatsometimes unconstitutionally trap innocent people."

Continued Romero, "If the police really want to stop people from having sexin public bathrooms, they should put up a sign banning sex in the restroomand send in a uniformed officer to patrol periodically. That works."

The ACLU argues in its brief that while the state may enforce laws meant otdiscourage illegal activity, "The government may not, however, make thesolicitation of a lawful act [into] a crime."

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http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/09/091907calmar.htm

Calif. Gays Hold Statewide Marriage Protest

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: September 19, 2007 - 11:00 am ET

(San Francisco, California) From Bakersfield to Ukiah thousands ofCalifornia gays and lesbians staged demonstrations Tuesday night calling onGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to rethink his threatened veto of same-sexmarriage legislation.

The biggest protests were in Los Angeles and San Francisco where manysame-sex couples brought their children to urge the governor to showunderstanding for the problems gay families encounter without marriageequality.

On Monday Schwarzenegger announced he would veto the bill passed by thelegislature earlier this month. (story)

The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act is almost identicalto legislation passed in 2005 and vetoed by Schwarzenegger.

It would amend the Family Code to define marriage as a civil contractbetween two persons instead of a civil contract between a man and a woman.

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http://www.truthwinsout.org/uncategorized/executive-director-of-truth-wins-out-wayne-besen-to-speak-at-press-conference-to-counter-right-wing-hate-summit/

Executive Director Of Truth Wins Out Wayne Besen To Speak At Press
Conference To Counter Right Wing Hate Summit

September 17th, 2007
Former 'Ex-Gay' Jerry Stephenson and Barbara Leavitt, a Woman Whose Marriage
Ended After 'Ex-Gay' Therapy Did Not Cure Her Husband Will Also Appear

Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen will speak at a pressconference hosted by Equality Florida in Brandon, FL to counter the rapidlyanti-gay Family Impact Summit. The press conference will take placeThursday, Sept. 20, at 4PM in front of Bell Shoals Baptist Church inBrandon, FL. Besen is also the author of "Anything But Straight: Unmaskingthe Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth."

TWO will share the stories of Barbara Leavitt, a woman who had her lifeupended because her gay husband was told that marriage could help cure himof his homosexuality. Truth Wins Out featured her and her husband Lester ina video. Rev. Jerry Stephenson, a Truth Wins Out Board member will alsodiscuss how his time in a Florida Exodus International ex-gay ministrynearly led him to suicide.

"The Family Impact Summit is a cynical political ploy to use gay baiting toenergize voters in a critical election year," said Wayne Besen, ExecutiveDirector of Truth Wins Out. "The red meat conservatives are using so-calledex-gays as cover for their extremist views. By exploiting these vulnerablepeople, they are pretending to love gay people, when in reality they simplylove discrimination."

The Family Impact Summit will include right wing stalwarts, such as GaryBauer, Katherine Harris, Dr. Richard Land, Don Wildmon, Bob Knight and AlanChambers.

WHERE: Bell Shoals Baptist Church
2102 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon, FL. 33511

Thursday, Sept. 20 Press Conference at 4PM (in front of church)

WHO: Nadine Smith, Equality Florida; Wayne Besen, Truth Wins Out; Rev. IreneMonroe, Faith In America; Sally Phillips, Hillsborough Florida GLBTDemocratic Caucus; Rev. Phyllis Hunt, MCC Tampa; Marty Rouse, Human RightsCampaign; Rev. Jerry Stephenson, author and ex-ex-gay; Barbara Leavitt,spouse of former ex-gay; Rev. Cedric A. Harmon, Americans United forSeparation of Church & State, Additional Speakers TBA



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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
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http://www.pridesource.com/digestarticle.shtml?article=27034

Between The Lines Newspaper

From issue number 1537
Return to PrideSource

FOR THE RECORD: BTL reporter, community leader receive death threat from'Army of God'
Originally printed

Friday Sept. 14, 2007

Our reporter Todd Heywood reports first hand on the receipt of writtenthreat to him and second Lansing LGBT leader also receives same letter.

"Dear Sodomite," the letter began. It arrived in the mail on 9-11. It wasmailed in Lansing on 9-10. The letter went on to tell me I had been found"GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY!!!" (capital letters in the original).

After introducing me to scripture I have read and heard numerous times fromright wing zealots and white supremacy leaders , the letter closes asfollows:

"REPENT IN THE NAME OF JESUS FROM YOUR FILTHY LIFESTYLE OF SATAN, ORIN THEETERNAL LAKE OF FIRE YOU WILL EXPERIENCE AGONIES THAT MAKEAUSCHWITZ SEEMLIKE PARADISE!"

It is signed "THE ARMY OF GOD."

The AoG is well known as a loosely affiliated group of extremists who targetabortion providers and clinics. The most famous of their adherents is afellow named Eric Rudolph. Rudolph is famous for his bombs which were setoff in the Olympic Park, abortion clinics and two gay bars. He is nowserving four consecutive life sentences in federal prison from thoseattacks, which included murders.

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Daily Queer News
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http://www.pridesource.com/digestarticle.shtml?article=26974

Between The Lines Newspaper
From issue number 1537

Remember me for 'Gay is Good'
Smithsonian 'Treasures' gay rights pioneer Franklyn Kameny
By Bob Roehr
Originally printed 09/13/2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. - "If I am remembered for nothing else, I want to beremembered for coining 'Gay is Good.' It sums up and epitomizes what I haveworked for for half a century," Franklyn Kameny told a private receptioncelebrating the opening of "Treasures of American History" at theSmithsonian Institution on the evening of Sept. 6. The exhibition enshrinesgays into the American story.

It is a fitting coda for the 82-year-old Kameny, whose firing from a federaljob in 1957 for being homosexual would set him on a path to become thepreeminent advocate of gay rights - literally the indispensable man - inshaping the agenda and victories of the community in the modern era.

It is difficult for most Americans to understand what it was like to beopenly gay during those early decades, said Dudley Clendinen, a former NewYork Times reporter and coauthor of the 1999-released seminal history of thegay rights movement, "Out for Good: The Struggle to Build a Gay RightsMovement in America."

"Only a few hundred souls in all of America were willing to make themselvesknown as homosexual or lesbian in that period because it was stigmata andostracization for those who did. It was loss of employment, loss of respect,loss of dignity, loss of neighbors, loss of friends, loss of being a part ofa large culture if you did," he said.

Kameny had a Ph.D. in astronomy from Harvard. Others with that credentialwere destined to play leading roles in the space race that was about toexplode. But he was prohibited from joining that effort, much as gay ArabAmerican linguists today are prevented from serving their country in Iraq.

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Daily Queer News
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http://www.pridesource.com/digestarticle.shtml?article=26962

Between The Lines Newspaper
From issue number 1537

Donna Brazile: Exclusive extended interview
By Todd A. Heywood
Originally printed 09/13/2007

Capitol Correspondent

LANSING - In an exclusive interview with Between The Lines, former Al Gorepresidential campaign manager and current political consultant Donna Braziletalked about the progressive movement and the Southern Poverty LawCenter-identified hate group Young Americans for Freedom at Michigan StateUniversity.

Brazile, 48, wowed a crowd of more than 400 progressive activists at thefirst-ever Michigan Progressive Policy Summit, held on Sept. 8 in Lansing.She expounded upon themes of valuing diversity, bringing people to the tableand ironing out differences in her talk with BTL.

"I think as a movement, its issues have to be more broadly defined. Manycandidates are now speaking about equality in issues like gay marriage anddomestic partnerships," said Brazile when asked about the status of the LBGTcommunity in the progressive movement.

"More attention has been paid to the gay community in the presidentialprimary than ever before," she said. "I think the debate (on LOGO TV) had alot to do with that. But you have progressives articulating a vision that isinclusive."

Brazile said now is not the time to hold one's breath, either. People needto get involved in the progressive movement, she said, "Because this isgoing to be a very different political season. Candidates up until now feltcomfortable in filling out surveys from the LBGT groups, but now they areout front talking about it. But they can only take it so far.

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http://www.pridesource.com/digestarticle.shtml?article=26963

Between The Lines Newspaper
From issue number 1537

Hate crimes conference features big speakers, community responses
By Todd A. Heywood
Originally printed 09/13/2007

Capitol Correspondent

LANSING - Law enforcement, community leaders, victim advocates and othersgathered at Michigan State University's Kellogg Conference Center on Sept. 6to discuss and develop community responses to hate and bias incidents at the"MI Response to Hate: Building United Communities" conference - sponsored bythe Michigan Department of Civil Rights and Michigan Alliance Against HateCrimes, with a grant from the state's Crime Victim Services Commission.

The event was designed to bring people involved in community responses tohate crimes together, and offer them information on hate groups, respondingto hate activity, protests, criminal investigation and more.

"The latest U.S. Census ranks Michigan as the most segregated state in thenation, and the FBI Bureau of Justice Statistics ranks Michigan as the statewith the third-highest number of reported hate crimes in the nation," saidLinda V. Parker, director of the MDCR. "Considering that intense segregationprecludes quality intercultural relationships, any community which respondsto hate with silence allows the hate to speak for them."

Dr. Randy Blazak, director of the Hate Crimes Research Network at PortlandState University, spoke at the conference in the morning. Blazak addressedhate, where it comes from and how it has manifested itself in a speechcalled "Why we hate."

"As they have many stereotypes about us, we have stereotypes about them,"said Blazak, talking about hate groups and their members. "In fact, we mayfind we have more in common with (them) than we would care to admit."

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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
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http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5494.html

Gay beauty contest winner murdered

19th September 2007 14:25
PinkNews.co.uk writer

LGBT activists in Brazil have spoken about the high levels of homophobia in
their society in the wake of the brutal sexual assault and murder of a gay
teenager.

Osvan Inacio dos Santos, 19, was attacked in a street near a bar where hehad just won the local "Miss Gay" competition.

The attack and murder, in the town of Batingas in northeast Brazil, is justone high-profile example of the problems the LGBT community face in thecountry, which is often viewed as liberal in matters of sexuality.

Mr dos Santos' naked body was found on Sunday morning and forensicexamination found his skull had been fractured and indicated sexual assault.

Gay rights groups in the area have asked that the attorney general's officesupervise the police investigation.

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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
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http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5493.html

Australian politicians back Christians over gay marriage

19th September 2007 14:14
PinkNews.co.uk writer

The Prime Minister of Australia has addressed an event organised by afaith-based charity where he faced calls to ban state recognition ofnon-married couples.

The National Strategic Summit on Marriage, Family & Fatherhood was held atthe Australian Parliament yesterday.

Prime Minister John Howard told delegates that marriage is "the best socialwelfare device mankind has ever devised."

Politicians from other major parties attended the conference, organised bythe Fatherhood Foundation.

It ended with a demand that the federal government amend the Marriage Act toban states from recognising same-sex or de facto straight relationships inthe same way as heterosexual marriages.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/18/AR2007091801739.html

Bill Would Ban Bias on Sexual Orientation

By Stephen Barr
Wednesday, September 19, 2007; D04

The House federal workforce subcommittee usually operates on bipartisanconsensus and voice votes. But not yesterday.

The panel's Democrats and Republicans split over proposed legislation thatwould ban discrimination against federal employees and job applicants basedon sexual orientation. Republicans asked for a roll call, and Democrats, asthe majority party, prevailed, 5 to 3.

The measure would affirm that the government's employment policy prohibitsbias against gays in the workplace and is directed at Bush appointee ScottJ. Bloch, the head of the Office of Special Counsel, who has refused toenforce the policy based on his reading of civil service law.

"In order to dispel any public confusion, Congress repudiates any assertionthat federal employees are not protected from discrimination on the basis ofsexual orientation," a section in the bill states.

The reaffirmation of the government's policy is included in legislation toreauthorize programs at the Office of Special Counsel and the Merit SystemsProtection Board. The bill's larger goal would require the offices to takemore care in handling complaints by federal employees.

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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
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http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/23269

Polygamy trial evokes many feelings
If polyamorous marriages weren't taboo, power of cults would diminish

Dominick Bonny
The Daily Evergreen
Published: 09/17/2007 7:22pm

Polygamy is a hot legal topic in American society. This is due in large partto the Warren Jeffs trial currently being argued in St. George, Utah. Jeffsis the leader of the largest polygamist religious sect in the United Statesand charged with multiple counts of rape and rape as an accomplice.

The reason he is charged with these crimes is because, as the leader of theFundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he had theabsolute power to approve or deny all the marriages within his community.Jeffs is on trial because he forced a 14-year-old girl to marry her firstcousin, who was nearly 20. She didn't want to and protested, but wasultimately forced into the marriage, and Utah is trying to find out if Jeffsis guilty of any criminal conduct.

He is charged as an accomplice to rape because he used political andreligious power to force an unwilling, underage girl into marriage andsubsequent unwilling sex with her husband. The sticky issue here is whatkind of a precedent would it set if Jeffs gets convicted.

According to experts interviewed by NPR reporter Wade Goodwyn, if Jeffs isfound guilty, the precedent it sets on the legality of spiritual leaders andguidance professionals who council people to get married might change. Forinstance, if a mental health professional counsels a couple to get marriedand have sex, that counselor might be guilty of the very same coercion uponwhich Utah is trying to convict Jeffs.

I think Jeffs is guilty of the charges. He used his power as leader of hiscommunity to ensnare unwilling, underage women into marriages because hisbeliefs say that if a man doesn't have at least three wives, he has no hopeof eternal salvation. If a religious leader or prophet is using brainwashingand coercion to force people to do things against their will, they should bepunished to the fullest extent of the law.

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Forwarded from Victoria Lavin
Daily Queer News
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http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_6887450

Gay Republicans hopeful

By Fred Brown, Denver Post columnist
Article Last Updated: 09/14/2007 02:46:10 PM MDT

Sen. Larry Craig's big embarrassment has given the Log Cabin Republicanssome reason for optimism. Their Colorado president, Adam Crowley, is amongthose who hope it nudges their party into a more open-minded attitude aboutgays.

The Log Cabin Republicans, a coalition of gays and lesbians who remain loyalto a party that loudly attacks their lifestyle, joined in the general GOPcondemnation of Craig's behavior in a Minneapolis airport men's room.They came down hard on the Idaho Republican because it was more important todenounce the impropriety and hypocrisy than it was to defend someone whoinsists he isn't gay but still seems to know all the secret signals involvedin men's room trysts.

"He pleaded guilty to something that is inappropriate," Crowley said. "Ithas nothing to do with sexual orientation. It has nothing to do with hispast voting record, though the hypocrisy is staggering."

The group's national president, Patrick Sammon, said Craig showed "terriblejudgment" and "obviously failed to live up to the principles he espoused asa lawmaker."

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http://www.truthwinsout.org/news/truth-wins-out-condemns-%E2%80%98ex-gay%E2%80%99-leader-alan-chambers-for-using-scare-tactics-to-recruit-new-victims/

Truth Wins Out Condemns 'Ex-Gay' Leader Alan Chambers For Using Scare
Tactics To Recruit New Victims
September 17th, 2007

NEW YORK - Truth Wins Out expressed disgust today for disparaging remarksmade about gay life by "ex-gay" leader Alan Chambers, president of ExodusInternational. On Fox's Mike and Juliet morning show, Chambers assertedthat a life of true happiness and fulfillment are only attainable within theconfines of heterosexuality and that gay life is "empty.

"What I found was that homosexuality was for the young," said Chambers onthe national television show. "There was a time when I wasn't going to havehair anymore. There was a time when I wasn't going to work out every day,and lay out in the sun, and be as much a commodity as I was when I waseighteen."

"It is sad that Exodus must resort to crass stereotypes and scare tactics torecruit new victims," said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth WinsOut. "Just like heterosexuals, gay people can find happiness in all stagesof life. We call on Chambers to apologize for his cheap demagoguery and meanspirited distortions."

Chambers further explains of being gay, "It was in conflict with who Iwanted to be, everything I thought - was everything I wanted to be in mylife. I wanted to be a husband, a father, you name it."

"Gay and lesbian Americans have contributed much to the world and haveraised successful families - so I am not sure where Chambers gets hisinformation," said Besen. "I invite him to meet some GLBT families in thehope that once he educates himself his divisive rhetoric will cease."

Truth Wins OUT is a non-profit organization that counters right wingpropaganda, exposes the "ex-gay" myth and educates America about gay life.For more information, visit www.TruthWinsOut.org.



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New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/world/africa/20girls.html?hp

September 20, 2007
In Egypt, a Rising Push Against Genital Cutting

By MICHAEL SLACKMAN

KAFR AL MANSHI ABOU HAMAR, Egypt - The men in this poor farming communitywere seething. A 13-year-old girl was brought to a doctor's office to haveher clitoris removed, a surgery considered necessary here to preservechastity and honor.

The girl died, but that was not the source of the outrage. After her death,the government shut down the clinic, and that got everyone stirred up.

"They will not stop us," shouted Saad Yehia, a tea shop owner along the mainstreet. "We support circumcision!" he shouted over and over.

"Even if the state doesn't like it, we will circumcise the girls," shoutedFahmy Ezzeddin Shaweesh, an elder in the village.

Circumcision, as supporters call it, or female genital mutilation, asopponents refer to it, was suddenly a ferocious focus of debate in Egyptthis summer. A nationwide campaign to stop the practice has become one ofthe most powerful social movements in Egypt in decades, uniting an unlikelyalliance of government forces, official religious leaders and street-levelactivists.

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