The Gaytheist Agenda

I wish this was a joke but it isn’t. An Oklahoma Baptist church used a $800 semiautomatic rifle as a means to lure teens to church.

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Windsor Hills Baptist had planned to give away a semiautomatic assault rifle until one of the event’s organizers was unable to attend.

The church’s youth pastor, Bob Ross, said it’s a way of trying to encourage young people to attend the event. The church expected hundreds of teenagers from as far away as Canada.
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A video on the church Web site shows the shooting competition from last year’s conference. A gun giveaway was part of the event last year. This year, organizers included it in their marketing.
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Friday evening, Ross said the gun giveaway had been canceled. Pastor emeritus Jim Vineyard, who ran the event, injured his foot and wouldn’t be able to attend. The gun giveaway was also removed from the church Web site.

Ross said the church would give the gun away next year instead. He said the church spent $800 buying the gun for the promotion.

First of all, if people are so opposed to coming to church that you have to bribe them with $800 assault rifles then you should just give it up. They’re not coming for the church, they’re coming because they want the rifle.

And don’t even get me started on how insane it is for a church to be handing out deadly weapons to children. Of course these are the same teens that, according to the RRRRW, can’t be told about condoms or get the HPV vaccine because it will make them promiscuous. But apparently they can be trusted with semiautomatic weapons. At least I live nowhere near Oklahoma.

 

I’m glad my upcoming wedding will not be in San Jose. I’m now considering going elsewhere for the wedding gown I was planning on buying there after reading this story.

San Jose has a sizeable gay population and many in the community had been waiting to hear where Mayor Chuck Reed stood on Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that would ban gay marriage in California by defining marriage as only between a man and a woman.

In an interview with CBS 5 on Friday, the mayor broke his silence.

“I don’t support changing the definition of marriage,” Reed said, “but whether this is the appropriate ballot measure, we’ll have to wait until it goes on.”

Reed emphasized that even though he believes marriage should be between a man and a woman, he supports domestic partnerships for gay couples.

“I support the extension of benefits, and I supported the extension of protections from discrimination for same-sex couples and I’ll continue to do that — but I don’t support changing the definition of of marriage.”

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“We’re deeply disappointed by the mayor’s decision,” said Aejaie Sellers of the Billy (De)Frank LGBT Center. “We know that the state Supreme Court came out and said that marriage is an open institution, according to the constitution. It’s unfortunate that the mayor feels that he knows better.”

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Despite Reed’s stand, gay and lesbian leaders next week plan to ask the city of San Jose’s Human Rights Commission to go on record opposing Proposition 8.

I imagine half a century ago Reed might have been saying something like “I support the extension of benefits, and I supported the extension of protections from discrimination for interracial couples and I’ll continue to do that — but I don’t support changing the definition of of marriage.”

 

Here are the latest press releases from some important groups, all in one handy place:

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State

Obama Support For Expansion Of ‘Faith-Based’ Program Is Disappointing, Says Americans United

Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Rather than try to correct the defects of the Bush “faith-based” initiative, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama would do better to shut it down, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Obama today announced a proposal to expand faith-based funding during a speech in Zanesville, Ohio.

“I am disappointed,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “This initiative has been a failure on all counts, and it ought to be shut down, not expanded.”

However, Lynn said he was pleased to hear Obama express support for church-state separation and say that he would bar government-funded proselytism and religious discrimination in hiring when tax dollars are involved.

“It is imperative that public funds not pay for proselytizing or subsidize discrimination in hiring,” said Lynn. “Obama has promised that he will not support publicly funded proselytism or discrimination in hiring, and that’s an important commitment.”
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Americans United Will Monitor Implementation Of New Louisiana Anti-Evolution Law

Friday, June 27, 2008
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today warned Louisiana officials that lawsuits will result if the state’s new anti-evolution law is used to introduce religion into public school classrooms.

Gov. Bobby Jindal this week signed the legislation (SB 733), which allows teachers to use “supplemental materials” when discussing evolution. The measure was pushed by the Louisiana Family Forum and the Discovery Institute, two Religious Right groups that advocate creationist concepts, and is widely seen as an effort to water down instruction about evolution.

“I am very disappointed that Gov. Jindal signed this unwise and unnecessary measure,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “Louisiana has a long and unfortunate history of trying to substitute dogma for science in public school classrooms. Let me state clearly and upfront that any attempts to use this law to sneak religion into public schools through the back door will not be tolerated.”
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National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

Task Force Action Fund applauds Congress for today’s historic hearing on transgender discrimination in the workplace

WASHINGTON, June 26 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund applauds the House of Representatives for holding its first-ever hearing today on transgender discrimination in the workplace. In addition to submitting written testimony documenting the urgent need for inclusion of gender identity in federal employment protection, the Action Fund has worked closely with the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) to prepare for the hearing.

Several studies have shown widespread employment discrimination against transgender people, as documented in the Action Fund’s written testimony. Later this summer, the Task Force Policy Institute will be adding to the existing body of research with the launch of the largest-ever study of transgender people’s experiences of discrimination in their daily lives, including within the workplace.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund

“Discrimination against transgender people is pervasive and current laws and employer policies are insufficient to protect their rights. For far too long, transgender people have lived with the fear of losing their job simply because of who they are. Today’s hearing marks a critical step in addressing this travesty once and for all.

“We applaud the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions for holding today’s hearing, and we urge lawmakers to pass federal employment protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
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National leader says passage of Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act is critical to saving lives of LGBT youth

WASHINGTON, June 19 — The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (H.R. 5524) earlier this month, and the Senate is expected to consider companion legislation (S. 2982) later this summer. This legislation would reauthorize the program for an additional five years.

The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act connects youth to family reunification programs, outreach workers on the streets, emergency shelter, longer-term housing and myriad additional support systems, including workplace preparation, education, health and behavioral health services, and other opportunities to ensure the safety and well-being of this vulnerable population. In fiscal year 2007, runaway and homeless youth programs served more than 740,000 youth in crisis situations.

“LGBT youth make up a disproportionate number of runaway and homeless youth, as many as 40 percent. It is a national disgrace that youth are turned out of their homes and communities based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. These homeless youth deserve the same safety, food, shelter, access to education and opportunity to a bright future that is the right of every child,” said Rea Carey, acting executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund. “The Runaway and Homeless Youth Protection Act is a vital part of helping this segment of our community. We praise the House for its reauthorization of this important legislation and call on the Senate for equally swift passage.”

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“This legislation, and the programs it funds, really can make the difference for many LGBT young people who have been rejected by their families and society. By providing a roof over their heads and reliable support and encouragement, they can begin to focus on their long-term futures rather than on the prospect of another night on the street,” said study author Nick Ray.
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American Atheists

Texas Supreme Court Ruling Paves the Way for Religious Abuse Nationwide

American Atheists stated today that the 6/27/08 Texas Supreme Court ruling in the case of a victim of religious exorcism set a bad legal precedent for all of America. The religious laws in place set up to protect churches and other religious groups from prosecution for crimes they commit while expressing their religion go too far. But they usually don’t go this far!

The violent actions of the Pleasant Glade Assembly of God’s staff, who were performing an “exorcism” on one of their own 17-year-old congregants, should not go unpunished. They harmed her, physically and mentally, and should be held accountable.

In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that the violence that came to that young congregant was allowed under laws on the books today that protect “religious expression.” To call this violent incident “religious expression” is to indict religion, but to insist that any law absolves anyone of consequences for violent and harmful acts is just plain irresponsible.
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Texas State Director for American Atheists, Joe Zamecki, said “Any law that specifically protects a religious group from appropriate legal action is a special privilege, especially when that religious group has clearly harmed someone in the course of their religious activities. I’m finding that more and more religious groups in America want blanket protection from any kind of consequences for violating peoples’ rights and actually harming them.”
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The Radio Hall of Fame Should Not Reward Intolerance and Lies, Says TWO

 
NEW YORK - TruthWinsOut.org (TWO) launched a campaign today to keep Focus on the Family founder James Dobson out of the Radio Hall of Fame. The Museum of Broadcast Communications nominated the anti-gay leader even though Dobson has been accused of distorting research and smearing gay and lesbian people for political gain. For example, Dobson told The Daily Oklahoman on Oct. 23, 2004, “Homosexuals are not monogamous. They want to destroy the institution of marriage. It will destroy marriage. It will destroy the Earth.”

“It is outrageous and insulting that James Dobson would be nominated for the Radio Hall of Fame,” said Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen. “We believe that character counts and nominees should have careers based on honesty and integrity - not discrimination, distorting research and outright lying.”

“Incredibly, the Museum of Broadcast Communications has also nominated Dr. Laura Schlessinger to its Radio Hall of Fame and Rush Limbaugh was inducted in 1993. The pattern is clear.”

To fight back against this offensive decision, TWO strongly urges fair-minded people to take three actions. First, sign TWO’s formal request to have James Dobson removed from consideration. Second, contact Museum of Broadcast Communications CEO Bruce DuMont directly, brucedumont@museum.tv, to express your displeasure. Third, as an option, vote for nominees other than James Dobson or Laura Schlessinger (the general public may vote, and the other nominees are Bob Costas and Howard Stern). It is urgent to act now, as voting comes to a close on July 15.

 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE LETTER!!!

 
In the past two years, at least seven researchers have accused Dobson of manipulating or cherry picking their results to back his anti-gay teachings. Letters and videos documenting the concerns of these respected professors can be viewed at TruthWinsOut.org.

Dobson also profits from intolerance. He founded a ministry, Love Won Out, that promises to “cure” homosexuals - even though the so-called “ex-gay” leader of Love Won Out, John Paulk, was photographed in a gay bar. Dobson also continues to promote dishonest psychological theories about gay people that are rejected by every respected medical and mental health association in America, including the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association.

TruthWinsOut.org is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about gay life. For more information, visit TruthWinsOut.org.

 

I came across this while browsing the news and had to share it. Tom Keegan and Davidson Lloyd have been together 31 years. They’ve had several commitment ceremonies. On July 3rd they finally had one that was legally recognized as marriage by the state of California. Of course the RRRW still refuse to consider their relationship as valid as opposite sex relationships, and if they have their way in November other couples won’t be able to marry as Tom and Davidson did (and as Sapphocrat and I will be shortly). No, the RRRW has no room in their narrow definition of family for Tom Keegan, Davidson Lloyd and their daughter, and that’s where we all lose out.

For Tom Keegan and Davidson Lloyd, “I do” has become a phrase they know very well – a phrase they have proclaimed time and time again during commitment ceremonies, informal weddings and unrecognized weddings.
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No longer will Keegan and Lloyd need to conduct wedding ceremonies that are not recognized by law, such as their first wedding in 1989.
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“Things will be different,” Connor Keegan-Lloyd, the 9-year-old adopted daughter said.
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For this same-sex couple, the private wedding ceremony signified a milestone in their long and public fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights that began 31 years ago when the two first fell in love.
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An endless row of shingled houses lines the street of Indiana Avenue. In this muted Venice suburb, a red and orange house stands conspicuously as the home of Lloyd and Keegan. On this day, July 3, 30 friends and family have come inside for the couple’s wedding.
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We need to defeat the Marriage Ban, #8, in November. It’s about love and equality. It’s about telling the RRRW that they do not get to define for everyone what marriage and family are. And for couples like Tom Keegan and Davidson Lloyd it’s about time.

 

My better half produced this amazing video from a combination of her footage and some of my still shots captured at the SF Pride Parade and celebration on June 29th. Enjoy.

 

COTG #95 is up at The Atheist Blogger and as usual it’s chock full of godless goodness. A small sampling of this edition’s offerings:

Jeff Dembinski talks to a confused friend who badly needs a dictionary to look the up the difference between spirituality and religion.

Ray from What Would Ray Do? carefully analyzes and refutes a video making the idiotic claim that the Bible has been proved through science.

vjack from Atheist Revolution comments on the recent episode of 30 Days where a fundamentalist Mormon went to live with a homosexual couple who have adopted 4 children.

Diana Hsieh from NoodleFood sent in a letter to the editor concerning proposed theocratic amendments to the Colorado constitution. The letter was published in the Vail Daily.

So head on over there and check it out. You won’t be sorry.

 

The Gaytheist Agenda now has a moderated Haloscan comment system. Hopefully that will make things faster and more streamlined. As always click “Comment” below the story you want to comment on and follow the instructions. I’ll do the rest. Enjoy!

 

The San Francisco Pride Parade 2008 was fabulous, to say the least. Let’s start off with this video taken by my wife to be. It’s raw footage of the Womens’ Motorcycle Contingent, including Dykes on Bikes. Notice the wedding gowns on some of them. Yay marriage equality!

 

Now here is a still of the lovely ladies:

 

Here’s a really interesting one. Balloon seahorses created by San Francisco’s Balloon Magic.

 

These are just a few of the many same-sex couple headed families that marched. These are the families that the RRRW bigots ignore when they try to define family for the entire nation. They’re also the ones left out in the cold when those same bigots oppose marriage equality.

 

Below are Dustin Lance Black, writer of the script for Milk, and Gus Van Sant, director of Milk. You may recall that Sapphocrat and I were unpaid extras in the movie, which is due to be released later this year.

 

And here’s Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk.

 

To see the whole album click here. Be sure to view all four pages and enjoy!

 

Of course it was already known that Thomas Beatie was going to have a girl, but announcing it is always fun. Thomas and Nancy’s baby was born at a hospital in Bend, OR, on Sunday.

The birth at Bend, Oregon, was natural, according to a source, who discounted earlier reports that Mr Beatie planned to have a Caesarean section.

“She’s really cute, really pretty,” the source told ABC News.

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Mr Beatie sparked an international furore in March after he announced he was pregnant. “I feel it’s not a male or female desire to have a child,” he later told Oprah Winfrey on US televsion.

“It’s a human need. I’m a person and I have the right to have a biological child.”
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Many congratulations to the happy family!