The Gaytheist Agenda

This young man asks a very powerful question in this video he posted on YouTube.

Now that’s food for thought.

 

A coalition of groups that advocate for LGBT rights have asked that Brandon McInerney, the 14-year-old boy who allegedly shot and killed 15-year-old Lawrence King, be tried as a juvenile. This would ensure that should he be found guilty he would go to a juvenile facility and receive a shorter sentence. In particular he would not be subject to the hate-crime penalty which could add an additional 1-3 years and the up to 25 years for use of a firearm.

The coalition of lesbian, gay and other organizations, including Lambda Legal, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Transgender Law Center, announced Monday they have asked District Attorney Greg Totten to try McInerney as a juvenile.

“We are saddened and outraged by the murder of junior high school student Lawrence King,” the groups’ statement read. “At the same time, we call on prosecutors not to compound this tragedy with another wrong. We call on them to treat the suspect as a juvenile, not as an adult.”

The groups’ statement called for the suspect to “be held accountable for his actions. But we support the principles underlying our juvenile justice system that treat children differently than adults and provide greater hope and opportunity for rehabilitation.”

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Other groups that signed the statement include the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, Equality California, Gay Straight Alliance Network, Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

I have mulled this over in my head since reading the stories and have not been able to decide where I stand on this matter. Therefore I’m posting this as is, without commentary.

 

The video of our protest against the Love Won Out symposium is now up at YouTube and Wayne Besen’s site, and it looks fabulous!

State Representative Monique Davis (D-Chicago), who previously engaged in a verbal attack against Atheist Rob Sherman, offered an apology on Wednesday.

Because of Davis’ rant, she was named Tuesday night as the “worst person in the world” –a dubious award doled out daily by news commentator Keith Olbermann on MSNBC’s “Countdown” program.

Rep. Davis told atheist Rob Sherman that, “What you have to spew and spread is dangerous” and that “This is the land of Lincoln where people believe in God.”

But, after being on the receiving end of a week’s worth of public criticism, Davis called Sherman yesterday to apologize.

Sherman says Davis told him she “took out her frustrations and emotions on me and that she shouldn’t have done that.” Sherman says Davis’ explanation was “reasonable” and that he forgives her.

According to Sherman and State Rep. Jack Franks….Davis claims her outburst was triggered by learning shortly beforehand…that there’d been another Chicago Public School student killed.

State Rep. Jack Franks was chairing the hearing that day and says Davis’ outburst was uncharacteristic, adding “she was having a bad day.”

That was very noble of Representative Davis. I’ll be dropping her a message to let her know how much I appreciate her action.

 

And I invite you to do the same, whether or not you are gay. Here’s the story from My Gayest Look :

The word from Leno: “In talking about Ryan’s first role, I realize that what I said came out wrong. I certainly didn’t mean any malice. I agree it was a dumb thing to say, and I apologize.”

Fantastic. That takes some guts. But will it last until the next easy assumption comes along?

Until then, we’ll hold Jay’s feet to the fire. Our response these past few days has been overwhelming, but we will post each and every pic that was submitted.

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So, back to the site:

On Thursday, March 20, 2008, Jay Leno welcomed as his guest on The Tonight Show the actor Ryan Phillippe, who, early in his career, played a gay character on the daily soap One Life to Live. During the interview, Leno hounded Phillippe, telling him to look into the camera, pretend it was his “gay lover…Billy Bob,” who “has just ridden in shirtless from Wyoming” (still milking the Brokeback jokes), and give it his “gayest look.”

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Jeff—who, in 2006, famously penned a letter to Jay Leno about his homophobic humor—completed another missive, in which he included a photographic sign-off (at left) of his “gayest look.” Melissa—who was similarly agitated in 2006—then offered up her “gayest look” (also at left), and soon her readers began to send in their gayest looks—and an avalanche began. Simultaneously, writer Dan Savage suggested to Jeff that he collect people’s “gayest looks,” and that, folks, is called synchronicity. Forces were joined.

And while we’re being a bit cheeky about all this, our message is dead serious: A 2005 study by GLSEN found that 90% of LGBTQ teens had been harassed or assaulted during the previous year. They were three times as likely as non-LGBTQ students to say that they do not feel safe at school and remain at increased risk for bullying, assault, and suicide. That doesn’t happen in a void. Gay jokes are not harmless; they contribute to a culture in which institutionalized homophobia has tragic consequences. We want Jay Leno to know that we, LGBTQ people and their allies, are not amused.

So now it’s your turn! Send us your “gayest look” for Jay
here .

And here is my Gayest Look for Jay Leno. I hope you’ll contribute yours, for it’s a very worthy cause.

People across America have been rending their garments and fretting about the psychological ramifications for the child of transgender man Thomas Beatie. In the meantime officials from Texas Child Protective Services have removed a total of 183 young women, girls and boys from the Fundamentalist LDS Church’s compound near Eldorado, TX, once again proving that faith and religiosity by no means predict–let alone guarantee–ethical behavior.

A total of 183 young women, girls and boys - 97 girls, 40 boys and 46 young women over the age of 18 - have been removed.

The investigation into the safety of the children living at the ranch was initiated after Child Protective Services were notified by someone that a 16-year-old girl had suffered physical abuse. Eighteen of the girls removed from the compound were put legally into state custody because they appeared to have “been abused or were at immediate risk of future abuse.” The rest of the children are currently staying at a local civic center until authorities find them foster homes.

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The community was led by Warren Jeffs , who succeeded his father Rulon Jeffs in 2002. Warren Jeffs resigned his leadership of the FLDS Church in 2007, shortly after being convicted of being an accomplice to rape by the state of Utah. It is still unknown who is leading the FLDS church. However, several enclaves can be found in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, South Dakota, and in British Columbia, Canada.

It is important to keep in mind that Mormon fundamentalism, like FLDS, is considered a splinter group from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormons. Mormon fundamentalists embrace the doctrine and practice of polygamy, also known as “plural marriage” or “plurality of wives,” as it is generally referred to. Polygamy is not practiced by any, active contemporary member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormons have stopped practicing polygamy since 1890, after the Mormon Church officially disavowed polygamy.

Mormon Fundamentalists, however, believe that acceptance into the American mainstream came at way too high a price. They contend that the Mormon leaders sold them out and splintered off from the Church. Fundamentalists have formed numerous small sects, often within cohesive and isolated communities in areas of the Western United States, Western Canada, and northern Mexico.

To think, just recently State Representative Monique Davis (D-Chicago) claimed that it is dangerous for children to know atheism exists. Apparently the mere fact that some people believe in deities makes them morally and ethically superior to atheists. I have a feeling that the 183 children and young women removed from the Texas compound would disagree, as would I.

A few weeks back I brought you the story of Thomas Beatie, a transgender man who is pregnant and carrying the child that his wife cannot. I’d been scoping RW sources expecting to see some sort of murmuring about the situation and was rather perplexed that I’d not found anything significant. I was particularly surprised that the usual suspects, the RRRW sources who make it their duty to fret over anything LGBTs do that is remotely connected with children or family building, were dead silent on the matter. But since Beatie was on Oprah yesterday there has been a secondary surge of chatter about him on the WWW, and finally some of the more antagonistic RW sites are talking about his story. One of the more repugnant sites, NewsBusters, chimed in and here is some of what they had to say:

 

On Friday’s “Good Morning America,” for the second day in a row, and the third time in a little over a week, the ABC program promoted the story of a transgendered man who is having a baby via artificial insemination. At no time did GMA feature any guest to challenge or question the psychological ramifications for a child who was born from a pregnant “father.”

During the April 4 segment on the subject, GMA guest news anchor David Muir described Thomas Beatie’s decision as “very controversial.” One would assume that a controversial decision would have two sides to it. But over the course of three segments, totaling ten minutes and 16 seconds, the closest the network program got was on April 3, when psychologist Jeffrey Gardere mildly advised, “It really is incumbent upon this individual, his wife, to try to give this as much dignity as possible, to not make it a joke, to not make it that something that’s cheap [sic].”

 
I was unaware that programs like Good Morning America were obligated to provide two sides to every story. Fox “News”, which claims to be Fair and Balanced, for example, only presents the Right Wing version of what they report. Interesting how the RW only cares about “balance” when they feel they’re not getting heard. If the opposite side is left out in the cold it’s just too bad.

 

On Friday’s program, reporter Andrea Canning played a clip from Beatie’s appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s daytime program and then approvingly described him as “the man the world has been waiting to meet.” While discussing the issue on March 26, co-host Chris Cuomo tentatively asked an obstetrician, who approved of the pregnancy, if there were any psychological implications for the child. After being told that only love was necessary, Cuomo quickly concurred and added, “It’s a good point to make, doctor. Oddity aside, biology aside, it is all about love of this child and as long as that’s present, everything else is really going to be normal.”

Finally, as the Culture and Media Institute’s Kristen Fyfe pointed out in an April 3 posting on the subject, GMA and other shows insist on referring to Beatie as a pregnant man. Of course, this ignores the fact that men simply do not give birth.

The child is going to have a father and a mother. Isn’t that what the RW hand-wringers keep insisting she simply must have to be psychologically healthy? I don’t see what all the fuss is about. And men can give birth if they are transgender men who have kept their female reproductive organs. Thomas Beatie is hard evidence of this.

Now let’s move on to some of the comments posted to the article, which are even more crude than the article itself. Brace yourself.

 

Sheesh!

This guy/gal is a freak! Why isn’t he/she portrayed as a freak!

This isn’t normal no matter how loving ABC wants to pretend it is.

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This whole sordid situation is clearly about one thing, $$$$$$$$$.

This strange (really STRANGE) couple doesn’t seem to care about the mental trauma they are inflicting on this child. Chances are good this kid will grow up with so many mental problems that could easily lead to suicide or mass murder, etc. Their supposed human desire to bear children is so much BS. Follow this case for the next 20 years and I’m sure you’ll see nothing but despair for this child.

Meanwhile these two losers will be reaping the ignobility they deserve, but hey, they’ll have lots of bucks to cover their shame.

Interesting how certain people, typically RW Christians, consider themselves the arbiters of “normal”, and worry about the trauma inflicted on the children of LGBT parents. What’s sadly ironic is how many of them have graced the pages of Conservative Babylon for heinous crimes against children and other things that would not be considered “normal” by any stretch of the imagination.

If this person still has a uertus …in my book that consitutes a …….FEMALE.

What is the deal …..it changed it’s name….is now legaly a man, so it’s gets pregnent and now is legealy a pregnent man.

it still has female parts that make it possible to have a baby…..so it still is a female even if it is SO menta;ly challanged that is thinks is a man.

I was a professional twice over - an analyst and a therapist. The world’s first analrapist

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First of all, This person is a Female. That’s how it works MSM. And you can say “Man is Pregnant” all day long, and twice on Sunday, but a Virgin Birth by a Man it is not.

It’s a Pregnant Woman - - Woman by Birth — and she may shave and had her Breast removed, but Woman by Birth cannot be Reported as “Man is Pregnant”.

The Public isn’t that Stupid. Evidently the MSM thinks we’re dumber than dirt.

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This is NOT a pregnant man!

This, is a pregnant WOMAN who thinks she is a man.

Holy crap! Give us all a break from these freeks.

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In other words, there is no such thing as a Christian. You guys are all just Atheists who think you’re Christians. After all, you were born Atheists, and if you were born that way no matter how much you think you’re Christians and proclaim yourself Christians, that doesn’t make you Christians. Dunking yourself in some water, wearing a cross around your neck and reading a book doesn’t change the basic fact that you were born an Atheist and will die an Atheist.

 

I feel for Thomas Beatie, I really do. He, his wife and his child will have an uphill battle all the way–not because of anything they’ve done but because of the hateful bigotries of others. There are far too many people who believe they have the right to decide what is right and wrong for everybody, and to make life a living hell for those who don’t comply with their narrow schema. That is very sad indeed.

Today, April 2nd, is World Autism Awareness Day. Autism is just one of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders that also includes Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Did you know that currently 65 out of every 10,000 children will be diagnosed with Autism in the US. That’s 1 out of every 154! This fact sheet from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke offers details such as common signs of Autism, diagnosis criteria and other helpful information.

Those who have followed TGA for any length of time know I worked with adults who had developmental disabilities, including Autism, for many years. I know the challenges faced and presented by individuals with this disorder, and the joy they bring to all of the lives they touch. That is why awareness and education are critical.

You can join the Virtual Walk for Autism by going here. Donations to your favorite local non-profit that provides supports for people with Autism would no doubt be greatly appreciated. For anybody who hasn’t noticed I’ve had the link to Atheists for Autism Research in my Orgroll for some time now. They’re yet another way to contribute to a worthy cause.

Now get out there, make yourself aware, get involved and contribute to the cause!

Addendum. A comment has arrived. Ebon said:

 

My youngest brother is autistic. Thank you for helping to publicise this event.

 

You’re quite welcome. As I mentioned, I spent many years working with adults with developmental disabilities so this is a topic that is near and dear to me.

This evening, March 29th at 8pm (your local time) join the celebration of Earth Hour. Make a statement about Global Warming by turning off your lights for one hour. Just think of the impact you can make!

For everyone who says there’s no harm presented by those who hold religious beliefs I present this story.

WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) — The frantic 911 call to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department from the home of an 11-year-old Weston girl who died from untreated diabetes was made by friends of the girl’s parents, authorities said Thursday.

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Randall and Althea Wormgoor each spoke to a dispatcher as chaos and cries could be heard in the background at Dale and Leilani Neumann’s home in rural Weston on Sunday afternoon, said Capt. Scott Sleeter of the Everest Metro Police Department in Weston.

Madeline Neumann died Sunday from an undiagnosed but treatable form of diabetes as her parents prayed for her to get better. Her mother, Leilani Neumann, said she never expected her daughter, whom she called Kara, to die.

The family believes in the Bible, which says healing comes from God, Leilani Neumann said.

The sheriff’s department released tape recordings Thursday of two calls related to the girl’s medical condition.

One was from an aunt in California on the department’s non-emergency line, Lt. Jason Plaza said. She reported the girl was in a coma and needed medical help because the family “believes in faith instead of doctors.”

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In other words, the parents simply sat around doing nothing but making wishes to a spirit they have no proof exists while their daughter got sicker and sicker, then died of a treatable disorder. That’s depraved neglect if I ever heard it, at the very least. But wait–it gets worse.

Janine Geske, a Marquette University law professor who was a state Supreme Court justice from 1993-98, said a possible criminal charge in the case could be second-degree reckless homicide, which requires proof of “recklessly causing the death of another human being.” It carries up to 25 years in prison.

But Wisconsin has laws on the books that say a parent cannot be accused of abuse or neglect of a child if in good faith they selected prayer as a basis of treatment for a disease, Geske said.

So apparently the parents are going to get off scott-free for their behavior. How perfectly vile.

Addendum. A comment has arrived. OJ said:

This is the article that enraged and upset me enough to start my own atheist blog. I seriously could not believe my eyes when I read about it. And then, two days later, it happened again to a 15-month old girl with a bacterial infection. Two deaths in one week as a direct result of people who were too stupid to take their daughter to someone who knew anything at all about human health. Disgusting.

 
Indeed. Of course we’re not supposed to say anything (and they can’t be prosecuted) because it’s their right to let their child die in the name of their “deeply held religious beliefs”. People like them are also allowed to keep people like us from having equal rights because of their “deeply held religious beliefs”. Am I the only one who thinks things are really messed up here?