Knowing that polls show conservatives more concerned about religious freedom than marriage or equality for sexual minorities, Focus on the Family tonight repeated its well-worn protest against religious freedom and the plain truth.
Focus contended that conservative Christians cannot enjoy religious freedom unless they withhold religious freedom from non-heterosexual workers.
For some reason, Focus considers its “digital media director,” Stuart Shepard, an expert on Congressional legislation and federal antidiscrimination law. Many people remember Shepard not as a lawyer or civil-rights champion (he’s anything but), but rather as the Focus dude who prayed for “rain of Biblical proportions” at the Obama inauguration.
Anyhow, Shepard said that any law respecting the economic and religious freedom of LGBT workers (including people of faith) by protecting them from discrimination would “impose a substantial and crippling burden on religious organizations.”
Shepard neglected to tell Focus readers that the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) fully exempts non-profit religious organizations — and that many religious organizations tolerate or affirm their LGBT employees.
Shepard also neglected to explain why Focus does not oppose existing laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of chosen religious identities such as Islam or Buddhism.
Focus on the Family’s selective opposition to religious freedom is sure to win donations, if nothing else, from people who don’t think too hard about silly matters such as, you know, liberty and constitutional equality and all that stuff.
I almost lost my lunch when I heard that a woman bid $63,500 to have lunch with Sarah Palin. I kept thinking of how a contribution of this size would help Truth Wins Out fight the ex-gay industry for nearly a year. It would greatly assist us in our efforts to monitor these groups, conduct crucial research, help people come out of the closet and investigate ex-gay boot camps that abuse GLBT youth.
So, I was thinking, why not have our supporters bid to have lunch with me?
Okay, I can’t see Russia from my office. Sarah probably looks better in a beauty pageant swimsuit. And, no, I don’t have fabulous clothes swiped on the Republican National Committee’ credit card.
But, if you ask, I can tell you what newspapers and magazines I read! And, if you dine with me, we won’t have to talk about death panels, I won’t flirtatiously wink at everyone and you won’t have to suffer through a bowl of moose stew. Most importantly, you will never hear the word “maverick”. Also, unlike Palin, I don’t chew with my mouth full. Okay, I made up the last part — although Levi Johnston is likely to back me up.
Seriously, if each person on this list contributes $25 today, we will exceed the obscene price paid to eat with Sarah “Barracuda” Palin. For those affected by these difficult times, a tax-deductible gift of $5 or $10 would help us enormously.
Finally, I will dine with the highest bidder when he or she comes to New York. If the bid exceeds $10,000, I will even fly to you! If you match the contribution to Palin, I will throw in breakfast, coffee and dinner. Don’t even think about dessert, I have a boyfriend. (If someone did match it, we could make international news and get out our important life-saving message.)
I look forward to your contribution to help an inspiring cause. Let the bidding begin!
But when you’re a Christian Rightist, the rules of prayer change. A new rule applies: That of smiting the people whom you don’ t like.
Says Schultz:
Religion has become the weapon of choice for many people in this country, particularly the far right, and it’s alienating a growing number of Americans. A lot of us don’t buy into a version of God who picks sides, not between good and evil, but between Democrats and Republicans. We don’t believe God cherry-picks religions, either.
Dear Friends:
I almost lost my lunch when I heard that an Alabama woman bid $63,500 to have lunch with Sarah Palin. I kept thinking of how a contribution of this size would help Truth Wins Out fight the “ex-gay” industry for nearly a year. It would greatly assist us in our efforts to monitor these groups, conduct crucial research, help people come out of the closet and investigate “ex-gay” boot camps that abuse GLBT youth. So, I was thinking, why not have our supporters bid to have lunch with me? Okay, I can’t see Russia from my office. Sarah probably looks better in a beauty pageant swimsuit. And, no, I don’t have fabulous clothes swiped on the Republican National Committee’s credit card. But, if you ask, I can tell you what newspapers and magazines I read! And, if you dine with me, we won’t have to talk about death panels, I won’t flirtatiously wink at everyone and you won’t have to suffer through a bowl of moose stew. Most importantly, you will never hear the word “maverick”. Also, unlike Palin, I don’t chew with my mouth full. Okay, I made up the last part – although Levi Johnston is likely to back me up.
Seriously, if each person on this list contributes $25 today, we will exceed the obscene price paid to eat with Sarah “Barracuda” Palin. For those affected by these difficult times, a tax-deductible gift of $5 or $10 would help us enormously. Finally, I will dine with the highest bidder when he or she comes to New York City. If the bid exceeds $10,000, I will even fly to you! If you match the contribution to Palin, I will throw in breakfast, coffee and dinner. Don’t even think about dessert, I have a boyfriend. (If someone matches the Palin gift, we could make international news and get out our important life-saving message.)
I look forward to your contribution to help an inspiring cause. Let the bidding begin!
Focus on the Family and its sponsors in the Southern Baptist Convention long for a return to what they (mistakenly) consider to be Old Testament law. In their view, the world needs legalism. Never mind that few Jews — in ancient times or today — have ever been as legalistic as evangelicals claim.
At the heart of this Southern Baptist vision of divine rule is the phrase “Ten Commandments.” Due to variations in texts and translations, Jews and Christian denominations interpret and number the commandments (of which there are as many 15) differently.
The Southern Baptist church’s moral and academic watchdog, Albert Mohler, happens to be a Focus board member. So Focus was a logical venue yesterday for Mohler to promote his latest book which, like others before it, seems to turn his denomination’s version of the 10 Commandments into an idol to be admired — not heeded.
One of the chief commandments warns against the casting of idols, yet that is what Mohler’s Baptists have done in erecting stone monuments to the commandments on public property.
Another commandment warns against “having no other gods before Me.” Yet, in gathering people to pray to flags and patriotic icons rather than God, Focus on the Family and the Southern Baptists conjure icons and spirits and pray to them.
Yet another commandment says, “Honor your mother and your father.” But Focus on the Family and Exodus read that differently: “Blame your mother and your father” for your same-sex orientation.
What is often considered the 10th commandment reads, “You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.” But this act of coveting may well be a key motivation of the ex-gay political leadership. They covet the freedom of those who are sexually honest and the social equality of those who are not imprisoned by their own suffocating orthodoxy. Instead of simply practicing honesty, freedom, and equality, however, Mohler’s Baptists and Focus on the Family view life as a zero-sum game in which they cannot be honest, free, or “equal” unless they deny freedom, honesty, and equality to others.
Focus on the Family says Mohler’s neglect of the Ten Commandments is “good news.” Good news for whom?
Fresh off its wing nut wingding on the National Mall, the far-out fringe held its “Values Voter” summit in Washington last week. The highlight was jilted former Miss California, Carrie Prejean, starting a brand new religion — “MEvangelical Christianity”. In her remarkably self-centered, narcissistic speech, she cast herself as a martyr on a mission and repeatedly had to remind the audience that she wasn’t as stuck up as she appeared on stage.
Prejean’s introspective idolatry was almost outdone by Michael Schwartz, the chief of staff for Sen. Tom Coburn. For those who do not remember, Coburn is the Oklahoma Republican who once criticized the movie Schindler’s List for its nudity. Thank God for our watchdog, Senator Coburn, or lusting after malnourished and gaunt holocaust victims might have caught on.
With a mentor like Coburn, it was only natural for Schwartz to become an expert on pornography, and we were fortunate to have him share his wisdom at a Values Voter discussion on “The New Masculinity”.
On the cusp of insulting gay people, Schwartz told the rabid right crowd that he was about to get “politically incorrect.” Why bother with a disclaimer, as if gay bashing is actually controversial at such rallies? If he really wanted to shock the crowd, he would have introduced “Schwartz’ List” — naming all the social conservatives caught in tawdry sex scandals. But, alas he only had an hour, clearly not enough time for this endeavor.
Schwartz called pornography a “blight” and a “disease”. Although he failed to point out it disproportionally afflicts Republicans, with “Red States” having the highest rates of pornography subscriptions. The porno politico then agreed with an “ex-gay” friend of his that said, “‘All pornography is homosexual pornography because all pornography turns your sexual drive inwards.’ Now think about that. And if you, if you tell an 11-year-old boy about that, do you think he’s going to want to go out and get a copy of Playboy? I’m pretty sure he’ll lose interest. That’s the last thing he wants.’ You know, that’s a, that’s a good comment. It’s a good point and it’s a good thing to teach young people.”
So, straight porn will turn you gay and holocaust nudity is erotic. Just plain, homespun common sense.
Now that the loons have finally left DC, there is the question of whether the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community should march on Washington. The main event is scheduled for October 11th and it is highly anticipated by a new breed of Internet-age activists.
There is, however, opposition from many local GLBT organizations and movement activists who believe that resources spent in Washington would be put to better use fighting battles in the states.
I am highly sympathetic to statewide leaders who have performed heroic work, even though they lack crucial resources. And they are correct that the GLBT movement needs to continue fighting and educating at the local level. This will not only bring us victory in the states, but will change the facts on the ground in congressional districts, increasing the chance Congress will vote for equality.
Still, I agree with Equality Across America organizer Cleve Jones and long-time activist David Mixner that now is the time to go to Washington. No matter how much state organizers would prefer we march on state capitols, it is not the same. A rally in sleepy towns like Tallahassee or Albany changes your afternoon plans, while a trip to DC changes your life. (Read More)
Contact: Lisa Darden,
Hope Unlimited Productions (HUP)Talent and Booking
Phone: 240-446-1554
E-Mail: ask4Darden@gmail.com
National ‘Pray Away The Gay?’ Speaking Tour Kicks Off at The University of Vermont Activist and Author Wayne Besen Available for Dynamic, Multi-Media Presentation on the ‘Ex-Gay’ Industry
NEW YORK — Author and activist Wayne Besen will kick-off a national 2009-10 speaking tour in Burlington, Sept. 25, at the University of Vermont. The multi-media presentation, “Pray Away the Gay?”, offers a unique, innovative and entertaining look behind the mask of so-called ex-gay programs. Besen is the founder of the non-profit organization Truth Wins Out and author of two books including the critically acclaimed, “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth”. He is also known for photographing ex-gay poster boy John Paulk in a gay bar in Washington, DC.
“My goal is to educate people on this important topic in an exciting and memorable way,” said Besen, who has spoken at more than 100 leading universities, community organizations, business groups and religious institutions. “This new show is packed with powerful information, yet is very funny. The best entertainment allows people to learn20and laugh at the same time.”
During his hour and a half show, Besen takes the audience on a whirlwind tour of ex-gay ministry and therapy programs. Audiences will learn the history of these groups, the bizarre techniques they use and the political players that finance their efforts.
In 2006, Besen was recognized in the Advocate Magazine’s “People of the Year” issue for his work with Truth Wins Out. Besen has appeared as a guest on leading news and political talk shows including: the NBC Nightly News, CNN’s Talk Back Live and The Point, Fox’s O’Reilly Factor and Hannity and Colmes, MSNBC News and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He has been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Jour nal, USA Today, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and the Advocate Magazine.
Besen also has a weekly column that is published in the Falls Church News Press and more than a dozen GLBT publications. Prior to founding Truth Wins Out, Besen served as a spokesperson for five years with the Human Rights Campaign. He also worked in corporate communications for Edelman Public Relations and as a press secretary on a U.S. Senate race in Maine.
Besen can be booked for additional tour dates by contacting Lisa Darden at Hope Unlimited Productions (HUP) Talent and Booking, ask4darden@gmail.com.
An exciting lineup of workshops is planned for the 2009 Anti-Heterosexism Conference which will meet November 20-22 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Before the conference, Beyond Ex-Gay will be hosting a pre-conference institute for ex-gay survivors as well as allies interested in combating the heterosexism that permeates and drives the ex-gay movement.
Conference keynote addresses and concurrent workshops include:
Straight Rackets: Why the Religious Right Needs Reparative Therapy Sylvia Rhue, Ph.D.
Microaggressions and the LGBT Community: Advocating for Social Justice on Individual, Institutional, and Societal Levels Kevin Nadal, Ph.D.; David Rivera, M.S.; Melissa Corpus, M.A.; Lauren Fisher, M.A.
Pray Away the Gay? Wayne Besen
Genocidal Intentions: Public Policy and the Ex-Gay Movement Christine Robinson, Ph.D.
“It Just Ain’t So”: Debunking the Myth of Gender Polarity Rev. Deborah L. Johnson
Heterosexism and Transgender Oppression Virginia Stephenson & Jordan Johnson
The Effects of Homophobic Stress in Childhood and Adolescence on Later Adult Psychological Functioning in Gay Men:A Model for Treatment
Dominic Carbone, Ph.D.
Getting It Straight: Ex-Gay Survivors and Their Therapeutic Needs Christine Bakke and Jallen Rix, Ed.D.
Media 101: How to Build and Deliver an Effective Message Brian Winfield
Body & Soul: Integrating Sexuality & Spirituality Timothy Palmer, M. Div.
Heterosexual Interrupted: What the Ex-Gay Movement Really Means By “Change” Jim Burroway
Media Access: Getting Through the Noise Gabriel Arana
Spiritual Self-Defense for LGBT Christians Rev. Candace Chellew
Queering Youth/Young Adult Activism Andi Gentile and Asher Kolieboi
Lessons Learned This Weekend: A Conversation About Implementing Effective Strategies In Our Communities
Marsha McDonough, Ph.D.; Paul W. Dodd, D.Min., L.P.C.
Straight Jackets: A Psychiatrist Deconstructs Sexual Conversion Therapies Jack Drescher, M.D.
To register for the conference, purchase an exhibit table, or become an individual or corporate sponsor, please click here. Early registration continues through October 5, 2009.
The Exodus Global Alliance hosted a conference of antigay religious groups in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday. The conference accused all sexually honest, same-sex-attracted persons of being sexually “broken.” Exodus declared that homosexuality is “unwanted,” and it contended that sexually honest, openly gay persons are required to lead what Exodus calls “the homosexual lifestyle.”
According to PinkPaper.com, the conference planned to promote “reparative therapy [to] communicate the message of liberation from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ.”
The church hosting the conference dismisses its same-sex-attracted parishioners as “sexually confused.” Organizer Shirley Basket told the Melbourne Herald Sun that her ex-gay path was “the right path” for everyone. And, that in order to choose Jesus, gay people must combat their sexual orientation.
Equality advocates countered the conference, declaring that it is immoral to offer false promises of sexual conversion and to promote prejudice toward LGBT family and church members.
“You can’t choose to become straight just because your religious leaders tell you that homosexuality is a sin,” Melbourne equality advocate Tim Wright told the Sydney Star-Observer. “Churches need to be teaching their gay and lesbian members to be proud of who they are, not ashamed. This conference will only cause more pain and anguish for the participants, not help them…Our message to participants is: if your church rejects you because of your sexuality, you should reject your church. Closets are for clothes, not people.”
In Australia, several religious communities including the Uniting Church welcome LGBT people of faith unconditionally.
In the United States, Exodus International spokesman Randy Thomas falsely claimed that the Australia conference is “there to speak with and minister to those seeking their advice and opinion on how to live with same sex attractions in congruence with their faith.” Not true: Exodus coaches conference attendees not only to deny their attractions, but also to reject Christian faith perspectives that accept the attractions or permit expression of those attractions.
Thomas sidesteps Exodus’ affirmation of Australia’s law against marriage for gay couples.
Earlier last week, Australian former ex-gay Anthony Venn-Brown discussed the pressure that Exodus and similar organizations place upon ex-gays to enter doomed heterosexual marriages. Here’s video of Venn-Brown’s reflections:
Australia’s national breakfast show, Channel 7′s Sunrise
For some reason, Focus considers its “digital media director,” Stuart Shepard, an expert on Congressional legislation and federal antidiscrimination law. Many people remember Shepard not as a lawyer or civil-rights champion (he’s anything but), but rather as the Focus dude who prayed for “rain of Biblical proportions” at the Obama inauguration.
Straight Rackets: Why the Religious Right Needs Reparative Therapy
“You can’t choose to become straight just because your religious leaders tell you that homosexuality is a sin,” Melbourne equality advocate Tim Wright told the 
