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)
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
Students at the University of Alaska – Fairbanks are protesting a long series of on-campus lectures by an “ex-gay” proponent of antigay prejudice.
Edward Delgado, a deacon at an Anchorage Baptist church, on Saturday launched a series of 14 lectures against sexual honesty. Delgado contends that honesty about one’s sexual orientation requires adherence to a non-existent “homosexual lifestyle” of “promiscuity, abuse, alcoholism, and drug abuse.” He further argues that people with a predominant same-sex orientation can only achieve “freedom” through conformity to antigay evangelical bigotry, misleading assertions of heterosexuality, shame regarding one’s same-sex attraction, sexless marriage, or lifelong celibacy.
While Delgado is not listed as a member of Exodus International, his poster slogan is borrowed from past Exodus billboards which imply that all gay people are — or should be — inherently lonely and confused. Delgado’s poster refers students to Exodus International and to “ex-gay” political activist Joe Dallas.
According to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Chancellor Brian Rogers said he wouldn’t order the poster removed.
Rogers said he wants a “welcoming and inclusive university” but said tolerance of opposing views and freedom of speech are at the core of the campus’ values.
No one appears to have been invited to offer “opposing views” to Delgado, however.
In his self-promotions, Delgado speaks about his “life of homosexuality” as a Southern California teen, when — according to the News-Miner — he says he had 10 male sex partners by age 19: A tally not much different from many heterosexual teen-agers. Delgado asserts that his own unfulfilling lifestyle choices must be representative of all gay people. “The things that I speak [against gay people] are not a lie, because I’ve lived these things,” he said.
Delgado is now married with two sons — though the Daily News-Miner does not say whether Delgado is sexually active with his wife, whether he is (or ever was) predominantly same-sex attracted, or whether the sons are his through biology or adoption.
Members of a campus gay-straight alliance planned to counter Delgado’s smears against healthy and well-adjusted members of the academic community with “Stop the Hate” T-shirts and literature, according to Queers United.
Scott Lively is the western Massachusetts-based ex-gay activist most famous for claiming that Nazi Germany was run by a hypermasculine homosexual conspiracy.
Lively co-founded the east European organization Watchmen on the Walls, which applauds violence against gay people and has been certified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group.
Lively also joined with Exodus International board member Don Schmierer in Uganda to co-keynote a March 2009 ex-gay conference, the purpose of which was to launch a nationwide campaign of antigay vigilantism — led by at least one alleged ex-gay child-molester — and to impose a death penalty upon that nation’s LGBT population.
In an article on his ex-gay organization’s web site dated for release tomorrow, Lively equates Christian compassion with less-than-desirable effeminacy — and violence with true “masculine Christianity.”
Unfortunately, the modern American church, along with the majority of its leaders, has rejected masculinity in favor of an effeminate Christianity.
Lively addresses his audience as “brethren,” as if his female readers were irrelevant:
Brethren, this is not an attack on femininity. If anything, the church should be commended for its appreciation for and fulfillment of the feminine aspects of its role. The vital compassion-based ministries ‚Äî feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and soothing the broken-hearted ‚Äî are prospering today. These ministries are very much a reflection of the feminine side of Christ’ complete personality.
In Lively’s brutal worldview, it is unmanly to be compassionate, charitable, graceful, humble, or nurturing. Lively idolizes Biblical hyperwarriors, some of whom are guilty of indiscriminate slaughter against the women and children of rival tribes in the ancient Middle East.
The defining characteristic of each of these examples is the conquest of evil by God’ people — mostly men. … The church and this nation cry out for a revival of masculine Christianity, which is to say that we church leaders need to stop being such, for lack of a better word, sissies when it comes to social and political issues.
Lively concludes with a sociopathic call to war against those who might educate the Christian Right’s children and young adults in alternatives to violence, bigotry, and rejection of religious diversity, history, science, and community values:
We have reached that split-second of decision in which we must choose whether to rush forward into battle on the chance that we can defeat the invaders, or to surrender and look on in resignation as our children are marched off into slavery in a foreign land.
Violence and deliberate ignorance: True markers of “masculinity” among the ex-gay Christian Right. According to Lively, this machismo is under mortal threat not only from uppity women, but also from the same educated, lazy sissies who operated the supposedly hypermasculine Nazi regime.
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 
Edward Delgado, a deacon at an 
Lively co-founded the east European organization 
