Great news! Proposition 8 was again ruled unconstitutional today by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California. This is great news for LGBT people, couples, and families across the country; these discriminatory, malicious, bigoted, mean-spirited, un-American laws are one step closer to being permanently consigned to the dustbin of history. Onward!
Posted February 7th, 2012 by John M. Becker
Posted February 7th, 2012 by Wayne Besen
Truth Wins Out wants to thank the more than 3,000 people who signed our petition thanking the Jewish Press for publishing a groundbreaking op-ed by by Chaim Levin, who explained in the newspaper that he had been harmed by an “ex-gay” therapy program that had been recommended to him by the Orthodox Jewish Community.
The reaction to the op-ed by anti-gay activists was ferocious. According to the newspaper: “Following the publication of this op-ed, a number of Jewish Press advertisers were approached and threatened. They were told to stop advertising with the Jewish Press.”
Instead of backing down, the Jewish Press wrote a brave editorial defending Levin’s op-ed and boldly claimed that, “The Jewish Press won’t be silenced.”
Today we closed the petition after achieving our mission of showing our respect and support. TWO is grateful for those who took the initiative to sign our petition and stand up for equality. Our work would not be effective if it were not for our dedicated friends who work with us to create meaningful and lasting change.
Posted February 6th, 2012 by Evan Hurst
And maybe if I met the right woman…
Patrick Wooden has quickly become one of the weirdest, funniest wingnuts on record, ever since Porno Pete recruited him for a poorly attended protest at the Southern Poverty Law Center. In the space of just a few weeks, he has explained how anal sex is just terrible, but only if you’re gay, how gay men are well-known for putting iPhones in their butts, which is why gay men have to wear buttplugs all the time [sensing a pattern in what Wooden is interested in here?], and also Tyler Perry and Oprah are the devil. Teaching us about these things are all part of Wooden’s Pastoral Duties, and now he’s added another one to the mix!
You see, Patrick Wooden loves Pam Spaulding of Pam’s House Blend so much that he really just wants her to find a nice man to rock her world, for Jesus, of course. No, really. Here he is, talking to Porno Pete about Pam:
Patrick Wooden: Well, first of all, I love Pam, and one of these days I hope to invite Pam Spaulding maybe to lunch, and we can sit down and talk, I have never had the privilege of meeting her. I learned that we were at an event one time together and she did not make herself known [news to me; what event is he talking about?] and of course she knew, if my information is correct, she’s aware of who I am and I did not know her. I love her and I am praying for her, and I wouldn’t dare rail insults for insults or slurs for slurs.
I will say that Christ died for Pam, and Jesus will save her and deliver her from sin and that I have nothing but love for her and look forward to an opportunity to sit down and look her in the eye and to talk to her. Now as for the comment that I am a rent-a-pastor (laughs)…listen, Peter, I’ve been called much worse, and you know, my position is this: I don’t mind being rented for the cause of Christ. I don’t mind being rented for God’s Truth, I don’t mind being used for God’s Truth…as a matter of fact I want to thank her for calling me a rent-a-pastor. And I’ll say to the Lord – you can rent me anytime you want. I don’t know why he would since he owns me, but I will do for whatever cause he would want me to be a part of …here I am Lord, I’m like Isaiah, [blah, blah, blah] as long as I am representing God’s Truth.
Peter, it’s really not about her; we’re just vessels to be used by the Lord. It is the cause…it is the truth of God that we represent that is so important. So if the Pam Spauldings of this world, I wouldn’t get into a shouting match with her, I wouldn’t visit her web site, or her Facebook or whatever and rail insult for insult…
Pam needs Jesus, when Pam meets the Lord that yearning for a member of the same sex will change…she’d probably make a fantastic mother [Um, no], and would enjoy having a husband who was born male – no Chaz Bono business – born male – and meet her man, and rock her world, in the name of the Lord.”
You see, Pam Spaulding is great, says Patrick Wooden! If only she would discover the wonders of the wang in the name of the Lord…
This is what our opposition has been reduced to, y’all.
Posted February 6th, 2012 by John M. Becker
Truth Wins Out is thrilled to announce that we’re collaborating with Pride Vermont to bring the NOH8 Campaign to our state for the first time this September. The NOH8 photoshoot will be held in conjunction with Pride Vermont at Burlington’s Battery Park on September 22, 2012 from 1-4 p.m.
The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by Hollywood-based celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and his partner Jeff Parshley in response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with “NOH8” painted on one cheek in protest.
Over 20,000 people have been photographed for the NOH8 Campaign, including celebrities like Kathy Griffin, Lisa Ling, Ben Patrick Johnson, Cindy and Meghan McCain, Miley Cyrus, Leslie Jordan, the Kardashian sisters, Jane Lynch, Lt. Dan Choi, Margaret Cho, and Lance Bass. Thousands of other everyday people (including yours truly and his husband) have been photographed at NOH8 open photoshoots across the country.
Head on over to the NOH8 website for more information about the photoshoot on September 22. Mark your calendars and come to Pride Vermont, visit with Truth Wins Out (we’ll be there!), and make a statement by getting photographed for this great campaign.
Michael Knaapen & John Becker posing for the NOH8 Campaign in Chicago, October 2010
Posted February 6th, 2012 by John M. Becker
Last week, TWO’s Director of Communications & Development John Becker did a last-minute interview with progressive talk phenom David Pakman about Alan Chambers’ confusing statement that it’s impossible to pray away the gay. Unless you’re Alan Chambers, who was able to… err, what was that? As David and John discussed (and as Wayne wrote in the latest TWO Special Report), it will be interesting to see how Chambers and Exodus spin this going forward, both at next week’s Love Won Out conference in Atlanta and beyond.
Posted February 6th, 2012 by Evan Hurst
If you’re not familiar, One Million Moms is a project of the American Family Association hate group, and the past week, they’ve been angry with JC Penney for choosing the “perverted” Ellen DeGeneres as their spokesperson. When I heard about their complaints, my first reaction was, “as if this is even possible, wingnuts are becoming even less self-aware.” Ellen DeGeneres is one of the most beloved celebrities in this nation, even among many, many conservatives. This is one of the reasons the wingnuts have ultimately lost this “culture war.” Ellen is so funny, and so family-friendly, that I’d imagine it’s hard for any but the most hardcore anti-gay bigots to really hate her.
Here’s Monica Cole of One Million Moms complain, complain, complaining that “JC Penneys” is ignoring them, along with the ever-unhinged Bryan Fischer.
Bryan Fischer points out that there are tons of heterosexual celebrities JC Penney could have chosen. Indeed! Kim Kardashian and Charlie Sheen are probably available! And you know the sad thing? If JC Penney had chosen one of those models of heterosexual behavior, the hate group in question wouldn’t have even noticed.
I haven’t been to a Penney’s in a long time, but maybe I’ll go take a looksee next time I’m near one. I’d imagine that JC Penney knows that the dollars of people who support fairness and equality are worth a lot more than those of the “One Million” [eleven?] moms of One Million Moms.
[h/t Joe]
Posted February 6th, 2012 by Bruce Garrett
And so it goes…
WENATCHEE — Friends and family of a 14-year-old Cashmere boy who hanged himself Jan. 29 said during a candlelight vigil Friday night that he had been bullied because he was gay.
“He told me he got shoved and punched in the face in PE in the locker room at Cashmere,” said Lexii Mullin of Wenatchee, a friend of Rafael Morelos.
Cue the ritual washing of hands…
Rob Cline, principal at Cashmere Middle School, said by phone on Friday that there was no ongoing investigation into Rafael being bullied at the school. He said that Rafael had, earlier in the school year, reported one incidence of being bullied but “we took care of that. We investigated and took appropriate action.”
Well I would just like to say that if the kid felt he had to kill himself in order to make it stop, whatever action they took could only be regarded as appropriate if suicide was the intended outcome.
Posted February 6th, 2012 by Evan Hurst
Bob Vander Plaats of ThE FaMiLy LeAdEr isn’t going to go to Starbucks anymore, nuh uh!
We are sure Starbucks is very upset about a handful of bigots refusing to visit their establishment.
[h/t Towleroad]
Posted February 6th, 2012 by Evan Hurst
This, from Representative John Fleming (R) of Louisiana, is just stellar. Screen cap from his Facebook:
Newell at Wonkette [Newell is back at Wonkette! It is a great day for the internet!] points out that Fleming’s Facebook has now been deleted, due to idiot, but thank goodness for screen caps.
By the way, if you want to get caught up on the other story about reproductive rights that’s been going on the past week, TBogg has been doing some stellar commentary.
Posted February 6th, 2012 by Evan Hurst
Just landed in my e-mail:
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will issue a ruling in AFER’s case challenging Prop. 8 tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. PT.
The moment we receive the decision, you’ll be the first to know. Please take a moment and make sure your friends and family know too.
[...]
After a lengthy and thorough trial, the Federal District Court ruled that it is unconstitutional to single out gay and lesbian couples and deny them a fundamental freedom. The anti-marriage Prop. 8 Proponents immediately appealed that decision and now the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will issue a decision tomorrow.
At the end of the day, it’s wrong for the government to tell someone they can’t marry the person they love. Couples like our plaintiffs, Kris & Sandy and Jeff & Paul, simply want what other Americans want: to be treated with fairness and dignity.
Marriage is a fundamental American freedom and it’s time our country realizes its promise of equality for all.
Sincerely,
Chad H. Griffin
Board President
American Foundation for Equal Rights
If you’re on that e-mail list, you got it too.
