A large protest against anti-gay marriage amendments was held in Atlanta last Saturday, Nov. 15. Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham spoke to the crowd of about 1,500 at the state capitol (estimate from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution). In his remarks, Graham talked about the upcoming runoff in Georgia on December 2.
What many progressive Democrats may not realize is that there is also a very important runoff for the Georgia Court of Appeals, in addition to the critical runoff race between Sen. Saxby Chambliss and former state Rep. Jim Martin. I don't seem to be able to embed the video of Jeff Graham's speech here. I'm not sure if it's not allowed on the new Democratic Website (which is awesome!) or if there are a few bugs to be worked out. In any case, I can't get it to post here--so please take a look at what Graham had to say about LGBT rights in Georgia and what's at stake in the runoff races in Georgia here.
If you have been paying attention to the news lately and looked past the presidential election you might have noticed that a small law was passed. A law that blatantly stripped the right of American citizens. You might have noticed that that law allowed a majority to take the rights away from a minority. I thought this kind of behavior was over, I thought America was better than this. I guess I was wrong. Because the America I thought I knew would have never allowed Proposition 8 to pass in California. Th America I thought I knew would have never taken away right of thousands of hard working American citizens. In case you live under a rock and don't know what proposition 8 is this is what it is. Proposition 8, passed Nov , 2008, officially bans gay marriages in California. 52% of Californians think that just because they don't agree with gay marriage that they can strip the rights of people away. Prop 8 is wrong, any way you look at it. Even a religious person who believes gay marriage is wrong should not have a say in who a person can marry. It's horrible and it sickens me, the America I once knew is gone. But there is hope, right now all across America people are coming together to protest this atrocity. And they need your help. You can help bring equality to California. I know what your thinking, California is California. But I will say this, it starts in California and spreads to the rest of the country. You can help!
Please visit http://www.noonprop8.com/ to see how you can do your part. Thank you for your time.
We as LGBT members Need to Hit the streets in Protest. Not ONLY vocally and organized but hit them where it will do the most hurt. thier Pocket books.
If Every LGBT memeber BOYCOTTS EVERY non LGBT Store, Restruarants, etc and NOT give them any of our Monies, If EVERY LGBT Memeber NOT show up for work for two or more Days this would hurt them just as Much.
WE need to get off of our ASSES and Organize like the AA's did in the 50's-60's. We need to tell our politicians that they WONT get our votes HANDED to them on a SILVER Platter like we have done every year. NO MORE until our voices are heard adn promises Kept we need to Put our foot down even more put our feet up ther asses to get things done for us.
We can NO longer sit back and wait for everyone else to do our dirty work, We need to take care of it our self.
Anyone who knows of ANY one in the CLOSET no matter of thier Social status we need to OUT them the more voices the better.
Until then WE WILL NEVER GET EQUAL TREATMENT.
in OBAMA'a own words he DID NOT Help OUR Cause in fact he aided in he defeat of the two props with is comments. of Marriage is between a man and a woman"
how did this help US?? it didnt what will Obama do for the LGBT Community?? probally the same as with the props NOTHING,,
The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination principally in the United States, generally considered within the Reformed tradition, and formed in 1957 by the union of two denominations, the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregtional Christian Churches. Two resolutions from the UCC General Synod XXV meeting in Atlanta, Georgia from July 1-5, 2005 generated significant controversy both in and outside the denomination some of which continues presently. The resolution 'in support of equal marriage rights for all' supported by an estimated 80% of the 884 General Synod Delegates made the UCC General Synod the first major Christian deliberative body in the US to make a statement of support for 'equal marriage rights for all people, regardless of gender' and is hitherto the largest Christian denominational entity in the US supporting equal marriage rights.
UCC LGBT Ministries
UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns
UCC Members or attendees include,
Daniel Akaka-US Senator from Hawaii
Max Baucus-US Senator from Montana
Julian Bond
Common
Howard Dean
Judd Gregg-US Senator from NH
Bob Graham-US Senator form FL
Brack Obama-US Senator from IL
Andrew Young
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Church_of_Christ
i never watch o'lielly because he's a jackass, but lots of people do. it makes it easier to understand why some people may be confused about homosexuality as a lifestyle. this moron, author marc rudov, adds to the confusion by talking out of his butt on the april 4 episode. thank the LORD for mediamatters, and the clarification.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200804070011?lid=214095&rid=6422277
for our lgbt community, and people like me who support it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/05/scathing-editorial-obama_n_95210.html
A recent discussion I had on this topic is below... Read More »
Are you gay? Yes or No
If yes, you are more dangerous then a terrorist. If no, go to question 2.
Question 2.
Do you support teaching acceptance of diversity in public schools? If yes, you are more dangerous then a terrorist. If no, go to question 3.
Question 3.
Do you support early childhood education? If yes you are more dangerous then a terrorist.
These are the criteria set forth by Sally Kerns, teacher and Oklahoma state rep, who told supporters at a country Republican meeting that gay people are more dangerous than terrorists. Read More »
As I have traveled around the country these past twelve months, what I sensed in my heart has been confirmed – America is embracing its LGBT sons and daughters with an acceptance and understanding as never before. On the campaign trail, a father of a gay son will ask about ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. A woman will ask why she can be discriminated against just because of who she is. Sometimes they wait furtively for the crowd to thin and then whisper their confidences in a soft voice and sometimes they stand up proudly at town meetings and want me to share my views on how I will help lead the change to assure that this country fulfills its promise to everyone.
When the Democratic leadership tried to pass new hate crimes & equal employment legislation in the US Senate earlier this year, they would not offer protection to transexuals. Bill Richardson was very critical of them. When Hillary Clinton's husband signed 'Don't ask, Don't tell' into law while she siliently stood by, Bill Richardson opposed it, because he believes any law that does not allow gays to OPENLY serve in the military, does nothing for gay equality.
Earlier this year, Bill Richardson called a special session of the state senate, to pass Domestic Partnerships..it lost by only 1 vote, and again this was in a red state. He has pledged not only to bring the issue back before the Senate again next year, but has also pledged to be an Activist President on LGBT Issues.
Bill Richardson is all out on his support of LGBT rights, and by far has the best record.
www.RichardsonForPresident.com
So, which of our candidates is the most courageous?
How many of the candidates have had the courage to stand up to an out-of-control president and stop him from extending the military draft? To do so by using the filibuster that makes enemies of fellow senators from both parties? (And couldn't the Senate use some of that courage today?)
How many of the candidates have risked their careers and their freedom by publicizing secret records that revealed the long history of deceit that misled the people into allowing their immoral leaders to extend and escalate a stupid and short-sighted war? And then had to battle the president all the way to the Supreme Court.
How many of the candidates have had the courage to stand up to the racists to push through a ground-breaking aboriginal land claims settlement?
How many of the candidates have had the courage to stand up to the military-industrial complex by organizing worldwide environmental opposition to U.S. nuclear testing in the North Pacific?
How many of the candidates have had the courage to stand up to the idealogues and xenophobes and introduce legislation to normalize relations with China months before Kissinger's secret visit and Nixon's historic visit to that country?
How many of the candidates have had the courage to stand up to the oil companies, state and federal officials, and their own party, to empower the Congress to decide on the construction of an Alaskan oil pipeline that supplied one-fifth of our oil, thus reducing the danger of oil tankers wrecking in the arctic?
How many of the candidates have the courage to stand up to the homophobes and the religious right and speak out for full marriage equality, as well as repeal of the halfway "Don't ask, don't tell" policy?
How many of the candidates have the courage to directly challenge the corporate media by holding their own anti-debate when they've been shut out of the main-stream media's pony show?
How many of the candidates have the courage to persist in the face of ridicule from the corporate media and the blinkered pundits, who refuse to look beyond their knee-jerk judgments?
How many of the candidates have the courage to trust YOU to be a law-maker, by presenting a National Initiative for Democracy?
How many of the candidates have the courage to base their campaign and their life on love, saying "The most important thing in life is love. That's what empowers courage, and courage implements the rest of our virtues."
If you want to see courage in our leader, you might want to look at the courage displayed by Mike Gravel.
htp://www.gravel2008.us
Well, I wont say I am surprised to find that racists were using the LGBT to attack a Black Christian for them , nor will I hold my breath waiting for an apology from the lowlife lying pieces of trailor trash. That would be the racists; for those out there who like to put words in others mouths.
SNIP:
Gospel music superstar Donnie McClurkin says he was surprised to wake up Tuesday morning to a media firestorm.
"I don't believe that even from a religious point of view that Jesus ever discriminated toward anyone, nor do I," McClurkin said in an exclusive interview with the Tribune. "Most of the things that were said were totally out of context and then other things weren't true."
"My only concern is to be in place with Sen. Obama in unity and bring all the factors together for the sake of change," he said. "That's my only thing. Of course some agents have twisted it as though he [Obama] were embracing a racist or a Nazi, and that is anything but true."
"There's never been a statement made by me about curing homosexuality. People are using that in order to incite anger and to twist my whole platform on it. There's no crusade for curing it or to convert everyone. This is just for those who come to me and ask for change."
follow up from huffpo.
Link
From Daily Kos Blogger: WeBetterWinThisTime
Mon Oct 22, 2007 at 05:15:30 PM PDT
I don't know if this has been diaried already. If it has , oh well. I'm sure there will be a hundred comments telling me that it has. But here is Barack Obamas statement on McClurkin sent to me via e-mail.
"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country.
I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."
There. Now can we get back to the issues of the day? It's also important to note that Donnie is only performing at ONE concert and Barack Obama is not attending that one. Again, information provided to me via e-mail.
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