Marriage News Watch: March 24, 2014

Marriage News Watch: October 28, 2013

Would Jesus Exile a Family? Some of His Followers Did

Marriage News Watch: August 12, 2013

Tenn. Republican Lambasted For "Study Or Starve" Policy

Most Tennesseans Are Against "Don't Say Gay"

From Think Progress:

A new poll from Middle Tennessee State University shows that a solid 62 percent of Tennesseans oppose marriage equality, while only 28 percent in favor. This opposition is significantly higher than is often found across several southern states. Nevertheless, 57 percent also oppose the odious “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which prohibits schools from discussing sexual orientation until after 8th grade — which includes related anti-bullying efforts — and only 31 percent support it. Additionally, 49 percent oppose the bill’s new provision requiring school officials to notify parents of students’ sexuality, while only 33 percent such a provision. Interestingly a position on marriage was not necessarily predictive of a position on the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.

It seems clear that Tennessee is a particularly toxic place for LGBT people, but even so, even Tennesseans realize that the outright censorship of homosexuality and violation of young people’s privacy are wrong.

Yet Another "Don't Say Gay" Bill in Tennessee

From The New Civil Rights Movement:

...As The New Civil Rights Movement reported in January of last year, “Rep. John Ragan, a Southern Baptist, pro-life, anti-gay, anti-immigrant, anti-education Republican, responded to a constituent’s letter asking him to oppose a now-infamous Tennessee bill that essentially delivers a license to bully to anyone who claims religious or moral prerogative. Ragan used the phrase ‘mentally healthy adult human being,’ as in, gays and lesbians are not mentally healthy adult human beings, three times in his letter.”

Ragan’s bill, ironically introduced on Valentine’s Day, is identical to Sen. Campfield’s, and legally requires that any school official approached by any student with questions or comments about “inconsistent with natural human reproduction,” i.e., homosexuality, contact that child’s parents.

In other words. if Johnny is gay, bi, or trans, or questioning, and approaches his favorites trusted teacher, that teacher would now be required to contact Johnny’s parents and out him. In the state of Tennessee, where it’s safe to say the overwhelming majority of parents likely would not be welcoming.

If the Campfield-Ragan bill passes and if Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signs it into law, expect Tennessee’s LGBTQ homeless population to increase, expect more LGBTQ youth and teen suicides, and expect tolerance to drop.

In short, if Tennessee’s “new and improved” “Don’t Say Gay” bill becomes law, Stacey Campfield and John Ragan will have blood on their hands...

Tennessee Law Forces Schools to Out Gay Kids

From The Advocate:

Tennessee state senator Stacey Campfield has reintroduced his infamous legislation that would prohibit schools from discussing homosexuality in sex education classes until after the eighth grade (even though schools in Tennessee do not teach sex ed before the eighth grade).

After dying in the House two years ago, the bill, now called the Classroom Protection Act, is back with additions such as “certain subjects are particularly sensitive and are, therefore, best explained and discussed within the home,” and “at grade levels pre-K through eight (pre-K-8), any such classroom instruction, course materials or other informational resources that are inconsistent with natural human reproduction shall be classified as inappropriate for the intended student audience and, therefore, shall be prohibited.” That will likely bar any teacher from even suggesting homosexuality exists.

 

The bill also now states that when a student approaches a teacher or counselor and confides in them that they may be gay, it is the teacher or counselor’s responsibility to tell the student’s parents.

LGBT Suicide Isn't A Problem...???

Tennessee Gov. Not Hateful Enough

From Think Progress:

Republican legislators in Tennessee are circulating a resolution that would condemn their own party’s governor, Bill Haslam (R), for choosing not to fire a gay person on his staff. The resolution, which has been signed by nine country Republican chapters so far, would also denounce the Governor for keeping a Muslim woman in his employ, and for not supporting two highly conservative pieces of legislation.

Haslam did not hire the Muslim or gay employees. Rather, he simply kept them on the payroll after a change of leadership. 

The Tennessean obtained copies of the counties’ nearly-identical resolutions, which say Haslam has “forced this GOP organization to lose the confidence in our Governor during an election year.” One of the reasons listed for why Republicans have lost confidence, it continues, is that Haslam allowed “openly homosexuals to make policy decisions”

I guess these people are giving up whatever pretense of decency they have, which was already precious little.

The Wrap-Up: June 27, 2012

After winning his recall election, Gov Scott Walker wants to take his message across the nation. It sucks that that nation is the U.S. though.

Anti-gay "scientists" may have coordinated a pair of "studies" for the sake of election year politics. Oh, and then there's the fact that these "studies" are filled with bogus information funded by NOM. Looks like someone has been caught in a lie.

People can change their perspectives even when those perspectives are firmly ingrained. Unfortunately, sometimes, it takes a tragedy for that change to occur.

Everything is bigger in Texas. Unfortunately, that includes the crazy in the state's Republicans.

A congressional candidate from Washington state wants marriage equality enshrined in the United States Constitution, or he's just trying to get headlines. Either way, it's a great idea.

A Tennessee politician that says it IS okay to say gay? What a novel idea.

The Supreme Court is expected to announce its decision on the individual mandate section of the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare") on Thursday.

Need some stripping advice? Just ask Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello.

And lastly, you can sign a petition thanking General Mills for supporting marriage equality and denouncing Minnesota's proposed anti-marriage equality amendment.

Tennessee's War on Reason

The Wrap-Up: May 9, 2012

Amendment One passed, and that's really all I have to say about that at this time.

According to a recent Gallup poll, Republicans are becoming increasingly anti-gay. No wonder Rick Santorum got so far in the nomination process.

A frequent Sean Hannity guest on Fox believes that letting women vote was a huge mistake for America. And people lend Fox credence because...?

A gay student has been told by his Catholic school that he can't accept a scholarship (named after Matthew Shepard) at the school. Obviously, this is what God would want.

Mitt Romney is STILL trying to take credit for the auto bailout...which he actually had denounced at the time. Rewriting history is the new GOP past-time.

The Senate race here in the Commonwealth is still extremely tight.

Delta Airlines has caved into far-right pressure from the Catholic League, which has a beef with The Daily Show.

A homophobic Tennessee school board member may be harassing an openly gay student (among others) in a high school in a totally different school district.

And lastly, to lift your spirits a bit, I give you Stephen Colbert (at his finest) with Eric McCormack.

The Colbert Report
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The Wrap-Up: May 2, 2012

Matthew Vines

A black minister spoke with MSNBC's Thomas Roberts against North Carolina's Amendment One.

Following in the footsteps of his predecessor John McCain, Mitt Romney just pandered to the religious right big-time.

Unlike their counterparts in New York and Washington's fights over marriage equality, large North Carolina businesses are staying relatively silent.

It isn't JUST sociologists, psychologists, biologists weighing on LGBT equality. Now, anthropologists are also in on the discussion.

I have no idea how anyone could still have a radio show after saying to someone that they should have the lesbian raped out of them.

Did you know that President Obama was elected because he's black? It's a good thing we have Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) to tell us things like this.

Hudson Taylor

While Republicans are talking about increasing taxes on the poor/middle classes, Apple manages to dodge billions of dollars in taxes every year.

Tennessee's "Don't Say Gay" bill is no longer under consideration. Dear Missouri, DO LIKEWISE!!!

Matthew Vines (who spent a little time doing research on homosexuality and the Bible) sounds off on gays in the Christian community (P.S. If you haven't seen the video from that first link, it is well worth a watch).

If you forgot or didn't know how inspirational Hudson Taylor is, first off, SHAME ON YOU!!! Second, here is a reminder. Would that there were more Hudson Taylors in this world.

And lastly, Zach Wahls is living proof that same-sex couples can be great parents just like anyone else.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
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Another reminder that there is less than a week until voting ends on North Carolina's Amendment One. If you or someone you know is a registered in the state, make sure you/they KNOW THE FACTS about this proposed law before heading to the polls.

The Wrap-Up: March 30, 2012

Looks like MSNBC made a scheduling oopsie with Maggie Gallagher. I feel like someone may get fired for this.

Rick Santorum thinks that people without photo ID's are trying to commit voter fraud. Then again, he also thinks about people having sex with dogs, so there's that.

An anti "gay propaganda" bill has reached the Russian Parliament. Did all of America's theocrats had immigrate there?

The Tennessee legislature apparently thinks states are supposed to be laboratories of theocracy instead of laboratories of democracy.

British Prime Minister David Cameron is facing an uprising from his fellow Tories. How dare he want everyone to be treated equally under the law.

The Paul Ryan budget (which passed 228-191 in the house by the way) takes a huge bite out of Pell Grants. The GOP is bound and determined to ensure that this country can't compete in the global labor market.

The good news about this budget: it has little chance of getting through the Senate.

More African-American leaders are speaking out against NOM's race-baiting tactics

And lastly, though the Obama administration has been far from perfect (*cough*NDAA *cough*), here is a rundown of his 10 greatest achievements.

The Wrap-Up: March 20, 2012

It's Primary Day in Illinois and it may be another close one between Santorum and Romney.

Rick Santorum complains whenever he's on television and someone asks him about his stances on social issues, then goes on the road and says this. This is called trying to "have your cake and eat it too." According to my grandmother, that doesn't work.

Santorum did just that on Monday morning during an appearance on "Morning Joe" while talking to former colleague and fellow conservative Joe Scarborough.

A friend of mine told me about this bumper sticker over the weekend. If this is the best the right can do, they truly are pathetic.

The Obama campaign is boasting some big fundraising numbers.

While President Obama is still "evolving" on marriage equality, former President Jimmy Carter (an Evangelical Christian by the way) has beaten him to the punch.

Yet again, a religious organization at a public university tries to get away with banning gay members and yet again, the courts say NO.

The Tennessee legislature is taking the war on women pretty far.

And lastly, did you know there was a secret plot to destroy golf?

The Wrap-Up: March 14, 2012

Last night was not a good night to be Mitt Romney...if such a thing even exists.

A Pennsylvania legislator has withdrawn a marriage "protection" amendment from consideration.

Anybody want to buy a national park? Teddy Roosevelt (a Republican who supported/started national parks) must be spinning in his grave.

The Governor of Tennessee is still none too fond of the state's proposed "Don't Say Gay" bill. I'm still surprised that this is coming from a Republican governor.

Here is a very surprising (and encouraging) source of support for marriage equality: an Evangelical Christian Republican from Iowa.

One of the most under-reported problems facing the LGBT community is our homeless youth.

Steve Schmidt, the campaign manager for John McCain's 2008 presidential run has some...not-so-nice things to say about Sarah Palin.

Denmark may become nation #11 to legalize marriage equality. What's that nation that calls itself "the land of the free" again?

Members of Congress are signing onto a petition to lower the rating of the film "Bully" from R to PG-13.

And lastly, Jon Stewart takes on conservative tax master Grover Norquist (there are 3 videos, all worth watching).

The Daily Show
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Lowlights & Highlights: March 3, 2012

ex. Principal Dorothy Bond

Lots of media this week was focused on contraception debates and Rush Limbaugh calling a women (about whom he knows very little...if anything) a slut. However, as bad as that was, it didn't hold a candle to what happened in one Tennessee school. This school's principal took it upon herself to say to the student body in school that if they are gay, they're going to Hell. She alo said if you get pregnant (as a teenager), your life is over. I can't begin to fathom how she thought this was appropriate talk anywhere, let alone in a high school. Obviously, this created a furor that resulted in this principal resigning. As I said when I mentioned this in a Wrap-Up this week, I would prefer her to have been fired for a couple of reasons. First, it provides a much-needed dark mark on her employment record. Second, it would have showed the school system to be proactive and the students would have known that the system was on their side. Her resigning lets the system just sit there and do nothing. Then again, this IS Tennessee and the state doesn't have a good track record on these things. Remember the "Don't Say Gay" bill? That's Tennessee.

Gov. Martin O'Malley

Maryland, on the other hand, became the 8th state to enact marriage equality when Governor Martin O'Malley signed the bill into law on Thursday. Granted, the bill will have to face a ballot measure to repeal it come November, so this victory is far from final. The real work has begun. For now however, let's celebrate the fact that a positive step has been taken in the fight for LGBT equality and give a big thank you to the Maryland legislators who voted for the bill, the citizens who helped to change some of their minds, the faith leaders who spoke up to make it known that not all religious people are small-minded, and the Governor who made this a legislative priority. Speaking of Governor O'Malley, you can read what he had to say about the bill's passage on Huffington Post.

The Wrap-Up: February 24, 2012

Gov. Bill Haslam (R-TN)

Homophobic politicians are finding it harder to get served, from a cafe owner in Tennessee to a hairstylist in New Mexico.

Speaking of Tennessee, its governor has something to say about that"Don't Say Gay" bill.

Another Texas politician is showing himself to be an ignorant idiot. When will Texas have enough of these clowns?

The Obama administration has made an awful call in regards to green card petitions for bi-national gay couples.

Most of what George W. Bush did as president was...terrible (that's the rated G version). However, appointing this federal judge was not so bad.

This kind of language is coming from the "statesman" that many Republicans want as their presidential candidate.

As some Washingtonians attempt to undo the state's recently passed marriage equality bill, the language they are using to do so has been called into question...by other marriage equality opponents.

If you thought the Bush tax cuts were bad (p.s. the WERE, and that's putting it lightly), wait until you see the Romney tax cuts.

Maryland is now a freer, fairer state.

And lastly, Jon Stewart REALLY wants to make a Santorum joke.

The Wrap-Up: February 22, 2012

Proposition 8 backers are taking another step in their effort to subjugate gay people to second-class citizenship.

A Fox pundit (Liz Trotta) doubles down on women in the military and how they shouldn't be there. And Fox is considered news because...?

CNN looks at what life is like after Sen. John Ensign's cheating and corrupt political career.

Even though it may seem like Santorum's rhetoric has gotten more extreme of late, it has always been this extreme. He's going beyond policy and making everything pretty personal.

Former Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)

Michele Bachmann's House re-election run just hit a snag. Hopefully, it ends up being a big snag.

Congressional Democrats are warning themselves against over-confidence.

For some Colorado Catholic charities, being homophobic is more important than being helpful.

A Washington Post op-ed casts Rick Santorum not as a conservative, but as something else...

And lastly, The View discuss Tennessee's "Don't Say Gay" bill.