The Religious Wrong: Gospel of Intolerance

Two Men Acquitted of "Looking Gay"

From CNN:

"The acquittal of two Cameroonian men jailed for looking gay because they wore women's clothes exposes the systematic discrimination against perceived homosexuals in the country," Amnesty International said in a statement.

The conviction was based on stereotypes because authorities never saw them engage in homosexual acts, according to their lawyer.

 

"The judge who originally sentenced them had stated that the way they dressed, the way they spoke, and the fact that they drank Bailey's Irish Cream proved they were gay," their lawyer, Alice N'Kom, told global gay rights group All Out, which launched a petition demanding the men's release.

The court overturned the conviction Monday, but it was unclear whether they have left prison.

Homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon, where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism. Sentences for homosexual acts vary between six months to five years.

If drinking Bailey's Irish Cream proves people are gay, then there were zero straight guys in my fraternity.

3 Years in Jail For Being Gay

From the New York Times:

Activists said the court's ruling in Yaounde, the capital, marked yet another setback for gays and lesbians in Cameroon, widely viewed as the most repressive country in Africa when it comes to prosecuting same-sex couples. 

Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, 32, had been provisionally released on bail in July after serving a year and a half in prison. His lawyer has 10 days now to file an appeal to the country's Supreme Court. 

Holding back tears Monday, he said he wasn't sure whether he could withstand more jail time given the conditions he faced there. 

"I am going back to the dismal conditions that got me critically ill before I was temporarily released for medical reasons," he told The Associated Press by telephone. "I am not sure I can put up with the anti-gay attacks and harassment I underwent at the hands of fellow inmates and prison authorities on account of my perceived and unproven sexual orientation. The justice system in this country is just so unfair."

Note to self: never set foot in Cameroon.

U.S. State Dept. on Uganda's "Kill The Gays" Bill

From The New Civil Rights Movement and the Washington Blade:

Victoria Nuland, a State Department spokesperson, said during a daily briefing Monday that Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson met with high-profile leaders in Uganda “over the weekend” and raised concerns about the bill, which among other things would punish homosexual acts with life in prison. The questioning was initiated by the Washington Blade.

“As we have regularly said, we call on the parliament of Uganda to look very carefully at this because Uganda’s own Human Rights Council has made clear that if this were to pass, it would put the country out of compliance with its own international human rights obligations,” Nuland said. “And so, Assistant Secretary Carson had a chance to make that point again and our strong opposition to this, to the president, to the parliament and to key decision makers in Uganda.”

Nuland also affirmed media reports from last week that the legislation has passed out of the Legal & Parliamentary Affairs Committee, saying, “Our understanding is that a version of the bill has now passed the committee in Uganda.”

~

U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Scott H. DeLisi was quoted in a Ugandan newspaper as saying the United States has “decided to continue giving aid to Uganda,” but that was in response to misuse of foreign aid and not the anti-gay bill.

Nuland declined to directly answer a question from the Blade about whether the State Department was considering whether to cut foreign aid from Uganda if the legislation becomes law.

“I’m not going to get into any hypothetical situations,” Nuland said. “Our focus now is on raising awareness of the concerns within Uganda about this bill, so we don’t get to that stage.”

Asked by another reporter about whether a pledge to cut aid would be “a good, strong point to make” if the United States opposes the bill, Nuland said she won’t “make prospective points from the podium here about where we might go if this bill passes.”

Nuland refocused attention to talks within the country, saying, “I think there is a very intense conversation going on inside Uganda about this, and the far better course of action would be for the bill not to pass.”

Nigeria to "Jail the Gays"

From The Huffington Post:

A draconian bill was introduced in Nigeria's Assembly that would ultimately jail Nigeria's gay citizens and anyone who supported them if it becomes law. All Out joined Nigeria's lesbians, gays, and allies by calling upon Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan to veto the bill should it pass its final reading in the Assembly this month. 

The bill would make it a crime for gays and lesbians to get married, to witness a gay marriage, or for an affirming churches to perform a gay wedding. Gays and lesbians who marry will face 14 years in prison. 

Any public displays of affection, such as holding hands, or even looking at each other affectionately could result in a 10-year jail sentence. 

Whether the participant is gay or straight, anyone who organizes or becomes a member of a "gay club" or supports a gay organization financially could also face jail time...

Somewhere, social conservatives like Peter Sprigg are simultaneously happy and jealous the Nigeria is doing this (and America is not).

The Wrap-Up: April 13, 2012

The federal Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act is getting its first test.

Marcus Bachmann didn't learn his lesson the first time around.

There is a growing amount of evidence that Paul Ryan's budget pays for tax cuts for the rich on the backs of the poor. As I have said many times before, if compassionate conservatism ever existed, it is dead.

The government of Nigeria is being sued over an anti-gay bill currently in the legislature.

Arizona has its first LGBT high school. It's a shame that such a thing is necessary, but at least it's there for whoever needs it.

We know that there are a lot of pro-gay people of faith (as I have mentioned a number of times on this blog), so why don't we hear more from them in the media instead of just hearing from their very anti-gay counterparts?

As impossible as it may seem, there are at least some Catholic priests who opt not to go the homophobic route. It's just too bad that they are so rare.

Russian citizens are standing against the newly passed bill in St. Petersburg.

And lastly, your job may be killing you.

The Wrap-Up: April 10, 2012

A group of Colorado football players (allegedly) beat a group of freshmen over the weekend. This is why organizations like Athlete Ally are so important.

After having already come out against North Carolina's proposed constitutional ban on marriage equality, President Obama echoes that sentiment in Minnesota, which is attempting to pass a similar law.

Did you know that Neo-Nazis are a "civil rights group?" I'm glad a Fox affiliate cleared that up for us.

Shocking absolutely no one with functioning brain cells, a report has stated that the DADT repeal has had no adverse effects.

Study after study has found that the more homophobic people are, the more likely it is that they are conflicted about their own same-sex attractions. Maybe we should start calling this "Larry Craig Syndrome."

Finally, some uncharacteristically good news on homophobia from the African continent.

Middle-class Americans have been struggling for years (many going bankrupt) while over that same period of time, lots of billion-dollar companies have paid $0 in taxes. That sounds fair...doesn't?

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) has gone from playing the House Majority leader to playing the Benedict Arnold of the GOP.

Washington state homophobes are off to a slow start. Let's hope this trend continues.

And lastly, Moveon.org gives us a great billboard.

The Wrap-Up: March 21, 2012

There was a problem with some of the ballots in yesterday's Illinois primary, which is probably the closest to voter fraud we'll get in this election.

Newt isn't the only unpopular Gingrich in the household.

The House's GOP budget proposal is disastrous...unless you have enough 0's in your income of course.

St. Petersburg Russia is facing some international pressure after enacting an anti-gay law against, what it considers, "pro-gay propaganda."

I'm hoping that it is possible to revoke a Nobel Peace Prize from someone who wants homosexuality criminalized. That's pretty much the opposite of peaceful.

An Idaho legislator thinks women don't know when they've been raped. Has he even talked to a rape victim? I'm thinking not so much.

I have been thinking lately that Rick Santorum is trying to lose this presidential bid. He's anti-contraception (there goes the female vote), he will declare a war on pornography (there goes the male vote), and he told Puerto Ricans that they should speak English to become a state (there goes a chunk of the Hispanic vote). Now, he doesn't care about the unemployment rate.

Speaking of Rick, if you don't vote for him, you're a Godless heathen.

 Dan Savage responded to Rick Santorum praying for him.

And lastly, part of Mitt Romney's speech after winning the Illinois primary...which doesn't go particularly well.

The Wrap-Up: January 31, 2012

Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ)

Today is Primary Day in Florida and the fur is flying...as are the attacks between Gingrich and Romney.

South Dakota is taking a wrecking ball to the separation of church and state.

Governor Christie (R-NJ) is yet another politician with a bad case of Foot-In-Mouth Disease. He should just not talk about subjects of which he has no knowledge.

Hopefully, the international pressure on the homophobic nations of Africa continues to mount. They received some words from the United nations Secretary-General about their human rights issues.

Maryland's Attorney General offers a prudent warning to advocates of the state's push for marriage equality.

According to this study, much of what we thought goes into successful school doesn't actually matter. Back to square one.

Tennessee legislator Stacey Campfield, of "Don't Say Gay" infamy, has some very bad information that shows how important comprehensive sex-education is.

Speaking of Mr. Campfield, he got a very unwelcome reception at a Knoxville eatery. Kudos to the owners.

And lastly, there is a Christian case FOR marriage equality.

The Wrap-Up: November 29, 2011

The Supreme Court

Kansas state law has apparently been ignoring the Supreme Court of the United States.

The LGBT community's engagement in the political process, especially now, is extremely important, and here is the Supreme reason why.

The Supreme Court also handed my home state's Attorney General some bad news on health care (which makes me quite happy).

A United Airlines agent made the skies not-so-friendly for this gay couple. 

While much of the African continent is embroiled in extreme homophobia, there are some people there still willing to put their lives on the line to fight the good fight.

Meghan & John McCain

Meghan's new gig may be causing a little tension in the McCain family.

I'm pretty sure this is the death-knell for whatever chances Herman Cain had for winning the GOP nomination (and they were already quite small).

According to this billionaire, asking the super-rich to pay their fair share is akin to Hitler invading Poland. How have people not learned to leave Hitler out of political discussions?

Contrary to what most of the GOP presidential candidates are saying, Barney Frank did not create the housing bubble (which was a more global phenomenon).

Speaking of Barney Frank, in the announcement of his retirement, he took a few shots at Newt Gingrich.

Scott Olsen

Scott Olsen, the Iraq veteran who was injured in Occupy Oakland has done his first interview since his injury.

A New Jersey legislator has done quite a 180 on the state's effort to recognize marriage equality.

And lastly, Jon Stewart takes down Herman Cain and Rick Perry as only Jon Stewart can.