Sprigg: Gays Have the Same Rights As Everyone...

Before I go on with the main substance of this post, I should mention that a person's sexual orientation is defined by to whom one is attracted, not be sexual behaviour. So when someone identifies there sexual orientation as homosexual or bisexual and face discrimination as a result of this, the discrimination is not, in fact, based on their sexual behaviour, the discrimination is based on their ASSUMED sexual behaviour. Perhaps this seems to some as splitting hairs, but it points out that many of the social conservatives that make the behaviour argument do not truly understand how all of this stuff works, which calls in to question their ability to comment on any of these issues. With that said, I will reiterate the fact that it is still not the job of the government (local, state, or federal) to restrict "homosexual behaviour," which is why the Lawrence v. Texas Supreme Court decision came down the way that it did ten years ago. Conversely, Peter Sprigg is on record as saying that "homosexual behaviour" is just cause for incarceration.

Now, back to LGBT people supposedly having the same rights as everyone else. Clearly by him making the claim that gay people have all the same civil rights as everyone else, he is flat out factually incorrect. Straight people generally do not have to worry about being fired/not hired/not promoted because they are heterosexual. Gay people are only protected from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation in about half of the states, transgendered people are protected even less than that. Straight people do not have to worry about adoption restrictions based on their sexual orientation. Gay people do not have that same protection in most states, including here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. And of course, there is marriage equality. Straight people can marry the person they love and have all of the legal rights that go therewith. Gay people...not so much, given that over 30 states have statutory or constitutional restrictions of a homophobic nature whereas only nine states plus the District of Columbia have marriage equality legally endorsed, the federal Defense of Marriage Act (which restricts the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages) notwithstanding.

Mr. Sprigg made it very evident that one of two scenarios is true with him:  either he does not see the very real discrimination happening here in America, or - and I deem this to be the more likely scenario - he does see it...and celebrates it. What does this say about the character of him and those of like mind?

The Tall Tales of Porno Pete!

The Wrap-Up: June 7, 2012

Wondering why you should care about the Wisconsin recall election if you live outside of that state? There are definitely many reasons why we should ALL care.

Miss Pennsylvania USA resigned over the Miss Universe Organization's apparent support of transgender candidates. Between her, Rick Santorum, and the Philadelphia Eagles, that state is looking less and less pleasant.

Short of stories that include suicide, this is probably the worst bullying story I have heard, in part, because it was also the school system bullying the student and their family.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is saying that it is more likely that someone will be struck by lightning than it is for voter fraud to take place in the state, contrary to the statements of Governor Rick Scott.

Even though the USDoJ has ordered Governor Scott to end the purge, Scott would rather have a showdown on the issue (the deadline to respond to the DoJ's order was yesterday).

Republicans have learned nothing from the assassination attempt against Rep. Gabby Giffords as another gun oriented ad pops up (and it has nothing to do with the NRA).

Yet another federal judge has ruled that the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, specifically article 3, is unconstitutional. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) is spending lots of tax-payer dollars to defend this discriminatory law and not getting much bang for his our buck.

The state of California will be investigating the National Organization for Marriage Discrimination over allegedly breaking campaign finance laws. You can thank Fred Karger for this.

And lastly, there will be a live stream tonight at 6PM of a debate between Maggie Gallagher (co-founder of the National Organization for Marriage Discrimination) and John Corvino (associate professor of philosophy at Wayne State University)

The Conservative Agenda: Anti-LGBT Violence Is Normal

The Wrap-Up: January 18, 2012

Pastor Rick Warren

In an effort to keep Mitt Romney from the GOP nomination, Christian conservatives have found a candidate to support.

I had previously posted a video of Bryan Fischer (from the so-called American Family Association) where he pretty much outed himself as an HIV denialist. Denunciation came from a very surprising source: Pastor Rick Warren.

The (lone) sponsor of a transphobic bill in the Tennessee legislature had some strong (and ignorant) words about transgendered people. 

CNN gives us another reminder of how DoMA has a negative affect on people and families.

These anti-gay religious denominations think that discrimination is the same as religious freedom.

Rep. Steve Womack

Some Minnesota legislators are taking action against that state's attempt to constitutionally block marriage equality.

An Arkansas congressman loses his cool when faced by his constituents.

Here is the curious case of a man who, despite being elected, is prohibited from serving his office.

It appears that lots of Wisconsinites want Governor Scott Walker out of office...and I mean lots.

Cyndi Lauper has something to say about one of the songs Mitt Romney has been using in his campaign.

And lastly, a belated  happy birthday to First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.

Not So Friendly-Fire

I wrote a post about glitter-bombing a while back (which can be found HERE). It appears that this phenomenon has made something of a return, but in a somewhat worse manner. In recent days, Dan Savage (one of the men behind the "It Gets Better" campaign, a syndicated sex columnist, and the guy who caused Rick Santorum's Google problem) was glitter-bombed during a public appearance for his alleged transphobia. Before this, the primary targets of glitter-bombers were people like Newt Gingrich and Tim Pawlenty, people who are decidedly against equality for the entire LGBT community. This latest incident was against no such person.

I'm not here to debate whether or not Savage is, in fact, transphobic. What I'm here to say is that the people who perpetrated this incident went about expressing their anger in an extremely wrong and inappropriate manner. If you are going to accuse someone of being transphobic, show the proof and make the case. Show the video evidence. Give us some audio. Show us some quotes. SOMETHING!!! The main reason I don't know if he is actually transphobic or not is that no one has made the case. All I know is he was accused and (sort of) assaulted. What they attempted to do was show Savage to be discriminatory against transgendered people. What they actually did was make Savage a victim with whom people would sympathize. Counter-productive.

In addition to this, there is the fact that the LGBT community needs to stick together to reach our common goal of equality. When we fight amongst ourselves like this (i.e. in a very childish looking manner throwing things about), all we get is the laughter of the people who would hold us down as, at best, second class citizens. Presenting a united front will help us far more in our quest of equal treatment under the law.

Another Lost Life

I had decided earlier today that I was going to write something about Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14 year-old from Buffalo, New York who took his own life because of anti-LGBT bullying. To be honest however this incident, along with the fact that a year ago yesterday Tyler Clementi also took his life for the same reason, I find it to hard too accurately articulate how incredibly sad this whole thing is. I just find myself wondering how many kids, how many people in general have to die (whether by suicide or murder) before this country wakes up and realizes that all of this homophobia has to stop?

What scares me the most is that for each of these stories that hits the national news circuit, who knows how many fly under the radar. What pisses me off the most is that when these kids are killing themselves and each other because of homophobia, politicians and other public figures are spreading the hate that causes these deaths.

If there is any reason to fight against homophobia transphobia, and any other form of discrimination, this is it : TO SAVE LIVES!!! That is all of the motivation anyone should need.

A Surprise From Fox

When one thinks about Fox "News" correspondents, anchors, and other personalities, one doesn't really think about them standing up for anything pro-equality quite the opposite actually. Well, prepare to be surprised by this video which is making the internet rounds.

First, this guy is a quack pure and simple (very simple).

Second, I honestly believe the religious right has taken it upon themselves to blow this way out proportion and make a big deal out of absolutely nothing.

Third, what kids are actually watching this show anyway? Do kids really watch ballroom dancing? I sure as hell didn't, nor did my sister. Kids are more likely watching 90210, sports, cartoons, etc. I guess these "family" groups never really thought about that in their haste to condemn LGBT people once again.