Lately the tone of discourse on the topic of same-sex marriage has caused me to wonder if gays are hoping that when we win the right to marry we will also enjoy an increase in acceptance and general social equality. I hope not, because I think just the opposite might occur.

We are already seeing an increase, ending soon I hope, of extremely violent and anti-social crimes being committed in the name of one god or another. When those on the far religious right feel that their power is being taken away, that their passionate beliefs are being challenged and even being marginalized, when they begin to realize that they are losing their choke-hold on the population they panic. In their panic they are lashing out in sometimes violent ways.

Religious extremism has killed a security guard, a doctor, Olympic athletes and over three thousand workers in two high-rise office buildings in New York. Religious extremists would like to turn this country into a theistic state so every time an American soldier has to kill an armed and dangerous enemy soldier, it can instead be portrayed as a war between Christians and Muslims. And hasn’t that played well throughout history. Religious extremists want to tell you what to think. The rest of us are begging you to think for yourselves.

The more that gays are out there, the more attention is called to the gay community, the more these wing-nuts will see us as a worthy target of their frustration and anger. How long before we hear about crosses being burned on the lawns of gay couples? Bigotry is not always a silent, festering sickness. Bigots can be like pimples, both pop if squeezed hard enough. The output of both is pretty disgusting.

I don’t mean to rain on the progress being made by gay people across the nation. I just want to send a warning message: Don’t mistake the courts granting marriage rights in some states as a sign that society is becoming more accepting of everyone who identifies as LGBT. Paul Lynde was accepted by my peers though it was clear he was a complete queen. Openly gay people have enjoyed acceptance in small numbers, better if they’re artists and entertainers. But there remains a general reluctance to accept gays in every day life. The Average Joe doesn’t want us in his church or on his bowling team. On his TV set, OK. Living next door with his husband? Not so OK, even though they’d be the first people he asked to watch the family cat while they go on vacation.

Let’s get the right to marry in all 50 states. That’s a worthwhile and acheiveable goal. But it won’t be the end of the road by any means. Gays have been demonized by the religious right (an attitude that has managed to infect even the generally liberal) so well and for so long that it will take several more generations before being LGBT is of minor interest to the general population. Unbelieveably, there are still racists, and how much longer have Blacks enjoyed acceptance by that same Average Joe?

We still have a long row to hoe. We shouldn’t let a bad case of social acne slow us down or defeat us.

After keeping his private life out of the spotlight for years, David Hyde Pierce has announced his marriage to longtime partner Brian Hargrove.

The former “Frasier” star spoke candidly in an appearance on ABC’s “The View.” Wearing a wedding band, Hyde Pierce revealed they tied the knot “very quietly” in California on Oct. 24.

The actor and Hargrove, a producer, are still legally wed despite the California Supreme Court’s decision Tuesday to uphold Proposition 8. The gay-marriage ban was approved by voters in November, stopping legal nuptials going forward.

Angered by the ruling, Hyde Pierce said Thursday: “It’s like, `Oh great, we made the cut.’”

He called it a “very odd thing” that strangers have a vote on his private decision to marry.

Congratulations, David and Brian. May you enjoy many years of happiness together.

“Not only is it objectionable in and of itself, it also suggests that Sotomayor is a committed believer in the identity politics school of left-wing thought,” wrote Ilya Somin, an assistant professor of law at George Mason University School of Law. “Worse, it implies that she believes that it is legitimate for judges to base decisions in part on their ethnic or racial origins.”

That’s precisely why we need diversity on the Supreme Court. Basing “decisions in part on their ethnic or racial origins” is what justices have done since there has been a Supreme Court. Until recently “privileged white male” was the common ethnic and racial origin.

There’s nothing wrong or illogical about expecting the court to reflect the nation as a whole. The diversity of background and social viewpoint makes for a stronger, more balanced court. I would not want to return to a Supreme Court of old, white rich male lawyers.

The Obama administration has held “preliminary discussions” with Pentagon leaders about lifting the ban on open military service by gays and lesbians but is not rushing into a legislative battle to repeal the Clinton-era policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” retired Marine Gen. James Jones said May 10.

Jones, Obama’s national security adviser, appearing on the ABC News program “This Week,” would not predict the outcome of the hotly contested policy issue, and even supporters of repeal in the House of Representatives are warning they would be unlikely to prevail in a vote on the issue if one was held today, which is part of the reason why the administration has been moving slowly and trying to build more momentum for change.

In a personal note sent to former Army 2nd Lt. Sandy Tsao, discharged earlier this year after announcing she was a lesbian, Obama said he still plans to push for change.

“It is because of outstanding Americans like you that I committed to changing our current policy,” Obama said in the undated, handwritten note to Tsao, a copy of which was posted on www.glaadblog.org, the Web site of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination.

“Although it will take some time to complete (partly because it needs congressional action) I intend to fulfill my commitment,” Obama said in the note. (Source-Air Force Times)

I know the LGBT community is focused on the gay marriage issue these days, and I know that the community does not always feel that the military is a suitable place for LGBT people to be. Still, this is an issue which requires the vocal and visible input of every community member.

Thousands of us have served honorably throughout history. We have been on the front lines and we’ve served in support. We’ve flown planes and treated the wounded. We’ve been held prisoner and we’ve been in foxholes.

The fear-mongering that the conservative right is engaged in is transparently nonsensical. “They’ll never be able to restrain themselves in the barracks“. Then why aren’t you equally opposed to gays in school or your local health club? Because you know that you’re spreading lies. We have “restrained” ourselves for years, in many venues, and most likely you never even knew the guy or gal changing clothes next to you was gay. If sexual attraction can’t be controlled or suppressed when necessary, why do we allow men to be gynecologists?

Those opposed to gays serving in the military, as well as those intent on keeping the dishonest DADT policy in force, have no reasonable objections, provide no research, can cite no studies supporting their position. Their only interest is in spreading fear, uncertainty and doubt. They ignore the hundreds of years of honorable service already performed by members of the LGBT community.

They get away with this because too few of us veterans are willing to speak up and openly confirm our service. We allow them to make it appear this is a small matter concerning only a few members of the military. We have given them the opportunity to parade their lies as reality.

If you are a LGBT veteran of the U.S. military, let people know. Talk about it, blog about it, write your congress person about it. Hell, write Obama and let him know that this DADT policy is absurd. It’s unworkable and an insult to every proud military person who happens to be gay. It needs to be done away with and LGBT folks need to be allowed to serve openly and honestly. It wasn’t easy for Truman to integrate the military, yet now we think nothing of whites and blacks serving together in the same units defending this nation formed on the premise of e pluribus unam, out of many, one. We are one, we are all American citizens. Obama needs to do what is right, not always what is popular.

The first government collapse of the global economic crisis is about to yield the world’s first openly-gay leader. Johanna Sigurdardottir, a former air hostess, is expected to be sworn in as Iceland’s Prime Minister by the end of the week.

The 66-year-old politician lives with her partner, Jonina Leosdottir, a journalist and playwright. The couple were joined in a civil ceremony in 2002. Don’t expect them to show up togetherfor photocalls, however – that’s not the Icelandic way. Though she is famous across the island, having been a top politician for years, her lesbian union was no big deal in this calmly progressive nation of only 300,000 people.

“Johanna is a very private person,” said an Icelandic government source. “A lot of people didn’t even know she was gay. When they learn about it people tend to shrug and say, ‘Oh’. That’s not to say they are not interested; they are interested in who she’s living with – but no more so than if she was a man living with a woman.”

Ms Sigurdardottir has two grown-up sons. She entered politics via the labour movement, was first elected to parliament in 1978 and was given her first ministerial office in 1987. She will be Prime Minister of a minority caretaker government composed of her Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Greens, with outside support. It is only expected to hold office for two or three months, until fresh elections are called.

“In opinion polls Johanna has repeatedly been chosen as the most popular politician in Iceland,” said the government source. “She is a good choice, because one of the problems the government is facing is lack of trust. Getting Johanna to become Prime Minister was a way of saying trust is an issue. Politicians want a fresh mandate from the electorate and, before they get it, they need to rebuild trust. Choosing Johanna is a way of saying, ‘Let’s bridge this gap, let’s have peace to be able to implement the emergency measures’.” (Source-The Independent)

Good for the world. Someday, soon I hope, sexual orientation won’t be news.

Seattle Gay Bars Receive Threatening Letters

Eleven gay bars in Seattle received letters today addressed to the “Owner/Manager” from someone claiming to be in the possession of ricin, a deadly poison. “Your establishment has been targeted,” the letter begins. “I have in my possession approximately 67 grams of ricin with which I will indiscriminately target at least five of your clients.”

“I felt sick when I read it,” said Carla, the owner/manager of Re-bar. “It’s so vile. It’s just hatred. It made me worry for all the other bars, and for my bartenders, and our clientele.”

According to the CDC’s website, someone who has ingested “a significant amount” will develop vomiting and diarrhea within the first 6-12 hours; other symptoms of ricin poisoning include hallucinations, seizures, and blood in the urine. There is no antidote for ricin but ricin exposure is not invariably fatal.

“I just had the police come pick [the letter] up,” said Keith Christensen, the manager of the Eagle, when reached by phone. Christensen had already heard about the letter from other bar owners and managers, and so he didn’t open it. “It’s probably nothing,” Christensen added, “but the economy is really screwing all the bars right now, and the last thing we need is something ramping up the not-go-out mode people seem to be in right now. It’s really freaky that someone would do something like this at a time like this.”

“The police have already come and gone,” said Roland, the manager at Madison Pub. “They collected the letter and that’s about it. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about it.” Roland admitted to being unnerved by the letter at first.

“But after the initial ‘what?’, it’s like whatever.”

A letter also arrived in The Stranger’s offices, addressed to the attention of “Obituaries.” The letter’s author said the paper should “be prepared to announce the deaths of approximately 55 individuals all of whom were patrons of the following establishments on a Saturday in January.” The listed bars are: the Elite, Neighbours, Wild Rose, the Cuff, Purr, the Eagle, R Place, Re-bar, CC’s, Madison Pub, and the Crescent. “I could take this moment to launch into a diatribe about my indignation towards the gay community,” the letter concludes, “however, I think the deaths will speak for themselves.”

Alison, Luying, and Tippett, local promoters and DJs who do nights at various bars around town, came up with the idea of organizing a pub crawl for this Friday night to show support for the bars that were threatened. (Source-the stranger)

Party on, my brothers and sisters. The best revenge is to show this cretian how pathetic his attempt at domestic terrorism really is.

Sponsors of the California ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage are seeking to nullify thousands of marriages between gay and lesbian couples performed after the state Supreme Court ruled them constitutional.

Rick Jacobs, founder and chair of the anti-Proposition 8 Courage Campaign, said he was “appalled” that the initiative’s supporters wanted to nullify the same-sex marriages that are already on the books.

“The motivation behind this mean-spirited and heart-breaking action should not be allowed to be buried in legal brief,” he said. “If Proposition 8’s sponsors plan to destroy lives, they should at least have the courage to admit it publicly.”

Opponents argue that the amendment cannot be applied retroactively, but proponents say the amendment is clear on that issue.

“Proposition 8’s brevity is matched by its clarity,” one of the briefs read. “There are no conditional clauses, exceptions, exemptions, or exclusions: ‘Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.’

” … Its plain language encompasses both pre-existing and later-created same-sex (and polygamous) marriages, whether performed in California or elsewhere. With crystal clarity, it declares that they are not valid or recognized in California.” (Source-CNN)

This comes as no surprise to those of us who have been warning of the effort to impose theocratic rule in the U.S. If the proponents of Prop. 8 were only concerned with preserving their “traditional” concept of marriage they wouldn’t be continuing to push their agenda. They won, for now. But their goal has never been limited to preserving the meaning of marriage. They will not rest until a solid precident has been established that allows theocratic belief to be the basis for state, and eventually federal, law. They want to create a loophole in the separation clause. Their ultimate and obvious goal is to establish a theocracy, a United States under God. Their god.

This is going beyond the desire to preserve an institution. That can be done without the need for retroactive nullifications. This latest effort even goes beyond mean-spirited. It’s nothing less than an attack on our form of government by theistic subversives, a form of fundamentalist terrorism not much different in motivation than those who fly planes into American buildings.

North Carolina Town Votes to Support Same Sex Marriage Rights

On Tuesday the town of Carrboro, NC, population approximately 19,000, made a significant step in civil rights: The Carrboro Board of Aldermen voted 5-0 to support civil marriage for same-sex couples.

Earlier in the month, in response to California’s Proposition 8 which eliminated same-sex marriage, and Arizona’s prop 102 and Florida’s Prop 2 prohibiting same-sex marriage, board member Jackie Gist proposed a resolution of the board’s support of civil marriage for same-sex couples. The resolution reads:

The Election Day victories by anti-gay activists in California, Florida, Arizona and Arkansas were a painful reminder that the gay rights movement still faces many challenges. Civil marriage for same-sex couples must include all the benefits commonly bestowed upon opposite-sex couples, including, among other rights, health care coverage and related decision-making, privileges under immigration and naturalization law, survivor benefits, inheritance rights and child custody.

Carrboro–located close to Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina– likes to refer itself as the Seattle of the South or Paris of the Piedmonts. The town boast a lively arts community and lots of live music, a poetry festival and an annual Community Dinner to celebrate the county’s diversity, plus a fishing rodeo! Carrboro’s move to support same sex marriage will hopefully inspire other communities around the country, not just in affected states, to speak up and take similar action.

Apple Inc. is donating $100,000 to fight Proposition 8, which aims to end same-sex marriage in California by amending the constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

“Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation,” the company said in a statement posted on its Web site Friday.

Apple joins Google, which came out publicly against Prop. 8 last month. Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page reportedly have donated a combined $140,000 to fight the measure.

In revealing its support, Google officials voiced similar points, saying the company sees the issue as one of equality and is opposed to the elimination of fundamental rights.

“While we respect the strongly held beliefs that people have on both sides of this argument, we see this fundamentally as an issue of equality. We hope that California voters will vote no on Proposition 8 — we should not eliminate anyone’s fundamental rights, whatever their sexuality, to marry the person they love,” Brin said. (The Technology Chronicles)

Fox News Executive Vice President John Moody:

If Ms. Todd’s allegations are proven accurate, some voters may revisit their support for Senator Obama, not because they are racists (with due respect to Rep. John Murtha), but because they suddenly feel they do not know enough about the Democratic nominee.

If the incident turns out to be a hoax, Senator McCain’s quest for the presidency is over, forever linked to race-baiting.

(The Fox Forum)

Do I hear a fat lady singing?