Tag Archives: gay
Georgia GOP Chairwoman, Sue Everhart, Warns Of ‘Free Ride’ Gay Marriage Fraud
“You may be as straight as an arrow, and you may have a friend that is as straight as an arrow,” she told the Journal. “Say you had a great job with the government where you had this wonderful health plan. I mean, what would prohibit you from saying that you’re gay, and y’all get married and still live as separate, but you get all the benefits? I just see so much abuse in this it’s unreal. I believe a husband and a wife should be a man and a woman, the benefits should be for a man and a woman. There is no way that this is about equality. To me, it’s all about a free ride.” - Georgia GOP Chairwoman Sue Everhart
I’m sorry Ms. Everhart, but you are an absolute idiot. What is stopping two friends, who happen to be straight, from doing this now? Or better yet, if we (the gay community) can’t get married legally, what happens if gay men decide to marry gay women to receive said benefits? Anyone who wants a free ride can do it, with or without gay marriage being legal. The argument that Sue Everhart is making has no validity and is rather moronic to even mention, if you ask me.
There is also the issue of marriage fraud in order to obtain citizenship. Does she not know that this is already something that occurs? And even though marriage has been legal for many years and people have been fraudulently marrying, the percentage of those who do so is INCREDIBLY low.
I understand that she’s striving to put forth a better argument than ‘the bible doesn’t allow it’, but this is just a pathetic attempt to keep homosexuals as second class citizens.
“If it was natural, they would have the equipment to have a sexual relationship,” Everhart told the Journal.
[VIDEO] Adopted Son of Two Gay Dads: Daniel’s Letter To Chief Justice Roberts
Proposition 8 is an issue that I am very much interested in seeing resolved. Being a lesbian myself, with a wedding planned for 6 months from today, I want nothing more than to be able to LEGALLY wed my fiancee on that day. Unfortunately, even though same-sex marriage was legalized in California, it had been overturned on appeal and a final decision is being considered as of now. In fact, the hearings have already begun and a decision is to be expected by the end of June. I am very hopeful that this day will happen and I will truly be marrying the love of my life as opposed to showing a symbol of our affection (at the same cost ha).
[for more information on the case, scroll to below the video]
The video below is of a young man, Daniel, who was adopted by two gay fathers. This extraordinary kid decided to write a letter to Chief Justice Roberts, after discovering that he, too, adopted two young kids.
The justices will hear arguments Tuesday on Prop. 8′s constitutionality, followed a day later by a hearing on the Defense of Marriage Act, the 1996 law that denied federal benefits to married same-sex couples. Rulings are due by the end of June.
The court said Tuesday that it would release same-day audio recordings of the hearings in both cases, the first time it has done so since last year’s arguments on the federal health care law. It does not allow hearings to be televised.
The Obama administration will take part in both hearings, arguing that laws discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation should be considered suspect because gays and lesbians have been subject to persecution.
Despite recent gains, they are still unable to marry in most states, are unprotected by discrimination laws in many states and lack substantial political power, the Justice Department said.
That argument was disputed Tuesday by Prop. 8′s sponsors, a conservative religious coalition called Protect Marriage.
While “gays and lesbians have been subject to a regrettable history of discrimination,” the prejudice has “waned dramatically in recent years,” the pro-Prop. 8 lawyers wrote.
“Aside from redefining marriage, it is difficult to identify any objective that gays and lesbians in California have not achieved,” the lawyers said, citing the state’s domestic-partner and antidiscrimination laws.
Lower federal courts have ruled Prop. 8 unconstitutional, saying the denial of marriage to gays and lesbians would not benefit opposite-sex couples or the institution of marriage and was ultimately based on moral disapproval of homosexuality. Backers of the measure disagreed.
Marriage was never intended to be “genderless” and was meant, instead, to “channel potentially procreative sexual relationships into enduring, stable unions” to raise children, the Prop. 8 lawyers said.
Mitt Romney: Hospital Visitation For Gay Couples Are ‘Benefits’ Not Rights
I am getting really sick and tired of this conservative Mormon telling me what I can and cannot do with, or for, the one I love. My relationship, whether deemed appropriate or not in his mind, is MINE to handle as I please. If my fiancée (soon to be wife) is in the hospital, there is not one person who will be able to keep me from visiting. Why would anyone want someone who is ill to not have the support of those who love them by their side? It’s an unnecessary way of torturing gay individuals who don’t live up to the religious standards of some Americans. I don’t know when we decided that separation of church and state was no longer working, but I can reassure you that I most certainly wasn’t involved in that vote. Oh wait, nothing of the sort ever took place, yet we still manage to create laws based upon religious beliefs.
Two years ago, the current President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, required all hospitals to treat same-sex couples with the same rights as married heterosexual couples, which includes visitation rights. This is also included in Obamacare, for those who were wondering.
Unfortunately, the presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, feels that is no longer necessary. In fact, he believes that allowing same-sex couples to visit each other in the hospital is not a civil right, but rather, a “benefit” that states can take away if they choose. While this is disgusting, there is also the matter of gay adoption on the table. This too, is something Romney feels the states should be deciding. Instead of allowing some good-hearted, loving couples or individuals to adopt children in need, the state will decide if that isn’t in the best interest of the child. Let me remind you, there have been numerous cases of children who have been adopted to heterosexual couples and are found to be abused physically, sexually and emotionally. I can see how that could be a better upbringing than a non abusive gay household.
“Governor Romney supports a federal marriage amendment to the Constitution that defines marriage as an institution between a man and a woman,” Romney advisor Bay Buchanan toldBuzzfeed today. “Governor Romney also believes, consistent with the 10th Amendment, that it should be left to states to decide whether to grant same-sex couples certain benefits, such as hospital visitation rights and the ability to adopt children. I referred to the Tenth Amendment only when speaking about these kinds of benefits – not marriage.”
A President that only supports a percentage of his country, will most certainly not be a great President historically. The gay rights movement will one day be a thing of the past, just like the civil rights movement. I’m not saying that people no longer face discrimination based on skin color, but the laws have most certainly come to their aid in since the 1950′s/1960′s and I am positive the same will happen for those fighting for gay rights.
I am a liberal, but I do not vote based solely on my political party, I vote with the individuals political policies in mind as well as their plans for America’s future. I am disgusted with the fact that people are still willing to vote for a man who does not respect a good percentage of Americans, simply because they do not want to vote for Obama. Think before you recklessly vote for someone based on ridiculous matters. This is our country, our freedom and our way of life. Vote smart.
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[VIDEO] Straight Christian Man Who Believes Homosexuality is Sin Goes Undercover as Gay Man For a Year
Timothy Kurek, 26, is a brave and righteous man because of what he did, all on his own. This straight Christian man was told by a friend of his that she was a lesbian; Thanks to that moment, he started to realize that he may not be right about his homophobia or his religious stance on being gay.
He took himself on a year-long journey where he ‘came out’ to friends and family, despite the fact that he was not actually gay. Although he told his mom and heard her reaction, he wanted to know how she really felt, and got his answer after reading some of her journal. (which is sneaky, not wrong, according to the 10 commandments)
‘I’d rather have found out from a doctor that I had terminal cancer than have a gay son,’ she’d written.
Ironically, this is what he should have expected, seeing as he grew up in this household, where this was what being gay meant, utter disappointment and disbelief. For him, he was able to overcome his fear and hatred to learn a valuable lesson in life.
The Cross in the Closet, the book that Kurek wrote, is being released today, National Coming Out Day. A percent of all the sales will go to an organization that helps homeless LGBT youth, which shows the transformation that has come from his year undercover.
The young journalist even went so far as to ask a man to be his pretend boyfriend. Shawn was a ’big, black burly teddy bear’ and Kurek was able to confide in him and even care about this man, his new friend.
‘I needed protection to keep me balanced and teach me the nuances of gay culture and how they flirt, and to give me an excuse when guys hit on me,’ he said.
[He was] ’the first gay person that I let into my heart. He was totally there for me through emotional turmoil. I trusted him.
Before Kurek embarked on this journey he said that the idea of even being around gay people repulsed him. After the journey, he said there is no lingering homophobia once so ever.
Sadly, Kurek wasn’t quite ready for the loneliness he felt and the sheer abandonment of those he loved.
‘The thing that struck me most was the isolation,’ he said. ‘Before I came out as gay, I had a very busy social life. After I came out, I didn’t hear from 95 percent of my friends.’
DailyMail: Rev. Connie Waters, a protestant minister and supporter of LGBT rights from Memphis, first met Kurek online while debating his church’s stance on homosexuality.
She called his year undercover a life-changing transformation.
‘It’s what you hope for – the goal of the Christian walk of faith,’ she said. ‘It’s enough for me that he transformed, but if others learn from him, what an extra blessing that is.’
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[VIDEO] The “R” Train: Mitt Romney Campaign Song
This old man is hilarious; And apparently, Obama’s gay. If you plan on making a video and putting it on YouTube to get people to vote, how you feel they should, I would suggest a factual song with more content focused on their viewpoints as opposed to their political parties. The fact that you went to the trouble to write, film, record, and green screen this video seems to put your life into perspective for me.
Jason Russell, KONY 2012 Filmmaker, Addresses Naked Meltdown and Gay Rumors With Oprah Winfrey
NY Daily News - SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO BELOW
Seven months after he became a household name, Jason Russell is hoping to be a viral sensation once again – preferably with his clothes on this time.
After shooting to fame with the release of his film “Kony 2012” in March, which racked up 100 million YouTube views in less than a week, Russell eclipsed his own project just 10 days later when a video of his naked meltdown on a San Diego street corner exploded online. (Click here to see that video)
Now the controversial filmmaker is back with a new movie about the Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, and he wants to set the record straight about his former flameout.
“It’s hard to explain if people have never had an out of body experience, but it really wasn’t me,” he told Oprah of his meltdown, in an interview for “Oprah’s Next Chapter” that aired on Sunday. “That wasn’t me, that person on the street corner ranting and raving and naked, is not me. That’s not who I am.”
Russell says the wild success of the video led him to feel intense pressure that caused him to break down.
“My mind couldn’t stop thinking about the future. I literally thought I was responsible for the future of humanity,” he told the “Today” show on Monday. “It started to go into a point where my mind finally turned against me and there was a moment where, click, I was not in control of my mind or my body.”
Though he says he only remembers a few details of his dramatic public episode, Russell believes he was trying to hitch a ride.
“I thought, ‘I have to get to New York in the next 12 hours.’ That’s what I thought,” he told Oprah. “’Because I have to stop the war.’ So I ran out to the front and I think I was trying to ask cars to take me to the airport. In my underwear.”
Russell says he has no idea why he was naked.
“It was just very out of control,” he told Oprah, showing her that he pounded his hands on the street so hard he actually dented his wedding ring. “I look at that video and I think, how sad for him.”
When asked if he was gay, he said he was simply “theatrical” and denied rumors that he had performed a lewd act during his meltdown.
“There were rumors of masturbation, but no one who was there ever said that that was happening,” he told Oprah, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m naked so it’s not a far extension of imagination that that would be happening but, no, I don’t remember any of that, and no one we knew there said that I was. I don’t remember anything except like a half-second. I don’t.”
Russell was later diagnosed as having a psychotic breakdown that caused temporary insanity, and says he has been doing yoga and therapy to recover.
“It’s hard for my wife to even talk about it still because it was so scary and traumatizing,”he told the Today show.
He says he’s going to be more watchful of his health this time around, as he promotes Invisible Children’s new film “Move,” which made its YouTube debut on Sunday. The film, which promises a behind-the-scenes look at KONY 2012, asks supporters to march against Joseph Kony on Washington on November 17.
“I don’t think anything can compete with the perfect storm of KONY 2012,” he said, “but we do hope that millions of people do see this next film and know that we’re still committed.”
What do you think? Is he being honest or doing his best to cover up a completely embarrassing story that may have impacted his KONY 2012 campaign of sorts. It’s hard to know because, as he said himself, he’s “theatrical”:
Hollywood Reporter - When Winfrey asked the married filmmaker about rumors he’s gay (“that you were running in the streets nude because you were gay”), he laughed, saying: “I grew up in theater, my parents started a large children’s theater organization, so I am animated, I am … theatrical. That’s me by nature. So when you take me, times it by ten … .”
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‘Boy Scouts: Don’t let your anti-gay policy deny my son his Eagle award’
A friend of mine brought this story to my attention and asked that I share it with all of you. Obviously, the mistreatment of homosexuals is something that I am particularly interested in changing, and this mother’s plea is rather touching. Ryan’s mother, Karen Andresen, is looking for people to help her son acquire his Eagle award, which he has earned. Below is Mrs. Andersen’s letter and a link to sign the petition. Please read and I urge you to help this young man by showing him the compassion of his peers is stronger than the hate of those who disagree with who he is.
My son Ryan needs your help.
Ryan joined the Boy Scouts when he was just six years old, and since then, he’s dreamed of earning his Eagle award — the highest rank in the Boy Scouts.
Ryan is now a senior in high school, and just completed the final requirements to earn his Eagle Award. He’s an honor student with great SAT scores, who’s hoping to attend the University of San Francisco. But because he recently came out to his friends and family as gay, leaders from our local Boy Scout troop say they won’t approve his Eagle award.
A Boy Scout gets his Eagle by earning many badges, completing all lower Scout rank requirements, and carrying out an approved final project. So Ryan decided to build a “Tolerance Wall” for his school, to show bully victims — like Ryan — that they are not alone. Ryan worked countless hours with elementary students to amass a wall of 288 unique tiles, all illustrating acts of kindness.
But when leadership in Troop 212 (San Francisco Bay Area) found out that Ryan was gay, the Scoutmaster said he refused to sign the official paperwork designating Ryan as an Eagle Scout, despite the fact that Ryan completed all of the requirements.
Many troops around the country are standing up, choosing to reject the Boy Scouts’ discriminatory policy. I sincerely hope that Ryan’s troop will become one of them. And with your help, they just might.
It hurts me so much to watch Ryan suffer for being who he is, because to me, he’s perfect. Ryan has worked for nearly 12 years to become an Eagle Scout, and nothing would make him more proud than earning that well-deserved distinction. I hope that if enough people come together, we can convince my son’s troop leaders to help him feel proud of who he is and all he’s accomplished.
“Citizenship in the Community,” a merit badge earned, means standing up for what is right, and I am proud of Ryan for doing just that. Will you stand with him too, and join this campaign?
Petition Letter
Ryan joined the Boy Scouts when he was just six years old, and since then, he’s dreamed of earning his Eagle award — the highest rank in the Boy Scouts.
Ryan is now a senior in high school, and just completed the final requirements to earn his Eagle Award. He’s an honor student with great SAT scores, who’s hoping to attend the University of San Francisco. But because he recently came out to his friends and family as gay, leaders from your troop say they won’t approve his Eagle award.
This is unfair and wrong.
A Scout earns his Eagle by earning many badges, completing all lower Scout rank requirements, and carrying out an approved final project. So Ryan decided to build a “Tolerance Wall” for his school, to show bully victims — like Ryan — that they are not alone. Ryan worked countless hours with elementary students to amass a wall of 288 unique tiles, all illustrating acts of kindness.
Many troops around the country are standing up, choosing to reject the Boy Scouts’ discriminatory policy. I sincerely hope that Ryan’s troop — Troop 212 — will become one of them.
“Citizenship in the Community,” a merit badge earned, means standing up for what is right, and I am proud of Ryan for doing just that. Will you stand with him, too?
Sincerely,
[Your name]
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[VIDEO] Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Same Love feat. Mary Lambert (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
If you haven’t heard of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, today is your lucky day. The collaboration of these two is amazing and I just started listening to their music (Thrift Shop Music Video) a couple of months ago, but know I am a huge fan already. Then, today, I find this video, which shows their support for marriage equality, as well as equality in general, but specifically homosexuals. For me, this makes me an even bigger fan, who will show my support not only for their great music, but also for their morals and integrity. Musicians have the power to influence people, and I’m glad Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are doing it in this way.
Same Love feat. Mary Lambert on iTunes:http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/same-love-feat.-mary-lambert/id543948282
We support civil rights, and hope WA State voters will APPROVE REF 74 and legalize marriage equality. Visit http://www.music4marriage.org for more info. Support Marriage Equality by ordering the limited edition Same Love vinyl here:http://www.subpop.com/catalog/artists/macklemore_and_ryan_lewis
Same Love, as featured on the debut album from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Heist, will be available 10/09/2012
The Heist
iTunes Pre-Order:http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=560097651
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00908DDZM
Deluxe CD Pre-Order: http://www.macklemoremerch.com
In-Stores 10/09/2012
Same Love, A Film By:
Ryan Lewis
Jon Jon Augustavo
Tricia Davis
Directed by:
Ryan Lewis
Jon Jon Augustavo
Produced by:
Tricia Davis
Director of Photography:
Mego Lin
Associate Producer:
Honna Kimmerer
Starring:
Jairemie Alexander
William Pontius
Shelton Harris
Sarita Valdez
Jay Sommerville
Cast:
Jairemie Alexander
William Pontius
Shelton Harris
Sarita Valdez
Jay Sommerville
Thomas Collins
Tina Tsiakalis
Kendall Kapsner
Rosie Cole
Rory King
Josue Gonzalez
Mia Clapp Perfetti
Mary Lambert
Robert Braxton
Jaida Kimmerer
Brooklyn Thornton
Crew:
Tricia Davis – Producer
Mego Lin – Director of Photography
Honna Kimmerer – Production Design
Miles Johnson – Lead Green
Evelyn Brodersen – Lead Green
Jennifer Terrana – Lead Green
Jennifer Popochock – Makeup Artist
David Herberg – Key Grip
Wil Drake – Best Boy Grip
Mike Dyrland – Best Boy Grip
Yu Chen Lin – Gaffer
Blueboy Sguiggley – Production Assistant
Seth McDonald – Production Assistant
Chris Duerkopp – Steadicam Operator
Craig Nisperos – Still Photographer
Austin Santiago – Location Services
Ben Haggerty – Story Supervisor
Sahwn Anderson – Transportation Coordinator
Nic Adenau – Additional Footage
Special Thanks To:
Tina Tsiakalis @ Eastlake Center For Birth - http://centerforbirth.com/
Greg Turk & Ray Nutter @ All Pilgrims Church - http://www.allpilgrims.org/
The Parry Family & The Kimmerer Family
Miles Johnson @ Fiori Floral Design - http://www.fiorifloraldesign.com/
Meadowbrook Community Center -http://www.seattle.gov/parks/centers/meadowbrookcc.htm
Kelly Warner-King
Kristie Gamer and Alvin Stillwell
And a VERY special thank you to Kerri Harrop (Music for Marriage) for her hard work and dedication in the fight for marriage equality and her devoted support to Same Love as an idea, song, and finally now as a music video. “Same Love” and the campaign to approve Ref 74 wouldn’t be the same without you, Kerri.
SONG:
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Same Love feat. Mary Lambert
(B. Haggerty, R. Lewis, M. Lambert)
Macklemore Publishing BMI, Ryan Lewis Publishing BMI
Produced by Ryan Lewis for Macklemore DBA Ryan Lewis LLC
Written by Macklemore, Mary Lambert
Piano performed by Josh Rawlings
Violin by Andrew Joslyn
Cello by Natalie Hall
Trombone by Greg Kramer
Recorded and Mixed by Ryan Lewis, Ben Haggerty
Macklemore/RyanLewis Studios, Seattle, WA
Mastered by Sterling Sound, New York City, NY
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis managed by Zach Quillen
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Atheism and Religion: Logical Insight
As many of you may already know, I am an Atheist. This doesn’t mean I dislike people who are religious, the same as I don’t dislike Conservatives (Republicans), just disagree with some of their opinions. I have many friends and family members who believe in religion and although I think it’s harmful to society, I would never disrespect them for coming to a different conclusion than I have come to on my own. But, seeing as I am a passionate person, I like to share what I believe with others, urge them to think differently and open their minds. I encourage myself to do the same, which just so happens to be the reason I have come to this conclusion.
A friend of mine, Anastasia, wrote something the other day that I found to be pretty great. I asked her if I could share it here and would like to know what some of you think, as well as express my support for everything that was said. I have shared it exactly as it was written below:
“I’ll tell you what else is on my mind. I recently watched the episode of “Louie” where, as a child, he attends a Catholic school and the teacher brings in a doctor to explain, from a medical stand point, the process of Jesus’ crucifixion. It’s brutal and horrific, and the best piece of mind-fuckery out there. How in the world does the idea that one man being physically tortured cancels out the “sins” of the world? (more on “sins” later. okay right now- not raping people is not one of the ten commandments. not using the lord’s name in vain is. uhm. what.?) Really think about that. More importantly, think about how many people have been physically/mentally/
I know that many people are getting tired of the political and religious posts that are on Twitter, FaceBook, etc; But personally, I think it’s great that our generation is becoming so involved and choosing to think for ourselves as opposed to just take what was told to us, as truth. Granted, there are definitely many people who still do this, it’s great to know that thanks to the advancement in social media, our generation is able to meet people who share the same views, values, morals, etc. and are open to discussing how they could be right and/or wrong.
Thank you Anastasia for allowing me to share your message and I hope others can see the humanity in your words as opposed to the “religious attack” you made “against” them.
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[VIDEO] Legalize Love: “CinderFella” by Todrick Hall
Being creative and making a statement that catches the attention of over 600,000 people, is one hell of an accomplishment; This video most certainly deserves it. Not only is it entertaining, well thought out, but also represents how all of us as children have dreams of one day finding love and should have the right to share that, no matter what our differences are.
Published on Jul 24, 2012 by Toddymobs
Please subscribe to my main YouTube channel:http://youtube.com/todrickhall
I wanted to tell this famous fairy tale in a new and innovative way, combining familiar top 40′s songs with classic Disney melodies. This story speaks volumes and I think that love is as classic as this fairy tale. It’s time for us to legalize love in all shapes and colors. Please support this movement by posting this on your social media sites.
Special Thanks to:
Camarillo Ranch
Valentino’s Costume Shop
Enchanted Carriages
James Alsop
DanceOn
@colinhduffy, www.colinhduffy.com, colinhduffy.tumblr.com, www.dastolidigital.com
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