Gossip Boy is on it again.............. guess what they have found out:
"In an email we’ve obtained that was sent out to members of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC), Charlie Meadows, the group’s president, has targeted Gossip Boy and the Homosexual Agenda, while quoting from the Bible a passage that he believes advocates our deaths"
"In Meadows' email he claims, "When it comes to homosexuals I believe this is particularly true. Biblically speaking, in Romans the first chapter, starting with verse 18, the Bible describes certain people this way: "they suppress the truth in unrighteousness"..."they exchanged the truth for a lie"...and "they worshiped and served teh creature rather than the Creater". Because of that God game them over to: "degrading passions"...and "a depraved mind"... The final verse of Roamns the first chapter ends like this: "and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.""
Who are these people??
Once again, thanks got Gossip Boy for exposing them.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Monday, December 22, 2008
Child Sex Offender Group Owns OKC Daycare – Linked To Kern’s Church
http://www.gossip-boy.com/Jernigan.html
December 22, 2008
By James Miko In a startling discovery, Gossip Boy has learned a child sex offender group in OKC with ties to Steve and Sally Kern’s Further, the Kerns and the offender group are part of an organization whose founder is accused by an international watchdog of the rape and murder of orphans. Hand Up Ministries, founded and directed by David C. Nichols, has a compound/mobile home park located at Nichols is not an ordained minister or a professional counselor. His adult work history has been as a tire plant employee with the defunct Bridgestone. Some have alleged, that prior to coming to Prior to his arrest by federal agents in A records check on Nichols has revealed his former residency outside of For the record, Sally Kern is originally from The business entity of the ex-offender ministry is called HUM Enterprises LLC (HUM as in Hand Up Ministries), whose registered agent with the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s office is David C. Nichols. According to the Oklahoma County Tax Assessor’s office that business is the owner of the Little Ones Learning Center – a daycare facility at The post office box for the daycare company and the ministry are identical – Ted Ketterling is the listed president of Ranchwood Ministries, who is the documented owner of the Hand Up Ministries location on Ketterling owns daycares in the Metro at 3109 South Bryant, 7916 South Western, 1213 North Rockwell, and In 2006 SB 1755 was passed which made it illegal for sex offenders to be housed near things like schools and daycares. That bill reads: SB1755, Legislative session: 2006. Authors: Riley (senate) and Perry (house) A. It is unlawful for any person registered pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration Act to reside, either temporarily or permanently, within a two-thousand-foot radius of any public or private school site, educational institution, a playground or park that is zoned by city, county, state, federal or tribal government, or licensed child care center as defined by the Department of Human Services. Establishment of a day care center or park in the vicinity of the residence of a registered sex offender will not require the relocation of the sex offender or the sale of the property. On the effective date of this act, the distance indicated in this section shall be measured from the nearest property line of the residence of the person to the nearest property line of the public or private school site, educational institution, playground, park, or licensed child care facility; provided, any nonprofit organization established and housing sex offenders prior to the effective date of this provision shall be allowed to continue its operation. The last line “provided, any nonprofit organization established and housing sex offenders prior to the effective date of this provision shall be allowed to continue its operation” was not in the original bill. It was added by Rep. Gus Blackwell (R-Glenpool) and only Hand Up Ministries fit the description and was therefore excluded from the restrictions. In effect, Blackwell’s efforts for the ministry meant that the child sex offenders could reside near daycare centers. Gossip Boy has previously reported that Blackwell, along with Sally Kern and Mike Reynolds, will be leading an effort in the coming year to ban adoption and foster care by gays and lesbians. Argyl Dick, the Oklahoma County Jail Chaplain, works for Character First center as a consultant and served on the Hand Up Ministries board of directors for three years, as did Richard Klemm. While serving on the board, Klemm was convicted of molesting his daughter in a Canadian County court procedure. Character First is a division of evangelist Bill Gothard’s Institute of Basic Life Principles. Gothard’s religious obedience training is repackaged in a secular version and sold to Oklahoma schools and prisons for training purposes. Crimes Against Orphans has charged, “Bill Gothard, founder and president of IBLP, and his subordinate, George Mattix…are all involved in the abuse, rape, and murder of innocent Russian orphans and other children.” A Wiki article on Character First states, “Critics argue that the movement is a thinly veiled attempt to reduce the separation of church and state and an attempt to legally require conformity and obedience in society. Additionally, critics eye the foundation and funding of the program by various evangelical leaders including those in the Dominionist movement. Finally, the character traits emphasized by the program are criticized for over-emphasizing orderliness and obedience which critics find especially troubling when mixed with a political agenda with "template" legislation.” Gossip Boy is turning over the results of this investigation to the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services daycare licensing division.
Hurricane Katrina’s displaced victims. It adjourns another mobile home park with a large population of children.
Oklahoma County Court Clerk records show Nichols and HUM Enterprises are being sued by Bayview Loan Servicing LLC, who are seeking to foreclose on the child care site. Filed under case number CJ-2008-9306 records show Nichols was served a summons at his home on December 2, 2008. Also, he is in criminal court for a violation of the sex offender registry act and appeared in a preliminary hearing over that on December 18, 2008.
of the daycare center as one from the ministry that is used for transporting the sex offenders.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
OK LGBT Citizens Under Fire!
You may or may not know, but after the Nov. 4th election, Oklahoma was deemed the Reddest State in the Nation. The LGBT community is going to be under serious attack in Oklahoma for the next few years, as the Republican Fundimentalist have taken over both the State House and the State Senate, as well. Many anti-gay bills that have died in committee in years before are destined to be re-filed and it will take a lot of work to get them killed before they are put to a vote.
Rep. Sally Kern (of "gays are terrorists" fame) was the first to re-file her Religious Viewpoints Bill for the upcoming session. Gossip-Boy also found out that Kern and others will introduce a bill to outlaw gay adoption and foster care in Oklahoma, as well as not recognizing gay adoptions from other states. A bill like this passed several years ago and it was ruled by the 10th Circuit Court to be unconstitutional. But obvoiusly these people could care less about the Constitution and more about wasting the tax payers money on frivoulous bills that will be struck down.
This same Rep. Kern is apparently in cahoots with the Oklahoma City Mayor who is wanting a 2010 Gubernatorial bid. He has asked Kern's Pastor husband to give him 3 people to be on the Library Commission. Yes, it sounds silly, right, but this is how Kern got her start in the media - fighting the book King and King (a children's book about gay marriage) from being in the library. They want to erradicate all the gay themed books from the library.
http://www. gossip-boy. com/Cornett_and_Library. html is a transcript of a phone call made by a journalist to Kern about these appointments. It is just appalling and scary. In the course of the conversation he says "We have to get rid of that and start curing those sinners. It’s past time that this nation stopped placating sin and start putting them in education programs. Courts can force drug offenders into treatment centers and violent people into anger management. There’s no reason our courts can’t do that with homos."
Oklahoman's need to wake up and realize that we are being overrun by religious fundimentalists who are set on erradicating the LGBT community, not just suppressing it. This is serious and a great threat to our families and our future. We will need all the help we can get from within and outside our state.
*Thank you to www. gossip-boy. com for the excellent journalism and reporting on these issues.*
Rep. Sally Kern (of "gays are terrorists" fame) was the first to re-file her Religious Viewpoints Bill for the upcoming session. Gossip-Boy also found out that Kern and others will introduce a bill to outlaw gay adoption and foster care in Oklahoma, as well as not recognizing gay adoptions from other states. A bill like this passed several years ago and it was ruled by the 10th Circuit Court to be unconstitutional. But obvoiusly these people could care less about the Constitution and more about wasting the tax payers money on frivoulous bills that will be struck down.
This same Rep. Kern is apparently in cahoots with the Oklahoma City Mayor who is wanting a 2010 Gubernatorial bid. He has asked Kern's Pastor husband to give him 3 people to be on the Library Commission. Yes, it sounds silly, right, but this is how Kern got her start in the media - fighting the book King and King (a children's book about gay marriage) from being in the library. They want to erradicate all the gay themed books from the library.
http://www. gossip-boy. com/Cornett_and_Library. html is a transcript of a phone call made by a journalist to Kern about these appointments. It is just appalling and scary. In the course of the conversation he says "We have to get rid of that and start curing those sinners. It’s past time that this nation stopped placating sin and start putting them in education programs. Courts can force drug offenders into treatment centers and violent people into anger management. There’s no reason our courts can’t do that with homos."
Oklahoman's need to wake up and realize that we are being overrun by religious fundimentalists who are set on erradicating the LGBT community, not just suppressing it. This is serious and a great threat to our families and our future. We will need all the help we can get from within and outside our state.
*Thank you to www. gossip-boy. com for the excellent journalism and reporting on these issues.*
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Project Postcard - In the Spirit of Thanksgiving
Recently, President Elect Barack Obama released his Civil Rights Agenda on Change.gov.
Whether you agree with his election into office or not, his transparency and eagerness to communicate with the American people is a true testament to his grassroots ideals and fight for change that many voted for. This Civil Rights Agenda includes “Support for the LGBT Community” in the following ways:
Expand Hate Crimes Statutes
Fight Workplace Discrimination
Support FULL Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples (Includes Repealing DOMA)
Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell
Expand Adoption Rights
Promote HIV/AIDS Prevention
We are in the eye of this generation’s Civil Rights Movement and we cannot stop this momentum now! Barack Obama has laid out many great promises, but we need to pave the way for him to legislate on our behalf. Even Barack Obama makes promises for votes, so let’s take a moment to remind him of his promises and let him know that we will keep this movement going to hold him to his word and help him along the way. Because of this, while we have many initiatives on the Calendar to keep moving forward and fighting for equality, we want to squeeze something in that we ask for your immediate attention on. We feel that, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, it is time to say “thank you” and let President Elect Barack Obama know that we have read his promises and will do what it takes to help him follow through. As such, JoinTheImpact is teaming up with the Civil Rights Front’s Project Postcard Campaign.
We know that protesting isn’t for everyone and many people want to join this movement in any way they can. As such, the Civil Rights Front came to us with this amazing project and we are getting behind it. Get a postcard from your town and send it to the address provided in the link above. This will go directly to our President Elect and show him that we exist everywhere. Sometimes it’s hard to come out in your rural community, to your family, church, and loved ones. We understand this, because we have all been there, and hope that our movement makes it easier for everyone to feel safe in their surroundings. Here’s your chance to put out your call for change without fear. Let’s show the President Elect that we are everywhere! Saturday’s marches brought this conversation to a national level. Let’s keep it going! Please take some time, some spare change, a pen, and your spirit of hope and tell President Elect Barack Obama “thank you!” along with a gentle reminder that DOMA should be repealed and equal rights legislation must move forward.
The Civil Rights Front offers a great template for you:
Dear President-elect Obama,Repeal D.O.M.A.! All Americans should have the right to marry. Thank you in advance for advocating for the civil rights of your LGBT citizens.
Once you have sent one postcard, send another, and another. Let’s make an impact in the heart of America’s Most Powerful man. Moving forward, JoinTheImpact will provide you with many opportunities to keep this conversation going, but this is the chance to bring the conversation to our next administration. Let’s get on board, send some postcards, and flood the leader of hope with our own message of hope and change!
CLICK HERE FOR THE ADDRESS TO SEND POSTCARDS TO
To Quote President Elect Barack Obama:
“While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It’s about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.”
Whether you agree with his election into office or not, his transparency and eagerness to communicate with the American people is a true testament to his grassroots ideals and fight for change that many voted for. This Civil Rights Agenda includes “Support for the LGBT Community” in the following ways:
Expand Hate Crimes Statutes
Fight Workplace Discrimination
Support FULL Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples (Includes Repealing DOMA)
Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell
Expand Adoption Rights
Promote HIV/AIDS Prevention
We are in the eye of this generation’s Civil Rights Movement and we cannot stop this momentum now! Barack Obama has laid out many great promises, but we need to pave the way for him to legislate on our behalf. Even Barack Obama makes promises for votes, so let’s take a moment to remind him of his promises and let him know that we will keep this movement going to hold him to his word and help him along the way. Because of this, while we have many initiatives on the Calendar to keep moving forward and fighting for equality, we want to squeeze something in that we ask for your immediate attention on. We feel that, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, it is time to say “thank you” and let President Elect Barack Obama know that we have read his promises and will do what it takes to help him follow through. As such, JoinTheImpact is teaming up with the Civil Rights Front’s Project Postcard Campaign.
We know that protesting isn’t for everyone and many people want to join this movement in any way they can. As such, the Civil Rights Front came to us with this amazing project and we are getting behind it. Get a postcard from your town and send it to the address provided in the link above. This will go directly to our President Elect and show him that we exist everywhere. Sometimes it’s hard to come out in your rural community, to your family, church, and loved ones. We understand this, because we have all been there, and hope that our movement makes it easier for everyone to feel safe in their surroundings. Here’s your chance to put out your call for change without fear. Let’s show the President Elect that we are everywhere! Saturday’s marches brought this conversation to a national level. Let’s keep it going! Please take some time, some spare change, a pen, and your spirit of hope and tell President Elect Barack Obama “thank you!” along with a gentle reminder that DOMA should be repealed and equal rights legislation must move forward.
The Civil Rights Front offers a great template for you:
Dear President-elect Obama,Repeal D.O.M.A.! All Americans should have the right to marry. Thank you in advance for advocating for the civil rights of your LGBT citizens.
Once you have sent one postcard, send another, and another. Let’s make an impact in the heart of America’s Most Powerful man. Moving forward, JoinTheImpact will provide you with many opportunities to keep this conversation going, but this is the chance to bring the conversation to our next administration. Let’s get on board, send some postcards, and flood the leader of hope with our own message of hope and change!
CLICK HERE FOR THE ADDRESS TO SEND POSTCARDS TO
To Quote President Elect Barack Obama:
“While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It’s about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.”
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Support these Oklahoman's who support equality!
This is a repost. Thanks to MaMa Carol and Floyd!
These Oklahoma people gave money to the fight against Prop 8 vote in Calif. Please support them.
Contributor name Mona Pittenger Occupation Real Estate Broker Employer PYRAMID REAL ESTATE SERVICES, LLC City Tulsa State OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $10,000.
Contributor name Debbie Fleischaker Occupation Executive Employer JOLEN PRODUCTION CO City Oklahoma State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Kathleen Luginbuel Occupation Healthcare Managment Employer PHYSICIANS INDEPENDANT MANAGMENT SERVICE City Bartlesville State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Jennifer Trottman Occupation Doctor Employer SELF-EMPLOYED City Tulsa State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $650.00 + 120.
Contributor name Anita Randza Occupation Technical Consultant Employer HITACHI DATA SYSTEMS City Tulsa State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.00 + 50.
Contributor name Robert Yocham Occupation Sales Employer PAGEANT PRO City Oklahoma City State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Brian Bartholomew Occupation Marketing Employer APPLE City Alva State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Eddy Collins Occupation Oneok, Inc. Employer ENGINEER City Norman State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name James York Occupation Consultant Employer SOLARC City Owasso State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $50.
Contributor name Stephen Box Occupation Lawyer Employer BOX & BOX City Nichols Hills State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $500.00 + 500.
Contributor name Steve Davis Occupation Advertising Employer TELEFLORA City Norman State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Eric Nelson Occupation Psychologist Employer SELF-EMPLOYED City Tulsa State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Robert La Mont Occupation Lawyer Employer THE ASIA FOUNDATION City Claremore State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $500. + 500. + 1,000. +2,500.
Contributor name Michael Redman Occupation Lawyer Employer DOERNER SAUNDERS DANIEL ANDERSON City Tulsa State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Randy Osteen Occupation Director Employer CHRISTUS HEALTH City Oklahoma City State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $250.
Contributor name George Leslie Hangs Occupation Harmon Fnd Employer MANAGER City Tulsa State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $150.
From: Floyd
Date: 18 Nov 2008, 21:31
Someone mentioned we should have a list of people we can support. These people helped fight the fight people. They're professionals and businesses in Oklahoma City that helped battle Sally Kern.
Cliff's Handyman Service
Jackie Cooper Car Dealership
Reggie Whitten Attorney
Robert Lemon Attorney
Dr Max Edgar
Quaid Publishing
Susan Mallory and Associates
Dr.Katherine Scheirman
Redbud Physical Therapy
LL James Printing
Oklahoma City Firefighters PAC
Dr.William D Jones
The Peace House
Enchilada Kings Mexican Food Catering
These Oklahoma people gave money to the fight against Prop 8 vote in Calif. Please support them.
Contributor name Mona Pittenger Occupation Real Estate Broker Employer PYRAMID REAL ESTATE SERVICES, LLC City Tulsa State OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $10,000.
Contributor name Debbie Fleischaker Occupation Executive Employer JOLEN PRODUCTION CO City Oklahoma State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Kathleen Luginbuel Occupation Healthcare Managment Employer PHYSICIANS INDEPENDANT MANAGMENT SERVICE City Bartlesville State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Jennifer Trottman Occupation Doctor Employer SELF-EMPLOYED City Tulsa State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $650.00 + 120.
Contributor name Anita Randza Occupation Technical Consultant Employer HITACHI DATA SYSTEMS City Tulsa State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.00 + 50.
Contributor name Robert Yocham Occupation Sales Employer PAGEANT PRO City Oklahoma City State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Brian Bartholomew Occupation Marketing Employer APPLE City Alva State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Eddy Collins Occupation Oneok, Inc. Employer ENGINEER City Norman State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name James York Occupation Consultant Employer SOLARC City Owasso State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $50.
Contributor name Stephen Box Occupation Lawyer Employer BOX & BOX City Nichols Hills State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $500.00 + 500.
Contributor name Steve Davis Occupation Advertising Employer TELEFLORA City Norman State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Eric Nelson Occupation Psychologist Employer SELF-EMPLOYED City Tulsa State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Robert La Mont Occupation Lawyer Employer THE ASIA FOUNDATION City Claremore State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $500. + 500. + 1,000. +2,500.
Contributor name Michael Redman Occupation Lawyer Employer DOERNER SAUNDERS DANIEL ANDERSON City Tulsa State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $100.
Contributor name Randy Osteen Occupation Director Employer CHRISTUS HEALTH City Oklahoma City State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $250.
Contributor name George Leslie Hangs Occupation Harmon Fnd Employer MANAGER City Tulsa State or country OK ZIP Position Oppose Amount $150.
From: Floyd
Date: 18 Nov 2008, 21:31
Someone mentioned we should have a list of people we can support. These people helped fight the fight people. They're professionals and businesses in Oklahoma City that helped battle Sally Kern.
Cliff's Handyman Service
Jackie Cooper Car Dealership
Reggie Whitten Attorney
Robert Lemon Attorney
Dr Max Edgar
Quaid Publishing
Susan Mallory and Associates
Dr.Katherine Scheirman
Redbud Physical Therapy
LL James Printing
Oklahoma City Firefighters PAC
Dr.William D Jones
The Peace House
Enchilada Kings Mexican Food Catering
Friday, November 21, 2008
LGBT people not second-class citizens
(from the Daily O'Collegian)
By Megan Foster Opinion Columnist
Published: November 21, 2008
Hello, my name is Megan Foster. I’m from a small town east of Oklahoma City and I used to be a homophobe. And, although I’ve come a long way, I still am a little bit.
It’s something I’m working on, but I’m proud to say despite my homophobic tendencies in the past, I have never thought that gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people were second-class citizens.
I won’t lie and pretend that I haven’t mocked a person who was gay or ended a friendship with someone when they came out. These actions were without justification. At the time, I was treating LGBT people as though they were second-class citizens without realizing it.
First, I’ll address some arguments against people having same-sex relationships and then we’ll delve into a more personal area.
Some people compare the LGBT community to bestiality and pedophilia. This practice is abhorrent and atrocious. In a same-sex relationship, the two people involved are consenting adults seeking companionship — the same scenario of a heterosexual relationship. Neither person is underage nor an animal. Neither has the inability to give consent for actions he or she does not understand or comprehend. There is no comparison that can be made among any of those sexual orientations.
Some people regard being attracted to the same sex as a disease. According to the American Psychological Association, sexual orientation is not a mental illness, and that includes LGBTs. There is nothing wrong with LGBT people.
It is not a matter of choice. Some LGBT people even go through therapy to try and sway their minds so they will be “straight.” These therapies rarely, if ever, work and it’s hard to scientifically prove they do anything. More often than not these therapies harm the individual seeking treatment and the APA does not recommend them.
When it comes to personally dealing with a person of the LGBT community, you might be afraid that they will hit on you or be sexually attracted to you. Are you attracted to every person of the opposite sex on the planet? Chances are that you aren’t attracted to everyone. LGBT people are no different. Just because they like people of the same sex doesn’t mean they like every person of the same sex.
And, in the rare instance that they are attracted to you, how often has a friend of the opposite sex thought you were into them or asked you out when you weren’t attracted to them? Meanings and feelings, like wires, can get crossed or mixed up. Talking it out can quickly remedy the situation.
In either case, it’s nothing that doesn’t happen in relationships between men and women.
Another fear might be that if you spend too much time hanging out with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people that you might become one.
If you’re even worried about that, you probably already are.
Hanging out with men does not make me want to be a man. Hanging out with women does not make a man want to be a woman. Hanging out with a pineapple plant doesn’t make me want to become one, even though pineapples are delicious.
Think about it this way: When describing your friends, what’s the first thing you would say? Maybe you describe your friends’ hair color or their favorite type of music or even their favorite pasttime. The first words out of you mouth would not be their sexual orientation, even if you had caught them masturbating to something you find disturbing.
The last point I’d like to make is about same-sex couples having the right to get married and adopt children.
There’s no legitimate reason they shouldn’t be allowed to get married. If marriage is so sacred, why do we have a 50 percent divorce rate?
Jennifer Baker, the director of marriage and family therapy program for the Forest Institute School of Professional Psychology, found that in first marriages 50 percent end in divorce. For second and third marriages, the chance of divorce increases.
And the whole argument about procreation being the basis behind marriage is bogus. Although some people might seek to get married for procreation, many who procreate do not get married. Other couples are reproductively challenged and have trouble conceiving, but they get married anyway.
Several studies can be found on the American Psychological Association’s Web site that state “Beliefs that lesbian and gay adults are not fit parents likewise have no empirical foundation.” Some of the studies found that lesbian mothers and gay fathers can be better parents than their heterosexual counterparts.
In conclusion, denying someone friendship, or even rights, because you’re scared they may hit on you or because their sexual preference isn’t “straight” is disgusting.
So show them a little love, respect and some understanding. You’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll realize they’re people just trying to get by. And you might even find you have some things in common. Sexual orientation is just one of the many, many things that makes a person who he or she is.
By Megan Foster Opinion Columnist
Published: November 21, 2008
Hello, my name is Megan Foster. I’m from a small town east of Oklahoma City and I used to be a homophobe. And, although I’ve come a long way, I still am a little bit.
It’s something I’m working on, but I’m proud to say despite my homophobic tendencies in the past, I have never thought that gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people were second-class citizens.
I won’t lie and pretend that I haven’t mocked a person who was gay or ended a friendship with someone when they came out. These actions were without justification. At the time, I was treating LGBT people as though they were second-class citizens without realizing it.
First, I’ll address some arguments against people having same-sex relationships and then we’ll delve into a more personal area.
Some people compare the LGBT community to bestiality and pedophilia. This practice is abhorrent and atrocious. In a same-sex relationship, the two people involved are consenting adults seeking companionship — the same scenario of a heterosexual relationship. Neither person is underage nor an animal. Neither has the inability to give consent for actions he or she does not understand or comprehend. There is no comparison that can be made among any of those sexual orientations.
Some people regard being attracted to the same sex as a disease. According to the American Psychological Association, sexual orientation is not a mental illness, and that includes LGBTs. There is nothing wrong with LGBT people.
It is not a matter of choice. Some LGBT people even go through therapy to try and sway their minds so they will be “straight.” These therapies rarely, if ever, work and it’s hard to scientifically prove they do anything. More often than not these therapies harm the individual seeking treatment and the APA does not recommend them.
When it comes to personally dealing with a person of the LGBT community, you might be afraid that they will hit on you or be sexually attracted to you. Are you attracted to every person of the opposite sex on the planet? Chances are that you aren’t attracted to everyone. LGBT people are no different. Just because they like people of the same sex doesn’t mean they like every person of the same sex.
And, in the rare instance that they are attracted to you, how often has a friend of the opposite sex thought you were into them or asked you out when you weren’t attracted to them? Meanings and feelings, like wires, can get crossed or mixed up. Talking it out can quickly remedy the situation.
In either case, it’s nothing that doesn’t happen in relationships between men and women.
Another fear might be that if you spend too much time hanging out with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people that you might become one.
If you’re even worried about that, you probably already are.
Hanging out with men does not make me want to be a man. Hanging out with women does not make a man want to be a woman. Hanging out with a pineapple plant doesn’t make me want to become one, even though pineapples are delicious.
Think about it this way: When describing your friends, what’s the first thing you would say? Maybe you describe your friends’ hair color or their favorite type of music or even their favorite pasttime. The first words out of you mouth would not be their sexual orientation, even if you had caught them masturbating to something you find disturbing.
The last point I’d like to make is about same-sex couples having the right to get married and adopt children.
There’s no legitimate reason they shouldn’t be allowed to get married. If marriage is so sacred, why do we have a 50 percent divorce rate?
Jennifer Baker, the director of marriage and family therapy program for the Forest Institute School of Professional Psychology, found that in first marriages 50 percent end in divorce. For second and third marriages, the chance of divorce increases.
And the whole argument about procreation being the basis behind marriage is bogus. Although some people might seek to get married for procreation, many who procreate do not get married. Other couples are reproductively challenged and have trouble conceiving, but they get married anyway.
Several studies can be found on the American Psychological Association’s Web site that state “Beliefs that lesbian and gay adults are not fit parents likewise have no empirical foundation.” Some of the studies found that lesbian mothers and gay fathers can be better parents than their heterosexual counterparts.
In conclusion, denying someone friendship, or even rights, because you’re scared they may hit on you or because their sexual preference isn’t “straight” is disgusting.
So show them a little love, respect and some understanding. You’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll realize they’re people just trying to get by. And you might even find you have some things in common. Sexual orientation is just one of the many, many things that makes a person who he or she is.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Donate Your Gay Dollar to Salvation Army - or not!
We are all aware of the Salvation Army fundraisers who stand outside retail shops ringing bells and asking for donations during the holiday season. Let's revive the old Gay Dollars campaign this year and mark every dollar that we drop into a Salvation Army pail with "Gay Dollar."
The campaign started in 2001 in response to Salvation Army Rescinds Benefits to Gay Partners.
Here's the most up-to-date Salvation Army comments on homosexuality:
The Salvation Army holds a positive view of human sexuality. Where a man and a woman love each other, sexual intimacy is understood as a gift of God to be enjoyed within the context of heterosexual marriage. However, in the Christian view, sexual intimacy is not essential to a healthy, full, and rich life. Apart from marriage, the scriptural standard is celibacy.
Sexual attraction to the same sex is a matter of profound complexity. Whatever the causes may be, attempts to deny its reality or to marginalize those of a same-sex orientation have not been helpful. The Salvation Army does not consider same-sex orientation blameworthy in itself.
Homosexual conduct, like heterosexual conduct, requires individual responsibility and must be guided by the light of scriptural teaching.Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex. The Salvation Army believes, therefore, that Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life. There is no scriptural support for same-sex unions as equal to, or as an alternative to, heterosexual marriage.
Likewise, there is no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone for reason of his or her sexual orientation. The Salvation Army opposes any such abuse.
In keeping with these convictions, the services of The Salvation Army are available to all who qualify, without regard to sexual orientation. The fellowship of Salvation Army worship is open to all sincere seekers of faith in Christ, and membership in The Salvation Army church body is open to all who confess Christ as Savior and who accept and abide by The Salvation Army's doctrine and discipline.
Scriptures: Genesis 2:23-24; Leviticus 18:22; Mark 2:16-17; Romans 1:26-27; Romans 5:8; I Corinthians 6:9-11; I Corinthians 13; Galatians 6:1-2; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; I Thessalonians 5:14-15; I Timothy 1:15-16; Jude 7
If you decide to donate money to the Salvation Army this year, make sure you mark your bills with "Gay Dollar."
This is a reply posted to this as well, that I wanted to add:"I have a dear friend who is in recovery from addiction. During her treatment, she was court mandated to live for several months in a Salvation Army transitional treatment center, where instead of focusing on her recovery from substances, they chose to focus on 'curing' her from her 'homosexual affliction.' The fact that she was able to emerge from this disgusting attack on her very being and maintain both her sobriety and her sanity is a true testament to her inner strength. It wasn't easy for her, and this organization made it even harder by attempting to indoctrinate her with anti-gay hatred during an incredibly vulnerable time in her life. They are worse than a cult. The Salvation Army will NEVER see one gay penny of my gay money, and I make sure everyone I meet knows why, including those bell ringers."
The campaign started in 2001 in response to Salvation Army Rescinds Benefits to Gay Partners.
Here's the most up-to-date Salvation Army comments on homosexuality:
The Salvation Army holds a positive view of human sexuality. Where a man and a woman love each other, sexual intimacy is understood as a gift of God to be enjoyed within the context of heterosexual marriage. However, in the Christian view, sexual intimacy is not essential to a healthy, full, and rich life. Apart from marriage, the scriptural standard is celibacy.
Sexual attraction to the same sex is a matter of profound complexity. Whatever the causes may be, attempts to deny its reality or to marginalize those of a same-sex orientation have not been helpful. The Salvation Army does not consider same-sex orientation blameworthy in itself.
Homosexual conduct, like heterosexual conduct, requires individual responsibility and must be guided by the light of scriptural teaching.Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex. The Salvation Army believes, therefore, that Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life. There is no scriptural support for same-sex unions as equal to, or as an alternative to, heterosexual marriage.
Likewise, there is no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone for reason of his or her sexual orientation. The Salvation Army opposes any such abuse.
In keeping with these convictions, the services of The Salvation Army are available to all who qualify, without regard to sexual orientation. The fellowship of Salvation Army worship is open to all sincere seekers of faith in Christ, and membership in The Salvation Army church body is open to all who confess Christ as Savior and who accept and abide by The Salvation Army's doctrine and discipline.
Scriptures: Genesis 2:23-24; Leviticus 18:22; Mark 2:16-17; Romans 1:26-27; Romans 5:8; I Corinthians 6:9-11; I Corinthians 13; Galatians 6:1-2; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; I Thessalonians 5:14-15; I Timothy 1:15-16; Jude 7
If you decide to donate money to the Salvation Army this year, make sure you mark your bills with "Gay Dollar."
This is a reply posted to this as well, that I wanted to add:"I have a dear friend who is in recovery from addiction. During her treatment, she was court mandated to live for several months in a Salvation Army transitional treatment center, where instead of focusing on her recovery from substances, they chose to focus on 'curing' her from her 'homosexual affliction.' The fact that she was able to emerge from this disgusting attack on her very being and maintain both her sobriety and her sanity is a true testament to her inner strength. It wasn't easy for her, and this organization made it even harder by attempting to indoctrinate her with anti-gay hatred during an incredibly vulnerable time in her life. They are worse than a cult. The Salvation Army will NEVER see one gay penny of my gay money, and I make sure everyone I meet knows why, including those bell ringers."
**content from gaywallet.com
A Message from Sally Kern
(for those of you unaware of or who do not remember, Rep. Sally Kern is the legislator from Oklahoma who was taped during a local Republican meeting. In her talk, she basically said that queers are more dangerouls than terrorists.)
Passing this on from The Queer Revolution:
So, being the angy revolutionary that I am, I decided to pop in on Sally Kern's website yesterday and drop her a message simply pointing out that she obviously has NO CLUE as to what the Constitution is or what it says and reminding her that there is a CLEAR separation of church and state. I thought all of you may be interested to see her response. Feel free to do the same!
Much Love,
TQR
Amanda,
Thanks for your email. I look forward to hearing from you. Every citizen should be as involved as you plan on being.
I'm sure you know that George Washington was the general of the American Revolution, President of the Constitutional Convention which gave us our Constitution, as well as our first U.S. President. Obviously he was someone who knows what the Constitution teaches. Did you know that on March 14, 1778 he kicked a soldier out of the Revolutionary army for engaging in sodomy? He, along with most of our Founding Fathers, enacted state laws that made sodomy a crime punishable by death. All people are created equal but homosexuality is a behavior. For centuries that was understood but today, because homosexuals want acceptance for their unnatural behavior, they are demanding it is their right to engage in that behavior because they are born that way. Thus they call it a civil right like with blacks. So what comes next? Pedophiles, rapists, murderers? People who engage in these behaviors say they were born that way and can't help themselves. We are all responsible for our behavior and saying something is who we are rather than what we do is only an excuse in order to engage in that behavior and, hopefully, escape the guilt.
On your second point, if you check your history, you will see that our Founding Fathers created our government as a Republic and not a democracy. I challenge you to find out what they meant by a republic. I'll not tell you because you would not believe me. Go to some original writings of our Founding Fathers to see what they actually said. They did not want a theocracy, nor do I. I want the Republic they created. On October 11, 1798 in his address to the military, John Adams said "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." The First Amendment protects our religious freedom regardless of what religion one chooses or if no religion is chosen. But when you read what the Founding Fathers had to say, it is indisputable, that they believed religion and morality in all areas of life were absolutely necessary for our form of government. George Washington said "Of all the habits and dispositions that lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." Washington's Farewell Address, September 19, 1796.
Please feel free to visit me any time you can at the Capitol.
God bless,
Sally Kern
Passing this on from The Queer Revolution:
So, being the angy revolutionary that I am, I decided to pop in on Sally Kern's website yesterday and drop her a message simply pointing out that she obviously has NO CLUE as to what the Constitution is or what it says and reminding her that there is a CLEAR separation of church and state. I thought all of you may be interested to see her response. Feel free to do the same!
Much Love,
TQR
Amanda,
Thanks for your email. I look forward to hearing from you. Every citizen should be as involved as you plan on being.
I'm sure you know that George Washington was the general of the American Revolution, President of the Constitutional Convention which gave us our Constitution, as well as our first U.S. President. Obviously he was someone who knows what the Constitution teaches. Did you know that on March 14, 1778 he kicked a soldier out of the Revolutionary army for engaging in sodomy? He, along with most of our Founding Fathers, enacted state laws that made sodomy a crime punishable by death. All people are created equal but homosexuality is a behavior. For centuries that was understood but today, because homosexuals want acceptance for their unnatural behavior, they are demanding it is their right to engage in that behavior because they are born that way. Thus they call it a civil right like with blacks. So what comes next? Pedophiles, rapists, murderers? People who engage in these behaviors say they were born that way and can't help themselves. We are all responsible for our behavior and saying something is who we are rather than what we do is only an excuse in order to engage in that behavior and, hopefully, escape the guilt.
On your second point, if you check your history, you will see that our Founding Fathers created our government as a Republic and not a democracy. I challenge you to find out what they meant by a republic. I'll not tell you because you would not believe me. Go to some original writings of our Founding Fathers to see what they actually said. They did not want a theocracy, nor do I. I want the Republic they created. On October 11, 1798 in his address to the military, John Adams said "We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." The First Amendment protects our religious freedom regardless of what religion one chooses or if no religion is chosen. But when you read what the Founding Fathers had to say, it is indisputable, that they believed religion and morality in all areas of life were absolutely necessary for our form of government. George Washington said "Of all the habits and dispositions that lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." Washington's Farewell Address, September 19, 1796.
Please feel free to visit me any time you can at the Capitol.
God bless,
Sally Kern
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