NBJC/HRC and Obama: Also Gay Pastor to open Gospel tour Shows!!!

It looks like this ain't over by a long shot. Something has to give! The National Black Justice Coaltion is already trying to set up a talk or meeting with Obama on black LGBTs concerns with inviting reclosted homosexual Donnie McClurkin! HRC has a press release out with HRC's Joe Solmonese on a phone call with Sen.Obama:

“I spoke with Sen. Barack Obama today and expressed to him our community’s disappointment for his decision to continue to remain associated with Rev. McClurkin, an anti-gay preacher who states the need to ‘break the curse of homosexuality.’ There is no gospel in Donnie McClurkin’s message for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. That’s a message that certainly doesn’t belong on any Presidential candidate’s stage.”

“I did thank him for announcing he would be adding an openly gay minister as part of the tour and for his willingness to call on religious leaders to open a dialogue about homophobia. We hope that Sen. Obama will move forward and facilitate face to face meetings with religious leaders, like Rev. McClurkin, and the GLBT community to confront the issue of homophobia.”
“We also call on all of the Presidential campaigns to look within their ranks of supporters and make the same commitment to engage in a dialogue among differing views around issues of equality and fairness for our community.”
Rev. McClurkin, an “ex-gay” gospel singer and minister who has called homosexuality a “curse”, has repeatedly stated his opposition to homosexuality as being against “the intention of God.”
On August 9, Sen. Obama joined the leading Democratic presidential candidates in addressing issues important to the GLBT community at the Logo/HRC Foundation presidential forum in Los Angeles. During his interview with panelists Joe Solmonese, singer/activist Melissa Etheridge, and journalists Margaret Carlson and Jonathan Capehart, Sen. Obama addressed and the issue of homophobia in the black church

Justice MH: Now let me say: I don't believe in curses especially gays ones, or demons especially gay demons or spirits.

[Update]: Obama's team has their gay pastor to open his gospel shows. To be honest here I don't know anything about this man, here's his church bio:

A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., the Rev. Andy Sidden was called in March 2003 to serve as pastor of Garden of Grace United Church of Christ (formerly MCC Columbia). Ironically, his pastorate in South Carolina's Midlands began on his birthday!
Pastor Andy worked as a reporter and copy editor for newspapers in the Carolinas and Florida before entering the professional ministry. He worked more than eight years in Rock Hill, SC, where his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren live.

As a child, he joined Mock's United Methodist Church in Advance, NC. He attended Methodist Churches in the Carolinas and, shortly before returning to South Carolina, he served as an administrative assistant at Harvester United Methodist Church in Land O' Lakes, FL.

Pastor Andy entered the professional ministry in 1991 after serving in lay ministries at Metropolitan Community Churches in Charlotte and Raleigh, NC, and in Tampa, FL. He served as assistant to the pastor and later as associate pastor of MCC Tampa.

From 1994 to 2002, he served as pastor of Spirit of Life MCC in New Port Richey, FL, which grew during his leadership by more than 500 percent to become the 25th largest MCC in the world. During his pastorate, Spirit of Life completed a $350,000 building program and started a satellite mission in Spring Hill, FL. In 2002, he was MCC's first-ever nominee for regional elder.

He and his life partner of more than 20 years, Dr. Kevin Dove, share their home with three cats, a beagle, tropical fish, and a greenhouse filled with plants. Avid gardeners, they love to watch living things grow!

Under his leadership, Garden of Grace has nearly tripled in size and has build a $500,000 worship center.

Justice MH: This might help, but then again it could be a failure. Obama should have a more modern advance staff that knows about gay issues. I also like to point out is there no one on his staff that couldn't yahoo search or google supposely deliver Donnie McClurkin? This is a no win-win situation for Obama. I can look and get pass this if only Donnie just sings, and just sing. I agree with blender Pam : "For those of us who are black and gay, we're watching to see who has our back. Too often, it's no one". I agree that this was a mistake on Obama's team, so to LGBTs: don't be so quick to judge!

Barack Obama teams with Ex-gay Donnie McClurkin: More homophobes on tour, and responses from Donnie and Obama!!!

I'm running real late on this story. I have been hearing about it all day, and I felt i need to add my two cents. So it's already been confirm that Democratic White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama has decided to have a gospel tour with reclosted homosexual Donnie McClurkin.

Here's the release:All three of the dates of the “Embrace the Change” tour are in South Carolina, where Mr. Obama is locked in battle with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for black voters.

Gospel acts including Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin and Hezekiah Walker, Byron Cage and the Mighty Clouds of Joy are scheduled to appear.

“This is another example of how Barack Obama is defying conventional wisdom about how politics is done and giving new meaning to meeting people at the grassroots level,” Joshua DuBois, the campaign’s religious affairs director, said in a release. “This concert tour is going to bring new people into the political process and engage people of faith in an unprecedented way.”

Donnie is on record for saying sexual orientation is choice, also says you can pray the gay away. Donnie goes even lower with comparing gays to liars!

Heres a few quotes:McClurkin explains, "There are certain things like, you know, anybody who has a lying problem; they get to the point where they hate being so, having such a lack of character that they make a change."

In the same interview, McClurkin argues again that homosexuality is simply a lifestyle choice. "There's a group that says, 'God made us this way,' but then there's another group that knows God didn't make them that way," he says. Notice the circularity in his rhetoric. The people who say that God made them gay don't know what they're talking about because the people who say God did not make them gay are right. Well how do they know if someone was born gay or not if they are not gay themselves? It's insulting and presumptuous of others to tell gays and lesbians that they're not smart enough even to know who they are.

Just for the record Donnie is still unmarried, and he has church called Perfecting Faith Church in New York. Donnie is a Bush supporter. Many have said since Donnie performed and support Republican like President Bush, why is he performing for a Democrat? That's a answer only Donnie can give you. Donnie argues that us the gays who say that God made us with our sexual orientation is liars. I can only say that Donnie doesn't know what he's talking about at all! He claims to be deliver, but still single, and unmarried. I wonder why? Surely if you're deliver, then you should be able to function as a heterosexual, right?

There are more homophobes on this tour like gospel group Mary Mary (Erica and Tina Atkins), their confirm for the tour. Here's their quotes on how they feel about gays with comparing us to murderers and prostitutes, a Clay Cane interview:

Clay: I’m not sure if you are aware of this, but you have an extremely large gay following -- how do you feel about homosexuality and having a massive gay following?

Erica: We are aware. Ummm... how do I feel about homosexuality? I feel how God feels about it, but I still love them. I don’t agree with the lifestyle, but I love them. They can come to the concert; I’m going to hug them just like I hug everybody else. They have issues and need someone to encourage them like everybody else -- just like the murderer, just like the one full of pride, just like the prostitute -- everybody needs God. What your struggle is may not be what my struggle is, but we all need Him. So, that's what our music is about giving and God, not to condone the lifestyle or to say, Oh it's okay, but not to bash -- but just to give them God. I mean, I’m appreciative of all of our supporters and fans. Hopefully what their hearing in our music is my love for God.

Tina: You know, I think the fact that our music is very upbeat and works well in clubs -- you know, I think that's something that makes more people gravitate to it. Like Erica said, we don’t necessarily agree with the lifestyle, but we don’t pride ourselves on bashing. Everyone has things in their life that they need to correct, everybody has struggles, everybody has things that, maybe I should’ve done it this way, maybe I should’ve made this choice, you know, or whatever. Even though that's the way we feel, we don’t bash, we don’t do that kind of thing and we embrace everybody who enjoys our music. Hopefully our music is impacting them in a way that if they see there's some things in their life that's not quite right and doesn’t align themselves with what the Bible says -- hopefully our music impacts them in a way that makes them want to change it.

So they feel how God feels right? As my friend Jerry said: The bible is NOT God! Too many contradictions to be on God's level!

Donnie McClurkin responds with some back-tracking on his beliefs: Gospel music superstar Donnie McClurkin says he was surprised to wake up Tuesday morning to a media firestorm.

... McClurkin told The Associated Press on Monday that "sexuality, everything is a matter of choice." But on Tuesday he told the Tribune that his ideals, and most importantly his ministry, were severely misconstrued.
"I don't believe that even from a religious point of view that Jesus ever discriminated toward anyone, nor do I," McClurkin said in an exclusive interview with the Tribune. "Most of the things that were said were totally out of context and then other things weren't true."

Ok, Donnie do you know what you said in the past? Like here:McClurkin has devoted his life to saving children from the cult-like snares of the homosexual recruiters. "The gloves are off," he told the 700 Club. "And if there's going to be a war, there's going to be a war."

What about comparing us [gays] to liars: McClurkin explains, "There are certain things like, you know, anybody who has a lying problem; they get to the point where they hate being so, having such a lack of character that they make a change."

Donnie seems to have forgotten his quotes of the past. Obama issued his thoughts early this evening:

About 6:40 pm today, the Obama campaign issued a written statement from the candidate saying that he "strongly disagree(s)" with McClurkin's views. Still, a spokesman said McClurkin would remain part of the concert line-up.

"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country," Obama said in the written statement.

"I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division," the statement added.

Justice MH: I feel that Obama should have been smarter with who he wanted on this gospel tour in South Carolina. Who ever is on his campaign staff needs to be fired. This is forgivable, but i have to admit, it has push me some towards Hillary Clinton. I bet she having a ball watching this happen to obama. Obama still has me on the fence, I just hope next time think who before you invited those who inaccurate views on your supporters. Obama has what it takes to be President, and yes Captain, Obama will be President some day in the future. I hope this comes out in best interest of Obama's chances of becoming the Democratic nominee!

Has the NAACP lost their Mission?

Well, Mr.Broward thinks the NAACP should stick to racial injustice, and have nothing to do with the gays' struggle. The NAACP is quite aware of black gays and lesbians. The organization is a black one, so why not include gays who are black? This man misses the mark like so many black religious leaders. Here's his bigoted quote:


'The NAACP is getting away from their mission . . . the organization never got involved with sex sins. Homosexuals have masterfully redefined words to suit their cause . . . theirs is not a civil rights issue. It's the first time the branch has taken a public stand on behalf of gay rights."
--Mathes Guice, the paramilitary-clad director of the men's ministry at Koinonia Worship Center and former vice president of the Broward NAACP. He is miffed at the Broward NAACP's condemnation of his new best friend -- anti-gay, homosex-obsessed Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle. Guice is also calling for a ''spiritual revival'' to "transform Fort Lauderdale and Broward County into the Bible Belt of South Florida.''

Justice MH: This man obviously thinks homosexuals don't have brown or dark skin. The Civil rights movements included black straights and gays. Now he can deny it if he wants, but the gays' struggle in the 21st century is a civil rights issue. Some will argue, but their arguments are weak, bias, and desperate. The definition of Civil rights is: Rights guaranteed to citizens; the rights provided by the 13th and 14th amendments of the United States Constitution. Homosexuals just happen to be tax-paying American citizens. It's like I said on this site many times: " you have the right to speak freely on any issue, but you do NOT have the right to deny any American the citizen their rights guaranteed by the U.S Constitution. Mrs. Coretta Scott King always refer to her husband's famous quote "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere".

Local NAACP President Speaks out on gay rights and gets mixed Reviews from the Black Community!!!

The Homophobia being spewed from the Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle and his recent anti-gay statements are nothing new, but I want to touch this issue going on in Florida.Local African-American ministers, such as the Rev. O’Neal Dozier, have spoken out in favor of Naugle. What is wrong with black ministers these days? Anytime in history, there is someone or group that's an easy target for hate and intolerance. However, someone did the unpopular thing and stood up and spoke out for what's right:

President of the Fort Lauderdale branch of the NAACP Ellison’s mission was clear: She would speak out against what she considered hate speech and discrimination, regardless of the fact that the offending words were aimed at the gay community, a community she is not charged with representing.

“Mayor Naugle’s message is about one thing — hate,” she said. “Homophobia is hate, and hate has no place in the beloved community.”

Justice MH: That's what it exactly is. It's really sad to see black ministers stand by people like this Mayor Naugle. Why must former oppress people now oppress someone else? I guess once you're finally sitting at the table, then it's your turn to take the next group and beat up on them with the traditional holy bullies!
Diverse Opinion in the Black Community!

Brad Bennett, executive editor of the Broward Times, a newspaper that covers the local black community, said it was “odd that she would speak out about gay issues.”

“Based on what I’m hearing from readers, I don’t think the Fort Lauderdale NAACP reflects the views of the larger black community,” he said. “Publicly, members of the community fall in line with the pastors.”

Justice MH: Wow! If members of the community fall in line with ignorant and bigoted pastors, then they are some sheep without any God-given brains! And how is it odd for a NAACP president to speak out on gay issues? Every family has a gay relative and everyone knows someone who is gay. It seems the next opinion knows what i'm talking about!

Everybody has somebody who is gay in their family or knows gay people,” said Larry Bowman, a used car salesman and regular at Betty’s. “I have to agree with [Ellison]. It’s hate speech. The mayor is asking for hatred to be cast upon him.”Dorothy Jackson, who works the counter at Betty’s agreed.

Bowman and Jackson said they respect gays and lesbians, but they also pointed out that their neighbors don’t normally discuss gay issues.

“Gay people is not a top issue,” Bowman said. “There are more important issues like the relationship of police officers and citizens. How are you going to relate to officers if you can’t trust them.”

Justice MH: Well, this sounds like decent people who actually make sense. Of course they admit that gay issues are rarely discuss in the black community, and a discussion like that needs to happen. The black community needs to try to get pass this and move forward. The next opinion didn't sit well with me, and it really piss me off!

Elder Solomon Williams and his sister, who would identify herself only as Mrs. Williams, sat at the counter to order a plate of ribs and steamed cabbage. They had a heavy, dog-eared Bible with them from which they quoted scripture. The Williams reflected much of the black fundamentalist point of view at Betty’s, saying the gay community was asking for special privileges.

Although Elder Williams agreed that a public official singling out one group amounts to discrimination, he said he considers Naugle as speaking “the word of God” against the unrighteous.

“Every man you see who loves another man, they knew God before they got into their condition,” Williams said.
Ellison recognizes that black opinion is largely influenced by the church regarding gay rights, but she notes that Naugle’s backers are not representative.

“You need to take note of the churches that were not present [at the Sept. 5th press conference],” she said.
The communities “super churches,” such as New Mount Olive Baptist and Mount Bethel Baptist

Justice MH: Ok, where shall i begin with these hypocritical views? First, if you love someone, how can you not know God anymore? I can guess where she's getting this from? Let me guess, another misinterpretation of Romans 1. Why is this woman using a medical term "condition"? I do NOT have a condition, or any other gay person have a "condition"! What's so special about having your relationship recognize? Job protection? Protected in hate crime laws on federal level? There is nothing special about that. It's what's guranteed in the U.S Consitution. The bible has no say in this, or any other civil-affairs/matters. I guess when the former oppress has what's rightfully there's, then when someone else comes along, the former oppress acts out on who deserves what. Again, black people are influenced by the hypocritical black church. Yeah, i said it, and I'm black. This woman carries a bible around like it's a body organ implanted by God. I agree with fellow blogger Jerry Maneker of http://christianlgbtrights.org the bible is NOT God. God is perfect and free of errors. The bible is the opposite! Why do black people insist on using that fallible, racist, sexist, and imperfect book on others? I call the bible fallible because the errors in the bible make it fallible, that makes it not infallible or inerrant. The contradictions and inconsistencies of the bible is NOT being ignored by biblical scholars or theologians. The bible isn't alone, the Koran is the same, and other holy books. The issue here is that blacks should be speaking out against people like Mayor Naugle, not standing with him because he hates those who you hate or doesn't measure to your standards, and speaks how you interpretate the bible. Like Coretta Scott King would say: Hate and bigotry should be oppose by right thinking Americans". She would say something like, it's not accurate. However, I don't see right-thinking Americans or even true Christians. It's that us vs. them mentality! Blacks are suppose to keep the dream alive, but instead we're turning it into a nightmare! After the gays, what group is next to be the target of intolerance, discrimination, hate, and bigotry?

GOP U.S Candidate calls for impeachment of Iowa Judge for ruling on Marriage Equality!!!

You know I would have never pick Iowa to be the next state for Marriage Equality, we just need the Iowa State Supreme Court to make the same ruling the Polk County District Judge Robert Hanson made. I love these fu*king activist judges. Ok, the nicknames are childish, and immature. Conservative and right-wingers need to grow up.
As soon as Marriage is extended to gay couples in a state the bigots come come like a pack of dogs. Here's this laughable outrage from a Conservative GOP:

A conservative political activist is demanding that the Iowa Legislature impeach Polk County District Judge Robert Hanson, who ruled last month that state’s ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional.

Bill Salier, a Nora Springs farmer and former Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, said Wednesday that he is passing petitions favoring the judge’s impeachment.

..."He’s advancing what he wants to be the law, but he cannot pass law because he is not a representative or a senator or a governor," Salier said. “It’s a malfeasance of his office, and he needs to be removed for it."

Thankfully,Slaier's calls for impeachment is the biggest joke to many in the State legislature like the Democratic Senate Majority leader:

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal laughed when he heard about the effort. The Council Bluffs Democrat said he wasn’t sure if the Legislature even has the power to impeach a judge. "I'm next to positive it’s never been done," he said.

Gronstal said Salier’s impeachment demand was not an honest attempt to oust Hanson. "Let’s be blunt: The likelihood of that happening is zero, and he knows it, and you know it."

The House majority leader is no fool at all:

"This is a very emotional issue, but we are not interested in politicizing the judicial branch to help the failing presidential campaign of Tom Tancredo."

Justice MH: I am please to announce the state of Iowa is free from bigotry, injustice and discrimination! Let's try to keep it that way.

Majority of Americans Support Legislation for LGBT Job Protection!!!

Here's some not so surprising news. Nearly two-thirds of all American adults believe it is unfair that federal law currently allows for an employer to fire someone because they are gay or lesbian according to a new poll. Read it and weep it:

This survey continues to demonstrate that clear majorities of American adults agree that discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is wrong," says Out & Equal Executive Director Selisse Berry. "It is apparent that heterosexual co-workers are realizing that sexual orientation is not relevant to job performance."

In addition, more heterosexuals (88%) say they would feel indifferent or feel positively upon learning that a co-worker is gay or lesbian. About one-in-ten (12%) say they would feel negatively.

This positive response from co-workers is likely a contributing factor to the increase in the numbers of gays and lesbians who feel comfortable(2) about being open in the workplace about their sexual orientation.(3)

* In 2007, 54 percent of GLBT adults are comfortable having a photo of their spouse, partner or significant other on their desk, compared to only 34 percent in 2002 who felt this way.
* In 2007, 64 percent of GLBT adults are comfortable introducing their spouse, partner or significant other to their co-workers, compared to 50 percent in 2002 who said they would be comfortable doing this.

* 64% believe it is unfair that federal law currently allows for an employer to fire someone because they are gay or lesbian.

* 60% of heterosexual adults were not even aware that federal law does not provide protections for employees on the basis of sexual orientation.

* 79% of heterosexuals also feel that how an employee does his or her job, and not their sexual orientation, should be the standard for judging an employee.

* 67% also agree that employee performance should be the standard by which they are judged and not whether they are transgender.

Justice MH: Eat it all up homo-haters. The polls are no surprise here. The American people have always supported this legislation. The EDNA bill will come for a vote in the U.S House in early October i presumed. Traditional Values Coalition's Lou Sheldon 's scare tactics are not working at all, and not those silly cartoons about transgender people. It's mostly likely to pass the U.S House this fall! The homo-haters are getting left-behind in this battle for equality!

Breaking News: Hypocritical GOP Senator Larry Craig may not resign!!!

Oh Lord, this is getting even more interesting with the GOP party. Now, it's being reported that restroom cruising GOP Senator Larry Craig may not resign from the U.S Senate. The GOP party is already struggling toward the November 2008 elections to regain control of the Senate. Which I hope they don't. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell threatened to investigate Craig, may have started it already. What will he say about Sen. Larry's defiance of the GOP party's wishes?

Sen. Larry Craig is reconsidering his decision to resign after his arrest in a Minnesota airport sex sting and may still fight for his Senate seat, his spokesman said Tuesday evening.
"It's not such a foregone conclusion anymore, that the only thing he could do was resign," said Sidney Smith, Craig's spokesman in Idaho's capital.

"We're still preparing as if Sen. Craig will resign Sept. 30, but the outcome of the legal case in Minnesota and the ethics investigation will have an impact on whether we're able to stay in the fight -- and stay in the Senate."

9pm: Mike Rogers is on Hannity and Colmes discussing this right now.

Justice MH: I wonder what the GOP party Will do now? They're trying to please their conservative base, and regain their standards they claim to stand for. Will the GOP affirm their gay GOPs officials and same-sex behavior? Will they continue their witch hunt for the closet hypocritical GOP officials? That remains to be seen. I think we all can guess what they will do to clean up this mess.

Let me know what you think!

[Updates/post tomorrow AM-Justice MH]

GOP White House Hopeful received the "straight talk"!!!

GOP white house hopeful John MCcain was guest speaker at New Hampshire's Concord High School today, and a student named William Sleaster who identify as bi-sexual gave Sen. John MCcain some real 'straight talk":

Another student then asked McCain a question about what he would do for “LGBT” rights – the initials stand for Lesbian, Gay, Bi Sexual, and Transgender people. McCain was confused by the question and admitted to the audience that he did not know what the initials meant. Once it was clarified, McCain told sophomore William Sleaster that he was opposed to any form of discrimination, but he supported the military’s current “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and that he opposed gay marriage.

“I believe that the sanctity of marriage between man and woman is unique and should be preserved, and I understand the controversy that swirls around that issue, and that debate needs to be continued to be held, but I support that position,” McCain said.

“You want to take away someone’s rights because you believe it’s wrong,” Sleaster followed up.

“I don’t put that interpretation on my position, but I understand yours,” McCain responded, seeming to enjoy the back and forth.

“I came here looking to see a good leader, I don’t,” Sleaster said before leaving the microphone to some boos and gasps from the audience and an eventual scolding by a school administrator.

“Listen, I understand,” McCain told the buzzing crowd. “I thank you, that’s what America is all about, and I appreciate your views.”

When asked later at a news conference, McCain admitted he had never heard the initials “LGBT” before, but knew the phrase.

Justice MH; What is with this Sanctity of marriage stuff? When we have an over 50% divorce rate and high levels of domestic violence and adultery out of control. Sen. McCain is divorce, but he dares to NOT allow same-sex couples access to marriage, leaving marriage a special club for heterosexual couples. The so-called "Traditional" Marriage is not so cut and dry as Christan conservatives would have everyone to believe. Sen. McCain says he opposes discrimination. McCain does support the discriminatory policy "Don't ask Don't tell. A policy that has discharge many proud gay Americans who want to defend their country. The country they fight for doesn't grant their every right privilege that guaranteed in the U.S Constitution.

Back to the whole Traditional Marriage argument from Sen. McCain. He says it must be preserved? How is opposite sex marriage being affect in states like Massachusetts with same-sex couples having access to marriage? I haven't received an answer on that, but some will find some silly reason to show how it affects it. Now the state Iowa allows same-sex couples to marriage, but we still need a step further on Marriage Equality from the Iowa Supreme Court. Sen. McCain should listen to this judge about it is unconstitutional, and violate the due process of law and equality for all Americans. Sen. McCain is full of contradictions on this social issue. He's trying to cater to the Religious right, but they don't trust him anyway. I really don't know why the GOP party chose to get into bed with the Religious. The only reason could be to play on the American people's fear, votes, and for power! William was right, he was looking for a leading, but he didn't find one. Oh, William sure found a flip-flopper, and an inconsistent man.

Young men like William, myself, and our generation is going to change America for the better. Conservative Christan groups and leaders see my generation is moving to the left on social issues, and other issues as well. To the left, to the left, everything you own, and your theocratic[fallible] bible to the left! I respect the bible, but our nation is govern by our U.S Constitution NOT the bible or any other holy book. This is a democracy, NOT a theocracy!

The Trouble with Harry!!!

[This is a couple days old, but this really sums up my thoughts about homo-bigots like Bishop Harry Jackson! Enjoy-Justice MH]

By:Dr. Sylvia Rhue

Barak Obama appeared on LOGO and HRC’s presidential debate Thursday August 9. All of the candidates were asked about marriage equality for LGBT people. Although he is for full civil union rights, Obama feels he cannot open the door of equality all the way with full marriage rights for LGBT people. But even his moderate stance gets a berating from Bishop Jackson.

When speaking to a group of black ministers at a forum in Tennessee, Barak stated:

“I specifically pointed out that if there’s any pastor here who can point out a marriage that has been broken up as a consequence of seeing two men or two women holding hands, then we—you should tell me, because I haven’t seen any evidence of it…And there are some folks who, coming out of the church, have, you know, elevated one line in Romans above the Sermon on the Mount.”


Jackson’s response: “He’s dead wrong concerning what the scriptures say, and more importantly, he’s dead wrong in terms of the Scriptures, and in terms of reading culture. The culture has gone in a different direction, and the devaluation of marriage is a major problem, and I believe that he’s a very dangerous man because he sounds reasonable, he sounds engaging, but he’s misinformed.” Jackson goes on to call Obama a “junior or infant Christian.”

He states that “I think what most African- Americans buy is that there should be justice for all, in terms of the outworking of civil law. What they do not buy is that we should not rename sin as something righteous and holy.”

Bishop Jackson is dead wrong. It is Jackson who has an infantile understanding of human sexuality and a wrong headed theology regarding Christ’s message of inclusion. Jackson does not understand, or refuses to understand the concept of sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is morally neutral.

One of the definitions of the word “sin” is “to miss the mark”. Jackson misses the mark of the Love ethic for his gay and lesbian neighbors, which is central to Christian theology. When Bishop Jackson came to NBJC’s Black Church Summit this past Spring, he had the opportunity to look LGBT people in the eye and hear their stories of love, commitment, devotion, honor and duty. He nodded his head acting as if he understood. He acted as if he had learned something. Unfortunately, from his behavior and statements since that day, it was all just an act.

We should defer to an authentic Biblical scholar, Rev. Peter Gomes the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard University, who writes: “No credible case against homosexuality or homosexuals can be made from the Bible unless one chooses to read scripture in a way that simply sustains the existing prejudice against homosexuality and homosexuals. The combination of ignorance and prejudice under the guise of morality makes the religious community, and its abuse of scripture in this regard, itself morally culpable.”

If Bishop Jackson ever thought he might be a drum major for justice, he has missed he mark.

Dr. Sylvia Rhue is Director of NBJC Religious Affairs. She can be reached directly at shrue@nbjc.org

Openly Gay Bishop Gene Robinson endorses Barak Obama!

America's first openly gay Episcopal bishop, New Hampshire's Gene Robinson, yesterday endorsed presidential hopeful Sen.Barack Obama.


[AP]:

Robinson says he was lured to Obama's campaign because of the Illinois Democrat's experience with racism and discrimination.
Robinson says he hopes to persuade Obama to embrace marriage for gay and lesbian couples.
Obama supports civil unions and rights for gay couples, but stops short of supporting gay marriage.
Robinson has drawn worldwide criticism from conservatives since his consecration as bishop in 2003.

Bishop Gene Robinson made pretty good choice in Obama. Anybody's better than Bush, even Rudy Giuliani. I already knew the GOP lacks gay support. GOP is already hypocritical with sex scandal, lies, and cheating. I haven't made my choice yet. It's either, Hillary, Obama, or Edwards on the Dems side. On the GOP just Rudy Giuliani. My Choice will be made known in 2008!

Alan Chambers Pt.1: The Opposite of Homosexuality!

According to Alan Chambers the opposite of homosexuality isn't heterosexuality. I know that's what I thought. However, Alan says it's holiness. OK, now I've heard everything. Here's how he tells his audience what to expect of so-called "change":

And I’m going to shatter your world here: heterosexuality shouldn't’t be your number one goal. Whether that’s for yourself or for your kid or for your loved one or your friend or your family member. Heterosexuality shouldn't’t have been my number one goal. The opposite of homosexuality isn’t heterosexuality. It’s holiness.

And I think we in the church often get that wrong. We think, okay, the best thing for this person who’s involved with homosexuality or involve with lesbianism is that they come out of that lifestyle and go into heterosexuality. If that’s all we think is necessary, we’re setting people up for a terrible fall. The opposite of homosexuality isn’t heterosexuality. It’s holiness.


Ok! What i don't get is, isn't that the purpose of some people's so-called unwanted same-sex desires? I mean if isn't heterosexuality, then it's holiness. Justice MH, and other gay bloggers know when he says holiness, he's implying that some-how in his struggling[still gay] brain that homosexuality is wicked. It also reinforces a larger theme of the conference, that homosexuality is incompatible with Christianity. Which it isn't, of course some think and feel that way. So casting homosexuality on the same side of the spectrum as wickedness is a terribly damaging way to characterize the lives of gays and lesbians everywhere. Besides, heterosexuality is not, in and of itself, holy either.

According to Alan, same sex attractions may not necessarily diminish no matter how hard one tries or how many prayers are said. Instead, the “change” that takes place is not a change in sexual orientation; it’s a change in faith. The “conversion” is not sexual orientation conversion, it’s a religious one. Alan, those like him, may feel holy, but it doesn't change sexual orientation. I'm just using Alan's words and logic. If the opposite of homosexuality is NOT heterosexuality. Then how can you say you're a heterosexual? Alan says he identify as "straight". Alan is so contradicting and inconsistent with himself and his audience. So according Alan, do we have a new minority coming up called the holies?


This reminds me of what Ex-gay Charlene Cothran said when interviewed with blogger Clay Cane:Are you physically attracted to men?
Charlene: [pauses] I am physically attracted to the spirit of Christ right now. You're trying to take me down a road that I won't go down right now.

Ok, some of these reclosted gays make me laugh at the nonsense they talk. Whoever said Charlene's story was inspiring is a backwards thinking Cafeteria wannabe christian fool! How you doing Pat Robinson and The Captain? Both Alan and Charlene make it seem like a new minority is coming. One thinks their holy now, and the other thinks their attractive to spirits and ghosts! The Opposite of homosexuality for both Alan and Charlene is confusing according to their tale of a testimony!

It's like I said sexual orientation does NOT change, but your religion can! You certainly can't pray the gay away!

[This is a mini-series on Ex-gays. Part 2 later today! More updates coming-Justice MH!]

Pew Research :: Support for Gay Marriage Growing!

Here's a look at the status of support for marriage equality in America. There is a slight majority, but soon the minority will become the majority!


Pew Research :: 37% Support Gay Marriage

Thursday Jul 26, 2007

Fewer than four-in-ten Americans (37%) support gay marriage, while 55% are opposed; support had dipped to 29% in an August 2004 poll, after peaking at 38% in July 2003.

Since 2004, support has fluctuated between 33% and 39%.

Gay marriage is opposed by most groups in the population; exceptions include young people ages 18-29 (56% support), liberal Democrats (72%), and secular individuals (60%).

Democrats continue to be divided on the question (49% support, 43% oppose); Republicans overwhelmingly oppose gay marriage (75% vs. 20% support), with 51%
strongly opposed.

Republicans are playing politics as usual for votes, but the gay cards is wearing out for them, and they know it! The Democrats are still struggling with this issue. As you saw above young people, my generation is more supportive of marriage equality. The reasons for that is because they either have gay family members or gay friends. So the next adult Americans coming up will be more supportive! It will be a new day in American!

[This was just a little starter for today, but more updates will follow today-Justice MH]

Doing God's Work???

And they want to say this hate crimes bill is unnecessary. Yeah right!Tell that to the family of Kenneth Cummings Jr., a Southwest flight attendant, who was killed by a man who believed he was doing God's work. Religion creates some crazy people, but that's religion for you, when there's no reason! {Houston Chronicle}:

"I believe I'm Elijah, called by God to be a prophet," said 26-year-old Terry Mark Mangum, charged with murder June 11. " ... I believe with all my heart that I was doing the right thing."
Interviewed in the Brazoria County Jail Saturday morning, Mangum said he feels no remorse for killing 46-year-old Kenneth Cummings Jr., whom relatives described as a "loving" son who never forgot a holiday and a devoted uncle who had set up college funds for his niece and nephew. He worked at Southwest for 24 years.

Mangum, who described himself as "definitely not a homosexual," said God called on him to "carry out a code of retribution" by killing a gay man because "sexual perversion" is the "worst sin."

Mangum believed Cummings to be gay.

"I planned on sending him to hell," he said.

Cummings was stabbed with a six-inch blade, his body was found near San Antonio on property owned by Mangum's grandfather.

While there are some who are debating about whether there should be hate crimes law, the fact is their on the books. So why not sexual orientation and gender identity to make sure every American is protected by bias hate crimes. Religion is already included-- protection which these cafeteria Christians aren't willing to give up. After all religion is a choice!

Furthermore, it's the religious extremists who claim to be "christian", by their mouths, but it always seems their hearts are far away from God. Isaiah and Jesus said something like that. The usual suspects are no surprise--the Traditional Values Coalition, the American Family Association, Concerned Women for America and the rest of the professional persecuted "Christian" set-- who just love to hide behind and use misguided homo-hating black pastors.


Rustin Thomas came up with this insane statement:
Yes, I dare state that there is a direct connection between the sins and crimes of abortion and the sodomite agenda and the Islamic terrorism that threatens our nation."

Once again sodomite is NOT a biblical term, and I have never been to Sodom and Gomorrah. The two cities God supposedly destroyed.

Another black puppet was brought out as expected.Here's Rev. Johnny Hunter of the Life Education and Resource Network:

"Pastors not only have a right, but they have an obligation to state emphatically that according to scripture, a man or a woman should not perform a sex act with a person of the same sex...nor with a dog...nor with a snake...nor with a hamster or any other creature."

How the hell he bring humans in with animals? Who would have sex with hamster, snake, or dog? I have heard of a dog before, but that's just freaky! Eww.

They know that they can quote and take Leviticus and Romans out context all day long if the measure is passed. The ACLU has outlined how free speech will be protected, but no that doesn't matter in their minds. Is this Doing God's Work? Ha, You better ask somebody!

[more updates to come-Justice MH]

Moral Riot:'sodomy pushers' versus the Bush admin

The Cafeteria bible thumping bigots held their misguided press conference protesting the hate crimes bill. They continue to bear false witness that adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the existing law will threaten their religious freedom. The U.S Constitution and the hate crime bill itself strengthens free speech, but it appears they really don't care. It's all about denying others the right to federal protections from violence. These Cafeteria Christians also offered some new terms in how they describe gays as sodomy pushers. So add "sodomy pushers" to your gay dictionary. Let's see "gay agenda", homosexual agenda, sodomite, gay lifestyle, and homosexual lifestyle. Yup, that sounds like their language.

Here's what this Cafeteria Christian had to say:

Dr. Johnny Hunter of Life Education and Resource Network was among the several Christian activists who spoke at Wednesday's rally protesting S.B. 1105. Hunter contends crime by its nature is an act of hate.
"The hate crimes legislation being proposed by rabid sodomy-pushers is downright hatred," said Hunter, adding that he believes the move behind the bill is a "scheme" devised by "hetero-phobic" people.
"They insist that the government police the thoughts of those who have a natural attraction to the opposite sex," he offered as explanation of his assertion. "It's as if they despise and hate heterosexual couples." And the controversy, he insisted, is not about what people do in the privacy of their bedrooms. "It's about what others disapprove -- and when someone is doing the unmentionable in their bedroom, flaunting it publicly, and then punishing those who speak out against it."
Offering an analogy, Hunter said "just because a bank robber counts the money in the privacy of his bedroom does not legitimize the robbery."

Justice MH: Ok, so this fool uses the analogy of gays and bank robbery? How the hell you compare a criminal and an American citizen who is guarantee equal right under the law, no matter how much he bitches about it! He goes on to say gays are heterophobic? LOL! Larwd, I'm not going there. Anyway the hate crimes clearly out lines "Nothing in this act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses the First Amendment to the Constitution" the hate crime bill says.

I agree with fellow blogger over at http://pamshouseblend.com

I think the real struggle we face when it comes to moral rot in this country is dealing with the fact that we have to wait until January 2009 for all the morally and ethically depraved criminals in the Bush Administration, who have left us more vulnerable to terrorism, finally get out of the White House. That place needs to be fumigated after their departure. The people who elected Dear Leader -- fundies like the above surely cast their votes for him based on "values" -- are blind when it comes to the litany of lies and obfuscation perpetrated by the Bush administration.

Justice MH: Indeed pam. The hate crimes threaten no one's free speech. It's time we admit what already is known to be true.

HRC/LOGO Presidential Forum Finally includes Mike Gravel!

It's about time! The people spoke and HRC/LOGO listen to our demands. One reason that most people feel Gravel was not included because he's very vocal about gay rights, and the other Dems are not! Mike is too hot for hillary, obama, or edwards.

Here's there Press release:

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Logo, a division of Viacom Inc.?s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks, today made additional announcements about the presidential candidate forum on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues to take place in Los Angeles on August 9. After enthusiastic community response, former Senator Mike Gravel has been invited to participate. Confirmed candidates now include, in alphabetical order, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), former Senator John Edwards (D-NC), Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Senator Barack Obama (D-IL). The format of the program will also be extended to 90 minutes to ensure in-depth conversations with each candidate. Discussions are continuing with a variety of journalists and a moderator for the forum will be announced in the near future.

Justice MH: Since I have LOGO, i will be checking out this 90 minute debate, and see who's going to make sure every gay american is fully equal under the law.

Breaking News: U.S Senate to vote on Hate crimes Bill Tonight?

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) offered the Senate hate crimes bill, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, as an amendment to the Department of Defense Reauthorization bill currently being debated on the Senate floor. The House of Representatives version of the bill passed with strong bipartisan support on May 3. The Senate bill, S. 1105, could be voted on as early as today.

The right wing is in high gear on Capitol Hill today to fight the bill's passage and Senate leaders need to hear strong - and repeated - messages of support for the hate crimes bill from our side.

My question is: Is this about free speech or about denying those on basis of sexual orientation, gender identity/disability to be protected on the federal hate crimes level?

The Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act clearly says it uphold the first amendment to protect and strengthen free speech including religious speech.
So I'm hoping the U.S Senators vote with strong bi-partisan, and send the bill to be sign by Bush. I'll have more updates on this as they become available.

Call your senators ASAP at 202/224-3121 and urge them to vote in favor of the Matthew Shepard Act, S. 1105.

Hypocrite thy Republican: Anti-gay Senator on DC Madam's Phone list

The GOP is always talking about how they stand for moral and family values. However, it always seem they get caught with their pants down[pun intended] with these sex scandals etc. The Republican hypocrite David Vitter (R-LA), a co-author of the Federal Marriage Amendment, wasn't protecting his own marital vows when he had some sex-for-hire from escort service Pamela Martin and Associates before he ran for the Senate. Sen. Vitter is trying to outlaw someone else right to marry, and he's enjoying some unfaithful activity with some sex-for-hire women. These GOP family values gets interesting everyday. It was in 1998, the then GOP-led Congress tried to impeach then President Bill Clinton. Republicans show just how hypocritical they can be when their own sex secrets come out.

Since his name was recently revealed in the phone records, he had confess his unfaithfulness. Base on this, he can't control his sexual desires. However, there are people who love to throw out how gays can't control their sexual desires. So Sen. Vitter had to go through the usual process to look like typical Republican who needs forgiveness- God, wife, and he's so sorry, and i mean sorry [that he was caught]:

"This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible," said Vitter in a statement. "Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there-with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way."
...In 2004, Vitter campaigned with a promise of "protecting the sanctity of marriage," and was a co-author of the "Federal Marriage Act" that sought to prohibit courts from interpreting same-sex marriage laws.
"This is a real outrage. The Hollywood left is redefining the most basic institution in human history," he said then.

Justice MH: Pa-leeze! This human institution has been change or redefine throughout history. The institution Sen. Vitter speaks of is NOT as basic and human as he or anyone else thinks!

From Sen Vitter's Website:

"We need a U.S. Senator who will stand up for Louisiana values, not Massachusetts's values. I am the only Senate Candidate to coauthor the Federal Marriage Amendment; the only one fighting for its passage. I am the only candidate proposing changes to the senate rules to stop liberal obstructionists from preventing an up or down vote on issues like this, judges, energy, and on and on."


Justice MH: Yeah, we need a bias Senator that doesn't make sure everybody is equal under the law. Sen.Vitter you can learn a thing or two from Massachusetts' inclusive values for all it's citizens in that state. The fact is the Federal Marriage Amendment will NEVER pass in a GOP control or Democratic control Congress! Nothing personal, just reality for the readers. Who knows where this latest GOP sex scandal will go. The GOP's sex secrets and scandals shows the party is full of hypocrisy. The GOP ask for forgiveness, have a moment of shame, then back to business as usual. Until the next GOP that is.

Gay Family Values!!!!

[No, the title is not a mistake, but topic that is being widely discuss. With all the talk about gay parenting, and marriage for gay couples, it's brings the issue to be name Gay Family Values. Many states are legalizing adoption for gay couples, civil unions, and a couple states are legalizing marriage equality. I was a reading a good article about the issue of Gay Family Values from Time Magazine. I was happy to see progress, and new beginnings-Justice MH].

From Time Magazine:

Hollie Seeley and Christy Allen have been together for seven years, own a home in Denver and are raising two kids. So they were disappointed last fall when Colorado voters joined the bandwagon of states that ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. But the couple won a measure of vindication this spring when Governor Bill Ritter signed a bill making Colorado the 10th state to allow gay and lesbian partners to adopt children as couples instead of restricting parental rights to one partner. Now Seeley can legally adopt Allen's biological daughter Amelia, 2, and Allen can adopt Seeley's adopted son Foster, 1, and this ability to become more like other families delights the couple. "Being able to give our children that kind of legal, two-parent security," says Seeley, 36, a medevac nurse, "means more than being able to marry."

It also means a lot to the bill's opponents, who fear that legalizing gay partners' parenthood is tantamount to legitimizing their couplehood. Both sides recognize the paradox: some of the same states that have rejected gay marriage are endorsing gay adoption. After winning constitutional amendments in 11 states to ban gay marriage in 2004, conservatives put gay adoption in their crosshairs last year--and misfired in every state they targeted. Since then, they have continued to suffer legislative defeats in states like Arkansas, which banned gay marriage in 2004 but earlier this year saw a bill to prohibit gay adoption die in committee. Only Florida denies gays and lesbians the right to adopt under any circumstances.

But the gay adoption boom may be less about support for gay rights than it is about the urgency of finding homes for abandoned children. There are as many as 120,000 in the U.S. waiting to be adopted. After Congress ordered states in 1997 to move faster to find more families willing to take in these kids, "child-welfare organizations banded together to get legislatures to allow any qualified parent to adopt, irrespective of sexual orientation," says Rob Woronoff, gay and lesbian program director at the Child Welfare League of America in Washington. The movement got a boost in 2002 when the American Academy of Pediatrics said the "health, adjustment and development" of kids adopted by gay parents were no worse than those of kids placed with heterosexuals. By 2006, a Pew Center poll found, support of gay adoption had risen from 38% in 1999 to 46% and opposition had fallen from 57% to 48%.

While adopted children in gay and lesbian homes were scarce a couple of decades ago, they now number 65,000, or more than 4% of adopted children in the U.S., according to a new study by the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Washington's Urban Institute. Almost 2% of the nation's 3 million same-sex households include adopted children--and that growing pool, the UCLA study estimates, currently saves U.S. taxpayers as much as $130 million a year in costs for, say, keeping children in foster or institutional care and recruiting adoptive parents for them.

Gay advocates say they feel such data help account for another Pew poll finding: opposition to gay marriage dropped from 65% in 1996 to 51% last year. The trend is heartening to gay activists who believe that as acts like Colorado's give gay and lesbian couples the opportunity to showcase their worth as partner-parents, the laws will help erode resistance to same-sex matrimony. "We now have a better chance to prove people's fears wrong," says Allen, 39, a painter. Ellen Kahn, family project director at Washington-based Human Rights Campaign, one of the nation's largest gay civil rights organizations, agrees. "It definitely makes it easier to make the argument that gay marriage would bolster family life," she says.


Justice MH: Family Values is diverse because of families like this, and they deserve the benefits that are already guaranteed. However, we still have another river to cross here in America. Civil rights for LGBT people will not be handed to us, it is to fought for. Our time is near!

What does this have to do with Hate Crimes???

Question: Have they no decency? The American Family Association, Focus on the Family, and other "pro-family" groups have been lying right and left far right about proposed hate crimes legislation, claiming such would prevent their right to preach against homosexuality. These pro-family groups will keep bearing false witness just so they can get their little cruel plan to succeed. I guess they don't think the First Amendment protects all speech including religious speech, but they don't care about that. They want to keep the hate crimes federal law a special club, and i guess we don't qualify on their terms. Well, this country doesn't legislate bias religious views.

So how low can they go? Well if you call running a three different newspapers ad in and around a Virginia town.

Ok, what does this have to do with hate crimes laws? Nothing! These Cafeteria Christians[my new nickname for these types] are desperate, and seem to NOT have faith in their beloved President Bush.It's intersting they say "[t]he proposed law would make it a crime to preach on Romans Chapter 1 or I Corinthians Chapter 6. Or even to discuss them in a Sunday School class." Huh? I never read that nowhere in the bill. These arguments have are baseless. These some cripple-thinking-hypocrites who have NO shame in their game. I already cover those two bible verse their mentioning, so whatever! If you tell a lie enough, it becomes a form of truth. Doesn't it say "thou shalt not lie"? I tell you, these Christian values are knew to me. I wonder what Christ would say about these 21 Century Pharisees? After looking at that ad, you can't get any lower than that, or can you?

CNN Poll: Majority Believes Sexual Orientation cannot change!!!

This is no surprise, it's 2007! In a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, a majority of respondents (68%) have indicated a belief that gays cannot change their sexual orientation. Americans are now starting to see gays and lesbians cannot change their sexual orientation, no more than they can! Being gay is NOT something you click off, or on.It's also not like shoes or underwear that you can change. Every Major Mainstream Health,medical, and scientific organization has said being gay is NOT chosen, and has strong biological influences! The ex-gay ministries are failing to prove what they stand for. So duh! Sexual orientation cannot change, everyone should have known that! I will have post ex-gay ministries in the upcoming posts, more news, and etc!