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]

BET Poll: Black Church and Homosexuality

BET's Meet the Faith is hosted by the hot Ian Smith. The guests were
Keith Boykin and Sheryl Lee Ralph who really spoke out with passion and reason about the black church and homosexuality.

Meet the Faith ran a poll to ask viewers to express their personal opinions on the subject. The results are as follow:

The Poll

We asked you, "Should the Black church stop condemning and start accepting Black gays and lesbians?" And here's how you voted:

About 64 percent of you said, "No. Most Christians believe it's wrong, and if you see people going down the wrong path, you should try to save them."

About 29 percent of you said, "Yes. Religion should be about love and tolerance."

About 7 percent of you said, "I don't know."

We also asked you, "Is homosexuality a choice or natural preference?"

About 61 percent of you said, "It's a choice."

About 24 percent of you said, "It's a natural preference. You're born that way."

Justice MH: Should I be surprise that 61% believe homosexuality is choice? No. There is still alot of work to be done on this important issue. The ones in the 64% group say that we need saving. From what? From being who we are, and living in truth! It's amazing how some people will tell others that their path, who they are, and who they love is wrong. You can't get much hypocritical than that. I wonder how the poll would have turn out if heterosexuality was being question? I bet there would be some sort of difference. Over 20% said religion should be about peace and tolerance. The black church continues to do the opposite. Some zealot black preacher take couple of bible verses out context, and hammer their gay church members into low-self esteem, and closet case mode. We have cross the river on race, but there is still one more river to cross on sexual orientation!

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]

Fords' Major Comeback

So Much for the American Family Association's anti-gay Ford boycott , it really seems to be working?

Job cuts, slimmer losses in North America and good sales overseas helped Ford Motor Co. post surprise second-quarter earnings Thursday of $750 million, its first profitable quarter in two years.


OPEN RESPONSE: THE CAPTAIN

So much for your blame-game on the gays for Fords decline on success in the markets. You really need to resolve your personal problems, and stop attacking the gays for your personal issues. Ford will continue it's support for gay-related events, so get over it.

[more-updates to come. I'm back-Justice MH]

I'm Back!!! Updates Resumes Tomorrow AM!!!

Yes, I'm back from my short vacation. The "big easy" New Orleans was great to see, along with some family. The city still has long way to go, to be rebuild that is. These last five days have been busy, fun, depressing, and restful. At last, I'm back home in the ATL. If i had a laptop i would have updated a couple of days ago, but it's all good. So normal regular world political/gay/racial news updates resumes tomorrow bright early AM!

NBJC Debuts "The Power of Us"

This Sunday July 22, 2007, The National Black Justice Coalition will debut it's new national media campaign called "The Power Of Us"!

The Power of Us is a bold, daring, and savvy nationwide campaign to highlight Black LGBT couples, families, high profile activists, religious and spiritual leaders, organizers, artists, designers and more. The new national campaign the Power of Us designed to display positive and uplifting messages and images that embrace, celebrate, and promote the talent, brilliance, and contributions, that Black SGL/LGBT people are making in America. This is a much-needed national campaign to show positive images of black gay men, especially as couples, that are show in the general media or gay media.


Also being honored is a woman I have so much respect for, and that woman is Jasmyne Cannick. Jasmyne's final duty as a board member will come to an end at the debut of the new media campaign "The Power Of Us"!

The event is planned to take place at a private home on Sunday, July 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

N.C Black Pastor asks why religion is being used to deny marriage to gays and lesbians!!!

Rev. Reggie Longcrier, pastor of Exodus Missionary Outreach Church in Hickory, N.C.:submitted a question on marriage equality for the CNN's YouTube Presidential debate. The video is short, but powerful, and simple. The Rev.Longcrier's question was directed to former N.C. Senator John Edwards because of his statement that he is unable at this time to "cross that bridge" to support marriage equality. His wife Elizabeth is waiting on the other side of bridge, of course, since she favors the right of gays and lesbians to marry.

Rev.Regggie said:Sen. Edwards has said his opposition to gay marriage has been influenced by his Southern Baptist background. We know religion was once used to justify slavery, segregation and women not being allowed to vote, all of which today are recognized as unconstitutional and socially and morally wrong. So why is it still acceptable to use religion to justify denying gay and lesbian American their full and equal rights.

This country will see marriage for gays, it wil become reality.
It's time to end religious-based bigotry now and forever.

For more on ending religious-based bigotry visit Faith in America.com

Pro-LGBT Black Clergy Ad tells the Truth about Federal Hate Crimes Legislation!!!

In response to the ads run by anti-gay black ministers fronted by Bishop Harry Jackson of the High Impact Leadership Coalition, which appeated in USA Today spreading disinformation about the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a group of pro-LGBT pastors have responded in kind.

In a new ad appearing in USA Today, the National Black Justice Coalition, Human Rights Campaign and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, black religious leaders counter the claim of the puppets/uncle toms of the white evangelical/conservative bigots, that the passage of the measure would muzzle pastors like Jackson from spouting homophobic sermons from the pulpit.

Bishop Jackson clearly thinks gays are taking over as he expressed those feeling in his Town Hall article:

G]ay activists around the country are getting nervous that they are about to experience an embarrassing political setback. Instead of amending the hate crimes legislation that protects churches in a substantive way, they are simply crying out in a louder, more threatening manner. Gay advocates are not looking for fairness; they are looking for an upper hand.

A recent Gallup poll showed that 68% of Americans support adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the existing hate crimes laws, this is the kind of misinformation that Harry Jackson and his homo-hating friends in the pulpit give us:

Justice MH: As Bishop Carlton Pearson said: the bill clearly states,"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. Unfortunately, free speech, and the bible is NOT the real reason they oppose the expansion of the federal hate crimes statue. These black bigots put a new meaning to "bearing false witness", and they know their free speech is NOT threaten. The real reason they oppose this bill, in my opinion, is that the more pro-LGBT bills pass on the federal level than sooner or later it will not be popular to hate and oppose a minority's rights. It's like i said countless times on this blog, you have the right to free speech, but NOT the right to limit other American citizen's rights.

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.

Dear Abby: Mother learns to accept Gay son!!!

Justice MH: A mother learns to love and respect her son for who he is. Better late than never!

Dear Abby: My husband and I raised our two sons and two daughters. One son and both daughters married well. Our other son, “Neil,” is gay. He and his partner, “Ron,” have been together 15 years, but Neil’s father and I never wanted to know Ron because we disapproved of their lifestyle.

When I was 74, my husband died, leaving me in ill health and nearly penniless. No longer able to live alone, I asked my married son and two daughters if I could “visit” each of them for four months a year. (I thought living out of a suitcase would be best for everyone.) All three turned me down.

When Neil and Ron heard what had happened, they invited me to live with them. They welcomed me into their home, and removed a wall between two rooms so I’d have a bedroom with a private bath and sitting room. They also include me in many of their plans. Since I moved in with them, I have traveled more than I have my whole life. They never mention that they are supporting me, or that I ignored them.

When old friends ask how it feels living with my gay son, I tell them I hope they’re lucky enough to have one who will take them in one day. Please continue urging your readers to accept their children as they are. My only regret is that I wasted 15 years. – Grateful Mom

Dear Grateful Mom: You are fortunate to have such a loving, generous and forgiving son. Sexual orientation is not a measure of anyone’s humanity or worth. Thank you for pointing out how important it is that people respect each other for who they are, not what we would like them to be.

You could have learned that lesson long ago, had you and your husband contacted Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) when you first learned that Neil was gay. Among other things, the organization offers support groups and education for parents who need to learn more about gender issues. The address is 1726 M St. N.W., Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036.

Justice MH's Final Thoughts: Abby told it like it is. This mother could learn this lesson alot sooner. She would have seen her same old son, and that who he loves doesn't matter. If it's male/female or male/male or female/female it's all beautiful. Love is always proper, and God is love too! This mother is bless with a son who happen to be gay, who takes care of her, and didn't hold any negativity towards her. This mother has showed how important it is that people respect each other for who they are, not what we would like them to be!

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.

Pope: Other Christians not true churches

The Pope and the Catholic Church is still with that crap. Don't they ever learn? When you say things like that, you create unnecessary holy wars, and confrontations.

[AP]:

Pope Benedict XVI reasserted the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says other Christian communities are either defective or not true churches and Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation.

The backlash and criticism:

Protestant leaders said: "It makes us question whether we are indeed praying together for Christian unity," said the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, a fellowship of 75 million Protestants in more than 100 countries.
"It makes us question the seriousness with which the Roman Catholic Church takes its dialogues with the reformed family and other families of the church," the group said in a letter charging that the document took ecumenical dialogue back to the era before the Second Vatican Council.

The 200 page documents' quotes: The commentary repeated church teaching that says the Catholic Church "has the fullness of the means of salvation."Christ 'established here on earth' only one church," The other communities "cannot be called 'churches' in the proper sense" because they do not have apostolic succession — the ability to trace their bishops back to Christ's original apostles — and therefore their priestly ordinations are not valid, it said.

Justice MH: After reading through some of those quotes from the 200 page document, i can see why there are wars between religions or different secs of religions. I have said this before everyone is entitle to believe how they choose, or if they don't want to. For the Catholic Church to say they hold the truth and salvation is blasphemy. They have no respect for other Christian Churches and even other religions. Every religion has it's truth. It's very hypocritical for someone of another religion or a sec of that religion to say what you believe is wrong, and mine is right. Every human being has the right to a certain Christian denomination or another religion. Every religion may have different views and beliefs. For the sake of World peace, we can at least come down to a universal creed: love God, love one another!