Ad Spotlight: Powershop New Zealand

A gay ad featuring the pope? Brilliant. And yes, it's real... in New Zealand. Read more here. 

Romney's Religious Rituals

Check out this video of Romney's Mormon church rituals that recently surfaced. I believe everybody has the right to freely practice any religion. But isn't it interesting how scared so many Americans are that Obama is Muslim, when he isn't (not that there would be anything wrong if we were). When Mitt Romney is Mormon, and that's a fact. He's a member of the same "church" that operates like a political action committee - that was responsible for funneling in endless amounts of out of state money to pass Prop 8 in California. The same "church" that believes in replacing civil government and policy with their own. Which happens to include wearing magic underwear. Can you imagine how afraid Americans would be if Obama were Mormon? The republicans are very lucky Romney is white, or he wouldn't stand a chance.

Ad Spotlight: Minnesotans United For All Families

Correct messaging here... there are still many people who think legalizing gay marriage means churches would have to marry gay couples, and that's not true. And by the way, voting no on the amendment still doesn't legalize gay marriage – it just prevents the existing ban from being enshrined in the state's constitution.

Nebraska Churches Take out Full Page Ad to Oppose LGBT Nondiscrimination Protections

Get this: 214 churches in Nebraska recently pitched in to take out a full page ad in Omaha's World-Herald newspaper to oppose an LGBT nondiscrimination bill. If passed, the bill would provide basic protections to LGBT people in Nebraska. Currently, LGBT people in Nebraska have no protections on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and thus can be fired from their jobs or denied housing just because they are gay. And 214 churches across the state came together to make sure that keeps happening. Apparently it's just the Christian thing to do. 

New Santorum Campaign Ad

Lagging behind in the polls, it looks like Santorum is trying to appeal to the religious extremists by telling them that God told him to run for President. The ad, by the way, says nothing about why he'd make a good president. 

2011: A Prouder Pride

Seven years ago, I wrote this editorial in my college newspaper as George W. Bush was proposing an amendment to the U.S. constitution that would outlaw marriage equality across the country. A week later, somebody responded to my editorial saying that "if they let a man marry another man, what's next is that somebody will want to marry their tractor." Dead serious. 


Now, many years later, same-sex couples have the same right to get married in New York state as opposite-sex couples. Those of us who have fought tirelessly for this issue in New York for over a decade almost never thought this day would come. But finally, it's here. 


And it' s a huge reason why we all should be even prouder this pride. The number of people living in this country in a state that recognizes marriage equality has just doubled. I'm no longer a New Yorker, but I'm proud that I went to college in a state that now treats its gay and lesbian citizens with equality and fairness. I'm proud that my parents live in New York state. And I'm proud to be an American. Events like last night show that there are good people in politics on both sides of the aisle. And when we fight hard enough and long enough for what we believe in and what we know is right, we will prevail. 


I hope we all take some time to thank the republican senators who put what's right for New Yorkers ahead of what's right for them getting re-elected. I hope we thank the many organizations who have participated in making this happen over the past decade - Empire State Pride Agenda, Freedom to Marry, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, and NGLTF, just to name a few. 


So let's party like there's no tomorrow this weekend, but let's not forget that there's still much work to be done. As long as there's places in this country where it's illegal for you to obtain a government-issued marriage license because you're gay, there is blatant discrimination embedded into our laws. Remember, these pastors and churches who have been such vocal opponents DO NOT OWN CIVIL MARRIAGE. Their arrogance never ceases to amaze me. They own RELIGIOUS marriage as they define it within their own religion, but they don't have the right to impose their religious views onto the civil rights of us all. When it comes to religious marriage, churches have always been able to marry and deny marriage to whoever they want, and they always will be able to do that. What the government is involved with is CIVIL MARRIAGE, which has nothing to do with a church. It's simply the right to access a marriage license issued by the government. So don't be fooled by the dynamic that this is an issue of gays vs. the church, because that is not at all a fair portrayal, and it's especially not fair to the many churches, religions, and people of faith who support marriage equality. 


I hope the actions of the New York lawmakers will inspire each of us be a little braver, a little stronger,  and a little more vocal as we move forward. Let people know you're here and that you're gay, not just on gay pride weekend, but whenever it really counts - especially at the voting booth. As strong as our spirit may be this weekend, we need our actions to match that strength when we determine who we put in power and who makes the rules. That's one right they can never take away. 

Chick-Fil-A Sponsors Marriage Inequality

Just one more reason to boycott them. 

Tennessee Billboards Promote Marriage "Gods Way"

These billboards are popping up all over Tennessee; and you guessed it, thanks in part to the support of NOM the "National Organization for Marriage" and the conservative-values ad agency, Roland Advertising. Seems like an odd place to put their money and message, as Tennessee already has a constitutional amendment banning civil marriage equality for same-sex couples. Guess they just want to promote heterosexuality as much as they can. 
Read more here and be sure to read the comments. 

Salvation Army's Views May Partially Explain Donation Decrease

I thought this was a good article worth sharing by Joseph Erbentraut at the Windy City Times. In addition to what's mentioned here, it's widely known that The Salvation Army refuses to provide many of its services to openly gay people and gay couples. So please think twice about who you're really donating to this season, especially when Howard Brown right around the corner so desperately needs the help. 
   

While the Salvation Army's stance on homosexuality may not be a new point of contention for many LGBT activists, recent reports of a drastic drop-off in donations to the group's iconic Red Kettle Campaign in the Chicago area have elicited speculation that the group's anti-gay reputation may be putting a dent into its fundraising haul this holiday season. (Continue reading this Windy City Times story via the above link).

 

Further reading:

Why The Salvation Army Doesn't Deserve Your Money

Good News: Donations to Gay-Hating Salvation Army Down Everywhere

50 Very Insightful Blog Posts on GLBTQ Spirituality

At first glance, one may assume that religion and spirituality gels little with the LGBT community and our quest for civil rights. Considering the very vocal opposition by many prominent religious figures and marginalization of ANY members who do not conform to very regimented expectations, that mindset is certainly understandable. However, polls have shown a growing acceptance of GLBTQ individuals in different houses of worship – and the numbers only continue to climb. Take a look at this site, which highlights 50 blog posts that provide some excellent insight on how these men and women have approached their religious beliefs in order to find solace, peace of mind and acceptance. Contrary to popular belief, it can be done.

United Church of Christ Launches New Campaign

The United Church of Christ, whose last campaign included the famous banned ejector ad, has a new ad campaign that includes images of LGBT couples. I love the line "never place a period where God has placed a comma." Take a look:

Is CBS being hypocritical?

Daily Kos recently brought up a good point. Isn't it a bit hypocritical that a few years ago, CBS rejected a few Super Bowl spots from the United Church of Christ but now is happy to air a Super Bowl spot from Focus on The Family? The United Church of Christ spots were showing tolerance toward all groups of people, with the taglines, "God doesn't reject people. Neither do we" and "Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we." Apparently those ads aren't ok, but an anti-abortion ad is ok?
Check out the United Church of Christ spots here:

8: The Mormon Proposition

Cannot wait to see this: